Chapter 106 Shao Simin

Chen Gongzi was scolded by Mrs. Chen.

But he didn’t mind, as he was used to it. However, he felt even more frustrated, all because of that annoying girl!

Don’t think he couldn’t do anything just because the Crown Princess supported her!

No, how could a daughter of an eighth-rank official manage to climb up to the Crown Princess? It infuriated him!!

Chen Gongzi felt stifled, and after being reprimanded by Mrs. Chen, he kept quiet at home for a few days…

Since Lianzhi visited the Palace, Chen Gongzi indeed hadn’t bullied or threatened her again, which made Lianzhi breathe a sigh of relief and silently appreciate Shu Yuwan.

After returning to the Palace, Qing Dai went to find Shu Yuwan, “Crown Princess, the Chen family’s servant has been here.”

Shu Yuwan leaned on the soft couch and nodded, “That’s good.”

Qing Dai continued, “By the way, you asked to investigate the situation at the Shao residence. I sent someone, and we’ve received some information.”

Shu Yuwan gestured for Qing Dai to continue.

“The Shao family is a prominent family in the south, with a deep background. However, their family has always been developing in the south. It wasn’t until Shao Siyi’s father’s generation that they shifted their focus to the capital. The Shao family has had scholars for generations, and Shao Siyi, unexpectedly, excels in both literary and martial arts, earning the Emperor’s trust.”

Shu Yuwan nodded, as this was evident. Without the Emperor’s trust, he wouldn’t be appointed as the leader of the Imperial Guards, making him one of the Emperor’s most trusted confidants.

Qing Dai continued, “Shao Siyi’s father passed away early, and Shao Siyi single-handedly supported the family. There’s also a younger sister below him, who is of marriageable age.”

Shu Yuwan perked up instantly, “Tell me more about this younger sister of Shao Siyi.”

Qing Dai nodded, grateful that she had thoroughly understood the situation of each member of the Shao family in advance. “Miss Shao is sixteen years old. Although Shao Siyi is quite young, his reputation in the capital is good. However, for some reason, she hasn’t been betrothed yet and rarely attends banquets in the capital.”

Shu Yuwan thought to herself: Could it be because I interfered with her marriage fate?

She didn’t know if the rumors she heard in her previous life about the Crown Prince’s sudden death being related to the Shao family were true or false. Zhao Qing Qing had mentioned it to her when she came to her.

At that time, she was preoccupied and didn’t pay much attention to other matters.

Logically, since Shao Siyi was a trusted confidant of the Emperor, there was no reason for the Shao family to harm the Crown Prince.

Shu Yuwan hesitated for a moment but didn’t speak up.

She had considered assigning some people to keep an eye on Miss Shao, but Shao Siyi was a military general, and the Crown Prince had mentioned his capabilities were sufficient. If he noticed surveillance, it wouldn’t be ideal.

In any case, since Shao family didn’t marry the Crown Princess in this life, the situation must be different. She decided to pay more attention.

Seeing Shu Yuwan slightly troubled, Qing Dai advised, “Crown Princess, you shouldn’t worry too much now. Whatever it is, we can discuss it after the little prince is born.”

Shu Yuwan chuckled, realizing she was getting anxious.

She smiled at Qing Dai, “You’re right.”

On the other side,

In the Shao residence, in Shao Simin chamber, the maids were all dismissed. She held a letter in her hand, smiling sweetly.

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door. The senior maid, whispered, “Miss, Madam is here to see you.”

Shao Simin quickly put away the letter, adjusted her demeanor, and went to open the door.

“Mother, why are you here?”

Shao Simin replied, “I’m just reading a book right now.”

Mrs. Shao sat down and brought up the main topic, “In a few days, the Wei Duke’s family is hosting a banquet. You will come with me to attend.”

Shao Simin furrowed her brows.

Seeing Shao Simin’s expression, a mix of worry and anger, Mrs. Shao asked, “What kind of family are you looking for? You reject one, and the other disagrees. You’re driving me crazy.”

Shao Simin lowered her head.

In his letter, he told her to wait a little longer… Her brother managed the Imperial Guards, and the Emperor wouldn’t agree to her marrying the Crown Prince. He needed more time to figure out a solution.

But she was already sixteen. Even if she was willing to wait, her mother wouldn’t let her wait forever!

Shao Simin felt conflicted.

Perhaps…

If she told her mother, would her mother find a solution?

“Minmin!” Mrs. Shao urged.

Summoning her courage, Shao Simin dismissed the maids around her, then turned to the maid next to Mrs. Shao and said, “Qian Mama, you should wait outside.”

Qian Mama glanced at Mrs. Shao, and Mrs. Shao said, “Go ahead.”

Then she curiously looked at her daughter.

After everyone left and the door was closed, Shao Simin looked up at Mrs. Shao and said, “Mother, I… I belong to Prince Ming Ge.”

After saying it, Shao Simin felt relieved and looked firmly at Mrs. Shao.

Mrs. Shao was momentarily stunned.

Prince Ming Ge?

Mrs. Shao was also a smart person and quickly realized what was happening. She asked, “Does Prince Ming Ge know?”

Shao Simin nodded.

Mrs. Shao continued, “What does Prince Ming Ge mean to you?”

Shao Simin replied, “Prince Ming Ge is also interested, but due to my brother’s position, he’s worried about the Emperor’s suspicions and has not come to propose.”

Mrs. Shao took a deep breath, “When did you… have any… inappropriate behavior with Prince Ming Ge?”

Shao Simin felt a bit flustered but tried to maintain a calm demeanor, “During the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet, I got lost and Prince Ming Ge helped me.”

“There was nothing inappropriate.”

Mrs. Shao breathed a sigh of relief. It was good that nothing had happened.

Not wanting to be overly suspicious, she was concerned that her daughter, who had reached sixteen, refused to consider anyone and kept silent.

Mrs. Shao felt conflicted for a moment.

As her daughter said, her son was the leader of the Imperial Guards, and the recent incident with the Crown Prince had just ended. If their family married into Prince Ming Ge’s family, it would raise suspicions. One misstep could lead to disaster.

But seeing her daughter’s determined refusal to marry anyone else, Mrs. Shao felt a headache coming on.

After some contemplation, Mrs. Shao said, “Minmin, this matter is not trivial. When your brother returns, I will discuss it with him.”

Shao Simin also knew that her mother wouldn’t agree immediately and nodded, “Okay.”

Mrs. Shao left with a worried expression.

Back in her residence, she pondered but couldn’t come up with a good solution.

Finally, when Shao Siyi returned from his duty, she quickly called him over.

“Mother, what’s the matter that’s so urgent?”

Mrs. Shao dismissed the servants, then explained today’s events in detail to her son, “How can we handle this?”

Shao Siyi was much older than Shao Simin and had taken charge of the family early due to his father’s early passing. His thoughts were clearly different from Mrs. Shao’s: “It’s possible that Prince Ming Ge is deliberately getting close to Minmin…”

Mrs. Shao’s eyes narrowed, “Are you saying…”

Shao Siyi continued, “Before the Crown Prince was poisoned, the Emperor had intended to betroth Minmin to the Crown Prince, but the Crown Prince had been reluctant to marry. I was afraid of delaying Minmin, so I didn’t mention it at home.”

Mrs. Shao thought further based on Shao Siyi’s words and couldn’t help but break out in a cold sweat.