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

Lin Qin displayed her carefully prepared braised pork hock, braised pig's trotters, and crispy pork belly on her stall, and the aroma instantly filled the air, attracting the attention of passersby.

This is her improved version of the ancient "pork feast," and she's just waiting for it to sell like hotcakes and reach the pinnacle of her life!

However, while many people watched, very few actually paid.

Everyone looked at each other, somewhat hesitant.

After all, pork is a rare commodity these days, who would spend so much money to buy it to eat?

"This... it smells really nice, but it's way too expensive!" An older woman clutched her purse, looking conflicted.

“That’s right, who would dare to eat the food made by this abandoned woman?” Another sarcastic voice rang out; it was Aunt Wang who had been gossiping earlier.

Lin Qin secretly rolled her eyes, and was about to retort when she saw Zhu Ling reappear, dressed in black, exuding an imposing aura, just like an ancient domineering CEO.

"Aunt Wang, if you have so much money you don't know what to do with it, I wouldn't mind if you bought all the pork." Zhu Ling said coldly, which frightened Aunt Wang so much that she shrank back and slunk away.

The surrounding chatter subsided a bit, but people still didn't dare to buy.

Seeing this, Zhu Ling walked to the stall, picked up a piece of crispy pork belly, and took a bite without hesitation.

"Hmm..." He savored it carefully, a hint of amazement flashing in his eyes. "Not bad, rich but not greasy, melts in your mouth."

Since the prince took the lead in eating, the others couldn't suppress their curiosity and all took out their money to buy some.

Lin Qin was extremely busy, her face beaming with a joyful smile.

At this moment, a bulky man wearing a restaurant uniform walked over. He was none other than Chef Qian, the head chef of the restaurant in town.

He looked at Lin Qin's stall with disdain and let out a cold snort.

"Oh, isn't this Lady Lin, who was divorced by the prince? What, you've been reduced to selling meat at a stall?" Chef Qian said sarcastically, his tone full of jealousy.

Lin Qin's smile froze slightly, and she was about to retort when Chef Qian suddenly raised his voice...

Chef Qian raised his thick chin and glanced contemptuously at Lin Qin's stall. His voice was as grating as a broken gong: "Hey Lin, is this pork from a dead pig? The color looks off. Is it from a diseased pig? Don't blame me if you get diarrhea from eating it!" As he spoke, he exaggeratedly covered his nose, as if he had smelled something foul.

The customers around them, who were enjoying their meal, hesitated upon hearing this.

Someone put down the meat in their hand and looked at Lin Qin suspiciously.

Lin Qin sneered. This fatso is clearly here to cause trouble!

She remained calm, picked up a piece of braised pork hock, and handed it to Chef Qian: "Chef Qian, right? Since you're so knowledgeable, why don't you try it and see if this pork is from a diseased pig?"

Chef Qian wanted to refuse, but seeing that the surrounding customers were all looking at him, he had no choice but to bite the bullet and take a small bite.

The braised pork knuckle melted in his mouth, and its rich aroma instantly filled his palate.

His eyes widened as he stared in disbelief at the elbow in his hand.

This……

This tastes even better than what he made!

Chef Qian's face turned pale and then red. He didn't want to admit that Lin Qin's food was delicious, but he couldn't refute it.

He mumbled, "This...this is just so-so, nothing special."

The surrounding customers couldn't help but laugh when they saw Chef Qian's expression.

"Chef Qian, your expression doesn't seem like you think it's just so-so!" an older woman teased.

"Yeah, I think you're about to swallow your tongue!" another uncle chimed in.

Customers began to show interest in Lin Qin's food, and those who were hesitant to buy it before were now eager to take out their money.

Lin Qin's stall immediately became bustling with activity, and Chef Qian was pushed aside, his face turning ashen.

He glared fiercely at Lin Qin, about to utter a harsh word, when he suddenly heard a familiar voice: "What's going on here?"

Chef Qian turned around and was so frightened that his legs went weak...

Zhu Ling appeared at the back of the crowd at some point. His sharp gaze swept over Chef Qian's flushed face, and his tone was icy cold: "Chef Qian, what are you doing?"

Chef Qian trembled like a mouse before a cat, his fat face shaking three times: "Your Highness... I... I was just passing by..."

"Just passing by? You look more like someone here to cause trouble than I am," Zhu Ling said as he approached, his powerful aura making Chef Qian feel suffocated.

He instinctively stepped back, but bumped into Wu, the matchmaker, who was watching the commotion behind him.

