Chapter 79

On the tenth day of the twelfth lunar month, the weather cleared up. The sun was warm, making one’s body feel relaxed and drowsy.  

Ning Zhen sat in the car heading back to the Sheng family’s old mansion, yawning several times.  

At nine in the morning, the old lady had sent a driver to pick her up. The car that Sheng Changyu had given Ning Zhen was driven by the Ning family’s adjutant, carrying Ning Zhen’s luggage and four servants, following behind to the Sheng family estate.  

When the car came to a stop, Ning Zhen, carrying the valuable homemade medicinal herbs from her family, went to the old lady’s courtyard.  

Not skilled at pretending, Ning Zhen entered with her eyes lowered and greeted, “Mother.” 

She tried to squeeze out a few tears but couldn’t. 

“…You’ve only been gone a few days, but why do you look thinner?” the old lady said to her, surprisingly gentle in tone. 

It reminded Ning Zhen of her wedding night. 

On her wedding night, Sheng Changyu didn’t come because there had been an explosion at the harbor, and people had died. He had to deal with the aftermath. The old lady had also come to the Zhaiyuju Residence then, using the same gentle voice to console Ning Zhen. 

Ning Zhen understood that, in this moment, the old lady genuinely felt guilty. 

This round, Ning Zhen had won. 

“I haven’t really lost weight; it’s just because you’re worried about me, Mother, that you think I look thinner,” Ning Zhen replied. 

The old lady gestured for her to sit down beside her. 

“You’re such a headstrong child!” the old lady said with a smile, “Your grandmother used to say we spoiled you too much. But who wouldn’t spoil their daughter? I only wish A-yin could be more like you.” 

“Being like me isn’t good—too unruly,” Ning Zhen said. 

“If you have grievances, you should voice them. The relationship between a daughter-in-law and mother-in-law is a lifelong one. Bottling things up isn’t good for either of us,” the old lady said. 

She added, “As for the Third Concubine, I’ve placed her under house arrest for four months. The storeroom she managed will be handed over to you, along with the gate and the sewing room.” 

Ning Zhen needed to express her stance. 

The extra month of house arrest and transferring the storeroom from Xu Fangdu to Ning Zhen was the old lady’s way of showing her position. 

Ning Zhen gratefully looked at her and said, “Thank you, Mother!” 

“I’ve had Zhaiyuju Residence cleaned. Go and rest there. Tomorrow, the head steward will bring you the official seals and account books,” the old lady said. 

Ning Zhen stood up and thanked her again before leaving. 

The entire Sheng family estate knew she had returned. After all, the old lady had personally sent someone to pick her up. 

“This time, it seems the old lady has conceded. Looks like this Governor’s wife isn’t easy to deal with.” 

“In the future, be careful around her. Don’t let her catch you making a mistake.” 

“Xu Fangdu is finished, isn’t she? The Governor never touched her, and now the old lady has taken away her authority. What does she have left?” 

“She had to go and scheme against the wife. The Third Concubine is the biggest fool.” 

“She’s under house arrest and won’t even be able to attend the New Year’s Spring Banquet. The old lady has strictly ordered that the news be kept within the family. But how can that be hidden? After two banquets, the whole city will know, and she’ll have no face left.” 

Ning Zhen paid no attention to the gossip in the estate. 

She had won a major victory, gaining more authority in managing the household. 

Although she had no control over the main financial accounts, “an official nearby is better than a distant one,” and she had real power now. 

Ning Zhen first gathered the heads of the kitchen staff for a meeting, using both rewards and warnings to assert her authority. 

The side room in Zhaiyuju Residence had been cleared out to serve as her office. 

Just as she finished her work and hadn’t even had a chance to sit down for tea, a servant came in to report, “Madam, the Second Concubine is here. She’s waiting at the door to see you.” 

Ning Zhen asked, “At the front gate, or at the gate of Zhaiyuju Residence?” 

“…At the gate of Zhaiyuju Residence.” 

Ning Zhen sighed. 

The gate of the Sheng family estate was now under her control. Starting tomorrow, she would have to set some rules. 

At the very least, FanFan wouldn’t be allowed to barge in whenever she wanted. 

As the Governor’s beloved pet kept at the secondary residence, FanFan should stay in her place, like a canary in a gilded cage. 

