Chapter 27

The Old lady summoned Ning Zhen. 

After a few pleasantries between the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, the Old lady dismissed the servants and spoke privately with Ning Zhen. 

“…That piece of clothing wasn’t done by Adu,” the Old lady said to her. 

Ning Zhen nodded. “I think so too. Third Concubine wouldn’t do something like that. She’s more important to both you and the Governor. There’s no need for her to resort to such tricks. Just like how a jade meets a rough stone, it would only hurt Third Concubine. I’m very clear about this, Mother. I don’t think it was her.” 

The Old lady sighed with relief. “Zhen’er, you’re very understanding.” 

She continued, “You’re like your grandmother. She was very wise too.” 

Ning Zhen smiled. 

“But you’ve suffered an injustice. Some things are left unchecked not because I don’t care, but because I don’t want the family to be in turmoil,” the Old lady said further. 

Ning Zhen listened quietly, waiting for her to continue. 

“You’ve been managing the kitchen accounts these days. Have you found it difficult?” the Old lady asked. 

Ning Zhen replied, “It’s not difficult.” 

“Then, can you handle the kitchen’s ledger and the official seal? Can you manage?” the Old lady asked. 

Ning Zhen straightened up immediately. 

When given an opportunity, she needed to seize it. 

At this moment, she not only needed to show loyalty and gratitude but also demonstrate her capability. 

Ning Zhen thought quickly, but her voice remained gentle: “Mother, I rely on you for everything. If you’re willing to give me the chance, I’m sure I can manage. If you’re willing to cultivate me, I’ll naturally work hard and not let you down. I know it’s because you care about me, not just because you think I’m capable.” 

“The kitchen accounts are quite clear. For now, with the current personnel in order, if I don’t make any changes within six months, I can straighten things out.” 

The Old lady listened and nodded. “You have ideas. That’s good; a muddle-headed person cannot be the Governor’s wife.” 

Ning Zhen was not only deeply grateful but also tactfully assured the Old lady that she would not disrupt the kitchen by placing her own people there. 

The Old lady was relieved and handed over the kitchen ledger and private seal to her. 

Ning Zhen took over the kitchen. 

From then on, every morning, the managers came to consult and report to her. 

Ning Zhen was consistent in her actions, doing exactly as she had said. 

Indeed, she did not make any changes to the kitchen. The staff and procedures remained the same as before. 

The kitchen staff felt relieved, and the Old lady was satisfied. 

There were no more rumors from Xu Fangdu’s side. 

When Ning Zhen went to the Old lady’s for a meal, Xu Fangdu congratulated her in person. 

“Madam, be careful of Third Concubine. Last time, you only took the kitchen accounts, and she was already envious and tried to make trouble. Now that you’re really in charge of the kitchen, it might be worse,” Cao Ma warned Ning Zhen. 

In recent days, as Cao Ma went out, the old residence’s servants treated her with much more courtesy. 

Having a good reputation wasn’t enough; one also needed real power. 

Previously, Cao Ma’s status was even lower than that of the ordinary servants at Third Concubine’s place. 

“The kitchen is a lucrative position; everyone knows that. I’ve looked into it, and the current managers are all related and have deep connections,” Cao Ma added. 

Ning Zhen nodded. “Don’t worry, I’ll be careful.” 

When interests are at stake, it’s a matter of life and death. 

“Third Concubine really sees herself as someone important. She’s managing things for the Old lady, not because she has the power to be in charge,” Cao Ma said. 

Concubines are either helping the Old lady or the wife. 

If she wants to usurp the position, unless she… 

Cao Ma thought of this and told Ning Zhen, “If she had a son, things would become complicated. Madam, you should consider getting pregnant first.” 

Ning Zhen wasn’t shy about this but felt it was not feasible. 

Last time, when she accidentally hugged Sheng Changyu’s arm, he was furious and practically wanted to whip her. The words he used were as harsh as they could be. 

Ning Zhen obediently accepted Sheng Changyu’s favor, and he truly gave it. 

