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

Lin Qin returned to the farm. As soon as she stepped off the carriage, Uncle Lin rushed up to her, his wrinkled face filled with worry: "Miss, you're finally back! The Prince, he..."

Lin Qin raised her hand to interrupt him before he could finish speaking, gently patted his shoulder, and said in a relaxed tone, "Uncle Lin, I'm fine, don't worry." She looked around; the golden rice paddies swayed in the wind, the air was filled with the fragrance of earth, and chickens, ducks, and geese were calling merrily—a scene of idyllic pastoral life.

Every blade of grass and every tree here felt incredibly familiar and comforting to her, and a deep, irreplaceable feeling welled up within her.

Before long, a group of people galloped in, kicking up a cloud of dust.

Zhu Ling dismounted and strode up to Lin Qin, his deep eyes fixed on her: "Qin'er, come back to the manor with me." His tone left no room for argument.

Lin Qin looked at the handsome yet assertive man in front of her, her heart filled with mixed feelings.

She took a deep breath, trying to make her voice sound calm: "Your Highness, I still have many things to attend to, the farm's accounts..."

“These things will naturally be done by others,” Zhu Ling interrupted her, his tone tinged with impatience. “You don’t need to worry about it.” Without waiting for a reply, he grabbed Lin Qin’s hand and pulled her toward the carriage.

The air around them seemed to freeze, and the peaceful atmosphere in the farm instantly became tense.

Uncle Lin wrung his hands anxiously, but dared not step forward to stop him.

Lin Qin forcefully broke free from Zhu Ling's grip, her tone firm: "Your Highness, as I said, I need time to consider."

Zhu Ling looked at her, his eyes deep, his thin lips pressed tightly together, and he exuded a cold aura.

He approached Lin Qin step by step, his voice low and dangerous: "Qin'er, don't test my patience." He reached out his hand, as if wanting to grab her again.

Lin Qin met his gaze without fear, a half-smile playing on her lips: "Your Highness, are you trying to abduct a woman from the common people?"

Zhu Ling paused, staring intently at her. After a long while, he suddenly burst into laughter, his laughter tinged with helplessness and doting: "Qin'er, you really are..." He reached out and gently stroked her cheek, "Alright, I'll give you a few more days, but you must promise me that you won't leave here."

Lin Qin looked at him, her eyes flickering, but she didn't say anything.

Zhu Ling turned around and instructed the guards behind him, "Keep a close eye on the Princess Consort and don't leave her side for a moment." He gave Lin Qin a deep look, mounted his horse, and rode away.

As the dust settled, Lin Qin watched Zhu Ling's departing figure and sighed softly.

She turned to Uncle Lin and said, "Uncle Lin, go and get the account books. We still have a lot to do." Her tone was calm, but carried a hint of unwavering determination.

Uncle Lin looked at Lin Qin, hesitated, and finally turned and left silently.

As night fell, the farm was quiet.

Lin Qin stood in the courtyard, gazing up at the starry sky, lost in thought.

Zhu Ling's domineering nature made her feel oppressed. She needed freedom and to take control of her own destiny.

Suddenly, a dark shadow flashed by, and Lin Qin turned around alertly...

Lin Qin turned around alertly, only to see the cute little system floating in front of her, glowing with a faint light.

"Host, we've detected a surge in the Prince's favorability. Here's a farming skill pack as a reward! Want to check it out?" The little system's voice was sweet and cloying, but it made Lin Qin feel a little annoyed.

She waved her hand dismissively, like shooing away a fly: "Get out of here, I'm not in the mood right now."

The next morning, Lin Qin gathered all the farmers and announced a surprising decision: "I intend to transfer the farm to Uncle Lin!"

As soon as these words came out, the whole place was in an uproar.

Uncle Lin was so frightened that his face turned ashen, and he waved his hands repeatedly, saying, "Miss, this is unacceptable! How can this old servant bear such a heavy responsibility?"

The surrounding farmers were also discussing it, some were puzzled, some were worried, and most were shocked.

Zhu Ling's guards looked at each other, unsure of what to do.

Lin Qin smiled slightly and explained, "Uncle Lin is loyal and has dedicated most of his life to the farm." She paused and continued, "I have more important things to do."

"What could be more important than the prince's favor?" a guard couldn't help but ask.

Lin Qin ignored him and instead opened the farm management plan provided by the small system. Pointing to the data, she said, "According to the system's analysis, the farm's output can be increased by another 30%, and the profits can double. Uncle Lin, please follow this plan."

Looking at the data in the plan, Uncle Lin was so moved that tears streamed down his face: "Miss, I will never forget your trust in me!"

The surrounding farmers also expressed their support, admiring Lin Qin's generosity, and the farm was filled with an atmosphere of gratitude and hope.

Lin Qin watched this scene, her heart filled with mixed emotions. Was what she did right or wrong?

In the stillness of the night, Lin Qin paced alone on the edge of the field, the moonlight bathing her, making her appear exceptionally lonely.

She looked up at the starry sky and murmured to herself, "Freedom, or love..." Just then, a dark figure silently appeared behind her...

The moonlight, like water, poured down onto the ridges of the farm, casting a long shadow of Lin Qin.

