Chapter 5

The Sheng family’s garden was large, with artificial hills, trees, and ponds built between the small courtyards. 

Ning Zhen lived in a residence called Zhaiyuju. 

It was formerly known as Miluo Courtyard. The old lady felt the name was inauspicious, so she changed it just before Ning Zhen moved in. 

The reason it was called “Miluo Courtyard” was because it was near the largest lake in the Sheng estate. 

The lake was man-made, serving as the central feature of the entire garden. It was dug deep, and after the Dragon Boat Festival, the water plants grew lush, and the lotus leaves were a vibrant green. In the evenings, a light mist hovered over the water. 

White birds flew over the lake, breaking the surface and sending ripples across it. 

Ning Zhen stood by the second-floor railing, quietly watching the large lake. 

She seemed lost in thought. 

“Madam, dinner is ready,” a maid said from behind her. 

Ning Zhen snapped out of her thoughts and nodded, “Serve it.” 

She had just sat down when the courtyard gate was knocked on. 

A servant opened the door. 

A young woman with an ethereal demeanor entered, wearing ruby earrings, her smile gentle and sweet. 

“Madam.” 

“Third Concubine, what brings you here?” Ning Zhen stood up. 

Even if Ning Zhen wanted to assert her authority, she had to show respect to the old lady by treating the third concubine well, as she was the old lady’s favorite. 

“You can’t beat a dog without considering its owner.” 

Ning Zhen always made sure to avoid giving others reasons to criticize her. 

“Madam, the old lady said that the kitchen made some excellent lotus seed soup tonight. It’s been so hot and humid with the rainy season approaching, so she thought something cooling would help everyone feel more comfortable. She specifically asked me to come and check if you’ve eaten yet. If not, you should come try some,” the third concubine said with a smile. 

Her features were delicate and elegant, with round eyes and cherry-red lips. She wore light-colored clothes, with only the ruby earrings as a striking highlight. 

She was like a small white flower blooming in the warm spring, gentle and graceful, with a touch of the ruby’s brilliance, captivating and refined. 

Compared to the bold and fiery Second Concubine FanFan, the third concubine Xu Fangdu appeared much more like a true lady from a noble family—someone not to be underestimated. 

“I haven’t eaten yet; I’ll go over now,” Ning Zhen said. 

Without changing clothes, she casually picked up a long silk shawl with tassels and left with Xu Fangdu. 

The old lady’s courtyard was at the center of the Sheng family’s estate, on the west side of the lake, built right by the water. 

Ning Zhen’s Zhaiyuju was on the southern side, not far from the old lady’s courtyard. Both were located in the estate’s most desirable spots. 

The wife and concubine walked slowly along the stone path by the lake. 

“What did you study abroad, madam?” the third concubine asked. 

Ning Zhen replied, “I studied architecture.” 

“Building houses?” 

“My focus was on urban planning,” Ning Zhen explained. 

The third concubine said, “Madam, you’re quite remarkable.” 

After some casual conversation, they arrived at the old lady’s courtyard. 

The old lady wore a pale purple cheongsam with mid-length sleeves, looking both noble and dignified, with an air of decisiveness that befits the head of the household. 

Ning Zhen greeted her, “Mother,” and sat down beside her. 

The third concubine helped set the table. 

“Adu, sit and eat with us,” the old lady said, glancing at Ning Zhen’s expression. 

Ning Zhen smiled slightly, “Please, sit and join us.” 

The old lady looked pleased. 

Xu Fangdu, the third concubine, sat on the old lady’s left, helping her serve dishes. 

“Zhen’er, you’ve been married for a while now. The housekeepers’ ledgers and keys—I’m thinking of handing them over to you,” the old lady said. 

Ning Zhen understood this was a test. 

The Sheng estate had at least three hundred people, and the internal management was overseen by four chief housekeepers, who were deeply tied to the Sheng family. 

Beneath the chief housekeepers were a dozen or so “minor offices,” such as the accounting room, storage, and kitchen, each with its own complex personnel matters. 

If mishandled, it could cause not just embarrassment but major incidents. 

Ning Zhen knew that the old lady currently managed the household herself, with the third concubine Xu Fangdu assisting her. 

When a daughter-in-law entered the family, the transfer of household authority usually took time, sometimes two or three years. 

What made the Sheng estate particularly complex was that Xu Fangdu had been by the old lady’s side for ten years, earning both respect and a deep understanding of the estate’s intricate relationships. 

