Chapter 87

Ning Zhen held the phone and hesitated for just two seconds. 

“The worship ancestral at the old residence will start at four in the afternoon. This year, Second Uncle will again lead the ceremony, and afterward, we’ll prepare the New Year’s Eve dinner,” Ning Zhen said.  

She then asked, “Governor, will you be coming back for the ceremony?” 

She was merely asking. If the Governor agreed to come, it would give him a graceful way to reconcile, and he might even appreciate Ning Zhen’s tactfulness. If not, he might just mock her a little.  

Anyone handling matters like this had to be prepared to take some criticism. 

There was a brief silence on Sheng Changyu’s end.  

Ning Zhen thought he wasn’t going to answer, but then he said, “I’ll come early and make it in time for the ceremony.” 

Ning Zhen replied, “Alright, I’ll inform Mother and the housekeeper.” 

After hanging up, Ning Zhen was still slightly surprised.  

She went to the old lady’s courtyard to share the news. 

The old lady was overjoyed. “How did you manage to get him to agree?” 

“After the snake incident with FanFan, the Governor praised me for handling it properly, maintaining the dignity of both the Governor’s mansion and the old lady, while preventing FanFan from making too big of a scene,” Ning Zhen said. 

When it was time to take credit, there was no need to be modest. 

The old lady nodded with satisfaction. “You really do handle things thoroughly. Coming from a prominent family, you’ve shown both capability and tact. I chose an excellent daughter-in-law.” 

The two exchanged some mutual compliments. 

After returning to her own residence, Zhaiyuju residence, Ning Zhen sat down for tea, feeling a bit tired. 

Cao Ma asked her how things had gone. 

Ning Zhen told her everything honestly. 

“… You don’t know, the housekeeper from the old lady’s side came to test your stance, hoping to bring the Third Concubine out for the New Year,” Cao Ma said. 

“I know. After the Shi family’s full-month banquet, the old lady praised the Third Concubine right in front of me, saying she couldn’t do without her,” Ning Zhen replied. 

“She’s overstepping her bounds. You’re not just any daughter-in-law—you’re the Governor’s wife. She’s just brought you back, and now she’s trying to undermine you,” Cao Ma said indignantly. 

“She wouldn’t dare do this to the Governor, only to me. In the end, she doesn’t respect me,” Ning Zhen remarked. 

Cao Ma asked, “You didn’t give in, did you?” 

“If I agreed, the entire household would laugh at me. The housekeepers would take advantage of me after the New Year, slacking off whenever they could. If I didn’t handle things well, the old lady would blame me, making me look incompetent. How could I agree?” Ning Zhen explained. 

“Exactly!” Cao Ma said. 

She added, “That call from the Governor came at just the right time. If he really comes for the worship ancestral on New Year’s Eve, the old lady will have to be more respectful toward you from now on.” 

Cao Ma continued, “No matter how you deal with the old lady, she doesn’t care about your skills or abilities. All she cares about is how the Governor treats you.” 

Ning Zhen sighed. 

Having someone like the old lady as her “superior” was rather discouraging. 

All her efforts, intelligence, and capabilities meant nothing to the old lady. All that mattered to her were her personal preferences. 

Ning Zhen could understand Sheng Changyu a little better now. 

As a child, he had worked hard to gain his mother’s approval. Yet, even after achieving great success, his mother barely glanced at him and continued to favor his younger brother. 

On the 29th of the lunar month, snow fell in Suzhou. 

It was a light snowfall mixed with rain, melting as soon as it hit the ground, making the streets a muddy mess. 

Sheng Changyu disliked this kind of weather. Braving the cold and dampness, he went early to clean Su Qing’er’s grave. 

On his way back from the cemetery, he noticed Meng Xinliang on the street. 

He hadn’t intended to look, but Meng Xinliang was hard to miss. 

Meng Xinliang, tall and imposing, stood out on the street. His attendant held an umbrella for him. 

Dressed in a black cloak with a black umbrella, despite his calm expression, there was an air of harsh coldness about him. Passersby avoided him, too afraid to come near. 

Sheng Changyu’s car was blocked, and his gaze fell on Meng Xinliang’s hands. 

Meng Xinliang was holding a bouquet of flowers. 

The vivid red roses, as red as blood, bloomed fiercely in the winter cold. The stark contrast between the black and red was too striking to ignore. 

