Chapter 70

Ning Zhen returned from the Governor’s Mansion and went to see the old lady. 

The old lady was extremely angry, her face looked unwell and somewhat haggard. 

She was under fifty years old, and even when dressed very conservatively, she still had an air of elegance. 

But with her current haggard appearance, she looked as though she had aged ten years overnight. 

It was unclear whether she was angered by Sheng Changyu or by Xu Fangdu. 

“… The governor kept me here, saying that recently someone had brought very good beef, and it would be a waste if not eaten up. I’ve stayed here for a few days, resting in the guest room,” Ning Zhen said voluntarily. 

The old lady said, “You…” 

She didn’t want to ask but couldn’t help herself. 

Ning Zhen added, “I received the same treatment as the third concubine, mother.” 

The old lady was deeply offended. 

She could no longer tolerate it: “This makes it clear that FanFan is favored above all others. She comes from the brothel, and no matter how much she is pampered, her body is ruined and she can’t bear children.” 

Ning Zhen’s expression remained calm. 

“Mother, the governor doesn’t intend to have more children. Whether it’s a woman or a child, it’s just to please him. Now that FanFan makes him happy, he’s willing to pamper her. What can we do?” Ning Zhen suddenly said. 

The old lady didn’t expect that Ning Zhen was subtly arguing and even seemed to be mocking her. Her expression changed: “What nonsense are you talking?” 

“Maybe it’s because I’m foolish. If I weren’t as foolish as the third concubine, the governor might have cared for us a little more. 

FanFan comes from a poor background, but she is smart and capable. The governor just loves her, and there’s nothing we can do about it,” Ning Zhen said. 

She continued to argue sharply. 

The old lady was momentarily stunned, unsure of how to respond. 

She stared at Ning Zhen and after a long while said, “Do you know what you’re saying?” 

“I’m indeed foolish, mother. Please instruct me,” Ning Zhen remained steadfast. 

The old lady was enraged: “Are you trying to revolt? Do you still see me as your mother-in-law, or do you disregard hierarchy?” 

“Mother, even though I entered the family later, I am still the legitimate wife with a formal marriage certificate and three wedding messengers. 

The third concubine schemed against me, and you only dealt with her lightly because she lied, not because she harmed me. 

If you have no regard for your daughter-in-law, then I am unfilial. I can’t be the governor’s wife. After the New Year, I want a divorce. 

You have many candidates on hand. Please find another good one for the governor. Ideally, she should both irritate the governor and be under your control,” Ning Zhen smiled. 

The old lady’s face changed drastically. 

Her cheeks were filled with frost: “Are you looking for death, Ning Zhen? Who do you think you’re talking to?” 

Ning Zhen’s harshness had crossed the line. 

She was actually rebuking the old lady. 

“Life and death are fate. If you want me dead, I can’t escape. For now, I’ll return to my family home for a while. After the New Year, you can call me back for the divorce,” Ning Zhen said. 

After saying this, she turned and left. 

If she didn’t show some sharpness, the old lady would have treated her worse than a concubine. 

Ning Zhen had realized that even the great governor’s eldest son, despite being a biological child, didn’t receive any respect from the old lady. As an outsider, she was even less likely to be respected. 

She always played the obedient role, but when the third concubine slapped her face, the old lady pretended not to see. 

—If you pretend to be blind, don’t blame me for being dazzling. 

Ning Zhen returned to Zhaoyuju to pack her belongings. 

Not only did she leave, but she also took her four servants with her. 

The servants were terrified. 

Cao Ma was also greatly frightened: “Madam, won’t this make things worse?” 

Ning Zhen said, “It’s a game of strategy. I test the old lady’s limits and reveal my own cards.” 

“What if she really forces you to divorce?” Cao Ma asked worriedly. 

Ning Zhen replied, “If she retreats, she will send someone to bring me back for the New Year, or even come herself to fetch me; if she genuinely forces me to divorce, then I will kneel for her.” 

Cao Ma:  

She was at a loss whether to laugh or cry and was deeply worried. 

Ning Zhen was often rational and decisive, but she was still a child raised with pampering and had her own temper. 

