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

Lin Qin frowned. She had thought that with Miss Su's "betrayal," the noble ladies would all turn against her. Unexpectedly, these people were all opportunists, leaning to whichever side the wind blew.

Moreover, there is now an even more challenging issue regarding materials.

Mr. Du, that old fox, truly embodied the saying "no merchant is honest" to the extreme.

Seeing that she needed a lot of building materials, they started raising prices on the spot, changing the price every day, treating her like a sucker.

Lin Qin was extremely anxious. Every day, seeing the prices soaring in the ledger, her heart was bleeding.

This isn't doing business, it's outright robbery!

Lin Qin decided to meet this businessman, Mr. Du, in person to see what he really wanted.

She led Zhu Ling and stormed into Mr. Du's shop.

Before she could even speak, she heard bursts of exaggerated laughter coming from inside, mixed with a few sharp taunts.

"This abandoned concubine must be desperate for money! She wants to do some kind of rural revitalization project? Dream on!"

Du, the merchant, was fat and greasy. When he saw Lin Qin arrive, he became even more smug.

He sat in the armchair, legs crossed, too lazy to even lift his eyelids.

"Oh my, isn't this Consort Lin? What brings you to my humble shop?" Her tone was flippant and full of sarcasm.

Lin Qin took a deep breath, trying to suppress her anger, and went straight to the point: "Mr. Du, I need a large amount of timber and stone. Can we discuss the price?"

"Discuss? Of course we can discuss it." Merchant Du smiled sarcastically. "However, my prices are increasing every day. Today's price may not be tomorrow's."

"You!!" Lin Qin was furious. She had never seen such a shameless person. He was even more cunning than the chickens she raised.

"Boss Du, you're taking advantage of our misfortune!"

"Oh dear, Your Majesty, what are you saying? What do you mean by taking advantage of someone's misfortune? This is called market conditions, don't you understand?" Merchant Du spread his hands, looking completely innocent, like a wolf in sheep's clothing.

"As for these materials, naturally the highest bidder wins. If Your Highness doesn't have the money, you might as well go back to the Prince's Palace and be your concubine. Don't make things difficult for us commoners."

The people around them joined in the commotion, pointing and whispering, their eyes filled with malice.

Lin Qin felt a surge of helplessness, as if she had punched a piece of cotton.

She knew that this matter wouldn't be so easy to resolve.

Looking at Mr. Du's smug face, she felt a surge of intense anger and resentment.

She absolutely cannot let him defeat her like this, she absolutely cannot!

She sneered and said, "Mr. Du, you'd better pray you stay this arrogant forever!"

Lin Qin turned and left, her back view resolute, leaving Du Shangren and his group looking at each other and chuckling, but they didn't notice the barely perceptible cold smile on Lin Qin's lips.

She walked over to Zhu Ling, leaned close to his ear, and whispered, "It seems we need to try a different approach..."

Lin Qin was not one to act impulsively; she had long anticipated that this businessman Du would not easily give in.

Back at her place, she immediately activated her adorable little system.

"Tongzi, let me see if there's anywhere around here where I can get building materials."

The little system reluctantly rummaged through its "treasure chest" and finally pointed to a remote mountainous area in a corner of a map. "Host, there are plenty of stones and timber here, but the road is a bit difficult to travel."

Lin Qin's eyes lit up. There's such a great place?

This is truly a case of finding a new path after a seemingly hopeless situation!

She immediately found Zhu Ling and told him the news.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Ling immediately offered to go with her without saying a word.

The next day, the two led a group of people and set off in the direction indicated by the small system.

After overcoming numerous obstacles and traversing mountains and valleys, they finally arrived at that mountainous area.

Looking around, the mountains and plains are covered with dense forests and towering stone walls.

Lin Qin clenched her fist excitedly; she had finally found a treasure!

When Du learned that Lin Qin had found a new source of materials, he was completely dumbfounded.

He simply couldn't believe that this abandoned concubine, whom he considered a "country bumpkin," actually possessed such abilities.

The entire materials market was in an uproar, with everyone discussing Lin Qin's methods and marveling at her boldness.

With materials secured, Lin Qin's rural revitalization plan was restarted.

She and Zhu Ling spent every day together, shuttling between construction sites and directing the workers.

Zhu Ling quietly helped her, carrying heavy objects, handing her water and wiping her sweat, her gentle gaze always following her.

Lin Qin looked at Zhu Ling, her heart filled with emotion and love. A tender feeling quietly filled the air between them.

Just when everything was going well, Lin Qin heard a discordant sound.

"Oh dear, Your Highness, the quality of this new material isn't very good. Its hardness is probably not good enough for us." Foreman Lin, the experienced old craftsman, frowned, looking dissatisfied.

Lin Qin looked at Foreman Lin without responding immediately, but a slight smile appeared on her lips. She walked up to Foreman Lin and patted him on the shoulder. "Foreman Lin, do you think the stones on this mountain are really not good enough?"

