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

Lin Qin's eyes widened. The person who came was none other than Prince Zhao, the prince's close relative who had always regarded her as a thorn in his side.

Prince Zhao gave her a forced smile and bowed slightly. "Oh, isn't this the First-Rank Imperial Lady? Congratulations!" His tone sounded utterly sarcastic.

Lin Qin sneered, "Congratulations, congratulations." Prince Zhao said sarcastically, "I heard the Emperor allowed you to open a branch in the capital, exclusively supplying the Imperial Palace? Tsk tsk, what a great honor!" Lin Qin raised an eyebrow, "What, is Prince Zhao envious?"

"Envious? Why would I envy you?" Prince Zhao scoffed. "The capital isn't a place where you can easily make a living." Alarm bells rang in Lin Qin's mind. Was this guy deliberately trying to make things difficult for her?

Sure enough, what Prince Zhao said next confirmed her guess.

"I heard you've been looking for a suitable shop? What a pity, the best locations in the capital have already been rented by my men."

Lin Qin suppressed her anger, her face remaining calm. "Oh? What a coincidence." "A coincidence? I think it's fate." Prince Zhao smugly flicked his sleeve. "The capital city isn't a piece of cake that just anyone can bite into. I advise you, Madam, if you know what's good for you, go back to your farm as soon as possible and don't embarrass yourself here."

Lin Qin laughed angrily, "Is Prince Zhao threatening me?" "Threatening? I was just kindly reminding you." Prince Zhao sneered, "The waters of the capital are deep; you can't handle them." Lin Qin took a deep breath, trying to maintain her composure, "Thank you for the reminder, Your Highness, but I'm tough; I'm not afraid of drowning."

Upon returning to the Prince's residence, Lin Qin immediately began investigating the store's situation.

As expected, all the shops in prime locations in the capital were rented by a man named Manager Sun.

And this Manager Sun was none other than a confidant of Prince Zhao.

Lin Qin couldn't help but sneer. This Prince Zhao was really scheming!

The Prince's mansion was not peaceful either.

Since Lin Qin was conferred the title of First-Rank Imperial Lady, although the servants were outwardly respectful to her, they gossiped about her behind her back.

Lin Qin overheard several maids gossiping, "So what if she's a first-rank imperial consort? She's still just a country bumpkin." "That's right, I don't know what the prince was thinking, marrying such a woman." "I heard she even forced herself on the prince before!" Lin Qin felt a sharp pain in her heart; these rumors were like needles pricking her soul.

In the evening, Zhu Ling returned to the Prince's residence and saw that Lin Qin looked unwell. He asked with concern, "What's wrong? Did something happen?" Lin Qin forced a smile, "Nothing, just a little tired." Zhu Ling hugged her tenderly, "Don't worry, I'm here for you." Lin Qin leaned against his chest, feeling his warm embrace, and the grievances in her heart gradually dissipated.

The next day, Lin Qin changed into an elegant dress and prepared to go out.

"Where to?" Zhu Ling asked.

Lin Qin smiled mysteriously, "Let's go and meet those big merchants in the capital."

With her meticulously prepared business plan, Lin Qin stepped into the largest business club in Beijing.

The buildings are ornately decorated and magnificent, with the air thick with the smell of money.

However, when she gracefully stepped in, she only received disdainful looks.

"Oh, isn't this the noblewoman from the countryside? What, want a piece of the pie too?" a fat, big-eared merchant said sarcastically, which drew a burst of laughter from the crowd.

"What kind of behavior is it for a woman to do business and show her face in public?" Another merchant shook his head, his face full of disdain.

Lin Qin remained composed, a confident smile playing on her lips: "Dear business owners, in the business world, there are no distinctions between men and women, only strength matters." She handed over her business plan one by one, clearly explaining her ideas.

However, the merchants merely glanced at it and then scoffed at it.

"You? You think you can establish yourself in the capital? That's just wishful thinking!"

"The waters of the capital are deep! You can't handle them!" Manager Sun said arrogantly, fanning himself with his fan.

The atmosphere in the club was filled with contempt and mockery towards Lin Qin.

"Really?" A glint of light flashed in Lin Qin's eyes, and the adorable little system announced in her mind at just the right moment: "A major flaw has been detected in Manager Sun's business strategy. It is recommended that the host..."

Lin Qin listened to the system's prompts calmly, already having made up her mind.

She ignored the businessmen who looked down on her and turned to walk towards an inconspicuous small shop in the corner.

This small business owner, surnamed Li, had been ostracized by other large businesses and had no chance to turn his life around.

After a conversation, Lin Qin and Boss Li hit it off immediately.

Mr. Li greatly admired Lin Qin's business plan and immediately decided to cooperate with her.

Just then, Manager Sun announced triumphantly, "Gentlemen, I've rented all the shops in prime locations in the capital! From now on, business in the capital will depend on my whims!"

No sooner had he finished speaking than news broke like a thunderclap—Boss Li had acquired a larger plot of land in the west of the city at an extremely low price, and this plot of land was a key part of Manager Sun's plan!

"How is this possible?!" Manager Sun's expression changed drastically, and the fan in his hand fell to the ground.

The other businessmen also showed shocked expressions, looking at Lin Qin and Boss Li in disbelief.

