Before long, the kitchen sent over the meals, six dishes and one soup, all steaming hot and meticulously served. Shi Yumei spoke indifferently, "Let’s eat!" Seeing that Ren Zhixian paid no attention, she ignored him as well and seated herself at the table, ordering Cui Zhu to set the bowls and chopsticks and to serve rice.
Ren Zhixian was fuming, staring daggers.
It was Cui Bao who was quick-witted, her voice cheery with a laugh, "Master, it’s New Year’s today, you should have a reunion dinner with your wife! Don’t let the lady wait too long!" Saying so, she helped Ren Zhixian to his feet without further ado.
Ren Zhixian took the opportunity to dismount from his high horse, sparing Cui Bao an approving glance, thinking to himself that Cui Bao was considerate after all, his pampering of her wasn’t wasted! She was certainly much better than Cui Zhu, that blockheaded imbecile!
Ren Zhixian saw that Shi Yumei remained indifferent and deliberately provoked her into anger for his pleasure. After sitting down, Cui Bao served him rice, and he pulled her to sit as well: "You sit and eat too!"
Shi Yumei’s chopsticks trembled in her hand, her complexion darkened slightly, yet still without a word.
Cui Bao’s eyes sparkled with joy, but she quickly came to her senses, still smilingly said, "Master, you jest, how dare I, a slave, dine at the same table with Master and the lady? It isn’t proper! Master, Mrs., please eat while it’s hot, or it’ll get cold soon!"
Shi Yumei huffed lightly, easing her expression, thinking to herself that it’s good that Cui Bao knows her place!
"My word is law! What’s all this fuss about rules!" Ren Zhixian insisted she sit, then glanced at Cui Zhu standing next to Shi Yumei, addressed her coldly, "Go, bring a stool here!"
"I dare not! I beseech you, Master, do not torment me so!" Cui Bao, terrified, turned pale and knelt down with a "thud".
Ren Zhixian could afford to disregard consequences, but she dared not! Her mind was not yet muddled; this place was the Shi family’s!
Causing Shi Yumei to lose face publicly, if the Shi family reacted, Ren Zhixian wouldn’t necessarily protect her!
"You!" Ren Zhixian found Cui Bao’s actions greatly embarrassing and was left staring daggers, helpless! He didn’t realize that Cui Bao was afraid of the Shi family’s people and therefore dared not obey; instead, he felt a profound sense of pity for her, thinking she really knew proper conduct and was sensible!
"Get up, what are you kneeling on the floor for during New Year’s!" Ren Zhixian said warmly, helping Cui Bao up by her arm.
"Slave thanks Master!" Cui Bao glanced surreptitiously at Shi Yumei, who seemed indifferent and continued to eat, and sighed with relief as she gently stood up, smiling, "Master, please go ahead with the meal!"
"Hmm!" Ren Zhixian nodded, then directed Cui Bao to arrange the dishes.
The more Shi Yumei watched, the less she could bear it, petulantly eating a few bites before slamming her chopsticks down on the table with a "smack", standing up and leaving with Cui Zhu.
Ren Zhixian watched her with a cold gaze as she walked away from in front of him and disappeared from view, then turned to Cui Bao angrily, "Look at her! What does she mean by this? Does she still see me as the head of this house!"
"Master, please calm down!" Cui Bao hurriedly appeased with a smile, "Master, it’s not lucky to be angry during New Year’s! The lady, she may just be feeling a little unwell, you shouldn’t take it to heart! The lady usually isn’t !"
Ren Zhixian sneered, "You’re mistaken, she wasn’t before, but ever since she returned to the Shi family, she thinks she’s found herself a backer and sees less and less of her husband in her eyes! Hmph, she’d better not forget she belongs to the Ren family, even in death, she’ll be buried in the Ren family’s ancestral grave, nothing to do with the Shi family at all! Not feeling well? Hmph, I think it’s her heart that’s uncomfortable!"
"Master!" Cui Bao turned pale with urgency, "I implore you to stop! Why torment yourself? You are troubled, and so is the lady—"
Deep inside, Cui Bao couldn’t help resenting, thinking to herself, don’t you realize this is the Shi family’s turf? Didn’t you consider your words before you spoke? The Shi family might not take it out on you, their son-in-law, would they not vent their anger on a mere maid? Do you want to kill me!
"Sigh!" Ren Zhixian could never resist the tears of a beautiful woman; seeing Cui Bao , his heart softened, and holding her hand, he gently patted it and sighed, "Cui Bao, you’re the only one who truly understands me! You are the good one, always considerate of me! There’s no one else here now, come, sit down and join me for the meal!"
Cui Bao subconsciously glanced towards the room, hastily smiled and said, "Rules cannot be abandoned; it’s fine if the slave stands to eat!"
Ren Zhixian was even more pleased, nodding appreciatively and with a laugh, "That’s fine too! Here, eat! Whatever you’d like, help yourself!"
"Slave thanks Master!" Cui Bao cast a coquettish glance.
Shi Yumei guessed that by now Mother Mrs. Wang in the main courtyard would be almost done with dinner, so she instructed Cui Zhu to bring the woolen cloak, planning to go sit with her mother, aunts, and sisters to keep vigil through the night.
Who knew that tonight Ren Zhixian seemed to be intentionally blocking her, instead of going to the study to be affectionate with Cui Bao after dinner, he sat in the outer hall, and when he saw her about to leave, he shouted, "Stop! Where are you going?"
Shi Yumei indifferently replied, "To chat with my mother and them!"
"You’re not allowed to go!" Ren Zhixian was just waiting for this response and wouldn’t agree, "Today is New Year’s, as a member of the Ren family, you shouldn’t mix with the Shi family!"
Shi Yumei sarcastically laughed, indifferently said, "Master, have you forgotten? We are currently at the Shi family, what’s the harm in me sitting with my own mother for a chat?"
Her words struck a nerve, and Ren Zhixian couldn’t help but rage, his face darkened as he said, "I said you’re not allowed to go, and you’re not! If you dare take a step out, don’t bother coming back tonight!"
Shi Yumei, full of bottled-up anger, paid him no heed, laughed coldly and strode out with Cui Zhu.
"Good! Very good! What an exemplary daughter raised by the Shi family, defiant indeed, truly defiant!" Ren Zhixian had never been treated this way by Shi Yumei. He was so angry his voice shook, and it took quite some persuading by Cui Bao before he could regain his composure.
Shi Yumei wasn’t feeling great inside either, agitated without relief. Upon reaching the entrance of the main courtyard, she cautioned Cui Zhu not to speak out of turn, then composed herself, entering with high spirits.