Chapter 46

On her way to the Governor’ Mansion, Ning Zhen’s eyelids twitched, giving her a sense of foreboding. 

She felt uneasy but also knew that Cheng Baisheng was a good friend and wouldn’t intentionally make things difficult for her. Cheng understood Sheng Changyu well, having followed him in and out of various situations, so he was familiar with the Governor’s mood and behavior. 

“It’ll be fine. Stay calm,” Ning Zhen reassured herself. 

She had already made the phone call, and the adjutant must have informed Sheng Changyu about it. Sooner or later, he would ask her what the call was about. She had to explain it eventually. 

As Cheng Baisheng had said, the moment Sheng Changyu returned, if she rushed over eagerly, trying to please him, perhaps the Governor would appreciate her effort and agree to her request. If not, it wouldn’t be the end of the world. 

Her father was back, and he didn’t like Sheng Changyu either. Even if the meal was agreed upon, it might not go as planned. 

“If he agrees, great. If not, that’s fine too. What am I so nervous about?” Ning Zhen tried to bolster her confidence. 

There were only two possible outcomes. 

By the time she arrived at the Governor’ Mansion, the light rain had turned heavier, falling like beads of water and forming a curtain at the eaves. 

Someone was waiting at the entrance—it was Cheng Baisheng. 

He approached with an umbrella and greeted Ning Zhen, “How have you been?” 

“Pretty good,” Ning Zhen replied. “What’s the Governor doing?” 

“Minister Ge is here. It’s just a minor issue with his family,” Cheng Baisheng said. 

“Is it about the Fifth Miss Ge being held by the Hongmen Society?” Ning Zhen asked. 

“You know about that? It’s already spread around the city?” 

“No, I just happened to be there at the time,” Ning Zhen said. 

Cheng Baisheng laughed, “You were there too? What a coincidence.” 

They walked along a side corridor, and Cheng Baisheng closed his umbrella as they headed toward the meeting building. 

Just as they reached the door, before stepping into the corridor, they heard something crash heavily to the ground from inside the study: “You want me to go save your daughter? And what, bring her back just to shoot her myself?” 

Ning Zhen:  

Wasn’t he supposed to be in a good mood? 

Cheng Baisheng’s face stiffened. 

Sensing Ning Zhen’s thoughts, he awkwardly explained, “He was fine just a moment ago. Come with me, let’s sit in the meeting room first. I’ll go check…” 

Before he could finish, the study door slammed open, “Baisheng!” 

It was Sheng Changyu, calling for him. 

And just like that, Sheng Changyu and Ning Zhen were face to face. 

Seeing his dark expression, Ning Zhen panicked internally: Cheng Baisheng, you unreliable advisor, you’re going to get me killed! 

Even the almanac said today was a bad day to go out. 

Sheng Changyu’s anger seemed ready to tear the roof off. Cheng Baisheng jogged over, “I’m here.” 

Ning Zhen:  

What about me? 

Sheng Changyu glanced at her, noticing she was frozen in place. Coldly, he said, “Come in.” 

He was speaking to Ning Zhen. 

She had no choice but to enter. 

Upon entering the study, she saw that Sheng Changyu had smashed an ink bottle onto the floor, leaving ink splattered everywhere. 

Minister Ge, an older man, stood to the side with his head bowed, his face pale and beads of cold sweat at his temples. 

“Changyu, I’ll take Minister Ge outside. If there’s anything he needs, I’ll handle it. Madam has something to discuss with you. You two can talk,” Cheng Baisheng smoothly maneuvered, guiding Minister Ge out of the room. 

Minister Ge was eager to escape and quickly followed him. 

Sheng Changyu wanted to call them back but thought better of it. He sank heavily into his chair and lit a cigarette. 

He took several drags, unable to quell the anger burning in his chest. 

Ning Zhen knew his fury was related to Ge Baoxian, but she wasn’t sure what had triggered it. 

Was it because Ge Baoxian had embarrassed the Ge family, one of Sheng Changyu’s trusted circles, making him lose face? 

Or was it that the Hongmen Society had shown no respect, angering him for their disregard toward Meng Xinliang? 

Ning Zhen’s mind raced, realizing this wasn’t the time to bring up her own matter. 

She had anticipated two possible outcomes before coming here, but now there was a third, much worse one: running into him in a rage. 

Halfway through his cigarette, Sheng Changyu finally spoke, “I heard that night in the cruise restaurant, you fired a gun?” 

Ning Zhen’s heart sank. 

Was this about her? 

She was the victim! 

“Yes,” she replied honestly. 

With her head lowered, she avoided his gaze, only to hear him snort coldly, “You’re good with a gun, but why is it always pointed at me?” 

Ning Zhen:  

“Shooting at my concubine, humiliating my subordinates—is the next bullet meant for me?” he asked coldly. 

Ning Zhen thought to herself: Now you’re just being unreasonable. 

She had shot at an assassin. 

That assassin wasn’t even a member of the Ge family but someone Ge Baoxian had hired. 

No matter how you looked at it, Ning Zhen had every right to be closer to Sheng Changyu than Ge Baoxian did. Her shot had been justified. 

Sheng Changyu was clearly just looking for a reason to vent. 

There was no one else in the room, and Ning Zhen was used to his scolding. She simply accepted it as bad luck. 

“You need to remember where you stand—does your allegiance lie with the Sheng family or the Meng family?” Sheng Changyu continued. 

“Governor, I was wrong,” Ning Zhen replied. 

