CHAPTER 360: CHAPTER 183: A COLD SHOWER OUT OF NOWHERE

Tonight, the entire family was staying up late at Mrs. Wang’s place. As soon as Shi Yumei entered the courtyard, she could hear various sounds of laughter and merrymaking coming from the rooms. The lively atmosphere was a stark contrast to the desolation on her side, nearly bringing her to tears again.

The lanterns along the corridor brightly lit the courtyard. Shi Yumei and her servant had just entered when they were spotted, and the young maids hurried over with smiles, saying, "Big Auntie Granny, you’re here at last! The main madam was just thinking of you!" Another ran inside to report her arrival.

"I know mother is thinking of me, as soon as I settled my husband, I came right over!" Shi Yumei said with a beaming smile, the proud look of a senior daughter in the family returning to her face.

Mrs. Wang and her sisters-in-law were playing cards; Mrs. Jiang, Mrs. Lin, Mrs. Gui, and several maids were watching from the side. Seeing Shi Yumei arrive, Mrs. Wang hurriedly waved her over with a laugh, "Yumei, you’re here! Come quickly and take a look at my hand! Your two aunts are really too good!"

Second Madam Shi and Third Madam Shi both said with a laugh, "We don’t have help, so we definitely have to be more attentive!"

Mrs. Wang, naturally carefree, was unwilling to concentrate on her hand of cards, so it was no surprise that she was losing. Shi Yumei approached with a smile and said, "This is Aunt Two and Aunt Three’s forte, mother, if I guide you wrongly, you can’t blame me and make me pay!" Everyone laughed at her comment.

Over at Sang Wan’s, she was playing with a few young girls in the warm pavilion, needing to occasionally check on things everywhere. The late-night snacks, fireworks to be set off at midnight, and the red envelopes to be distributed as tips all had to be prepared in advance.

After midnight, the brilliant fireworks and the fervent firecrackers faded in the night sky, signaling the arrival of the new year! The juniors stepped forward to kowtow to the elders for New Year’s greetings and collect their red envelopes. The household slaves also took their turns to kowtow, received their tips, and gave thanks. After making merry all night, everyone was tired and returned to their rooms to rest.

Early the next morning, they would have to get up to set off firecrackers and honor their ancestors, so Sang Wan and Shi Fengju hurriedly washed up and went to bed back in Ningyuan. Sang Wan was extremely exhausted, and as soon as her head touched the pillow, even breaths could be heard. Shi Fengju shook his head with a smile and gently lay down beside her, stretching his hand around the nape of her neck, drawing her into his arms as they both fell asleep.

Shi Yumei and Cui Zhu returned to the banana garden, but when they pushed the door to the courtyard, they found it had been locked from the inside. They looked at each other in bewilderment.

"Open the door! Open up! The madam has returned!" Cui Zhu called softly as she tapped on the door.

No answer came. All was silent.

"Open the door for me!" Shi Yumei shouted in anger, kicking the door.

"Madam! Be careful, your foot will hurt!" Cui Zhu hurriedly pulled her back while she continued to knock and call out. Still, there was no response from inside!

"Enough, stop calling!" Shi Yumei said with a cold face. "That bastard Ren Zhixian must have ordered not to open the door, your knocking is useless!" If they drew the attention of the night watchman, they would lose all face!

"Madam!" Cui Zhu was so angry she was speechless. "In such cold weather, what should we do?"

They couldn’t possibly just stand outside for the whole night, could they?

For a moment, Shi Yumei was at a loss, suddenly feeling as if the world was so vast, yet there was no place for her within it. Tears welled up in her eyes, almost falling.

"Shall we go back and spend the night at the main madam’s place, and worry about the rest tomorrow?"

"No way!" Shi Yumei quickly said. "Mother would surely be saddened and angered if she saw, and I can’t cause her such trouble during the New Year!"

"But—" Cui Zhu was at a loss for words, looking up at the tall courtyard wall, feeling powerless.

"Then let’s go to Ningyuan and find the young master and the main madam!" Cui Zhu suggested again. "We can’t just stand here all night! In such cold weather, how can your body bear it!"

Shi Yumei moved her lips but said nothing. As Cui Zhu tried to support her to leave, she stubbornly refused to move.

If Ningyuan only had Shi Fengju, it would be one thing, but Sang Wan was there too! Letting Sang Wan see her in this state? She would surely be the butt of her jokes!

"Then you wait here, Madam. I will go by myself, and I’ll be back soon! Madam, you wait for me!" Seeing that she refused to budge, Cui Zhu had no choice but to help Shi Yumei to a sheltered spot out of the wind before she hurriedly rushed towards Ningyuan.

At this time, Shi Fengju was just settling down while embracing Sang Wan. Seeing Cui Zhu coming in a rush with an anxious face at this hour, Liu Ya and the others didn’t dare stop her and had to knock on the bedroom door.

Shi Fengju felt somewhat displeased, but he knew that Liu Ya was no frivolous girl and would not disturb him without urgent business, so he gently let go of Sang Wan and got up. However, Sang Wan was startled awake and grabbed his wrist, whispering, "What happened?"