The Flourishing Era of Female Merchants

Having said that, he tossed the red silk in his hand to Uncle Ji and loudly ordered in front of everyone, "Send the Princess back to her room to rest! Everyone, I have important business to attend to. The wedding ceremony will continue later."

After saying this, without waiting for anyone to react, he strode towards the study. Everyone watched his back as flames seemed to emerge from the direction of the study. With such a fierce fire, almost everyone forgot that the auspicious time waits for no one. Right now, putting out the fire is the most important thing, isn't it?

Inside the hall, Emperor Mingde also heard the commotion outside. His deep eyes narrowed slightly, but he remained silent, sipping his tea slowly.

Empress Feng, however, could hardly contain herself. "Your Majesty, how could a fire break out in broad daylight for no reason?"

Could there be something else going on? Wasn't Bai Yi determined to marry An Mi? Why is he suddenly in no hurry now?

She thought that even if the fire burned down the entire Bohai Prince's Palace, the Bohai Prince wouldn't waste a moment and would be eager to make An Mi the real Bohai Princess before he would feel at ease!

But... suddenly, Empress Feng froze, as if something had flashed through her mind. Could it be...? Empress Feng thought of something, and she abruptly stood up...

"What's wrong, Empress?" Emperor Mingde glanced at Empress Feng indifferently, a faint glint of light appearing in his experienced eyes.

Empress Feng's eyes flickered, and she tugged at the corners of her mouth. "Your Majesty, no one could have predicted this sudden fire. It's a pity for that child, An Mi. On her wedding day, all this trouble has happened. Your Majesty, why don't you let me go and see that girl and keep her company?"

Emperor Mingde frowned, pondered for a moment, and said, "That's fine too."

Empress Feng, having received permission, curtsied and entered the inner courtyard from behind the main hall. From afar, she could see the direction of the study, where the fire was growing ever larger. As she looked at the fire and the people rushing around to put it out, the color in Empress Feng's eyes deepened. After inquiring about the room where the bride was resting, she quickened her pace and hurried towards that direction.

Before long, Empress Feng arrived at the door. She glanced at the guards standing there, her eyes narrowing slightly. Uncle Ji, who was at the door, saw the Empress and a flicker of surprise crossed his eyes, but he quickly concealed it and walked up to Empress Feng with a composed expression. "Your Majesty, may you be well. Your Majesty, what brings you here..."

"I've come to see Anmi." After saying that, without waiting for Uncle Ji's reaction, she walked past Uncle Ji and strode towards the door.

"Your Majesty, the Prince has instructed that Miss Anmi rest inside." Uncle Ji snapped out of his daze and hurriedly chased after her. The panic in his expression added a hint of unease to Empress Feng's eyes. Could there really be something amiss here?

Is it really as she thinks?

Uncle Ji hurriedly stepped forward and blocked Empress Feng's path. Empress Feng's eyes narrowed, and she raised her voice, "What? Can't I even take a look at the future Princess Consort of Bohai?"

Uncle Ji was taken aback and wanted to stop her again, but the palace maid beside Empress Feng had already stopped her. She looked nervously into the room, her face still showing lingering worry. Empress Feng saw this and smiled slightly. She gave another palace maid a wink, and the next moment, the door slammed open.

Empress Feng sent palace maids to guard the door and went straight into the room. As soon as she entered, she saw the bride sitting at the table with her head covered by a bridal veil, so that nothing could be seen from her.

Empress Feng lowered her brows and said softly, "I really have to congratulate you. I really didn't expect that you would actually marry the Prince of Bohai as you wished. I used to think that perhaps it would be easier for you if I helped you, but the facts have proved that even without me as the matchmaker, you were destined to be the Princess of Bohai!"

Upon hearing the self-address "This Empress," the bride sitting at the table hurriedly stood up. A hint of panic was visible in her gestures. Just as she was about to perform the ceremony, Empress Feng stopped her, saying, "Today is your joyous day. Even if you want to kneel, you should save it for when you and the Prince of Bohai are about to have your wedding ceremony."

The bride remained silent. Empress Feng's eyes flickered slightly as she continued, "Mi'er, I..."

Just as she finished speaking, the door slammed open again. Empress Feng looked up at the sound and saw Bai Yi stepping in. When she saw Bai Yi, Empress Feng frowned, while Bai Yi raised an eyebrow, seemingly surprised. "Your Majesty, you are here too."

Empress Feng twitched the corners of her mouth, thinking to herself that Bai Yi had arrived far too quickly, but on the surface a smile appeared on her face, and she chuckled and said, "I heard that something went wrong in the study, and I was afraid that Mi'er would worry alone, so I came to check. By the way, is the fire in the study alright?"

Empress Feng quickly changed the subject. Bai Yi saw this and his restrained eyes revealed nothing. "The fire has been extinguished and there is no major problem for now. The auspicious time is approaching. I have come to take Mi'er to the wedding ceremony. The guests are all waiting. If Your Majesty has nothing else to say, I will take Mi'er out."

Although Bai Yi's attitude was respectful, it was always vaguely cold. Empress Feng was displeased, but she couldn't vent it. Today was their big day, and besides, he was in a hurry to take the bride to the auspicious time for the wedding ceremony. Wasn't that the proper thing to do?

Empress Feng was still somewhat unwilling. She glanced at the bride beside her, and the guess that had just occurred to her lingered in her mind, but she had no way of verifying it.

"Your Majesty, is there something amiss?" Bai Yi spoke again, interrupting her thoughts.

Empress Feng's face showed a hint of embarrassment, and she smiled awkwardly, "Since you're here and she has someone to accompany her, I'll go to the main hall and wait for you to complete your wedding ceremony."

Empress Feng turned and left, though she felt a slight resentment, it was all in vain.

As soon as Empress Feng left, Bai Yi lowered his guard, raised his hand and lifted the veil covering the bride's head. Seeing the woman he admired, all the worries of the past few days finally dissipated. Looking at An Mi, who was smiling sweetly at him, Bai Yi raised his hand and gently stroked her, "These past few days have been hard on you."

He had wanted to say these words when he first saw An Mi in the Empress Dowager's palace. In just a few days, Mi'er had clearly lost a lot of weight. Although the Empress Dowager forbade him to publicize what had happened in the Empress Dowager's palace, he still managed to get the news, and his pity for her deepened.

Her tranquil gaze softened even more as she reached out to smooth his slightly furrowed brow, and said gently, "You've had a hard time these past few days!"

She knew that Bai Yi must have put in a lot of effort to be able to stand in front of her like this. Thinking of the urgency and danger just now, An Mi's eyes narrowed slightly. At this moment, she heard a slight noise behind her.

Bai Yi's gaze darkened slightly. He exchanged a glance with An Mi, and the two walked over to her. They pulled back the curtain and saw a woman on the ground, bound and gagged, wearing the same wedding dress as An Mi. A hint of coldness appeared in their eyes.