“You’re quick to admit fault, but do you ever change? Do you even know what you did wrong?” Sheng Changyu pressed. 

Ning Zhen:  

This time, she really didn’t know what she had done wrong. 

If you break it down, she was in the right. Was she supposed to just sit there and let Ge Baoxian plot against her without retaliating, all to avoid causing trouble for the Ge family? Would that be considered loyalty to the Governor? 

Even with a gun pointed at her head, Ning Zhen couldn’t figure out where she was wrong. 

She stayed silent. 

The room fell quiet, except for the sound of Sheng Changyu smoking—each inhale and exhale was heavy and fast. 

Ning Zhen suspected he was on the verge of hitting someone. 

“…Get out!” he finally said. 

It seemed like he had forced himself to swallow the word “get” from “get out.” 

Ning Zhen quickly left the study. 

Although she had been caught in the crossfire, overall, she hadn’t been too humiliated. 

She could handle it. 

Thankfully, this matter was over, and the idea of hosting a dinner was completely off the table. 

Despite the pouring rain outside, Ning Zhen insisted on leaving, even though Cheng Baisheng tried to make her stay. 

“Did you talk to him?” Cheng Baisheng still asked. 

Ning Zhen: “If I had said one more word, he would have slapped me across the face. I didn’t dare.” 

“This has nothing to do with you. I don’t know why he’s acting crazy, but he’s taking his anger out on you. Don’t worry, I’ll help you talk about the dinner,” Cheng Baisheng said. 

Then he added, “I miscalculated and made you suffer for it. This one’s on me.” 

“No, no, Baisheng, don’t say that. You meant well. You couldn’t have predicted the storm coming from the Governor—it’s not your fault. 

Forget about the dinner. My father is back, and if they end up arguing at the table, it’ll be even more awkward. We’ll talk about it later,” Ning Zhen said. 

She turned and left. 

Cheng Baisheng wanted to say more, but Ning Zhen had already jogged off. 

That afternoon, Cheng Baisheng personally visited the Meng residence, spoke with Meng Xinliang, and arranged for Ge Baoxian, who had been held for a while, to be released. 

He didn’t return until dusk. 

Sheng Changyu had bathed, changed into clean clothes, and was sitting in his study going through documents. 

His brows were slightly furrowed—he was still unhappy. 

“…She’s been sent back to the Ge family. Ge Baoxian suffered quite a bit; she was starving,” Cheng Baisheng reported. 

Sheng Changyu: “Serves her right! The fact that she’s not dead is already a leniency.” 

He tossed a document to Cheng Baisheng, “Demote Ge Ming and make him a deputy minister.” 

Cheng Baisheng’s heart sank. 

“And the position of the minister?” 

“Leave it vacant for now. We’ll see later,” Sheng Changyu replied. 

Whether Ge Ming would be reinstated or someone else would take over would depend on the situation. 

Looking at the command, Cheng Baisheng felt a heavy burden. “Is this necessary? The Railway Bureau is crucial for transportation. Dismissing Ge Ming like this is too hasty.” 

“I want to,” Sheng Changyu said. 

Cheng Baisheng: “Alright, I’ll take care of it.” 

He gave the orders to have the Governor’s decree sent to the Railway Bureau. 

When he returned, Cheng Baisheng couldn’t help but ask, “Why are you so determined to punish Ge Ming this severely?” 

“Do you know why his daughter was captured by Meng Xinliang? Because she plotted against Ning Zhen,” Sheng Changyu said. 

Cheng Baisheng was dumbfounded: “Is she out of her mind? She dared to plot against the Governor’s wife?” 

Then he snapped back to attention, “Did Ning Zhen suffer any harm?” 

“Look at her—does she look like someone who’s been harmed? With Meng Xinliang there, how could she suffer? She’s got strong backing,” Sheng Changyu said coldly. 

Cheng Baisheng:  

Something didn’t sound right about this. 

“You’re not… jealous, are you?” he looked at Sheng Changyu. 

Sheng Changyu glared at him fiercely: “Do I need to send you for training to learn how to talk? What kind of nonsense are you spouting?” 

Cheng Baisheng: speechless 

“The gun in her hand—it shot at FanFan, and it saved Meng Xinliang,” Sheng Changyu almost ground his teeth as he spoke, “And now it’s pointed at me!” 

Cheng Baisheng: “…Have you lost your mind? How are you even thinking like this?” 

Sheng Changyu: “Can you stop talking? If not, get out.” 

Cheng Baisheng:  

He was kicked out of the study. 

Not only had Ning Zhen suffered from this unjust rage, but now he had as well. 

Sheng Changyu was frustrated with Meng Xinliang and took it out on everything. His wife had helped someone he disliked, so it felt like she was deliberately opposing him. 

Cheng Baisheng understood that this was Sheng Changyu’s mindset. 

As a child, Sheng Changyu had suffered from favoritism. His number one principle in relationships was that loyalty had to be to him, unconditionally. 

If someone leaned toward his enemy, they became his enemy. 

That’s why he was angry with Ning Zhen. 

But Ning Zhen had no idea. 

She didn’t understand Sheng Changyu’s personality, nor did she know that he hated Meng Xinliang. 

“Everything was fine before, and now this again,” Cheng Baisheng sighed. “Is there too much ‘yang’ energy in the residence? Is it cursed against female masters?” 

Why was it so hard to keep a female master here? 

Just when Cheng Baisheng had been pushing them forward, they took one step forward and two steps back. 

It was driving him crazy.