She glanced at the distant, rolling rice paddies, then looked down at the soil beneath her feet, her mind a jumbled mess.

"This damn love! Do I really have to give up my freedom and become a caged bird?" She couldn't help but blurt out a curse, breaking the tranquility of the farm.

"Sigh, maybe I should just go back to the capital and be a princess. At least I won't have to worry about food and drink, and it would be so comfortable to lie around all day." Lin Qin muttered to herself, imagining herself wearing a gorgeous palace dress, lying on a soft couch, and eating all kinds of delicacies. That feeling was simply too wonderful!

But then she thought again and shook her head. "No, no, I can't be spineless. I'm going to be the Queen of the Countryside!" She clenched her fists and cheered herself on. Country life was her destiny!

Having figured this out, Lin Qin felt much better. She shook her head, trying to clear her mind of those messy thoughts.

The next morning, Lin Qin appeared in the farm's council hall, looking refreshed and energetic.

She called Uncle Lin over, took out the farm development plan she had prepared overnight, and explained it to him in detail.

She made detailed plans for everything from crop improvement to the maintenance of water conservancy facilities and the development of future markets.

Uncle Lin was thrilled. Looking at the light shining in Lin Qin's eyes, he felt as if he were seeing a rising star.

"Miss, rest assured, this old servant will definitely live up to your trust and make the farm a great success!" He excitedly patted his chest and promised.

Looking at the well-organized farm and the smiles on the villagers' faces, Lin Qin felt an unprecedented sense of satisfaction.

"Sure enough, the feeling of relying on your own efforts is completely different!" She stretched with satisfaction, feeling full of energy.

Just then, a familiar, deep voice sounded behind her: "It seems you're enjoying your life right now."

Lin Qin slowly turned around, and the relaxed smile on her face vanished instantly.

Zhu Ling's handsome face was now clouded with gloom, his eyes were deep and his emotions were churning.

Lin Qin's heart skipped a beat. She took a deep breath and tried to calm herself down.

Zhu Ling's gaze was like two sharp blades, shooting straight at her, making her feel an unprecedented sense of oppression.

Zhu Ling walked towards her step by step, each step feeling as if he were stepping on her heart.

He reached out and grabbed Lin Qin's wrist with such force that it felt like he was going to crush her bones.

"You..." Zhu Ling was about to speak when Lin Qin interrupted her.

"Your Highness, please have some self-respect!" Lin Qin forcefully shook off Zhu Ling's hand, her tone icy. "I have decided to transfer the farm to Uncle Lin, and everything here will have nothing to do with me from now on."

Zhu Ling was stunned; he hadn't expected Lin Qin to be so resolute.

He looked at Lin Qin and said through gritted teeth, "You think you can escape?" "No matter where you run, I will bring you back!"

Lin Qin sneered, "Your Highness, you are far too confident. I am not a pawn to be manipulated."

"Oh? Is that so?" Zhu Ling raised an eyebrow. He grabbed Lin Qin's wrist and pulled her towards the carriage. "Come back to the manor with me!"

Lin Qin struggled desperately, but Zhu Ling was too strong, and she couldn't break free at all.

She watched helplessly as she was dragged onto the carriage, her heart filled with despair.

Suddenly, Lin Qin had a flash of inspiration. She shouted, "Help! Someone is trying to kidnap me!"

Upon hearing the shouts, the farmers in the farm all rushed out.

When they saw Lin Qin being dragged onto the carriage by Zhu Ling, they were filled with righteous indignation and grabbed hoes and shovels, surrounding the carriage.

"Let go of our young lady!"

"How dare they abduct a woman in broad daylight!"

"kill him!"

The farmers were excited and waved their farm tools, ready to rush forward.

Zhu Ling looked at the angry farmers in front of him, his face terribly gloomy.

He never expected Lin Qin to resort to such despicable tactics.

"Stop it, all of you!" Zhu Ling roared, startling the farmers into freezing in place.

Taking advantage of the opportunity, Lin Qin broke free from Zhu Ling's grasp, jumped off the carriage, and hid behind the farmers.

Zhu Ling felt both angry and heartbroken seeing Lin Qin's actions.

He took a deep breath, trying to suppress the anger in his heart.

He walked up to Lin Qin, took her hand, and said in a much gentler tone, "Qin'er, come back with me. Don't make me worry."

Lin Qin felt the warmth of Zhu Ling's palm, and her heart softened.

She looked up and met Zhu Ling's gaze; it was as if an electric current flowed between them.

The surrounding air also became ambiguous.

However, Lin Qin quickly regained her senses.

She forcefully pulled her hand back, her tone firm: "Your Highness, I have more important things to do."

After saying that, Lin Qin turned and walked towards the shop, leaving Zhu Ling with only a resolute back view.

Zhu Ling watched Lin Qin's departing figure with a furrowed brow, wondering what surprising decision she would make at the shop this time.

Lin Qin was also thinking about how to arrange the shop's affairs, which foreshadowed the next chapter of the story.

As night fell and the stars twinkled, the lanterns at the shop entrance emitted a dim yellow light, and Lin Qin's figure gradually approached.

"I hope Manager Zhang isn't asleep yet..." she said softly.