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

"I plan to march into the capital!" Lin Qin's eyes gleamed with confidence.

Zhu Ling was slightly taken aback, then a doting smile appeared on her lips: "Okay, I support you."

The next morning, sunlight shone on the bustling streets, where people came and went, and the sounds of vendors calling out their wares rose and fell.

Standing in front of her shop, Lin Qin looked at the endless stream of customers and felt a great sense of accomplishment.

The success of her culinary diplomacy brought her great fame and also helped her accumulate a wealth of wealth and connections.

"Host, congratulations on completing the mission!" The adorable little system fluttered happily around her. "You now have enough funds to start the next phase of the plan!"

Lin Qin smiled slightly, her gaze fixed on the distance, a new goal already in mind.

The capital city, a bustling metropolis, holds boundless business opportunities and is an essential stepping stone for her to realize her dream of a business empire.

Back at the mansion, Lin Qin frowned deeply.

The issue of her child's school enrollment has been troubling her.

The capital city is full of academies, but the forces behind them are complex and intertwined, and one can easily get caught up in them if one is not careful.

She must make careful choices to pave the way for her baby's future.

"Mommy, what's wrong?" The sensitive little one noticed Lin Qin's worry and asked in a childish voice.

Lin Qin forced a smile and patted the baby's head: "It's okay, Mommy was just thinking about some things."

However, the atmosphere at home became somewhat oppressive because of Lin Qin's worries.

Zhu Ling also noticed this. He walked to Lin Qin's side and gently embraced her: "Don't worry, I'm here for you."

Lin Qin leaned against Zhu Ling's chest, feeling his warmth, and her heart calmed down a little.

"I heard that the entrance exam for the Imperial Academy is about to begin..." Lin Qin murmured to herself. The Imperial Academy was the most prestigious institution of learning in the Great Zhou Dynasty, a place that countless students dreamed of attending, but...

She suddenly raised her head, her gaze resolute: "I've made up my mind, I'll go to the Imperial Academy myself!" Lin Qin changed into a low-key yet elegant dress and took a carriage to the Imperial Academy.

As soon as they arrived at the gate, they heard people talking: "I heard that princess is coming?" "Is that the farming princess? What is she doing at the Imperial Academy?" The guards at the gate recognized Lin Qin and became much more respectful, after all, this princess was now a very popular figure in the capital.

The success of her culinary diplomacy made Lin Qin a household name in the capital's elite circles, and even the Imperial Academy began to look at her with new respect.

"Your Highness has arrived! I am so sorry for not greeting you sooner." A scholar-like man came out to greet her, speaking politely.

Lin Qin nodded slightly and got straight to the point: "I would like to know about the admission process at the Imperial Academy." Upon hearing this, the teacher immediately began to introduce the program with great enthusiasm, praising Lin Qin's previous achievements in his words.

Lin Qin had initially worried that the Imperial Academy might have reservations because of her status as a discarded concubine, but now it seemed that she had worried too much.

The influence of culinary diplomacy was greater than she had imagined.

Back at her residence, Lin Qin told Zhu Ling about the situation at the Imperial Academy.

She spoke with great enthusiasm, the gloom on her face vanishing, replaced by a confident smile.

"It seems our adorable child won't have to worry about finding a good school!"

Zhu Ling looked at her with a smile, his eyes full of doting affection.

“Actually, there’s another option you can consider.” He paused and said, “My family has an academy with a strong faculty and a tranquil environment, which is perfect for your little one.”

Lin Qin was taken aback, then her eyes lit up.

"Oh right! How could I not have thought of that!" She slapped her forehead, annoyed that she had forgotten about it.

The Zhu Ling family's academy is one of the best in the capital, and countless people would do anything to get in.

“However…” Lin Qin fell into deep thought again, “The Imperial Academy is the official school of the imperial court. If Mengbao can get in, it will be more beneficial to his future development…”

“Each has its own merits.” Zhu Ling held Lin Qin’s hand and said softly, “Let’s think about it together and choose the one that is most suitable for our baby.”

The two looked at each other and smiled, saying nothing.

As the sun sets, its golden rays bathe the two of them, creating a warm and harmonious scene.

In the dead of night, Lin Qin tossed and turned, unable to fall asleep.

She suddenly remembered that the academies in the capital were intricately connected, with deeply entrenched forces behind them...

"Ling, you said..."

Lin Qin turned over, and the moonlight shone through the window onto Zhu Ling's handsome face.

She gently poked his cheek. "You tell me... these academies in the capital, they look so glamorous, but are there some shady dealings hidden behind the scenes?"

Zhu Ling, still half-asleep, mumbled, "Huh? What's wrong?"

“I still feel uneasy.” Lin Qin sat up and looked out the window. “What if Mengbao gets involved in some conflict after starting school?” Mengbao’s innocent and cheerful smile appeared in her mind, and her worries intensified.

A brief silence fell over the room, and the atmosphere became heavy again.

