Chapter 32: Marrying Him is Shen Yinning Marrying Above Her Station

Words : 1463 Updated : Sep 10th, 2025

Chapter 32: Chapter 32: Marrying Him is Shen Yinning Marrying Above Her StationThe candlelight flickered faintly, casting its glow on the beauty lying on the Imperial Concubine Couch, like a lotus flower battered and bruised by wind and rain. Her eyes were weakly closed, long lashes drooping like the wings of a butterfly on the verge of falling. Searᴄh the nôᴠel Fire.nёt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. She seemed to have fainted. Driven by some inexplicable force, Gao Zheng quietly stepped closer. His gaze drifted downward along the thin quilt, landing on Shen Yinning’s leg, which hung limply over the edge of the Imperial Concubine Couch. Graceful, with a perfect balance between bone and flesh, her skin was soft and luminous like white jade. Around her slender ankle was a delicately crafted golden bell anklet. Gao Zheng’s breathing grew a little heavier. Earlier, amidst that long, blush-inducing series of sounds, he had distinctly heard the faint chime of a bell—it must have come from the anklet on Shen Yinning’s foot. His chest heaved like a rooster ready to crow, and as if unable to help himself, he took two more steps toward Shen Yinning. He thought, though it was summer, the nights were still a bit chilly. As Shen Yinning’s husband, it was his duty to take care of her. He couldn’t let her just lie here exposed. Perhaps he should pull the thin quilt back over her. Or perhaps, he should carry her back to the bedroom. Surely, this was not taking advantage of her—it was the honorable thing to do. Gao Zheng’s thoughts raced tumultuously, his chest roiling with waves of emotion. His Adam’s apple bobbed up and down, and his gaze at Shen Yinning shifted several times. Only when the call of a partridge came from outside the window did he snap back to his senses. His heart thundered in his chest as he, full of excitement, reached a hand toward Shen Yinning— At that very moment, the beauty on the couch suddenly opened her eyes. "Master Gao?" Though her body was weak and fatigued, her phoenix eyes still carried a lingering haziness tinged with flush, yet her voice was icy cold. It was as if she was warning Gao Zheng not to act improperly. Gao Zheng awkwardly withdrew his hand. "Miss Shen, I was... I was just..." "What are you doing here?!" A sharp reprimand suddenly rang out, startling Gao Zheng so much that his knees nearly buckled under him. He quickly looked toward the source of the voice. Haitang stood by the screen, holding a set of nightclothes, her brows furrowed in displeasure. "Master Gao, it’s late. My lady needs to rest. If you’ve nothing else, please return to your quarters!" Beads of cold sweat dotted Gao Zheng’s forehead. He coughed twice. "Of course... Of course! I was just... I was merely trying to pull a blanket over Miss Shen... Yes, to cover her up! It’s chilly tonight. You maids should be taking better care of Miss Shen!" Under Haitang’s scrutinizing gaze, he fled the scene in embarrassment. It wasn’t until he had left Shen Yinning’s courtyard that he let out a long breath of relief. His face was pale with lingering fear as he glanced back at the brightly lit boudoir. Thank goodness he hadn’t had the chance to do anything, or else Shen Yinning would surely report him to the Crown Prince. By then, he would have no hope of getting out unscathed. Feeling frustrated, he walked along the gravel path toward Yin Shanshan’s residence. In his mind, images alternated between the intertwined silhouettes of Shen Yinning and Lu Ying behind the screen, and Shen Yinning’s posture as she lay on the Imperial Concubine Couch. His eyes were bloodshot, and he swallowed hard, staving off the unfulfilled desire that burned within him. To think, Shen Yinning’s cries in bed could be so debased and wanton. It was entirely unlike the haughty demeanor she showed in front of him during the day. In truth, when one thought about it, her once-glorious standing meant little now. After all, wasn’t she just the daughter of a disgraced official? Marrying into his respected, scholarly family was already a step up for her. If anything, she should be grateful he hadn’t despised her. Who did she think she was to keep up her airs? Suddenly, Gao