Chapter 74

By the time the car arrived at the restaurant, it was already dusk. 

Winter sunsets came early, and the sky was ablaze with a reddish glow. 

Ning Zhen parked the car. 

As she was about to get out, her third brother, Ning Ce, stopped her. 

“I need to talk to you about something,” he said. 

“Now?” Ning Zhen asked. 

“I have to leave soon, I’m busy,” her third brother replied. 

“What are you busy with?” she asked, confused. 

Ning Ce didn’t answer, continuing instead, “Could you help me say something to our sister-in-law?” 

“What is it?” Ning Zhen asked. 

“Miss Chu is really nice. She’s beautiful and has a carefree personality. When I saw her, I felt she was a real gem,” Ning Ce said. 

Ning Zhen frowned slightly. “What do you mean?” 

“I admire Miss Chu. I’m not just being polite. Actually, I’ve had someone I care about for a while now,” Ning Ce explained. 

Ning Zhen was taken aback. 

“…If Miss Chu weren’t so outstanding, I would’ve found some flaw to use as an excuse to end this, so as not to put our sister-in-law in a difficult position. But since Miss Chu is so great, I can’t slander her in good conscience.” 

“Who is this person you’re with?” Ning Zhen asked. 

“That’s none of your concern. Just tell our sister-in-law for me, don’t forget,” Ning Ce insisted. 

“Why don’t you tell her yourself?” Ning Zhen retorted. 

“You two have an easier time talking. If I say it, she’ll get mad,” Ning Ce said. 

Ning Zhen laughed in frustration. “You want me to be the bad guy?” 

“Sister-in-law won’t get mad at you. I’ll buy you a gift later. Just help your third brother out this time,” Ning Ce pleaded. “You can even throw in a few scolding words to ease her mind.” 

Ning Zhen sighed, “Miss Chu is great. It’s just your bad luck.” 

“You can tell that to both sister-in-law and Miss Chu. It’s true, I’m the one out of luck,” Ning Ce said. 

Ning Zhen couldn’t argue further. 

After this brief conversation, the two siblings lagged behind the rest of the group. 

When they got out of the car, the large crowd at the entrance had already gone inside, except for Sheng Changyu, who was still standing under the restaurant’s eaves. 

He was talking to a young man. 

The young man looked very respectful, while Sheng Changyu’s attitude was indifferent, revealing no emotion. 

“That’s Yao Anchi, the eldest son of Yao Shao. Damn, the Yao family is just as annoying as the Sheng family,” Ning Ce whispered to his sister. 

“Keep smiling,” Ning Zhen advised. 

She added, “Even Yao Wenluo wants to become the Governor’s second wife. The Yao family isn’t as pure as they seem on the surface.” 

Ning Ce’s eyes lit up. “Really?” 

He now knew how to provoke Yao Anchi. 

“Maintain the posture of a victor, and you’ll drive the Yao family crazy,” Ning Zhen said. 

Ning Ce arrogantly raised his head. “Like I need your advice.” 

The two siblings climbed the steps. 

A servant bowed to greet them. Ning Zhen kept her gaze straight ahead, while Ning Ce deliberately glanced toward the corridor. 

Yao Anchi smiled and said something to Sheng Changyu. 

Sheng Changyu, still expressionless, walked toward them. 

Ning Zhen and Ning Ce stood still and greeted, “Governor.” 

Sheng Changyu glanced briefly at Ning Zhen, his gaze lingering on her for a few seconds before he said, “Let’s go inside and eat.” 

Ning Zhen responded, “Alright.” 

She exchanged a glance with Yao Anchi. They had crossed paths a few times before, but she didn’t have a strong impression of him. 

“Madam, hello. I’m Yao Anchi,” he said, taking the initiative. “It’s usually difficult to meet you. General Ning keeps you well-guarded. Today, I’m lucky to run into you.” 

His words were polite, even flattering. 

But Ning Zhen could detect the subtle condescension behind them. There was an undercurrent of disrespect in his tone, veiled but noticeable, and Ning Zhen understood it clearly. 

She smiled slightly. “Your father is a trusted and vital general to the Governor. I’m sure we’ll have more opportunities to meet in the future. Young Master Yao is being too modest.” 

If it weren’t for your father’s reputation, you wouldn’t even have the right to meet me. 

“To be fair, General Ning’s achievements are even greater,” Yao Anchi responded. 

