Chapter 78

Sheng Changyu ordered someone to retrieve the old blueprints of the Governor’s mansion’s inner courtyard. 

The steward hurried off to handle it but mentioned that the documents might be hard to locate, asking the Governor for a moment of patience. 

“Weren’t we supposed to have dessert?” Sheng Changyu said. “Cheng yang, heat up the Laba porridge Madam brought and prepare some snacks.” 

The adjutant acknowledged the order. 

Ning Zhen, Sheng Changyu, and Cheng Baisheng sat in the dining room. 

After sitting for a short while, Cheng Baisheng stood up and said, “I just remembered, I need to head to the adjutant’s office to handle something. You two go ahead and eat. Just save me a bowl of porridge.” 

After he left, only Ning Zhen and Sheng Changyu remained in the small dining room. 

As usual, when Ning Zhen was alone with Sheng Changyu, she felt like she was on pins and needles. 

She couldn’t read his moods and was always afraid of saying something wrong and angering him, causing herself trouble. 

She sat upright. 

Soon, the adjutants brought out a full table of snacks. 

They were freshly made, mostly sweet. 

Each had a bowl of Laba porridge in front of them. Ning Zhen took a couple of sips. 

“The raisins have dissolved,” Sheng Changyu commented after tasting his porridge. 

“They taste better when they’re dissolved.” 

“I prefer my raisins soaked until very soft,” Sheng Changyu remarked. 

Ning Zhen responded, “There’s a Russian bakery that makes a cake filled with soft raisins. I’ll get one for you next time I see it.” 

After saying that, she regretted it. 

Flattery had its limits, and she had just gone a bit overboard. 

Unexpectedly, Sheng Changyu readily accepted, “Thanks in advance. I’ll be waiting to try it.” 

“Do you like sweets?” Ning Zhen tentatively asked. 

“No.” 

“What kind of food do you like?” 

“I have no particular preference, I eat anything,” Sheng Changyu replied. 

Ning Zhen didn’t have any specific expectations for the conversation. She didn’t expect him to have the patience to answer, so she wasn’t disappointed by any lack of response. 

In fact, she was pleasantly surprised by how seriously he answered a few of her questions. 

Her mindset was positive. 

If it weren’t, she wouldn’t have been able to maintain a conversation with Sheng Changyu. 

They went from discussing food to talking about pistols, fabrics, and martial arts. 

Sheng Changyu even suggested, “Shall we spar sometime?” 

“Do I look like someone who enjoys getting beaten up?” Ning Zhen laughed. 

“I’ll use only one hand,” Sheng Changyu offered. 

“But martial arts aren’t just about hands. I’m barely competent, and given your height advantage, even with one hand, I’d still lose,” Ning Zhen replied. 

“You can set boundaries,” Sheng Changyu suggested. 

“My third brother is quite skilled. Next time, why not challenge him?” Ning Zhen said. “I don’t like losing, so I don’t pick fights I can’t win.” 

“Does your third brother have a special fondness for losing?” Sheng Changyu quipped. 

Ning Zhen couldn’t help but laugh. 

They also discussed the car. 

“…I really like the car you gave me. It’s very impressive,” Ning Zhen said. 

“I figured you’d like it. You always carry a long rifle in the car, so you seem to have a thing for heavy firepower,” Sheng Changyu remarked. 

“I do love long rifles,” Ning Zhen admitted. 

“You can run and shoot at the same time—that comes from long-rifle training. It’s something you’d learn from shooting on horseback,” Sheng Changyu commented. 

“Governor, you have a keen eye for talent,” Ning Zhen joked. 

“How old were you when you started training?” 

“I don’t really remember. But out of the four siblings in my family, I have the best marksmanship,” Ning Zhen replied. 

“You do have impressive shooting skills,” Sheng Changyu acknowledged. 

“Do you know why?” Ning Zhen asked. 

“Was it because you trained the hardest, or because you had the most talent?” 

“Neither. It’s because I was never scolded as a child,” Ning Zhen said with a smile. 

Sheng Changyu replied, “…Are you implying something?” 

Feigning ignorance of his displeasure, Ning Zhen continued, “I’m serious. When we practiced shooting as kids, if my brothers didn’t meet our father’s expectations, they would get scolded and punished.” 