The matchmaker, Wu, stumbled from the impact, exclaiming, "Oh dear, who's the blind man..." But upon recognizing the person, she immediately put on a fawning smile: "Oh, it's Your Highness! Greetings, Your Highness! You've come...to observe the people's conditions?"

Zhu Ling gave her a cold glance, which frightened Wu the matchmaker into silence.

He walked to Lin Qin's side, his tall figure blocking Chef Qian's vicious gaze. A faint, cool fragrance wafted into Lin Qin's nose, inexplicably making her feel at ease.

"Don't be afraid." Zhu Ling's voice was low and gentle, only Lin Qin could hear it.

Lin Qin's cheeks flushed slightly, and her heart beat a little faster.

She secretly glanced at Zhu Ling, only to meet his deep eyes.

Their eyes met, and a hint of ambiguity seemed to fill the air.

Upon seeing this, the onlookers began to whisper among themselves.

"Oh dear, is the Prince going to protect Lady Lin?"

"That's right! Look at the prince's eyes, they're so tender they could melt your heart!"

"Lady Lin's luck is about to change!"

These comments naturally reached Chef Qian's ears, making him even uglier, but he dared not retaliate and could only swallow his anger.

Zhu Ling's presence provided an invisible layer of protection for Lin Qin's stall.

Customers who were initially hesitant quickly took out their money to buy, afraid of missing out on this "food favored by the prince".

A long queue quickly formed in front of Lin Qin's stall; business was so booming that she was overwhelmed with customers.

As Chef Qian watched all this, the flames of jealousy burned fiercely in his heart.

He clenched his fists so tightly that his nails dug deep into his palms.

No!

He couldn't just lose to a divorced woman like that!

His eyes darted around, a plan forming in his mind, and a sinister smile curled at the corner of his lips...

“Your Highness,” Chef Qian suddenly spoke, his voice carrying a barely perceptible hint of ruthlessness, “I suddenly remembered something…”

Chef Qian's eyes darted around, a plan forming in his mind. He plastered a fawning smile on his face and bowed to Zhu Ling, saying, "Your Highness, I suddenly remembered something. This...this Lady Lin doesn't seem to have a permit to sell food at the market! If something happens, she'll be held responsible!" He was secretly pleased with himself, convinced that he couldn't bring down this little abandoned woman this time!

Upon hearing this, Lin Qin's heart skipped a beat. This fatso really was a persistent ghost!

Did you need a license to set up a street stall in ancient times?

She really hadn't thought about this problem.

However, she was not one to be trifled with!

“Chef Qian is right,” Lin Qin said calmly, pulling out a stack of papers from her bosom and waving them in front of Chef Qian. “However, I was prepared.” She unfolded the papers one by one, revealing a complete set of certificates and hygiene permits for the various ingredients she had prepared, all stamped with the official red seal—clearly official certification!

Chef Qian was dumbfounded. He never expected that Lin Qin had even prepared all of this!

He opened his mouth wide, unable to speak for a long time, his face turning from red to white, then from white to green, just like a chameleon.

Seeing this, the onlookers all gave Lin Qin a thumbs up.

"Lady Lin is truly amazing! She even managed to get official documentation!"

"That's right, Chef Qian really shot himself in the foot!"

"Let's see what he has to say now!"

Chef Qian was ridiculed by everyone, his face burning with embarrassment, wishing he could disappear into the ground.

He glared at Lin Qin fiercely, then slunk away.

Lin Qin watched Chef Qian's retreating figure, a smug smile playing on her lips.

You little punk, you're still too green to mess with me!

Without Chef Qian's meddling, Lin Qin's business became even more booming, with long queues forming in front of her stall as everyone eagerly sought to try this "royal favorite."

Lin Qin was so busy she barely had time to breathe, but her face was always beaming with a joyful smile.

As the sun set, the people in the market gradually dispersed, and Lin Qin began to pack up her stall.

As she tidied up, she pondered how to expand her food business.

It seems we need to find a bigger place...

At this moment, a well-dressed middle-aged man walked up to Lin Qin with a friendly smile on his face: "Madam Lin, I am the owner of Zuixianlou Restaurant. I have long admired your culinary skills, and seeing them today, I can confirm that they are indeed well-deserved. Would Madam Lin do me the honor of joining us for a chat at my humble establishment?"

Lin Qin was slightly taken aback. Drunken Immortal Pavilion?

That's the biggest restaurant in town!

The boss personally invited her?

This is……

what's the situation?

As she hesitated whether to agree, she suddenly heard a familiar voice from behind her: "Madam Lin, why don't we go together?"

Lin Qin turned her head and saw that Zhu Ling had appeared behind her at some point, a meaningful smile on his lips...