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

Lin Qin watched Lu Xiucai's retreating figure, feeling secretly pleased.

She was about to invite customers into the shop when suddenly a voice came from the crowd: "Wait!"

Lin Qin turned around and saw that Lu Xiucai had returned again, his face showing a mixture of resentment and provocation.

He sneered, "Mr. Lin, weren't you a bit too arrogant just now?"

"Lu Xiucai, I wasn't being arrogant, I was just arguing my case," Lin Qin replied calmly, a cold smile playing on her lips.

"Well said, 'Arguing logically'!" Lu Xiucai's tone became even sharper. "Since you're so confident, how about we have a cultural contest? If you lose, you change the shop's name, how about that?"

The surrounding crowd immediately began to murmur among themselves, with some whispering, "This Scholar Lu is causing trouble again. Shopkeeper Lin should be careful."

Lin Qin thought to herself: This Scholar Lu is indeed cunning; he actually came up with such a trick.

But she did not back down. Instead, she smiled and said to Lu Xiucai, "Alright, let's have a cultural competition. However, the content of the competition must be fair and just, and you can't decide it all by yourself."

“Of course,” Lu Xiucai said confidently. “Let’s compete in poetry and couplets. I’ll give you the first line, and you’ll give me the second. If you can’t come up with a matching line, then the shop’s name will have to be changed.”

"Okay, but if I win, can you promise me one thing?" Lin Qin's eyes flashed, as if she had an idea.

"Hmph, as long as you can match them, I'll do it for you, not just one, but two or three!" Lu Xiucai was arrogant and his tone was full of contempt.

"Deal!" Lin Qin readily agreed, and the name of the franchise store, "Qinyuanchun," held even more meaning for her.

“Listen carefully, my first line is: ‘Green waters and verdant mountains before me, swirling clouds and mist, surpassing even the fairyland of Penglai;’” Lu Xiucai said smugly, as if victory was already in his grasp.

Lin Qin smiled slightly and replied calmly, "'With red flowers and green willows behind, and bees and butterflies fluttering about, it's like a paradise.'"

A round of applause immediately erupted from the surrounding crowd, with many exclaiming, "This second line is so well-matched, it's absolutely flawless!"

Lu Xiucai's expression changed, and a hint of panic flashed in his eyes.

He hadn't expected Lin Qin to be able to come up with the matching line so quickly and accurately.

"This...this doesn't count, let's play another round!" Lu Xiucai said unwillingly, trying to salvage the situation.

Lin Qin smiled slightly, secretly pleased.

She knew she had won the contest, but Lu Xiucai was clearly unwilling to admit defeat easily.

"Alright, let's do it again!" Lin Qin said, enunciating each word clearly, a determined glint in her eyes.

Lu Xiucai took a deep breath, preparing to come up with the next first line of the couplet, while Lin Qin was already confident.

However, just then, a deep voice came from outside the crowd: "Are you having a couplet competition?"

Lin Qin and Lu Xiucai looked toward the source of the sound at the same time. They saw a man in fine clothes walking slowly toward them from outside the crowd, with a faint smile on his face.

"Deal!" Lin Qin readily agreed, and the name "Qinyuanchun" for the Antu store held even more meaning for her.

Lu Xiucai took a deep breath, preparing to come up with the next first line of a couplet.

Lin Qin stood confidently to the side, secretly making plans in her mind.

Lu Xiucai presented several tricky couplets in succession, and Lin Qin responded fluently to each one. The tense confrontation between the two made everyone around hold their breath.

"I never expected you to be so amazing!" Lu Xiucai's voice trembled slightly, clearly impressed by Lin Qin's talent.

Lin Qin smiled slightly, already having made new plans in her mind.

She suddenly changed tactics and said gently, "Scholar Lu, your knowledge is actually quite good. The reason you work so hard is to earn everyone's respect, isn't it?"

Lu Xiucai was stunned. The hostility on his face vanished instantly, replaced by a touch of emotion.

Those around her were also surprised and praised Lin Qin's magnanimity and wisdom.

Just then, that deep voice came from outside the crowd again: "Are you having a couplet competition?" The crowd parted, and a man dressed in fine clothes and with an imposing presence slowly walked over.

With a smile, he walked straight up to Lin Qin and asked gently, "Miss, I was just passing by when I saw a crowd gathered here. May I ask what happened?"

Before Lin Qin could speak, Lu Xiucai interjected, "Young master, this woman's shop has an unrefined name. I am currently having a couplet contest with her to see if she can change the name."

Upon hearing this, the man raised an eyebrow with interest and looked at Lin Qin: "Oh? May I ask what the name of your shop is, young lady?"

