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

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.

No sooner had he finished speaking than the shop door creaked open, and Manager Zhang came out with a beaming smile: "Boss, you've finally arrived! I've been looking forward to seeing you!"

As Zhang spoke, his gaze passed over Lin Qin and landed on Zhu Ling behind her. A hint of doubt flashed in his eyes, but he quickly regained his smile: "And this is..."

"His Highness happened to be passing by today and offered me a ride," Lin Qin explained calmly, her tone completely unfathomable.

The shop was brightly lit, bustling with activity and filled with lively chatter.

The waiters hurried about, carrying steaming dishes among the customers, filling the air with an enticing aroma.

Looking at the scene before her, Lin Qin was filled with emotion.

A few months ago, this was a dilapidated little shop, but now it has been completely transformed and is thriving, all thanks to her hard work.

"Qin'er, there are too many people around here, let's go back and talk about it." Zhu Ling's voice rang in Lin Qin's ears, his tone carrying an undeniable firmness.

Lin Qin's heart tightened. She understood that Zhu Ling meant for her to give up the shop and return to the palace with him.

She took a deep breath, trying to control her emotions, and turned to look at Zhu Ling with a hint of stubbornness in her eyes: "Your Highness, as I said, I have more important things to do."

The surrounding customers seemed to have noticed the subtle atmosphere between the two and cast curious glances at them.

Lin Qin felt the pressure mounting, but she didn't want to compromise.

"Qin'er, why are you so stubborn?" Zhu Ling's voice was lower, tinged with a hint of helplessness.

Lin Qin bit her lip, about to speak, when she heard a familiar voice from behind her: "Master, I have completed the task you entrusted to me..."

Manager Zhang's voice broke the tense atmosphere between the two, but it also made Lin Qin even more conflicted.

She looked at Manager Zhang, then at Zhu Ling, her heart filled with mixed emotions.

"Your Highness, I..." Lin Qin began to speak, but Zhu Ling suddenly grabbed her wrist, his voice tinged with anger: "Lin Qin, you..."

Lin Qin abruptly shook off Zhu Ling's hand, the crisp sound particularly jarring in the noisy shop.

"Your Highness, I respect you as a man, but my affairs are none of your business!" This move left the onlookers speechless, forgetting even to eat their melon seed shells.

Zhu Ling's face was ashen, and his fists were clenched so tightly they cracked, clearly showing that he was genuinely angry.

"Lin Qin, are you really going to abandon me for this little shop?" he gritted his teeth, his tone carrying a hint of threat.

Lin Qin sneered and retorted without fear: "Your Highness, you're quite adept at playing the moral blackmail game! When did I ever promise to give up anything? It's as if I owe you millions."

Manager Zhang and his staff trembled with fear, not daring to utter a sound, lest they be caught in the crossfire.

This is quite a juicy story!

Lin Qin was too lazy to waste any more words with him, so she turned to Manager Zhang and said, "Manager Zhang, I have a secret manual to pass on to you. From now on, I will entrust this shop to you."

"A secret manual? Could it be the legendary..." Manager Zhang's eyes lit up, and he was so excited that he almost jumped up.

Lin Qin smiled mysteriously and took out a booklet from her sleeve, handing it to him.

"This is the business secret I've painstakingly summarized over the years. With it, you can become a business tycoon and reach the pinnacle of life!"

Shopkeeper Zhang received the booklet with trembling hands, as if it were a priceless treasure.

Upon opening it, one finds it densely filled with various business strategies, recipes, and even techniques for dealing with customers—it's practically a business bible!

"I will never forget your great kindness, boss!" Manager Zhang was so moved that tears welled up in his eyes, and he wished he could kowtow to Lin Qin on the spot.

Lin Qin waved her hand and took out another contract from her bosom.

"This is a partial share transfer agreement for the store. From now on, you will be one of the shareholders of this store."

As soon as this statement came out, the whole audience was in an uproar!

This employer is incredibly generous!

The men looked at Lin Qin with admiration and expressed their determination to follow her to the death, even at the cost of their lives!

After arranging the shop's affairs, Lin Qin looked at Zhu Ling again with a determined gaze.

"Your Highness, my mind is made up. Farewell."

After saying that, she walked out of the shop without looking back, leaving Zhu Ling standing there alone with a terribly gloomy face.

He watched Lin Qin's departing figure, his heart filled with mixed emotions.

“Lin Qin…”

Lin Qin stepped out of the shop, the night breeze brushing against her cheeks, carrying away a trace of warmth.

She glanced back at the brightly lit shop, a pang of sadness welling up inside her.

This shop holds so much of her heart and soul, and so many of her memories.

"Boss..." The workers chased after her, their eyes red and choked with sobs as they called out to Lin Qin.

"Boss, are you really leaving?" Xiao Li asked, wiping away tears, her face full of reluctance.

"Boss, what will we do without you?" Xiao Zhang cried so hard he could barely breathe.

Looking at the familiar faces, Lin Qin felt a mix of emotions.

She forced a smile, fighting back tears: "Silly children, all good things must come to an end. I'm leaving now. Take good care of yourselves and run the shop well, okay?"

