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

The person from the palace was a nanny from the Empress's side. She said that Her Majesty the Empress missed the Princess Consort and specially sent someone to bring Lin Qin to the palace to reminisce.

It sounded like they were just showing concern, but Lin Qin felt something was off.

She was a demoted and abandoned concubine. When did the Empress ever think so much about her?

Could this be a trap?

Zhu Ling also found the matter strange, but he could not disobey the imperial decree, so he could only instruct Lin Qin to be careful and prioritize her own safety.

He gave Lin Qin a jade pendant, saying it could save her life in a critical moment.

This jade pendant was a gift from the emperor, practically a get-out-of-jail-free card!

With a mix of trepidation and excitement, Lin Qin followed the nanny onto the carriage bound for the capital.

Throughout the journey, the old woman was very polite to her, showing concern and care, but Lin Qin always felt that she was hiding a knife behind her smile and that her words had ulterior motives.

This feeling is like being bombarded with sugar-coated bullets before being stuffed into a sack!

Upon arriving in the capital, Lin Qin discovered that the city was completely different from the bustling scene she had imagined.

Pedestrians hurried along the street, the atmosphere oppressive, like the calm before a storm.

The atmosphere in the Prince's mansion was even more eerie. The servants looked at her with curiosity, inquiry, and even a hint of...

disdain?

As soon as they entered the Prince's residence, a woman dressed in flamboyant attire greeted them with a fake smile: "Oh, isn't this the Princess Consort? We've been waiting for you to return!" This woman was none other than Madam Li, Zhu Ling's concubine, who was notoriously jealous.

Her words sounded enthusiastic, but even a fool could hear the sarcasm in her tone.

Zhou, the maidservant beside Madam Li, practically rolled her eyes to the sky, saying, "Your Highness, you must be tired from your journey. This servant will take you to rest." This wasn't leading the way; it was clearly surveillance!

Lin Qin wasn't stupid; she knew that the Prince's mansion was a den of dragons and tigers, and that a slight misstep could lead to utter ruin.

But she's not someone to be trifled with!

She smiled slightly and said, "Thank you for your help, Madam Li and Maid Zhou." Her tone was neither humble nor arrogant, neither showing weakness nor being ostentatious, leaving no room for criticism.

After settling in, Lin Qin hadn't even had a chance to catch her breath when she heard the servants whispering among themselves, saying things like "unlucky person," "jinx," and even more offensive and unbearable things.

Lin Qin was seething with anger. She needed to find out who was behind this!

Lin Qin took a deep breath, pushed open the door, and walked straight towards the gate of the Prince's Mansion...

Lin Qin left the Prince's Mansion and headed straight for the most bustling market in the capital.

She planned to first understand the market situation in Beijing before making any further plans.

To her surprise, she was recognized as soon as she arrived at the market.

"Oh, isn't this the demoted princess? What, tired of the fine clothes and delicacies of the royal palace, want to experience the life of us commoners?" The speaker was Sun, the head manager of the silk shop and the president of the Beijing Chamber of Commerce, a notorious snob.

As soon as he said this, the surrounding merchants joined in the jeering, their tone full of sarcasm.

Lin Qin felt indignant listening to these sarcastic remarks, but she remained outwardly calm.

She smiled slightly and said, "Manager Sun, you flatter me. This princess simply wanted to see the prosperity of the capital and learn about your business acumen."

"Learn the ways of business? Your Highness, are you joking? You are of noble birth, why would you need to learn such vulgar things?" another herbal medicine shop owner said sarcastically.

"That's right, Your Highness should go back to the palace and enjoy your life. This market is not a place for you."

The surrounding merchants chimed in with barbs, as if Lin Qin were some kind of monster.

The atmosphere in the market suddenly became tense, filled with a strong smell of gunpowder.

Lin Qin looked around and saw that these seasoned veterans were all looking on with amusement, waiting to see her make a fool of herself.

Hmph, you want to see me make a fool of myself?

There are no doors!

Lin Qin's lips curled into a cold smile as she thought to herself.

She took a deep breath, preparing to retort, when suddenly the little system's cute voice rang in her mind: "Host, we have detected a potential business partner nearby. We suggest you head to the general store in the southeast direction."

Business partners?

Lin Qin's heart skipped a beat. Could there be someone who wasn't afraid of the power of these old hands and dared to cooperate with her?

She walked calmly towards the southeast and, sure enough, saw an inconspicuous general store.

The shop owner was a young man who looked honest and simple.

Lin Qin walked up to the young man and said bluntly, "I want to cooperate with you and do business together."

The young man was taken aback at first, then his face lit up with surprise: "Really? Your Highness is willing to cooperate with me?"

"Of course it's true." Lin Qin smiled slightly and told the young man about the unique business philosophy provided by the small system.

After hearing this, the young man's eyes lit up, and he nodded repeatedly: "Your Highness's idea is brilliant! I'm willing to cooperate with you!"

This scene was witnessed by the surrounding merchants, who all showed expressions of surprise.

They never expected that someone would actually dare to cooperate with Lin Qin!

What kind of magic does this woman possess?

"Your Highness, you are truly...a sight to behold," said Manager Sun with a forced smile, his tone carrying a hint of barely perceptible apprehension.

Lin Qin ignored Manager Sun and turned to the young man, saying, "We'll discuss the details of the cooperation tomorrow." With that, she turned and left the market.

