From cannon fodder villain to superpowered queen

Xiao Wuhen's appearance made Bi Yao's heart tighten.

This guy is no pushover; he never brings anything good when he shows up.

"Young Master Xiao, what brings you here?" Bi Yao asked with a forced smile.

"I heard that Miss Bi's business is thriving, so I came here to congratulate her." Xiao Wuhen waved his folding fan, his eyes sweeping over her shop. "However, this small-scale operation is ultimately not up to par. Without the support of the Chamber of Commerce, Miss Bi will probably find it difficult to make any progress in the neighboring town."

Xiao Wuhen's words struck a nerve with Bi Yao.

She knew she had to gain the Chamber of Commerce's approval as soon as possible.

The next day, she went to the chamber of commerce in the neighboring town again, but was still turned away.

Zhou Zheng's fat face was still full of disdain. "I've said it before, our chamber of commerce doesn't welcome outsiders!"

"President Zhou, I've brought real benefits. Are you sure you want to turn me away?" Bi Yao suppressed her anger.

"Hmph, your little tricks might fool those country bumpkins who've never seen the world, but you think you can fool me? Dream on!" Zhou Zheng raised his thick chin, his face full of contempt.

Bi Yao took a deep breath and told herself to calm down.

She knew that a direct confrontation wouldn't work, so she had to think of another way.

She turned and left the chamber of commerce, a glint of shrewdness flashing in her eyes.

That evening, the neighboring town's chamber of commerce was brightly lit.

Zhou Zheng summoned all the members of the Chamber of Commerce, his face serious.

"Everyone, I've gathered you all here today to announce something important. Recently, a stranger named Bi Yao has started a business called 'Yaoguang Embroidery Workshop' in a neighboring town, which is seriously disrupting our market order!"

Zhou Zheng spoke vehemently, portraying Bi Yao as an utterly wicked and unscrupulous businesswoman, intending to incite everyone to boycott her.

"Her origins and source of goods are unknown. We must unite and drive her out of the neighboring town!"

The chamber of commerce members whispered among themselves, some in agreement and others taking a wait-and-see approach.

Just then, Bi Yao pushed open the door and entered.

She was dressed in simple clothes, but that couldn't hide the confident glow emanating from her.

"President Zhou, I don't think I've done anything immoral or heinous, have I?"

"You dare to come here?!" Zhou Zheng's eyes widened in anger.

“I’m here to tell you the truth.” Bi Yao looked around, neither humble nor arrogant. “My goods come from the docks and the underground black market. They are cheap and of high quality. I can not only help you make money, but also bring new vitality to the neighboring town!” She took out her cooperation agreement with the noble lady, showed the town’s success story, and finally slammed a stack of silver notes on the table. “This is my sincerity.”

Seeing the piles of silver, some members of the chamber of commerce began to covet it.

Zhou Zheng was furious. "This is a bribe!"

Bi Yao sneered, "This is called investment! Chairman Zhou, sticking to the old ways will only stagnate the economy of the neighboring town. Are you really going to abandon the development of the entire chamber of commerce for your own selfish interests?"

Zhou Zheng's face turned ashen, and he was speechless for a moment.

Bi Yao pressed her advantage and continued her persuasion.

She reasoned with them and appealed to their emotions, ultimately winning the support of most of the chamber of commerce members.

Zhou Zheng slumped into his chair, knowing that his chances of survival were slim.

Bi Yao walked up to him, smiled slightly, and said, "President Zhou, five hundred taels of silver. I need the approval of the neighboring town's chamber of commerce." She paused, her eyes sharp, "Of course, this is just the beginning..."

Bi Yao walked out of the Chamber of Commerce, a cold smile playing on her lips.

Five hundred taels?

Ha, she doesn't want this little bit of money; she wants the entire commercial empire of the neighboring town!

She immediately instructed her subordinates to set up a stall at the entrance of the Chamber of Commerce and hang up a banner that read "Grand Opening of Yaoguang Embroidery Workshop's Branch in a Neighboring Town."

With the deafening sound of gongs and drums and the crackling of firecrackers, it was a lively and bustling scene.

