Chapter 47

Ning Zhen returned to the old mansion, her heart still racing. 

When Sheng Changyu had said to Ning Zhen, “It was my fault, I spoke too harshly,” Ning Zhen felt as though they were on equal footing. 

But when he was enraged, Ning Zhen could clearly sense the life-and-death power he held in his hands. 

With just a flick of his finger, even a family like hers, which had been established for decades, could be toppled. 

Power was supreme. No one could stand by his side—they could only submit at his feet. 

She didn’t sleep well that night. 

Ning Zhen was a diligent learner. When she realized her understanding was shallow, she promptly adjusted and set out to learn again. 

Two days later, the entire city knew about the demotion of Minister Ge. 

The old lady of the Ning family sent people out to inquire about the inside story. 

When she heard that Ning Zhen had visited the Governor’s Mansion the day before, she called her over. “Do you know the reason?” 

“Miss Ge invited me to the cruise restaurant that night…” 

Ning Zhen carefully explained everything she knew to the old lady. 

“How foolish, to cause such a huge mess!” The old lady was also furious. 

Ge’s demotion was certainly related to Ge Baoxian. 

Whether it was because she had plotted against the Governor’s wife, prompting Sheng Changyu to make an example of her, or because she had caused tension between the Governor’s household and the gangs was unclear. 

At the time, there had been over twenty people, men and women, in Ge Baoxian’s private room, and Meng Xinliang had confronted them directly. So once Minister Ge was demoted, everyone knew it was Ge Baoxian’s fault. 

“Is she out of her mind, trying to assassinate Master Meng?” 

“And she even tried to frame the Governor’s wife.” 

“This time, Ge Baoxian is in deep trouble. Her family will probably beat her to death.” 

The demotion of Ge Ming involved many, sparking widespread discussion. It became the hottest topic in Suzhou that early winter. 

Most people believed it wasn’t simply a matter of offending the Governor’s wife—Ning Zhen didn’t carry that much weight. 

“The Governor’s favorite is Concubine Fanfan. He takes her everywhere with him. She’s charming and skilled in social affairs.” 

“The Governor and Miss Jiang have a deep relationship. Last time, he was even seen opening the car door for her, like an ordinary man serving his girlfriend. The ‘Governor’s wife’ is just a joke.” 

However, some people pointed out that the brothers of the Governor’s wife had all recently received promotions, saying, “The Governor’s wife carries weight too.” 

Gossip about the most powerful figures in the four eastern provinces of China naturally piqued people’s interest. 

Ning Zhen stayed at home and didn’t hear any of the rumors, nor did anyone come to her with gossip. 

Third Concubine Xu Fangdu’s confinement period had finally ended, and she began moving around in public again. It was cold in early winter, and she had already put on thick clothes. Her small face was slightly pale, making her look even more delicate and pitiful. 

“Mother, I’d like to visit the Governor’s Mansion. I’m feeling better now, so I want to let Brother Yu know I’m alright,” Xu Fangdu said. 

The old lady sighed. “You’d better not go, or else he might just make you upset again.” 

“Why would I be upset with Brother Yu? He has a good heart,” Xu Fangdu replied. 

Ning Zhen was sitting nearby. 

The old lady glanced at her. 

Ning Zhen kept her eyes lowered, staring at her hands resting on her lap, saying nothing. 

Whoever wanted to go could go—she wasn’t going. 

The old lady could only say, “It’s proper to observe formalities, so you should go.” 

Xu Fangdu smiled. 

She brought a gift as well, a pair of shoes she had made during her confinement, and sent them to the Governor’s Mansion. 

She left in the morning and returned before lunchtime. 

She hadn’t seen Sheng Changyu. 

“Brother Yu wasn’t at the mansion today, but the adjutant said he’d pass on the message,” Xu Fangdu said. “The adjutant also accepted the shoes.” 

The old lady replied, “That’s good enough.” 

In the afternoon, after Ning Zhen finished her tasks, she planned to head out to check on one of the shops from her dowry and also do some bookkeeping. 

