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

Lin Qin looked at Zhu Ling outside the door, somewhat surprised, "Why are you here?"

Zhu Ling didn't answer, but walked straight in and closed the door behind her.

He walked up to Lin Qin, his eyes deep, and said, "I have something to tell you."

Lin Qin looked at him, feeling a little uneasy. This guy coming to see her so late at night couldn't be anything good.

"Speak, what is it?" Lin Qin asked calmly, trying to hide her inner turmoil.

Zhu Ling looked at her, her tone somewhat serious, "What have you been busy with lately?"

Lin Qin was taken aback, wondering why this guy was suddenly concerned about her.

Are they here to demand an explanation?

She quickly explained, "I'm just working hard for our future, striving to achieve common prosperity as soon as possible!"

Upon hearing this, Zhu Ling frowned even more deeply. "The future you're talking about, do you mean you're constantly in the public eye, running around everywhere?"

Lin Qin's heart skipped a beat. Sure enough, this guy was here to cause trouble!

She rolled her eyes inwardly, but maintained a smile on her face. "I'm just trying to make a living. You know our situation right now."

"Life?" Zhu Ling sneered. "How is your life now any different from what it was like back on the farm?"

Lin Qin was speechless for a moment.

"I only want to ask you one question: do you even respect me?" Zhu Ling suddenly raised his voice, his tone tinged with anger.

Lin Qin was startled by Zhu Ling's imposing manner; she hadn't expected Zhu Ling to suddenly become so angry.

She took a deep breath to calm herself down, and said firmly, "I've always had you in my heart, but you've never had me in yours."

After saying this, she stopped looking at Zhu Ling, walked to the window, looked at the moon outside, and felt sad alone.

Zhu Ling was taken aback by Lin Qin's sudden remark.

He watched Lin Qin's retreating figure, his heart filled with mixed emotions. He wanted to explain, but he didn't know what to say.

He stepped forward, wanting to hug Lin Qin, but Lin Qin dodged him.

"Don't touch me," Lin Qin said coldly, her eyes filled with a hint of aloofness.

Zhu Ling's outstretched hand froze in mid-air, her mind blank.

The next morning, Lin Qin left the Prince's Mansion.

She was busy pursuing her career and didn't want to continue arguing with Zhu Ling in the inner courtyard.

Lin Qin visited several shops in succession, hoping to find a partnership.

However, as soon as the shop owners heard that she was Lin Qin, they all refused her. Some even mocked her, saying that it was a pipe dream for a discarded concubine to want to do business.

Looking at the faces of these people, Lin Qin felt a surge of powerlessness.

After all her hard work, is it all going to be for naught?

"Mr. Lin, you should just give up. You've offended someone you shouldn't have. Who in the entire capital would dare to cooperate with you now?" After saying this, a boss turned and left, leaving Lin Qin with a cold and indifferent back view.

Lin Qin gritted her teeth; she refused to believe it.

She refused to believe that she couldn't make a name for herself in the capital city with her own abilities!

However, reality dealt her a heavy blow: her cash flow dried up, and all her previous efforts were about to go down the drain. Her assistants also looked worried, and a depressing atmosphere permeated the entire business center.

Lin Qin looked at the ledger in her hand and felt like her head was about to explode. She had to raise funds as soon as possible, or everything would be over.

She stood on the deserted street, the commercial center of the capital city now seeming like a giant ice cellar, coldly devouring all her hopes.

Just when she was almost in despair, a voice sounded behind her, "Boss Lin, what's wrong with you?"

Lin Qin turned around and saw a merchant she had never seen before. He was dressed in brocade robes, had a smile on his face, and gave people a feeling of unfathomable depth.

"Who are you?" Lin Qin asked warily.

"My surname is Bai, you can call me Boss Bai." Boss Bai cupped his hands and said, "I have long admired Boss Lin's name, and meeting you today, I can see that it is indeed well-deserved."

Lin Qin wondered what Boss Bai was up to.

"Mr. Bai, you flatter me. May I ask what brings you here?"

Mr. Bai smiled slightly, "I heard that Mr. Lin has been having some cash flow problems recently, so I came here specifically to lend him a hand."

Lin Qin's heart skipped a beat. Could it be that Boss Bai had come to offer help in her time of need?

But she didn't agree immediately. Instead, she cautiously asked, "What are Mr. Bai's conditions?"