The initial disdain instantly transformed into admiration.

Lin Qin smiled slightly, turned around and left, leaving behind only a dashing silhouette.

Back at the palace, night was falling.

Lin Qin stood by the window, gazing at the myriad lights of homes in the distance, her mind filled with countless thoughts.

Just then, a figure silently appeared behind her...

"Qin'er, what are you thinking about?" Zhu Ling's voice was gentle and deep.

Lin Qin turned around and met Zhu Ling's deep eyes.

"The waters of the capital are deeper than I imagined," she sighed softly, a hint of weariness in her eyes.

Zhu Ling pulled her into his arms, his warm breath brushing against her ear.

"Don't be afraid, I'm here." He gently stroked her hair. The garden was quiet and peaceful, filled with an ambiguous atmosphere, as if the two of them were the only ones in the world.

Lin Qin looked up at him, her eyes filled with love. At that moment, all her worries vanished.

Back in her room, Lin Qin was unable to calm down.

Business expansion and consolidating the status of the royal residence weighed heavily on her shoulders, like two mountains pressing down on her shoulders.

She has to make a choice, but whichever side she chooses is fraught with challenges.

The room was silent, save for her pacing back and forth, and a contradictory atmosphere filled the air.

The adorable little system suddenly spoke up: "Host, we have detected that Wang Fu, the steward of the Prince's Mansion, is taking a wait-and-see approach to you. We suggest you..." Lin Qin's eyes lit up. The system always provides crucial assistance at critical moments!

She immediately had an idea.

The next morning, Lin Qin specifically sought out Butler Wang for a heart-to-heart talk, after which Butler Wang's attitude towards Lin Qin changed noticeably.

That evening, Lin Qin "accidentally" discovered that Zhou, the maid, was acting suspiciously in Madam Li's room.

After a series of "clever" arrangements, Zhou's "secret" was exposed, and Madam Li was furious but powerless to refute it.

Lin Qin's status in the Prince's mansion has quietly changed.

A few days later, Lin Qin was invited to a flower-viewing banquet for wealthy ladies in Beijing.

She wore a light purple dress, looking elegant and composed.

At the banquet, she chatted and laughed with ease, displaying an air of elegance in every gesture, attracting the attention of many wealthy ladies.

A beautifully dressed lady walked up to Lin Qin, a hint of admiration in her eyes.

"Madam Lin, I have long admired your name."

Lin Qin smiled slightly, "You flatter me."

This lady was none other than the renowned Lady Zhao of the capital, and also... the mother of Prince Zhao.

Madam Zhao took Lin Qin's hand and said affectionately, "Madam Lin, I think we get along very well, why don't we..." Before she could finish speaking, a sharp voice suddenly rang out, "Mother! What are you doing?!" The person who came was none other than Prince Zhao, who glared at Lin Qin with a face full of anger, as if he wanted to devour her alive.

The sudden appearance of Prince Zhao instantly froze the atmosphere of the flower-viewing banquet.

Madam Zhao completely ignored her son's rudeness. Instead, she held Lin Qin's hand even more affectionately and said with a smile, "Qin'er, I think you and Ling'er are a match made in heaven. You should visit the Prince's Mansion often in the future." Prince Zhao's face turned green. "Mother! What are you saying!" Madam Zhao gave him a sharp look, and Prince Zhao immediately fell silent.

Lin Qin chuckled inwardly; this Madam Zhao was truly a remarkable person.

She readily agreed, "Madam Zhao's hospitality is too kind for me to refuse." Prince Zhao gritted his teeth in anger, but there was nothing he could do.

With Madam Zhao's support, Lin Qin's life in the Prince's mansion was indeed much better.

Even the gossipy servants began to treat her with utmost respect.

The Prince's Mansion was peaceful and harmonious, and Lin Qin's business was booming.

However, beneath the calm surface, undercurrents were surging.

Lin Qin discovered that recently someone had been secretly investigating her business secrets, and some unfamiliar faces had also appeared in the Prince's mansion.

One evening, Lin Qin was organizing account books in her study when Zhu Ling walked in, his face grave.

"Qin'er, I've discovered that someone is secretly investigating you."

Lin Qin's heart sank; it seemed her premonition was correct. "Have you found out who it is?"

Zhu Ling shook her head. "The other party was very cautious and left no clues."

The atmosphere suddenly became tense, and Lin Qin and Zhu Ling both looked around warily.

Suddenly, a faint sound came from outside the window...

Zhu Ling's eyes sharpened, and she quickly walked to the window and suddenly pushed it open.

There was no one outside the window.

"What's going on?" Lin Qin walked up to Zhu Ling and asked in confusion.

Zhu Ling frowned and pointed to a fallen leaf on the windowsill. "Someone has been here."

Lin Qin's heart tightened; it seemed that the Prince's mansion was truly no longer safe.

She picked up the candlestick from the table and handed it to Zhu Ling, saying, "Be careful." Zhu Ling took the candlestick, and the two of them cautiously walked towards the door...

"Qin'er, look..." Zhu Ling suddenly stopped and pointed to a shadow in the corner of the wall.

Lin Qin followed his gaze and saw something wriggling in the shadows...