Chapter 54: The Virgin’s Indulgence

Jinfengxiang truly lived up to its reputation, offering many fresh styles that Huaixi had never seen before.

Yin Zhi’s elder brothers had brought ample silver with them on their trip to the capital. The three of them browsed and picked out jewelry for their wives, mother, and sisters.

Turning around, they saw Shen Ti also asking a shop assistant to wrap up two items. The brothers nudged each other and exchanged knowing glances.

After another afternoon of sightseeing, they all had dinner together. Shen Ti walked them back to their residence before parting ways.

“That boy bought two pieces.”
“Surely one of them is for Shi-niang?”
“With Shi-niang’s beauty, she wouldn’t be neglected.”
“True.”

In a woman’s heart, the inner chambers are their entire world—sister-in-law rivalries, the battles of wives and concubines, this is life.

To a man, the inner residence is just a courtyard behind the decorated archway, a place where a few women are kept, and where he returns at night to rest.

Everyone in the Yin family knew why Shen Ti chose a daughter of the Yin family over a noblewoman from the capital.

The women might have felt both envy and empathy, but the men never thought it was anything significant.

A concubine—so what?

They all felt that Yin Shi was incredibly lucky, as if fate had played a hand—delayed three years, and yet became the wife of a jinshi (successful candidate in the imperial exam), entering marriage already as a seventh-rank official’s lady.

Compared to such astounding good fortune, what did it matter that Shen Ti had a favored concubine?

Especially since Yin Shi was so beautiful. In a man’s eyes, doting on a favored concubine and loving a beautiful wife were not mutually exclusive—they could exist in perfect harmony.

Only women thought the two could not coexist.

That once-wealthy fallen noble girl might have been wonderful, but with Yin Shi’s beauty? Unless Shen Ti were blind, he wouldn’t cling to just one concubine and neglect Yin Shi.

Shouldn’t he enjoy the blessings of both?

Weren’t all the men of the Yin family like this?

By the time Shen Ti returned home, night had already fallen.

He went first to the bridal chamber—this was his main residence.

Sure enough, inside, Yin Shi was sitting by the table in just her inner garments, hair loosely tied, looking very relaxed and at ease.

Shen Ti had grown completely accustomed to how she dressed.

Even without consummation, they were husband and wife in name.
No, in truth, they were husband and wife.

Because in Shen Ti’s mind, once married—be it for real or not—it was for life.

If they were to spend a lifetime together, then they should live it freely and comfortably.

Seeing him return, Yin Shi smiled and greeted him, “You’re back.”

She continued shelling nuts, not bothering to stand.

Being a sister was great—a wife had to rise to greet her husband, but a sister didn’t need to budge for her younger brother.

Sure enough, Shen Ti didn’t mind at all.

In fact, seeing her so at ease gave him comfort.

Last night, Shen Ti became a man.

Of course, he’d known the theory before—as all literate men did. Whether top scholar, second, or third, every man had read bedside books.

Usually, men mastered the theory long before the practice.

Shen Ti had always thought he understood—but only last night did he truly experience its pleasures.

Theory and practice were worlds apart. Only after crossing that chasm did he realize how marvelous and intoxicating the experience was.

Now he truly knew what it meant to find joy in intimacy.

He had married Yin Shi only because of Feng Luoyi. But Yin Shi had agreed to a marriage in name only, meaning she would forgo this significant and beautiful part of life.

Worse still, having never experienced it, she might never even know what she was missing.

Of course, Shen Ti couldn’t just blurt out, “This is wonderful—you’re missing out if you don’t try.”

How could that even be said?

But keeping silent felt like taking advantage of her ignorance—like he was deceiving or bullying her.

So seeing her so relaxed in the inner room made him quietly exhale a breath of relief.

Wasn’t this the life Yin Shi had wanted all along? A marriage without a wicked mother-in-law, or an awful husband.

He had given her that. Watching the smile in her eyes, seeing her so comfortable and at ease, the guilt in his heart eased a little.

His conscience felt just slightly better.

“Have you eaten?” Yin Shi asked.
“I have,” Shen Ti said, walking over and placing a flat box on the table before her. “This is for you.”

“Oh?” Yin Shi brushed the crumbs from her fingers. “What is it?”

“I passed by Jinfengxiang today with my cousins. They were picking out new hairpins and rings for their wives. I browsed along and picked something for you.”

He spoke casually, walking over to the screen. Luyian and Hexin approached to help him untie his sash and remove his outer garments.

Watching a handsome man undress, Yin Shi slowed her applause.

When Shen Ti turned, she turned away too and said to Kui’er, “I can’t get my hands clean—bring me a towel.”

By the time she turned back, Shen Ti had entered the bathing room.

Luyian followed him, Hexin took the clothes out. Kui’er handed her a towel.

Once her hands were clean, Yin Shi lifted the lid of the box. Inside, silk padding lay wrapped around something. She unfolded the silk—Kui’er gasped.

A bracelet of red-gold and pearls—red-gold band, surrounded by a circle of glowing pearls, shimmering under candlelight.

Beautiful, charming, luxurious—and clearly, valuable.

Her private stash had grown. Yin Shi was delighted.

So young, yet he already knew to buy jewelry for women. Such a brother—truly lovable.

“It’s beautiful,” Kui’er praised.

Not that Kui’er was shallow—Yin Shi’s dowry had plenty of grand jewelry too. But what she had worn before marriage leaned toward girlish, light, and casual styles.

This bracelet, however, looked expensive and suitable for formal occasions.

