Styled Xiuwen from Wukang, Deqing County, Zhejiang, Shen was a leader in the literary arena of the Qi and Liang dynasties. The Yongming Style was a brainchild of Shen and Xie Tiao, with a stress on rhyme and metre, an activator to convert poetry from ancient to modern. Shen fathered Book of Song and more, with Collection of Shen Yinhou compiled by Ming sources.

Shen spanned royal service throughout the 3 dynasties, Song, Qi, and Liang of the Southern Dynasties, ranked shangshuling (Chief of Imperial Secretariat), and then shaofu (prince tutorship) under Emperor Wudi of the Liang. His deceased father was buried beside the Pujing Temple, west of the Shijing Pond, on west bank of the Wuzhen River. At Qingming Festivals, Shen made it a go-to homecoming tour from Jiankang (now Nanjing) to Wuzhen, for a tomb sweeping ritual, followed by months in mourning. Not bearing to hinder Shen’s filial act while concerned with his son’s studies, Emperor Wudi dictated son to follow his mentor to Wuzhen. With the presence of the prince, a decent dwelling was a top priority. Months later, a school stood up in Qingdun, Wuzhen. The stopover life was a show-stealing routine, packed with living and study until the return date to Jiankang. The following year was the same again. The striking school was later referred to as the Zhaoming boarding school, in tribute to the scene of the studious prince and the filial tutor. Literally, Zhaoming Academy is an ode to the spirit of learning and getting learned.