Chapter 25

Ning Zhen’s expression was stern. 

She stood before Yao Wenluo and stared directly at her. “Miss Yao, do you have any evidence that I swapped your fur coat?” 

“I…” 

“You don’t. You took the wrong coat yourself. That is your responsibility. As for why I hid needles in the fur coat, what does that have to do with Miss Yao?” Ning Zhen asked coldly. 

Yao Wenluo said, “Ning Zhen!” 

“You’re acting arrogantly in front of the Governor and the Old lady. You think the Yao family’s achievements are above the current Sheng family, don’t you?” Ning Zhen’s tone softened. 

Yao Wenluo seemed struck by lightning and hurried to explain, “That’s not true. Ah Yu, don’t listen to Ning Zhen’s provocations. You know about my father.” 

“Cheng Yang, what are you standing there for? Take Miss Yao back. Tell the teacher that this is the first time; I’m giving the teacher face. If there’s a next time, it won’t be so easily overlooked,” Sheng Changyu said. 

He addressed only his adjutant. 

The adjutant complied and had people remove Yao Wenluo. 

Yao Wenluo, fearing she might end up in a worse situation with Ning Zhen, reluctantly followed the adjutant. 

She was furious, her face turning pale. 

Once she left, only the Sheng family members remained in the room, but no one felt relieved. 

The Old lady and Sheng Changyu both had grim expressions. 

Especially the Old lady, who turned to Ning Zhen and asked, “So, what’s the deal with the coat?” 

Ning Zhen replied, “Mother, Miss Yao did indeed take the wrong coat.” 

“Do you think I’m senile? Why were there needles hidden in your coat?” the Old lady pressed. 

Ning Zhen said, “I really don’t know. I’ll investigate thoroughly when I return.” 

Sheng Changyu asked, “Mother, are you still going to scold her?” 

“I have to get to the bottom of this,” the Old lady said angrily. “How long are you going to protect her?” 

“She hasn’t done anything wrong. Is it protecting her to be fair and impartial?” Sheng Changyu said. 

The Old lady was speechless. 

Suddenly, Cao Ma knelt down, saying, “Old lady, Governor, it’s all my fault. I moved the Madam’s fur coat to Third Concubine’s room by mistake. Later, the Madam said she didn’t intend to store it.” 

Ning Zhen pretended to be stern. “Be quiet. What nonsense are you talking about?” 

Xu Fangdu stumbled slightly. 

She had summoned Yao Wenluo to teach Ning Zhen a lesson and to stir up trouble. Unexpectedly, she found herself caught in the mess. 

Ning Zhen had arranged for the box to be moved, and she had fallen into the trap unawares. 

Xu Fangdu said, “Mother, Governor, I really don’t know about this. My people didn’t touch the Madam’s box, and we didn’t have time to check…” 

“I didn’t say it was you. I trust you, Third Concubine,” Ning Zhen said. 

She then addressed the Old lady and Sheng Changyu. “Let’s leave it at that, Mother, Governor. Family matters should be settled peacefully.” 

She then looked at Sheng Changyu and said, “As the old saying goes, ‘One should not be foolish or deaf, nor act as a meddling elder.’” 

She had said this to Sheng Changyu before. 

The Old lady seemed to waver. 

Xu Fangdu was so angry she nearly spat blood. 

If the matter wasn’t investigated thoroughly and was brushed aside, she would bear the suspicion. 

“No, Mother. My people can testify; I really didn’t open the Madam’s box,” Xu Fangdu said urgently. 

“The Madam said she trusts you. What, do you think the Madam is lying?” Sheng Changyu said coldly. 

Xu Fangdu was on the verge of tears. 

If Ning Zhen trusted her, her servants wouldn’t have mentioned sending the box to Xu Fangdu; if Ning Zhen trusted her, she wouldn’t have said things like “foolish and deaf.” 

Ning Zhen’s lack of trust meant she was effectively pinning the blame on Xu Fangdu. 

Tears welled up in Xu Fangdu’s eyes, and she found herself at a loss. She could only look to the Old lady for help. “Mother, I really didn’t touch the Madam’s box.” 

“Enough, enough!” The Old lady, exhausted both physically and emotionally, said, “Let this matter go. I’m tired, and I won’t eat. You all may leave.” 

She got up and returned to her room. 

Xu Fangdu was almost about to kneel. 

“Clarify this, please!” she wanted to say. 

