Chapter 290 - 288: He Wants to Become True Husband and Wife with Shen Yinning

Words : 1525 Updated : Oct 1st, 2025

A strange and absurd name, Shen Yinning had encountered it once at a restaurant owned by Yin Shanshan. She guessed this clothing shop was also owned by Yin Shanshan. Indeed, after two strings of firecrackers were set off, Yin Shanshan joyfully stepped out of the shop, enthusiastically inviting customers to patronize the place. Shen Yinning wasn’t interested in her business ventures and went off with Lu Jiazhe and Wen Liluo to have a meal. After lunch, they returned to the Gao family residence on Ouhua Lane. Gao Zheng was on leave today, seemingly intent on blocking her, as he was waiting at the door of the small courtyard where she resided. When Gao Zheng saw her, a flicker of amazement flashed through his eyes, but his expression quickly darkened as he scolded her: "You’ve been back for two whole days and haven’t even come to the main courtyard to greet me. This is completely unacceptable. Anyone who didn’t know better would think you’ve never regarded me as your husband." Shen Yinning stepped through the courtyard gate. "I never have regarded you as my husband." "You—" Gao Zheng trailed behind her closely, so infuriated by her words that he choked on air. Catching sight of her swaying, graceful figure, he forced himself to suppress his anger. "I heard you’ve been staying at Xiaokan Temple for the past two months, dining on vegetarian meals and chanting prayers? Let me tell you, as the main wife, you should spend more time and energy managing this household instead of running off all the time. My colleagues, not knowing the truth, even asked if I favor concubines over my wife and drove you away. Do you understand how hard that makes it for me to maintain my standing in officialdom?" Shen Yinning, already annoyed, turned to glare at him. "Have you forgotten our sham marriage? Did I owe you any courtesy to begin with?" The vibrant beauty of the young woman dazzled Gao Zheng’s eyes. His colleagues often teased him, saying he had married the most beautiful woman in the Capital, envying him for his good fortune. But only he knew the truth—after years of marriage, he hadn’t even touched so much as a finger of hers. He felt a pang of frustration in his heart, clenching his fists before blurting out, "I know you look down on me. To you, following the Crown Prince is like a sparrow soaring up to the high branches. Of course, you wouldn’t think highly of me. But I hope you understand—he already has wives and concubines. To him, you’re just a passing amusement. The Gao family, on the other hand, is your long-term support for the rest of your life!" "Shen Yinning, you always feel I’m not good enough for you. But during the two months you’ve been gone, I managed to climb to the position of Minister of the Ministry of Justice through my own efforts. Go check the Capital’s records—aside from Cui Ji, who else in decades has made it to this position at my age? Marrying me, you’ve hardly been wronged. I haven’t even held you accountable for using Prince Zhuang to harm me. Could you not at least restrain yourself and try to maintain a proper household with me?" What he truly wanted was to be a real husband and wife with Shen Yinning. He wanted her to bear his children, manage his household, and be filial to his mother. Even though she had been involved with another man, he was willing to forgive it, for the sake of their marital bond. He thought he was already being extraordinarily generous—any other woman would have been weeping tears of gratitude by now. Shen Yinning toyed with the gilt folding fan in her hand. The sunlight filtered through peach blossom branches, casting fragmented shadows across her tender, radiant face. Against the dappled light, her striking features carried a hint of sharpness. She spoke coldly, "Even if I had no association with the Crown Prince, I still wouldn’t consider being your wife. Gao Zheng, you’re nothing more than a stepping stone for my return to the Capital. As a tool, you should have the awareness of one. Stop acting as though partnering with you has somehow benefited me. We’re not children; we both know exactly what’s on the table. If you keep prattling on, I might just start considering divorcing you and finding another stepping stone." Her words carried no intention of compromise or tactical maneuvering with Gao Zheng. Instead, there was an implicit readiness to overturn the board entirely. Gao Zheng’s face turned red with