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

The capital city remained as prosperous as ever, but this liveliness had nothing to do with Lin Qin.

As soon as she stepped into her shop, a suffocating atmosphere hit her, like the dampness of the rainy season, so sticky it was hard to breathe.

The shop assistants hung their heads, looking like wilted eggplants; their usual energetic demeanor was completely gone.

"What's going on?" Lin Qin frowned, her ominous premonition growing stronger.

"Boss lady, something's happened!" a brave shop assistant cried. "Recently, someone has been maliciously undermining our business, sending people to cause trouble every day and spreading rumors that there's something wrong with the quality of our products! Now nobody dares to come and buy anything!"

Lin Qin looked around. The once bustling shops were now deserted and empty, with only the shop assistants sobbing softly.

She walked to the counter, picked up one of her most popular items, and found that the texture was still delicate and the workmanship was still excellent; there was absolutely no problem with it.

"What methods did they use to suppress us?" Lin Qin tried her best to keep her emotions in check, but her tone carried a hint of barely perceptible anger.

"Sigh!" another shop assistant sighed. "They're spreading rumors everywhere, saying that we sell inferior goods and steal business by offering low prices, which has taken away a lot of our customers!"

As Lin Qin listened to her colleagues' complaints, her anger burned even brighter.

These people are really going too far!

How could she allow them to ruin the business she had worked so hard to build?

"Don't be afraid!" Lin Qin took a deep breath, trying to make her tone firm. "With me here, no one can touch our business!"

She walked to the shop entrance, looked at the empty street, and felt the cold wind blowing her clothes fluttering.

A suffocating feeling, as if someone had grabbed her by the throat, welled up inside her. She seemed to see a series of hideous faces mocking her efforts and devouring her hard work.

"No!" Lin Qin gritted her teeth, her eyes flashing with unyielding light. "I must find the mastermind behind this as soon as possible; I can't let their conspiracy succeed!"

Seeing this, Zhu Ling walked to her side, gently took her hand in his large hand, the warm touch bringing a sense of comfort.

"Don't worry, I'll face it with you."

"I know." Lin Qin squeezed his hand back, her unease easing slightly, but her brows remained furrowed.

Just then, a shop assistant ran over in a panic, "Boss, something bad has happened! There are people outside again!"

Lin Qin and Zhu Ling exchanged a glance, both knowing that the real show was just beginning.

Lin Qin released Zhu Ling's hand and strode towards the door. She wanted to see what tricks these people were up to!

As soon as she reached the door, she saw several well-dressed, arrogant men standing at the shop entrance, swaggering around. One of them even spat into the shop, cursing, "Pah! What a lousy shop! You should just close down!"

Lin Qin narrowed her eyes, a raging fire burning in her chest. She was about to retort when she heard Zhu Ling whisper in her ear, "Don't be impulsive. I feel things aren't that simple."

She suppressed her anger and forced herself to calm down, but her eyes became even sharper, like a sharp knife piercing straight into the hearts of those people.

When the men saw Lin Qin come out, their arrogance intensified. One of them glanced at her contemptuously and said sarcastically, "Oh, isn't this that Boss Lin? What, business's not going well, trying to play the victim now? Don't you know your own limitations? You dare to go against us?"

"We'll see." Lin Qin sneered, her gaze falling on the hem of their clothes. The familiar pattern sent a chill down her spine. Her intuition told her that this matter was probably far more complicated than it appeared...

Lin Qin looked around and noticed that although these people were arrogant, their eyes were somewhat unfocused, as if they were hiding something.

"How much do you think you are?" Lin Qin chuckled lightly, her voice not loud, but loud enough for everyone present to hear clearly. "You bunch of rats who only know how to hide in the gutter and shoot cold arrows, dare to talk back to me?"

Her words were like sharp needles, pricking those people and making them furious. One of them rolled up his sleeves and was about to rush forward, but was stopped by another person.

The man winked at him, signaling him not to make any rash moves.