Zheng felt that Shen Yinning ought to serve him as she served Lu Ying. He spat on the ground and made his way straight to Yin Shanshan’s bedroom. The moon was already high in the sky. Meanwhile, within Shengguo Temple, Shen Yunxi was tossing and turning, unable to sleep. Draping a cloak over her shoulders, she went for a walk in the Zen Temple garden, venting her frustration by plucking pomegranate blossoms from their stems. "The Crown Prince banished me to this desolate place, while he enjoys himself freely in the Capital! He hasn’t even given me an explanation about those cherries. He must’ve sent them to that vixen!" Granny Zhang’s face darkened. "This old servant once thought that as long as the woman outside the palace couldn’t bear a son, she wouldn’t pose a threat to your Highness’s position. But who would’ve thought she’d manage to use the Crown Prince to humiliate you at the Cherry Banquet? This woman cannot be left alive!" "All you ever do is talk big with no action!" Shen Yunxi glared at her resentfully. "We don’t even know who that vixen is—how are we supposed to get rid of her?!" "That’s simple," Granny Zhang sneered. "Just send people into the city to investigate who has been stockpiling cherries in large quantities. Then you’ll know who the vixen is." Shen Yunxi’s eyes lit up. Of course! She could track the vixen down through the cherries! She immediately ordered, "Quick, send someone to investigate! Once I find her, I’ll personally skin her alive. Let’s see how she dares seduce the Crown Prince then!" ... Yin Shanshan’s cold beverage shop enjoyed booming business on its opening day. Affordable ice and a variety of flavored drinks attracted a mix of noble young masters and common folk. Among the offerings, cherry juice became the most popular item, thanks to its sweet and tangy taste. Even the daughters of officials who loved cherries came in groups to patronize the shop. In just two days, Yin Shanshan had made a small fortune. Old Madam Gao could not contain her laughter and promptly gathered the entire family for dinner, where she announced plans to elevate Yin Shanshan to the status of equal wife, with the ceremony set for next month. Yin Shanshan was thrilled, serving dishes to Old Madam Gao with a bright smile, fully assuming the air of a household matriarch. Enjoying the attention, Old Madam Gao praised her while shooting a glare at Shen Yinning. "Shanshan truly has talent. Not only is she independently capable of earning money, but her brother was able to assist Zheng’er by currying favor with the Crown Prince. He didn’t just help Zheng’er repay his debts to his colleagues but even gifted our family two thousand taels of patterned silver. It’s thanks to her brother that we overcame our hardship!" Shen Yinning raised an eyebrow. "So, these two thousand taels of silver—are you saying they came from Yin Shanshan’s brother?" Old Madam Gao snapped, "Who else would they have come from? Certainly not you, I’d wager!" Shen Yinning cast a sidelong glance at Gao Zheng. His expression was rife with guilt. That day, he had taken the silver notes from Haitang, only to be cornered by his mother into explaining where he had gotten such a large sum. Fearing reprisal, he hadn’t dared implicate the Crown Prince or Shen Yinning and had hastily claimed the money was a gift from Yin Shanshan’s brother. What harm could another lie do now? Seeing his reaction, Shen Yinning let out a faint sneer, too weary to expose him. Old Madam Gao resumed her lecture. "This time, it’s all thanks to Shanshan that the business is a success. Shen, you ought to learn from her!" "Oh, it’s nothing, really," Yin Shanshan replied modestly, though her expression brimmed with pride. "But speaking of the shop, it’s terribly busy these days, and we’re short on staff. Hiring extra hands would cost money, so I thought perhaps elder sister, who spends her days idle, could lend a hand at the shop? If she could help clean up or something, it would save us a bit on wages, wouldn’t it?" "A splendid idea!" Old Madam Gao was the first to agree, having long been annoyed by Shen Yinning’s idle presence. "Shen, you will start at the shop tomorrow."

Chapter 32: Marrying Him is Shen Yinning Marrying Above Her Station

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