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

Because there were many male and female relatives, Zhang wanted to take good care of the guests and also to maintain proper gender separation. On the third day of the eighth lunar month, she divided the banquet into two sessions. The male guests were entertained in the front house, and Yin Jingyi was also asked to help take care of the guests. The banquet was scheduled for the morning.

The women of the household would host a banquet in the back courtyard in the afternoon, the purpose of which was to arrange matchmaking for their children and to foster closer relationships between the three major families.

On the third day of the eighth lunar month, Yin Zijing was woken up early and dressed up carefully. Since the seven-day period had passed, her menstrual flow had ended, and her body was slowly recovering, feeling much better than a few days ago. The only thing Yin Zijing couldn't bear now was the extreme numbness, itching, and soreness in her breasts. Fortunately, the breast wrap helped suppress it somewhat.

At this moment, Yin Zijing sat in front of the dressing table on the canopy bed, wearing a light purple sleeveless top embroidered with plum blossom patterns, a white pleated skirt, and a pair of white plum blossom embroidered shoes. Her hair was styled in a small, drooping bun, with purple jade lotus petals and plum blossom petals pinned to her hair bun, and her thin bangs barely revealed her slender, delicate eyebrows.

Beneath her delicate brows, her eyes were misty and hazy with the weariness of illness. Those expressive eyes seemed to speak volumes, as if they could convey the unspoken grievances of Yin Zijing. Her frail body made her appear even more pitiful. One just wanted to cherish and pamper her.

Although Yin Zijin is young, her face is already showing signs of becoming beautiful.

Granny Zhou applied a light touch of makeup to Yin Zijing and placed a gilded silver bracelet with plum blossom patterns on each of her hands. She also put openwork silver nail guards on Yin Zijing's ring and little fingers. The bright pale pink on her nails complemented Yin Zijing's attire perfectly.

Then, Granny Zhou had Yin Zijin stand up and put a necklace, a sachet, and a small jade rabbit pendant carved from mutton fat jade on Yin Zijin's head. The small jade rabbit pendant was also inlaid with two red eyes, which was very cute and exquisite.

After tidying up, Granny Zhou said with satisfaction, "Miss, you're all ready. You can apply the lip rouge after you finish breakfast."

The young lady looks absolutely stunning in this outfit; of all the daughters in the Yin family, the sixth young lady has the most beautiful complexion.

Then, Granny Zhou took a fragrant handkerchief and put it into Yin Zijin's hand. Granny Zhou said, "Miss, you should always carry this handkerchief with you. This handkerchief is infused with the fragrance of lotus flowers. If you carry it for a long time, you will also have a faint lotus fragrance on your body."

As they were talking, Yin Zijing sat down in front of the daybed. Xiaolan and Ruhe had already prepared breakfast and placed it on the small table. With Xiaolan's help, Yin Zijing began to eat.

Seeing that Yin Zijing was eating with relish, Granny Zhou continued, "Oh! By the way, Miss, Ruhe and Xiaolan will take care of you in a little while. The front house is about to get busy. Madam instructed me yesterday to have Granny Liu and me go to the front house to help out and greet the guests."

"Young lady, you must stay in your room and absolutely must not go out. It's very dangerous outside. If a man were to break into the inner quarters and tarnish your reputation, that would be terrible."

Upon hearing what Granny Zhou said, Yin Zijing said calmly, "Granny Zhou, Zijing understands. You can go now! Xiaolan and Ruhe are still here."

However, Yin Zijing was already overjoyed. With Granny Zhou and Granny Liu gone, she could now better meet Sheng Yiming and carry out her plan.

After Yin Zijing finished her breakfast, Granny Zhou left Bihe Pavilion with the food box. Xiaolan cleaned up the room and then came over with lip rouge, saying, "Miss, let me help you apply the lip rouge!"

Yin Zijing nodded, letting Xiaolan apply the lipstick. After she finished, Yin Zijing instructed Ruhe, "Ruhe, go to Hongmei Courtyard and see why Seventh Miss hasn't come yet. Didn't we agree that she would come and play with me after breakfast?"

Ruhe bowed and said, "Yes, Miss. I will go and see right away."

Not long after, Ruhe invited Yin Zixiao over. Before she even entered the room, she heard Yin Zixiao's voice: "Zijing, I'm late. I'm sorry to have kept you waiting."