She had just changed her clothes when the servant from the old lady came with a message saying that the Governor had arrived. 

Ning Zhen’s eyelid twitched. 

“…Why is he here? Still upset and coming to pick a fight again?” 

Ning Zhen acknowledged the message and went straight to the old lady’s courtyard. 

When she arrived, Sheng Changyu was sitting casually on the sofa, drinking tea. 

As soon as Ning Zhen entered, she looked at his expression. Unexpectedly, he was also observing her. Their eyes met, and the awkwardness made Ning Zhen’s scalp tingle. 

“Governor,” she greeted him, then greeted the old lady before sitting down on her left. 

Xu Fangdu’s courtyard was a bit farther away, so she arrived a little later. 

“I heard from the adjutant that you’re feeling better?” Sheng Changyu asked. 

His tone was calm, with no particular emotion. 

Xu Fangdu replied, “Yes, I’m feeling much better. I’ve even gained two pounds from the rest. Brother Yu, you don’t have to worry about me.” 

Sheng Changyu nodded and took a sip of tea. “That’s good.” 

The atmosphere was surprisingly pleasant. 

The old lady seized the moment to ask, “I heard you demoted Ge Ming from his position. Will he be reinstated?” 

“We’ll see,” Sheng Changyu replied. 

“He’s still reliable. Your father appointed him to that role when he was alive, and he’s loyal to you. Without him, there might be unrest,” the old lady said. 

Xu Fangdu smiled gently, “Mother, you care so much for Brother Yu, always worrying about him. But Brother Yu knows what he’s doing. Personnel changes are common; you don’t need to worry.” 

This was her way of advising the old lady to drop the subject before Sheng Changyu became upset. 

Ning Zhen sat quietly beside them, not joining the conversation. 

In that moment, she actually understood Sheng Changyu, because many times, the old lady’s words as a mother were incredibly tactless. 

As a son, even if his mother didn’t always have his best interests in mind, she should at least know his sensitivities and avoid mentioning certain things. That would show a little care or respect for him. 

But the old lady seemed to constantly poke at Sheng Changyu’s sore spots, as if saying, “Look at you, you’re upset over something so trivial. You’re just being petty. What do you have to be unhappy about?” 

The implication was that if someone hurt him, it was his fault for feeling wronged. 

—Just thinking about it was infuriating! 

Take the Ge Ming matter, for example. If the old lady had been wise, she would have criticized Ge Ming more instead of subtly pushing Sheng Changyu to reinstate him. 

She meant well, of course. Ge Ming had worked at the railway bureau for many years and had been valued by Sheng Changyu’s father. His ability and loyalty were unquestionable, and reinstating him would reduce Sheng Changyu’s risks. 

But she didn’t care how Sheng Changyu felt. 

“I understand. We’ll talk after the new year,” Sheng Changyu said, his face already showing signs of displeasure. 

The old lady wanted to continue. 

Sheng Changyu cut her off, “If there’s nothing else, I’ll head back. Adu, come here, I need to give you some instructions.” 

He stood up. 

Third Concubine Xu Fangdu was overjoyed and quickly got up to follow Sheng Changyu out. 

After they left, the old lady turned to Ning Zhen and said, “Look at him, losing his temper again! With a personality like his, who could possibly live with him?” 

Ning Zhen:  

Knowing the full story, Ning Zhen actually felt Sheng Changyu had shown a lot of restraint this time. 

“I really hope A’Kuan comes back soon. Once he’s back, I’ll finally feel at ease,” the old lady added. 

She was referring to her second son, Sheng Changkuan. 

Ning Zhen listened silently. 

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Sheng Changyu and Xu Fangdu talking at the door for quite a while. 

Ning Zhen couldn’t leave. She didn’t want to be alone with Sheng Changyu, so she had to stay and listen to the old lady complain, her words filled with dissatisfaction toward Sheng Changyu. 

“Are they really mother and son?” Ning Zhen suddenly wondered.