Chapter 73

In Box 7, the laughter never ceased. 

Chu Jingyue had already arrived. 

She had brought small gifts for everyone, each a delicate sachet. The sachets were exquisitely crafted and filled with a fragrant blend, warm and mellow, perfect for winter. 

“I have an embroiderer in my family’s sewing room. She made these, and her work is exceptional,” Chu Jingyue explained. 

Every time she brought something handmade from home, like sachets or handkerchiefs, the other women would shower her with praise. 

“What’s inside this sachet? It smells so unique and pleasant,” Ning Zhen asked. 

Chu Jingyue replied, “It’s the sweet scent of pomelo, also made by my family.” 

Ning Zhen exclaimed, “That’s amazing!” 

“My uncle is involved in many businesses, and ‘fragrances’ are just one of them,” Ning Zhen’s sister-in-law added. Her family was also in business, considered a wealthy merchant family, with large ships trading in India. 

“If you like the pomelo scent, I’ll give you some later. It’s perfect for autumn and winter—very sweet and warm,” Chu Jingyue offered. 

Ning Zhen’s eyes lit up, “You said exactly what I was thinking.” 

The two shared a laugh. 

Chu Jingyue was tall, beautiful, and graceful, with a bright personality, much like Ning Zhen’s sister-in-law. Ning Zhen and Jin Nuan both admired their sister-in-law, and their first impression of Chu Jingyue was just as favorable. 

Ning Yian, the eldest brother, approached them after finishing some tasks. “We’ll be having dinner at Zuifenglou later. Mr. Meng is treating us.” 

“We’re dining with Mr. Meng?” Ning Yi Shen, the second brother, asked. “I’m not a fan of these business dinners. You all go ahead, I’ll take Nuan Nuan (Jin Nuan) out for some fun.” 

Their eldest brother glared at him, “What are you saying? Are you three years old?” 

Second brother:  

Ning Zhen hesitated, “Eldest brother…” 

It was probably best if she didn’t go. 

Wen Weinian was in Meng Xinliang’s box, and he would most likely be at the dinner too. Even if he didn’t attend, Sheng Changyu would think he was there. Sheng Changyu had just had a confrontation with the Presidential Office, and Ning Zhen dining at the same table with Wen Weinian might give Sheng Changyu the wrong impression. 

This was a political matter, far more sensitive than any personal relationship. No matter how indifferent those in power claimed to be, Ning Zhen needed to handle things carefully and not embarrass the Governor. 

“Eldest brother, I think I shouldn’t go,” Ning Zhen said. 

Her eldest brother replied, “The Governor and Chief of Staff Cheng will be there too.” 

Ning Zhen:  

All her careful consideration, wasted. 

Why didn’t he say so earlier! 

She cast a resentful glance at her eldest brother, who stifled a laugh, clearly teasing her on purpose. 

The group set off, and Ning Zhen and the others waited at the stairs for Meng Xinliang. 

As she was putting on her cloak, Ning Zhen attached the sachet to one of the buttons on the outside. 

When Meng Xinliang came out, he saw this scene. 

He smiled slightly, “That’s a beautiful sachet.” 

“It was a gift from Miss Chu,” Ning Zhen explained. 

Meng Xinliang said, “Let me take a look.” 

Ning Zhen hadn’t fastened it yet, so she handed it to him. 

Meng Xinliang took a sniff, his expression pleased. “Sweet pomelo scent. It’s not easy to make. The Chu family’s fragrance master is truly skilled.” 

Ning Zhen said, “If you have time, you should support the Chu family’s business. I’ll thank Miss Chu on your behalf.” 

Meng Xinliang laughed, “Alright.” 

Ning Yian, the eldest brother, was startled. “Zhen’er! (Ning Zhen)” 

Meng Xinliang waved it off, “Don’t read too much into it. I was just making small talk.” 

He handed the sachet back to Ning Zhen. 

Ning Zhen took it, tied it to her cloak button, and, upon looking up, noticed that Sheng Changyu and Cheng Baisheng had already come out of their box. 

Sheng Changyu saw Ning Zhen’s brothers, and his expression wasn’t particularly pleasant. The Ning brothers, upon seeing him, instinctively straightened their backs, their posture a mix of defense and respect. 

