The Flourishing Era of Female Merchants

Liu Zhan hesitated for a moment before handing Mei Yingxue to a servant beside him. "Send her to the Holy Physician Hall immediately and have a doctor examine her. Also... Miss Mei is probably not able to move around for the next few days. Find a room to settle her in temporarily."

Liu Zhan gave his instructions, then turned and mounted his horse. The servant was right; his wedding was the most important thing today. As for Miss Mei, there was nothing wrong with the arrangement. After glancing at Mei Yingxue in the servant's hand, Liu Zhan then ordered the troops to move again.

Upstairs opposite Liu's Embroidery Shop, a woman dressed in a brocade gown, snow-white in color, with embroidery adorning the white brocade, had a flame on the right side of her collar that was exceptionally eye-catching, like a smear of blood in the snow, or a fire sprite leaping in the clouds.

The woman was dressed like a young girl, with little adornment in her hair, but her refined elegance was captivating.

The veil partially obscured the woman's face, and no one could see the slight upturn of her lips beneath it. All that was known was that her gaze was coldly fixed on the street outside the window, as if she were waiting for something.

The sound of suona horns grew closer in the distance, and the woman's eyes deepened with meaning. When the wedding procession came into view, she instructed a young woman beside her, "Let's go, Cheng Ying, the auspicious time is almost here."

Having said that, she turned and walked out of the room with light steps. Cheng Ying immediately followed. Today was the opening day of the embroidery workshop. She didn't know why the young lady had set the time for this moment, but she knew that the young lady always had her own ideas, and she, the one who got hope from the young lady, would only follow in her footsteps unconditionally.

The opening of the new embroidery workshop didn't attract many onlookers. After all, the wedding of Rong Jincheng's richest young master was far more important than the opening of an embroidery workshop.

Outside the shop, the signboard was covered with red silk. Under the signboard, several shop assistants stood there. Each of them had a flame embroidered on their collar, just like the one on the woman's collar.

The woman in white led Cheng Ying to stand in the very center, still gazing in the direction the wedding procession had come from. On his tall horse, Liu Zhan waved to the crowd of onlookers with a beaming smile, accepting their envy and congratulations from his superior position.

Upon arriving outside Liu's Embroidery Shop, Liu Zhan, as instructed, paused the wedding procession.

Suddenly, he met a strange gaze. Liu Zhan looked in the direction of the gaze and saw a woman with her face veiled in white. The way the woman looked at him always made him feel a little strange.

"The auspicious time has arrived, unveil the plaque." The woman's clear voice rang out, like a refreshing stream amidst the festive suona music.

As soon as the woman finished speaking, Cheng Ying walked to the side, gently pulled the rope, and in the next instant, the red silk that had been covering the plaque fluttered down, revealing the four gilded characters "Prosperous Flames" to everyone.

The golden light was so dazzling that it was hard to open one's eyes in the sunlight. Almost everyone was astonished by such a grand gesture. Even if those four characters were hollow, they must have cost a lot of gold. Perhaps they were actually solid!

People around started whispering among themselves.

"That's real gold."

"Prosperous Flames, who is the owner of this embroidery workshop?"

"This... such a big expense, aren't you afraid it will be stolen at night?"

Even Liu Zhan hadn't expected that the plaque would be inlaid with large gold characters.

The blazing flames of a prosperous era? Is this the embroidery shop that was rumored to be around some time ago? It's located right across from his Liu's Embroidery Shop, clearly showing a sense of rivalry. Neither he nor his father took it seriously. It was just a small embroidery shop; how could it possibly compete with the powerful Liu family?

Hmph, that embroidery shop will close down sooner or later.

But...this...Liu Zhan narrowed his sharp eyes, looking at the woman whose face was covered by a white veil, his eyes filled with scrutiny.

Anmi was satisfied with everything before her, thinking to herself, "The gift from Bai Yi isn't bad at all!"

Indeed, this plaque was a gift from Bai Yi. I remember what he said when he brought it over that day.

"How can the embroidery workshop I'm in charge of have a shabby appearance?"

Hehe, he really is not short of money. However, his appearance made her realize for the first time that this King of Bohai, besides being shrewd and cunning, also had a cute side.

With a slight smile, An Mi cleared her mind of her thoughts, looked up and met Liu Zhan's probing eyes. Under everyone's gaze, she slowly stepped forward, nodded slightly to Liu Zhan, and let her melodious voice flow out, "Congratulations on your marriage, Young Master Liu. I have prepared a special gift for you, and I hope you will accept it."

An Mi frowned slightly and gave Cheng Ying a wink. The next moment, Cheng Ying stepped forward with a box in her hands. The box was neither too big nor too small, but it looked exceptionally exquisite.

Liu Zhan's gaze fell on the brocade box, and his brows furrowed even more. Was this woman the owner of this embroidery shop?

She opened her business across from Liu's Embroidery Shop, clearly declaring war on the Liu family, yet she also sent a wedding gift at this very moment. What is this woman up to? And who... is she?

“Young Master Liu…” Cheng Ying presented the brocade box, as if reminding the other party to take it.

Liu Zhan was taken aback. He looked at the brocade box, then at the woman. No matter what the woman's intentions were, no matter what was in the box, if he, Liu Zhan, didn't accept it in front of so many people, they would think he was being petty.

Just as she was about to signal the person to accept the gift, An Mi spoke first, saying meaningfully, "Young Master Liu, you're not afraid of my gift, are you? I sincerely wish to congratulate you, but you're so wary of me, which makes me very sad."

Upon hearing this, the crowd, more or less influenced by the woman's words, noticed a change in Liu Zhan's expression.

Liu Zhan's face darkened. Damn it, he had fallen for this woman's trap. She was clearly trying to embarrass him on purpose!

An unpleasant feeling welled up inside him, but he tried his best to suppress it. He knew that as a man and the young master of the Liu family, if he were to get entangled with such a woman in public, people would probably gossip.

The more prestigious a wealthy family is, the more they need to pay attention to public opinion.

Taking a deep breath, Liu Zhan smiled and said loudly, "What are you saying? Liu Zhan thanks you for your gift, young lady. Someone, please accept it on my behalf."

As soon as Liu Zhan gave the order, the servants accompanying him immediately stepped forward and took the brocade box from Cheng Ying's hands.

An Mi's smile deepened slightly, but she said softly, "Young Master Liu, won't you open it and take a look?"

Liu Zhan frowned. Should he open it and take a look? He wasn't sure what this woman was up to. Who knew what she had done to the brocade box? Opening the brocade box in front of so many people was far too risky. Liu Zhan wasn't stupid; how could he allow any uncertainty to arise?