With the Old lady gone, Xu Fangdu could no longer hold back her tears and threw herself at Sheng Changyu. “Ah Yu, please make a decision for me.” 

Sheng Changyu steadied her. “Stand properly. What do you want me to decide for you? Who blames you? The Madam already said it has nothing to do with you.” 

Xu Fangdu was silent. 

Ning Zhen said, “Governor, I’ll be leaving now.” 

Sheng Changyu responded with a hum. 

Ning Zhen signaled Cao Ma to follow her and turned to leave. 

As soon as she stepped outside, she heard footsteps and the sound of military boots. 

Turning around, she saw Sheng Changyu following her at a leisurely pace. 

Ning Zhen asked, “Governor, are you going back too?” 

“I haven’t had dinner yet,” Sheng Changyu said lightly. 

“Then, may I invite you to dinner outside?” Ning Zhen offered. 

“Is there a wild man hidden in Zhaiyuju?” Sheng Changyu asked. 

“Not at all,” Ning Zhen replied. 

“Lead the way,” Sheng Changyu said. 

Ning Zhen had no choice but to agree and told Cao Ma, “Run back and have someone prepare dinner.” 

Poor Cao Ma, an old woman, hurried off. 

The two courtyards weren’t far apart, and when Sheng Changyu and Ning Zhen returned, the dining table was just being cleared. The small kitchen hadn’t prepared dinner, so they had to get it from the main kitchen, eating whatever was available. 

Sheng Changyu settled into a sofa in the living room. 

He took out a cigarette case, and Ning Zhen lit it for him. 

As Sheng Changyu leaned in a bit closer, he caught a faint fragrance on her. 

He took a deep breath, and the smell of tobacco quickly covered the sweet scent of the woman. 

“Tell me about today’s events,” Sheng Changyu said, exhaling smoke. “If you lie even a little, don’t blame me for being impolite.” 

Ning Zhen bit her lip slightly. “Governor, are you suspecting me?” 

Sheng Changyu’s brows furrowed. “Not going to say anything?” 

“I will!” 

Ning Zhen explained that Yao Wenluo had been frequently visiting the Sheng residence recently and was trying to become the second wife. She also mentioned that her sources had found out Xu Fangdu had sent letters to Yao Wenluo several times. 

“… I had just received the kitchen ledger and hadn’t even gotten the correct tags and keys, and Third Concubine was already uneasy and sent someone to make trouble for me. Miss Yao wants to be the second wife, and I thought you and the Old lady might not agree. It’s a troublesome matter, so I dealt with it. Third Concubine was indeed wronged; I’ll give her a jade bracelet as an apology later,” Ning Zhen said. 

Sheng Changyu smoked slowly. 

The smoke clouded his eyes, and his expression was inscrutable. 

Ning Zhen thought he wouldn’t say anything, but he suddenly commented, “You’re quite cautious.” 

He continued, “Ning Zhoutong is also a very cautious person and keeps lecturing me. It’s annoying. I’m aware of everything; no need to be so careful.” 

Ning Zhen:  

She felt she had once again implicated her father. 

She truly felt like the most unfilial daughter in the world. 

“… However, sometimes caution is not a bad thing. You handled today’s matter well and didn’t embarrass me,” he added. 

Ning Zhen was surprised. 

She didn’t expect his opinion of her father to have changed. 

Although it was just a verbal change, Ning Zhen saw a glimmer of hope and was very pleased. 

She was so happy that her smile was a bit silly as she stared at him. 

Sheng Changyu’s gaze remained steady. 

His deep and penetrating look made Ning Zhen’s joy fade somewhat, and her smile diminished. 

“Governor, shall we have dinner?” Ning Zhen glanced at Cao Ma at the door, signaling that the meal was ready. 

“Mm, let’s eat.” 

The meal was relatively pleasant. Sheng Changyu was surprisingly easygoing and didn’t criticize the main kitchen’s cooking. 

After dinner, Sheng Changyu was heading back to the Governor’s residence. Ning Zhen gave him her potted hibiscus plant. 

During dinner, Sheng Changyu had made a rare joke about how she should thank him for his help today. 

Ning Zhen offered a gift. 

Sheng Changyu asked for something very valuable. 

Ning Zhen then moved the flower pot and told him that the late autumn hibiscus was the most precious and the most delicate flower in the world, and she was giving it to the Governor. 

Sheng Changyu was amused and accepted it.