If Ning Zhen were to rashly take over the household management, doing well would only put her on par with the third concubine, Xu Fangdu, without elevating her status; but if she failed, she would fall below Xu Fangdu. 

“Mother, my health is not great, and I fear I may have difficulty bearing children in the future. I’d like to spend a few months focusing on my recovery and adjusting to the new environment,” Ning Zhen said. 

She neither accepted nor rejected the offer. 

She used “restoring her health” as an excuse. This excuse was something the old lady couldn’t refute because, as the official wife, producing heirs for the family was a significant responsibility. 

Xu Fangdu glanced at Ning Zhen without expression, then quickly lowered her gaze. 

The old lady smiled, “You’re such a child; you do look a bit frail.” 

“Since I got married and returned to my family, my grandmother and mother both praised how much healthier and rosier my complexion has become. It’s all thanks to you, Mother, for taking such good care of me,” Ning Zhen said, taking the opportunity to flatter her. 

The old lady’s smile grew even warmer. 

The first “test” between the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law was easily defused by Ning Zhen. 

After dinner, Ning Zhen returned home, and the old lady chatted with Xu Fangdu about her. 

“She’s not as naive as those fashionable young ladies. Be cautious when you’re around her,” the old lady advised Xu Fangdu. 

Xu Fangdu nodded in agreement. 

She hesitated, wanting to say more. 

The old lady asked, “What is it you want to say?” 

“Mother, the General still hasn’t spent a night in her room,” Xu Fangdu said. “When he’s finished with his work, he stays in the other estate.” 

She added, “Shall we send someone to invite him back? He can’t keep neglecting the Madam like this.” 

The old lady pondered for a moment. 

“Tomorrow, send someone to the other estate to ask him to come back,” the old lady said. 

Xu Fangdu agreed. 

Upon returning to her own courtyard, she immediately instructed the servants to replace the bedding and clean the room thoroughly. 

“Is the General coming home?” a servant asked. 

Xu Fangdu smiled faintly, “The old lady will ask him to stay for a few days.” 

After speaking, her smile grew slightly bitter. 

Despite being superior to FanFan in every way—even more beautiful—why couldn’t she win the General’s heart? 

At Sheng Changyu’s other estate, security was tight, with guards posted around the clock. 

In the second-floor study, Sheng Changyu was casually chatting and smoking cigars with a friend. His brandy glass was already empty. 

A servant from the old estate arrived to deliver a message, asking him to return the next day. 

The adjutant relayed the message truthfully. 

Sheng Changyu frowned. 

“Not interested in going back to the old estate?” his close friend Cheng Baisheng asked. 

“You know the answer,” Sheng Changyu replied. 

“You’re married now; avoiding it won’t help,” Cheng Bosheng said. “I heard from your adjutant that your new wife shot your second concubine.” 

“Terrible marksmanship,” Sheng Changyu remarked. “The Ning family is all the same—full of flashy arrogance and little real skill.” 

A few days ago, FanFan had complained that she encountered Ning Zhen on the road, and Ning Zhen shot her without provocation. 

Sheng Changyu had inspected the gunshot wound. 

Regardless of how poorly the shot was aimed, it wasn’t bad enough to miss so badly. 

“You’ve got a strange preference for women with good shooting skills,” Cheng Bosheng joked. “A woman who plays with guns loses her feminine charm—it’s just odd.” 

“You wouldn’t understand,” Sheng Changyu replied. 

“Su Qing’er didn’t like playing with guns either,” Cheng Bosheng added. 

Sheng Changyu shot him a sharp look, the warning unmistakable. 

No one, aside from Cheng Bosheng, dared to mention the deceased Su Qing’er in Sheng Changyu’s presence. 

Su Qing’er had a gentle temperament and despised violence. 

Sheng Changyu had been infatuated with Su Qing’er, yet paradoxically, he also had a peculiar fascination with women skilled in firearms—a contradiction that baffled Cheng Bosheng. 

The next morning, Sheng Changyu attended a meeting at the military government. 

“Send gifts to the old estate. Tell the old lady I’m busy and won’t be returning for now,” Sheng Changyu instructed his adjutant. 

The adjutant acknowledged the order. 

FanFan overheard the conversation. 

As soon as Sheng Changyu left, FanFan told the adjutant, “I’ll deliver the gifts. Prepare the car.”