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

"It seems the Princess Consort made a small mistake in resource allocation." The Emperor's tone was calm, yet firm, making Lin Qin's heart tighten.

Eunuch Wang stood to the side, a barely perceptible sneer curling at the corner of his mouth.

Lin Qin glanced at him. This old fox was definitely up to no good!

"Oh? What's the problem?" Lin Qin asked calmly, her tone carrying a hint of provocation.

She refused to believe that this eunuch Wang could cause any trouble!

Eunuch Wang walked forward triumphantly, took out a small booklet, and pointed to one section. "Your Highness, look, the quantity of glazed tiles needed to build the greenhouse is far from the actual requirement. This was personally verified by the Minister of Works." He deliberately emphasized the words "Minister of Works" to put pressure on Lin Qin.

Lin Qin took the booklet, quickly glanced through it, and sneered inwardly. Did she really think she could stump her with such a small trick?

Her slender fingers tapped lightly on the booklet, her eyes sharp. "Eunuch Wang, there is indeed a discrepancy in the number of glass pieces, but this is not due to my negligence."

Wang Gonggong was taken aback. What was Princess Lin up to?

Lin Qin closed the booklet and said firmly, "Based on the original plan, I have optimized the greenhouse structure and adopted a new splicing method, which not only reduces the use of glass but also enhances the greenhouse's heat preservation performance." After speaking, she took out a drawing from her sleeve and unfolded it in front of everyone.

On the drawings, fine lines outline a brand-new greenhouse structure, and the ingenious design is eye-catching.

Grandpa Wang stared wide-eyed, his mouth agape, speechless for a long time.

He never expected that Lin Qin had made preparations all along.

The emperor took the blueprints and examined them carefully.

Wang Gonggong's face instantly turned liver-colored, and he slunk away to the side, not daring to utter another word.

Lin Qin smiled slightly, secretly pleased. She thought, "Trying to trap her? Doesn't she know who she is?"

"I am greatly pleased by this matter." The emperor handed the blueprints to the eunuch beside him. "Issue my decree to reward Princess Lin..."

Before the emperor could finish speaking, Zhu Ling gripped Lin Qin's hand tightly, his eyes filled with pride and...

Zhu Ling held Lin Qin's hand tightly, as if he wanted to knead her into his bones. His eyes were as calm as a deep pool, yet so hot as if they could melt a person.

Lin Qin could feel the warmth of his palm, as well as the pride and love hidden beneath his cold exterior. The sweetness between them spread silently, as if the air itself was filled with pink bubbles, so sweet it was almost cloying.

Everyone around silently endured the display of affection, except for Consort Li, whose eyes turned red with jealousy.

"Ahem!" An untimely cough broke the warm atmosphere.

An elderly man dressed in magnificent attire slowly walked out of the crowd. He wore a purple-gold crown and a python robe, and held a string of priceless Buddhist beads in his hand. He was none other than Prince Rong, the most senior nobleman in the palace.

He squinted, his eyes filled with disdain for Lin Qin, as if he were looking at a lowly pheasant, with an innate arrogance.

Prince Rong glanced at Lin Qin with disdain and said slowly, "Your Majesty, this old minister believes that the matter of bestowing rewards should be carefully considered. Although this greenhouse has its innovative aspects, it is, after all, the work of a woman. Whether it can truly win over the public is something that needs further consideration." His voice was not loud, but it was enough to silence the entire hall, as if the air itself had frozen.

As soon as he said this, many veteran officials echoed him, their faces showing contempt. They considered themselves the backbone of the royal family, yet they were full of rejection towards Lin Qin, this "oddball who came out of nowhere".

In their view, women should stay at home to support their husbands and raise their children. To show their faces in public and pursue a career is simply an insult to civility!

Lin Qin felt the unfriendly gazes cast upon her from all around, like invisible knives threatening to tear her to pieces.

She sneered inwardly. Ha, these old fogies, they really won't give up until they're completely cornered. They won't feel at ease unless they cause her some trouble, huh?

The palace intrigue drama truly never goes out of style.

Zhu Ling noticed Lin Qin's emotional change and squeezed her hand tightly, as if to give her strength.

His deep gaze swept over the crowd, carrying a chilling aura that silenced the old ministers who had been about to say something.

The emperor's expression turned somewhat grim; clearly, Prince Rong's actions had crossed his bottom line.

He was about to say something when Eunuch Wang spoke first.

“What Prince Rong says is absolutely right,” Eunuch Wang said with a fawning smile, bowing and scraping to Prince Rong. “There have always been rules for bestowing rewards; they cannot be given arbitrarily.”

Lin Qin raised an eyebrow. Oh, this old eunuch is up to his old tricks again?

It seems that today's reward won't be so easy to get.

The power struggles in the palace are indeed fraught with danger; she, a farmer, could easily become cannon fodder if she's not careful.

Just then, the emperor suddenly smiled, a smile that sent chills down one's spine: "Oh? In that case, I'd like to see if Princess Lin is truly capable of worthy of my reward..." He paused, gave Lin Qin a meaningful look, and said meaningfully, "Tomorrow, I will hold a banquet in the Imperial Garden to bestow the reward upon Princess Lin. At that time, I will make everyone truly convinced!"

 Breaking the Mold and Welcoming Rewards: A Glimmer of Hope in the Palace

The Imperial Garden was bathed in sunshine, filled with the fragrance of flowers, and presented a peaceful and harmonious scene.

