Chapter 38

When Ning Zhen saw Sheng Changyu, her heart tightened slightly. 

This banquet might stir up trouble, especially since the “old lady” had been in a bad mood lately. 

The squabble between the second and third concubines was still unresolved in Ning Zhen’s eyes, and Sheng Changyu was holding a grudge against both the old residence and the old lady. 

“Collateral damage. And here I am, accompanying the old lady today. If they start their mother-son power struggle, I better not become the scapegoat. I can’t afford to lose face in public.” 

Ning Zhen’s thoughts churned, and she began to feel uneasy, her expression darkening. 

Sheng Changyu glanced in their direction. 

Dressed in a freshly pressed military uniform, he looked sharp and regal. His broad forehead, high nose, and exceptionally handsome features were striking, and his eyes had become even deeper and more intense. 

As he stood there, the early winter sunlight glinted off his medals, making him seem as if he stood on a pedestal of admiration, with all eyes filled with respect fixed upon him. 

“He’s wearing such formal attire for this banquet. He must really value the Ge family,” Ning Zhen thought. 

Without drawing attention, she took half a step back, positioning herself behind the old lady. 

But due to her tall figure, the old lady couldn’t completely shield her. 

“Mother,” Sheng Changyu stepped forward, casually addressing her. 

After this single greeting, there was no further conversation. 

The old lady waited for him to exchange pleasantries, but when none came, she couldn’t let the atmosphere turn awkward. Though irritated, she forced a smile. “You’re here too?” 

“Yes.” 

“Everything going well lately?” the old lady asked again. He was so stingy with words that his mother couldn’t afford to act cold, and had to be warm toward him. 

“How could you not know how I’ve been, Mother?” Sheng Changyu replied. 

Ning Zhen:  

She initially thought of stepping forward to smooth things over, but then reconsidered. There had never been rumors of discord between Sheng Changyu and his mother. Even if they were at odds, they wouldn’t argue in public. 

Ning Zhen decided she could relax and let her brain take a break. 

She stayed still. 

However, it was clear that the old lady was caught off guard, and Mrs. Ge, standing behind them, looked on in surprise. 

Ning Zhen hadn’t expected the conversation to end so abruptly. 

—She had misjudged. 

They hadn’t argued in public before, but that didn’t mean they never would. 

The old lady discreetly pinched Ning Zhen’s hand. 

Reluctantly, Ning Zhen raised her eyes. 

She met Sheng Changyu’s gaze directly. 

His dark pupils were now even more foreboding, and his lips were slightly pressed together, his expression colder than ever. 

Ning Zhen thought: Please don’t scold me in front of others. Heaven help me. 

“…Governor, is the second concubine feeling better? Mother just mentioned how worried you must be about her since she fell ill,” Ning Zhen improvised. 

If Sheng Changyu didn’t respond, she wouldn’t even have tears to cry. 

The old lady’s heart skipped a beat. 

To her surprise, Sheng Changyu replied, “Why would I be so anxious? It’s just an illness, nothing unusual.” 

Ning Zhen smiled, “Mother and I could tell that you were quite concerned.” 

Mrs. Ge, ever the tactful host, chimed in, “Governor, what illness does the second concubine have? I know a very skilled female doctor; I can introduce her to take a look.” 

“No need to trouble yourself. It’s an old ailment; she’ll be fine in a few days,” Sheng Changyu said. 

The old lady added, “These young ones, they’re still so young but already having all sorts of health issues.” 

“Young people nowadays don’t take care of their bodies. They’re always getting sick,” Mrs. Ge laughed. 

Just then, the General Manager of the Railway Bureau, Mr. Ge, heard that the Governor had arrived. He hurried out with his sons to greet him. 

With more people joining, the earlier tension dissipated. 

Sheng Changyu moved forward. 

He glanced back at Ning Zhen once more, his gaze filled with unspoken meaning and a hint of warning. 

Ning Zhen:  

What did that look mean? 

What was he unhappy about now? 

The birthday girl herself, Mrs. Ge, surprisingly stood at the entrance, waiting to personally welcome the old lady and the Governor from the Sheng family. 

