Chapter 28

Ning Zhen felt a pang in her heart. 

She took out a handkerchief to wipe Jin Nuan’s tears. 

“Stop crying now; your eyes will get puffy,” Ning Zhen said gently, hugging her. “Don’t be upset; I know you’re concerned for me.” 

Jin Nuan cried even harder. 

Ning Zhen patted her back, soothing her softly. 

No girl dreams of securing their position by giving birth and fighting with other women. 

But every possible path upward had been cut off. 

Classmates who went abroad for further studies found that boys could enter government positions or factories; girls from well-off families who could study abroad were never allowed to work or show themselves publicly. “The overseas education” was merely a layer of gilding on their dowries. 

Unless they chose to never return, they were forever severed from their families. 

Ning Zhen understood that surviving at sea required knowledge of the marine ecosystem; surviving in the mountains required awareness of forest dangers. 

When she was studying, doing well in her subjects and pleasing her teachers allowed her to achieve top grades. 

At home, she could be willful and free because they loved her unconditionally. 

Now, marrying into the Sheng family, she had to follow the rules. 

Every profession required dedication. 

Her soul had married Wen Liangyu at St. Paul’s Cathedral. 

Ning Zhen felt free because the walls of the Sheng family’s inner courtyard couldn’t confine her; she didn’t care about anyone. She was there like she was studying abroad, learning the rules and then doing things step by step. 

The people of the Sheng family had no emotional ties to Ning Zhen. 

She felt more like she had found a job. 

To deal with the outdated methods, she had to use traditional approaches. 

She knew she would eventually “return home” and leave that place. 

Jin Nuan, like Ning Zhen, had been pampered and sheltered at home. 

Ning Zhen at least had the opportunity to go abroad and study independently, while Jin Nuan had spent her life in a sheltered environment, delicate and tender. 

“Second Brother is really lucky to have married you,” Ning Zhen joked. “And you’re like a child, crying at the drop of a hat.” 

“Are you praising me or complaining?” Jin Nuan asked. 

“I’m praising you,” Ning Zhen replied. 

Jin Nuan sniffled. “I’ll take your word for it.” 

“Want to go out?” Ning Zhen asked. 

Jin Nuan’s expression brightened. “Yes!” 

Ning Zhen:  

Her mood changed as quickly as flipping a book. She was truly like a child. 

Ning Zhen loved her and wished for her happiness, hoping she would always retain this childlike innocence. 

The Ning family would be fine. 

Jin Nuan wanted to buy boots at a foreign goods store and later go to the Golden Phoenix Club to see a singer. 

“The most popular singer doesn’t go on stage until ten o’clock. Can we stay out that late? Will Grandmother be upset?” Jin Nuan was enthusiastic but hesitant. 

Ning Zhen said, “We’ll let her know in advance.” 

“No, if we tell her in advance, she definitely won’t let us go,” Jin Nuan said. 

“I’ll persuade her,” Ning Zhen said. 

“You overestimate yourself. I’m waiting to see you get scolded.” 

In the end, Ning Zhen talked to her grandmother. Although the grandmother was uneasy, she agreed and sent two of her cousins to accompany them. 

The grandmother called the two cousins over and repeatedly warned them, “Take good care of them. If anything happens to the sister and sister-in-law, your allowances for the next six months will be deducted.” 

The two cousins were terrified and promised to be attentive. 

The four of them set out. Ning Zhen drove, and the two cousins were eager to try their hand at the steering wheel. 

They were fifteen and seventeen, the age of peak curiosity, and their family had forbidden them from learning to drive. 

“Elder sister, teach me?” the seventeen-year-old cousin pleaded. “I’ll help you with anything.” 

“Learning to drive has risks. I need to ask Uncle and Aunt first. If they agree, I’ll teach you,” Ning Zhen said. 

The cousin deflated. “It definitely won’t work. Forget it, I’m going abroad next year and will learn on my own.” 

Everyone laughed at this. 

