Chapter 68

The Old lady’s expression shifted multiple times, as though her face were a palette of emotions. 

In the six months Ning Zhen had been married into the family, it was the first time she saw such a complex and incredulous look on the Old lady’s face. 

“You… you…” The Old lady wavered, unable to stand properly. 

Sheng Changyin hurried to support her. “Mother!” 

Xu Fangdu’s tears streamed violently as she collapsed onto the cold tiles, crying uncontrollably. 

Ning Zhen felt that Sheng Changyu’s question was indeed a sharp one. 

Given the truth of the situation, if Xu Fangdu admitted she wasn’t a virgin, she would have to explain who her lover was, which would mean betraying Sheng Changyu—and she’d be facing the barrel of his gun.  

But if she claimed she was a virgin, she would have to explain what she had been doing during her overnight stays at the Governor’s Mansion and account for her miscarriage. 

That miscarriage had caused the Old lady immense grief, leading her to fast and pray for several days. 

Now, in front of the servants from the Old lady’s courtyard, Ning Zhen, and Sheng Changyin, Xu Fangdu’s admission had publicly disgraced the Old lady. 

“Sheng Changyu truly is skilled at both physical and emotional destruction.” 

He wasn’t targeting Xu Fangdu; his real victim was his mother. 

“Have you figured things out now, Mother?” Sheng Changyu spoke casually, his face expressionless. “Without understanding the full story, you were ready to reprimand the Governor’s wife. Mother, you must be the most qualified mother-in-law in the world.” 

The Old lady was so furious she nearly convulsed. 

Sheng Changyin pleaded with him, “Brother, please, just say one less word.” 

The Old lady was practically gasping for breath. 

Sheng Changyu responded, “If you hadn’t summoned me here, I wouldn’t have bothered saying anything.” 

With that, he turned to leave. 

The room was in chaos, while outside, the flurries had turned into a light snowfall. 

Snowflakes gently covered the rooftops and ground with a thin layer of silvery white. 

As he walked out, Sheng Changyu glanced back at Ning Zhen. “Come with me.” 

Ning Zhen was more than eager to leave. 

Staying in that room any longer would have given her goosebumps from all the awkwardness. 

The mess inside was beyond repair, and Ning Zhen wanted nothing more than to escape it quickly. 

“Yes,” she replied, following Sheng Changyu out. 

She had forgotten to bring the oiled paper umbrella, but her crimson cloak had a hood, which she pulled over her head. 

Sheng Changyu glanced at her. 

“…Did you know about this in advance?” he asked. 

Ning Zhen knew he was seething with anger and didn’t dare lie. “I manage the kitchen, and Sister Hong is my subordinate. She’s very loyal. When she noticed something wrong, she came to me first, even though Sister Yin’s nurse had told them not to speak.” 

Sheng Changyin’s nurse had played both sides, deceiving everyone. She had taken bribes from Xu Fangdu and believed that Ning Zhen wouldn’t last long as the lady of the house. Thinking Xu Fangdu was the future mistress, she sought to be her loyal servant by plotting against Ning Zhen. 

She used one set of excuses with Sheng Changyin and another in the kitchen. 

With someone that close scheming, Sheng Changyin had no way of defending herself. 

Having been betrayed once, Sheng Changyin had no intention of using her nurse again. 

So, Sheng Changyin took Ning Zhen’s advice not to expose the scheme immediately, but rather to wait until the plan escalated beyond control. 

Just like today. 

“Governor, I only…” Ning Zhen started to explain that she hadn’t intended to cause so much chaos in the house, but once the situation arose, she couldn’t just let it slide; otherwise, Xu Fangdu would continue plotting against her. 

“You did well,” Sheng Changyu interrupted her. “You didn’t embarrass me.” 

He added, “Ning Zhen, remember, I don’t like losing. As my wife, you represent me. As long as you win, no matter how underhanded your methods, I’ll be pleased. But if you lose, even with the best reasoning, I won’t be so forgiving.” 

Ning Zhen responded, “I understand, Governor.” 

Sheng Changyu headed toward the car, and Ning Zhen intended to see him off only to the vehicle. 

However, to her surprise, he didn’t get in the car but continued walking forward. 

Ning Zhen was stunned for a moment but quickly quickened her pace to walk beside him. 