As soon as I returned to the Prince's mansion, I saw a familiar figure standing at the gate...

As soon as Lin Qin stepped into the gate of the Prince's Mansion, she saw Zhu Ling standing there with a dark face, like a gatekeeper.

He stepped forward, pulled Lin Qin behind him, and coldly surveyed the servants watching the commotion. His gaze was so intense it could freeze anyone into an icicle.

"What are you all standing here for? Don't you have anything better to do?" Zhu Ling's voice was deep and angry. The servants scattered in fright, leaving only Madam Li and her lackey, Zhou, standing there, their faces full of embarrassment.

Seeing this, Madam Li quickly put on a fake smile and pretended to be concerned, saying, "Your Highness, please calm down. I was just worried about my sister, the Princess Consort, so I came to check on her." Her hypocritical manner was so convincing that she could easily star in a palace drama.

Looking at the domineering man protecting his wife, Lin Qin felt a warmth in her heart, and her original anger dissipated by more than half.

She knew that although Zhu Ling was usually cold and aloof, he still cared about her.

The two exchanged a glance, and a faint, ambiguous atmosphere filled the air.

"No need, Your Highness will be protected by me." Zhu Ling said coldly, dismissing Madam Li directly.

After saying that, he took Lin Qin's hand and walked towards her residence.

As soon as Lin Qin entered the room, she felt that something was wrong.

She looked around and noticed something under the bed.

She bent down and pulled out a small straw figure from under the bed, with her name written on it!

Isn't this just an ancient version of "pinching voodoo dolls"?

Lin Qin sneered. Madam Li's trick was too old-fashioned.

"Oh, what a good thing this is?" Lin Qin deliberately raised her voice to attract the attention of the maid Zhou.

When Zhou, the maid, saw the little figure in Lin Qin's hand, her face instantly changed, as if she had seen a ghost. She stammered, "This...this...how is this possible?"

Seeing Zhou's terrified expression, Lin Qin knew that she must have been used by Madam Li.

The corners of her mouth rose slightly, and she already had an idea in her mind.

"Zhou maid, this little effigy is quite well made! You can tell who made it at a glance!" Lin Qin deliberately drew out her voice, giving Zhou maid a meaningful look, a sly glint in her eyes.

The maidservant Zhou knelt down with a thud, her face as pale as a sheet of paper.

She was trembling with fear, repeatedly saying, "It wasn't me...it wasn't me..."

Lin Qin ignored Zhou's explanation, placed the figurine on the table, and said coldly, "Since that's the case, then this princess will take good care of this gift!"

She slowly picked up the teacup on the table, a meaningful smile playing on her lips.

The maid Zhou was so frightened that she scrambled out of the room, screaming all the while.

"Someone come here!" Lin Qin called softly towards the door, her tone calm.

Butler Wang entered in response and bowed, asking, "What are your orders, Your Highness?"

"Go and invite the Prince and all the concubines and maids to the main hall. Tell them that I, the Princess Consort, have important matters to discuss with you." Lin Qin's tone was calm, yet carried an undeniable authority.

Before long, everyone from the Prince's Mansion gathered in the main hall.

Madam Li looked smug, thinking that Lin Qin was about to apologize to her, but she was stunned by what Lin Qin said next.

Lin Qin showed the little doll with her name on it to everyone, and then called in Zhou, the maid.

Zhou, the maid, recounted in trembling fear how Madam Li had instructed her to make voodoo dolls and how she had framed Lin Qin.

"Madam Li, what else do you have to say?" Lin Qin looked at Madam Li with a half-smile, her eyes sharp as knives.

Madam Li's face was deathly pale, her lips trembled, but she couldn't utter a single word.

She never expected that her carefully planned conspiracy would be exposed so quickly!

"Your Highness, I am innocent! This maid framed me!" Madam Li knelt down with a thud, crying her heart out, trying to gain Zhu Ling's sympathy.

Zhu Ling looked at her coldly, without a trace of pity in her eyes.

He had long known that Madam Li was no kind person, but he never expected her to be so vicious!

"Guards, confine Madam Li to her quarters. No one is allowed to visit her without my order!" Zhu Ling's tone was icy, devoid of any emotion.

Upon hearing this, Madam Li was struck dumb, collapsing to the ground. She knew she was finished!

Everyone in the Prince's mansion gasped at the sight.

They never expected that this seemingly weak princess would have such methods!

In an instant, everyone's attitude towards Lin Qin underwent a dramatic change, from initial contempt to awe.

However, Lin Qin did not become complacent because of this victory.

She knew this was just a minor incident, and a bigger challenge awaited her.

The commercial blockade in the capital remains in effect, and Zhu Ling is also facing pressure from Prince Zhao. How should they deal with this?

Lin Qin took a deep breath, walked to Zhu Ling's side, gently took his hand, and whispered, "Your Highness, let's face this together."

Zhu Ling grasped Lin Qin's hand in return, giving her a firm look.

He knew that no matter how much wind and rain lay ahead, they would walk together.

Just then, Butler Wang rushed in, looking flustered, and whispered a few words in Zhu Ling's ear.

Zhu Ling's expression instantly turned serious. He abruptly stood up and said to Lin Qin, "Qin'er, I have to go out for a bit, you..."

Before he could finish speaking, a commotion erupted outside the door, and a sharp voice pierced the night: "Your Highness! Prince Zhao requests an audience!"