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

Yin Zijin sat wearily on the daybed, closed her eyes, and after a while asked, "Xiaolan, where's Ruhe? I haven't seen her for so long."

Xiaolan took a very thin blanket from the cabinet next to her and covered Yin Zijin with it, saying, "Miss, it's still early, be careful not to catch a cold. Ruhe has taken two maids to get ice, otherwise it will be unbearably hot at noon."

Yin Zijing, with her eyes closed, said: "From now on, for chores like this, just send an adult. Ruhe is about my age, only five years old now..."

Xiaolan replied, "Yes, Miss. Why don't you go sleep on the bed? It's not comfortable to sleep like this."

Yin Zijing closed her eyes and said, "It's alright, Xiaolan, I just need to rest for a bit. I got up too early today, I'll rest for a while..."

Yin Zijing closed her eyes and pretended to sleep, then began to think seriously: "I am too young now, and I cannot survive without the Yin family. I have no one to rely on in the Yin family either. My birth mother, Li, came from a brothel, and she is now in dire need of her own life."

The only upright person in the Yin family who treats me well is Yin Jingyi. I hope that at the banquet for moving into the new house, with Yin Jingyi's help, I can speak with the prince who looks like Zhang Peng.

Now, as long as there's a glimmer of hope, I must seize it. Otherwise, who knows when my feet will be bound, and then I won't be able to run or jump. I'll really be stuck in my boudoir embroidering, waiting for Zhang's arrangements..."

Before she knew it, Yin Zijin had fallen into a deep sleep. Seeing this, Xiaolan quickly moved the small table off the daybed and helped Yin Zijin take off her embroidered shoes so that she could sleep more comfortably.

Sunlight fell on Yin Zijing's fair face, her delicate eyebrows furrowed slightly, as if she couldn't sleep peacefully even in her dreams. Xiaolan looked at Yin Zijing's sleeping face, sighed, and whispered, "Sixth Miss, if only you were the Sixth Miss, you wouldn't have so many worries..."

----------

Meanwhile, in the Yimei Courtyard, after finishing their breakfast, Madam Zhang, Yin Xu, and their three other legitimate children went to Madam Zhang's bedroom. Madam Zhang and Yin Xu sat on the daybed, while Yin Jingyi, Yin Ziyue, and Yin Jing'an stood beside them.

After instructing the nanny to take the youngest son, Yin Jing'an, back to the front courtyard, Madam Zhang said, "Jingyi, you are 18 now. From now on, you must study even harder and prepare for the provincial and imperial examinations next spring."

And your uncle's son, your cousin Zhang Bai, will be staying at our house during this banquet. He'll be studying with you all and will stay for the entire winter until after next year's imperial examination. You should get along well with him. After all, Zhang Bai is your second sister's betrothed since childhood.”

Yin Jingyi clasped his hands together, bowed, and said, "Mother, rest assured, I will take good care of my cousin."

Yin Xu also instructed, "Yi'er, go back! Study hard and do your best. I have already hired a better tutor, recommended by Consort Yin, the retired Hanlin Academician Yang He. He is extremely learned, compiling books and history, drafting imperial edicts, and has served as the chief examiner for the autumn and spring imperial examinations many times, participating in the formulation of examination questions on many occasions."

Old Master Yang has been retired for many years and is already of noble birth. It was only after Consort Yin and Father made numerous requests that he was finally invited to come. Yi'er, you must cherish this opportunity!

Yin Jingyi clasped his hands in a salute and said, "Yes, Father, Yi'er understands."

Yin Xu waved his hand and said, "Go back to the front yard! Pack your things."

After Yin Jingyi left, Madam Zhang spoke to Yin Xu, saying, "Master, the date has been set. Our housewarming banquet is scheduled for the third day of the eighth lunar month. Our family from Jiangnan will be coming to the capital, and Father and Mother will come along too. They say they haven't seen Consort Yin in a long time and will also come to the capital to see their daughter. My family from Luoyang is also having a visit, and we'll take this opportunity to discuss the marriage between Zhang Bai and Yue'er."

After all, Bai'er is twenty-two this year and has waited for Yue'er for many years. Now that Yue'er is almost of marriageable age, it's time to let the two of them get to know each other better and build up their relationship. Getting married then will be a natural thing.

Oh! That's right. The Liu family of Hedong, the Sheng family of Shangjing, and high-ranking officials and nobles from Shangjing will also be coming.