Just then, Yin Zixiao walked in, smiling as she sat down next to Yin Zijing: "Zijing, what game do you want to play this time?"

Yin Zixiao was dressed in fiery red, a stark contrast to Yin Zijing's elegant and gentle demeanor. Yin Zixiao's personality was flamboyant, unrestrained, and passionate. At this moment, Yin Zixiao was smiling and asking Yin Zijing a question.

Yin Zijin glanced at Ruhe, who immediately understood and quickly took out a deck of cards from the red lacquered cabinet carved with green bamboo next to the daybed.

These playing cards were homemade by Yin Zijing using Xuan paper to pass the time. Taking the cards, Yin Zijing said to Yin Ziniao, "Niaoniao, the same old rules. Same rules as before, plus Ruhe, the three of us will play Dou Dizhu together. The loser will have to accept the punishment."

Yin Zixiao asked excitedly, "Punishment? What kind of punishment?"

Yin Zijin thought for a moment and then said, "Ten rounds will determine the winner. The winner can decide what game to play next. The loser must cooperate with all the winner's instructions and must not disobey."

Yin Zixiao said firmly, "Okay, I promise you."

Fearing that Yin Zixiao might change her mind, Yin Zijing added, "If Zixiao changes her mind later, I'll burn the playing cards, and then we won't be able to play anymore."

Yin Zixiao quickly snatched the playing cards from Yin Zijing's hand and said pitifully, "I understand, Zijing. I won't go back on my word. If I lose, it's because I didn't learn well enough."

…………

And so, with the help of Yin Zijin and Ruhe, Yin Ziniao lost. Yin Zijin said, "Niao Niao, you and Ruhe both lost. You lost five out of ten games, and Ruhe lost three. You two have to accept the punishment! No cheating. If you cheat, we won't let you play next time."

Yin Zijin looked heartbroken, but for the sake of having more fun in the future, she said with great reluctance, "Okay, what punishment do you want, Zijin?"

Yin Zijing pondered for a moment and said, "It's not really a punishment, just a game of hide-and-seek. Niao Niao and Ru He are in 'it,' and Xiao Mei and Xiao Lan are in charge of hiding. You can't leave the Little Red Gate, and you have half an hour."

Nao Nao, if you and Ru He can catch Xiao Mei and Xiao Lan within half an hour, I will give you my most precious little rabbit jade pendant. The same goes for Xiao Lan and Xiao Mei.

This little rabbit-shaped jade pendant is made of mutton-fat jade! It was a birthday gift from Father to Zijing. It's exquisitely crafted, priceless, and very beautiful. Niao Niao, didn't you want it for a long time? If we pawned this pendant, it would be enough for an average family to live on for a year or two.”

Yin Zijin, Xiaomei, and Xiaolan were quite interested at this moment. Yin Zijin realized what was happening and asked, "Zijin, what about you? Aren't you going to join?"

Yin Zijin waved her hand and said, "These prizes are all mine, what's the point of me participating? It's just that today is really boring, so I used the little rabbit jade pendant as the prize. After all, it's just an inanimate object. I'll be waiting for you at Bihe Pavilion."

Yin Zixiao nodded and said, "Alright then!"

Before Xiaolan could say anything, Yin Zijin spoke calmly, "Xiaolan, don't worry, I won't wander off. I'll just sit here and wait for you. Even if I do wander off, I need to have the strength! I haven't fully recovered from this serious illness, and I'm very weak; I can't walk very far..."

Hearing Yin Zijin say that, Xiaolan felt relieved and started playing. Watching the departing crowd, Yin Zijin gave Ruhe a wink.

Ruhe secretly gave Yin Zijin an OK sign, a sign that Yin Zijin had taught her. Yin Zijin had asked Ruhe to tip her off before their date, so that if they came back early from their hide-and-seek game, Ruhe would speak loudly to remind Yin Zijin.

Watching the group depart, Yin Zijing glanced at the sky outside and breathed a sigh of relief, saying, "It's almost time; he should be arriving soon..."

Over the past few days, Yin Zijing has been constantly devising her plan in her mind. When will Yin Ziniao arrive? How will she send the people watching her away? Yin Zijing has planned everything in advance. If any link goes wrong, all her efforts will be in vain...

Before long, Sheng Yiming used his lightness skill to climb over the wall behind Yin Zijing's boudoir without anyone noticing.