The Flourishing Era of Female Merchants

An Mi twitched the corners of her mouth but didn't say anything, just smiled faintly. Even the Empress Dowager couldn't tell what she was thinking.

A hint of disappointment rose in the Empress Dowager's heart, and a trace of displeasure flashed in her eyes. "Fine, you can go back now. Tomorrow, I should also return to the palace. You should think things through carefully during this time."

After saying this, the Empress Dowager let go of An Mi's hand, turned around, and, supported by several maids, went behind the curtain, leaving An Mi alone in the tavern.

Thinking of what the Empress Dowager had just said, An Mi unconsciously clenched the embroidered handkerchief in her hand and sighed deeply. It seemed that she would not have any peace in the days leading up to her wedding!

An Mi returned to the Bohai Prince's residence, and the next day, she heard the news that the Empress Dowager had returned to the palace. Soon after, an imperial edict arrived from the palace, summoning the Bohai Prince to the palace. Just as An Mi had expected, she was among the entourage.

Thinking of what the Empress Dowager had said last night, An Mi frowned, without even realizing it herself, and a soft sigh escaped her lips.

"Why are you sighing?" Bai Yi entered the room and happened to hear the beauty sigh softly. Thinking of Liu Guang and Yi Fei's report this morning, his thick eyebrows furrowed slightly and then relaxed.

Hearing the voice, An Mi looked up and saw Bai Yi dressed in a magnificent robe, clearly ready to enter the palace. Her gaze fell on his handsome face. These past few days, Bai Yi had been busy with their wedding preparations and seemed to have lost a lot of weight. The Empress Dowager's words echoed in her ears again. This time, no matter how worried she was, a smile bloomed on her face. She stood up to greet Bai Yi and said in a relaxed tone, "I was just thinking about Liu'er. She's getting more and more mischievous. What am I going to do in the future?"

Bai Yi was slightly taken aback, but quickly recovered. "Oh, really? I'm so grateful to you for taking care of Liu'er these past few days. If it weren't for you, I don't know how much trouble she would have caused me since I haven't been with her for so long."

With just one glance, Bai Yi knew that An Mi was lying; she really was hiding something from him!

What could it be?

Clearly, Mi'er didn't want to tell him, which is why she used Liu'er as an excuse.

An Mi met Bai Yi's eyes and saw no suspicion in them. She finally breathed a sigh of relief, forced a smile, and continued, "Liu'er misses you too. She was clamoring for her uncle the other day."

Bai Yi raised his thick eyebrows, perhaps thinking of Liu'er and feeling pity for her. But thinking of what happened today, his gaze towards An Mi became more focused. "We'll have to be extra careful in the palace today."

As soon as the Empress Dowager returned to the palace, she summoned the princes and grandsons, and even specially asked them to bring An Mi along. Today, things are unlikely to be peaceful.

Thinking of something, Bai Yi's deep eyes narrowed. He stepped forward, took the hand that was massaging him, placed it in his palm, and gently rubbed it, softly instructing, "The Empress Dowager has been away from the capital for a long time, but she returned to the palace just as we are getting married. It seems that she will eventually interfere in our marriage."

Massage her eyes and a gentle smile bloomed on her lips. "Perhaps the Empress Dowager is blessing our marriage. It is a blessing for us to receive her blessing."

Bai Yi twitched the corner of his mouth but said nothing more. He leaned down and kissed An Mi's forehead, not letting An Mi notice the disdain that quickly gathered in his eyes. A blessing? Ha! The Empress Dowager's blessing!

"Let's go." After a long silence, Bai Yi spoke in a deep voice. Whether it was blessing or opposition, no one could stop his determination to marry An Mi!

Anmi nodded, took Baiyi's hand in return, and the two walked out of the room hand in hand. Their faces were calm, but they were each thinking their own thoughts. However, their clasped hands seemed to show their determination to face the outside world together.

The palace was bustling with activity as the Empress Dowager returned. Everyone, from masters to servants, was busy with their own tasks. The Emperor was hosting a banquet to welcome the Empress Dowager back, and those who were invited were all honored.

Inside the Empress Dowager's palace, a kind laugh echoed, indicating that the Empress Dowager seemed to be in a very good mood. As soon as An Mi arrived, she heard the laughter and paused in her steps. Just by listening to the laughter, one could imagine that the owner of the laughter was a kind old woman. However, thinking of last night, An Mi felt that this moment was somewhat unreal.

But upon closer reflection, I realized I had been too naive. Who was the Empress Dowager? The harem was a place of deceit and treachery, a place where people would devour each other without spitting out the bones. How many people there were truly kind? Besides, the Empress Dowager had been in the harem for many years, rising from a concubine to an empress, and now to the Empress Dowager. The word "kind" probably had nothing to do with her.

An Mi forced a smile, suppressing her self-mockery and trying to make her smile appear dignified and elegant. She held her head high and continued to follow Bai Yi's steps.

"Grandmother, you have no idea how much Yan'er has missed you while you were away worshipping Buddha." Sima Yan's voice rang out in the main hall. In this vast palace, the concubines and princes sat in one room, while only Sima Yan and Empress Feng served on either side of the Empress Dowager. Just from the coquettish tone in her words, one could see how much the Empress Dowager loved Sima Yan.

"Haha, is that so? I heard the news of your marriage to Qinglan and I was also thinking of you. However, I couldn't concentrate on my Buddhist practice and so I didn't return to the palace. Qinglan, Yan'er, don't blame your grandmother." The Empress Dowager chuckled, her gaze falling on Qinglan beside her, her expression more stern than loving.

"Grandson wouldn't dare. Grandmother is worshipping Buddha for our Great Jin Dynasty. National affairs are naturally more important than my marriage." Qinglan cupped his hands, his brows furrowed with more respect than affection.

Sima Yan, on the other hand, showed more of a childlike innocence, saying, "Grandmother, what are you saying? To become Grandmother's granddaughter-in-law is already a blessing that Yan'er has accumulated over eight lifetimes."

"Haha... Yan'er knows how to talk." The Empress Dowager became even happier and ordered loudly, "Bring up my jade Buddhist prayer beads."

As soon as she finished speaking, a palace maid presented a brocade box. Everyone watched as the Empress Dowager took out a string of Buddhist prayer beads from the box, seemingly guessing what she was going to do. Even Empress Feng's eyes lit up when she saw the jade prayer beads. The next moment, under everyone's gaze, the Empress Dowager handed the jade prayer beads to Sima Yan, saying, "These prayer beads are something I always carried with me when I was in seclusion to worship Buddha. Today, I'm giving them to you."

Everyone was stunned. Even Sima Yan hadn't expected that the Empress Dowager would give her such a precious string of Buddhist prayer beads. Soon, Sima Yan reacted, took the beads, and hurriedly knelt down to express her gratitude, saying, "Thank you for the gift, Your Majesty."

Sima Yan was extremely excited. What did it mean that the Empress Dowager liked her so much? She couldn't possibly not know!

"If you want to thank me, then do your best and give the royal family a son or daughter soon." The Empress Dowager chuckled, glancing at Qinglan as she spoke. But as experienced as she was, the restraint in her eyes made it impossible for anyone to discern what she was thinking.

Sima Yan bit her lip and looked at Qing Lan, but still couldn't see the slightest change on his face. A bitter feeling instantly spread through her heart. How could she possibly be worthy of his praise?