Chapter 179 - 177: Shen Shi, You Actually Came Back?!

Words : 1483 Updated : Sep 21st, 2025

Chapter 179: Chapter 177: Shen Shi, You Actually Came Back?!Shen Yinning was furious, standing up as she said, "Haitang, pack up our belongings, we’re leaving!" She originally planned to return to the Hot Spring Villa on the outskirts of the city. However, thinking of how she hadn’t shown her face at the Gao Family for several days and not wanting to draw unnecessary attention, she dismissed the idea and instead instructed Cuicui to find out where the Gao Family was currently residing. Cuicui quickly returned to report, "Master Gao’s family originally rented a shabby courtyard in the west of the city. Recently, Aunt Yin suddenly earned a lot of money, somehow, and bought a residence in Lotus Alley." Shen Yinning was intrigued. Yin Shanshan’s character wasn’t particularly commendable, but her ways of earning money were undeniably clever. She wondered what kind of business she had done this time. Shen Yinning took a carriage to Lotus Alley, and sure enough, at the end of the alley, she saw the Gao Mansion’s plaque. Stepping across the threshold, the Gao Family seemed busy preparing for the New Year, with lanterns hung everywhere and a festive atmosphere all around. Seeing Shen Yinning return, Yin Shanshan stood akimbo at the entrance of the flower-hung hall, exclaiming, "Oh, sister, you still have the nerve to come home? What, not staying at that Hot Spring Villa anymore? Sister, you’d better leave. This house was bought with my money, and there’s no room for an honored figure like you!" "Exactly!" Gao Yun sneered from the round-backed chair in the hall, her brows furrowed as she said, "Shen Yinning, how could you have the face to step in here? You wouldn’t let us stay at your Hot Spring Villa, so you shouldn’t come back here to live either! Our family doesn’t welcome you, just leave already!" Clearly, they still held a grudge against Shen Yinning for driving them out of the Hot Spring Villa. When Gao Mother heard Shen Yinning was back, she rushed from the back courtyard to the flower-hung hall, her steps swift and her voice sharp as she scolded, "Ungrateful wretch! How dare you throw your mother-in-law out! Thank goodness Shanshan is a blessing. Without her, where would our family have had a decent place to celebrate the New Year? Shen, our Gao Family doesn’t have such an ungrateful daughter-in-law! Once the New Year is past, I’ll make Zheng divorce you and elevate Shanshan to the position of legitimate wife! Get out now, hurry up and leave!" The courtyard became a hubbub of chaos. Gao Zheng had just returned from the Government Office and, seeing Shen Yinning back, his eyes lit up instantly. Although he resented Shen Yinning for her flirtations and infidelity, her unmatched beauty still captivated him. After not seeing her for a while, she appeared even more radiant and dazzling, making it hard for him to look away. Amidst his astonishment, disdain flickered in his eyes. With such a striking beauty, didn’t the Crown Prince dismiss her without hesitation? After all, during the New Year, the Crown Prince had to accompany the Crown Princess Consort. How could he spare time for a mere plaything from his bed? Still, considering their relationship as husband and wife, he thought he might forgive her if she stayed obedient and well-behaved in the future. When he approached her, he restrained himself, slowing his steps deliberately while imitating the bureaucratic poise of his corpulent colleagues, hands clasped behind him and stomach pushed forward, speaking with authority, "Shen, you still know to come back?" Shen Yinning sized him up from head to toe. Over the past year, Gao Zheng had gained weight, and his forehead had become a little higher as well. Well, always entertaining colleagues over drinks and feasts, it was natural to grow plump. She replied, "Stop posturing in front of me. Go and have someone prepare a separate courtyard for me." Gao Zheng frowned deeply, assuming his official demeanor, "Shen, is this your tone when speaking to me? Even though we are in a nominal marriage, I am your husband in the Gao Family. You ought to uphold the duties of a wife! If you continue being so willful and arrogant, once the Crown Prince grows tired of you, I won’t take you in!" Shen Yinning cast him a glance, as if she were peering at a dog. Suddenly, she chuckled, her tone light and playful as though teasing a pet, "Cui