Chapter 8

The bedroom had a classical charm, with lavender (light purple) curtains and a subtle, calming scent, creating an atmosphere of intimate ambiguity. 

The man was bare-chested and examined Ning Zhen up close. 

Ning Zhen tried to force a slight smile, but after two failed attempts, she gave up. She subtly took a step back, briefly creating some distance between herself and Sheng Changyu. 

“… The handling was good, Mrs. Sheng,” he said, his voice not loud but carrying a hint of sarcasm. 

“However, my people are for me to discipline and scold. What gave you the audacity to punish her at will?” The sarcasm was now tinged with gloom and a hint of aggression. 

Ning Zhen:  

She couldn’t understand why the Sheng family always treated others like fools. The Old Lady, the concubines, and now Sheng Changyu were all like this. 

FanFan was injured, but instead of being sent to a separate residence for recovery, she was bandaged and sent to the ancestral hall, which indicated Sheng Changyu agreed with Ning Zhen’s punishment. 

Now, Sheng Changyu was testing her once again, merely to gauge her attitude. 

This was the mindset of someone in power, combining both grace and authority towards those below—Ning Zhen had learned this tactic from her grandmother at a young age. 

Agreeing to punish FanFan was a way to establish Ning Zhen’s authority; now he wanted her to show gratitude, highlighting the favor bestowed upon her by the General. 

Ning Zhen, always diligent in her studies, had always excelled. Now, as the “General’s wife,” she was determined to excel in this role as well. 

Facing Sheng Changyu’s probing, she said, “I rely on the General’s authority, General. If it weren’t for knowing your and the Old Lady’s wisdom, I wouldn’t have dared to imprison the second concubine.” 

Sheng Changyu took a couple of steps closer. 

In the heat of May, with high temperatures, the man’s body radiated warmth like a furnace. Being close to him seemed almost to scorch Ning Zhen. 

She couldn’t back away any further. 

Sheng Changyu’s hand gripped her chin, forcing her to lift her face. 

Ning Zhen winced in pain but said nothing, allowing him to raise her face and meet his gaze. 

Both of them locked eyes, emotions clear in their expressions. 

“Sharp-tongued and clever, just as expected from the daughter of Ning Zhen.” His expression was cold. 

Mentioning her father’s name, he tightened his grip, veins bulging on his forearm. 

Ning Zhen understood that Sheng Changyu harbored deep resentment towards her father. 

This hatred was profound. 

“From now on, you are the General’s person.” Ning Zhen, in considerable pain, clung to his arm, trying to break his hold on her chin. 

She applied some force, and Sheng Changyu, not intending to really struggle with her, relaxed his grip. 

Ning Zhen decisively said, “General, the concubine’s quarters are not the place for discussions. If you have further instructions, please change the venue.” 

She turned and left. 

Inside the curtain, Xu Fangdu listened intently to the exchange between the two. 

Seeing Ning Zhen leave without waiting for Sheng Changyu’s response, Xu Fangdu got off the bed and approached, “Shall I stop her, Brother Yu?” 

“Do you think it’s your place to speak?” Sheng Changyu’s tone was indifferent, with a hint of impatience. 

Xu Fangdu shrank back. 

Sheng Changyu embraced her slender waist and threw her back onto the bed. 

Xu Fangdu let out a quiet gasp, her voice faint and breathless. The curtain rustled and the golden hooks clanged, not because Sheng Changyu was advancing on her, but because he forcefully threw the curtain aside and left. 

“Brother Yu…” Xu Fangdu called after him in a hurry. 

“Someone, help me change clothes,” Sheng Changyu called out to the adjutant outside. 

Xu Fangdu sat on the bed, her eyes slightly moist. 

To those in the Sheng family residence, Sheng Changyu was like a ghost, appearing briefly and then disappearing. 

That day, he did not come to Zhaiyuju Residence but continued to make trouble for Ning Zhen. 

FanFan, the second concubine, was imprisoned in the ancestral hall of the old residence and reportedly had a high fever throughout the night. 

Neither Sheng Changyu nor the Old Lady paid her any attention, leaving her to her fate. 

FanFan was in good health and recovered from the fever on the third day. 

