CHAPTER 363: CHAPTER 184: PUNISHMENT (PART 2)

Shi Fengju’s action was undoubtedly a harsh slap to Ren Zhixian’s face, rendering him internally fuming but unable to voice a complaint! If he did not acknowledge it, then it would be as if the slaves didn’t see their Master in their eyes and slandered him; Shi Fengju teaching them a lesson was his rightful duty, and he could not plead for mercy on their behalf even with half a word.

"Whoever dares to slack off, first think about what you count for!" Shi Fengju coldly threw down these words and left with Ningyuan’s maids in tow.

Ren Zhixian was so angry that he took a long while to come back to his senses!

"Cui Bao, come and help your Master change clothes and make the bed!" After estimating that Shi Fengju had walked far away, Ren Zhixian ordered Cui Bao with an air of authority.

The other slaves were of no use, daring to betray him in front of Shi Fengju and report on him! Even if they knelt for three whole days and nights, he wouldn’t frown. But Cui Bao was different, she cared for him, truly considered his needs, and served him; how could he bear to see her suffer?

The crowd was enraged by Ren Zhixian’s words, and although they did not dare to confront him directly, numerous sharp glances flew towards Cui Bao, their intensity like knives ready to tear her apart. Everyone in their hearts whispered: If she dares to get up, I will definitely report it to the young master tomorrow!

Cui Bao knew her place too well to dare to rise. With her head bowed, she spoke softly, "I am a slave who is awaiting punishment; I dare not! Please ask Cui Zhu, my sister, to serve you, Master."

In this whole courtyard, only Cui Zhu was not punished.

"What? You refuse to listen to the Master’s words too?" Ren Zhixian coldly huffed, stepping forward to pull Cui Bao up.

Cui Bao originally intended to offer token resistance and then reluctantly get up to follow Ren Zhixian, but thinking about the glaring maids and matrons around her and recalling Shi Fengju’s icy demeanor, she desperately pulled back her hand and pleaded, "Master, as a slave, I deserve to be punished, please I beg you, do not trouble me!"

Everyone is revolting against heaven! This bastard Shi Fengju, is he trying to isolate me completely?! Ren Zhixian cursed in his heart and stomped away angrily.

He went to the door of the warm pavilion and loudly called for Cui Zhu. At that moment, Shi Yumei and Cui Zhu had already laid down to rest; Cui Zhu woke up startled, looking towards Shi Yumei with fear and pleading in her eyes. She knew if she went out now, she would definitely become the object of the Master’s wrath and who knows how she might be humiliated! But she was a slave, what could she do against the master’s orders?

Seeing her expression, Shi Yumei felt deeply sympathetic and sighed softly, "Ignore him, let’s go back to sleep."

"Thank you, Madam!" Cui Zhu’s face regained some color, and she quietly lay down again.

In Ningyuan, how could Sang Wan fall asleep? When Shi Fengju softly pushed the door open and entered, she immediately propped herself up and looked towards him, "You’re back!"

"Hmm," Shi Fengju chuckled, taking off his robe and tossing it aside, "Why haven’t you slept yet?"

Sang Wan blurted out, "How could I sleep without you back!" The words were too intimate, as if she couldn’t be accustomed without him; Sang Wan’s face flushed red, and she hurriedly laughed and asked, "How was it? Is everything settled?"

"All’s good!" Shi Fengju laughed heartily, the annoyance in his heart partly dissipated, as he got onto the bed and embraced her with a smile, "Did you say you couldn’t sleep without me?"

Sang Wan rolled her eyes at him and said irritably, "Someone was just worried! How can someone sleep with things on their mind!"

"Oh!" Shi Fengju responded noncommittally, sounding somewhat down.

Sang Wan laughed with a "pfft", and softly said, "Let’s sleep, we won’t have much time before we have to get up!"

Shi Fengju still hummed lightly without speaking.

This man, really! Sang Wan sighed helplessly to herself, she took the initiative to embrace his waist and nestled into his arms to coax him.

Seeing her act as docile as a kitten, Shi Fengju’s mood brightened a bit more, tightening his embrace, he then smiled and said, "I’ve tired you out. Sleep now!"

"Hmm," Sang Wan softly smiled back at him and closed her eyes comfortably in his arms. She couldn’t help but feel aggrieved inside: according to Mrs. Li, when he was close with Gu Fangzi, he was accommodating in every way; now it was her turn, yet she had to acquiesce to him! Indeed, life’s fortunes differ from person to person!

The night was too eventful; indeed, they woke up late the next day, causing Sang Wan to scramble in a rush. On the first day of the New Year, Mrs. Wang just shot her a glance and said nothing more! Sang Wan heaved a great sigh of relief, thinking that maybe it was also because she was only a little late, not too outrageous.

Mrs. Jiang put on a smile and spoke up for Sang Wan, "It must be that the First Madam has been tired these past few days! She’s in charge of everything in the household after all!"

"Yes, Mother!" Shi Fengju quickly agreed. He had wanted to say this, but he hesitated, fearing that speaking up would only aggravate his mother further.

Still, Mrs. Wang looked at him with a slight reprimand, "What’s there to be tired about? Isn’t every daughter-in-law supposed to do the same? Are you saying now I have to personally attend to these matters? Didn’t I also go through the same when I was in your position?"

Mrs. Jiang and Shi Fengju dared not speak any further. Fortunately, Second Madam Shi and Third Madam Shi and others soon came over, and Mrs. Wang shifted away from the topic.

On the second day of the New Year, Sang Wan was to return to her natal family to pay a visit. By noon, she prepared to leave Ningyuan.

"Let the wet nurse and Liu Ya handle these things. You should lie down and rest for a while!" Shi Fengju said with a smile.

Sang Wan replied, "How can I go rest in the room during the day? And on the first day of the New Year, it would invite gossip!"

Shi Fengju then chuckled, "Then just lie down on the bed in the warm pavilion for a bit, or how will you have energy tomorrow? Your older brother and sister-in-law will see, and they will blame me for not taking good care of you!"

Sang Wan laughed, "Hmph," and turning her head, she said, "My brother and sister-in-law always have nothing but praise for you; how could they blame you?"

Shi Fengju laughed, "That’s because I’ve always taken very good care of you! When we paid our respects on their third visit, I personally promised your brother."