Chapter 36 Who Gave You These Cherries

Words : 1320 Updated : Sep 10th, 2025

Chapter 36: Chapter 36 Who Gave You These CherriesShen Yunxi sneered at him disdainfully: "You are Yin Shanshan’s husband? Do you know you’re practically a cuckold already? That shameless wench Yin Shanshan dared to seduce the Crown Prince! I’m taking her away now. Don’t worry, I won’t kill her—just make her wish she were dead!" Gao Zheng knelt on one knee, holding Yin Shanshan in his arms in distress. "Your Highness, Shanshan doesn’t even know the Crown Prince. How could she possibly seduce him? You’ve misunderstood!" "Seems Lord Gao is still in the dark," Shen Yunxi sneered coldly, "which only proves how vile this wench truly is. Rest assured, Lord Gao, I’ll help you vent your anger as well. Someone, take this wretch Yin Shanshan away!" Just as two matrons were about to step forward, Matron Zhang suddenly interjected, "Hold on." Shen Yunxi looked furious. "Matron Zhang?!" Matron Zhang pointed at Yin Shanshan and said softly, "This woman is plain-looking and of low status, while the Crown Prince possesses unparalleled grace and nobility. It’s unlikely he’d be charmed by someone like her. I suspect there’s more to this than meets the eye." Upon hearing this, Shen Yunxi furrowed her brows tightly. "Matron, are you suggesting that Yin Shanshan isn’t the seductress?" Matron Zhang fixed her gaze on Yin Shanshan and sternly questioned, "Wretched servant, where did the cherries in your shop come from?!" Yin Shanshan curled up in Gao Zheng’s embrace. Her face was covered in blood, but her mind was still clear as her body trembled uncontrollably. She couldn’t understand what was happening. How did she become the wretch accused of seducing the Crown Prince? She had never even secretly met the Crown Prince. These ancient aristocrats were truly detestable, abusing their power to beat people in public and ruining her business! One day, if she could rise to prominence like the time-traveling heroines in novels, she would ensure Shen Yunxi paid for today’s atrocities! But for now, she didn’t dare to voice her resentment, and in a trembling voice, she said, "These cherries were—" Just as she was about to explain that the cherries were picked up from Shen Yinning, the sound of horse hooves suddenly echoed from a distance. A unit of Imperial Guards appeared, and the crowd parted to make way. Lu Ying, riding a tall black steed, entered the scene. With his hair tied back by a golden hairpin and his robes billowing, he seemed almost celestial under the blazing sun. He cast a cold glance at the chaos on the street. "Those cherries," he said, "were personally given by me upon hearing that Gao Zheng’s concubine was opening a chilled drinks shop. Must even this be meddled with, Crown Princess Consort?" Everyone was stunned. Yin Shanshan stared blankly, mouth agape. These cherries were clearly ones she had picked up from Shen Yinning. How did they turn into a gift from the Crown Prince? Could it be... Suddenly, an idea struck her. The Crown Prince would never lie over such a trivial matter. Perhaps these cherries truly were a gift for her and her husband to start their business, but since Shen Yinning was the legitimate mistress of the Gao Family, the palace servants must have mistakenly brought the cherries to Shen Yinning’s courtyard. That vile Shen Yinning! Over the years, she had always been jealous of her. Seeing the Crown Prince favor her with cherries must’ve enraged Shen Yinning, causing her to secretly order the cherries to be discarded! Believing she understood the truth, Yin Shanshan immediately began wailing, "This humble servant thanks the Crown Prince for proving my innocence! Boohoo! I’ve been beaten so unjustly!" She sobbed hysterically, her bloodied face grotesquely complementing her pitiful cries, unnerving to behold. Shen Yunxi’s hand gripping the folding fan turned pale. So Yin Shanshan was innocent after all. These cherries were indeed a gift from the Crown Prince, meant for her and Gao Zheng’s business... Of course. Someone like Yin Shanshan, in comparison to even the lowest of concubines in the Eastern Palace, was utterly unworthy. How could the Crown Prince have an affair with her? She had made a terrible mistake! Awkwardly, she rose and stammered, "Your Highness, this concubine didn’t do it on purpose. I was momentarily blinded by ignorance and misled by Matron Zhang, which led to my harsh actions toward Yin Shanshan..." Lu Ying’s expression was devoid of any warmth. "You’ve just returned to the capital after reflecting on your misdeeds at Shengguo Temple, and yet you’ve stirred up trouble again. What, have the censors not impeached you enough times?" Shen Yunxi knelt tearfully. "Your Highness, I didn’t mean to! I only... I only cannot bear to see such wretches attempting to seduce Your Highness. I feared they might sully your reputation!" Sёarᴄh the Novёlƒire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Enough," Lu Ying interrupted sternly. "Return to the palace immediately and reflect in solitude!" Shen Yunxi wept miserably. She had just endured a period of penance at Shengguo Temple and finally returned to the capital, only to be ordered to reflect in solitude again! To have caused such a ruckus, yet still fail to capture the seductress—what karmic misdeeds was she paying for? But she dared not defy Lu Ying. She could only sob and offer thanks, staggering as Lianxin helped her onto the sedan chair. After she left, Gao Zheng lowered himself to the ground, still shielding Yin Shanshan, and said, "This humble servant thanks Your Highness for resolving the matter." Lu Ying toyed with the Moyu Ring on his finger. This incident had much to do with himself and Shen Yinning, and Gao Zheng and Yin Shanshan were simply caught in the crossfire. He said, "I will compensate for today’s losses twofold." Overjoyed, Gao Zheng quickly replied, "Your Highness is too kind. How could I possibly accept such generosity?" Lu Ying glanced at Yin Shanshan. Her face was bruised, her body bloodied—a thoroughly pitiful sight. He knew those cherries were picked up from Shen Yinning’s place. This unfortunate concubine of the Gao Family had unwittingly brought this trouble upon herself. Of all things to take, why choose something from Shen Yinning? Shen Yinning was like a venomous flower snake, and everything associated with her was toxic. No one should carelessly interfere. With a hint of guilt, Lu Ying said, "The Crown Princess Consort was in the wrong today. I’ll order the palace’s Imperial Physician to personally treat you until you recover." He then bestowed an abundance of fine silks and jewelry upon her. Yin Shanshan was carried back to the Gao Household on a stretcher. At dusk, Shen Yinning stepped out, fanning herself leisurely, and saw Yin Shanshan beaten and bloodied, a truly sorry sight! Yet, lying on the stretcher, she seemed almost delighted, grinning through her injuries. Madam Gao followed with two children, shedding a few crocodile tears. "What happened?! How did you go out to do business and come back like this?!" In a few words, Gao Zheng explained the situation, and Madam Gao finally sighed in relief. "Amitabha, so it was all a misunderstanding!" Yin Shanshan gloated, "Mother, the Crown Prince not only sent an Imperial Physician to treat me, but also gave me many beautiful silks and treasures! It must be because of my brother’s influence with him!" "Indeed, it’s all thanks to your brother!" Madam Gao said proudly. "We should invite the Crown Prince to dine at our house sometime!" "The Crown Prince is too busy to visit our humble home. But speaking of which, we have another account to settle." Yin Shanshan turned to Shen Yinning with a glare. "Elder Sister, those cherries were meant for me and Zhenglang, yet you claimed them all for yourself and even tried to discard them! Were you jealous that the Crown Prince favors me?!"

Chapter 36 Who Gave You These Cherries

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