Chapter 39

The group went to the greenhouse to see the camellias. 

At first, Miss Ge, Ge Baoxian, was very warm towards Ning Zhen. However, ever since they ran into Meng Xinliang, who went out of his way to speak with Ning Zhen, Ge Baoxian started to target her, speaking in a sarcastic tone. 

Ning Zhen’s family was prominent, and while the Ge family was not inferior, everyone knew that although Ning Zhen was the governor’s wife, the governor favored his second concubine, Fanfan. Ning Zhen was treated more like a decoration. 

A decoration, no matter how many titles she held, didn’t command much respect. 

Ning Zhen found this behavior extremely irritating. She would rather return to the older ladies, listening to them flatter the old lady, than deal with these young women. 

“Madam, why don’t you take this camellia?” Ge Baoxian offered, picking the prettiest one. “Only a grand residence like the governor’s mansion is worthy of such a rare flower. It will keep you company in your loneliness.” 

Ning Zhen:  

It was almost as if Ge Baoxian was one step away from slapping the word “abandoned” on her face. 

Lonely? Hardly. With the second and third concubines constantly fighting and the Sheng family’s frequent disputes, the house was lively enough. There was always a show to watch. 

Ning Zhen couldn’t help but smile. 

She was beautiful, and when she smiled, her radiance surpassed that of the camellias. 

“How could I take something so beloved? Your family has taken great care of these camellias, keeping them in the greenhouse even at this time of year. Surely they’re meant for New Year guests. If I take this one now, Madam Ge might scold you later,” Ning Zhen said, smiling. 

Ge Baoxian replied, “That won’t happen. The Ge family isn’t that stingy. We have plenty of good things.” 

“Indeed, such a luxurious greenhouse. Even the governor’s residence doesn’t have one like this. Very well, I’ll take this flower back and let the governor and the old lady enjoy it too—they’ve never seen such beautiful camellias at this time of year.” Ning Zhen smiled. 

Ge Baoxian’s face changed instantly. 

Everyone knew that the railway bureau was a highly lucrative position. 

Governor Sheng trusted Director Ge and showed him respect, even allowing his subordinates to benefit, as long as the job was done well. 

But openly flaunting wealth in front of the governor’s wife, and trying to show off to the governor and his mother, was a dangerous game. 

As Ning Zhen reached for the flowerpot, Ge Baoxian quickly stopped her. 

“Madam, I just remembered, the kitchen has made some delicious pastries. They’re best fresh out of the oven. Let’s go try them,” Ge Baoxian said. 

She would rather bear the reputation of being “fickle” and “stingy” than let Ning Zhen take the flower back to the Sheng residence. 

Several young ladies in the group stifled their laughter. 

They could tell that Ning Zhen had won this round, and they looked at her with admiration. 

These young women often dealt with Ge Baoxian and knew how formidable she was. Whenever Ge Baoxian wanted to make someone look foolish, she did so effortlessly, leaving them humiliated for weeks. 

This was the first time they had seen her falter, so much so that she couldn’t even keep up appearances. 

“The governor’s wife is impressive. I didn’t expect her to handle things this way,” one young lady whispered to Chu Jingyue. 

Chu Jingyue replied, “She’s the daughter of Commander Ning, not some sheltered noble lady. Ge Baoxian miscalculated if she thought she could embarrass her.” 

“Ge Baoxian dares to provoke even the governor’s wife? The Ge family is getting too arrogant,” the young lady remarked. 

Chu Jingyue thought it wasn’t the Ge family as a whole, but Ge Baoxian herself. Director Ge and Madam Ge were still quite low-key, knowing that their lives were in the governor’s hands. 

Ignorance and fearlessness. 

Ning Zhen had married into the governor’s household, which made her part of the Sheng family. 

Bullying her was like slapping the governor in the face. 

In Suzhou and across the four provinces of East China, who would dare to act arrogantly towards Governor Sheng Changyu? Had they lost their minds? 

