Chapter 19 He Was Once Deceived by Shen Yinning in His Youth

Words : 1512 Updated : Sep 10th, 2025

Chapter 19: Chapter 19 He Was Once Deceived by Shen Yinning in His Youth Haitang happened to come in with some hot tea. She exchanged a glance with Shen Yinning and continued, "Your Highness, perhaps you don’t know, but ever since Madam drank the Abortion Soup prepared by Zhang Mama, her health has been much frailer than before. The physician says it has damaged her foundation, making it not only difficult for her to conceive again in the future but possibly affecting her lifespan as well. Although Zhang Mama is the Chief Maid, this act of hers was truly out of line—far too vicious." After she finished speaking, Shen Yinning scolded, "How tactless you are! Don’t bring such talk before His Highness, lest it damages his relationship with Her Highness!" "This servant is only upset on your behalf!" Shen Yinning, with reddened eyes, leaned against Lu Ying: "Your humble wife doesn’t understand what grievance she caused Zhang Mama for her to deal such a cruel hand to me. I admit I am somewhat spoiled at times, but isn’t that because you’ve indulged me, Your Highness? What does it have to do with her? It’s said that many sisters in the Eastern Palace have died mysteriously. Her Highness, the Crown Princess Consort, has always been gentle and virtuous; surely it must have been Zhang Mama’s instigation. Your Highness, this malicious old woman cannot remain!" Lu Ying knew Shen Yinning and Haitang were performing a double act. This little vixen held a grudge against Zhang Mama for forcing her to drink the Abortion Soup, and now she was trying to make Zhang Mama pay for it. He said, "You want to borrow my knife to kill someone?" Shen Yinning’s scheme being uncovered, she pouted and said coquettishly, "How could that be?! Your humble wife highly respects Zhang Mama and wouldn’t dare. I was just venting a little frustration—is there any harm in that?" Lu Ying thought to himself that this woman shifted moods as if performing in a play—there wasn’t a single word of hers he could trust. He pinched her in punishment, "Zhang Cuichun is the Crown Princess Consort’s accompanying maid and represents her dignity. Forcing you to drink the Abortion Soup was for the sake of the royal lineage." Shen Yinning whimpered in discomfort, wrapping her arms around his neck: "Your Highness, I wasn’t planning to do anything to her. I hold nothing but respect for the Crown Princess Consort and her family." Nothing she said was believable to Lu Ying. All he knew was that Shen Yinning was the most beautiful woman under heaven—and also the most deceptive. Back when she was younger and not as docile as she appeared now, she had tricked him mercilessly. Unwilling to continue twisting words with her, he reached out to unfasten the clasp on her attire. Like a proud and spirited little beast, Shen Yinning raised her captivating phoenix eyes, teasing, "Your Highness wants to test out the scenes from the storybook with your humble wife?" Lu Ying flipped to another page in the storybook: "I’d rather try this one with you." Following his gesture, Shen Yinning glanced over and visibly paled. The stars shimmered like a woven tapestry, and the spring waters rippled gently. Lu Ying didn’t leave her side until dawn. Shen Yinning slept until twilight, finally awakened by distant commotion. Propping herself up, she adjusted the silk quilt that had slipped down and asked hoarsely, "What’s all the noise outside?" Haitang drew back the bed curtains, blushing as she helped Shen Yinning freshen up and dress: "Isn’t it just about Concubine Yin? It’s said that she wrote a book, and it’s selling remarkably well. The publishing house sent over the royalties today—thirty thousand taels of silver in total. Not only was Old Madam Gao dumbstruck, even Master Gao was rendered speechless. Concubine Yin treated the family to a lavish feast with abalone and sea cucumber, bought a pile of hairpins and jewelry for Old Madam Gao, and is now extravagantly rewarding all the servants in the house. But of course, Concubine Yin is petty as always and deliberately excluded the people in our courtyard, saying Madam should use her own money for rewards." Haitang, Wei Yu, and the other maids and mamas serving Shen Yinning were all under the direct employ of the Crown Prince. Their monthly silver and bonuses likewise came from him. Having seen grander things, none of them paid any heed to Yin Shanshan’s petty displays of