Chapter 21

In the late morning, with nothing to do, Ning Zhen was reading at home. The mid-autumn sunlight was warm but not scorching, casting a soft glow outside on a hibiscus plant, which blushed faintly, shy and endearing under the light. 

There was a knock on the door. 

A maid answered, and Ning Zhen heard a cheerful and lively female voice, “Where is Ning Zhen?” 

Ning Zhen set down her book, stood up, and grabbed a long tassel shawl before walking downstairs slowly. 

In the living room, Yao Wenluo was sitting comfortably on the sofa, leisurely asking the maid to make her tea. 

“Miss Yao, if I recall correctly, I didn’t invite you here, did I?” Ning Zhen spoke as she reached the winding staircase. 

The long tassels of her shawl swayed, and under the sunlight streaming through the tall windows behind her, she seemed to be draped in golden rays. 

Yao Wenluo squinted slightly. 

“I came to visit the old lady and Changyin, and I thought I’d stop by to see you too. Am I not welcome?” Yao Wenluo raised an eyebrow. 

Ning Zhen continued down the stairs slowly, tightening her shawl with a casual grace. “I don’t believe we’re that familiar, Miss Yao.” 

Yao Wenluo smiled. “Ning Zhen, why are you acting so distant? We didn’t exactly start off on the right foot, but I’d really like to get to know you better.” 

She then added with a playful smile, “Ah Yu (Sheng Changyu) is like a brother to me, and since you’ve married him, that makes you my sister-in-law. There’s no need to be so formal.” 

Ning Zhen responded, “You’re too kind, Miss Yao. I’m not worthy of such an honor.” 

Yao Wenluo was momentarily speechless. 

Even though Ning Zhen’s attitude wasn’t exactly friendly, Yao Wenluo insisted on staying for a while longer, trying to make conversation despite the awkwardness. 

At one point, she asked, “You’ve been married for a while now. Haven’t you gotten pregnant yet?” 

Ning Zhen’s eyelashes lowered. “Not yet.” 

“How come…?” 

“Miss Yao,” Ning Zhen raised her gaze, her eyes sharp like unsheathed blades, “do you think it’s appropriate for an unmarried young lady to inquire about such matters?” 

Yao Wenluo instinctively flinched, clearly unsettled. She soon made an excuse to leave. 

After finishing her tea, Yao Wenluo stood up, but before leaving, she said to Ning Zhen, “I sincerely want to put our differences behind us and become good friends. 

“Ning Zhen, you may not trust me now, but time will reveal a person’s true nature. Ah Yu has few family members, and I’ve lowered myself to accommodate you because I don’t want to make things difficult for him. Consider what I’ve said.” 

With that, she turned and left. 

Ning Zhen showed no reaction, but the maid and the housekeeper were furious. 

“Madam, did you hear what she said? Even your real sister-in-law wouldn’t dare act so superior! What does she think she is?” the maid exclaimed. 

Ning Zhen pondered for a moment before calmly asking, “Why did she come here?” 

“Who knows?” 

“The Yao Wenluo I know would never humble herself like that,” Ning Zhen remarked. 

She mentally replayed Yao Wenluo’s actions from earlier. 

“Cao Ma, go to Ning residence and bring me a trunk,” Ning Zhen instructed. 

“Which one, Madam?” 

When Ning Zhen married, her family had prepared a lavish dowry. However, there were still some items she hadn’t brought with her. 

“The one in the second storeroom on the first floor, filled with furs,” Ning Zhen said. 

She had many furs, both long and short. Two trunks were brought over as part of her dowry, and more remained at her family home. 

“Are you planning to wear furs?” Cao Ma asked. 

Ning Zhen shook her head. “Just bring it over quietly. If anyone asks, say it’s old books of mine.” 

Cao Ma agreed and went upstairs. 

Less than half an hour later, a maid from the old lady ’s courtyard arrived. 

“The old lady invites you to lunch. We have guests today,” the maid said. 

The guest, of course, was Yao Wenluo. 

Yao Wenluo’s father held a high position in the military, which made the old lady value Yao Wenluo. 

Ning Zhen changed her clothes and headed to the old lady ’s courtyard. 