Lin Qin smiled slightly and replied, "My surname is Lin, so this shop will be called 'Qinyuanchun'."

The man pondered the name carefully and exclaimed, "Qinyuanchun, what a wonderful name! It's fresh, elegant, and profound in meaning. What could be wrong with it?"

Lu Xiucai's face stiffened, and he was about to say something more when the man interrupted him: "Sir, I also have some knowledge of poetry and prose. May I offer some comments?"

Lu Xiucai initially wanted to refuse, but upon seeing the man's fine clothes and extraordinary demeanor, he hesitated.

He thought to himself: This man must be rich and powerful. If I offend him, things will not end well.

Thinking of this, Lu Xiucai had no choice but to reluctantly agree.

After listening to the couplets composed by Lin Qin and Lu Xiucai, the man praised Lin Qin's talent without hesitation and pointed out Lu Xiucai's shortcomings.

Lu Xiucai was filled with shame and finally admitted his mistake, and offered to write a couplet for the opening of "Qinyuanchun".

The onlookers praised Lin Qin's talent and demeanor, and also expressed their admiration for the man's fairness and knowledge.

Lin Qin successfully resolved the problem and was filled with joy.

She looked at the man and said gratefully, "Thank you for speaking up for me, sir."

The man smiled slightly, looking at Lin Qin with gentle eyes: "It was nothing, no need to thank me."

Just then, a familiar voice came from the crowd: "Qin'er, are you alright?"

Lin Qin turned her head and saw Zhu Ling walking quickly towards her, his eyes full of concern.

Zhu Ling came to Lin Qin's side, gently took her hand, and asked softly, "What happened just now? Did it scare you?"

Lin Qin shook her head and said with a smile, "It's okay, I've already taken care of it."

Zhu Ling was relieved. He turned to the man, cupped his hands in greeting, and said, "Thank you for your help, young master."

The man returned the greeting, saying, "Your Highness is too kind. I was simply there by chance."

Zhu Ling was slightly taken aback, then realized that this man actually knew him!

He was secretly surprised, but asked calmly, "May I ask how you are addressed, sir?"

The man smiled faintly and replied, "My surname is Zhao, and my given name is Yu."

Zhu Ling's heart skipped a beat. Zhao Yu? He felt like he'd heard that name somewhere before...

As the crowd gradually dispersed, Zhu Ling pulled Lin Qin aside and said softly, "Qin'er, no matter what difficulties we encounter, I will always be by your side." Lin Qin felt a warmth in her heart and held Zhu Ling's hand tightly.

Just then, a shrill voice shattered the warm atmosphere: "Don't be too happy yet!" Lin Qin and Zhu Ling turned their heads simultaneously, only to see a richly dressed woman leading several servants strode over menacingly...

As the crowd dispersed, the afterglow of the setting sun bathed the "Qinyuanchun" signboard in a golden halo.

Lin Qin looked at the newly hung signboard and felt a great sense of accomplishment.

Zhu Ling gently put his arm around her shoulder and whispered in her ear, "Qin'er, you're amazing!" Lin Qin smiled sweetly, leaned against him, and enjoyed this moment of peace.

As night fell, the town gradually quieted down.

The signboard for "Qinyuanchun" stood out prominently in the moonlight.

Suddenly, a piercing cracking sound shattered the silence of the night.

The next morning, Lin Qin arrived at the shop excitedly, ready to welcome the first day of business.

However, she froze when she reached the door.

The once brand-new signboard is now shattered and scattered all over the ground, just like her broken heart.

The three characters “沁园春” are now incomplete, as if silently telling a story of malice.

Lin Qin's face turned pale instantly. She stared at everything in front of her in disbelief, her heart filled with anger and confusion.

who is it?

Who is so cruel as to ruin her hard work?

A tense atmosphere returned, and neighbors came out to watch and discuss the matter.

"What happened? Who did this?"

"This is outrageous! They're deliberately trying to ruin Lin's business!"

"Mr. Lin, don't worry, we will definitely help you find the murderer!"

Lin Qin listened to the surrounding discussions, but her heart felt even heavier.

She didn't know who vandalized the sign, nor what their purpose was.

She feared this was just the beginning and that there would be more acts of vandalism.

This unknown fear made her feel extremely uneasy.

She gazed at the damaged sign, her heart filled with worry, foreshadowing the events of the next chapter.

Zhu Ling came to Lin Qin's side, held her hand tightly, and said with a firm look in his eyes, "Qin'er, don't be afraid, I will protect you." Lin Qin looked up at him, her eyes slightly red, but she held back her tears.

She took a deep breath and said firmly: ...

"We'll stay here tonight."