Lin Qin stood in the center, dressed in a light green palace gown, looking elegant and refined.

She had already considered all the possibilities for tomorrow's reward ceremony and had a plan in mind.

The following day, the Imperial Garden was decorated with lanterns and colorful streamers, and the court officials gathered there.

Lin Qin stood tall and proud, facing the gazes of the crowd without flinching.

Her determined gaze seemed to say, "I, Lin Qin, am not so easily defeated."

As the awarding ceremony was about to begin, Prince Rong spoke first, his steady voice carrying a hint of ill intent: "Princess Lin, this old minister would like to ask, in the design of this greenhouse structure, were any previous achievements referenced?"

Seeing this, Lin Qin smiled slightly and calmly replied, "Prince Rong is right. I have indeed made improvements based on the work of my predecessors. But these improvements were all achieved through my own wisdom and hard work. I believe that anything that benefits the country should be encouraged and supported." She spoke with conviction and exuded an aura that made the old nobles present swallow hard.

The Emperor nodded with a smile: "Princess Lin is absolutely right. What I want to reward you with today is not only for your project results, but also for your spirit of innovation and service to the country."

Just then, Consort Li walked over with a smile on her face, seemingly pleased with Lin Qin's outstanding performance.

However, there was a subtle hint of malice hidden in her smile.

Lin Qin's heart skipped a beat, and she watched Consort Li's every move with vigilance.

The emperor personally handed the gift to Lin Qin; it was an exquisite beaded necklace that shone with dazzling light.

When Lin Qin took the beaded necklace, she suddenly felt a chill on her fingers.

She examined it discreetly and discovered a tiny poison needle hidden inside the beaded necklace.

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw a triumphant smile flash across Consort Li's lips.

Lin Qin sneered inwardly. This trick was too low-level. Was he trying to harm her?

no way!

She looked around; everyone was watching her, seemingly waiting for her reaction.

Lin Qin smiled slightly, gently placed the beaded necklace in her hand, and slowly said, "Your Majesty, this beaded necklace is truly exquisite; I adore it. However..."

Before she could finish speaking, the beaded chain in her hand suddenly made a soft, crisp sound, revealing a tiny poison needle.

Lin Qin immediately pointed at Consort Li, her eyes blazing: "Your Majesty, when I received the reward, I discovered a poisoned needle hidden in this beaded necklace. Please investigate thoroughly, Your Majesty."

The Imperial Garden fell silent instantly, and all eyes were on Consort Li.

Consort Li's face turned pale. She tried to explain, but was interrupted by the emperor's cold gaze.

"Consort Li, what explanation do you have?" The Emperor's voice was cold, carrying an irresistible air of authority.

"Your Majesty, I am innocent! I have never seen this poisoned needle before!" Consort Li's scream shattered the tranquility of the Imperial Garden, sounding like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, her voice cracking.

She knelt down with a thud, tears streaming down her face, trying to clear her name with a tearful attack.

Unfortunately, in Lin Qin's eyes, her clumsy acting was like a kindergarten child playing house.

The emperor's face was so dark it could drip water. He looked coldly at Consort Li and said, "Consort Li, I have treated you well, yet you dare to frame others like this. I am extremely disappointed in you!" With a wave of his hand, Eunuch Wang immediately understood and stepped forward to drag Consort Li away.

"Guards! Throw Consort Li into the Cold Palace. She is not to be released without my decree!"

When Consort Li was dragged away, she never expected that her carefully planned conspiracy would be so easily seen through by Lin Qin. It was truly a case of trying to steal a chicken but losing the rice instead, losing both her wife and her army!

Lin Qin watched Consort Li's disheveled figure, her heart unmoved. This level of palace intrigue was child's play to her.

She smiled slightly, bowed to the emperor, and said humbly, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your discerning judgment and for giving me justice."

The emperor finally smiled and looked at Lin Qin with admiration. "Princess Lin, you are not only exceptionally intelligent, but also so calm and composed. I am very pleased! You have rendered a great service to the court this time, and I will reward you handsomely!"

With a wave of his hand, he showered Lin Qin with gifts, including gold, silver, jewels, silks, satins, and various rare medicinal herbs and minerals, piled up like a small mountain. The other concubines stared in disbelief, as if they were seeing a chilled watermelon just taken out of the refrigerator on a hot summer day, their mouths watering.

"Princess Lin, you deserve all of this," the Emperor said with a smile.

Lin Qin was secretly overjoyed; she was really going to strike it rich!

She abandoned her previous low profile, a bright smile spreading across her face. She was going to use these rewards to build her own business empire and make those who had looked down on her knees and sing "Conquer"!

Looking at the light shining in Lin Qin's eyes, Zhu Ling felt a surge of pride and love. His little princess was always so dazzling, radiating unique charm no matter where she was.

He stepped forward and gently took Lin Qin's hand. No words were needed between them; a single glance was enough to express their feelings.

At this moment, the Minister of Works and Chef Zhang, who had been standing in the corner, exchanged a glance. Their faces were even more unpleasant than if they had swallowed flies. Their previous contempt and disdain for Lin Qin had now turned into deep fear and awe.

Lin Qin looked at the numerous riches and resources bestowed upon her by the emperor, a mysterious smile playing on her lips.

How will she use these rewards to start a new chapter in her career?

How will this affect her relationship with Zhu Ling?

At this moment, she slowly raised her hand, gently stroking an ancient jade pendant in her hand, a complex light flashing in her eyes, and said softly:

"Well..."