Lin Qin took in their actions and became even more certain that someone was definitely behind it.

She didn't argue with them anymore, but turned back into the shop and began her investigation.

She mobilized all her resources to gather information from various channels, leaving no stone unturned.

Sure enough, perseverance pays off, and she soon discovered the trickery involved.

It turns out that these people were acting under orders to use unfair means to maliciously suppress their competitors, and the so-called "low-priced goods" they used were actually inferior products.

Lin Qin organized the evidence and posted it on the busiest street in the capital, which was like a bolt from the blue and instantly ignited public opinion.

Those who were once arrogant and domineering suddenly became rats in the street, hated by everyone.

The false prosperity they painstakingly created also collapsed in an instant.

Just as Lin Qin was about to press her advantage, Zhu Ling suddenly appeared in front of her, holding an exquisite wooden box in his hand.

"What is this?" Lin Qin curiously took the wooden box, opened it, and found a crystal-clear jade pendant inside. In the center of the pendant was carved a lotus bud, which shimmered with a soft light in the sunlight.

"This is what I found for you. I hope you like it." Zhu Ling's tone was as gentle as a spring breeze, and her eyes held a hint of tenderness as she looked at Lin Qin.

Looking at the jade pendant in front of her, Lin Qin felt a warm current welling up in her heart. She raised her head and met Zhu Ling's deep eyes. A strange feeling quietly grew between the two of them.

Her cheeks flushed slightly, and her heart began to race.

The air around them seemed to thicken, and an ambiguous atmosphere spread between them.

"Do you like it?" Zhu Ling spoke again, breaking the momentary silence. His voice was deep and magnetic, like a melodious tune, striking Lin Qin's heart.

Lin Qin slowly raised her head, but her eyes were filled with a hint of solemnity. "This jade pendant is very beautiful, I like it very much, but..." She paused, her gaze sweeping across the shop, looking at everything in front of her, "This loss is probably... not small."

Lin Qin frowned slightly, her fingertips gently caressing the jade pendant; the cool touch calmed her restless heart.

She looked up and around. The once bustling shop was now a mess, and a faint musty smell lingered in the air—the result of malicious vandalism.

"The losses are indeed considerable," she murmured to herself, a hint of helplessness in her voice.

This is not a trivial matter involving a few taels of silver, but a major crisis that shakes the very foundation of the business.

The mountains of orders that used to pile up have now become a huge boulder weighing on her heart, so heavy that it's hard for her to breathe.

The shop assistants kept their heads down, looking like wilted eggplants, even breathing cautiously, for fear of upsetting Lin Qin.

Zhu Ling gently put his arm around her shoulder, offering silent support.

He could feel the pressure on Lin Qin. She wasn't the type to back down when faced with difficulties, but this time, it seemed she had really met a tough nut to crack.

"Don't look so gloomy, we can always start over." Zhu Ling patted her back, her tone carrying a hint of comfort, yet also a touch of helplessness.

"Starting over? That's easier said than done!" Lin Qin rolled her eyes at him, but felt a little relieved.

She knew that Zhu Ling genuinely cared about her, but she didn't want to rely on him alone; she wanted to stand up on her own.

She took a deep breath, her eyes hardening again. She was not the kind of pushover who could be easily defeated!

"Let's just call this old business a day!" Her words stunned everyone present, including Zhu Ling.

"Boss lady, what did you say?" The waiters looked at each other, seemingly unable to believe what they had heard.

This is their very means of survival; how can they just throw it away like that?

Lin Qin ignored their surprise and instead smiled mysteriously.

"Since the old path doesn't work, let's forge a new one! They like to play dirty tricks, don't they? Then I'll show them what a true business miracle looks like!"

Without hesitation, Lin Qin immediately began preparations.

Instead of rushing to resume the old business, she had a notice posted: The original business of this store is suspended. New business will be launched from today!

The announcement immediately sparked heated discussions in Beijing.

