After the Divorce, the Warlord Leader’s Hair Turned White Overnight
After the Divorce, the Warlord Leader’s Hair Turned White Overnight Chapter 65

Chapter 65

The weather in the winter months was bad, with cold winds howling. 

For several days, a strong wind blew, thick clouds hung overhead, and the air was damp. 

“…It looks like it’s going to snow,” Cao Ma said to Ning Zhen. 

Ning Zhen replied, “There’s always a snowfall around the end of winter. Judging by the time, it really could snow soon.” 

She smiled and added, “If it snows and there’s nothing urgent, I’d really like to go back home for a few days. We could sit by the fire, brew some tea, and play mahjong.” 

When she mentioned “going home,” her expression turned serious, and she corrected herself, “I mean, back to my parents’ home.” 

She reminded herself not to make that mistake again in front of Sheng Changyu or the Old lady, so as not to upset them. 

Cao Ma commented, “With all the kitchen matters, you’ll probably be busy right through the New Year. There won’t be any time to rest.” 

She pitied Ning Zhen, saying, “You’ve taken on all these household responsibilities—plenty of work, but not much power.” 

Ning Zhen laughed. 

Having an elder like Cao Ma around, who always reminded her at key moments and treated her like a child, quickly lifted Ning Zhen’s spirits. 

Ning Zhen’s period came again. 

She had some medicine prepared, with a special addition of ‘Shixiao powder’, and brewed it daily. 

The cramps were greatly relieved, her lower abdomen felt warm, and her hands and feet weren’t as cold. 

“…Ever since I started menstruating, I’ve always been in pain. Winter was especially hard to endure—it made my whole body feel cold. It’s been a long time since I’ve felt this comfortable,” Ning Zhen said. 

Cao Ma responded, “The Governor’s prescription is really effective.” 

“Yes, it is,” Ning Zhen agreed. 

Thinking about it, she realized she owed Sheng Changyu a big favor for this. 

For several days, Ning Zhen took her medicine on time, and even when her period ended, she didn’t feel too uncomfortable. 

The sky remained overcast, and she stayed in her residence, Zhaiyuju Pavilion, not going anywhere. 

Meanwhile, Xu Fangdu went to visit the Old lady. 

“…Mother, there’s something I’m not sure if I should tell you,” Xu Fangdu hesitated. 

The Old lady, who treated Xu Fangdu like her own daughter, responded kindly, “Go ahead.” 

“It’s about A-yin.” 

Sheng Changyin was the Old lady’s biological granddaughter, so she became even more concerned, sitting up straight. “What’s wrong with A-yin?” 

“She’s been asking me for braised pork knuckles these past few days. I was worried she might gain weight and become upset about it, so I asked her what was going on. 

She wouldn’t say, but her wet nurse told me that lately, she’s been going to bed hungry every night because her dinner portions have been cut,” Xu Fangdu explained. 

The Old lady frowned slightly. “What’s going on?” 

Sheng Changyin was past the age of growth, so it didn’t make sense for her to be so gluttonous. 

“Mother, I’m afraid A-yin is being mistreated. I’m telling you this, but please don’t get upset,” Xu Fangdu continued. 

The Old lady asked anxiously, “What exactly happened?” 

“A-yin’s wet nurse said that the kitchen has been cutting back on her meals for some reason, and her food portions have been halved. I thought, it’s just some simple dishes, how could this happen?” Xu Fangdu said. 

The Old lady was stunned. 

Since Sheng Changyin was in school, the Old lady called for her wet nurse to ask about it. 

After asking, she discovered it was true. 

The Old lady became furious. “Why didn’t you tell me earlier?” 

The wet nurse knelt down, stammering, “Old lady, the kitchen is now under the Madam’s management. I thought she must have her reasons for doing this, and I didn’t want to cause discord between you and her as mother-in-law and daughter-in-law.” 

The Old lady snapped, “Nonsense!” 

She then called for a servant, “Someone, bring the Madam here!” 

Xu Fangdu quickly intervened. 

“Mother, making such a big fuss may backfire if there’s a misunderstanding, and it could hurt the Madam’s reputation,” Xu Fangdu gently advised. 

The Old lady replied angrily, “Even if it’s not intentional, it’s still her mismanagement. I entrusted her with the kitchen, and she focuses on pleasing me while bullying her sister-in-law? This is outrageous!” 

Xu Fangdu continued to softly counsel her. 

“Mother, let’s get to the bottom of this first. Perhaps we could start by questioning the kitchen manager, so we can clear things up without falsely accusing the Madam.” 

The Old lady thought for a moment and agreed that it made sense. 