anger. "Fine! Since you’re so heartless, I won’t bother saving you any face. Tomorrow, I’ll elevate Yin Shanshan to equal wife status!" "As you wish." "Shen Yinning!" Gao Zheng roared with frustration. "Let’s see if you can keep up that nonchalant attitude at tomorrow’s wedding feast!" "Of course." Gao Zheng, chest tight with fury, could only watch helplessly as she ascended the steps and entered the house. That night. Wei Yu came in holding an invitation. "Madam, Gao Zheng ordered the steward to purchase large quantities of red lanterns, red silk, and other celebratory items throughout the household. He also sent invitations to his colleagues, saying he would elevate Concubine Yin to equal wife status tomorrow and invited them to the mansion to celebrate! Oh, and he even sent an invitation to you, almost as if to provoke you. Old Madam Gao is overjoyed, praising Concubine Yin everywhere and saying that without you, this family would finally know true happiness!" Shen Yinning tucked the property deeds for Shen Garden into the jewelry box. "Let them be." Her stay in the Gao household was merely to use the title of the Gao family’s young madam to cover up her affair with Lu Ying. She locked the copper clasp on the jewelry box. The Gao family was riddled with troubles, and neither Gao Zheng nor Yin Shanshan could ever stop stirring up drama. Perhaps it was time for her to consider adopting a new identity. The next morning, Shen Yinning was still lying in bed when she began hearing the sounds of firecrackers and lively commotion from next door. Haitang assisted her with washing up and grooming, while Wei Yu chattered away like spilled beans. "Gao Zheng’s promotion to Minister of the Ministry of Justice has earned him plenty of respect. Quite a few officials brought their whole families to attend the feast. The front courtyard is bustling now. I sneaked a peek, and while the guests aren’t talking much about Concubine Yin, they’re all whispering about you instead." "About me? What are they saying?" "Some are mocking you for falling from grace, ridiculing how you’re all looks and can’t even compete with a concubine. Some men even dared to gossip crudely about you. But there are also many who pity you, saying Gao Zheng isn’t worthy of you." Seated before the dressing table, Shen Yinning let out a faint chuckle. A woman born into a noble family with great beauty would inevitably draw attention, and an endless series of rumors would follow. Fortunately, she was long accustomed to it. The malicious words of irrelevant people could never make her feel sorrow or despair. Since she had nothing else to do today, she leisurely affixed two jade-inlaid phoenix hairpins into her hair and stood up. "Let’s go. Let’s join the excitement." When she arrived, Gao Zheng and Yin Shanshan were making the rounds, toasting the guests. By tradition, Yin Shanshan was supposed to be sitting in the bridal chamber with her red veil on. However, she insisted such customs were outdated, feudal nonsense. She demanded to appear in person before the guests, so the ceremony was altered into a round of table-to-table toasts by her and Gao Zheng. Though both Gao Zheng and his mother felt thoroughly disgruntled, they endured it to give Shen Yinning a distinct slap in the face, and also because Yin Shanshan was quite a money-maker. The moment Shen Yinning appeared, the atmosphere in the courtyard shifted. Gao Yun sneered disdainfully, "What are you doing here?" The guests exchanged glances. Even the younger sister-in-law dared to loudly berate her. It went to show how little standing Shen Yinning had in the Gao family. And yet, Shen Yinning had recently fallen into the Empress Dowager’s favor and was famously beautiful. Why wouldn’t Gao Zheng appreciate her? Was Gao Zheng blind? "I’ve come to congratulate Sister Shan on being elevated to equal wife." Shen Yinning poured herself a cup of wine. "What, not happy to see me?" Yin Shanshan looked wary as she said delicately, "I know you’re feeling upset, sister. But today is my happy day with Lord Zheng. As a fellow woman, you should understand how important this day is. No matter how hurt you may be, you should bear it. I am a woman who has received modern education. I don’t wish for us to engage in petty rivalry. I just want to tell you—only the unloved one is the third party. Please, leave us and stop disrupting Lord Zheng and me."

Chapter 290 - 288: He Wants to Become True Husband and Wife with Shen Yinning

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