largesse. When the holidays came around, even the smallest scraps of generosity from the Crown Prince’s hand easily eclipsed all of Yin Shanshan’s rewards combined. Wei Yu brought in some pastries and chimed in, "This servant thinks that Yin Shanshan is just a small-minded opportunist! She’s made a little money, and now she’s eager to show off to the world. She’s brought in tailors to measure her for summer clothes and is making a grand show about hiring tutors for her sons. Anyone who didn’t know better would think she’s the true mistress of the household!" Shen Yinning sipped her tea indifferently: "Now that the old madam’s had a taste of the benefits, she’ll surely start elevating Yin Shanshan." Speak of the devil. A mama from Madam Gao’s side arrived, saying that the old madam had invited Shen Yinning to the Flower Hall for a discussion. When Shen Yinning arrived, Madam Gao’s head was adorned with glittering gold and jade, all of it newly acquired that day. She played with the golden bracelet on her wrist, unable to conceal her delight. "Our Shanshan truly has a knack—earning tens of thousands of taels of silver while just sitting home! Incredible!" "Mother, it’s only a few tens of thousands of silver—it’s nothing," Yin Shanshan said confidently. "My truly impressive talents are yet to come. You and Zhenglang just wait and see!" Shen Yinning smiled faintly as she took her seat: "I hear Sister has made quite the fortune?" Madam Gao snorted derisively, "That’s right! Unlike some people who only know how to eat! I called you here today to tell you that Zheng and I have decided to elevate Shanshan as the secondary wife. You’ll have to agree, whether you like it or not!" Shen Yinning glanced at Gao Zheng. Gao Zheng avoided her gaze, lowering his head guiltily. He hadn’t expected Yin Shanshan to be so competent at making money. When he thought about it, Yin Shanshan had spent the past three years managing the household and running the accounts. She had borne him two sons and now brought in such wealth, while Shen Yinning, though stunningly beautiful, remained an untouchable dream—like the moon in water or a flower in a mirror. Elevating Yin Shanshan to secondary wife was, after all, only logical. He couldn’t possibly throw away his practical life for the ephemeral dream that was Shen Yinning, could he? Shen Yinning chuckled softly. She didn’t care for Gao Zheng; what did it matter to her who he made his secondary wife? She said, "Why wouldn’t I agree? It’s your family’s decision to make. By the way, what’s the title of Sister’s book? Why don’t you let me read it so I can learn from it?" Yin Shanshan looked slightly uneasy. This book of hers had been written under Shen Yinning’s guidance. She had assumed that in ancient times, the government wouldn’t have strict regulations about book content, so she had written it freely. It was extremely audacious and provocative, vividly describing intimate details between men and women, with all sorts of terms explicitly spelled out. The publisher had even hired an artist to illustrate it with detailed images. Such a book might be fine for private enjoyment, but to display it publicly was undoubtedly embarrassing. While she pondered how to decline Shen Yinning’s request, Gao Zheng chimed in with a laugh, "Indeed, Shanshan, I haven’t seen the book either. How about giving me a few copies? I’ll share them with my colleagues to enlighten them." Yin Shanshan’s cheeks burned. Share such a book with his colleagues?! Sёarch* The Nôvel(F)ire.nёt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. She’d be laughed out of existence! Blushing furiously, she said, "Zhenglang, this book is meant for women in the inner quarters as idle entertainment. It’s not suitable for someone as grand and mighty as yourself." The old madam said kindly, "Does that mean I can read it? Shanshan, I never thought our Gao family would have such a talented literary woman! I’m thinking of hosting a banquet at home, inviting the wives of officials, and hiring storytellers to recite your book aloud to them. It will bring great honor to our Gao family. What do you think?" Yin Shanshan thought it was far from a good idea. Were these official wives supposed to hear about how the Crown Prince forcibly took and loved a wife in her story? Or about how the Crown Prince could last all night, unmatched in vigor? How mortifying!

Chapter 19 He Was Once Deceived by Shen Yinning in His Youth

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