Chapter 3

In the blink of an eye, it was the sixth day of April. 

The courtyard was filled with blooming crabapple flowers. The night wind blew, and the falling petals were like rain, creating a brilliant carpet on the ground. The starlight reflected off them, coldly beautiful yet sorrowful. 

“You’re getting married tomorrow. Are you feeling sad?” her second sister-in-law asked her. 

Ning Zhen’s second sister-in-law, who was also her close friend, had known her since they were seven or eight years old. 

“I’m fine, I was prepared,” Ning Zhen said. 

She took out a necklace from her collar. 

A small gold ring was attached to the necklace. 

When she took it off, her second sister-in-law saw that it was a gold ring. 

It had been worn close to the skin, warmed by her body heat. 

“Second sister-in-law, keep this for me,” Ning Zhen said. 

“Where did it come from?” her sister-in-law asked. 

The gold ring was small, a thin band, not very valuable. 

“This…” Ning Zhen’s voice faltered for a moment before she continued, “A man proposed to me at St. Paul’s Cathedral.” 

Her sister-in-law was stunned. 

“I accepted. He put this ring on my finger,” Ning Zhen said. 

“You parted ways?” her sister-in-law asked carefully. The ring, lying in her palm, felt a bit hot. 

“Yes.” 

“Why? Were your statuses incompatible?” her sister-in-law asked again. 

Those who studied abroad came from all walks of life. Some were from prestigious families, while others were poor students on scholarships. 

Ning Zhen’s gold ring wasn’t worth much, indicating that the giver was probably poor. 

Upon returning to reality from the “idyllic world” abroad, it was impossible for a family like the Ning’s to marry off their only precious daughter to a poor scholar. 

“Don’t ask anymore, NuanNuan,” Ning Zhen said. “Keep it safe for me and don’t lose it. Once everything is settled, I’ll come back for it.” 

Her second sister-in-law’s name was Jin Nuan. 

“You’ve studied abroad, Ning Zhen, and yet you’re willing to accept an arranged marriage,” her sister-in-law’s heartache turned into anger. “You went abroad to gain strength, only to come back and let it be wasted on this.” 

Ning Zhen: “…” 

The next day was the wedding day. 

The new-style wedding of the governor’s residence was held at the most luxurious Six Nations Hotel in Suzhou. 

The Ning family sent her off. 

Since Ning Zhen’s three elder brothers were all fighting on the southern front, it was her cousin who carried her to the wedding. 

Her mother cried, her eldest sister-in-law and second sister-in-law cried, even her grandmother cried. 

But Ning Zhen didn’t cry. 

Perhaps she had already shed all her tears two years ago. 

The veil in the new-style wedding was thin. When Ning Zhen was delivered to the entrance of the Six Nations Hotel, she saw her groom—Governor Sheng Changyu. 

Sheng Changyu wore a brand-new military uniform. 

The deep blue uniform made his posture appear straight and tall; his broad shoulders and elegant, regal bearing were apparent. 

He stood quietly, radiating authority. 

His calm eyes fell on Ning Zhen. 

She had recognized him last time; she had once helped him repair his car. 

She took her cousin’s arm, stepped into her high heels, and walked up the tall steps. 

Her cousin handed her over to Sheng Changyu. 

The bride wore white lace gloves. 

Sheng Changyu stared at her extended hand, noticing the delicate, snow-white wrist beneath the slightly loose glove. 

He gently raised his arm, and her wrist naturally rested on it. 

The gloves were semi-transparent, her fingers long and slender. 

He led Ning Zhen into the hotel. 

The ceremony for the new-style wedding was not complicated. In front of the guests, Sheng Changyu lifted her veil and saw her heavily made-up face, frowning slightly. 

Ning Zhen lowered her long, thick eyelashes, like two little fans hiding her gaze, revealing nothing. 

The wedding lasted no more than half an hour. After it ended, Ning Zhen was sent back to the new bridal chamber at the old residence. 

The groom did not accompany her. 

The hotel hosted a wedding banquet at noon, and there was another one in the evening at the old residence. 

