Chapter 9

After dinner, Ning Zhen and her three brothers were summoned to the outer study by their father. 

The outer study was guarded by officers at both the front and back. 

Her father began to reprimand them. 

Although the Ning family loved their daughter, their upbringing was strict. Any child who made a mistake would be scolded, including Ning Zhen. 

Ning Zhen, like her three brothers, was scolded to the point of not being able to lift her head. 

“… Why didn’t you explain the truth to Grandma and your mother? Using this incident to get yourself married off? If the Sheng family’s door were that easy to enter, would it be up to you?” Ning Zhoutong scolded harshly. 

Ning Zhen kept her gaze lowered. 

Her second brother, Ning Yishen, immediately said, “Father, don’t scold my sister, scold us instead.” 

Ning Zhoutong: “You don’t need to be scolded. Once things stabilize, you’ll be punished with thirty military canes to remember your mistake.” 

Ning Yishen:  

The eldest brother also said, “Father, I’ve always urged you to stay calm. This was a trap set by Sheng Changyu. If it weren’t for my sister’s quick thinking, we wouldn’t know what the situation would be now.” 

Ning Zhoutong: “That Sheng Changyu is just a hot-headed young man, not worth worrying about.” 

The room fell silent for a moment. 

Sheng Changyu was far from just a hot-headed young man. He had been in the military since his teens, and the Ning family’s children had dealt with him repeatedly, showing considerable respect for him. 

He was very perceptive and had a keen strategic mind. 

Moreover, he was ruthless. Even a close relative who blocked his path would be removed. 

Once he set his mind on something, he was willing to risk everything to achieve it. 

The former commander had always scolded him for this, disapproving of his character, saying he was too harsh and lacked stability, “Not even a local thug’s gang can match your cruelty.” 

Sheng Changyu would use any unscrupulous means to win. 

The Ning family had a grudge against Sheng Changyu, but unless absolutely necessary, Ning Zhen’s brothers didn’t want to “rebel,” as they had little chance of success. 

This crisis came so naturally, and the reinforcement was cut off; it was all part of Sheng Changyu’s plan. 

Sheng Changyu intended to force Ning Zhoutong into a corner, then beat him while he was down. 

Under such pressure from the new ruler, and with so many subordinates relying on him, Ning Zhoutong had to maintain the face of the general and make a show of resistance. 

Sometimes, “rebellion” was also a form of attitude. 

The stalemate was almost leading to a deadlock, and there was no way out. Ning Zhen had to use her marriage as a bridge to resolve the crisis. 

Ning Zhoutong lost his temper and drove his three sons out of the study, leaving only Ning Zhen. 

Ning Zhen stood in front of her father. 

Ning Zhoutong looked at her for a while and sighed, “Sit down.” 

Ning Zhen then sat down. 

“You dared to make decisions on such a big matter without consulting anyone,” her father said, his tone much softer now. 

Ning Zhen was always her parents’ little comfort: “Father, I was wrong.” 

She had a pair of particularly beautiful eyes, deep and shiny black, and when she looked at people with a softened gaze, it could almost melt their hearts. 

Ning Zhoutong sighed again. 

“Have you thought about what to do next?” he asked. 

Ning Zhen: “Father, our family’s survival is in someone else’s hands. They attack, and we defend. What happens next depends on what move Sheng Changyu makes.” 

Ning Zhoutong was silent for a while before saying, “These matters should not be your concern.” 

“Father, your children have grown up. This family is our responsibility too. The burden of the future is not yours alone,” Ning Zhen said. 

Ning Zhoutong’s expression softened, but he sighed deeply again. 

Since the former commander’s death and Sheng Changyu’s takeover of the military, Ning Zhoutong had been troubled. 

He disapproved of the new ruler’s temperament and character. He was not weak-willed and had clashed with Sheng Changyu several times. 

The relationship had deteriorated. 

This mad dog, Sheng Changyu, even planned to give up a whole province to eliminate the Ning family. 

