Chapter 54

Cheng Baisheng placed Ning Zhen’s gift next to Sheng Changyu. 

Sheng Changyu lifted his gaze and nodded at Ning Zhen. “Sit down.” 

It was a large round table, so Ning Zhen felt it would be inappropriate to sit directly across from him. She chose a seat two spots to his left. 

“Ning Zhen, what kind of wine would you like?” Cheng Baisheng asked. 

Ning Zhen thought, If I drink more alcohol, I’ll be in terrible pain tomorrow. 

However, since it was the Governor’s birthday, not drinking with him would make the visit pointless. 

“I don’t have a strong tolerance for alcohol. Do you have any plum wine? Something mild,” Ning Zhen asked. 

“We do. Sit tight, I’ll go get it,” Cheng Baisheng said with a smile, and then headed to the wine cellar. 

The dining table was filled with dishes, and the adjutants stepped back to the doorway, leaving the dining room door slightly ajar. With just Ning Zhen and Sheng Changyu sitting there, the atmosphere grew a bit awkward. 

Ning Zhen tried to think of a conversation starter, but Sheng Changyu spoke first: “Why are you wearing such heavy rouge?” 

“I just put on a bit of makeup,” Ning Zhen replied. 

“Your usual look is just fine. No need to try so hard to dress up,” Sheng Changyu said. 

“My complexion hasn’t been great lately. I didn’t want the Governor to find it unlucky,” Ning Zhen explained. 

Sheng Changyu glanced at her again. “Are you feeling unwell or cold?” 

Ning Zhen was slightly surprised and hesitated. 

“Someone, bring in a heater,” Sheng Changyu ordered. “And fetch a small hand warmer.” 

Ning Zhen was flustered. “There’s no need for that, Governor. I’m not cold. I’m just not feeling well, but it’s a small issue.” 

What if he asked where she felt unwell? How was she supposed to answer that? 

Surely he knew about women’s monthly cycles, right? After all, he had two concubines and a romantic companion. 

Fortunately, he didn’t press further. Instead, he stood up and went to the door to give the adjutant some instructions. The adjutant nodded and left. 

When Cheng Baisheng returned, an adjutant brought in a large heater and opened a skylight for ventilation. 

“Ning Zhen, are you cold?” Cheng Baisheng asked. 

Ning Zhen had no choice but to say, “A little.” 

If she said she wasn’t cold, the Governor’s efforts would have been wasted, and he might get angry. 

“Then drink a bit more later to warm up,” Cheng Baisheng suggested. 

He brought out a large three-kilogram jug of osmanthus wine and a bottle of plum wine. 

Without calling anyone to serve them, Cheng Baisheng poured the wine himself. 

He first poured the osmanthus wine for Sheng Changyu, then poured some for Ning Zhen. 

“Let’s first toast to Changyu. He’s turning twenty-five this year, truly a great figure now. From now on, when he stomps his foot, the mountains and rivers will tremble,” Cheng Baisheng said in a serious tone. 

Ning Zhen couldn’t help but laugh. But as she laughed, the slight movement caused a wave of pain to sweep through her abdomen. 

Sheng Changyu glanced at her. 

“Why the smooth talk?” Sheng Changyu turned and asked Cheng Baisheng. 

“I’m not usually like this. Don’t tease me in front of Ning Zhen. It’s your birthday today, so I’m playing the fool to make you laugh,” Cheng Baisheng replied. “Even if you didn’t laugh, Ning Zhen did. So let her laughter count for yours.” 

He raised his glass. 

Sheng Changyu clinked glasses with him, and Ning Zhen stood up to join the toast. 

As she sat back down, Sheng Changyu finished his drink and, with a swift motion, reached over and took Ning Zhen’s glass. 

He moved so quickly that she wasn’t prepared, and half the wine spilled onto her hand. 

“I’ll try the plum wine,” Sheng Changyu said. 

He downed it in one gulp and commented, “Tastes like water.” 

“Of course it tastes like water to you. It’s only twenty percent alcohol,” Cheng Baisheng remarked, refilling the glasses. 

Ning Zhen wiped her hand with a napkin. 

They ate and chatted idly, the topic turning to a recent elopement case in the city—just some lighthearted gossip. 

Ning Zhen didn’t have much of an appetite. 

Cheng Baisheng toasted Sheng Changyu again, including Ning Zhen in the toast. 

But just as Ning Zhen was about to drink, Sheng Changyu covered her glass. “Don’t drink anymore. I don’t like women drinking.” 

Cheng Baisheng was surprised. “Since when did you develop such a quirk?” 

“Tonight,” Sheng Changyu replied. 

Cheng Baisheng sighed. “You’re impossible to please.” 