“At worst, they had to squat in horse stance or go hungry for a meal, and at worst, they were punished with a cane. But it was different for me. No matter how bad my shooting was, Father would always praise me for putting in effort that day,” Ning Zhen explained. 

Sheng Changyu was speechless. 

“Over time, I became less afraid. Whether I shot well or not, Father would always offer some words of encouragement, which made me bolder and more willing to give it my all. 

Gradually, my marksmanship surpassed my eldest brother’s, and my second and third brothers couldn’t catch up. If it weren’t for losing practice during a few years studying abroad, I could have been a sniper,” Ning Zhen added. 

After saying all this, she ignored Sheng Changyu’s attempt to nitpick. 

Sheng Changyu couldn’t argue further, and the minor tension was smoothly avoided by Ning Zhen. 

They chatted for a long time, and by the time they finished their porridge, Cheng Baisheng returned. 

Cheng Baisheng had been helping to find the blueprints. 

He came in carrying a box. “They’re all in here.” 

Then, turning to Ning Zhen, he said, “You don’t need to worry about this. I’ll give them to the adjutant to put in your car.” 

Ning Zhen opened the box to take a look and thanked him. 

“Governor, the New Year is coming up, and I imagine things will get busy. Would it be alright if I gave you the new blueprints after the holiday?” Ning Zhen asked. 

Sheng Changyu replied, “There’s no rush. Take your time and do it well.” 

Ning Zhen agreed. 

Cheng Baisheng sat down and asked, “What about the Laba porridge?” 

Ning Zhen said, “It’s in the small kitchen. I’ll have someone bring it…” 

Sheng Changyu interjected, “I like the raisins in this porridge. I’ll save it for dinner. There’s none left for you.” 

He added, “But our kitchen also made some Laba porridge. You can have that.” 

Cheng Baisheng gave him a look: Are you even human? 

Ning Zhen couldn’t hold back her laughter, saying, “See? We invited you to stay for breakfast earlier, but you rushed back to work. Regretting it now?” 

“Regretting it deeply,” Cheng Baisheng replied. 

Ning Zhen didn’t offer to send him another portion. After all, it was just Laba porridge, and Sheng Changyu would surely share some with Cheng Baisheng—it wasn’t a big deal. 

When Ning Zhen left the Governor’s mansion, Cheng Baisheng escorted her out. 

At the entrance of the mansion, Ning Zhen noticed a car parked there. 

Standing beside the car, wearing a bright red silk cape, was the Second Concubine FanFan. She was speaking with the adjutant about something. 

Her gaze quickly shifted in Ning Zhen’s direction. 

She took a few quick steps over to Ning Zhen and Cheng Baisheng. 

Ignoring Ning Zhen, FanFan addressed Cheng Baisheng, “Chief of Staff Cheng, I need to speak with the Governor. Can you let me in?” 

“I’m sorry, Second Madam, but the residence is a military zone. Without permission, no outsiders are allowed in,” Cheng Baisheng replied with a polite smile. 

FanFan protested, “But I really need to speak with him! Didn’t the Third Concubine from the old mansion go in before? Why was she allowed?” 

“That was because the Governor gave her special permission,” Cheng Baisheng explained. 

FanFan fell silent. 

Ning Zhen didn’t want to hear any more of this. She nodded to Cheng Baisheng, saying, “I’ll be off now, Baisheng.” 

“Take care,” Cheng Baisheng replied, reminding the adjutant driving Ning Zhen, “Drive carefully.” 

The adjutant acknowledged the order. 

FanFan seemed like she wanted to say more but didn’t dare. 

Ning Zhen didn’t know whether FanFan ended up getting into the Governor’s residence or not. 

She found herself lost in thought. 

“The Third Concubine could enter the Governor’s residence, but she wasn’t favored; whereas the Governor spent most of the year with FanFan, but she wasn’t allowed in.” 

What was the Governor’s taboo? 

Before, it seemed like the two wives shared equal favor. But now it appeared that FanFan had the upper hand. 

Ning Zhen’s own life was still in Sheng Changyu’s hands, and she had no time to get involved in these romantic entanglements. She quickly pushed the thought aside.