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

Yin Zijing nodded and said, "Brother, I know. I just don't want to stay in this house anymore. This house is too oppressive. I just want to go out and get some fresh air."

Zijing thought that on the day of the banquet, she would accidentally fall into the water and worsen her illness. Then she would use her serious illness as an excuse to go to the village below. If she had to have her feet bound, she would continue to escape and live in the village outside, which would also make it easier to escape.

"At that time, no matter how dangerous the outside world is, Zijing will escape. If it really comes to that, I'll need my brother's help to make it happen. After moving to the estate downstairs, I'll need my brother to put in a good word for me with Mother."

Yin Jingyi thought for a moment and said, "How about this? Zijin, going to the manor is very likely not going to work. I will go and ask His Highness the Crown Prince for help. His Highness's master is Master Wuhui of Fu'an Temple."

"Then Master Wu Hui will personally come to the Yin residence to take Zi Jin to Fu'an Temple for recuperation. Zi Jin will have much more freedom there. Fu'an Temple is a pure Buddhist place; Mother will certainly not send many maids and servants to accompany her, and there will be no unsavory affairs like those in the inner quarters. Perhaps then, Zi Jin can do whatever she wants."

Yin Zijing looked at Yin Jingyi with great gratitude, but still asked in disbelief, "Is this really possible? Will His Highness the Crown Prince really help me?"

Yin Jingyi said, "Liu Bei visited Zhuge Liang three times to persuade him to come down the mountain. If that doesn't work, I'll follow Liu Bei's example. Besides, you haven't even entered officialdom yet, but you've already received His Majesty's favor. You've been His Highness the Crown Prince's study companion since childhood. His Highness is cold on the outside but warm on the inside. If you go and ask him, His Highness will agree."

Yin Zijing was deeply grateful. She stood up from the bench and knelt before Yin Jingyi, tears streaming down her face. She choked out, "Thank you, thank you, brother. Whether we succeed or not, I thank you. Just do your best."

If anyone else had heard what Zijing said tonight, they would have thought she was crazy. But her brother trusted her unconditionally, and Zijing was deeply grateful. She didn't know if her brother believed her mother's actions, but the suffering she was experiencing was real. "Thank you, Zijing."

Yin Jingyi quickly helped Yin Zijin up from the ground, tightened her cloak, and said with concern, "Don't worry, I'll do my best to help you. Don't worry. It's the middle of the night, the dew is heavy, and it's very cold. You're not feeling well, so let me take you home!"

----------

Yin Zijing nodded, and Yin Jingyi squatted down in front of her and said, "Zijing, you're weak. Let your brother carry you back!"

Yin Zijing instinctively climbed onto Yin Jingyi's back. Yin Jingyi easily carried her on his back, using his lightness skill to fly to the second floor of the pavilion. After settling Yin Zijing in, and seeing that she was already lying on the bed, Yin Jingyi said softly, "Zijing, leave everything to your brother. You should rest well. Also, Zijing, are you still going to see the Fourth Prince?"

Yin Zijing nodded and said, "Alright, thank you for your trouble, brother. I want to see the Fourth Prince. I want to finalize one thing. If things don't turn out as I wish, I won't regret it."

Yin Jingyi said, "Okay, I'll make the arrangements then."

After saying that, Yin Jingyi picked up the cloak beside him and nimbly and lightly left Bihe Pavilion, blending into the moonlight, and quickly moved towards his residence.

The next morning, Xiaolan arrived at Bihe Pavilion early and saw Yin Zijin and Granny Zhou still fast asleep. Xiaolan gently walked to Granny Zhou's side, shook Granny Zhou's exposed arm, and called out, "Granny Zhou, it's getting late, why are you still sleeping? Granny Zhou? Granny Zhou..."

Xiaolan called for a long time before Granny Zhou finally woke up. She looked outside with a blank expression and exclaimed in surprise, "How come it's already this late? Why am I only waking up now?"

Xiaolan quickly shushed her and whispered, "Keep your voice down, Miss is still asleep. Granny Zhou, you must be getting old and can't sleep at night, so you wake up late in the morning. It's nothing."

"From now on, I and Ruhe can take over the night watch. You can go back and get some rest. With Ruhe and me here, you can rest assured..."

Actually, Yin Zijing woke up when Xiaolan came in, but she didn't make a sound. While Xiaolan and Granny Zhou were talking, Yin Zijing let out a soft moan.

Xiaolan moved very quickly. Hearing that Yin Zijin had woken up, she hurriedly lifted the bed curtains and went in. She smiled energetically and said, "Miss is awake. I'll change your menstrual pad. Granny Zhou will bring the washing supplies and breakfast in a little while, Miss, please wait a moment."