As they neared the Golden Phoenix Club area, traffic became more congested with cars, carriages, and people. 

Ning Zhen, experienced, said, “We’ll park here and first walk to the foreign goods store, then go to the club from there.” 

No one objected. 

“Ning Zhen, I just saw Yao Wenluo. She was in a car and was looking at us,” Jin Nuan suddenly said. 

Ning Zhen glanced over. 

“Don’t look. Her car has already passed by,” Jin Nuan said. 

Ning Zhen said, “Don’t worry about her. She’s a defeated foe.” 

“She’s so clumsy, using petty tricks against you. Even if she succeeded, it would only make the Old lady pity her more. What’s the benefit?” Jin Nuan said. 

Ning Zhen replied, “But it can still cause me trouble, and the Old lady will dislike me more.” 

“She’s harming others without benefiting herself; she’s truly just evil,” Jin Nuan said. 

Ning Zhen told her to calm down. 

The group got out of the car and walked to the foreign goods store that sold boots. 

The store was quite busy, with many customers. The clerk greeted them warmly, but there were only a few styles of boots—just three pairs. 

Jin Nuan, who was relaxed in her demeanor but picky about clothing and accessories, couldn’t decide among the three pairs. 

“Are you going to buy or not? If not, move aside,” a male voice said harshly from behind. 

Ning Zhen and Jin Nuan turned around. 

They saw people from the Su family—the Su family of Su Qing’er. 

When the two families met, there was inevitably a quarrel. 

The speaker was Su Rong. 

He had also quarreled with Ning Ce last time. 

Ning Zhen’s cousins immediately stepped in front of her. “What’s with the wild dog? Barking so loudly.” 

“My sister is the Governor’s wife. How dare you speak like that in front of her?” 

Ning Zhen really didn’t want to argue with the Su family every time they met, but they always started the trouble. 

Su Rong was surrounded by a group of his friends, all of whom were displeased by the situation. Even hearing the title “Governor’s Wife” didn’t make them intimidated. 

Ning Zhen’s presence in social circles was very minimal. She wasn’t a particularly gloomy person, but during her time in Suzhou, she rarely went out, partly because there were always a few people she disliked in her circle, and she was too lazy to deal with them. 

Now that she was married, she had little status in the Sheng family, and the Old lady hadn’t arranged for her to attend any social events. 

The title “Governor’s Wife” was just a hollow name with little real influence. 

Last time, Sheng Changyu had supported Ning Zhen in front of the Su family, but it was merely a mild rebuke, saying a few words about Su Family’s Eighth Miss. 

People who haven’t suffered don’t learn their lesson. 

Su Rong shot a cold glance at Ning Zhen. “Miss Ning, is the position of others so easy to sit in?” 

Ning Zhen replied, “It’s comfortable. Don’t just talk about the position; I’d sit on a grave if necessary.” 

Su Rong didn’t expect her to be so shameless, and his face contorted in anger. 

“You’re really shameless!” 

“You should read some books and learn how to insult others. You’re full of nonsense; besides these few lines, you can’t say anything else. I really can’t listen to it anymore. Doesn’t anyone in your family teach you?” Ning Zhen asked. 

Su Rong was so angry he looked like he wanted to strike her. 

His companions hurriedly held him back. 

Ning Zhen’s two cousins stood in front of her, protecting her. 

As the argument escalated, many onlookers gathered. 

Suddenly, a light laugh came from the crowd: “How lively.” 

The people with Su Rong instinctively stepped back a few paces, making way. 

Ning Zhen saw a young man. 

He appeared to be around twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old, with a refined demeanor. He wore a deep blue suit with a matching vest. 

A gold pocket watch dangled from the vest’s pocket, swinging lightly with his movements. 

He had a very handsome face. 

“Mr. Meng.” 

“Mr. Meng, you’re here?” 

Ning Zhen had met Meng Xinliang before. 

