Chapter 13

During the Zhongyuan festival, Sheng Changyu did not return for the family’s sacrificial ritual. 

At the time, the old Lady didn’t say anything, but although the old residence was used to this, gossip was inevitable. 

Ning Zhen’s sister-in-law, Sheng Changyin, who was also Sheng Changyu’s biological sister, brought up the matter while chatting with Ning Zhen. 

“…The Zhongyuan festival sacrifices are not just for our ancestors, but for our father too. Mother is heartbroken that big brother didn’t come back,” Sheng Changyin said. 

Sheng Changyin, at fourteen years old, had a round, fair face and the same sharp eyes as Sheng Changyu, full of spirit. 

She had her own quarters and was usually busy with her studies and piano practice, so they rarely saw each other. 

Ning Zhen had only met her two or three times since marrying into the family three months ago. 

However, she knew that her sister-in-law had a close relationship with Sheng Changyu’s third concubine, Xu Fangdu. 

Ning Zhen had no desire to get involved. If her sister-in-law didn’t seek her out, she certainly wouldn’t go out of her way to bother her. 

“Does the Governor usually come back for the sacrifices?” Ning Zhen asked casually as she sipped her tea, trying to figure out her sister-in-law’s intentions. 

They usually didn’t interact, so it was odd for Sheng Changyin to suddenly come and complain to her. 

“This is only the second year we’ve been living in the old residence. Before, we lived in the Marshal’s Mansion, which later became the Governor’s official residence,” her sister-in-law explained. 

“And last year?” Ning Zhen asked. 

“Last year, big brother also went to pay his respects to Su Qing’er.” 

Ning Zhen:  

So now you’ve come to me, hoping I’ll use my title as the Governor’s wife to pressure him? 

What a joke! 

“…Sister-in-law, I heard that when you went back to your family recently, you and my brother spent the night out together.” 

Ning Zhen almost choked on her tea. 

It was hot outside, the sun glaring down. Ning Zhen grabbed a umbrella and made her way to the old Lady’s courtyard. 

Third concubine Xu Fangdu was already there, chatting with the old Lady. 

As Ning Zhen entered, her face slightly darkened. 

The old Lady looked surprised. “Zhen’er, you’re here. Have a seat.” 

Then she asked, “What’s wrong?” 

Ning Zhen greeted her with, “Mother,” before turning to Xu Fangdu. “Third Concubine, if you want to inquire about the Governor and me, you can ask me directly. Is it appropriate to send a little girl like Ah Yin to do it?” 

Her voice wasn’t loud, but her expression was stern. 

Xu Fangdu was startled and quickly stood up. “I-I didn’t mean…” 

The old Lady frowned. “What’s going on?” 

Ning Zhen relayed her sister-in-law’s words to her mother-in-law: “…She’s only fourteen, sending her to relay such things—how malicious can one be?” 

The old Lady’s expression darkened. “Zhen’er, you’ve misunderstood. I was the one who told Ah Yin to ask. If she was inappropriate, it’s because I didn’t teach her well.” 

Ning Zhen:  

With one probe, she had learned two things. 

First, the old residence was indeed keeping a close watch on Sheng Changyu. The fact that he dropped Ning Zhen off at the residence at five in the morning had been noticed by the spies. 

The old Lady knew, and so did Xu Fangdu. 

Second, the old Lady was protective of Xu Fangdu. If Ning Zhen ever had a conflict with Xu Fangdu, the old Lady would side with the third concubine first. 

In the old residence, Ning Zhen’s title of “Governor’s wife” was exactly as Sheng Changyu had once said: if she knew her place, others would treat her with some respect; if she overstepped, anyone could trample her. 

The Sheng family was full of pitfalls. 

Since Ning Zhen had already stepped into it, she had no intention of backing down easily. 

To retreat without a fight would be cowardly, and that was not the way of a daughter of the Ning family. 

“Mother, it seems I misunderstood. Third Concubine, please don’t be upset.” Ning Zhen smiled sweetly, as if nothing had happened. 

Xu Fangdu blushed slightly. “The madam is teasing me.” 

The old Lady also softened. “Come, sit down.” 

Xu Fangdu sat next to the old Lady, forming an alliance that was clearly at odds with Ning Zhen. 

Ning Zhen understood the situation perfectly but didn’t let it discourage her. 

“Zhen’er, I wanted to ask you—what were you and Changyu doing that night you spent out?” the old Lady asked. 

Ning Zhen told her everything without holding back. 