“Governor,” Ning Zhen greeted proactively. 

Sheng Changyu nodded. 

He glanced around at the group, then looked at Ning Yian. “Is that your car downstairs, with license plate number 082?” 

Ning Yian was puzzled. “Yes.” 

“Go to the military government and get yourself a new car. You’re almost thirty, still driving around with a marked plate. Whether it’s me or your father, it’s not a good look,” Sheng Changyu said. 

Ning Zhen:  

The Ning family: shocked 

Ning Yian was the quickest to react. He was momentarily taken aback, but immediately responded respectfully and sincerely, “Thank you, Governor.” 

Sheng Changyu nodded and walked past him. 

Meng Xinliang followed closely behind, chatting with Sheng Changyu, while Cheng Baisheng smiled at Ning Zhen and the others before also catching up. 

Ning Zhen tugged at her elder brother’s sleeve, deliberately slowing him down. “Is this a warning to our family or a way to compete with Meng Xinliang?” 

“With a car from the military government, it’ll be much safer to travel. This is a good thing. Who cares what it’s a warning about?” Ning Yian replied. 

“Have you caught your second brother’s foolishness?” Ning Zhen retorted. 

Ning Yian glared at her. “Are you insulting me too? We can’t fight the strong. If he wants to offer us a benefit, we should happily accept it. And when he gets angry, we’ll just have to endure it.” 

Ning Zhen:  

She hadn’t expected her eldest brother to be so willing to go along with things. 

No wonder their father used to say that all three Ning brothers together couldn’t match Sheng Changyu’s ruthlessness—it would be hard to outmaneuver him. 

Ning Zhen was troubled. 

Her father was getting old. No matter how strong an old lion was, it still faced the twilight of its life. 

 Her three brothers had all been raised in wealth and comfort, and that lifestyle had softened them. They were more like house cats, comfortable and content, ill-equipped to fight a young lion in the wild where only the strong survive. 

To keep the family from falling, there was no other path but to reconcile with Sheng Changyu. 

Divorce was out of the question. If Sheng’s family old lady refused to yield, Ning Zhen might have to go back and kneel before her. 

By the end of the day, Ning Zhen had fully grasped her brothers’ personalities and let go of her naive hopes, a valuable realization. 

As the group left, it was Ning Zhen who drove. 

Wen Weinian, riding in Meng Xinliang’s car, glanced over as Ning Zhen navigated a turn, catching his attention for a moment. 

Meng Xinliang remarked, “Ning Zhen is quite a skilled driver.” 

“She enjoys driving,” Wen Weinian replied. 

“Did everyone drive when you were abroad?” Meng Xinliang asked again. 

“Many people were afraid to. Cars break down easily, accidents happen frequently. You need to know how to drive, fix cars, and have a bit of courage,” Wen Weinian explained. 

“Ning Zhen is a brave person,” Meng Xinliang commented. 

Wen Weinian fell silent. 

“Do you like her?” Meng Xinliang asked. 

Wen Weinian stayed silent for a moment, then said, “I won’t lie to someone as sharp as you. You can see it, and I won’t deny it. That’s my weakness.” 

After a pause, he added, “But she’s not worth it.” 

“But what can you do? You can’t control your own heart,” Meng Xinliang responded. 

At this point, Meng Xinliang’s expression became serious. “Weinian, I consider you a friend, so I need to say something honest. You might not like it.” 

“Go ahead,” Wen Weinian replied. 

“Don’t make things harder for Ning Zhen. You’re in a difficult position, and so is her family. You’ve been here for a while. 

 Have you ever heard that the Governor is wary of Ning Zhoutong? Or that he nearly wiped out the Ning family?” Meng Xinliang asked. 

Wen Weinian’s expression changed. 

He was stunned for a long while before saying, “She got married because…” 

“It was a political alliance. She had no choice, and her life hasn’t been easy. Think about how she acts around Sheng Changyu. How much does she resemble the person you once knew?” Meng Xinliang pressed. 

Wen Weinian recalled Ning Zhen’s cautious demeanor, then remembered the stern words she had spoken when she held a gun. A sudden wave of sadness welled up inside him.