After returning to the capital to farm, the abandoned concubine made a comeback.

The night breeze was cool, dispelling some of the heat in the courtyard, but it couldn't dispel the heaviness in Lin Qin's heart.

She stood at the table, carefully examining the account books by candlelight, her brow furrowed, as if trying to find the key to breaking the deadlock.

Boss Qian's aggressive approach was like a persistent fly, annoying people to no end, yet they had to be on their guard to deal with him.

She put down the ledger and tapped her fingertips lightly on the table, making a "tap-tap" sound that was particularly clear in the quiet night.

She knew that Boss Qian wouldn't speak without reason; the real mastermind behind him was Young Master Du.

These two were in cahoots; one provided the money, the other the effort—they were practically a pair of "hidden dragons and phoenix chicks" in the business world.

"Heh, trying to bring me down? Don't you know I'm not someone to be trifled with?" Lin Qin sneered. She hadn't worked 996 hours in her previous life for nothing. She was used to workplace infighting and business rivalry.

At this moment, Strategist Lin rushed in, his face even more gloomy than the night outside: "Boss Lin, something bad has happened! That scoundrel Boss Qian has started spreading rumors!"

Lin Qin's heart tightened, and she gestured for her strategist, Lin, to explain in detail.

Lin, the strategist, said urgently, "They're spreading rumors everywhere that our raw materials are of inferior quality, and some people are even saying that our food can cause poisoning. Now many people are afraid to buy our products!"

Upon hearing this, Lin Qin felt as if a huge rock was pressing on her heart.

Rumors are indeed a deadly weapon that kills without drawing blood.

Her hard-earned business reputation was instantly jeopardized.

It feels like your carefully cultivated cabbage has suddenly been eaten by a pig; it makes you want to explode.

"Damn it, that Boss Qian is truly despicable and shameless!" Lin Qin cursed angrily, her anger rising rapidly.

She worked hard to build her career, hoping to lead everyone to a better life, but instead, she was smeared with dirty water.

Uncle can tolerate this, but Aunt can't!

She took a deep breath and tried to calm down.

When faced with a crisis, anger solves nothing; only calm analysis can find a way out.

"We must find the source of the rumors as soon as possible, and we must not let these rumors continue to spread!" Lin Qin said through gritted teeth.

Lin, the strategist, frowned: "But now rumors are flying everywhere, and we're completely clueless. We don't know where to even begin investigating."

Lin Qin did not answer, but got up and walked to the window, looking up at the full moon in the sky.

The moonlight poured down, illuminating her resolute face. Her eyes were piercing, as if she had already seen the key to breaking the deadlock.

She slowly turned around and gave Lin, the strategist, a meaningful smile: "Not necessarily..."

Lin Qin curled her lips into a cold smile and ordered Lin the strategist, "Go and call all the new employees we recently hired in our shop."

Before long, several men stood trembling in front of Lin Qin, heads bowed, not daring to speak.

Lin Qin's gaze swept over everyone, sharp enough to pierce through their hearts.

"What benefits did Boss Qian promise you?" Lin Qin asked bluntly.

The men looked at each other, and one of them, the bolder one, mustered his courage and said, "Boss Lin, we don't know anything about this!"

Lin Qin sneered, pulled out a stack of silver notes from her sleeve, and waved them in front of everyone: "What Boss Qian gave you was nothing but a pittance. Follow me, and I guarantee you'll live a life of luxury! Now, I'll give you one more chance. Whoever is the first to stand up and tell the truth, all this money will be his!"

A generous reward always brings forth brave men. A skinny shop assistant could no longer contain himself and knelt down with a thud: "Boss Lin, I'll tell you! Boss Qian gave me ten taels of silver to spread rumors..."

Lin Qin nodded in satisfaction, then turned to Lin the strategist: "Send these traitors to the authorities, and while you're at it, expose all of Boss Qian's dirty deeds!"

Boss Qian's conspiracy was exposed, and overnight he became a pariah, hated by everyone.

He stood in front of his shop, looking at the empty street, feeling like crying but unable to.

At this moment, a carriage slowly drove up and stopped in front of Lin Qin's shop.

The carriage curtain was lifted, and Zhu Ling stepped out of the carriage.

He walked up to Lin Qin, his eyes full of admiration: "Qin'er, you did very well."

Lin Qin smiled and said, "This is all thanks to you for helping me with my connections in the palace."

Zhu Ling gently pulled her into his arms: "I'd do anything for you."

In the palace, the Empress was enjoying the pastries that Lin Qin had sent, praising them highly: "These pastries taste really good, even better than those made by the imperial chefs in the palace."

A palace maid standing nearby said with a smile, "I've heard that the owner of this pastry shop is quite an extraordinary woman."

The Empress put down the pastries she was holding.

The palace maid whispered in the Empress's ear, recounting Lin Qin's story in detail...

Upon hearing this, the Empress smiled mysteriously: "It seems this Mr. Lin is quite an interesting person..."

Lin Qin's goal is not just to defeat Boss Qian, she wants to build a business empire!

And this requires a stronger backer.

The imperial court was undoubtedly the best choice.

The Empress's appreciation gave Lin Qin hope, but it also made her realize the strictness of the palace rules.

Upon entering the palace for the first time, Lin Qin was somewhat dazzled by the magnificent and resplendent sight.

With its carved beams and painted rafters, the building exudes a magnificent aura. The white marble floor tiles beneath your feet are so shiny they seem to reflect the secrets of the human heart.

A faint sandalwood scent filled the air, creating a solemn and dignified atmosphere that made people involuntarily hold their breath, afraid of disturbing this sacred tranquility.

"Her Majesty has arrived—" The eunuch's shrill voice broke the silence, and everyone knelt down in unison. Lin Qin also knelt down, feeling the coldness of the white jade seeping into her skin through her dress.