Soon, Li Ma, who handled the kitchen’s evening meals and worked under Aunt Hong, came to see the Old lady. 

When asked about Sheng Changyin’s dinners, Li Ma explained, “There was an order that Miss Sheng was to go on a diet, so her dinner portions were halved. I was just following instructions, Old lady.” 

Upon hearing this, the Old lady became so furious that it seemed like steam was coming out of her head. 

“Now we’ve got the full story—no one’s been falsely accused!” she declared. 

Xu Fangdu gently took the Old lady’s hand and said, “Could it be that A-yin mentioned this to the Madam? A-yin is at the age when girls care about their appearance. She might have said something, but then she was left so hungry that she asked me for braised pork knuckles. If I hadn’t felt sorry for her and worried about her overeating at night, I wouldn’t have dared to bring this up with you.” 

The Old lady snapped, “Ridiculous! She changed A-yin’s meal portions without even informing me—what kind of behavior is that?” 

In fact, under normal circumstances, the meal portions for each family member were handled by the person in charge, which was Ning Zhen.  

There was no need for Ning Zhen to inform the Old lady directly.  

The monthly portions were predetermined, with specific amounts of chicken, duck, fish, and meat. As long as the portions didn’t exceed the limit, there was no issue. If they did exceed it, one would have to pay extra; reducing the portions was also allowed. 

But the Old lady was so angry that she lashed out, saying Ning Zhen should have told her. 

“Mother, she’s not required to report it,” Xu Fangdu gently reminded her. 

The Old lady felt even more frustrated, her anger rising with nowhere to direct it. 

As the matriarch, she had the right to criticize anything Ning Zhen did that displeased her! 

“Call for the Madam!” the Old lady ordered furiously. 

A servant was sent to Zhaiyuju Pavilion. 

The servants attending the Old lady were all sharp-minded. 

They played both sides carefully. 

When they reached Ning Zhen, they were polite and didn’t make things difficult for her. 

They simply said, “Madam, you’d better go quickly. The Old lady seems to be quite upset.” 

Cao Ma was startled by this. 

“Are you cold? Here, have some sunflower seeds to warm up,” she said, grabbing a handful of seeds and slipping them into the maid’s hands, along with two silver coins. 

The maid smiled, pocketing them. “I’m not cold. Madam should hurry. The longer the Old lady waits, the angrier she’ll get. Right now, Third Concubine is the only one calming her down.” 

With that, the maid left. 

Ning Zhen changed her clothes and asked Cao Ma, “Was this matter reported by Aunt Hong from the kitchen?” 

Cao Ma replied, “It must be.” 

“It’s almost the New Year. Xu Fangdu is really feeling the pressure,” Ning Zhen said. 

Cao Ma urged, “Madam, don’t overthink it. You should head to the Old lady right away.” 

She then advised Ning Zhen on how to feign ignorance and handle the situation better. 

Cao Ma also said, “Madam, keep in mind, this situation is complicated. If you delay until Miss Changyin returns, she’ll clear things up for you. 

For now, don’t say anything. With the Old lady’s temper, even if you’re in the right, she’ll twist it so you appear wrong.” 

Ning Zhen nodded, “I understand.” 

“She’s your mother-in-law. Let her vent first, and then she’ll be more willing to listen. You must control your temper. As a daughter-in-law, you’ll have to endure some hardship,” Cao Ma advised further. 

Ning Zhen reassured her, “I know, don’t worry.” 

Cao Ma held her hand firmly and said, “Fourth Miss, it’s hard on you. Marrying into a family like this—it can’t be helped.” 

Hearing herself addressed as “Fourth Miss” brought a wave of sadness over Ning Zhen. 

She had been married for half a year, and Cao Ma had accompanied her throughout, never once calling her “Fourth Miss” until today. Cao Ma had been trying to help her adapt to her new role. 

She knew that Ning Zhen was about to face some hardship today. It was likely the most humiliating situation Ning Zhen had experienced since marrying into this family, and Cao Ma’s heart ached for her. 

“…We’ll make it through this. At least my period pain has stopped,” Ning Zhen said. 

Cao Ma felt both sympathy and amusement. 

She accompanied Ning Zhen to the Old lady’s courtyard. 

It was cold outside, and Ning Zhen wore a bright red cloak. 

As they stepped out, the overcast sky started to sprinkle snowflakes, bouncing off the oiled paper umbrella like beads. 

It really was going to snow. 

Just as Ning Zhen reached the Old lady’s courtyard, she heard the honk of a car horn. 

Looking out in the distance, she saw a black car parked on the main road, and a man stepped out as he pushed open the car door. 

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