The Flourishing Era of Female Merchants

With a sharp look in her eyes, Qinglan hurriedly walked out of the Holy Medicine Hall, leaving those waiting for their turn to see each other in bewilderment. What... what's wrong with Doctor Qinglan today?

Meanwhile, in a courtyard in Rong Jincheng, someone listened to his subordinate's report, paused slightly, then smiled, put down his teacup, straightened his already neat clothes, crossed his legs, and habitually tapped his knees with his slender fingers, looking quite relaxed.

"Your Highness, Miss Anmi...she really..." After reporting the news from outside to Bai Yi, Uncle Ji carefully observed Bai Yi's expression, hesitating to speak.

"Really? Is it really as bad as the rumors say?" Bai Yi raised his handsome eyebrows. Although he hadn't known An Mi for long, he knew her true nature. Thinking of what happened at the An residence yesterday, Bai Yi's eyes flashed. He immediately knew that the rumors circulating outside must have been deliberately spread by Yu Fangfei and her daughter.

Thinking about his arrangements last night... Hehe, Bai Yi couldn't help but chuckle, the emotions in his eyes unfathomable.

Uncle Ji frowned, as if he wanted to say something but dared not. Just as he was struggling, he heard Bai Yi's voice again, "Uncle Ji, what else do you want to say? Just say it. This hesitation is not your style."

Uncle Ji paused, then, as if he had made a desperate decision, finally spoke, “Your Highness, this old servant has watched you grow up. Even if Your Highness blames me, there are some things I must say. Your Highness is the Emperor’s most favored prince and holds the economic lifeline of our Great Jin Dynasty. The princess you marry in the future will surely be a lady from a respectable family. Even if she is not from a prestigious family, she should be a dutiful woman who stays at home to support her husband and raise children. But that second young lady of the An family…”

When Uncle Ji saw Bai Yi's brow furrow, he couldn't help but tremble. But once he said it, he knew he might not have another chance if he didn't finish. So he boldly said, "The Emperor will not allow the Prince to marry a woman who shows her face in public as his Princess."

Bai Yi paused, his fingers tapping his knees, his eyes unreadable. After a moment of silence, he slowly spoke, "Do you think it's possible for me to marry An Mi as my queen?"

Uncle Ji looked at Bai Yi tentatively for a long time, as if trying to find something from his expression, but in the end he was disappointed. Over the years, the prince had become more and more profound and unfathomable. "Your Highness, you have never been so... intimate with a woman before, except for Princess Yun."

Bai Yi's face suddenly darkened, and a sharp glint shot out. Uncle Ji was startled and couldn't help but sigh inwardly. Even after so many years, Princess Yun's death still pained the prince. Indeed, Princess Yun was the prince's elder sister, born of the same mother. The prince's mother died young, and the prince was almost personally cared for by Princess Yun. Back then, neither Princess Yun nor the prince was favored by the emperor. The two siblings lost their mother and lived a miserable life. Even the palace maids and eunuchs could bully them at will. That harsh winter, the prince contracted smallpox, and no one dared to approach him. Even the imperial physicians determined that he would not survive. Fortunately, Princess Yun took care of him without taking off her clothes and stayed by his side for seven days and seven nights, which saved his life. It was pitiful that Princess Yun was only a seven-year-old child at that time.

Princess Yun was like an older sister to the prince, and also like a mother figure.

Bai Yi closed his eyes briefly to suppress his emotions. When he opened them again, he had regained his clarity. The same ambiguous smile remained on his lips. After a moment of contemplation, he slowly spoke, "You also think that I've been too close to An Mi?"

"Yes." Uncle Ji nodded. The intimacy made him aware of the danger, so he had no choice but to risk angering the prince and force himself to advise, "Perhaps, the drowning of the second young lady of the An family is a good thing for the prince!"

"Bullshit!" Bai Yi shouted angrily, glaring at Uncle Ji. His tall figure suddenly stood up from the chair. "The people I want to protect, not even the King of Hell can take away! I don't want to hear such words again."

Having said that, he flicked his sleeve and strode towards the door. But just as he reached the doorway, he saw a maid leading a four-year-old girl towards him. The little girl, seeing her beloved uncle, quickly broke free from the maid's hand and ran over, calling out joyfully, "Uncle... Uncle..."

Upon hearing that crisp sound, Bai Yi's sharp expression vanished instantly. He crouched down, opened his arms, and waited for the girl to rush in.

"Uncle, when will you take Liu'er to see Mother? Liu'er hasn't seen Mother in so long, I miss her so much. Last night, Liu'er even dreamed about Mother." After giving Bai Yi a kiss on the cheek as usual, Liu'er looked at him expectantly, her pitiful appearance making people want to love her from the bottom of their hearts.

"Oh? You dreamed about your mother? What did you dream about your mother about?" Bai Yi naturally knew who Liu'er was referring to as her mother. Did Liu'er believe that An Mi was her mother? Heh! He had been somewhat resistant to it before, but now he felt that An Mi was quite charming.

As soon as the dream from last night was mentioned, Liu'er became excited and waved her hands. "Liu'er dreamt that her mother was sleeping with her... and her uncle too. Her uncle and mother were sleeping together with Liu'er!"

Upon hearing the first half of the sentence, Bai Yi raised an eyebrow with interest, but upon hearing the second half, his lips twitched. Then, thinking of An Mi, the image that appeared in his mind struck him as extremely harmonious.

"Uncle, I want to go find my mother. Can you take me to find my mother, Uncle?" Liu'er pouted and said coquettishly.

Bai Yi snapped out of his reverie, his eyes flickering slightly. A gentle smile bloomed on his face as he softly comforted her, "Not today. Mother probably won't have time to see Liu'er today. Uncle will take you to see Mother tomorrow, okay?"

"But……"

"Mother likes obedient girls." A sly glint flashed in Bai Yi's eyes.

Sure enough, Liu'er pouted in grievance, but finally nodded, "Alright then, Uncle, you have to keep your word and take Liu'er to see Mother tomorrow."

"Alright, you keep your word." Bai Yi affectionately tapped Liu'er's nose, handed her to the maid, kissed her forehead, and then let the maid take Liu'er away.

After Liu'er left, Bai Yi thought about Liu'er's dream just now, and a smile appeared on his lips. He shook his head and continued walking towards the door... It seems that the play of last night should come to an end today!

And how could he bear to miss it?

In the same courtyard, Yu Ling'er happily entered. When she saw the man standing by the window with his hands behind his back, her smile deepened. But when she thought of the news she had heard when she left, a cold glint flashed in her eyes.

"Brother-in-law, how about taking Ling'er out for a walk today?" Yu Ling'er walked to the side of the King of Donglin and said softly. Seeing that he did not react, Yu Ling'er frowned and continued, "Brother-in-law, we have been in Rongjin City for so long, and Ling'er is really bored. I don't care, Ling'er wants brother-in-law to take Ling'er out for a walk today. Ling'er has made all the arrangements. The weather is so nice today, it would be perfect to go to the river. How about we go to the Jinhe River today?"