Outside the window, crickets chirped tirelessly, further emphasizing the silence inside the room.

Lin Qin got up and walked to the window, looking at the flickering lights in the distance, her thoughts racing.

Suddenly, she heard a slight noise coming from the courtyard.

She looked in the direction of the sound and saw, in the moonlight, the little boy holding a small wooden sword, clumsily gesturing and muttering, "I'm a hero! I'll protect my mother!"

Lin Qin felt a warmth in her heart, but her resolve only grew stronger.

She couldn't let her baby be in danger; she wanted to create a safe and stable environment for him to grow up in.

"It's better to rely on yourself than to ask others for help." A resolute glint flashed in Lin Qin's eyes. "Instead of hoping for recommendations from powerful figures, I'd rather investigate myself!"

She turned to look at Zhu Ling, her tone firm: "Tomorrow, I will visit various universities in the capital!"

Looking into Lin Qin's determined eyes, Zhu Ling stood up, walked to her side, and gently embraced her. "Qin'er, you're always like this, so reassuring."

Lin Qin leaned against Zhu Ling's chest, feeling his warmth, and her anxiety gradually dissipated.

She raised her head, her gaze resolute, "I will definitely find the best school for my little one!"

The next morning, Lin Qin changed into an elegant dress and left the palace alone without disturbing anyone.

Instead of taking a carriage, she walked through the streets and alleys of the capital, feeling the pulse of the city.

An institution called "Wenhua Academy" came into her view.

The area in front of the gate was bustling with activity, with well-dressed students coming and going, creating a lively scene.

Lin Qin stood across the street, quietly observing, her brows slightly furrowed...

She noticed that a simply dressed child was being stopped by several young men in fine clothes, and it seemed that some argument had taken place.

The children's voices gradually grew louder...

Lin Qin's gaze swept over the commotion at the entrance of Wenhua Academy, but her heart remained unmoved.

The opulent decorations and the wealthy and powerful students coming and going all seemed to exude an air of restlessness in her eyes.

She shook her head, turned and left, continuing to wander through the streets and alleys of the capital.

After walking through several streets, the noise gradually dissipated in the wind, and a faint scent of ink and books filled the air.

Lin Qin looked up and saw an old-fashioned wooden door with a plaque above it that read "Zhizhi Academy".

Unlike the bustling scene at Wenhua Academy, this place was exceptionally quiet, with only a few students coming and going, dressed much more simply.

Lin Qin's heart stirred, and she pushed open the door and went inside.

Ancient trees reach for the sky in the courtyard, creating a tranquil environment filled with birdsong and fragrant flowers, making it a truly delightful place.

Several students were sitting together, discussing academic matters in a harmonious and pleasant atmosphere.

Lin Qin stopped to listen and discovered that what they were discussing was not the Four Books and Five Classics, but practical knowledge such as astronomy, geography, agriculture, industry and commerce.

Her eyes lit up, and a strange excitement welled up inside her.

Doesn't this perfectly align with the educational philosophy she has always upheld?

Rather than rote memorization of scriptures, she hopes her child can learn practical knowledge and become a useful member of society in the future.

"Madam, what brings you here?" An elderly man appeared behind Lin Qin at some point and asked with a kind face.

Lin Qin quickly bowed and explained her purpose.

After hearing this, the old man gladly took her on a tour of the academy.

After walking around the academy, Lin Qin appreciated Zhizhi Academy's educational philosophy even more and felt a renewed hope for her child's enrollment.

The air around us seemed to become lighter, and even the birdsong sounded more melodious.

However, the good times did not last long.

Just as Lin Qin was about to leave, she overheard several students whispering: "Have you heard? The dean of Zhizhi Academy seems to be..." "Shh! Keep your voice down, don't let them hear!"

Lin Qin's heart sank, and an ominous premonition welled up in her mind.

She moved closer discreetly, trying to hear what they were saying.

"I heard that the dean embezzled public funds and..."

"Also, I heard that he... has improper conduct!"

Lin Qin stopped abruptly, her expression instantly turning serious.

Back at the Prince's residence, Lin Qin told Zhu Ling about the situation at Zhizhi Academy, but concealed the negative rumors.

She wanted to investigate secretly before making a decision.

"Zhizhi Academy? I've heard of it. The dean there..." Zhu Ling hesitated, his brows furrowing slightly.

"What's wrong?" Lin Qin asked anxiously.

Zhu Ling pondered for a moment, then said, "It's nothing, I just feel that this matter might not be so simple..."

"What do you mean by that?" A sense of unease rose in Lin Qin's heart. "Do you... know something too?"

Zhu Ling looked at Lin Qin with a complicated expression, "Qin'er, there are some things you'd better not know..."

"No, I must know!" Lin Qin said firmly. "This concerns the baby's future, and I can't just sit idly by!" She turned and walked towards the study, leaving Zhu Ling standing there alone, his expression inscrutable.

"Come here, prepare your horses!"