After Xiaolan finished helping Yin Zijin, Yin Zijin smiled and said, "Thank you, Xiaolan. I feel much better. I want to get out of bed and walk to the dressing table by myself."

Xiaolan glanced at the distance between the bed and the dressing table—it wasn't far, all within the canopy bed—but still asked with a worried expression, "Are you really sure it's alright? Then let me help you over..."

The next afternoon, Yin Jingyi guessed that Crown Prince Sheng Yixuan had finished his morning court session and rested for a long time before taking a carriage to the palace.

Upon arriving at the palace gate, Yin Jingyi handed over the waist token personally bestowed by His Highness the Crown Prince. The guard, recognizing him as an acquaintance, greeted him with a beaming smile, "Young Master Yi, you've come to see His Highness the Crown Prince."

Yin Jingyi nodded and said gently, "Yes! I'm going to see His Highness the Crown Prince."

Upon entering the palace gates, Yin Jingyi dared not look around too much and headed straight for the Xianyang Palace, where the Crown Prince resided.

Even if one dared not look too closely, the high walls, the red walls and golden tiles, under the azure sky and the blazing sun, made the golden glazed tile roofs of the palace appear exceptionally magnificent, solemn, and imposing. Every so often, guards would patrol, and busy palace maids and eunuchs would hurry about. The oppressive atmosphere within the palace and the imperial majesty were immediately apparent.

Yin Jingyi walked for about half an hour before arriving at the gate of Xianyang Palace, where the Crown Prince resided. When the two eunuchs guarding the gate saw that it was Yin Jingyi, a junior eunuch ran up to him like a lackey and said with a smile, "Young Master has arrived. This servant will go and report to him immediately."

After saying that, the eunuch trotted into Xianyang Palace. Not long after, the young eunuch trotted out and gestured for him to enter: "Young master, please! His Highness the Crown Prince is in his study and invites you to come in directly."

Yin Jingyi said, "Thank you for your trouble, Eunuch Li. Let's go!"

Eunuch Li led the way, and soon they arrived at the door of the study. Eunuch Li personally escorted Yin Jingyi to the door of the study before leaving.

Sheng Yixuan's personal eunuch, Eunuch Deng, opened the door to the study: "Young Master, please!"

Yin Jingyi went inside and immediately felt much cooler. He saw Sheng Yixuan sitting at his desk and quickly stepped forward, kneeling down to greet him: "Greetings to Your Highness the Crown Prince. May Your Highness be well."

Sheng Yixuan stood up, walked to Yin Jingyi, and helped Yin Jingyi up from the ground, saying, "Jingyi, there's no need for such formalities."

Yin Jingyi stood up and looked at His Highness the Crown Prince, with whom he had a close relationship. The man in front of him was only twenty years old, with a well-proportioned and sturdy figure, tall and imposing. His hands were covered with thick calluses, indicating that he was a martial artist.

He had a broad forehead, long and straight eyebrows, bright and piercing eyes, a high and firm nose, and clearly defined, slightly upturned lips. He exuded an aura of authority that commanded respect without anger.

He wore a black gauze hat with upturned corners, a crimson robe with a round collar and narrow sleeves, the front, back, and shoulders of which were embroidered with gold-woven dragons. A black belt was tied around his waist, from which hung a jade pendant made of mutton-fat white jade. His black boots were embroidered with dragon patterns in gold thread. He was exceptionally rich and exquisite.

Looking at the Crown Prince like this, Yin Jingyi couldn't help but think, "If the Crown Prince didn't have this penchant for male beauty, perhaps he would be His Majesty the Emperor's favorite successor..."

Yin Jingyi dared not think too much about it. Upon hearing the Crown Prince's words, he quickly replied, "Thank you, Your Highness. This is the time when Your Highness should be resting. Seeing that Your Highness is still dealing with state affairs, is there something troubling you?"

Sheng Yixuan stood with his hands behind his back, pondered for a moment, and then said, "Jingyi, you haven't entered officialdom yet. It's alright to tell you."

Jingyi, you must have heard that a severe drought has occurred in the four northern provinces of Shaanxi, Gansu, Ningxia, and Henan. It was originally manageable, but the latest news from the Embroidered Uniform Guard indicates that the disaster in the four northern provinces has reached a very serious level. People are resorting to cannibalism, there is no harvest, people are having difficulty getting drinking water, and countless people are dying of thirst and hunger. Diseases are also breaking out frequently.

Some people have already begun migrating to Shangjing, the wealthiest capital city, directly threatening the safety of the capital. The situation is now on the verge of collapse.

The four northern provinces are the most important grain-producing areas in the Great Sheng Dynasty, and this drought could potentially jeopardize the entire dynasty.