Foreman Lin, his face full of impatience, pointed at the newly delivered stones, his tone filled with complaints: "Your Majesty, you don't know this, although these stones look solid, their texture is rough and unsuitable for fine carving. They can't compare to the previous white marble at all! This rural renovation project is related to the face of the capital. If we use these stones, then..." He shook his head, looking heartbroken, as if he had already foreseen the failure of the entire project.

The surrounding workers also began to whisper among themselves, and a restless atmosphere permeated the construction site.

Lin Qin looked at Foreman Lin without saying a word, but smiled slightly, a hint of cunning flashing in her eyes.

She waved and called over Old Farmer Tian, ​​who had been standing silently at the back of the crowd.

"Old Tian, ​​please tell Foreman Lin about the wonders of these rocks."

Old Farmer Tian, ​​his body hunched over, slowly walked up to Foreman Lin and said in his weathered voice, “Foreman Lin, you’re an expert. You can tell the texture of these rocks at a glance. But the rural style is all about natural simplicity. The rough surface of these rocks is perfect for that style. If we used smooth stones like white marble, it would look unnatural.”

Foreman Lin was stunned. He never expected that this unassuming old farmer Tian would say such a thing.

He thought about it carefully, then looked at the rocks again, and it seemed...

What's the point?

The surrounding workers also quieted down, listening to Tian Laonong's explanation, their eyes filled with doubt and curiosity.

Old Farmer Tian continued, "Although these rocks are rough in texture, they are extremely hard and corrosion-resistant, making them perfect for building rural landscapes. Moreover, these rocks are sourced locally, saving on transportation costs and creating jobs for local people. Isn't that killing two birds with one stone?"

Foreman Lin's brows relaxed; he began to understand Lin Qin's intentions.

He looked at Lin Qin with admiration in his eyes, "Your Majesty, I have learned a great deal." The surrounding workers also nodded, full of confidence in Lin Qin's plan.

The atmosphere at the scene shifted from anxiety to surprise and anticipation.

Lin Qin looked at everyone, a slight smile playing on her lips. She walked to Zhu Ling's side, gently took his arm, and whispered in his ear, "The real show is just beginning..."

Lin Qin returned to the capital with a bountiful harvest. Looking at the mountains of timber and stone, she felt a great sense of accomplishment.

To her, the merchant Du's difficult behavior was nothing more than a piece of cake.

She stood before the pile of materials, like a triumphant general surveying his spoils.

The news caused an uproar in the entire materials market. Those merchants who had been waiting to see Lin Qin make a fool of herself were now dumbfounded and exclaimed, "This abandoned concubine is really something!"

With the material issue resolved, Lin Qin's rural renovation plan was able to proceed smoothly.

The workers were busy at work, and the once barren land in the courtyard of the Prince's Mansion was gradually coming to life.

Lin Qin shuttles between construction sites every day, directing the workers with a confident smile on her face.

However, Lin Qin knew that things were far from over.

Grand Tutor Chen and his fellow veteran officials still harbored resentment towards her, watching her intently, ready to deliver a fatal blow at any moment.

Within the palace, undercurrents are swirling, and an even greater storm is brewing.

That day, Lin Qin was busy at the construction site when suddenly a young eunuch rushed over, "Your Highness, the Emperor summons you!" Lin Qin's heart sank. She glanced at Zhu Ling beside her, gave him a reassuring look, and then resolutely followed the young eunuch into the palace.

The atmosphere in the magnificent palace was somber.

The emperor sat on the dragon throne, his face gloomy, while Grand Tutor Chen stood to the side, a cold smile on his lips.

Lin Qin took a deep breath and bowed to the emperor.

"Lin Qin, do you know your crime?" The emperor's voice was deep and authoritative.

Lin Qin raised her head, her gaze firm, "Your Majesty, I do not know. Please enlighten me."

"You have altered the Prince's residence without authorization and disrupted the order of the palace. Do you know your mistake?" The emperor's voice rose a few decibels.

Lin Qin smiled slightly, "I had no such intention. I only wish to share Your Majesty's burdens and make the palace more beautiful."

"Nonsense!" Grand Tutor Chen stepped forward, pointed at Lin Qin, and said sternly, "This is disrespectful and insubordinate!"

Lin Qin met Grand Tutor Chen's gaze without fear. "Grand Tutor Chen, everything I have done is for the Emperor and for the sake of the Liang Dynasty. What wrong have I done?"

"How dare you!" Grand Tutor Chen roared. "You, a discarded concubine, dare to be so insolent!"

Lin Qin sneered, "So what if she's a discarded concubine? Can't a discarded concubine serve the country?"

"You..." Grand Tutor Chen was so angry that he trembled all over, pointing at Lin Qin, but he couldn't say a word for a long time.

Seeing this scene, the emperor waved his hand, signaling Grand Tutor Chen to quiet down.

"Lin Qin," the emperor's voice softened slightly, "I have heard about your rural revitalization plan, and I am not an unreasonable person..." He paused, his gaze turning deep as he looked at Lin Qin, "but I need you to promise me one thing..."

Lin Qin looked at the emperor, feeling a vague unease in her heart. "Your Majesty, please speak."

The emperor smiled slightly, "I want you to fill the Imperial Garden with flowers within three days..."

Lin Qin: "..."