If things went awry, his bitterness was something that ordinary people couldn’t endure. 

Ning Zhen shuddered. “Regarding having children, it’s up to fate.” 

“What if Third Concubine gets pregnant first?” 

“Let her,” Ning Zhen said. “If it comes to that, we still don’t know how things will turn out. It’s not the time to act rashly.” 

Her family’s fate still rested in Sheng Changyu’s hands. 

He had warned her, and she dared not act recklessly. 

Ning Zhen had always known that getting pregnant first was the most effective shortcut to outmaneuvering the concubines. Unfortunately, she couldn’t get pregnant on her own; she needed Sheng Changyu, who was notoriously difficult and ungrateful. 

“I’m serious, don’t try to pursue this idea!” Ning Zhen saw Cao Ma’s shifting eyes and immediately warned her. “You’ve seen the Governor’s temper. If you end up making things worse, you’ll be the one who harmed me.” 

Cao Ma asked, “Is it really impossible?” 

“Really impossible,” Ning Zhen confirmed. 

Cao Ma nodded. “Rest assured, I will follow your lead. You are my only support.” 

In mid-September, with things at the Sheng family’s old residence being less busy, Ning Zhen wanted to return home. 

She asked the Old lady for permission to stay at her family home for three days. 

The Old lady didn’t object and even arranged for gifts to be sent to her in-laws. 

Upon her return, her father and brothers had gone to the garrison; her eldest and second brothers had gone to other places and wouldn’t return until the New Year. 

Ning Zhen chatted with her grandmother, mother, and sisters-in-law, sharing what had happened in the Sheng family during her absence. 

Her grandmother praised her sharpness. 

“Being attentive is right,” her grandmother said. 

Ning Zhen agreed. 

They also talked about Third Concubine. 

Ning Zhen’s grandmother and mother both said that the Old lady’s favoritism towards a concubine was undermining moral principles and would eventually lead to disaster. 

—They were all supportive of Ning Zhen. 

“Third Concubine has been managing the household for a while now, and she’s done well. Objectively speaking, she deserves it,” Ning Zhen said fairly. 

Her grandmother praised her further: “This mindset is very good, not impatient. Zhen’er’s temperament is most like your father’s.” 

Ning Zhen smiled. 

Her sister-in-law added, “In fact, focusing on yourself and getting pregnant with the heir before taking over the kitchen is the safest bet.” 

“Cao Ma also said that. Unfortunately, the Governor rarely stays overnight at the old residence. Since I’ve married in, his attendants have probably only been the Second Concubine, with Third Concubine not having much chance,” Ning Zhen said. 

“Has the Second Concubine never been pregnant?” 

“Cao Ma found out that the Second Concubine came from a brothel. She entered the brothel at seven years old,” Ning Zhen replied. 

Everyone fell silent. 

Girls from brothels took medication from a young age, making it difficult for them to conceive later. 

“The Second Concubine’s difficulty in having children works in your favor,” the sister-in-law said. “You just need to get pregnant before Third Concubine, and everything will be settled.” 

Her grandmother said, “You need to get pregnant with the heir first, otherwise, it’s uncertain who will succeed.” 

Ning Zhen nodded. 

Her mother said, “Don’t pressure Zhen’er. Matters of this sort rely on fate.” 

After dinner, Ning Zhen and her second sister-in-law, Jin Nuan, returned. Jin Nuan stayed in Ning Zhen’s courtyard. 

Shortly after entering, Jin Nuan suddenly had tears in her eyes. 

Ning Zhen put her arm around Jin Nuan’s shoulders. “What’s wrong? Did something upset you, or are you missing Second Brother?” 

Jin Nuan began to cry. 

“Ning Zhen, you weren’t like this before. Back when we were close, you talked about the kind of man you wanted to marry—his character, appearance, and personality.  

Now, all you talk about is children and dealing with concubines. You’ve been married less than half a year, and your soul has already been consumed by that deep household. You’re just like those old-fashioned women.”