Yin Jingyi was shocked to hear this: "I've only heard my father mention it a few times, but I never imagined the situation had become so critical. How could the news have taken so long to reach the capital?"

Sheng Yixuan paced a few steps and continued, "There are too many parasites, impossible to kill or eliminate completely, especially since the four provinces are under the same administrative governor. I was still worried, so some time ago I specifically reported to the Emperor that the Embroidered Uniform Guards were secretly dispatched to the four provinces to investigate. If the situation was under control, the Embroidered Uniform Guards would return. If it was out of control, they would be reported immediately. I didn't expect the Embroidered Uniform Guards to bring back such shocking news."

Yin Jingyi asked incredulously, "The original Imperial Guards of those four provinces have been bribed?"

Sheng Yixuan's eyes darkened, but he still said gently, "Yes! I've already said there are too many parasites. Every time the Imperial Guards from those four regions report back, they just say the situation is under control. It's possible that someone will be notifying us to start a meeting soon."

"Oh! By the way. Jingyi, is there something you need? You didn't come to the Eastern Palace just to keep me company, did you? The imperial examinations are just around the corner; you should be at home studying instead! Jingyi, I'm waiting for you, waiting for you to pass the examinations, rise to the highest ranks of officialdom, and then fight alongside me, attending court and discussing state affairs."

Yin Jingyi said somewhat embarrassedly, "It's some family matters. I heard that Your Highness is troubled by political affairs, so I really dare not disturb you."

Sheng Yixuan smiled and said, "Speak, Jing Yi. If you don't speak up soon, someone might call me in for a meeting."

Yin Jingyi considered Yin Zijin's situation and quickly said, "Please don't take offense at the fact that these are some unpleasant matters concerning the inner quarters."

Afterwards, Yin Jingyi told Sheng Yixuan about Yin Zijin's matter and all the plans.

Upon hearing this, Sheng Yixuan said, "Jing Yi, do you want me to ask my master to come down the mountain to save your younger brother?"

Yin Jingyuan nodded and said, "Yes, Your Highness, Jingyi knows this request is excessive, but thinking of Zijing's current predicament, as her older brother, I cannot bear it, so I came here specifically to ask Your Highness. Your Highness worries about the country every day, and Jingyi should not disturb Your Highness..."

Before he could finish speaking, Sheng Yixuan's personal eunuch, Eunuch Deng, pushed open the door and entered, bowing and saying, "Your Highness, the Emperor requests your presence in the Qianqing Palace for a meeting."

Sheng Yixuan said, "Jingyi, you should go back first! I will do my best to handle that matter. Also, after this meeting, your family's banquet should be canceled. It's fine to have a gathering of relatives and friends. It's windy now, so it's best to be careful. I believe Lord Yin will do the same."

Yin Jingyi nodded and said gratefully, "Jingyi thanks Your Highness the Crown Prince."

Upon hearing Yin Jingyi's words, Sheng Yixuan took a step and walked outside, followed by Eunuch Deng and Yin Jingyi.

At this moment, in the rear hall of Xianyang Palace, Sheng Yixuan's principal wife and two concubines were waiting for him to dine together at the dining table. After a short while, a maid came to report: "Your Highness, Crown Princess, Consort Ru, Consort Liu, the people from the front hall just came to report that the Crown Prince has gone to Qianqing Palace for a meeting and will not be returning for dinner."

"Oh! By the way, Xiao Su, who came to deliver the message, said that the eldest son of the Yin family came to the East Palace again today and stayed in the study with His Highness the Crown Prince for a long time before coming out together."

The Crown Princess nodded and waved for him to leave. Consort Liu, sitting nearby, anxiously dismissed all the maids and eunuchs, leaving only her personal attendant before speaking, "Sisters, what's going on with that eldest son of the Yin family? He's always coming to the Eastern Palace. Could he be having an affair with His Highness the Crown Prince? The Emperor dislikes these kinds of things the Crown Prince does. Won't something bad happen?"

The Crown Princess said, "It's alright, sisters, don't worry. His Highness the Crown Prince knows what he's doing. Even if there really is something between the two of them, it will only happen in private. Considering the status of the eldest son of the Yin family, it's even more impossible for him to bring someone to the Eastern Palace."

"Let's eat! Don't overthink it. Thinking too much will only make you miserable. It's better to live a little more carefree; it's better for you, for me, and for His Highness the Crown Prince."

Hearing that even the Crown Princess was so calm, Consort Liu felt that her own anxiety made her seem useless, so she quickly smiled and said, "Yes, yes, yes, listening to my sister's words is better than reading for ten years! Let's eat quickly! If we wait any longer, the food will not be fresh."

The Crown Princess picked up her chopsticks, took a slice of meat, and began to eat. Seeing that the Crown Princess had started eating, the other two concubines began to eat as well.