When she arrived, Sheng Changyin and the third concubine, Xu Fangdu, were already there. The old lady was surrounded by them, smiling brightly, clearly entertained by Yao Wenluo’s antics. 

“…Ah Yu went to the camp again. He’s busy all year round. I heard that the special envoy from the Presidential Palace in North City has been giving him trouble,” Yao Wenluo said. 

The old lady replied, “We’ve heard a bit about that too.” 

“My father said it’s nothing serious. While we’re under the control of the Presidential Palace, they’re even more afraid that Ah Yu might get angry and split the region into his own territory,” Yao Wenluo added. 

The old lady nodded, “That’s true.” 

“So, there’s nothing to worry about. It’s just like annoying flies buzzing around. You don’t need to worry about Ah Yu,” Yao Wenluo continued, speaking as if she were Sheng Changyu’s wife. 

When Ning Zhen entered, Xu Fangdu, the third concubine, glanced at her and smiled faintly. “The madam is here.” 

Yao Wenluo’s smile briefly faded, but she quickly forced it back.  

“Ning Zhen, sit here,” Yao Wenluo offered, making space for her. 

Ning Zhen looked towards the old lady for guidance.  

The old lady nodded with a smile, and only then did Ning Zhen take a seat. 

“The next time Ah Yu is back in the city, I’ll come over for a meal again. Since you’ve told me not to be a stranger, I’m taking you at your word,” Yao Wenluo said. 

The old lady ’s smile became slightly strained. “Of course.” 

“I’m not one to be too particular. Ning Zhen knows this—we’ve played together since we were young,” Yao Wenluo added. 

Ning Zhen replied, “That’s not quite true. Miss Yao and I aren’t especially close. However, Miss Yao does seem to get along with everyone.” 

Sheng Changyin glanced at Ning Zhen, a hint of amusement in her eyes. It seemed she didn’t like Yao Wenluo much either. 

The old lady , worried they might start arguing, quickly instructed everyone to start the meal. 

After lunch, Yao Wenluo went to teach Sheng Changyin how to play the piano, the old lady took a nap, and the third concubine helped the old lady and the housekeeper with the accounts. 

Ning Zhen returned to her own courtyard. 

That afternoon, she spent time sorting through her things, taking out all her short fur coats. 

“What about this one?” 

“No,” Ning Zhen shook her head. 

“And this one?” 

Ning Zhen selected more than a dozen fur coats. She had so many that it took a while to choose, with many similar styles and colors. 

After spending the entire afternoon, she finally settled on one. 

She shared her suspicions with Cao Ma and the others, advising them to be cautious. 

In this way, several days passed, and as the beginning of September approached, Yao Wenluo returned. 

As usual, she first went to Ning Zhen’s courtyard. 

Ning Zhen was in the living room when she saw that Yao Wenluo wasn’t wearing her short fur coat this time but had it draped over her arm. The weather was colder than the last time she came, yet she wasn’t wearing it. 

“Miss Yao, are you here to teach the piano again?” Ning Zhen asked. 

The maids had mentioned that Yao Wenluo played the piano quite well, and the old lady had been interested in having her teach. 

In most households, a woman like Yao wouldn’t agree to such a request, but the Sheng family was different. 

Yao Wenluo had agreed, but there had been scheduling conflicts with Sheng Changyin. 

Sheng Changyin hadn’t yet arranged a time for the lessons. 

“In the future, I might stay here and teach four times a week. Since Changyin has classes during the day, I’ll teach her in the evenings. During the day, I’ll be free, and we can go shopping together,” Yao Wenluo said. 

Ning Zhen remained silent. 

“Ning Zhen, I truly hope we can get along well,” Yao Wenluo hinted, “I know you may not want to, but we don’t have a choice. If we stay on good terms, Ah Yu won’t have to worry.” 

Ning Zhen cut straight to the point, “Miss Yao, are you planning to become my husband’s fourth concubine?” 

Yao Wenluo froze for a moment before laughing scornfully. “I’m not from some insignificant family. Why would I ever become a concubine?” 

She couldn’t resist boasting. “Nowadays, it’s common for multiple wives of equal status. For a powerful figure like Ah Yu, it’s only right for him to have ten wives.” 

“Did the Governor promise you that, or did the old lady ?” Ning Zhen asked her.