She wasn’t a weak, easily bullied little persimmon that anyone could squeeze. 

When it was time to show some attitude, Ning Zhen was determined to assert herself. 

Testing each other, she would apologize once she found out if the other party was immovable. 

“Let’s see who can hold their ground,” Ning Zhen said. 

She drove herself, packed up some simple luggage into the trunk, and took her four maids and a money box back to the Ning family home. 

The Sheng family’s old residence was in an uproar. 

“She wouldn’t dare to get a divorce, would she? Ning Zhoutong is still a thorn in the governor’s side. If she divorces now, wouldn’t it be a waste of effort?” 

“Just putting on a show to scare the old lady. But then again, the third concubine is getting arrogant. If the old lady doesn’t give her some dignity, she’ll lose her prestige.” 

“This will be interesting. Let’s see which side will back down first.” 

“The old lady has never bowed her head in her life. The wife is too headstrong. In the end, it will be the Ning family who will act, bringing her back to apologize to the old lady.” 

However, after waiting, Ning Zhen didn’t return. 

Onlookers found the situation increasingly intriguing. 

After leaving the old residence, Ning Zhen went to the Governor’s Mansion. 

She told Sheng Changyu that she planned to stay at her family home for a few days before the New Year. 

“Do as you wish,” Sheng Changyu said. 

With a month left until the New Year, Ning Zhen planned to stay until the end of the lunar year. 

Sheng Changyu didn’t mind, and she felt more at ease to stay. 

At home, her mother supported her. 

Her grandmother cared for her but felt that her actions might leave evidence against her. 

“You should go back soon; don’t go too far,” her grandmother advised. 

Her mother said, “Let her stay until the end of the year. She has endured so much since she got married. Isn’t our daughter human? As a mother-in-law myself, I would never make things difficult for my daughter-in-law.” 

Saying this, she felt so distressed that she almost cried. 

Her grandmother didn’t push further. 

In the twelfth month, Ning Zhoutong was mostly in the city, and her eldest brother was often home. 

Her father, brother, and sisters-in-law all supported Ning Zhen. 

Ning Zhen was extremely happy at home. 

“Are you going to the polo field?” Her eldest sister-in-law, concerned she might get bored, suggested, “Mr. Meng’s polo field. He’s invited your elder brother to play. We should go too and get a good box.” 

Ning Zhen asked, “Mr. Meng’s box?” 

“You wish. We’ll get our own,” her sister-in-law said. 

Ning Zhen:  

Her sister-in-law then secretly told Ning Zhen, “I’m inviting Jingyue. You should bring Ning Ce along so they can meet in advance.” 

Ning Zhen: “Okay!” 

They agreed on the plan. 

The next morning, the Ning family set out in three cars. 

Ning Zhen and her third brother, Ning Ce, were in the same car. She told him, “If you want to run, you can jump out of the car now. My sister-in-law wants to set you up on a blind date.” 

Ning Ce: “Are you trying to provoke me?” 

“Yes. Are you a coward? If you say so now, I’ll pull over and let you escape,” Ning Zhen laughed. 

Ning Ce snorted coldly: “Don’t play tricks with me. A blind date is a normal thing; what’s there to be afraid of?” 

Ning Zhen couldn’t help but laugh. 

Ning Ce said, “I’m doing this for you.” 

“For me, what?” 

“To give you something to watch and enjoy,” Ning Ce said, “Don’t think I don’t know your schemes.” 

Ning Zhen laughed. 

When they arrived at the polo field, Ning Zhen saw a car not far away that wasn’t registered. 

In Suzhou, unregistered cars were typically military government vehicles; and that one looked like one commonly used by Sheng Changyu, which she had ridden in several times. 

“It seems the governor is here to play too,” Ning Zhen said to her brother. 

Ning Ce’s brows furrowed deeply. 

Ning Zhen had seen this expression on Sheng Changyu’s face before. 

The Ning family and Sheng Changyu were mutually displeased. 

Ning Ce spoke up: “If people don’t poke you in the eye, why do you have to be so perceptive? Pretend you don’t see it!”  

Ning Zhen: