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

Sheng Yixuan nodded slightly, pondered for a moment, and then asked, "So, Zijing, who do you think is the mastermind behind this?"

Yin Zijing frowned slightly, lost in thought. After a while, he slowly said, "Your Highness, I do have some guesses in my mind, but I don't know if I should speak them..." As he spoke, he hesitated and gave Sheng Yixuan a curtsy.

Seeing this, Sheng Yixuan quickly reached out to help Yin Zijin up and comforted her with a smile, "It's just the two of us here, there's no need to be so reserved."

Yin Zijing took a deep breath, as if she had made up her mind, and then said softly, "Your Highness, what I am about to say may be somewhat treasonous. Please forgive me."

Sheng Yixuan waved his hand, signaling him to continue.

Yin Zijing said, "There are only two possibilities for this matter. I'm not afraid Your Highness will laugh at me. The first is a power struggle within the Yin family. Actually, Zijing hasn't had a good time in the Yin family all these years..."

Upon hearing these words, Sheng Yixuan quickly said, "I can help you..."

Yin Zijing gave a bitter smile, touched her slightly messy hair, and her pale face revealed a hint of helplessness, showing a composure that was not in line with her age: "People have said they would help me before, so in what capacity would you help me, and for what reason? Why would you help me?"

I'm young and there's nothing I can do to help you, plus I'm quite sickly. Call me arrogant or selfish, but some things can be repaid, and some things cannot. I was raised to be independent and self-reliant, not to depend on anyone.

If I were to speak as a woman, I wouldn't want to be a canary in a man's cage, a delicate flower, confined to the inner quarters of the house for my entire life, dependent on men for survival.

If I were to speak as a man, I would prefer to live independently. Just like my promise to my stepmother to live as a woman, and her promise to let me study medicine. Our relationship is one of equal exchange; I owe no one anything…”

As Yin Zijing spoke, he pondered. In his modern days, he had read Shui Da's novel "Professional Substitute" and didn't understand why Zhou Xiang, after being reborn, chose to be kept by Yan Mingxiu rather than accept Lan Xirong's loan. While Zhou Xiang's romantic nature certainly played a part, the most fundamental reason was that he didn't want to owe anyone anything.

Between the two options, Zhou Xiang chose to be kept, which was essentially an equivalent exchange—a transaction of money and sex. However, if he accepted Lanxi Rong's exorbitant loan, he would incur a debt of gratitude. Given this known and unknown situation, Zhou Xiang dared not gamble, lest he be unable to repay that debt in his lifetime. Although Zhou Xiang was entangled in a romantic relationship with Yan Mingxiu, it did not affect his decisiveness.

Yin Zijin felt that he and Zhou Xiang were quite similar, both having their own persistence, which perhaps was not understood by others.

Some people might say, "How could you be so stupid! Why didn't you accept it!"

"This is the best option, are you stupid?"

But Yin Zijin wants to say: "I don't want to be controlled by others. Even in this cannibalistic feudal society, I want to be like a strong rose, to walk my own path, beautiful yet dangerous and thorny."

Hearing Yin Zijin's words, Sheng Yixuan's icy eyes revealed a complex expression: "I don't understand, but I support you."

Yin Zijing paused, looking at Sheng Yixuan with slight shock. Just eight words warmed Yin Zijing's cold and slightly selfish heart.

Previously, Yin Zijing only thought Sheng Yixuan was handsome, and since she was the designated concubine of the Crown Prince, she felt she could try getting to know him. But Sheng Yixuan's mere eight words warmed Yin Zijing's heart considerably; her heart now beat as warmly as a hand warmer…