The Empress, adorned in her phoenix coronet and embroidered robes, exuded elegance and nobility, displaying royal majesty in every gesture.

Lin Qin secretly glanced up and felt that the Empress's eyes were as deep as the sea, making them unfathomable.

After a series of elaborate rituals, Lin Qin finally had the opportunity to showcase her product to the Empress—a new type of pastry with a soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture and a subtle fruity aroma.

After tasting it, the Empress praised it highly: "I have never eaten this pastry before, and it tastes wonderful."

Lin Qin was overjoyed and pressed her advantage, saying, "I'm glad Your Majesty likes it. I would also like to promote this pastry outside the palace so that more people can taste it."

The Empress smiled slightly: "That is indeed a good thing, but you know the rules of the palace..."

Lin Qin knew, of course, that the palace had strict rules and that taking things out was not an easy task.

After a moment's thought, she had an idea: "I am willing to offer the recipe for this pastry to the palace, only asking that Your Majesty allow me to sell it outside the palace."

The Empress granted her request.

Lin Qin achieved her goal, but she was not complacent.

She knew this was just the first step, and there was still a long road ahead.

She stepped out of the palace, took a deep breath, and found the air inside to be oppressive, unlike the freedom outside.

Upon returning to her residence, Lin Qin immediately summoned everyone to discuss the next steps in their plan.

"Our pastries have already won the Empress's approval. Next, we should strike while the iron is hot, expand production, and strive to open up the market in the capital as soon as possible!" Lin Qin said with high spirits.

Everyone was also infected by Lin Qin's enthusiasm and expressed their willingness to do their best.

Strategist Lin, however, was somewhat worried: "Boss Lin, what about our raw material supply..."

Lin Qin waved her hand: "I've already thought it through. I'll go to Farmer Hong's place in person and discuss it with him."

"What about Headhunter Sun..." Lin continued to ask.

"Hmph, he dares to poach my people, I'll make him regret it!" Lin Qin

As night deepened, Lin Qin stood by the window, gazing at the stars in the sky, her heart filled with hope.

She knew the road ahead was full of challenges, but she was fearless.

Suddenly, a series of urgent knocks shattered the silence of the night. "Mr. Lin, something terrible has happened..."

Lin Qin suddenly woke up from her dream, the sinister laughter of Boss Qian still echoing in her ears, sending a chill down her spine.

The knocking sounded again. "Boss Lin, something's happened to Farmer Hong!" Lin Qin's heart skipped a beat, and a bad feeling welled up inside her.

She put on her coat, opened the door, and saw Lin Moushi covered in sweat, his face ashen. "Farmer Hong's fields have been burned down by someone, and the harvest is completely lost!"

Lin Qin felt a chill run from the soles of her feet to the top of her head. The fire had come at just the right time; it was clearly aimed at her!

She took a deep breath and tried to keep herself calm.

"How are things now? Is Farmer Hong alright?"

"He's alright, but..." Advisor Lin hesitated, stammering for a long time before finally saying, "...but he's been traumatized and is somewhat delirious, constantly shouting 'Heaven is going to destroy me, Heaven is going to destroy me...'"

A thought flashed through Lin Qin's mind: someone was trying to cut off her supply of raw materials!

She immediately realized the seriousness of the situation; if the supply of raw materials was cut off, her business would be paralyzed.

who is it?

Boss Qian?

Or is it the person behind him?

She made a quick decision: "Get the car ready, I'm going to see Farmer Hong."

Hong Nongfu's house was in a complete mess.

The air was filled with a pungent, burnt smell, and the fields were left with only blackened debris that emitted a nauseating odor.

Farmer Hong sat there blankly, his eyes vacant, muttering repeatedly, "It's over, it's over..."

Lin Qin looked at everything before her, her heart aching as if it were being torn apart.

She knew that Farmer Hong relied on these fields for his livelihood, and now that the fields had been burned, his source of income had been cut off.

And she also lost an important business partner.

“Brother Hong, don’t worry, I will help you.” Lin Qin held Hong Nongfu’s rough hand, her tone firm.

Farmer Hong raised his head, a glimmer of hope flashing in his cloudy eyes, "Boss Lin, can you really help me?"

"Of course!" Lin Qin gave him a reassuring look. "I'll not only help you, but I'll also find the mastermind and make him pay!"

Upon returning to her residence, Lin Qin immediately summoned everyone to discuss countermeasures.

"The most urgent task now is to find new raw material suppliers," Lin said. "However, time is of the essence, and I'm afraid..."

"No need to worry," Lin Qin said confidently. "I was prepared."

She pulled a slip of paper from her sleeve, on which were written several names and addresses.

"This is some information about suppliers that I collected before, and now I can contact them."

When everyone heard this, they all breathed a sigh of relief.

It seems that Mr. Lin had anticipated this day and made preparations in advance.

However, things are not that simple.

The next day, the people Lin Qin sent to contact the suppliers returned, all looking dejected. "Boss Lin, none of the suppliers are willing to cooperate with us..."

"What?" Lin Qin stood up abruptly, a surge of anger rising within her. "Why?"

"They said..." the visitor stammered, "They said someone warned them not to cooperate with us, otherwise..."

"Otherwise what?" Lin Qin's voice was icy, as if it came from the depths of hell.

"Otherwise, let them taste what farmer Hong has to offer."

Lin Qin felt a chill run from the soles of her feet to the top of her head. She finally realized that someone was manipulating everything behind the scenes, and that person was even more terrifying than she had imagined!

“Young Master Du…” Lin Qin gritted her teeth and spat out the name, her eyes flashing with a dangerous light.

Suddenly, a series of hurried footsteps approached, and a servant rushed in, shouting, "Master Lin, someone from the palace has arrived..."