They played cards, had a late-night snack, then beat up a couple of petty gangsters from the Hongmen, and finally went home. 

Everything matched what the old Lady had already heard. 

The old Lady sighed, deflated. “That’s all?” 

“Yes.” 

“You need to do better. One by one, none of you are capable,” the old Lady said. 

Ning Zhen:  

Because of this, the old Lady instructed Ning Zhen to visit the Governor’s residence and ask Sheng Changyu to come to the old residence for the Mid-Autumn Festival. 

“If he’s willing to play cards with you all night, it means he’s willing to be close to you. Go and ask him,” the old Lady said. 

Ning Zhen knew this was a hot potato. It would be a miracle if Sheng Changyu agreed to give her face. 

But Ning Zhen also understood that if she wanted to truly establish herself, there were only two paths: earning the old Lady’s trust or bearing a child. 

The latter was even harder than the former. 

Ning Zhen didn’t need to defeat Xu Fangdu; she only needed to prove herself more capable and gain the old Lady’s favor. 

As for affection, it wasn’t that important which one the old Lady favored. 

What truly mattered was real power. 

The task given by the old Lady was one she had to complete. 

“Mother, I can only try. I’m not sure if I’ll succeed,” Ning Zhen said. 

The old Lady replied, “Just give it a try. If it doesn’t work, so be it. If he doesn’t even come back for the sacrifices, what can we expect from him?” 

Ning Zhen lowered her gaze and agreed. 

After she left, Xu Fangdu peeled a lychee and offered it to the old Lady. “Mother, asking her to try is putting her in a difficult position. Brother Yu won’t even let her through the gates of the Governor’s residence.” 

The old Lady sighed, “Let’s see. You never know. I can’t quite figure out Changyu’s temper.” 

Xu Fangdu replied, “That’s all we can do.” 

On the way back, under the shade of her umbrella, Ning Zhen’s eyes cast a shadow beneath her lashes. 

She was somewhat lost in thought. 

“The relationship between the old Lady and her son is really this bad?” 

Ning Zhen had never heard of discord between the Sheng family’s mother and son. 

There had been no rumors or public talk about it. 

But from the few interactions she had witnessed, Ning Zhen could tell that the relationship between the Sheng mother and son was on shaky ground. 

“Sheng Changyu even lets Fanfan run wild in the old residence, almost as if he’s using her to spite the old Lady,” Ning Zhen suddenly thought. 

This mother and son relationship was indeed complicated. 

As for the third concubine, Xu Fangdu, her relationship with Sheng Changyu didn’t seem as good as Ning Zhen had initially thought. 

Ning Zhen wasn’t afraid of complexity. The more complicated things were, the more opportunities she would have to maneuver. 

“My father and brothers’ lives are in Sheng Changyu’s hands. Who’s in a more difficult position than me? The Sheng family holds all the power; they can overturn the game anytime they want.” 

The quickest way for Ning Zhen to secure her position was to get pregnant. 

Once she had a child, things would become much smoother. 

But having a child would also give her a vulnerability. 

In the midst of being surrounded by so many threats, would adding another entanglement really be advantageous for her? 

When the time came, would she be ruthless enough to use her own child as a bargaining chip? 

Thinking about this, Ning Zhen temporarily dismissed the idea of getting pregnant. 

Until a life-or-death moment, she couldn’t use that move. 

The next day, Ning Zhen rose early, dressed carefully, and went to the Governor’s residence to see Sheng Changyu. 

She introduced herself. 

The adjutant on duty eyed her suspiciously for a while, then said, “Please wait a moment, I’ll go in and inform him.” 

Most women wouldn’t dare claim to be the “Governor’s wife,” but their Governor had indeed recently married, so there was such a woman. 

After some consideration, the adjutant went in to report. 

Moments later, a tall figure emerged from the Governor’s residence. 

“Ning Zhen.” He waved. 

Ning Zhen saw that it was Cheng Baisheng and let out a sigh of relief. 

It was much easier to talk to Cheng Baisheng, without the risk of being humiliated by Sheng Changyu. 

Cheng Baisheng led her into the reception room and personally poured her a glass of cool orange juice. “Have a seat. Changyu is in a meeting.” 

Ning Zhen took the juice and asked him, “Baisheng, what’s your role in the military government?” 

Cheng Baisheng replied, “A minor role, in the advisory department. I handle matters for Changyu.” 

Ning Zhen nodded in understanding. 

They chatted casually for a while. Before she had even finished her glass of juice, Sheng Changyu walked in.