The Flourishing Era of Female Merchants

Father is not a fool. He already knew that Yunxiu was a member of the Feng family. So why is he now so at ease placing her by his side to serve him?

Bai Yi was completely baffled, but one thing he was absolutely certain of was that Yunxiu's existence played a very important role.

"If that woman is in danger, it's not uncommon for palace maids to accidentally fall into wells." The King of Qin frowned, a ruthless glint flashing in his eyes. Although he had never met Yunxiu, he knew from his third brother's solemn expression that this Yunxiu was no ordinary person!

Bai Yi's eyes flickered slightly as that peerless face appeared in his mind. His gaze tightened, but he didn't say anything more.

In the room, the two talked for a long time. When it was time to eat, An Mi sent Liu Guang to invite Bai Yi to her room for dinner. She made a point of mentioning that Yan Bing was also there. Immediately, the King of Qin's face turned pale and then red. He was a smart man, how could he not understand An Mi's meaning?

Was she deliberately trying to make him jealous? She knew perfectly well that he couldn't possibly be out in broad daylight in the capital!

"Haha..." Bai Yi laughed heartily at the King of Qin's expression, then looked at him with pity. "Take care of yourself. Your third brother will have someone bring you some food to your study!"

Offending Anmi might make it difficult to escape unscathed!

Bai Yi left the study after saying this, leaving the King of Qin staring at the closed door, feeling extremely uncomfortable. He sighed again: "Only petty men and women are difficult to deal with!"

He'd wait a few more days, just a few more days, and see if her actions would still be an obstacle to him!

After waiting for more than ten days, the Prince of Qin and his entourage, who were ordered to enter the palace, finally arrived in the capital. On this day, Emperor Mingde and the Prince of Qin and his son had not seen each other for a long time, so Emperor Mingde specially prepared a family banquet that evening to welcome the Prince of Qin back home.

The eldest prince Qinglan and his wife, the second prince, Empress Feng, Bai Yi and An Mi, as well as the Donglin Prince who was still staying in the capital but rarely appeared, also came to accompany them. Several princes in the capital gathered together. To outsiders, the atmosphere seemed like a family reunion, harmonious and beautiful. However, when An Mi sat among them, she felt an unusually strange atmosphere.

"Fifth son, the journey has been long and arduous; you must be tired. However, it's all for your marriage, and all the hardship is worthwhile." Emperor Mingde spoke first. Having not seen his son for a long time, he couldn't help but take a good look at his fifth son, his brow furrowing slightly with a touch of emotion. "I remember when you first left the capital for your territories, you were quite young and inexperienced. Now..."

Emperor Mingde fell silent at this point. His fifth son's mother had passed away early, and he had rarely paid attention to this son. For a moment, a sense of guilt welled up in his heart.

Empress Feng noticed this slight sense of guilt and frowned. The Emperor felt guilty towards the Fifth Prince? This was not a good sign!

"Your Majesty, Prince Qin has now grown into a man of great talent and beauty. Your Majesty has also bestowed upon him the marriage of Miss Bing'er from the Marquis of Jin's residence. Miss Bing'er comes from a prestigious family and is both talented and virtuous. She and our Prince Qin are a match made in heaven. I believe that after their marriage, the young couple will surely be happy and blissful." Empress Feng said gently with a loving smile.

As soon as he finished speaking, Emperor Mingde's slight guilt disappeared. He glanced at Yan Bing sitting to the side and nodded in satisfaction, "That's right. When we return to the capital this time, I will arrange your marriage immediately!"

The Prince of Qin didn't care about Emperor Mingde's guilt or anything. Upon hearing this, he subconsciously glanced at Yan Bing and saw her blushing and lowering her head. Her appearance was incredibly charming, something he had only seen on her face many years ago. Overjoyed, he stood up, walked to the center of the hall, knelt down, and kowtowed, "Your subject thanks Your Majesty for your great kindness!"

After several years apart, Bing'er was no longer the same Bing'er. Now she was like a lion, difficult to tame. But this did not change his feelings for her at all; on the contrary, his feelings for her had grown stronger. Fortunately, the Emperor's bestowal of marriage came at the right time. It would not be too late to tame her properly after he married her!

"Bing'er, what about you?" Emperor Mingde glanced at Prince Qin with satisfaction, then turned his gaze to Yan Bing, who was sitting on the other side. Instantly, everyone's attention was focused on Yan Bing.

Yan Bing was taken aback, realizing that everyone was looking at her, and she became even more charming. Anyone who saw this would know that she was very satisfied with this marriage. After a moment of hesitation, Yan Bing finally stood up, walked to the side of Prince Qin, and curtsied to Emperor Mingde, "This subject thanks Your Majesty for your grace."

Yan Bing was a clever woman who understood the implications of the situation. The marriage was already arranged, and even if she harbored resentment towards the King of Qin, or wanted to throw a tantrum at him, this was not the time to do so.

"Before long, they will be calling me Father Emperor together with the Fifth Prince!" Emperor Mingde laughed with satisfaction. The more he looked at this perfect couple, the more he felt that his marriage arrangement was excellent.

Upon hearing Emperor Mingde's words, Yan Bing blushed even more. Everyone could see that the two people in the hall were in love and satisfied with the marriage, including Sima Yan!

However, this was not something to be happy about for her. She originally planned to use Yan Bing's marriage to strike at An Mi, but she did not expect that the arranged marriage would beat her to it and instead benefit Yan Bing.

Are they mutually in love?

Sima Yan thought of herself and Qing Lan, and the color in her eyes darkened. She glanced at Qing Lan sitting next to her. He had been silent the whole time, drinking his wine by himself, but Sima Yan caught the occasional glances that drifted towards An Mi.

A sudden thought struck him, and a burning jealousy flared within him. His gaze fell upon An Mi, and his fist clenched tightly beneath his sleeve.

Even at this moment, is An Mi all that Qing Lan can see? Then what is Sima Yan compared to her?

She is the Crown Princess, how can she endure such humiliation? In what way is Sima Yan inferior to a woman from a small town?

Anmi... She, Sima Yan, cannot lose to her!

Sima Yan lowered her gaze slightly, and a smile appeared on her lips. "Father, there is something I'm unsure whether I should mention!"

As soon as Sima Yan finished speaking, everyone else looked at her. Emperor Mingde was in a good mood, so he said cheerfully, "Tell me about it!"

Having received permission, Sima Yan's smile deepened, and she said loudly, "I, as the elder sister-in-law, am truly happy for the marriage of the King of Qin and Bing'er. However, in my joy, I am reminded of the marriage of the King of Bohai..."

At this point, everyone frowned slightly. Qinglan even tugged at Sima Yan's sleeve under the table, trying to stop her from continuing. However, Sima Yan had made up her mind and had the opportunity, so how could she not speak?

"Father, the Prince of Bohai is slightly older than His Highness the Prince of Qin. Some time ago, the marriage between the Prince of Bohai and Miss Anmi was arranged. Now that His Highness the Prince of Qin is going to choose a date for the wedding, what about the marriage between the Prince of Bohai and Miss Anmi..." Sima Yan blurted it all out, carefully observing the expressions of everyone around her. Seeing the solemnity around her, she felt quite pleased with herself.