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

"Who is it?" Lin Qin opened the door, and her maid Cui'er was standing outside.

"Your Highness, someone from the palace has arrived, saying that Lady Li has come."

Mrs. Li?

Lin Qin frowned slightly. This aunt of the prince was always old-fashioned and conservative, and would never visit unless there was a reason.

Could it be...

Is it because she wants to promote the inheritance of folk arts and crafts?

An ominous premonition came to mind.

After seeing Cui'er off, Lin Qin changed into a simple dress and quickly went to the front hall.

Madam Li sat upright at the head of the table, holding Buddhist prayer beads in her hand, her face solemn.

"Greetings, Aunt." Lin Qin bowed.

"No need," Madam Li said coldly. "I heard you're going to collect some folk trinkets?"

Lin Qin felt a chill run down her spine; so this was indeed the reason for their visit.

She calmly replied, "Yes, I want to record some skills that are on the verge of being lost and pass them on."

"Absurd!" Madam Li slammed her hand on the table, the Buddhist beads clinking together with a crisp sound. "A woman should be a good wife and mother, serving her parents-in-law. You spend your days brandishing weapons and showing your face in public. What kind of decorum is this? Now you're even going so far as to engage in these unorthodox practices. You've utterly disgraced the royal family!"

Lin Qin took a deep breath, trying to suppress her anger, and explained, "Aunt, these folk arts are not heretical practices; they are cultural treasures left by our ancestors..."

"Shut up!" Madam Li interrupted sharply. "What do you, a mere woman, know about cultural treasures? I think you're just bored!"

Lin Qin wanted to say something more, but was stopped by Madam Li's next words: "I came here today to tell you that this matter must never be mentioned again! If you insist on doing so, don't blame me for reporting to the Empress Dowager and punishing you for the crime of unchaste womanhood!"

Lin Qin bit her lip and clenched her fists tightly.

She knew that Madam Li's visit was not merely a simple act of admonition.

It seems that the path she is about to take is more difficult than she imagined.

After leaving the Prince's Mansion, Lin Qin did not return to her own courtyard, but went straight to the market where artisans gathered in the capital.

The narrow streets are lined with all kinds of handicrafts, a dazzling array that is hard to resist.

Lin Qin walked quickly, her eyes searching through the crowd, trying to find those old craftsmen hidden in the city.

She inquired along the way and finally found a master craftsman named Master Wang, who was said to have superb skills.

Master Wang's shop is small, but it displays some lifelike wood carvings with exquisite craftsmanship.

Lin Qin explained her purpose, hoping that Master Wang could participate in her inheritance plan.

Master Wang looked Lin Qin up and down.

Lin Qin's heart sank. The disdain many people have for folk arts and crafts has made her path particularly difficult.

"Master Wang, you've misunderstood..." Lin Qin tried to explain urgently, but was interrupted by Master Wang.

"Your Highness, I am tired. Please return." Master Wang said coldly as he turned to pack up his things at the stall.

Lin Qin stood there, watching Master Wang's retreating figure, her heart filled with disappointment.

She knew this road wouldn't be easy, but she wouldn't give up.

"Master Wang..." Lin Qin wanted to try again, but Master Wang walked into the inner room without turning his head and slammed the door shut.

Lin Qin took a deep breath and began to talk at length about her understanding of the inheritance of folk crafts, such as "the revival of intangible cultural heritage" and "the inheritance of the spirit of craftsmen". She spoke eloquently and logically, and could practically write a book titled "On How to Play with the Things of Our Ancestors in New Ways".

She also brought out her previous successful business cases, such as "hot-selling food" and "internet celebrity shops". The data was right in front of her and was dazzling, proving that she was not just a "king of talk" who only talked the talk, but a real "queen of action".

At first, Master Wang had a stern face, like a "stubborn old man," but as he listened, the wrinkles on his face softened a bit, and his eyes changed from "What's it to me?" to "This young lady is quite interesting."

He stroked his unshaven chin, watching Lin Qin speak eloquently, his mind racing with calculations.

Lin Qin noticed the change in Master Wang's expression, and a small flame in her heart flared up. It seemed that this "stubborn old man" might have a chance!

She struck while the iron was hot, intensifying her attack with a barrage of grand terms like "cultural confidence" and "national pride," almost moving herself to tears.

She even brought out her treasured "business plan," and the layout, logic, and data left Master Wang speechless. He thought to himself, "This isn't some princess; she's clearly a business prodigy!"

Just as Lin Qin was about to press her advantage, she suddenly felt a warm force on her shoulder.

She was slightly taken aback, and before she could turn around, she heard a deep voice behind her: "Well said."

It's Zhu Ling!

He appeared out of nowhere, standing behind her, his large hand gently resting on her shoulder.

Lin Qin felt as if she had been struck by an electric current, and a warm current instantly flowed through her body, miraculously calming her previously anxious heart.

This feeling of being protected made her feel safe and secure, as if as long as he was there, any difficulty could be easily overcome.