"Boss, we can't bear to part with you!" The workers surrounded Lin Qin, hugging her tightly and crying together.

The shop was filled with a strong sense of parting, and even the air seemed to freeze.

Zhu Ling stood aside, watching this scene, and a ripple of emotion stirred within her.

"Alright, stop crying." Lin Qin gently patted the shop assistants' shoulders, trying to control her emotions. "Although I'm leaving, the shop is still here, and our friendship remains. From now on, you must follow Manager Zhang's lead and run the shop even better, understand?"

"Boss, we will!" the men shouted in unison, their voices filled with determination.

Lin Qin looked at Manager Zhang again, her eyes filled with trust: "Manager Zhang, I'm entrusting the shop to you."

"Don't worry, boss, I will definitely live up to your expectations!" Manager Zhang patted his chest and assured him.

Lin Qin nodded, turned to leave, but suddenly remembered something, took out a slip of paper from her pocket and handed it to Manager Zhang.

"This is a new recipe I've developed. Give it a try."

Shopkeeper Zhang took the note as if he had found a treasure, and quickly opened it to see that it had several large characters written on it: Spicy Crayfish!

"Boss, you're amazing! This spicy crayfish sounds so delicious, it makes my mouth water just from the name!" Manager Zhang exclaimed excitedly, almost incoherently.

Lin Qin smiled, said nothing, and turned to leave.

She left gracefully and resolutely, without a trace of regret.

As Zhu Ling watched Lin Qin's departing figure, a strange impulse suddenly welled up in his heart.

He strode up to Lin Qin and blocked her way.

"Lin Qin, you..."

Lin Qin raised her head and looked at Zhu Ling quietly, waiting for him to continue.

Zhu Ling took a deep breath and slowly said, "Are you really determined to leave?"

Lin Qin did not answer, but simply smiled faintly.

"You..." Zhu Ling wanted to say something, but Lin Qin interrupted her.

"Your Highness, please have some self-respect." Lin Qin's tone was icy, her eyes carrying a hint of warning.

Zhu Ling was stunned; he had never seen Lin Qin so cold.

"Goodbye." After saying that, Lin Qin walked past Zhu Ling and left without looking back.

Zhu Ling stood there, watching Lin Qin's departing figure, her heart filled with mixed emotions.

He suddenly realized that he seemed to be...

Zhu Ling watched Lin Qin's departing figure, her heart filled with mixed emotions.

He suddenly realized that he seemed to be...

They underestimated this woman.

She is not only a skilled cook, but also possesses a sharp business mind and a free spirit.

She was like a wild horse, free and unrestrained, which made him both admire and uneasy.

"Your Highness, are you alright?" Manager Zhang asked cautiously, afraid of offending the prince.

Zhu Ling did not answer, but silently turned around and walked into the shop.

Looking at the bustling scene, a bold idea suddenly came to him.

He wanted to help Lin Qin realize her dream and make her a true queen of the countryside!

At this moment, Lin Qin returned. She walked up to Zhu Ling with a firm look in her eyes and said, "Your Highness, there is something I need to tell you."

Zhu Ling looked at Lin Qin, a hint of anticipation in her heart.

"I..." Lin Qin hesitated for a moment, but finally mustered up her courage and said, "I need time to think about it."

"What are you thinking about?" Zhu Ling asked nervously.

"I'm considering... whether I should go back to the Prince's Mansion with you." After saying this, Lin Qin lowered her head, not daring to look into Zhu Ling's eyes.

Zhu Ling was overjoyed and grabbed Lin Qin's hand: "Qin'er, you..."

Lin Qin gently pulled her hand away from Zhu Ling's: "Your Highness, please give me some time."

Zhu Ling looked at Lin Qin,

Lin Qin smiled slightly, turned around and walked out of the shop.

Zhu Ling watched Lin Qin's departing figure, her heart filled with hope.

He knew that Lin Qin would eventually come back to him.

Lin Qin stepped out of the shop and took a deep breath.

She looked up at the starry night sky, her heart filled with confusion.

She didn't know what choice she would ultimately make.

"Lin Qin..." Zhu Ling chased after her, gently stroking Lin Qin's hair.

Lin Qin did not refuse, but simply leaned quietly against Zhu Ling's chest.

An ambiguous atmosphere permeated the two of them.

"Qin'er..." Zhu Ling's voice was low and hoarse.

Lin Qin raised her head, looked into Zhu Ling's eyes, and felt a mix of emotions.

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

"Don't say anything." Zhu Ling hugged Lin Qin tightly. "Let me hold you."

Lin Qin didn't speak, but simply enjoyed the tranquility of the moment.

Inside the shop, the shop assistants watched this scene with smiles on their faces.

"It seems our master and the prince are getting married soon!" Little Li said with a smile.

"Yes, they are a perfect match, a match made in heaven!" Xiao Zhang chimed in.

Outside the shop, Lin Qin and Zhu Ling stood on the street, surrounded by people coming and going...

“Qin’er…” Zhu Ling suddenly spoke.