Ji is about to be appointed Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice, and his current position will be vacant. Gao Zheng, would you like to take on the role of Minister of the Ministry of Justice?" Gao Zheng froze. He knew Cui Ji had recently gained merit but was unaware of his imminent promotion to Vice Minister. Since Shen Yinning had been accompanying the Crown Prince, her information was likely accurate. Compared to his current Eighth Rank position at the Ministry of Justice, the Minister of the Ministry of Justice was a genuinely respectable position, traditionally reserved for those favored by the Emperor. It also offered greater opportunities to achieve political accomplishments and improve chances for future promotions. Hadn’t Cui Ji himself risen quickly within a year? Longing filled his heart, and his tone unconsciously softened, "Are you truly able to help me secure that position?" "Why would I deceive you?" "Good, good, good!" Gao Zheng was elated, exclaiming, "Shen, in the end, you’re more capable and considerate of my career than Shanshan! Rest assured, I’ll have someone prepare a separate courtyard for you right away. Even if you want to entertain the Crown Prince here, there won’t be any issue whatsoever!" Learning that Shen Yinning was staying, Yin Shanshan and Gao Yun immediately caused a commotion. Gao Yun protested sharply, "Brother, have you already forgotten how she treated mother and us during our time at the Hot Spring Villa? She wouldn’t allow us to stay there! So why should she be allowed to stay in our home? A shrew like her ought to be divorced immediately! Brother, Sister Shan is your true match!" Yin Shanshan’s eyes reddened as she cried, "Zheng, do you still have feelings for her? Didn’t you promise me a lifetime together, just you and me?" "Hair is long, wisdom is short. What do you two even know?" Gao Zheng snapped impatiently, "Hurry and prepare the courtyard!" Very soon, Shen Yinning settled into the Gao Mansion. Finding the furnishings far too plain, she ordered new furniture made of rosewood to be arranged. Even the drapes, cushions, soft pillows, and bedding were replaced with exquisite new silks and brocades. That night, Yin Shanshan personally came to confront her. She cut straight to the chase, "Shen Yinning, have you no shame?" Sitting at her vanity table, combing her hair, Shen Yinning responded with curiosity, "How am I shameless?" Yin Shanshan took a deep breath and earnestly replied, "I know you drove us out of the Hot Spring Villa because you like Zheng. You wanted to attract his attention, make him personally beg you. But Zheng loves me deeply and is proud and aloof; he won’t stoop to begging you. You felt humiliated, which is why you’ve stayed away all this time, just wanting to see us struggle miserably. Secretly, you’ve been keeping an eye on us. Once you saw me earn money and buy a house, you panicked. You’re afraid of losing Zheng completely, so that’s why you suddenly came back." Shen Yinning: "..." She truly wondered how Yin Shanshan’s mind functioned. Yin Shanshan pressed on solemnly, "I wasn’t wrong in my analysis, was I?" Shen Yinning smiled and applauded, "Spot on! Your observation is so sharp and detailed; you are practically Bao Qingtian reborn! With such talent, why are you still lingering in the backyard? You should go work for the Ministry of Justice or the Ministry of Justice Evaluator and investigate cases!" Yin Shanshan beamed with pride. What Shen Yinning suggested was an idea she had already toyed with. She had read countless novels where the female lead traveled back in time, became a forensic doctor, and solved cases alongside the male lead, eventually rising to the rank of a First-Class Imperial Decree woman or even a Princess. She had initially planned to follow such a path but ultimately realized she lacked the skills for forensics and investigation, so she had to abandon the plot. Clearing her throat, she adopted a righteous tone, "Shen Yinning, though you’re the legitimate wife, I want to tell you that in matters of love, the one not loved is the third party. You know Zheng doesn’t love you, so why do you keep clinging to him? Can’t you show some dignity and withdraw from our love story? You wouldn’t want to become the malicious supporting character who obstructs the main couple’s happy ending, would you?"

Chapter 179 - 177: Shen Shi, You Actually Came Back?!

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