The Flourishing Era of Female Merchants

"Then there's no need to rest. Give the order: everyone is tired, so it's alright to walk a little slower!" Old Master Feng's voice came from inside the carriage curtain. His voice was gentle, less authoritative than before, but more like the warmth of an old man.

The man outside the carriage was named Feng Qing. His ancestors had served the Feng family for generations. In his generation, he was highly regarded by Old Master Feng, who promoted him to steward and bestowed upon him the Feng family surname. Having served Old Master Feng for many years, he was puzzled by Old Master Feng's order at this moment.

Thinking about how the old master had been traveling day and night, why did he suddenly stop just before reaching the capital? Remembering Young Master Feng Yu's matter, Feng Qing frowned. Yesterday, she had received a message from the capital saying that a welcome-home banquet would be held at the palace at noon today. If this caused a delay…

Feng Qing thought and thought, but still couldn't figure it out. Finally, he asked, "Grandpa, the Emperor is still waiting in the capital. There are still several hours until noon... perhaps..."

If we continue at the previous pace, reaching the capital before noon should not be a problem, but...

Before Feng Qing could finish speaking, he sensed that the person inside the carriage seemed somewhat displeased. Feng Qing quickly stopped talking, not daring to utter another word. His heart trembled slightly, and he stood there silently, feeling neither apprehensive nor able to stay or retreat.

After a long while, Old Master Feng's voice finally came from inside the carriage, "My old bones are getting old, and after traveling for so long, I suddenly feel a little unwell!"

Despite this, judging from his voice, he did not seem to be in any discomfort whatsoever. Feng Qing, outside the carriage, took a deep breath and dared not say anything more. He then followed the old master Feng's instructions and said, "Yes, this servant will give the order immediately."

Hearing a soft "hmm" from inside the carriage, even though it was through the carriage curtain and the people inside couldn't see him at all, Feng Qing bowed slightly, took several steps back, and then turned to the group, instructing, "The old master is not feeling well, everyone please walk slowly."

"Yes." The crowd responded in unison, and the group of about a hundred people moved forward in an orderly manner.

At the palace gate, all the officials stood in a row. Under the blazing sun, a thin layer of sweat appeared on everyone's face. Apart from secretly wiping the sweat with their handkerchiefs, no one dared to make any other move.

Directly in front, Emperor Mingde, dressed in a bright yellow dragon robe, sat on a palanquin. Even with an umbrella providing shade, he frowned slightly from the blazing sun.

"What time is it?" Emperor Mingde's deep voice rang out, clearly revealing a hint of impatience. He, a dignified emperor, had been waiting for so long under the scorching sun to welcome Old Master Feng, but the person had not arrived yet. The person he was waiting for was really not taking him seriously at all!

Eunuch Qin hurriedly replied in a low voice, "Your Majesty, it is already noon!"

"What's going on up ahead? Why hasn't Old Master Feng arrived yet?" Upon hearing the time, Emperor Mingde became even more impatient, even harboring a slight anger.

Empress Feng, who was standing beside Emperor Mingde, sensed his anger and quickly forced a smile, saying, "Your Majesty, something must have delayed you. Someone, quickly fan the Emperor."

Empress Feng instructed the palace maid beside Emperor Mingde, then turned to the emperor and continued, "Your Majesty, why don't you and your ministers go into the palace first, and I will greet them here? What do you think?"

Emperor Mingde frowned. The reason he waited here was to show his regard for the Feng family. Old Master Feng was a cunning old fox, and he couldn't let him have any leverage over him. Empress Feng was Old Master Feng's daughter, and now that she had said so, he was naturally happy to be at ease.

However, he still had to put on a good show. Emperor Mingde frowned and said with some difficulty, "How can this be? It is rare for the old master to come to the capital. Although I am the emperor, I am also the old master's son-in-law. If I do not personally greet him, the old master will probably say that I, as his son-in-law, have not been hospitable enough."

Empress Feng chuckled and said, “Your Majesty, what are you saying? Your Majesty is Your Majesty. Such courtesy to Father will surely be remembered by Father. Besides, I am Your Majesty’s person. I am welcoming Father on behalf of Your Majesty. This is not much different from Your Majesty welcoming Father in person. I believe Father will understand.”

Empress Feng was not stupid. The Emperor was personally welcoming her. If her father had arrived on time, it would have been a great honor. But she didn't know what was wrong with her father, that he had been delayed for so long, making the Emperor wait? What a rebellious thing to do!

Although the Emperor is my father's son-in-law, his greatest identity is that of the Emperor. If he gets angry because of this, he will likely lose all honor and end up getting himself into trouble.

Empress Feng secretly resented Old Master Feng. What was wrong with this father?

Emperor Mingde frowned. "Very well...then I'll trouble the Empress."

"It's alright, it's what I should do," Empress Feng said softly. Her virtuous appearance drew praise from all the officials.

However, Bai Yi, Qing Lan, and the others saw this and a strange light flashed in their eyes.

Aside from Bai Yi and An Mi, Qing Lan knew best what kind of entanglements were involved in the recent events. Now that Feng Yu was dead, many things were brewing and turbulent. It was probably not a coincidence that Old Master Feng was late today!

Qinglan frowned. This time, it was indeed a fortunate thing that the Feng family lost Feng Yu. However, he could not underestimate the arrival of Old Master Feng in the capital. Among the younger generation of the Feng family, Feng Yu was the most shrewd, but compared to Old Master Feng, he was still a nobody. The truly terrifying person in the Feng family was Old Master Feng!

Qinglan knew that the capital would not be peaceful with Old Master Feng's visit, but even so, there were some things he had to face!

Qinglan narrowed his eyes. When he looked up, he saw Bai Yi holding An Mi's hand. The two turned and walked into the palace with the emperor's entourage. For a moment, Qinglan was in a daze. He saw that An Mi's hand was being held by Bai Yi. Even from behind, he could feel her happiness. The two of them were so well-matched!

But what about him...?

"Your Highness, we should go." A woman's voice rang out from the side. It was Sima Yan, who had only recently become the Crown Prince's wife. She had seen every move Qing Lan made. She saw the way Qing Lan looked at An Mi, and even saw the love and disappointment in his eyes.

Sima Yan's heart was in unbearable pain, but she endured it, and could only endure it, constantly telling herself that she was now the rightful Crown Prince's wife, while An Mi had already become the fiancée of the Prince of Bohai. Qing Lan thought to himself that he could never have An Mi.