Some were curious, some mocked, but most were just watching the spectacle, waiting for Lin Qin's next move.

Lin Qin, meanwhile, was holding a blueprint, a confident smile playing on her lips.

What she's about to pioneer isn't just any ordinary business, but a new field capable of disrupting the entire commercial landscape of the capital.

Her fingertips traced every detail on the blueprint, like a general strategizing and preparing for a new battle.

"Are you sure you want to do this?" Zhu Ling asked, looking at her confident demeanor, feeling both expectant and apprehensive.

“Of course.” Lin Qin’s eyes were firm, and the corners of her mouth were slightly upturned. “I’m going to be the Queen of the Countryside. How can I be defeated by such a small setback?” She looked into the distance, as if she saw infinite possibilities for the future. “Just wait and see.”

Lin Qin's new business is absolutely astounding – the first "customized" farmhouse in Beijing!

She brought the farm model to Beijing, renting a large plot of land in the suburbs, building bridges, streams, pavilions, and terraces, and raising chickens, ducks, geese, and pigs, creating a pastoral landscape.

What's even more amazing is that she launched a "personalized customization" service, where guests can choose dishes and activities according to their own preferences, and even participate in planting and harvesting themselves, experiencing the fun of being an "urban farmer".

This novel gadget immediately caused a sensation in the capital.

Those high-ranking officials and nobles who were used to eating delicacies were full of curiosity about this simple and rustic rural life and came to experience it.

Linqin's agritainment business is fully booked every day, with reservations booked months in advance.

"Boss lady, your business is booming!" The staff were so busy they barely had time to breathe, but their faces were beaming with joy.

"This is nothing," Lin Qin said, a smug smile playing on her lips as she looked at the endless stream of customers. "Just wait and see, the real show is yet to come!"

Sure enough, Lin Qin's agritainment business quickly attracted a group of business partners.

They sensed a business opportunity and came to discuss cooperation, wanting to promote this model throughout the country.

Lin Qin welcomes all comers; she wants to build a vast "rural empire" so that everyone can experience this healthy and happy lifestyle.

Her success caused a huge sensation.

The streets and alleys of the capital were abuzz with talk of this "Queen of the Countryside," and her story was adapted into operas that were sung in teahouses and restaurants.

Those who once maliciously suppressed her can now only hide in a corner, trembling with fear and regretting their actions.

Lin Qin's career is thriving, and her agritainment business is booming.

Golden sunlight shone on the fields, the air was filled with the fragrance of earth, and laughter and cheerful voices rose and fell, creating a thriving scene.

Just then, a fast horse galloped up, carrying a messenger who was covered in sweat and holding a letter with a red seal aloft.

He dismounted and trotted to Lin Qin, kneeling on one knee and presenting the letter with both hands: "Ms. Lin, this is an urgent letter, please take a look!"

Lin Qin took the letter, opened it, and her expression instantly turned serious.

"Culinary diplomacy?" she murmured to herself, her brow furrowed.

The letter stated that an envoy from a neighboring country was about to visit, and the emperor had specially ordered her to be in charge of receiving him and to prepare a grand banquet to showcase the grandeur of a great nation.

"Foreign food culture..." Lin Qin rubbed her temples, feeling utterly overwhelmed.

She was very knowledgeable about the food culture of Daqi, but this foreign food...

She was completely clueless!

Seeing this, Zhu Ling walked over to her and gently patted her shoulder: "What's wrong? Have you encountered any problems?"

Lin Qin handed him the letter and sighed helplessly, "Read it yourself."

Zhu Ling fell silent after reading the letter.

He knew that Lin Qin's strength lay in farm-style cuisine, but this kind of culinary diplomacy couldn't be handled by simple farm-style dishes.

“It seems we need to make some preparations.” Zhu Ling pondered for a moment, his gaze falling on Lin Qin. “You know, the foreign envoy’s trip…” He paused, not continuing, but a barely perceptible worry flashed in his eyes.