The Flourishing Era of Female Merchants

He pulled Anmi into his arms, holding her even tighter. "Okay, when the time comes, we'll choose a place we like to settle down and let our child be born there."

"Mmm." Anmi nodded, a sense of satisfaction rising in her heart. She seemed to see what their family's happy life would look like, with her, Baiyi, Liuer, and their child.

After settling Anmi down to sleep, Bai Yi instructed Liu Guang and Yi Fei to protect her closely before leaving the tent. Remembering the Emperor's previous instructions, he frowned slightly and then entered Emperor Mingde's tent.

Inside the large tent, only two eunuchs were serving him. Emperor Mingde had his eyes closed, but he was not asleep. Hearing the noise inside the tent, he opened his eyes, saw Bai Yi, waved his hand, and signaled the two eunuchs to leave the tent.

"Bai Yi, come here!" Only Emperor Mingde and Bai Yi remained in the tent before Emperor Mingde spoke.

Bai Yi stepped forward and, at Emperor Mingde's signal, sat down in front of the couch. He remained silent, knowing that the emperor must have something to say to him if he dismissed everyone else.

After a long silence, Emperor Mingde slowly spoke, "Of all my sons, to be honest, you are the most capable."

Bai Yi lowered his gaze slightly, "Father, you are too kind. My eldest brother and second brother have always been your right and left hands, and they have done a lot for our Great Jin Dynasty."

"Hmph, they... they're all after my throne. I know better than anyone what they're thinking. Take now, for example, I'm injured. They're probably all watching and waiting!" Emperor Mingde's lips curled into a cold smile, tinged with bitterness. He had experienced the power struggles within the royal family before, so how could he not see through them?

Bai Yi remained silent. Emperor Mingde paused, then continued, "Bai Yi, in my opinion, your business acumen is unparalleled. I'm sure you'll apply it equally well in court. I ask you, are you interested in the throne?"

Bai Yi was slightly taken aback, then quickly shook his head, "Father, you are wise. Your son has no desire for the throne whatsoever."

"Hehe, I have no other meaning. If I intend to pass the throne to you, what will you do?" Emperor Mingde's gaze was fixed on Bai Yi, as if trying to see through him.

Bai Yi was startled and quickly got up and knelt on the ground. "Father, I dare not. According to the rules, the throne should be inherited by the eldest son and the legitimate son. Not to mention that I am not qualified to inherit, my eldest brother and second brother are both alive. With their abilities, either of them can manage Father's country well."

Emperor Mingde looked at Bai Yi, his eyes shifting repeatedly. "Heh, of all these princes, I'm afraid only you have no desire for my throne! Even the fourth prince... ha... heh..."

A hint of sarcasm appeared in Emperor Mingde's eyes. Bai Yi frowned. His father was indeed his father. No one knew his son better than his father. He probably knew very well what his brothers were thinking.

"Bai Yi, the assassination attempt on me was carried out by the Feng family. Are you aware of this?" Emperor Mingde suddenly changed the subject, staring intently at Bai Yi. The determination in his eyes surprised Bai Yi.

Just now, when everyone was in this tent, why was Father so silent, but now he is so firm, as if he is convinced that the assassin was really sent by the Feng family?

Perhaps he had initially concluded that the poison "Today's Intoxication" was the work of the Feng family based solely on the poison itself. However, Empress Feng's reaction surprised him greatly. It was impossible for the Feng family to take action without informing Empress Feng, and Empress Feng's behavior just now did not seem like an act.

What exactly happened?

Bai Yi's eyes narrowed. If it wasn't the Feng family who did it, then who was it?

A figure flashed into Bai Yi's mind, and he was slightly taken aback. Could it be him?

If this is truly a frame-up, then his methods are truly ruthless. If the Feng family is found guilty of assassination, the entire Feng family will collapse. Thinking of what An Mi said, Bai Yi's eyes darkened even more.

After a long silence, Bai Yi finally spoke, cupped his hands in greeting, and met Emperor Mingde's eyes, "Father, I humbly request that you grant me a wish."

When Emperor Mingde saw Bai Yi kneeling on the ground with a sincerity in his eyes that he had never seen before, he raised an eyebrow and said, "You rarely ask me for anything. Even your marriage to An Mi was a deal with me, and you never asked for anything. Are you asking me for something?"

Bai Yi didn't speak, but that was tacit agreement. What could he do if he begged?

When you think about what he's going to do, what does asking for help even matter?

"Tell me," Emperor Mingde coughed and shifted his posture slightly. He wanted to see what wish Bai Yi wanted him to grant.

"Father, I wish to take Mi'er and Liu'er, and our whole family, away from the capital and return to my territory," Bai Yi said loudly.

Emperor Mingde chuckled, "You can return to your territory at any time, what is there to ask for?"

"Your Majesty, I humbly request that you issue a decree that my territory shall no longer be under the control of the court, and that no one from the capital shall be allowed to enter my territory in the slightest? Anyone who disobeys, whether emperor or commoner, shall be executed!" Bai Yi's eyes narrowed, a ruthless glint flashing in them.

Emperor Mingde was slightly taken aback. He looked at Bai Yi, and the expression in his eyes suddenly changed. He stared at Bai Yi for a long time, and then chuckled, "Bai Yi, Bai Yi, do you want to separate and govern yourselves? You really have a lot of nerve!"

"No, I only want to live a peaceful life with Mi'er, undisturbed by anything from the outside world." Bai Yi lowered his brows, showing no fear even in the face of Emperor Mingde's anger.

Emperor Mingde's eyes narrowed as he re-examined Bai Yi, his expression gradually softening. "I know your intentions. Are you afraid that once the Feng family falls and Qinglan ascends to the throne, he will still care about Anmi?"

Bai Yi lowered his brows, which was considered an admission. Emperor Mingde saw this and said, "Wouldn't it be better if you accepted my throne? Then you could give your beloved woman the best protection!"

“This palace is destined to be a place of trouble. Your son and I both prefer a peaceful life. In addition… Mi’er is kind-hearted and she would not want to see her sons fighting for the throne in the future.”

Upon hearing this, Emperor Mingde visibly stiffened, then burst into laughter. "Back then, wasn't your mother also kind-hearted? But she met me, and I ultimately failed her. Anmi's life, meeting you, is truly her good fortune. Very well, since that's how it is, I will grant your wish, however..."

Emperor Mingde paused here, then continued, "You control the economic lifeline of our Great Jin Dynasty..."

"Your subject is willing to hand over all those businesses to Your Majesty, and let Your Majesty decide what to do with them," Bai Yi hurriedly said without the slightest hesitation.

Emperor Mingde's eyes narrowed, then lit up instantly. "Are you really willing to do that?"

That's an enormous fortune! And Bai Yi actually agreed so readily!