Her elder brother had some connections with Meng Xinliang, and they had encountered each other a few times. 

During the upheavals in the Meng family, Meng Xinliang had risen to become the deputy leader at a young age. 

He was young yet sharp and ruthless, commanding respect and fear from everyone. 

Su Rong also silently retreated two steps. 

“Ladies and gentlemen, my shop’s staff have been inattentive. Please, give me some face and avoid arguing. If there are any issues, just let me know, and I’ll handle them,” Meng Xinliang said with a smile. 

His words were polite and his demeanor humble, but no one dared to act recklessly. 

Meng Xinliang wore a tourmaline ring on his left thumb. As he spoke, his fingers remained still, exuding calm and authority. 

“It’s their fault; we’re just here to buy things,” Jin Nuan said from behind her cousins. 

The two cousins:  

This sister-in-law was as reckless as Second Brother. 

The argument had already started, and no one had noticed it was Meng Xinliang’s store. Now that they had realized it, they were keeping quiet to avoid trouble. 

Why bring it up? 

Meng Xinliang looked over. 

The two younger cousins shrank back. 

Ning Zhen remembered Meng Xinliang but wasn’t sure if he remembered her. Now that he was in a high position, it was even less appropriate for her to try to rekindle old connections. 

She made eye contact with Meng Xinliang, with no particular expression on her face. 

Meng Xinliang smiled first. “Miss Ning, you’re here too?” 

Ning Zhen finally showed a bit of a smile. “Mr. Meng, my apologies. We didn’t start the trouble; they did.” 

“It’s clearly you. You saw us coming and intentionally blocked the way,” Su Rong said. 

Ning Zhen replied, “You, a grown man, are distorting the truth. The young clerks and other customers heard everything.” 

Su Rong retorted, “The wicked accuse others first, and you’re turning the tables.” 

Ning Zhen said, “You don’t even qualify to argue with me. Who do you think you are? Call your father here.” 

Su Rong was furious, nearly out of control. 

If it weren’t for Meng Xinliang being present, he would have rushed at her again. 

Meng Xinliang’s gaze swept over him, dark and sharp. 

Su Rong’s arrogance diminished significantly. 

As the argument continued at the foreign goods store entrance, Yao Wenluo, who had been watching, turned and left. 

She went to a café and called the military government, knowing that Sheng Changyu had returned to the Governor’s residence today. 

When the call was connected, the adjutant Cheng Yang, upon hearing her voice, said the Governor was unavailable. 

“It’s not about me. It’s about Ning Zhen. She’s fighting with people on the street,” Yao Wenluo said. 

Cheng Yang:  

Moments later, Sheng Changyu’s voice came through the line. “What’s the matter?” 

“Ah Yu, I ran into Ning Zhen and the Su family at the Meng’s foreign goods store. Ning Zhen was so arrogant, almost fighting with Su Rong, and even said she would dig up Su Qing’er’s grave,” Yao Wenluo said. 

Sheng Changyu was silent on the line. 

Yao Wenluo continued, “I know you may have some prejudice against me now. If it weren’t for her insulting the deceased Su Qing’er, I wouldn’t have made this call.” 

Another pause. 

After a moment, Sheng Changyu finally spoke, “Where are they?” 

“Ning Zhen? She’s at Meng’s foreign goods store at 12 Aiwen Road,” Yao Wenluo replied. 

She hung up the phone, feeling in a good mood. 

After all, Ning Zhen had indeed mentioned sitting on Su Qing’er’s grave. 

If a confrontation really happened, Yao Wenluo could always claim she misheard. What did it matter? Ning Zhen’s quarrel with the Su family was precisely because Su Qing’er was Sheng Changyu’s favorite. 

The dead were always supreme; Ning Zhen couldn’t win against Su Qing’er. 

Yao Wenluo turned back to watch the commotion, waiting for Sheng Changyu to arrive. 

If they stopped arguing and were about to leave, Yao Wenluo planned to have her adjutant and driver block their way.