Ning Zhen and the old lady didn’t go to the banquet right away but instead headed to the courtyard of the Ge family’s Courtyard.  

A group of prestigious wives and young ladies were seated, offering compliments and small talk. 

The old lady’s mood had lightened. 

Miss Ge, the fifth daughter of the family, around seventeen or eighteen years old, was lively and showed great enthusiasm toward Ning Zhen. 

Ning Zhen, however, felt somewhat uneasy around overly friendly people and didn’t quite know how to respond. 

“There are still camellias blooming in our greenhouse at this time of year. Would you like to take a look?” Miss Ge asked. 

Several of the young ladies chimed in agreement. 

The old lady said, “Zhen’er, go ahead and enjoy yourself. It’s a new era now; daughters-in-law don’t have to stick to old rules and stay by their mother-in-law’s side.” 

This made everyone laugh. 

The ladies praised the old lady for her progressive thinking and complimented the enlightened ways of the Sheng family. 

Ning Zhen was quite impressed by this display of flattery. She didn’t want to leave, preferring to stay and learn a thing or two, treating it as an educational experience. 

But with the old lady encouraging her to go, and Miss Ge eagerly pulling her along, Ning Zhen had no choice but to stand up, grab her coat, and follow them. 

As they headed toward the greenhouse in the back garden, they noticed three young men smoking in a nearby pavilion. 

Miss Ge’s eyes lit up instantly. “That’s my second brother and Mr. Meng. I’m going to say hello.” 

Ning Zhen glanced over, just as the men heard the footsteps and turned to look. 

Her gaze met Meng Xinliang’s. 

Meng Xinliang still looked as stylish and polished as ever, his hair neatly groomed, and his cashmere coat perfectly fitting, exuding elegance. 

When he saw Ning Zhen, he nodded and smiled. 

Ning Zhen smiled back. 

“Madam, do you know Mr. Meng?” someone asked. 

“Yes, I do,” Ning Zhen replied. 

“Be careful, though. Ge Baoxian doesn’t like others getting too close to Mr. Meng,” a young lady whispered softly to Ning Zhen. 

Ning Zhen turned to look at her. 

She didn’t recognize this lady. 

The lady was just as tall as Ning Zhen, allowing her to discreetly lean in and offer the warning without the others noticing. 

“Thank you,” Ning Zhen smiled. “You seem familiar to me.” 

“My name is Chu Jingyue,” the lady said. 

“Where have we met before?” 

“My aunt is your sister-in-law’s cousin,” Chu Jingyue explained. 

Ning Zhen laughed. “I’m sorry, my memory is terrible.” 

“It’s my fault for not greeting you sooner. The fault isn’t yours,” Chu Jingyue said. 

Ning Zhen liked her sister-in-law very much, so she naturally felt warmth toward Chu Jingyue, being a relative of hers. 

Meanwhile, Meng Xinliang had greeted Miss Ge and was now walking toward Ning Zhen. 

Miss Ge seemed surprised, turning to look at Ning Zhen. 

At the same time, the man sitting with his back to Ning Zhen in the pavilion also turned around. 

It was Wen Weinian. 

Ning Zhen’s gaze tightened. 

Meng Xinliang reached her and greeted, “Madam, it’s been a while.” 

“Mr. Meng, you’re here too?” 

“For the Ge Courtyard’s birthday celebration, I’ve come to share in the good fortune,” Meng Xinliang smiled. “Did you come alone, or did the governor also come?” 

Wen Weinian was still watching them. 

Ning Zhen averted her eyes, feeling inexplicably uncomfortable, and replied only to Meng Xinliang, “The governor and the old lady are both here.” 

“I see,” Meng Xinliang smiled. 

After a few more pleasantries, Meng Xinliang excused himself and left. 

Miss Ge seemed quite taken aback that Meng Xinliang had spoken with Ning Zhen alone, and she shot several glances at Ning Zhen. 

It wasn’t just Ning Zhen’s imagination; those glances were filled with unmistakable wariness and disdain, almost blatantly so. 

Ning Zhen had seen this kind of expression before: arrogant, domineering, and ready to trample anyone she disliked into the dirt—just like Yao Wenluo.