Yin Xu nodded and said, "Okay, I understand. Please keep an eye on Yue'er's affairs. I think Zhang Bai is a good boy. Also, please help the Third and Fifth Misses find good families. Making plans in advance will prevent us from being too flustered later."

Madam Zhang nodded, then said hesitantly, "Alright, sir, I understand. But aren't we being a bit too extravagant this time?"

Yin Xu shook his head and said, "No, there are no floods this year. It's just that some areas are suffering from severe drought, resulting in a complete crop failure. The imperial court has already sent people to provide disaster relief. Everything is under control, so please rest assured, Madam."

Just to be on the safe side, I'll personally draft a list; you can invite guests according to that list. It's mainly for a get-together, so keep the number of people small.

Also, don't touch the marriages of Zijing and Niao Niao yet. They are both destined to be betrothed to princes. The Emperor originally intended to betroth Yue'er to the Crown Prince, but Yue'er was already betrothed in childhood, and the Emperor didn't want to break up the couple, so he abandoned that plan. He then settled for Liu Ruoruo of the Liu family of Hedong as his principal wife.

This is my plan: I will send Zijing to the Eastern Palace to become the Crown Prince's concubine, and Naoniao will marry into the Prince's residence to become the Third Prince's principal wife.

The Third Prince is Consort Yin's son, and we know him well. With Consort Yin protecting her after she marries into the family, things will be much better for her. Besides, you know her temperament too.

Zijing has been calm and intelligent since childhood. Even though she is a concubine after marrying the Crown Prince, she should be able to secure a place for herself.

Moreover, no one can predict the future. His Majesty currently has four princes; who knows who will ultimately ascend the throne? We must cast a wide net to ensure the prosperity of the Yin family.”

Madam Zhang nodded, thinking, "It seems that Yin Zijing still holds a place in Master's heart. I haven't seen Master pay this much attention to or worry about the Third Miss and the Fifth Miss. Her mother is quite useful. It seems I need to implement my plan as soon as possible, lest things get complicated."

Zhang said, "Husband, rest assured, I will take the Sixth and Seventh Misses to the palace more often in the future, so that the two ladies can get to know His Highness the Crown Prince and the Third Prince better and cultivate their relationship. However, the marriage of the two ladies is not up to us; it also requires the Emperor's approval."

Yin Xu said confidently, "Don't worry about that. In the hundreds of years since the founding of the Great Sheng Dynasty, most of the empresses, concubines, and princes' wives have come from the four great families. No matter which prince they are betrothed to, it will be beneficial to our Yin family. The sixth daughter is a concubine's daughter and can only be a secondary concubine or a secondary consort, while the seventh daughter is a legitimate daughter and is certain to be the principal wife. The Emperor will consider all of this. Moreover, the Emperor has hinted to me both openly and secretly, and with Consort Yin's support in the palace, there should be no surprises."

Also, bring the Sixth and Seventh Misses into the palace. Be careful in everything you do; do not tarnish their reputations.

Madam Zhang nodded and said, "Yes, my lord. I know what I'm doing. Oh! By the way, Consort Yin recommended an old nanny who is about to retire from the palace. She said she wants that old nanny to come to the Yin residence to teach the young ladies manners. That old nanny is also very skilled at foot binding, and I plan to have her bind the feet of the sixth and seventh young ladies. After all, the earlier the feet are bound, the better."

Yin Xu waved his hand and said, "Alright, you can make these decisions yourself. I'll be leaving now. I have something to do this afternoon, so I won't be back for dinner. I'll be staying in Li's room tonight, so you don't need to wait for me."

After giving his instructions, Yin Xu stood up and walked out. Zhang Shi quickly stood up and performed a curtsy: "This concubine respectfully sees you off, Master."

After Yin Xu left, Madam Zhang pulled Yin Ziyue over and sat her on the daybed, saying, "Yue'er, you are sensible. You have never worried your mother since you were little. In two months, the palace maids will come. When they arrive, you should learn from them and stay by your mother's side to learn how to manage a household."

Zhang Bai is a good person, you've met him yourself, your mother's judgment is never wrong.

Yin Ziyue nodded and replied shyly, "It's all up to Mother to decide."

Madam Zhang said with relief, "Yue'er is such a good child, she doesn't need her mother to worry. Yue'er, go back and pack your things! Take a rest first."

Yin Ziyue bowed and said, "Your daughter takes her leave."

After Yin Ziyue left, Zhang Shi leaned against the small table on the daybed, rubbed her furrowed brows, and asked with her eyes closed, "Granny Zhou, what happened to your leg? Tell me!"