After enduring seven days, Sheng Changyu personally came to retrieve her and take her back to the separate residence. Ning Zhen heard this from others but did not see Sheng Changyu again. 

When FanFan left, Xu Fangdu also fell ill and needed a doctor. 

The servants in Ning Zhen’s household, who came from her family, spoke candidly: “Could it be that the third concubine is pregnant?” 

“I heard the Old Lady invited a traditional Chinese doctor rather than a Western one to check her pulse.” 

Ning Zhen quietly read her book, not responding. 

As a newcomer without firmly established footing, any changes in the Sheng family residence were “none of her business.” 

It wasn’t that she was aloof; it was simply that she was on the periphery, and matters of personal interest did not concern her. 

Sheng Changyu had yet to consummate the marriage with her. She was merely the General’s wife in name, with no real standing to “interfere.” 

Another two days passed, and Ning Zhen learned that Xu Fangdu was not pregnant but had merely caught a heatstroke. 

“A heatstroke? It’s probably due to anger.” 

“He personally came to retrieve the second concubine, showing he values her more. The third concubine must be upset.” 

“Even without the second concubine, the third concubine has no place. Have you heard about Miss Jiang? The General will eventually make her his wife.” 

“The Old Lady’s current attempt to fill the ‘General’s wife’ position with someone else won’t last long. The General despises Ning Shi’s family; why would he want his daughter as his wife?” 

Ning Zhen was wealthy, and one of her servants,  Aunt Cao Ma, was particularly skilled at socializing. Ning Zhen paid her to gather information. 

Surface-level news could still be uncovered. 

After receiving Aunt Cao’s report, Ning Zhen remained silent for a moment and then told her, “Let’s have cold noodles for dinner tonight. It’s hot, and I have no appetite.” 

Aunt Cao:  

Another month passed, and Ning Zhen’s father and brothers returned to Sucheng. 

She immediately went to inform the Old Lady: “I’d like to visit my family for a few days.” 

The Old Lady, warm and dignified, smiled kindly at Ning Zhen: “Go ahead.” 

Ning Zhen drove back home. 

In the middle of the day, she walked from the gate to the main courtyard, covered in sweat. 

Everyone in the house was gathered in her grandmother’s main hall, filled with laughter and joy. 

When Ning Zhen entered, it was as if she brought the golden sunlight from outside into the room. Her smile was radiant: “Father!” 

Ning Zhoutong, who usually maintained a serious demeanor as the head of the family, showed a smile upon seeing his daughter. 

“What’s the rush? All sweaty like that, you’re such a wild child.” Ning Zhoutong smiled warmly, “Get some cold orange juice for the Fourth Miss.” 

Ning Zhen: “Add ice.” 

Madam, Ning clicked her tongue: “Drinking ice when you’re so hot will definitely hurt your stomach.” 

“Add ice, add ice!” Ning Zhoutong insisted, “She’s grown up now; let her have what she wants.” 

Madam, Ning:  

The whole room laughed. 

Ning Zhen sat next to her father and noticed a gaze on her from the corner. 

She looked over and saw her third brother. 

She exchanged a glance with him. 

Her third brother, Ning Ce, nodded in acknowledgment. 

Soon, the siblings slipped away to Ning Ce’s study. 

Ning Zhen’s three older brothers were all tall and upright, with the third brother being the most handsome among them, with beautiful eyes. 

He was the one who cared the most for Ning Zhen. 

“How is everything?” Ning Zhen asked as she sat down, ignoring the orange juice. 

Ning Ce: “It’s under control. Father has abandoned the idea of mobilizing troops.” 

Ning Zhen sighed with relief: “Mobilizing troops is akin to rebellion, with no justification. It’s Sheng Changyu’s scheme to force Father into ‘rebellion’ so he can seize the chance to eliminate the Ning family.” 

At present, the Ning family did not have the strength to oppose Sheng Changyu directly. 

Sheng Changyu was the “new ruler,” while Ning Zhen’s father was an “old power.” The two sides would inevitably clash fiercely. 

It was either the old power rendering the new ruler a puppet or the new ruler eliminating the old power. 

Ning Zhen, putting herself at risk, had been used as a pawn and was now discarded.