"It's very simple. You mortgage your existing assets to me, and I will provide you with the funds you need." Boss Bai's tone was calm, as if he were talking about a trivial matter.

Lin Qin pondered for a moment. This was indeed a huge gamble, but she had no other choice.

"Okay, I promise you."

The news caused an uproar throughout Beijing's commercial center.

"Has Lin Qin gone mad? She actually mortgaged all her assets!" "She's going all in!" "Who is this Boss Bai? How dare he take on this hot potato!" Various discussions arose one after another, and the competitors were even more shocked. They did not expect Lin Qin to be so bold.

With the funds provided by Boss Bai, Lin Qin quickly turned the situation around, and her business empire was revitalized. Everyone marveled at Lin Qin's courage and methods.

With the business turmoil subsiding, Zhu Ling brought Lin Qin back to the Prince's mansion.

Zhu Ling's family had reservations about Lin Qin's business dealings.

"Women should stay at home to support their husbands and raise their children. What kind of behavior is it to show one's face in public?" Zhu Ling's mother said with displeasure.

“Mother, times have changed. Women can also have their own careers,” Lin Qin replied neither humbly nor arrogantly.

"How dare you! Who gave you the right to speak here?" Zhu Ling's father rebuked angrily.

Zhu Ling held Lin Qin's hand tightly, giving her strength, "Father, Mother, Lin Qin is my wife, and I hope you can respect her."

An ambiguous yet firm atmosphere filled the room between the two. Zhu Ling's parents looked at their tightly clasped hands, their faces growing even more somber.

Zhu Ling's mother walked up to Lin Qin and said, "I don't care who you are, as long as you are Zhu Ling's wife, you must abide by our family rules."

Lin Qin looked at the aggressive Zhu's mother and was about to retort when Zhu Ling interrupted her, "Mother, that's enough!"

"You dare to yell at me for the sake of a discarded concubine?" Zhu Ling's mother looked at her son in disbelief.

Zhu Ling looked at Lin Qin with a firm gaze, "I said I would protect you."

“Ling’er, you…” Zhu Ling’s father wanted to say something, but Zhu Ling interrupted him, “Father, if you can’t accept Lin Qin, then I will…”

"...I'll leave the palace with Lin Qin." Zhu Ling's tone was firm and left no room for argument.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Ling's parents were stunned, as if struck by lightning.

Zhu's mother pointed at Lin Qin, her finger trembling, "You...you're actually willing to give up everything in the Prince's Mansion for her?"

Lin Qin's heart trembled as well; she hadn't expected Zhu Ling to go to such lengths for her.

She looked at Zhu Ling. The atmosphere in the room froze, so oppressive that it was hard to breathe. A wave of sadness washed over her, almost drowning Lin Qin.

She took a deep breath, trying to control her emotions, and forced a smile, saying, "Your Highness, what nonsense are you talking about? Is it worth giving up the royal palace for me?"

“It’s worth it.” Zhu Ling answered without hesitation, looking at Lin Qin with unwavering eyes. “You are more important than anything in the Prince’s Mansion.”

Lin Qin's eyes welled up with tears. She knew that Zhu Ling truly loved her, but she couldn't let him give up everything for her.

"Your Highness, I am not worthy of your doing this."

"You deserve it," Zhu Ling emphasized again, her tone filled with deep affection.

Seeing Zhu Ling's pained expression, Lin Qin felt extremely sad.

She knew that if things continued like this, it would only cause Zhu Ling more pain.

She took a deep breath and made a difficult decision.

"Your Highness, I...I will leave you for now. I will come back to you after I have made something of myself."

The room fell silent upon hearing this; everyone was stunned.

Zhu Ling looked at Lin Qin in disbelief, "You...you're leaving me?"

"Yes." Lin Qin's tone was firm, with a hint of determination in her eyes.

"I will prove to you that I am not a woman who can only depend on you."

After Lin Qin finished speaking, she turned around and left the room without the slightest hesitation.

She walked very fast, as if something terrible was chasing her.

She dared not turn back, afraid that she would not be able to resist staying.

Zhu Ling stood there blankly, watching Lin Qin's departing figure, her heart filled with reluctance and pain.

He wanted to catch up, but didn't know what to say.

His family was also stunned; they hadn't expected Lin Qin to be so resolute.