Back at the Governor’s mansion, after changing out of his wet military boots and trousers, Sheng Changyu sat on the sofa and lit a cigarette. 

Cheng Baisheng was on holiday and had returned home for the New Year, so Sheng Changyu was attended by the head adjutant, Cheng Yang. 

“… Where could I buy red roses at this time of year?” Sheng Changyu asked Cheng Yang. 

Cheng Yang replied, “Should I go check at a flower shop?” 

Sheng Changyu said, “Call Baisheng and ask him.” 

After making the call and talking to Cheng Baisheng, Cheng Yang returned and reported to the Governor, “The flower shops probably don’t have any. However, many clubs do. They exchange the singers’ payments for roses, using them as tips.” 

Sheng Changyu lit a cigarette without saying anything. 

Cheng Yang asked, “Shall I go get some?” 

“What for? To steam and eat them? Think before you speak,” Sheng Changyu said in irritation, exhaling a heavy puff of smoke. 

Cheng Yang was speechless. 

You specifically asked me to inquire, made me call the chief of staff, and now you’re blaming me for not thinking. 

Even if I had a brain, it would’ve been exhausted by your unpredictable moods. 

By New Year’s Eve, after a night of sleet, the weather cleared. 

There was no wind, and though the clouds were somewhat thick, and the sun wasn’t particularly bright, at least it wasn’t damp anymore. 

After breakfast, Sheng Changyu, feeling a bit bored, sat around for a while. At ten in the morning, he headed to the old residence. 

When he arrived, the old residence was bustling with activity. 

On New Year’s Eve, couplets were being put up, new lanterns were being hung, silk flowers were being tied to the courtyard trees; cleaning, dusting, and repainting the walls. Laughter filled the air. 

Sheng Changyu’s car drove in through the main path and stopped behind Zhaiyuju residence. 

Once parked, he walked straight inside. 

The servants at Zhaiyuju residence opened the door, startled to see him. They didn’t dare stop him, letting him walk right in. 

Inside the secondary conference hall, a room full of people was gathered. 

New Year’s was a major event, and Ning Zhen had many things to arrange. 

She asked the housekeepers to wait for a moment, then went out to greet Sheng Changyu. “Governor, you’re here.” 

“Am I too early?” he asked. 

“No, I’m almost done here,” Ning Zhen smiled. “It’s perfect timing. We can have lunch together, and I wanted to ask you about the ceremony this afternoon.” 

Sheng Changyu glanced at the conference room. 

The housekeepers were practically standing at the door.   

She was now managing several different tasks. 

“You go ahead and finish. I’ll take a walk around,” Sheng Changyu said. 

“Give me half an hour,” Ning Zhen replied. 

She returned to the conference room. 

Ning Zhen had gathered the housekeepers early in the morning, and now she was nearly done. She just needed to hand out the red envelopes she had prepared and give a few final instructions. 

Sheng Changyu sat on the sofa in the living room, and Cao Ma brought him tea. 

Just then, a maid rushed in, holding a bouquet of fresh red roses. 

Cao Ma was surprised. 

“The eldest young master sent them. He said it’s for the madam’s birthday,” the maid said with a smile. 

Cao Ma accepted the flowers and deliberately said aloud for Sheng Changyu to hear, “The eldest young master is so thoughtful. The Ning family already sent birthday gifts a few days ago, and the eldest young master even sent an extra gift.” 

Sheng Changyu remained seated, expressionless, though he glimpsed the fiery red roses out of the corner of his eye. 

His jawline tensed for no apparent reason, but he quickly relaxed again. 

After finishing her work, Ning Zhen dismissed the housekeepers. Cao Ma informed her that the eldest young master had sent her fresh flowers. 

“They’re quite beautiful,” Ning Zhen remarked. 

Such flowers were rare in the cold winter months, so they were naturally pleasing. 

“Put them in a vase and place them on the dining table,” Ning Zhen instructed. 

Cao Ma nodded in agreement. 

Ning Zhen walked over and sat down. 

At home, she wore a light yellow silk jacket and a white skirt, looking elegant and serene. Since she had met with the housekeepers, she had applied light makeup, making her face glow with a fair and rosy complexion, more radiant than the roses. 

Sheng Changyu asked, “Is it your birthday?” 

“Not today,” Ning Zhen replied. 

“When is it?” he asked.