More importantly, it was the first piece of jewelry her husband had given her after their wedding—of course Kui’er had to praise it.

Especially since just this morning, the young master had officially taken a concubine.

Yin Shi thought of that too.

Was this because of that?

They were only pretending to be husband and wife—could Shen Ti really feel guilty enough to buy her gifts because of that?

Men’s thoughts were just too amusing.

Ah well, no point overthinking—it was she who benefited anyway.

Yin Shi slipped the bracelet on and admired it. Under candlelight, the pearls and gold shimmered regally.

Being a married lady in an official household was different—she now needed jewelry that reflected her status.

Hexin returned, followed by a maid carrying a large wooden bucket filled with steaming water.

Shen Ti was about to bathe.

Yin Shi reached to take off the bracelet and have Kui’er store it, but then paused.

Receiving an expensive gift deserved a little emotional feedback.

She would wait.

Shen Ti came out with his hair loose.

His features were so striking they almost appeared androgynous at first glance, but up close, he was clearly a very handsome young man.

With half-dry hair and a robe draped over his shoulders, he sat on the chaise lounge. “What are you smiling at?”

“Oh, was I?” Yin Shi rubbed her face and reached out. “Of course I’m happy—I got a present!”

The other maids went to clean the bathroom while Luyian and Hexin brought a brazier over to dry his hair.

Shen Ti stared at her hand—delicate wrist, snowy fingers, a faint fragrance drifting from her sleeve.

He was used to her scent by now… so why did it feel new again?

Yin Shi wiggled her hand. “Does it look good?”

“It does,” Shen Ti replied. “Jinfengxiang is known for its craftsmanship. Among the capital’s four major gold shops, it’s the best.”

He looked away.

Huh?

Yin Shi pretended not to notice and kept the cheerful tone. “I’d only ever heard of it before. When Auntie returned home that year, she brought Jinfengxiang hairpins for the family’s women. After I came down the mountain, my sisters said our mother had loved that one the most. That’s when I first learned about Jinfengxiang. Seeing it today, it really is something Huaixi can’t compare with. I love it.”

Men’s psychology was basically like a child’s—praise them, flatter them, and it worked.

As expected, Shen Ti smiled with pleasure. “I’m glad you like it.”

Yin Shi smiled, shook her wrist. “This can’t be a one-time thing. I want more.”

Her gaze was sly and calculated—openly so.

Shen Ti couldn’t help it—he burst out laughing.

Luyian and Hexin exchanged surprised glances.

“Of course,” he said, “we’re husband and wife for life. Naturally, there’ll be more. Father gives Mother two new sets every year—I’ll do the same for you.”

This was the life Yin Shi wanted: good communication, no drama, money, a house, and a man who knew how to spend on her.

She was in an excellent mood.

“I’ll be waiting,” she said.

If not for the hair drying, Shen Ti might have shaken his head with a smile.

Yin Shi turned to take off the bracelet and put it in her jewelry box. She turned back to remind him, “Make sure your hair’s fully dry before you go. It’s chilly at night—don’t catch cold on the way.”

Shen Ti’s smile faded. “Go where?”

Yin Shi looked surprised in the mirror. “Aren’t you going to Madam Feng’s place?”

Shen Ti waved his hand—Luyian and Hexin withdrew, closing the door behind them.

Now, only the two of them were left.

Shen Ti continued drying his hair. “Not going today.”

How odd.

Young lovers, finally intimate—it should be the height of their passion, wanting to stick together every moment.

Especially this pair of star-crossed lovers who had to first overcome the trial of Yin Shi to finally be together.

Yin Shi had thought that now they had consummated their relationship, Shen Ti would move in openly, leaving her to enjoy the big house and bed alone.

What was going on with him?

She thought of something, opened her mouth, then looked in the mirror. Shen Ti was slightly turned, his robe slipping off one shoulder, his inner garments white as snow, making his face look even more striking.

She swallowed her words.

Shen Ti lowered his gaze, then lifted it—Yin Shi sat before her vanity, combing her hair.

He thought for a moment, then opened his mouth to speak—

“I’ll help you,” she said, getting up to help spread his hair over the brazier.

Whatever he was going to say, he swallowed it.

After his hair dried, the maids came in to clean up, cover the lamps, and draw the curtains. They went to bed.

Same bed, same curtain, same people—but somehow, tonight felt different.

Shen Ti lay closer to the outer edge.

The scent of Yin Shi filled the air.

He had gotten used to her being "his sister"—but tonight, it was suddenly clear again: she was a woman.

She must have noticed it too. Otherwise, why would she lie so far on her side? They were separated by a whole battlefield.

In the darkness, Shen Ti stared with open eyes, listening to Yin Shi toss and turn like a fish on a frying pan.

Can fake husband and wife really work?

Suddenly, there was a sound—she sat up.

Shen Ti turned and could barely make out her outline. Yin Shi had indeed sat up.

“Shen Ti,” she called softly.

She didn’t use his courtesy name. That was formal, distant. True closeness meant using one’s given name—like when your mother scolded you using your full name.

“Shen Ti,” Yin Shi tried gently, “you and Miss Feng… did things not go well yesterday?”

“I mean, um, in bed.”

Oh dear.

How could young men, just awakened to intimacy, not be addicted to it? How could they have consummated one day and neglected each other the next?

Yin Shi thought and thought, and could only conclude one thing—

The virgin boy fumbled his first time, lost confidence, was traumatized… and now he’s avoiding her!