"Ling'er..." Zhu's mother wanted to say something, but was interrupted by Zhu Ling.

"Mother, let me be alone for a while."

After Zhu Ling finished speaking, he turned and left the room, leaving everyone looking at each other in bewilderment.

After leaving the Prince's Palace, Lin Qin began to focus on developing her own business.

She knew that only by becoming stronger could she be worthy of Zhu Ling's love.

She invested all the funds provided by Boss Bai into her business and worked even harder.

She works until late at night every day, with almost no time to rest.

Her efforts paid off, and her career flourished, quickly making her a leading figure in Beijing's business community.

Her reputation grew, even surpassing some of the established businesses in the capital.

"Ms. Lin, you're amazing!" Assistant Xiao Li looked at Lin Qin with admiration. "You're now a powerful businesswoman in Beijing!"

Lin Qin smiled slightly, "This is just the beginning."

"Mr. Lin, what are your plans for the future?" Xiao Li asked curiously.

Lin Qin gazed into the distance, her eyes filled with ambition, "I want my business empire to spread throughout the entire Great Zhou!"

Just then, a guard rushed in, "Boss Lin, the Prince has arrived!"

Lin Qin's heart skipped a beat. Zhu Ling was here? What was he doing here?

"Let him in." Lin Qin tried her best to remain calm.

The guard obeyed and left. A short while later, Zhu Ling appeared before Lin Qin.

"Qin'er..." Zhu Ling had just opened his mouth when Lin Qin interrupted him, "Your Highness, you can just call me Boss Lin."

Zhu Ling was taken aback, then gave a wry smile, "Boss Lin? Do we really have to be so distant with each other?"

Lin Qin avoided his gaze, "Your Highness is joking. I am now a merchant, while Your Highness is a member of the royal family. Naturally, we must keep public and private matters separate."

A flicker of pain crossed Zhu Ling's eyes. "Qin'er, are you still blaming me?"

Lin Qin took a deep breath. "Your Highness, let bygones be bygones. I am now focused on my career and have no time for matters of the heart."

Zhu Ling stepped forward and took Lin Qin's hand. "Qin'er, I know you still have feelings for me. I know you left the palace to prove yourself. You have proven that you are better than anyone else. Now, come back with me."

Lin Qin forcefully broke free from Zhu Ling's grasp. "Your Highness, you're wrong. I left the palace not to prove anything to you, but to prove something to myself. I want to live a fulfilling life on my own terms, not depend on anyone else."

Looking into Lin Qin's resolute eyes, Zhu Ling felt a pang of pain in his heart. "Qin'er, do you really have to be so heartless?"

Lin Qin turned around and stopped looking at him. "Your Highness, please go back. I have many things to take care of."

Zhu Ling watched Lin Qin's busy figure, feeling a mix of emotions.

He knew that Lin Qin was a woman with her own opinions, and once she made a decision, she wouldn't easily change it.

After returning to the palace, Zhu Ling locked himself in his study and refused to see anyone.

He pondered Lin Qin's words repeatedly, his heart filled with contradictions and struggles.

He knew he loved Lin Qin deeply, but he didn't know how to win her heart back.

Ultimately, he made a decision.

He found his parents and made his stance clear: "My mind is made up. I will marry no one but Lin Qin in this life. If you cannot accept her, then I would rather give up everything in the royal palace and wander the world with her."

Looking at their son's determined eyes, Zhu Ling's parents felt both gratified and helpless.

They knew their son truly loved Lin Qin, and they also knew Lin Qin was an outstanding woman.

In the end, they compromised.

"Ling'er, we respect your choice. As long as you are happy, we are at ease." Zhu Ling's mother said with tears in her eyes, hugging her son tightly.

Zhu Ling was deeply moved; he had finally received his family's blessings.

He immediately went to Lin Qin's shop to tell her the good news.

Lin Qin was filled with joy upon hearing the news.

She knew that her family had finally accepted her and Zhu Ling's love.

"Qin'er, come back with me." Zhu Ling looked at Lin Qin with deep affection.

Lin Qin nodded.

However, just then, a message arrived that shattered this beautiful atmosphere.

The new business ventures Lin Qin has entered are fiercely competitive, with several established businesses joining forces to try and suppress her.

Lin Qin looked at the message in her hand, her eyes sharpening.

"Good timing! I want to see what they're capable of!"

Zhu Ling stood by Lin Qin