“There are people lining up to serve me. The fact that I’m letting you serve me means I value you,” Sheng Changyu said. 

Cheng Baisheng responded, “Should I thank you for that?” 

“You can express your gratitude,” Sheng Changyu replied. 

“Alright then, thank you, Governor. You’ll have to drink for both of us,” Cheng Baisheng said. 

Without another word, Sheng Changyu drank his own cup and then finished Ning Zhen’s as well. 

Ning Zhen sat quietly beside them, not saying anything. 

She had a feeling that Sheng Changyu knew about her situation and was deliberately preventing her from drinking. He knew, but since he couldn’t explain it to Cheng Baisheng, he had to find an excuse instead. 

Cheng Baisheng, however, didn’t indulge him. Since Sheng Changyu didn’t let Ning Zhen drink, Cheng Baisheng stepped in and drank for her. 

Ning Zhen sat there, feeling slightly embarrassed. 

The meal went on merrily. They nearly finished off the jug of osmanthus wine, and Sheng Changyu drank half the bottle of plum wine. 

“Is the wine really that good?” Cheng Baisheng joked, “Pour me a glass too.” 

“Get lost,” Sheng Changyu retorted, refusing to share. 

Cheng Baisheng sighed, “You’ve got a whole wine cellar full of plum wine, why be so stingy?” 

“Tonight’s plum wine is different,” Sheng Changyu, a bit tipsy, said. “This belongs to Ning Zhen. Would you drink the Governor’s wife’s wine?” 

Cheng Baisheng was speechless. “But Ning Zhen didn’t even have a sip.” 

Then he added, “Ning Zhen, you’re really patient. Anyone else would’ve been driven to tears by him by now.” 

“It’s not that bad,” Ning Zhen replied. 

“If it were Su Qing’er, she’d be crying by now,” Cheng Baisheng remarked. 

Ning Zhen was startled. Had Cheng Baisheng drunk too much? 

With Sheng Changyu already tipsy and not in a particularly festive mood on his birthday, bringing up Su Qing’er was like throwing a torch into a barrel of oil. 

This could blow up. 

Ning Zhen cautiously glanced at Sheng Changyu. 

If he were to lose his temper and flip the table, she would need to move quickly to avoid being splashed with soup and dishes. 

Sheng Changyu’s cheeks were slightly red from the alcohol, but he remained calm and didn’t get angry. 

He simply said, “Stop dragging irrelevant things into this.” 

Ning Zhen let out a silent sigh of relief. If her stomach weren’t hurting, she might have even felt a bit triumphant at having dodged that bullet. 

After the meal, they shared the small cake that Ning Zhen had brought. 

The cake was so small that after a few spoon full each, it was gone. 

The kitchen then brought out longevity noodles, with three bowls prepared. 

However, none of them had much of an appetite, so Sheng Changyu suggested, “Let’s just drink the broth.” 

He took a small sip first, then handed the bowl to Ning Zhen, signaling for her to drink as well. 

Ning Zhen reached for the bowl, but he didn’t let go, indicating that she should lean over and drink directly from it. 

As long as she didn’t have to force down the noodles, Ning Zhen was willing to do whatever he asked. She leaned in and took a sip. 

Cheng Baisheng’s lips curved into a slight smile. 

“Arrange a guest room for Ning Zhen,” Sheng Changyu said. “It’s late, so stay the night.” 

“Let her stay in the inner courtyard!” Cheng Baisheng added. 

“The inner courtyard hasn’t been cleaned in a while, and it can’t be tidied up on short notice,” Sheng Changyu replied. 

Ning Zhen hesitated. The inner courtyard hasn’t been cleaned? Then where do you usually stay? 

On second thought, she realized that Sheng Changyu either stayed in the military camp or one of his private residences, using the outer courtyard of the Governor’s mansion only for official duties. The inner courtyard wasn’t lived in. 

“No need to trouble yourselves. It’s just a few steps. I’ll head home,” Ning Zhen said. 

But Sheng Changyu pressed down on her shoulder. 

He was likely quite drunk, as the weight of his hand was neither gentle nor heavy on her shoulder. “Stay the night.” 

After saying this, he released her and left the room first. 

The feeling of his hand lingered on Ning Zhen’s shoulder long after he had gone. 

Ning Zhen had no choice but to stay. 

She felt uneasy, as it wasn’t convenient for her to stay overnight. 

While she was still thinking about what to do, a servant brought her some sanitary supplies and a steaming bowl of herbal medicine. 

“Madam, the Governor said this is a secret remedy from a renowned doctor, specifically for relieving women’s discomfort during their time of the month. You should drink it—it’ll make you feel better,” the maid said. 

Ning Zhen was speechless.