The Flourishing Era of Female Merchants

The Empress Dowager's eyes narrowed, a hint of coldness appearing in them.

"Empress Dowager..." a eunuch's voice rang out, tinged with a hint of joy, immediately drawing everyone's attention. "Your Majesty, they... they're still breathing!"

The Empress Dowager frowned. "Pour water on me!"

Upon hearing the order, the palace servants soon brought several basins of water and poured them over the guards. The icy water caused the guards to stir and gradually regain consciousness. Upon seeing the Empress Dowager, they hurriedly knelt on the ground in fear, saying, "This servant greets Your Majesty the Empress Dowager."

The Empress Dowager remained silent for a moment, her imposing aura and the pressure she exuded making it hard to breathe.

"Who can tell me what exactly happened?" The Empress Dowager's icy voice rang out, reaching everyone's ears and making them feel a chill.

The guards were somewhat bewildered. In their confusion, they looked in the direction the Empress Dowager pointed and saw Li Mama lying on the ground, her body stained with blood. All of their expressions changed again.

How could this be? Granny Li looked like she was dead!

Thinking about what happened before they lost consciousness, they were filled with lingering fear. However, how could they possibly deal with the Empress Dowager's pursuit now that she was in charge?

"Who will speak?" the Empress Dowager asked again, sounding somewhat impatient.

The guards exchanged glances. Finally, one of them, seemingly unable to bear the oppressive gaze of the Empress Dowager, said in a trembling voice, "This servant... this servant doesn't know either. This servant saw several people in front of me fall down inexplicably. Before I could react, I felt a pain in my arm, and then I knew nothing more."

"And you?" The Empress Dowager's gaze darkened, becoming increasingly gloomy.

"Even a servant is..."

"This servant is also at fault. We don't know whose attack it was, so we didn't have time to react at all. After that, we don't know anything about what happened."

Several guards spoke up one after another. Suddenly, one of them seemed to realize something. He quickly grabbed the fabric from his sleeve and ripped it off. In the next instant, a thin red dot appeared on his arm in front of everyone. The others were also stunned. They immediately followed the guard's action and tore off the fabric from their arms. Just like the guard, a red dot appeared on each of their arms.

The Empress Dowager saw this and understood what was happening, confirming her earlier suspicions.

It seems someone was prepared all along!

At this critical moment, they saved Anmi!

The Empress Dowager's hand, hidden beneath her sleeve, suddenly tightened, her fist clenching fiercely. Who could it be? She already had someone in mind!

Suddenly, something occurred to her, and her expression flashed. She immediately ordered, "Someone, go to the Princess of Bohai and present me with my wedding gifts."

The palace servants were all taken aback. A wedding gift?

They had no idea that the Empress Dowager had prepared a wedding gift for the Princess of Bohai!

"Yes, I will do it right away."

One of the eunuchs understood the Empress Dowager's meaning and immediately obeyed the order, fearing that if he was even slightly slow, he would incur the Empress Dowager's wrath. None of them present could bear the Empress Dowager's anger.

But he had only taken one step when the Empress Dowager's voice rang out from behind him again...

"Remember, you must see the Princess of Bohai and hand it over to her personally." The Empress Dowager's eyes darkened, and no one could fathom what she was thinking.

"Yes, this servant understands." The eunuch accepted the order and quickly left.

The remaining people were still feeling increasingly suffocated in the oppressive atmosphere. Time passed by second by second. The Empress Dowager remained silent. Gradually, even the breathing of the few guards kneeling on the ground began to tremble. How would the Empress Dowager deal with them in her anger?

Everyone was filled with trepidation.

The Empress Dowager glanced at Li Mama's corpse, her eyes narrowing. "Li Mama served the palace with utmost dedication, and it's such a pity that she accidentally fell to her death. Someone, pass on the message that Li Mama should be given a proper burial."

Everyone was stunned by the Empress Dowager's words. Everyone could see that Granny Li had been stabbed to death with a sharp weapon, but the Empress Dowager said that she had fallen to her death. What was the Empress Dowager trying to cover up?

However, such things were commonplace in the imperial harem, so they were no longer surprised by them.

The Empress Dowager said that Granny Li died from a fall, so she died from a fall. Who would dare to say otherwise?

"You..." The Empress Dowager's gaze then fell on the guards. Instantly, the guards felt a tightness in their chests, as if a bad premonition was running through their hearts. Gradually, the dampness on their bodies became indistinguishable as to whether it was sweat or the water that had just been splashed on them.

Almost everyone was on edge. Finally, the Empress Dowager paused for a moment and continued, "You have all worked hard today. You may all leave now. However, if anyone has leaked even a word about what happened today, they will not be in this situation now."

As soon as the Empress Dowager finished speaking, it seemed as if a huge weight had been lifted from their hearts. They hurriedly knelt on the ground to express their gratitude, saying, "Thank you for your grace, Empress Dowager! Thank you for your grace, Empress Dowager!"

The Empress Dowager ignored the group, turned around, and led the palace maids who had followed her out of the courtyard. But as she turned, a hint of murderous intent appeared in her eyes. When she was out of the courtyard, she ordered the palace maid who was supporting her, "Leave no one alive."

The palace maid was startled and her heart skipped a beat. She immediately realized that although the Empress Dowager had just released them, she had probably already decided not to let them stay in this world!

"Yes, I will arrange it."

Meanwhile, at the Bohai Prince's Mansion, a festive atmosphere filled the mansion. Emperor Mingde presided over the wedding ceremony, drank a few cups of wine, and then hurriedly returned to the palace. Empress Feng, however, was somewhat unwilling, as she ultimately did not get to see An Mi in person.

Taking advantage of the festive atmosphere, Empress Feng stayed at the Bohai Prince's Mansion. After the wedding ceremony, the bride was sent to the bridal chamber, while the groom wandered among the guests, receiving their blessings. Prince Qin and Princess Qin were also at the Bohai Prince's Mansion, and seemed even more excited than when they got married themselves.

As for the eldest prince, Qinglan, no one has seen him since he entered the Bohai Prince's Mansion.

In the garden, in the most secluded spot, a man in a blue robe, slightly intoxicated, sat on the ground, leaning against the artificial hill behind him. He was usually so noble, but now he seemed to be using this quiet place to hide himself away.

"Mi'er..." Qinglan murmured as he took a sip of wine, and the name could be faintly heard uttered from his lips.

Just now, he sent Anmi to the Bohai Prince's Mansion. He suppressed his desire, but only after watching them get married did he realize that some things had already seeped into his bones, and even suppression would be futile.

But what can he do?