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

No one knows how long she sat there, but Aunt Li sat there quietly, staring at Yin Zijin with unblinking eyes, as if she wanted to deeply engrave the image of the sixth young lady into her mind.

Time slipped by unnoticed, and Aunt Li was so engrossed in gazing at Yin Zijin that her sense of time gradually became blurred.

Just then, Granny Qi, who had been attending to Li, gently leaned close to her ear and said in an extremely soft voice, "Madam, look at the sky, it's already getting dark without us realizing it. It's time for us to go back to Yiju Courtyard. Let the Sixth Miss rest well! We'll come to visit her again in three days, shall we?"

Aunt Li slowly came to her senses, a deep sorrow suddenly appearing on her once delicate face. However, this sorrow was fleeting; she quickly forced a smile and said softly, "Look! I was so lost in thought that I didn't even notice how dark it had gotten. Granny Qi, it's getting late; let's go back soon!"

After saying this, Aunt Li sighed softly, as if her heart was filled with endless sorrow and resentment. At this moment, she seemed to have reverted to the weak and pitiful woman she used to be, evoking feelings of pity in one's heart. Her slightly trembling body and the faint glimmer of tears in the corners of her eyes conveyed the deep pain and helplessness in her heart.

Aunt Li stood up gently and gracefully, careful not to wake the restless Yin Zijing. Then, she turned her gaze to Granny Zhou and Ah Tian standing beside her, and gently instructed them, "You two must take good care of Sixth Miss. This is entirely in your hands! I cannot be by her side every moment, so I will rely on your diligent care in the days to come!"

Just then, Granny Qi walked up with light steps, holding a white cloak in her hand, and carefully tied it around Aunt Li's body.

The cloak was made of soft, smooth material and embroidered with exquisite patterns, like a blooming flower on Aunt Li's body.

Upon hearing Aunt Li's instructions, Granny Zhou and A-Tian quickly bowed and said, "Please rest assured, Aunt Li, we will definitely take good care of Sixth Miss."

Before she finished speaking, Li resolutely turned around and walked towards the door without looking back. Her steps were firm and powerful, each step like a crisp sound on a hard stone road. However, although her figure gradually disappeared into the distance, the aura of loneliness and determination lingered in the air for a long time.

Aunt Li seemed to have made a very difficult decision, as if she were heading towards death, but she was willing and resolute...

However, after that resolute turn and departure, Aunt Li could no longer suppress the surging emotions in her heart. Tears streamed down her slightly pale cheeks like a burst dam.

At this moment, she has made a difficult but resolute decision: to pave the way for the sixth daughter with her own blood, even if the road is full of thorns and dangers, she will open up a broad road to a bright future for her child!

It turned out that Li still harbored a sliver of hesitation and fear. After all, life is incredibly precious to everyone, and she longed to continue living, to experience the beauty and warmth of this world, to be with her children, and to be with her husband…

But now, all her concerns have been put aside, because at this moment, she is no longer just a prostitute in a brothel, no longer a lowly concubine in the Yin family who suffers all kinds of bullying, and no longer a weak woman who always looks pitiful and can only let others trample on her dignity.

Now, she has only one identity: an ordinary mother, a mother who is willing to do anything to protect her child! In order to bring those evil people who once bullied and coerced the Sixth Sister to their due punishment, and in order to give her child a bright future, she is willing to pay the price even with her own life!

…………

Back at Yiju Courtyard, Li Shi seemed to have lost her soul. She slowly walked to the dressing mirror and sat down blankly like a statue. She stared at herself in the mirror, her eyes empty and lost, as if she didn't recognize this haggard and weary woman.

After a long while, Li blinked as if waking from a dream, and carefully examined her reflection in the mirror again. For some reason, she suddenly felt so old and weathered, as if time had left deep and shallow marks on her face.

Just then, Madam Li took out a small and exquisite wooden box from the corner of the dressing table. It looked quite old, but the fine and meticulous craftsmanship was still evident. Madam Li gently reached out and carefully took the wooden box, stroking it in her hands.

She slowly opened the wooden box, and inside lay a flawless white jade hairpin. The hairpin was smooth and delicate in texture, with a soft and pure color, clearly carved from the finest white jade. Even after many years, the hairpin still radiated a faint luster, as beautiful and captivating as when it was first made.

When Granny Qi, who had been standing to the side, saw Madam Li take out the jade hairpin, she was taken aback and asked in surprise, "Madam, why did you take it out?"

Li raised her head slightly, looked at Granny Qi, and said softly with a hint of tenderness and affection in her eyes, "This jade hairpin is a family heirloom that has been passed down for several generations! Even in the most difficult times of the past, I never had the thought of selling it."

Now that Sixth Miss is about to get married, I'm thinking of giving her this jade hairpin as a wedding gift. But…” Li hesitated, picking up the hairpin again to examine it closely. “While the jade is of good quality, the design is far too simple. Do you think Sixth Miss will find it unsuitable?”

I'd like to inlay some gold on it and make it into a gold-inlaid jade hairpin. That would probably be even prettier. I'd like to inlay the gold myself and make the hairpin for Sixth Miss myself.

This thing isn't particularly valuable to begin with; doing it yourself shows how much care you put into it..."

Granny Qi was Zhang's person, so she naturally knew what Concubine Li had promised the madam. Now, seeing Concubine Li's appearance, she couldn't bear it and quickly said, "Concubine, please wait, this old servant will fetch the materials right away."

After Granny Qi left, Madam Li instructed, "Xiaoqing, take some people and bring the dinner. The master is coming over tonight. You must personally oversee the food and ensure there are no mistakes."

Upon hearing Li's words, Xiaoqing's face lit up with joy, and she quickly bowed and said, "Yes, Madam, this servant will go and prepare immediately."

After Xiaoqing led the people out of the house, she quickly said, "Go ahead and get some food. I still have some things to do. I'll come over when I'm done." Then Xiaoqing went back to her room and carefully dressed up.

After Li sent Xiaoqing away, the room became much quieter, with only two illiterate maids doing some cleaning and chores.

Li hurried to her desk and began writing furiously. After finishing, she stuffed the writing into the cloth binding her bound feet. Since the cloth wasn't changed daily, no one noticed.

Then Li began practicing calligraphy. As she wrote, her thoughts drifted back to her childhood: "Zhenzhen! Do you know? This jade hairpin is different from other jade hairpins. It's hollow."

Seven or eight-year-old Li Zhenzhen looked puzzled and asked in her childish voice, "Why do you make it hollow, Mother?"

The woman gently picked up Li Zhenzhen and said, "Because, this hollow jade hairpin, like a man, has no heart."

Zhenzhen, remember this: you can use men, you can rely on men, but you can't give your heart to a man. Remember, a man's infatuation can be escaped, but a woman's infatuation cannot be explained.

You must close your heart like a hollow jade hairpin, so that you won't get hurt! Only when you become strong inside can no one defeat you...

Li thought bitterly to herself, "Mother! I did what you said. I didn't open my heart, I didn't give my true feelings. I'm still alive and strong."

But, Mother, things are different now. I have a child, I have a weakness. I see him suffering, and I can't bear it anymore. I can't bear it anymore.

I will use my own blood to save my child. He is innocent; he was born because of my selfishness. What can I do for him? I hope he can forgive me in the future, forgive that selfish mother…