She couldn't help but lean into his arms, like a small boat that had found its harbor, obedient and dependent.

Zhu Ling sensed her affection, and the corners of her mouth turned up slightly. The two looked into each other's eyes, and a sweet and ambiguous atmosphere filled the air. It was as if everything around them had become unimportant, leaving only the deep affection in their eyes.

“Now,” Zhu Ling lowered his head and whispered in her ear, his warm breath making Lin Qin’s ears burn slightly, “we’re going to the Chamber of Commerce.”

After leaving Master Wang's shop, Lin Qin and Zhu Ling walked side by side toward the Chamber of Commerce.

The carriage wheels rolled over the bluestone road, making a "clattering" sound, as if striking Lin Qin's heart, reminding her of the hardships of her journey.

The president of the chamber of commerce, Zhao Fugui, was a fat man who was greedy for money. He had a round belly like Maitreya Buddha and his face was full of hypocritical smiles.

Upon hearing that the Prince and Princess had arrived, he hurriedly came out to greet them, bowing and scraping, his words as sweet as honey, "Your Highness's presence is an honor to our humble abode! The Princess is here too, truly rare guests indeed!"

Lin Qin got straight to the point, explaining her purpose: she wanted to obtain some financial support from the Chamber of Commerce for the preservation and inheritance of folk arts and crafts.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Fugui's smile froze instantly, and his eyes darted around as if he were plotting something.

“Your Highness, this…the preservation of folk arts is a good thing, but…these chambers of commerce are all about profit. Can this stuff really make money?” Zhao Fugui rubbed his hands together, a hint of contempt on his thick face. “Excuse my bluntness, Your Highness, isn’t this…a bit of a frivolous pursuit?”

Upon hearing this, Lin Qin felt a surge of anger.

Not doing your job properly?

She's saving our ancestors' cultural treasures!

She took a deep breath, suppressing her anger, and said calmly, "President Zhao, cultural heritage is not just a toy; it is the foundation of a nation and the soul of a country..."

"Alright, alright, Your Highness, don't give me that high-sounding lecture, I don't understand it!" Zhao Fugui waved his hand impatiently. "I'll just ask you one question: can this thing make money?"

Lin Qin bit her lip and clenched her fists tightly.

She knew that trying to reason with such a snob was like casting pearls before swine.

Just as she was about to retort, the voice of the cute little system suddenly rang in her mind.

Lin Qin listened to the system's prompts calmly, a confident smile gradually appearing on her lips.

“President Zhao,” Lin Qin said firmly, “I will find a way to solve the funding problem myself.”

Zhao Fugui was taken aback, and a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes as he looked at Lin Qin's confident smile.

People around them cast curious glances and whispered among themselves.

Lin Qin turned around and smiled slightly at Zhu Ling, "Your Highness, let's go."

Zhu Ling looked at Lin Qin, gently took her hand, and the two smiled at each other before turning and leaving, leaving Zhao Fugui and the others standing there, looking at each other in bewilderment.

"Prepare the carriage, let's go..." Lin Qin paused,

The market was in an uproar.

"Have you heard? The princess is going to hold some kind of folk art exhibition, claiming it's for the preservation of traditions, but I think it's just a way to make money!" A craftsman with a pointed mouth and monkey-like cheeks said in a low voice, mysteriously.

“That’s right! The Princess Consort lives a life of luxury, how could she possibly look down on our menial work? Who knows what she’s up to!” another craftsman chimed in, not forgetting to spit on the ground, “Pah! What a piece of trash!”

Rumors spread rapidly through the market like a plague.

The craftsmen who had initially had some expectations for Lin Qin's plan have now become suspicious and have even begun to resist it.

"This princess doesn't seem like a bad person..." a young apprentice muttered to himself.

"Young man, you're still young and don't understand the wickedness of people!" An old craftsman patted him on the shoulder earnestly. "These days, there are plenty of people who smile while hiding a knife!"

When Lin Qin heard these rumors, she was so angry that she almost crushed the teacup in her hand.

"Outrageous!" She slammed her hand on the table, splashing tea and wetting her sleeves. "That craftsman Sun is utterly despicable and shameless!"

Anger burned in her chest, and Lin Qin felt like her lungs were about to explode.

She clenched her fists so tightly that her nails dug deep into her flesh, but she felt no pain at all.

"Your Highness, please calm down," Cui'er advised from the side. "Getting angry is not good for your health."

Lin Qin took a deep breath, trying to calm herself down.

She knew that now was not the time to be angry, and the most urgent thing was to find a way to solve the problem.

"Hmph! Trying to ruin my plans?" A cold glint flashed in Lin Qin's eyes. "I'm not so easily bullied!"

She decided to fight back! She wanted everyone to know that she, Lin Qin, was not a lamb to be slaughtered!

She wanted to make craftsman Sun pay the price for his despicable actions!

This war without gunfire has only just begun...