The Flourishing Era of Female Merchants

Seeing An Mi's expression, everyone couldn't help but admire her more. This woman from Rongjin City seemed to have more boldness and loyalty than them!

Sima Yan frowned. Although she was mentally prepared for An Mi to retaliate, she was still somewhat wary. This An Mi always did things unpredictably!

"What? Do you have a problem with this?" Empress Feng glanced at An Mi, her expression shifting, making her somewhat unreadable.

"Your Majesty, I have heard that the Vice Minister's son already has someone he loves. If we force this marriage, wouldn't that be breaking up a loving couple?" Anmi said calmly, meeting everyone's gaze.

Upon hearing this, Sima Yan instinctively said, "What kind of rumor is this? I've never heard that the Vice Minister's son has someone he likes?"

Was Anmi deliberately trying to stop her? How could she let her succeed?

"Mother, where did that Vice Minister's son get his sweetheart? I'm afraid Mi'er is just joking." Sima Yan paused, then continued, a faint smile playing on her lips, seemingly brimming with confidence that she could bring this marriage to fruition.

He's just a fool, someone who doesn't even know what liking or admiring someone is, so how could he have someone he loves?

“An Mi is not joking. How could the Crown Princess know that the Minister’s son doesn’t have someone he loves?” An Mi said calmly, immediately silencing Sima Yan with her words.

In front of so many people, she couldn't very well reveal that the Vice Minister's son was an idiot. If she did, wouldn't that only further demonstrate her ill intentions?

Sima Yan's calm expression froze. This An Mi really is sharp-tongued!

However, it's not like she has no way to deal with it!

“If there is such a person, then Mi’er might as well tell us who the Vice Minister’s son’s sweetheart is, so that everyone can judge for themselves, right? Besides, the Empress Dowager is always kind. If you tell us who the Vice Minister’s son’s sweetheart is, perhaps the Empress Dowager will issue an edict to grant us another good match.” Sima Yan said smugly. She believed that An Mi would not be able to tell us who that person was.

Meanwhile, listening to the back-and-forth between the two, Yan Bing felt an even stronger urge to hate Sima Yan. This woman truly seemed to thrive on chaos! Did she really want to interfere in her marriage? Not so easy. Seeing that An Mi couldn't reveal the love interest of the Vice Minister's son, Yan Bing's displeasure finally erupted completely.

"Since it's a marriage bestowed by Her Majesty the Empress, why is the Crown Prince's Consort so eager? Aren't some things a bit too hasty?" Yan Bing said coldly. Over the years, she had become used to being carefree and didn't give Sima Yan a kind look, no matter how hard she tried to act.

Yan Bing's attitude was undoubtedly a slap in the face to Sima Yan. After all, Sima Yan's tone just now was so warm and friendly, as if the two of them were really good sisters!

However, what made people's hearts skip a beat was the implied meaning in her words. Almost before she finished speaking, Empress Feng's face darkened, especially Sima Yan, whose face turned pale and then red.

An Mi glanced at Sima Yan and saw a hint of panic in her eyes. A faint smile involuntarily appeared on her lips. She thought to herself, "Yan Bing's mouth is really sharp. You know, the implication of her words is that Sima Yan is eager to overstep her bounds and do what the Empress does."

To put it more plainly, Sima Yan wanted to be the empress!

If this were investigated, it would be a grave offense!

"Mother... Your Majesty, I absolutely had no other intentions." Sima Yan came to her senses and hurriedly explained.

Empress Feng had just experienced many unpleasant things. Feng Yu's death and the things that Old Master Feng had previously told her all left her feeling resentful. At this moment, Yan Bing's words easily stirred up her displeasure, and she coldly said, "It's best if there isn't one!"

"Of course...of course." Sima Yan forced a smile, her expression extremely unnatural.

Empress Feng also lost interest. Even if Sima Yan was not very bright, if she continued to bring up Yan Bing's marriage at this moment, she would not be able to achieve the desired effect through Empress Feng's intervention, and it might even backfire. Understanding this, Sima Yan considered it again and again, and in the end, she did not dare to continue the topic. However, she did not give up. Even if this opportunity was wasted, she would look for another opportunity. She still had a way to control Yan Bing's marriage.

However, what happened soon proved that the things she was determined to control had already slipped out of her grasp...

"Of course? What do you mean, of course?" In the eerie atmosphere, a clear and deep voice rang out, causing everyone to pause in surprise and subconsciously look at the newcomer, all of whom knelt on the ground.

"Greetings, Your Majesty." The man in bright yellow robes was none other than Emperor Mingde. And behind Emperor Mingde was none other than Prince Bohai, Bai Yi.

"What were you discussing just now? It was so lively!" Emperor Mingde asked with a smile. However, everyone was secretly thinking to themselves, "Lively? What liveliness? The atmosphere just now was clearly tense and on the verge of war. How could it be lively?"

Sima Yan's expression clearly froze for a moment. Empress Feng did not want to go against Emperor Mingde's wishes. "We were just talking about the marriage of Miss Yan Bing from the Marquis of Jin's mansion."

Emperor Mingde's eyes suddenly lit up. "Heh, what a coincidence! Just now, someone was also asking me about Yan Bing's marriage at the Marquis of Jin's residence. Yan Bing? I remember she used to be a lovely girl. I heard she returned some time ago and came to let me see her!"

Yan Bing was also surprised that Emperor Mingde would suddenly mention her. She was stunned for a moment, then immediately stepped forward and curtsied, "This subject greets Your Majesty."

"Are you Yan Bing?" Emperor Mingde looked Yan Bing up and down, nodding as if satisfied, yet also scrutinizing something. "You've become even more beautiful than before."

Yan Bing was somewhat bewildered by the praise she received from Emperor Mingde, while Sima Yan, upon hearing it, felt a sense of unease, as if something was no longer under her control.

The most composed was Anmi, who subtly glanced at Bai Yi, only to have their eyes meet. Their gazes locked, and they exchanged a smile, as if something was flowing between them.

An Mi knew that what she had told Bai Yi earlier had now reached Emperor Mingde.

Emperor Mingde composed himself and continued, "Today, someone mentioned your marriage to me. After careful consideration, I think your ages are suitable, and you are a perfect match, a talented man and a beautiful woman."

Sima Yan's heart skipped a beat. How could this be?

Yan Bing was stunned. Was the Emperor going to bestow a marriage upon her? What kind of luck had she had? Why were there people everywhere eyeing her marriage? Marry someone? If the person she was marrying wasn't him, she'd rather not marry at all!