If the Governor’s mansion wouldn’t let her in, then she shouldn’t expect to enter the Sheng family estate at will either. 

“Let her in,” Ning Zhen said. 

FanFan quickly came inside. 

Ning Zhen was cautious, wary that FanFan might make a move.  

FanFan was, as always, dressed in red. Her bright red silk cloak shimmered, radiating wealth and splendor. 

Ning Zhen invited her to sit and had Cao Ma serve tea. 

“Madam, what will you wear to the banquet at Director Shi’s the day after tomorrow? I don’t want to overshadow you,” FanFan asked. 

Ning Zhen was surprised by her consideration, unsure what ulterior motives she might have. 

“I haven’t decided yet.” 

“I’ll be wearing a pale pink cloak. Don’t worry, I won’t outshine you,” FanFan assured her. Then she added, “Madam, could I come to the old residence to participate in the ancestral rites for the New Year?” 

Ning Zhen found it amusing. 

Even the Governor wouldn’t attend the ancestral rites, so why was FanFan trying to join? 

“I can’t agree to that,” Ning Zhen replied. “The old lady and the Governor haven’t given their approval. I can’t make that decision.” 

“You’re the lady of the house, of course you can make the call,” FanFan said, even trying to act coy with her. 

No matter how much she sweet-talked or pestered, Ning Zhen felt there was an ulterior motive behind FanFan’s visit today. 

Ning Zhen quietly observed her. 

Seeing that Ning Zhen was unmoved, FanFan eventually stood up to leave. 

Next to the chair where she had been sitting, something had fallen.  

After FanFan left, Cao Ma picked it up and handed it to Ning Zhen. “It seems like Second Concubine dropped her invitation.” 

Ning Zhen took it. “Let me see.” 

Indeed, it was an invitation, addressed to FanFan from Director Shi’s family. 

It read, “…Cordially inviting the Governor and Second Concubine to attend.” 

Ning Zhen was amused. “So that’s her game!” 

She then asked Cao Ma, “Where’s my invitation from Director Shi?” 

The Cao Ma retrieved it. 

Ning Zhen’s invitation had been sent along with the old lady’s, in two identical copies. 

It addressed the old lady and the Governor’s wife. 

Clearly, FanFan knew this. 

This was her way of telling Ning Zhen that, in public, FanFan had more status, being referred to as “Second wife” instead of Second Concubine.  

She was the one invited to the banquet alongside the Governor. 

Ning Zhen, on the other hand, could only attend with the old lady. She was a mere decoration at the old residence, the Governor’s “abandoned wife.” 

“Cao Ma, send someone to return this invitation to Second Concubine. She’d be heartbroken if she lost something so valuable,” Ning Zhen said. 

Cao Ma, who could read, had also seen the invitation. 

She wasn’t as calm as Ning Zhen, feeling a bit indignant. “These officials have no shame, elevating a mere concubine like this!” 

“They mock the poor, not the immoral. As long as she’s favored, they’ll flatter her to curry favor with the Governor. In their position, who cares about face? In these times, what rules still matter?” Ning Zhen replied. 

Cao Ma fumed, “Don’t give it back to her. Let her stay arrogant.” 

“Return it. ‘He whom the gods wish to destroy, they first make mad.’ The more arrogant she gets, the more I’ll let her think she’s winning,” Ning Zhen said with a smile. 

Cao Ma was left speechless. 

The invitation was duly returned to FanFan at her secondary residence. 

Meanwhile, Sheng Changyu’s adjutant reminded him about Director Shi’s eldest grandson’s full-month banquet, with the invitation placed on his desk. 

This was an event he needed to attend. 

Sheng Changyu initially didn’t want to go, but remembering that he had personally elevated Director Shi, he decided it was important to show respect, much like the time with the Ge family old lady’s birthday banquet. 

He picked up the invitation and casually flipped through it. 

At first, he wasn’t paying much attention, but something unexpectedly made him think of Ning Zhen. 

Linking Director Shi’s banquet with the Ge family’s event, he couldn’t help but recall the various moments he had experienced with Ning Zhen at the Ge family banquet. 

With these thoughts in mind, Sheng Changyu’s eyes landed on the names of the invited guests on the invitation. 

The words “Second Concubine” suddenly jumped out at him. 

At first, his brow furrowed; upon a second glance, he became furious.