Wearing a bright red dress, Bi Yao stood on a high platform, introducing the specialty products of Yaoguang Embroidery Workshop to the onlookers.

She spoke eloquently, describing the silks and fabrics in such a captivating way that everyone was itching to buy them.

"This material feels so comfortable to the touch!"

"I've never seen anything like this in my entire life!"

"This price is too cheap!"

In an instant, cheers and discussions rose and fell, and the Yaoguang Embroidery Workshop's stall was packed with people, its business booming.

Some small vendors, seeing this, became envious and followed suit, setting up their own stalls.

The area in front of the Chamber of Commerce was transformed into a bustling mini-market.

Inside the Chamber of Commerce, Zhou Zheng's face was as black as the bottom of a pot.

He looked out the window at the bustling crowd outside, gritting his teeth in anger.

"That Bi Yao, she really has some tricks up her sleeve!"

Several chamber of commerce members who had initially supported Zhou Zheng also began to waver.

"President, look at this... shouldn't we..."

"Shut up!" Zhou Zheng roared. "I'm the president of the Chamber of Commerce! I said she can't come in, and she can't come in!"

However, the lively scene outside became increasingly attractive, and some members of the chamber of commerce secretly slipped out to watch the excitement, and some even began to discuss cooperation with Bi Yao.

Zhou Zheng's authority was challenged like never before. He felt like an isolated island surrounded by surging tides, which could drown him at any moment.

As night fell and the crowds at the market gradually dispersed, Bi Yao tallied her earnings for the day, a satisfied smile spreading across her face.

She looked up at the second floor of the Chamber of Commerce, where Zhou Zheng's office light was still on.

"President Zhou, still awake?" Bi Yao's voice carried a hint of teasing, sounding particularly clear in the quiet night.

Zhou Zheng abruptly pulled back the curtains, glaring angrily at Bi Yao downstairs. "What exactly do you want?"

Bi Yao chuckled lightly, "You know perfectly well what I want to do. We'll talk again tomorrow." She turned and left, leaving Zhou Zheng standing alone, bewildered in the wind...

"Five hundred taels? That's probably not enough..." Bi Yao muttered to herself.

The next day, Zhou Zheng had dark circles under his eyes and looked worse than if he had swallowed a fly.

Bi Yao came to the Chamber of Commerce again. This time, she didn't even knock on the door and just pushed it open and entered.

"President Zhou, what's your decision?" Bi Yao looked at him with a half-smile.

Zhou Zheng's face turned pale and then red, and finally, like a deflated balloon, he slumped helplessly into his chair.

"Okay, I promise you."

Bi Yao's lips curled up slightly; she knew Zhou Zheng couldn't withstand the pressure.

With five hundred taels of silver in hand, Bi Yao immediately began expanding her business in neighboring towns.

With her keen business acumen and exceptional skills, she quickly opened up the market.

Yaoguang Embroidery Workshop's business grew bigger and bigger, and its reputation became more and more renowned.

Those small vendors who used to make things difficult for her are now treating her with utmost respect, and some have even taken the initiative to come to her seeking cooperation.

That day, Bi Yao received a letter from Jiang Ruiyuan.

In the letter, Jiang Ruiyuan expressed his longing for her and offered encouragement, assuring her that he was doing well and that she need not worry.

As Bi Yao read the letter, a warm feeling welled up in her heart.

She knew that everything she did was for the sake of reuniting with Jiang Ruiyuan as soon as possible, and for being able to stand by his side openly and honestly.

However, Bi Yao was not blinded by victory.

She knew that her current success was only temporary, and she had something more important to do—revenge!

She never forgot the persecution the Chiang family had inflicted on her.

Now that she has enough money and connections, it's time to begin her revenge plan.

Bi Yao's eyes sharpened. She knew that the road to revenge was full of thorns and challenges, but she was fearless.

"The Jiang family, you just wait!" Bi Yao muttered to herself, a cold glint flashing in her eyes.

A few days later, Bi Yao received an anonymous letter containing only one sentence: "Liu Ermazi knows the Jiang family's secret."

Bi Yao's heart skipped a beat. Liu Ermazi?

She felt like she'd heard of this person somewhere before...

"Jiang Ruiyuan, let's go."