The snow fell steadily, though not heavily, as thin flakes gently landed on the ground. The surface of the lake remained still. 

Sheng Changyu spoke, “Mother will handle the Third Concubine. If she doesn’t, then I will.” 

He then added, “Ning Zhen, do you know that I took care of her for several years with great patience?” 

Ning Zhen replied honestly, “I’ve heard.” 

“Her father entrusted her to me on his deathbed, and I agreed. I kept her in my heart, always thinking of giving her the best. I even saved up a dowry for her,” Sheng Changyu said. 

He paused for a moment before continuing, “I even chose a husband for her, planning to promote the man to a small regiment commander so that she wouldn’t suffer in the future.” 

As Ning Zhen listened, she felt a bit regretful on Sheng Changyu’s behalf.  

He had given his genuine affection, but in return, he had only fostered Xu Fangdu’s greed. 

Xu Fangdu didn’t want to be the wife of a regiment commander; she wanted to be the governor’s wife. 

“…She acted all desperate, and my mother insisted on bringing her to live here. She was willing, so I gave her a dignified life,” Sheng Changyu continued. 

Ning Zhen looked up at him. 

Snowflakes clung to his temples and shoulders, covering him in a layer of frost. At that moment, Ning Zhen felt like all the warmth had drained from Sheng Changyu. 

He was cold. 

Cold at heart. 

“…Governor, how about we go to Zhaiyuju Pavilion (Zhaiyuju residence) for some tea? Warm up a bit,” Ning Zhen suggested. 

Sheng Changyu replied, “I don’t want tea.” 

Ning Zhen fell silent. 

He walked a few more steps, then noticed her quietness. He asked, “Not going to ask anymore?” 

Ning Zhen, trying to humor him, said, “Then how about I join you for some wine? I’ve got some rice wine.” 

“I don’t feel like drinking,” he responded. 

Ning Zhen thought, Why did I even bother asking? 

“Still not going to ask?” he pressed. 

“Do I look desperate to you?” she retorted, getting a bit frustrated. 

The corners of Sheng Changyu’s mouth almost twitched into a smile. “If you ask one more time, I might consider it.” 

Ning Zhen thought for a moment. “Zhaiyuju Pavilion has some really good soup…” 

“Guessing what I want is really hard for you, huh?” he teased. “I don’t want to go to Zhaiyuju Pavilion.” 

Ning Zhen remained speechless. 

What’s wrong with Zhaiyuju Pavilion? It’s such a nice, warm place. 

If you don’t want to go, I don’t need you to go. 

“Let’s go to the Governor’s Mansion!” Sheng Changyu waved, signaling for the car behind them to follow. He opened the door. 

Ning Zhen thought he was opening the door for her, but just as she was about to step in, he tilted his head, indicating she should take the other side. He then got into the car himself. 

Ning Zhen thought to herself, You don’t want to go to my Zhaiyuju Pavilion, and I don’t want to go to your Governor’s Mansion. But I don’t dare refuse you. 

Once they arrived at the Governor’s Mansion, Sheng Changyu instructed his adjutant to tell the kitchen to heat up some rice wine. 

He then asked her, “Can you drink?” 

Ning Zhen’s cycle had just ended, so having a little wine wouldn’t be a problem. 

“My alcohol tolerance isn’t great, but I’ll keep you company,” she replied. Then she asked, “Is Baisheng not here?” 

“This isn’t his home,” Sheng Changyu responded. 

Ning Zhen felt a little awkward about having dinner with just the two of them. She always found it uncomfortable when conversations fizzled out. 

If Baisheng were there, the atmosphere would be much more relaxed. 

Sheng Changyu clinked his glass with hers. Ning Zhen took a sip and commented that there wasn’t enough rock sugar in the wine, so they added more. 

After a few drinks, Sheng Changyu suddenly asked, “Ning Zhen, where’s your scarf?” 

“The one you gave me? I’ve put it away safely at home.” 

Sheng Changyu frowned slightly. “Why put it away? It’s cold, you should wear it.” 

Ning Zhen thought, ‘I was worried you might get upset if I accidentally stained it. After all, you ran around the city in the middle of the night to buy it. Just thinking about it makes me too scared to wear it, so I just keep it stored away safely.’