“This might not be over. I can see Ge Baoxian is holding in her anger. Let’s head back to the banquet. It’s best not to get involved; this could get messy,” the young lady said. 

Chu Jingyue nodded.  

Her family’s power wasn’t on par with the Ge family, and they were insignificant in front of Sheng Changyu. It would be all too easy for Ge Baoxian to drag them into trouble. Best to leave quickly. 

As much as they wanted to leave, Ning Zhen wanted it even more. With Sheng Changyu and the old lady present, if she stirred up any conflict, both would consider her an unreliable “Governor’s Wife,” damaging her standing with them. 

She had only recently gained control over the household accounts and access to the kitchen, and her father and brother’s futures were in Sheng Changyu’s hands.  

Ge Baoxian insisted on inviting her for pastries, but Ning Zhen spotted Chu Jingyue and two other ladies leaving through the corridor. She immediately called out, “Jingyue, wait for me.” 

She acted as if they were close. 

Smiling, she turned to Ge Baoxian and said, “I have something to discuss with Jingyue. Miss Ge, please go ahead and enjoy the pastries.” 

Before Ge Baoxian could respond, Ning Zhen slipped away. 

Chu Jingyue and her two friends were perfectly in sync. As soon as Ning Zhen joined them, the four of them walked back, chatting and laughing, not stopping for a moment. 

Ning Zhen breathed a sigh of relief. 

When they reached the bamboo grove, their serious expressions changed, and they couldn’t help but laugh. 

Chu Jingyue even introduced Ning Zhen to her friends. 

They were still talking and laughing as they walked when they encountered another group. 

The Ge family’s garden was large, and with so many guests attending the birthday banquet, it wasn’t unusual to bump into people. 

“I see Wu Chen. He’s notorious for being a lecher. Let’s go,” one of Chu Jingyue’s friends said. 

Ning Zhen gladly followed along, eager to return to her mother-in-law’s side. 

“Chu Jingyue, where are you running off to?”  

Wu Chen and his group had already spotted them. 

Chu Jingyue stopped. “I didn’t see you.” 

“You see me now, don’t you? Not even a greeting?” Wu Chen said. 

He was handsome but styled himself in an overly slick and flashy manner, giving off a greasy and frivolous vibe. 

“And who’s your friend? I’ve never seen her before.” Wu Chen looked Ning Zhen up and down. 

If his gaze had substance, he would have stripped her bare. 

Ning Zhen wondered if she really had grown up in Suzhou. As a child, she had played with her brothers and Jin Nuan’s siblings and hadn’t socialized much.  

She hardly knew any of the city’s spoiled rich boys. 

The downside was, they didn’t know her either. 

“I am the Governor’s wife,” Ning Zhen said calmly. 

Wu Chen and his group froze, then burst into laughter. “Which one of the Governor’s wives?” 

Ning Zhen frowned. 

Just then, the maid from Madam Ge’s side came looking for her. 

Recognizing someone from the Ge family, Wu Chen didn’t dare press the matter. 

As they walked toward the banquet hall, he continued to joke around with his friends. 

“Young women these days are bold. They even dare to call themselves the Governor’s wife,” Wu Chen laughed. 

One of his friends said, “What if she really is the Governor’s wife? I heard the Governor is here today too.” 

“I’ve seen her before. I think she’s Chu Jingyue’s cousin, trying to trick me,” Wu Chen said. 

“Better be careful. If she really is the Governor’s wife, it’ll be a huge problem.” 

Wu Chen sneered, “Chu Jingyue is always bluffing. I’ve got a plan to trick them. You can have Chu Jingyue. I want the one in the red coat.” 

“The one in red is the prettiest. You’ve got good taste, Third Young Master.” 

“If she keeps claiming to be the Governor’s wife, I’ll call myself the Governor in bed. Let’s see who can be more shameless.” 

Wu Chen laughed heartily. 

Suddenly, a voice behind him asked, “Talking about who? The Governor’s wife in the red coat?”