In the end, he was willing to marry Ning Zhen, probably out of impulse and then calmness, and made a compromise, willing to take a step back. After all, it was his own territory. 

Many people only saw the commotion but didn’t realize how close they came to a military disaster. 

Ning Zhen only left her father’s study at ten o’clock in the evening. 

She didn’t enter the inner courtyard but found her three brothers huddled in the corner by the Hanging Flower Gate . 

“… You scared me. Are you guys playing ghosts?” Ning Zhen steadied herself. 

Her second brother, Ning Yishen, came over: “So, do you need to be punished with military canes too?” 

“Not necessary.” 

“Is it because you’re the apple of your father’s eye?” 

“Because I’m the General’s wife,” Ning Zhen said. 

Ning Yishen:  

The eldest and third brothers, who were not as sarcastic as the second brother, asked her about the conversation with their father. 

When they learned that their father’s attitude had softened, the three brothers breathed a sigh of relief. 

“You all go to bed. I’ll escort Zhen’er (Ning Zhen),” the third brother said. 

The eldest brother nodded. 

The second brother said, “Don’t call me for the next few days. I’m staying indoors for three days. After all these months of suppressing the rebellion, I haven’t even had a decent meal.” 

Ning Zhen:  

The second brother’s sweet dreams were dashed. He wanted to spend three days in comfort, but his sister-in-law wanted to go shopping with Ning Zhen. 

At night, the Ning family drove out in three cars. 

Eldest brother and sister-in-law, second brother and sister-in-law, third brother, and Ning Zhen went to the popular “Golden Phoenix Club” for entertainment. 

They could play cards, dance, and drink. 

Unpleasantly, they encountered a group from the Su family at the entrance. 

A tall, young man, following the Su family, had a detached expression and an arrogant demeanor. When he saw Ning Zhen, his expression slightly tightened. 

Ning Zhen also saw him. 

“… That’s him, the one who kept staring at Zhen’er in the café,” Jin Nuan whispered to her husband Ning Yishen. 

Ning Yishen glanced over: “He looks average, not as good-looking as me.” 

Jin Nuan:  

Honestly, he was quite handsome, a man whose presence could light up even the dimmest surroundings. 

The Su family and the Ning family didn’t get along and had fought frequently as children. 

“Isn’t this the General’s wife?” Su Rong, the second young master of the Su family, said sarcastically as he looked at Ning Zhen, “Miss Ning has become the General’s wife, flying up to a higher branch. Your demeanor has changed.” 

Ning Zhen’s third brother, Ning Ce, stepped forward: “What does it have to do with you?” 

“Have you eaten gunpowder? Congratulations to your sister and the Ning family for climbing up. I wish you well,” Su Rong said. 

Ning Ce: “This high branch doesn’t need to guard your Su family’s virtue.” 

Su Rong’s sarcastic face twisted: “Are you still bringing up my sister? Ning Ce, do you want to die?” 

“Useless dogs bark loudly, the louder they bark, the more useless they are. If you have the ability, kill me. Otherwise, get out of the way and stop blocking it,” Ning Ce said coldly. 

Su Rong sneered: “Fine, Ning Ce. When the day comes that you die, I’ll definitely offer incense for you.” 

Ning Ce: “Being so filial to your father after death is useless. If you kneel and kowtow, acknowledging me as your godfather, you’ll get all the benefits right away.” 

Su Rong’s eyes were bloodshot. 

It looked like they were about to fight. 

The eldest brother, Ning Yian, held back Ning Ce and said, “Stop the argument. Wasting time on these verbal disputes.” 

The Su family also pulled Su Rong away. 

Ning Zhen said nothing. 

The man standing behind the crowd glanced at her deeply but remained silent. 

As they were about to enter, a young lady from the Su family, with a voice tinged with both coldness and sarcasm, said, “What General’s wife? Just self-glorification. Does the General acknowledge it?” 

“I do.” 

Suddenly, a deep male voice, slow and clear, responded.