The Flourishing Era of Female Merchants

An Mi raised her eyes, a smile tugging at the corners of her lips, and said slowly, "Happy, of course I'm happy. It's An Mi's blessing to have Her Majesty the Empress Dowager go to such lengths. An Mi thanks the Crown Prince's Consort for bringing this good news."

Happy? Sima Yan sneered inwardly. When the time came, she would have her chance to be "happy" in peace!

The Empress Dowager didn't particularly like the Prince of Bohai, yet she had to rush back to the capital just because he was getting married. What did that mean?

Her aunt had married a general, but after the general died on the battlefield, the Empress Dowager saw that her aunt was all alone and helpless, so she brought her into the palace to serve her. When she was a child, she often saw the Empress Dowager because of her aunt, and of course, she also saw a lot of things.

Although some memories were hazy, she still had some recollection of the Empress Dowager's dislike for Bai Yi's mother.

"Ha! I wonder what the Empress Dowager is planning this time she returns." Sima Yan glanced at An Mi sideways, "As for me, you don't need to thank me. Just thank the Empress Dowager when she returns."

After saying that, Sima Yan gave An Mi a strange look and chuckled, "I've also delivered the phoenix crown. Bing'er, tomorrow is your wedding, so I won't disturb your preparations today. See you at the wedding tomorrow."

After speaking, Sima Yan gave a wink to the maid she had brought, then turned and walked towards the door. Those inside watched Sima Yan's retreating figure, their faces devoid of smiles. Earlier, Yan Bing had already sensed the unusual tranquility following the news of the Empress Dowager's return to the capital. Now, with Sima Yan gone, Yan Bing's brow furrowed with worry. "Bing'er, this Sima Yan..."

"Why do you care about her? Tomorrow is your wedding day, why make yourself upset because of her? Think about King Qin, he must be preparing carefully right now, full of anticipation for tomorrow. Why don't you dress up nicely so that King Qin will see the most beautiful bride in the world tomorrow?" An Mi interrupted Yan Bing with a smile, not letting her pursue the matter further.

Yan Bing knew in her heart that there must be something unusual about this, but seeing An Mi's firm eyes, she also understood that even if she pressed her for answers, she wouldn't be able to get anything out of her. Thinking of An Mi's words, Yan Bing remained silent for a long time before finally nodding.

An Mi then smiled and placed the phoenix crown that Sima Yan had just given on Yan Bing's head. As soon as the crown was put on, almost everyone present exclaimed in amazement. A phoenix crown bestowed by the Empress Dowager! What an honor their young lady had received.

But in An Mi's opinion, this phoenix crown must weigh a thousand pounds. It was clearly not a friendly gift. What was the Empress Dowager's true intention in sending this phoenix crown?

Could it be a warning from the Empress Dowager? Or perhaps a show of force?

An Mi looked away and sighed deeply in her heart. It seemed that her marriage with Bai Yi was destined to be full of troubles!

Yan Bing was barely calmed down by An Mi. An Mi stayed at the Marquis of Jin's residence for a while before returning to the Bohai Prince's residence. Upon returning, she ran into Uncle Ji, who had just settled Liu'er. Uncle Ji no longer harbored the same aversion towards An Mi as before. He respectfully stepped forward to greet the woman who was about to become the mistress of the Bohai Prince's residence and said with concern, "Miss, please rest early tonight. The Prince is staying at His Highness Prince Qin's residence and will probably not return home until very late tonight."

An Mi nodded, understanding that Bai Yi had put a lot of thought into Qin Wang, her fifth brother. Just as she was about to return to her own courtyard, she suddenly remembered something, glanced at Uncle Ji, and lowered her eyes slightly. "Uncle Ji, it's still early. Come with me to the pavilion for a cup of tea."

Drinking tea? At this hour, so late at night?

Uncle Ji paused subconsciously, met An Mi's eyes, and seemed to understand something. He bowed slightly and said, "Yes, this old servant will immediately instruct someone to prepare some tea."

Drinking tea was just an excuse; the young lady must have something to say to him!

They are all intelligent people; some things are simply understood without being spoken of.

They smiled at each other, and Anmi and Uncle Ji walked around the corridor one after the other to the pavilion. Anmi sat down on the stone bench, glanced at Uncle Ji who was standing respectfully to the side, and said softly, "Uncle Ji, please sit down too."

"What should we do? This old servant is a servant." Uncle Ji understood these principles and refused.

An Mi twitched the corner of her mouth. "To Bai Yi, to Liu'er, and even to me, you are not a servant. Uncle Ji, I'm asking you to sit, so please sit down."

Uncle Ji frowned slightly, but did not refuse An Mi again. "Then this old servant will respectfully comply."

Having said that, she chose a suitable stool and sat down. "Miss, is there anything you need to do? Please give your instructions."

An Mi gave Uncle Ji an approving look, and without beating around the bush, she said directly, "Uncle Ji has been by Bai Yi's side for a long time, so you should know some things about his childhood, when Bai Yi's mother was still alive."

As soon as she finished speaking, she clearly saw Uncle Ji's body stiffen, and he looked at her in surprise, as if he had not expected her to ask such a question. He met An Mi's gaze, and quickly looked away. "Miss, many things happened too long ago, and this old servant can't remember them."

Anmi lowered her brows slightly. "Don't you remember?"

"Then, Uncle Ji, could you tell me about the Empress Dowager?" An Mi asked again, unhurriedly, without showing any displeasure at Uncle Ji's previous refusal.

Uncle Ji was even more startled and hurriedly got up and knelt on the ground. "Miss, how could a servant like me dare to speak so presumptuously about the Empress Dowager's affairs? Miss, it's getting late, you should go back to your room to rest. This old servant will..."

Uncle Ji had seen a lot of the world and, having been by Bai Yi's side, he was quite calm and composed. However, at this moment, he was flustered and regretted his actions. He had thought that even if An Mi had questions, she would ask about the prince. But he hadn't expected that she would actually ask about the prince. Both of these questions were taboo. How was he supposed to answer them?

Now, all he wants to do is escape.

But An Mi didn't give him a chance, resolutely interrupting his words and his intentions, "Uncle Ji, do you know that the Empress Dowager is coming back? She'll probably be back before my wedding with Bai Yi. I heard she's going to personally officiate our wedding. I'm thinking that I've never met the Empress Dowager before, and I'm afraid I might lose my manners and displease her. That would be bad, wouldn't it, Uncle Ji?"

As An Mi spoke, Uncle Ji's expression gradually changed. An Mi saw this and understood that, given Uncle Ji's intelligence, he would realize the implications of the situation.

Just as An Mi had predicted, Uncle Ji was deeply moved upon hearing the news.

The Empress Dowager? Is the Empress Dowager returning to the capital?

"Miss, you're joking, aren't you?" Uncle Ji's eyes flickered, still harboring a sliver of hope. But if what Miss Anmi said was true, then...