Ning Ce interjected, “We’re just here for a meal at Zuifenglou. Do we really need to list all of my father’s accomplishments? That would require a lot of ink—his achievements are too numerous to finish writing down in one go.” 

Yao Anchi laughed, “Of course. No need to grind ink; the record of accomplishments is in the Governor’s heart.” 

Ning Ce looked at Sheng Changyu and, fearlessly, replied, “Exactly. The Governor married my sister because he knows what’s in his heart.” 

Ning Zhen:  

You’ve completely missed the point. 

If you’re going to argue with Yao Anchi, focus on him. Why drag the Governor into this? 

Ning Zhen was exasperated. She had started off strong, but her third brother’s clumsy remarks had muddled the situation. 

“…Do you think I don’t know what’s in my heart?” Sheng Changyu suddenly spoke up. 

Ning Zhen stiffened. 

“Of course not!” she quickly responded, “My third brother means that if the Governor didn’t respect my father, he wouldn’t have married me.” 

“If I married every daughter of someone I respected, would the Governor’s Mansion be big enough?” Sheng Changyu asked. 

Ning Zhen laughed, “The Governor’s Mansion is certainly big enough, but your heart might not be, considering how many people it would hold.” 

Sheng Changyu replied, “Save that joke for dinner later. I’ll take it as a side dish.” 

At least he found her amusing and didn’t continue to criticize Ning Ce. 

Ning Ce’s expression soured, as if he wanted to say something else, but Ning Zhen shot him a sharp look. 

Yao Anchi, on the other hand, was smart enough to stay silent once Sheng Changyu had started speaking. 

Sheng Changyu began walking upstairs, with Ning Zhen following behind. She signaled to Ning Ce, urging him to leave and not follow them since he had business to attend to. 

This time, Ning Ce understood. He stayed put, as did Yao Anchi. 

As Ning Zhen and Sheng Changyu walked up the stairs, at the bend, Sheng Changyu seemed about to say something. He turned slightly and bumped into Ning Zhen. 

Ning Zhen’s clothes tightened. 

Looking down, she noticed her sachet had fallen to the floor. 

Sheng Changyu shifted his foot, stepping right on it. 

Ning Zhen:  

Of all the steps you could’ve taken… 

Realizing what he’d done, Sheng Changyu picked up the sachet. “I stepped on it and got it dirty.” 

“It’s no big deal,” Ning Zhen replied. “It’s just a small trinket. I’ll take it home and clean it.” 

“A small trinket? If it’s dirty, throw it away. Why bother cleaning it?” Sheng Changyu said dismissively. “Where did you get it? I’ll have someone buy you a new one.” 

Ning Zhen watched his movements. Seeing that he had no intention of returning the sachet and was still holding onto it, she didn’t step forward. 

“It wasn’t bought. It was a small gift from someone,” Ning Zhen explained. 

“Tell them to give you another one. It’s a cheap item. One silver dollar could buy a hundred of them,” Sheng Changyu said. 

“It wasn’t bought. It was handmade by her family’s embroiderer, and the scent inside was blended by them too,” Ning Zhen clarified. 

Sheng Changyu responded, “Bragging about their business to you, were they?” 

“No, their business really is thriving. It wasn’t boasting,” Ning Zhen said. 

Then she added, “Why don’t you return it to me? It doesn’t seem that dirty.” 

Sheng Changyu held the sachet in his hand. “What’s this smell? It’s odd.” 

“It’s sweet pomelo,” Ning Zhen replied. “It has a hint of floral and fruity notes. I like the smell. Originally, if she had become my third sister-in-law, I could’ve asked her for more anytime. But unfortunately, my third brother said he’s not interested.” 

“Your third brother is that picky?” Sheng Changyu asked. 

“Did you see Miss Chu earlier? She really is beautiful,” Ning Zhen commented. 

“You’re telling your husband to admire other women’s beauty?” Sheng Changyu raised an eyebrow. “Madam Sheng, you must be the most virtuous woman in the world.” 

Ning Zhen:  

“Even if she can’t be your third sister-in-law, she could still be a friend. Ask her to give you another one,” Sheng Changyu finally said, handing the sachet back. 

The silk was delicate and easily stained. The sachet now had a clear imprint from Sheng Changyu’s boot, which wouldn’t come off no matter how hard Ning Zhen tried to brush it away. 

She felt a twinge of regret. 

Sheng Changyu continued up the stairs, motioning for Ning Zhen to follow. She quickly left the sachet behind and followed him.