The Flourishing Era of Female Merchants

"Second Miss, I'm sorry to bother you so late..." Feng Xianglan said apologetically, but as she spoke, she had already entered the room and even closed the door behind her.

An Mi watched her actions without saying a word, pondering something. If she guessed correctly, Feng Xianglan's late arrival must be related to tomorrow's matters. Thinking of this, An Mi became interested, and a warm smile bloomed on her face. "No problem, no problem. I haven't gone to sleep yet anyway."

"That's good, Second Miss. Actually, Xianglan came tonight because she has something to ask for your help with. I wonder..." Feng Xianglan frowned. She was already a beautiful woman, and with this frown, she looked even more pitiful.

Ask her for help? What's gotten into her tonight? Does everyone have something for her to do?

An Mi smiled sarcastically to herself, but said aloud, "Miss Xianglan, why bother asking? Just tell me what you need. You and Fifth Aunt are new to the An family and there are many things you don't know yet. If An Mi can help, she will do so without hesitation."

Hearing this, Feng Xianglan's face lit up with joy, and she affectionately took An Mi's hand, "I knew it, Second Miss is a warm-hearted person."

An Mi smiled but remained silent, waiting for Feng Xianglan to explain her purpose. Feng Xianglan didn't delay, but as if she had thought of something, her face fell, and she sighed, "Second Miss, at today's embroidery competition, I don't know what got into me, but I actually provoked Xinhe like that. On the way back, I kept feeling that I had done something wrong. After returning to the manor, Mother learned the whole story and also scolded me. Mother said that now that we have entered the An family, we are already members of the An family, and Xinhe and I are sisters. What I did at the embroidery competition was really inappropriate. I have thought about it and felt more and more guilty. If this matter has ruined everyone's relationship, then it would be my fault. Tomorrow's competition with Xinhe should not happen."

Feng Xianglan's attitude in admitting her mistake was extremely sincere. If one didn't know what kind of person she was in their past life, even An Mi might have been fooled by her superb acting skills.

“If Miss Xianglan realizes her mistake, she can apologize to Madam and Fifth Miss. I believe Madam and Fifth Miss will not hold this against her,” An Mi said, her tone devoid of emotion.

“But… alas, as you know, ever since Mother and I entered the An Mansion, Madam has never treated us well. If Xianglan goes to apologize, I’m afraid she won’t even be able to see Madam.” Feng Xianglan sighed.

"What should Miss Xianglan do?" An Mi looked at Feng Xianglan with a puzzled expression, but her eyes were clear.

Feng Xianglan had been waiting for An Mi to say this, and even her way of addressing her suddenly became intimate, "Mi'er, how about this? I've prepared a gift to give to Xinhe as an apology. Would you like to take it over for me?"

"A gift?" Anmi murmured thoughtfully. "What kind of gift?"

Feng Xianglan's eyes flickered slightly, and she chuckled, "It's not an expensive gift, just a token of my appreciation. If Xinhe accepts it, then apologizing will increase our chances of success."

An Mi smiled and remained silent for a moment before speaking, "Alright, you can leave the gift with me, and I'll deliver it to you tomorrow, how about that?"

As soon as she finished speaking, Feng Xianglan's excitement was evident on her face. "Really? That's wonderful!"

After saying that, she got up and went out. A moment later, she returned with a food box in her hand. Feng Xianglan walked up to An Mi with the food box and said, "It's just some snacks. I know that Miss Xinhe likes the snacks from this shop, so I went to buy them on a special occasion."

An Mi glanced at a mark on the food box and raised an eyebrow. "The pastries from this place are hard to come by. They're sold in limited quantities every day, ridiculously expensive, and not everyone can buy them. Miss Xianglan is really thoughtful."

Feng Xianglan smiled and said nothing, but handed the food box to An Mi, saying, "I'll have to trouble you with this."

"No trouble at all, what trouble?" An Mi replied casually, carrying the food box. After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Feng Xianglan took her leave. Before leaving, Feng Xianglan subtly reminded her not to eat any of the food, as it was prepared for Miss Xinhe. If she wanted some, she would invite her to eat it later.

An Mi was left alone in the room again. She placed the food box on the table, then took out the porcelain bottle that An Xinlian had given her earlier, put the two together, and smiled inscrutably.

Anmi opened the food box and took out a piece of the delicate pastry. She noticed a mouse gnawing on wood in the corner and threw the pastry over without thinking. The mouse was so frightened that it immediately ran away, leaving only the pastry lying quietly in the corner.

Anmi glanced at the pastries, twitched her lips, then tidied up the two items on the table and prepared to go to sleep.

That night, Anmi dreamed again of the scene before her death in her previous life. The cries of Liu'er and the child who was thrown to his death never stopped in her dream.

“Daughter…” An Mi suddenly woke up, the simple furnishings in the room reminding her where she was.

It's a dream!

Anmi touched the wet pillow, frowned slightly, got up and got out of bed, intending to take the pillow out to air it, but as soon as she took a step, her eyes fell on a certain spot in the corner of the wall, and she immediately stopped in her tracks.

In the corner, the pastry she had left there last night was missing a piece, and next to the pastry, there was an extra mouse.

The dead rat had blood flowing from its ears, nose, mouth, and eyes; it was a gruesome sight.

Although she had expected that the snacks would not be so simple, this scene still made An Mi pause for a moment. She looked at the food box that Feng Xianglan had brought over. Did Feng Xianglan also have murderous intentions?

Moreover, they used her to kill her. Both Feng Xianglan and Yu Fangfei, mother and daughter, were still concerned about her safety when they were dealing with each other!

He walked slowly to the place where the food box and small porcelain bottle were placed, his gaze shifting between the two, revealing no trace of joy or anger.

After a moment, Anmi's lips curled upwards, and her eyes turned colder.

Excellent! Since they think so highly of her, how could she let them down?

At dawn, the servants of the An family were busy preparing for the event. Yesterday, the Fifth Miss won first place at the embroidery competition, enjoying great success. Today, the Liu family was coming to propose marriage. Such an important event was naturally taken very seriously by everyone in the An family.

Even An Yuefeng, who was originally busy, did not go out today, but waited specifically for the Liu family to come and propose marriage.

In the hall, Yu Fangfei personally directed the servants to arrange everything. An Yuefeng had stayed in her room last night, which made her look even more smug. This smugness was even more evident when she saw Jin Qiaoyu and her daughter enter the hall.

Jin Qiaoyu was unwilling, but she could only endure it. Thinking of what Xianglan had said last night, she felt a little better. Seeing Yu Fangfei's arrogant way of directing the servants, she raised her lips in disdain. Yu Fangfei, that bitch, let's see how long she can be so smug!