In the late afternoon, Ning Zhen had a bit to eat and faintly heard the sound of drums and gongs. 

The wedding banquet at the old residence had also begun, livelier than the one at the hotel, with noise filling the air. 

Ning Zhen sat from morning until eight in the evening. 

By this time, it was time for the traditional bridal room teasing, and the groom should have returned by now. 

She waited for a while, but no one arrived. 

There were four servants with her, all of whom had “accompanied” her from her family’s home. 

“Madam, should I go take a look?” one of the housekeepers asked. 

They had already changed the way they addressed her, no longer calling her “Fourth Miss” but “Madam.” 

She was now Madam Sheng. 

Ning Zhen replied, “No need, let’s wait.” 

By nine o’clock, the festivities in the front gradually died down, but the groom still hadn’t returned. 

Ning Zhen stood up on her own. “Help me get ready for bed. We won’t wait anymore.” 

Just as she finished speaking, footsteps sounded at the courtyard gate. 

The stars shifted overhead, and in the faint light of night, red lanterns hung high at the entrance, casting a soft red glow over the stone-paved path. 

A servant opened the door. 

An elderly lady, supported by a young woman, stepped into the courtyard. 

Ning Zhen stepped out of her room to greet her. “Mother.” 

The old lady of the Sheng family wasn’t really that old. She was only forty-five, her skin still fair and delicate, with only faint lines at the corners of her eyes. Her elegance had not faded over the years. 

Smiling, she gently patted Ning Zhen’s hand. “Tired?” 

“I’m fine.” 

“There was an explosion at the docks—on a ship carrying officials from the northern government. It’s a major issue, so Changyu went to handle it. I was worried you might misunderstand, so I came to check on you,” the elderly lady explained. 

Ning Zhen’s face, still heavily made-up, didn’t quite look like her. 

She smiled lightly. “I won’t misunderstand, Mother. Please don’t worry. I have a marriage contract with the governor, and from now on, I am part of the Sheng family.” 

After speaking, she glanced at the young woman beside her. 

The young woman was wearing a light blue cheongsam, looking dignified and elegant. Her features were delicate, her skin fair, with red lips. She wore ruby earrings that swayed in the lamplight, exuding a unique charm. 

She noticed Ning Zhen’s gaze and smiled slightly. “Madam.” 

Ning Zhen gave a slight nod and looked at the elderly lady. 

The old lady smiled. “This is the third concubine. She has been taking care of me. In the future, if you ever find it inconvenient, you can call on her to help you.” 

Ning Zhen hurriedly said, “You’re joking, Mother. The third concubine serves you and the governor. I would never dare presume.” 

“You are too cautious, child,” Madam Sheng said with a satisfied smile. 

She was pleased that Ning Zhen hadn’t tried to suppress the concubine right after entering the family but had instead shown restraint and humility. 

A daughter of the Ning family did not disappoint her expectations. 

“Go rest early,” the old lady said, standing briefly but not going inside. “I don’t know when Changyu will finish his work, so you should rest first. It’s been a long day for you.” 

From this, it was clear that Sheng Changyu would not be coming to the old residence to consummate the marriage that night. 

Ning Zhen smiled quietly. “Yes, Mother. You’ve had a long day as well, please rest early.” 

After a few more polite words, the old lady, supported by the third concubine, left. 

Ning Zhen instructed the servants to close the door. 

The four maids she had brought with her helped her change and freshen up. 

“Miss, are you really not going to wait for the master?” The youngest maid couldn’t hold back her frustration and spoke with concern for Ning Zhen. 

“From now on, call me Madam. And don’t call him ‘master.’ He is the governor,” Ning Zhen said. 

“But, Miss…” 

“The old residence married me, so I belong here now. The governor has his own residence and his other estates. Whether he comes or not has nothing to do with us here,” Ning Zhen said. 

The maid was startled. “You mean…?” 

“From now on, I’ll be just like the third concubine, serving the old lady,” Ning Zhen said, then cast a warning glance at her attendants. “Do you all understand?” 

The four maids quickly nodded in agreement.