The Flourishing Era of Female Merchants

"As long as Father Emperor agrees to my request, I have nothing to regret!" An Mi's image appeared in Bai Yi's mind. In this world, what else could he not bear to part with besides Mi'er?

Using this wealth to secure a stable future for him and Mi'er, isn't that a worthwhile deal?

"Ha, very well, since that's the case, then I will grant your wish. Return to the palace, and I will draft an imperial edict. As long as I am alive, your life will not be disturbed. Even after I pass away, that edict will ensure your safety." Emperor Mingde frowned, a pain in his chest causing him to cough lightly. "Enough, you may leave. Remember what I just said: the assassin was sent by the Feng family. The Feng family is deeply entrenched. This time, I should take this opportunity to uproot them completely!"

Bai Yi was slightly taken aback, but said nothing. He got up to take his leave and left the tent. Looking at the dark night sky, his eyes were deep. Even his father had such thoughts, so the Feng family had no chance to resist!

The night seemed peaceful, but undercurrents were brewing. The next morning, the imperial physician diagnosed that the emperor was fit to return to the palace, and Emperor Mingde then ordered the entourage to prepare for their return to the capital.

Inside the luxurious carriage, Emperor Mingde and Empress Feng rode together, with other carriages following closely behind. The procession was grand and impressive, but compared to their high spirits when they arrived, the people in the procession now had a completely different feeling.

No one expected that so much would happen in just one day during this hunt.

Inside the carriage, Emperor Mingde leaned back, while Empress Feng sat upright beside him. The atmosphere was unusually strange. Since being sent back to their camp last night, they seemed to have a tacit understanding, and neither of them mentioned the assassin. However, Empress Feng knew that not mentioning it did not mean that the matter did not exist. She could not fathom what the emperor was thinking.

The more silent the Emperor remained, the more apprehensive she became. Finally, she couldn't help but break the silence in the carriage, "Your Majesty, how do I feel about you?"

Emperor Mingde, who had been taking a nap with his eyes closed, did not open his eyes when he heard Empress Feng speak. He simply said indifferently, "I know in my heart how the Empress treats me."

A single sentence provided an answer, yet it remained ambiguous. Empress Feng's lips twitched involuntarily. "Your Majesty, what happened last night..."

"I will investigate last night's events thoroughly upon returning to the palace. Since the Empress believes it was not the Feng family's doing, there's no need for further speculation," Emperor Mingde said calmly, his tone still devoid of any discernible emotion.

Empress Feng panicked even more. "Your Majesty, someone must be trying to frame me..."

"Did I not make myself clear? Or has the Empress become so illiterate that she can't even understand what I'm saying?" Emperor Mingde suddenly raised his voice, clearly showing a hint of displeasure.

Empress Feng froze, not daring to utter another word.

They could only remain silent, silently praying that nothing bad would happen.

But what you fear most is what reality brings. The carriage suddenly stopped, Emperor Mingde opened his eyes, and Empress Feng also became nervous. Just a moment later, Bai Yi rode up and reported from outside the carriage, "Father, something has happened. I'm afraid you'll have to suffer a bit."

"What is it?" Emperor Mingde frowned and asked in a cold voice.

"Father, we have arrived outside the city, but the city gates are tightly closed. My eldest brother is still negotiating," Bai Yi said loudly, a hint of solemnity appearing between his brows.

Emperor Mingde's eyes suddenly snapped open. "The city gates are tightly shut? Why are the city gates shut in broad daylight? Can't the guards recognize this as my troops? Are they planning a rebellion?"

Empress Feng's heart tightened suddenly. She thought of something, and her heart jumped up. Could it be that her son... No, it can't be. Without her order, even if her son returned to the palace, he wouldn't do anything.

"Go and see what's going on for me," Emperor Mingde said, his displeasure deepening.

"Yes, Father." Bai Yi accepted the order, lowered his brows, and no one saw the glint of light that flashed in his eyes. He spurred his horse back to the front of the group, his gaze meeting Qinglan's eyes on the steed. Their eyes met, and it seemed that something had been agreed upon.

Qinglan glanced at the tightly closed city gate and said loudly, "Who's on duty today? Open the gate now and let us in!"

The guards at the gate had already been replaced by the Second Prince's men. On the city gate, the leading general saw Qinglan and a cold smile appeared on his lips. Remembering the Second Prince's instructions, he raised his hand and shouted, "Men, fire arrows! Leave no one alive!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the archers who had been hiding on the city gate immediately obeyed the order and aimed their arrows at the people below the city, raining down arrows.

Below the city walls, Qinglan, riding her steed, had a strange glint in her eyes. "Are you trying to rebel? Men, protect the emperor! Protect the emperor now!"

The procession quickly descended into chaos. Qinglan glanced at Baiyi, who, receiving her gaze, immediately spurred his horse toward Emperor Mingde's carriage. Amid the confusion, Emperor Mingde also realized something was amiss and became extremely alert.

"Report! Father... Something terrible has happened! Something has happened inside the city. The general guarding the city has ordered his men to fire arrows at us."

"What? Rebellion! They've really rebelled! Who gave them the audacity?" Emperor Mingde's anger surged, aggravating the wound in his chest, and he coughed up a mouthful of blood.

"Father..."

"Your Majesty..." Empress Feng hurriedly supported Emperor Mingde, whose face had turned deathly pale, whether from the sudden news or from Emperor Mingde's sudden vomiting of blood. "Your Majesty, please calm down. You are already injured; do not harm your health further..."

"Bai Yi, help me down." Emperor Mingde pushed Empress Feng aside. He wanted to see who had the audacity to do this!

"Father, your body..." Bai Yi frowned, lifted the curtain, and saw that the blood that Emperor Mingde had vomited earlier was stained on his clothes, a shocking sight.

"It's nothing!" Emperor Mingde said coldly, enduring the pain in his chest, and with his hand on Bai Yi's arm, he got off the carriage with difficulty.

Outside the carriage, the front of the procession was already in chaos. Qinglan led her soldiers in front, while another group of soldiers surrounded the carriages behind them. In the distance, one could see archers on the city gate firing arrows one after another without stopping.

This ruthlessness enraged Emperor Mingde even more.

"Stop and retreat! You dare to act like this with the Emperor's troops? Who gave you the audacity!" Qinglan deflected the flying arrows with her sword and roared angrily at the city gate.

Upon hearing this, the general on the city gate sneered, "The Emperor? The Second Prince is now the Emperor. Your Highness the First Prince, don't try to fool me with the name of the late Emperor. The Second Prince has given the order to cut off your head without hesitation! Shoot! Shoot! Whoever hits the First Prince, I will report to the Second Prince. You will enjoy endless riches and honors."