Chapter 114 Shao Simin’s Hunger Strike

The Crown Prince smiled.

Regardless of whether the marriage alliance between the Anding Marquis and the Peng family would come to fruition, it wasn’t a big deal!

The couple stopped discussing the matter and chatted for a while before the Crown Prince led Shu Yuwan to rest.

Now that Shu Yuwan had completed her postpartum recovery, the Crown Prince quickly moved back in to sleep with her. Although they couldn’t do much, at least they were together.

Among the upper class, couples had separate rooms, middle-class had separate beds, and lower-class had separate covers.

However, the Crown Prince was a peculiar exception. As the Crown Prince of a country, during the entire pregnancy of the Crown Princess, he hadn’t taken in a concubine. Now that the child was a month old, he moved back in to live with the Crown Princess.

Outside, there were occasional accusations of Shu Yuwan’s jealousy. Some mentioned it to the Crown Prince, who repeatedly brought up Master Kong predestined marriage decree.

When it came to the Emperor, he shifted the responsibility to the Crown Prince.

Due to Shu Yuwan’s previous pregnancy and postpartum period, she mostly interacted with close acquaintances. These rumors rarely reached her ears, and even if she heard them, she didn’t pay much attention. If she couldn’t avoid it, she would push the blame onto the Crown Prince, leaving others speechless.

This was also the reason why Mrs. Wei Shi came to see Shu Yuwan. After all, she was indeed highly favored!

After returning to the Marquis Mansion, Wei Shi remained anxious.

Should she go to the Peng Mansion to scold them?

If she didn’t go, her daughter’s happiness would be ruined!

If she went, she would make a powerful enemy out of the Peng family. She had two sons, and she couldn’t ignore the situation.

While others were unaware of the old lady dilemma, Lu Yi was well aware. She couldn’t help but advise, “Mother, you can’t put our entire family in jeopardy for An Shaoyuan!”

Lu Yi also harbored some resentment towards Shu Yuwan for not helping. But recalling the actions of her deceased younger brother, the resentment dissipated. She wouldn’t want her family to have it easy. It was a hardship for them!

Who did they think they were provoking?

The Marquis was gradually declining, and it seemed destined to fall further!

Wei Shi was in a dilemma and felt agitated. Upon hearing Lu Yi’s words, she complained, “Then what should I do? Watch An Shaoyuan marry that widower? How can I bear it!”

She continued, crying, “You don’t know, that Peng Yibin, I heard he forced both of his previous wives to death! An Shaoyuan is so young, how can she withstand it if she marries him!”

Lu Yi was exasperated and advised, “But you can’t really go to scold them! The Crown Princess was just venting her anger. Don’t take it seriously. Think of another way; there will be a solution.”

Wei Shi calmed down a bit and said, “You can go now. Let me think about it and find another solution.”

Lu Yi worriedly said, “I’ll take my leave, Mother-in-law.”

After a few days, seeing no action from Wei Shi, Shu Yuwan found it uninteresting.

She temporarily set aside the matter.

She was more concerned about Shao Simin’s situation.

Qing Dai had someone inquire about it.

Finally, the report came back, “Crown Princess, Miss Shao has been confined.”

“Oh?”

Shu Yuwan pondered.

Qing Dai continued, “Miss Shao hasn’t left the house for over a month. Not only did she not attend the Little Prince’s Banquet, but she also hasn’t shown up at other important events in the capital. It took a lot of effort to get in touch with people in Miss Shao’s courtyard and confirm that she’s being confined.”

Shu Yuwan asked, “What kind of situation would lead a biological mother and brother to confine their own daughter/sister?”

Qing Dai joked, “Is it a scenario where a noble lady falls in love with a poor scholar?”

Shao Simin hadn’t eaten anything for a day.

After she expressed her intention to be with Prince Ming Ge, her mother and brother directly denied the possibility, citing similar concerns as Prince Ming Ge.

She suggested faking her death, then having her brother send her to Shu County, arrange a false identity, and marry Prince Ming Ge. As long as she stayed in Shu County and didn’t return to the capital, no one would find out.

However, her mother and brother ended up confining her!

That day, when Shao Siyi returned to his duty, he heard his mother tearfully say that his sister had stopped eating. He got up to check on her.

“Sister.”

Shao Simin was indeed on a hunger strike. Weak from hunger, experiencing stomach pains, she ignored Shao Siyi’s voice.

Shao Siyi’s tone turned cold, “Are you starving yourself to death? Will Prince Ming Ge accompany you in death, or will he never marry you in this lifetime? It won’t be long before he finds another influential woman to marry!”

Shao Simin’s expression changed upon hearing this, but she quickly regained her composure. She refused to believe that her mother and brother would let her starve to death.

“You don’t need to say more, Brother. If you won’t let me marry Prince Ming Ge, what’s the point of me being alive?”

Shao Siyi’s expression darkened further, “Our father passed away early, and Mother worked hard to raise you. Is this how you repay her?”

Shao Simin felt a tinge of shame but replied, “I will repay Mother’s kindness in the next life!”

Shao Siyi sneered, “You can’t repay the kindness in this life but Simin to do so in the next life? In the next life, will you have no parents? Will you even know who you wronged in your past life?”

Seeing her brother shatter her noble facade, Shao Simin became emotional, “What do you want me to do? I just want to marry Prince Ming Ge. We love each other, and we’re a perfect match. Why is it not allowed? If I die, it’s because of you! Are you willing to sacrifice my happiness for your future?”

After hearing these words, Shao Siyi felt like he didn’t recognize his sister anymore.

Was this the same dignified, courteous, and composed sister he knew?

Shao Simin continued, “In any case, either let me marry Prince Ming Ge, and I’ll give up my status as the Shao family’s daughter, which won’t hinder your future!”

“Or, just let me die!”

Shao Siyi felt a chill.

He coldly said, “Then starve yourself. If you starve to death, it’s your own doing.”

With that, he turned and left.

When a person is extremely hungry, they can even swallow dirt! Someone who had never experienced hunger before, could they really endure starving to death?

Shao Simin proved to be extremely resilient. The next day, despite feeling dizzy and experiencing stomach pains from hunger, she still refused to eat.

Shao Siyi’s heart was heavy. Shao’s mother couldn’t bear to see her daughter in such a state. Several strands of her hair had turned white from worry. “Minmin, are you really willing to disregard me and yourself for a man?”

Shao Simin, enduring extreme hunger, pleaded, “Mother, please grant my wish! I’m willing to give up my status as the Shao family’s daughter. Just arrange for me, even if it’s a commoner’s status, to be sent to Prince Ming Ge’s in Shu County.”

Shao’s mother was furious, “A commoner’s status? Do you really think that if you change your identity you will have a good life?”