The concubine is a man, and the illegitimate son of a divine physician has a spatial ability.

Seeing that Yin Zijin didn't speak, Sheng Yixuan continued, "Actually, this isn't the most crucial or expensive part, because the price of the cotton itself is acceptable, but the problem lies in the transportation and processing costs."

It's important to understand that cotton itself takes up a lot of space and is quite heavy. Transporting it from the Western Regions to the capital required a great deal of manpower, material resources, and financial resources, and the transportation costs alone were a considerable expense.

Once the cotton arrives in Kyoto, we have to spend even more money on its meticulous processing, removing impurities and refining details, before we can weave the shape you desire for the brocade. This makes the cost prohibitively high.

But I will do my best to help Zijing with anything, no matter how difficult it is. However, I still have to remind Zijing that this is not an easy task! He frowned slightly, his tone revealing a hint of worry, and his eyes were full of concern.

Yin Zijing pondered for a moment, then suddenly thought of something and her eyes lit up: "Your Highness, have you ever thought about introducing cotton cultivation to the north, or even the entire Great Sheng Dynasty? If it could be realized, it would bring many benefits!"

First, widespread cotton cultivation across the country can significantly increase yields, leading to a substantial drop in cotton prices. This, in turn, reduces the cost of producing cotton clothing and other cotton products, benefiting the entire industry chain.

Secondly, this also concerns the national economy and people's livelihood of the entire Great Sheng Dynasty. With reduced cotton costs, prices will fall accordingly, making it easier for poor families to buy good quality cotton clothing. At the very least, fewer people will freeze to death from the cold throughout the winter.

The climate in the north is already very cold, and with the continuous snowfall lately, I wonder how many more people will freeze to death after winter. Therefore, wouldn't it be a good thing if we could promote cotton cultivation and benefit more people?

Seeing that Sheng Yixuan didn't react for a moment, Yin Zijing looked at him with a slightly aggrieved expression through her slightly tearful eyes. Yin Zijing was extremely beautiful, with typical sloping shoulders, typical of classical beauties. Wearing a ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress) made her look even more frail and delicate, but it also highlighted her classical beauty.

Seeing Yin Zijing's aggrieved expression, Sheng Yixuan felt as if his heart had been tickled by a feather, and he felt that Yin Zijing needed someone to take care of her more at this moment.

Sheng Yixuan thought this way and did it this way. He gently lifted Yin Zijing onto his lap, holding her close and tenderly saying, "Hey! Zijing, I really can't do anything with you. I can't bear to refuse any of your requests. What will happen in the future? Won't I become a 'tyrant'?"

The last two words were whispered in Yin Zijin's ear, and Yin Zijin felt an intense itch, both mentally and physically.

Yin Zijing blushed slightly and poked Sheng Yixuan's firm, broad chest with her small hand. She then whispered in his ear, "I can't be a demon concubine. I'm doing this for the sake of the people..."

Sheng Yixuan grabbed Yin Zijing's restless, delicate hand, which was painted with nail polish and adorned with nail guards, creating a striking contrast between the two hands. Sheng Yixuan's large hand warmed Yin Zijing's small hand as he gently said, "Alright, I will consider this matter carefully. I will discuss it with the people in the Ministry of Revenue to see its feasibility. We will plant some on a small scale in the capital."

Yin Zijin nodded and said, "This matter is definitely not a problem, Your Highness. Cotton needs sufficient sunlight and suitable temperature to grow, especially sunlight, because the north has abundant sunshine and a large temperature difference between day and night, which is conducive to cotton growth."

While the south has a humid climate, it lacks sufficient sunlight and is prone to frequent rain and pests. Overall, cotton is actually more suitable for cultivation in the north.

Sheng Yixuan looked at Yin Zijin with some appreciation: "It seems that Zijin knows quite a lot. Zijin was born and raised in a secluded mansion, but I didn't expect her to know so much."

If that incident hadn't happened, Zijing would be...

Sheng Yixuan paused for a moment, then continued, "It's just your family matter, so it's not appropriate for an outsider like me to say anything. Once you marry me, you'll be part of my family, although I can't let you participate in politics like an ordinary man."

But Zijing can be my strategist behind the scenes. One day, I will ensure that Zijing stands proudly in the imperial palace, participating in political affairs.

Yin Zijing's heart pounded wildly, as if struck by a hammer, and she felt as if she were floating on clouds. She whispered, "Your Highness's intentions, Zijing understands..."

Sheng Yixuan gently pinched Yin Zijing's nose and said softly, "Don't call me Your Highness anymore, it feels so formal! Call me Brother Yixuan..."

Yin Zijing said with a smile, "I never expected that Brother Yixuan would be like this in private. We are quite far apart in age, I should call you Uncle..."

The two lingered for a long time, and seeing that it was getting late, Yin Zijing got off Sheng Yixuan's lap, performed a curtsy, and said, "Greetings, Your Highness. I will be leaving now."

Sheng Yixuan strode over and personally draped a thick cloak over Yin Zijing's shoulders and tied the belt. Sheng Yixuan then personally escorted Yin Zijing out.

Yin Zijin moved her bound feet with utmost care, each step exceptionally light, as if she were stepping not on the ground, but on blooming lotus flowers. The exquisite ruqun she wore perfectly concealed her small, bound feet, like a mysterious veil draped over a woman's most private parts.

On his feet were delicate gold chains, from which hung several small, exquisite bells. With each step he took, these bells rang out with a clear, melodious sound, as if playing a beautiful melody. However, for Yin Zijing, this beautiful sound was more like torture, a constant reminder of his physical discomfort and inner pain.

Although on the surface Yin Zijing appears to be an elegant and well-mannered young lady from a prominent family, she actually harbors another side deep within her. Her resilience and indomitable spirit were forged in such difficult circumstances.

This was precisely what attracted Sheng Yixuan the most. Sheng Yixuan quietly gazed at Yin Zijing's thin and frail figure, his pity growing stronger. He knew all too well how much hardship and suffering this man, who had lived in a secluded mansion since childhood, had endured.

Yet, even in the face of such unfair treatment, he was not defeated. Instead, like a plum blossom blooming in the winter snow, though frail, he was full of tenacious vitality. In that treacherous and scheming inner courtyard of the mansion, his ability to maintain that rare purity and kindness is truly admirable…