Chapter 3: Sending Pastries

In this life, An Shaoyu continued the fasting act.

He knelt in the ancestral hall for two days, not eating a single bite of the food brought by the servant.

It was said that he was so hungry that he could barely continue kneeling.

The Countess of Anding Hou reluctantly expressed her willingness to accept Zhao Qing Qing into the mansion as a concubine, but An Shaoyu immediately refused.

Feeling for her son, the Countess of Anding Hou sent someone to Zhao mansion to inquire about Zhao Qing Qing’s opinion, persuading her to consider stepping back from the position of a legal wife due to An Shaoyu’s fasting.

However, despite Zhao Qing Qing being moved to tears, she insisted, “Shaoyu has deep feelings for me, and I feel the same way. True love cannot tolerate the interference of a third person. I will not be a concubine. Shaoyu promised me that after we marry, he will not take any concubines. He only needs me in his life. We are meant to be together for a lifetime.”

Upon hearing Mother Zhao’s report, the Countess of Anding Hou paced around the room three times before calming down.

She then angrily exclaimed, “What shameless person! Shaoyu already has a legal wife. When will it be her turn to be with Shaoyu for a lifetime? Take a few people and go to Zhao mansion to scold her for a day.”

“That wretch, let him continue to starve in the ancestral hall. I don’t believe he can really starve himself to death.”

Mother Zhao comforted, “The Third Young Master is still a child at heart. Don’t be angry with him. As for that ungrateful woman, rest assured, I will scold her so severely today that she won’t dare to leave the house for a month.”

Mother Zhao then gathered a few sharp-tongued maids in the courtyard and headed towards Zhao mansion.

“Madam, Madam.”

Qing He ran in excitedly.

“I just saw Mother Zhao leading a group of people out in a fierce manner. Can you guess where they went?”

Shu Yuwan was amused by Qing He’s excited demeanor.

In her previous life, she had a lively personality, and her maids were mostly lively as well.

Playing along, Shu Yuwan asked, “Oh, where did they go that made you so happy?”

“I heard they went to Zhao mansion. It’s said that the Countess ordered them to teach that shameless person a lesson.”

Shu Yuwan smiled indifferently upon hearing this. In her previous life, after this incident, An Shaoyu realized that fasting could not make the people of Anding Hou Mansion agree, but instead angered his mother, leading to a worse attitude towards Zhao Qing Qing. So, with the help of his personal servant, he secretly escaped from the mansion. The people of Anding Hou Mansion searched for him for several days without success.

Unexpectedly, a few days later, An Shaoyu returned on his own, claiming to have had a change of heart. He said that Zhao Qing Qing was only after the wealth and status of Anding Hou Mansion and did not truly love him. Everyone breathed a sigh of relief, thinking that the storm had passed.

However, before they could fully relax, An Shaoyu disappeared again, taking half of the tiger tally from the hands of the Count of Anding Hou!

Thinking about it, Shu Yuwan instructed Qing He, “Prepare some pastries and come with me to the ancestral hall.”

Qing He was taken aback, then grumbled, “Madam, the Third Young Master doesn’t want to eat. Why are you bringing him pastries? The Third Young Master doesn’t care about you at all, so why bother with him? You’re pregnant, why tire yourself out?”

Mother Zhao happened to come in and, hearing this, scolded, “If the Madam tells you to go, then go. Stop complaining.”

Reluctantly, Qing He went.

Mother Zhao advised, “Madam, don’t listen to that little girl Qing He. After all, you’ll be spending your life with him, so let the Third Young Master remember your kindness.”

Shu Yuwan knew that Mother Zhao was looking out for her, so she reassured her, ” don’t worry, I know I can handle this, thank you.” Then Yuwan smiled at her.

Mother Zhao nodded in relief, seeing her young lady becoming much more composed. However, she couldn’t help but feel heartache when she thought that all this was forced out of the situation. After all, a daughter couldn’t live as carefree as when she was unmarried.

Qing He brought the pastries over, still looking annoyed.

Shu Yuwan coaxed, “Come back later, and I’ll have the kitchen send you your favorite osmanthus cake.”

Qing He happily exclaimed, “I want two plates.”

Shu Yuwan smiled and said, “As you wish.”

The mistress and servant, along with a few young maids, arrived at the Anding Family’s ancestral hall.

The Anding Family had a military background, with their ancestors being genuine farmers. During turbulent times, they fought alongside the founding emperor, achieving remarkable military feats. By the time the dynasty was established, they were granted the title of the Master of Anding. In the current generation of the Master of Anding, they had gone through five generations. It was apparent that they were not as prominent as before, but in this generation, the Master of Anding had a military force from Fuzhou. While Fuzhou seemed quite distant from the capital, Shu Yuwan knew that with the fifth prince ascending the throne, this military force played a crucial role.

At the entrance of the ancestral hall, two young servants stood guard, sent by the Master of Anding to watch over An Shaoyu. Qing He approached them and said, “Gentlemen, our mistress has brought some pastries for the Third Young Master. Please allow us to pass.”

The two young servants were discerning and immediately made way, respectfully opening the door for Shu Yuwan, saying, “Madam, please enter.”

Shu Yuwan asked Qing He to wait outside and walked in. An Shaoyu was still kneeling, and upon hearing footsteps, he didn’t turn around or speak.

“Husband, I heard you haven’t eaten for two days. I brought you some pastries. Why not try them?” Shu Yuwan said.

An Shaoyu looked slightly apologetic and replied, “Yuwan, you don’t have to do this. I know I’ve wronged you, but my feelings won’t change.”

Observing his expression, Shu Yuwan realized that he didn’t look like someone who hadn’t eaten for two days. The fasting was probably just a tactic to intimidate the Countess of Anding Hou and Mother Zhao.

Mother Zhao had previously sent someone to Zhao mansion to persuade Zhao Qing Qing to become a concubine for An Shaoyu, likely as part of this intimidation. After all, she had previously forbidden Zhao Qing Qing from entering the mansion.

Shu Yuwan put down the pastries and indifferently said, “Husband, rest assured, I’m not here to beg you to change your mind.”

An Shaoyu looked at Shu Yuwan, seemingly trying to discern the truth in her words. When he first proposed the divorce, Shu Yuwan agreed but set forth two harsh conditions.

Considering that his wife had been pampered since childhood, he probably couldn’t bear this injustice.

Seeing An Shaoyu’s expression soften, Shu Yuwan continued, “So, I represent the Shu family in agreeing to the divorce. If you don’t agree, you know that no one in the Master of Anding Mansion supports your decision to divorce. Today, Mother even sent people to scold Zhao Qing Qing at Zhao mansion all day. If you continue fasting for another ten days or half a month, it won’t change anything.”

An Shaoyu was shocked, his eyes showing a tinge of heartache. “How could Mother do this!”

“Your fasting here is for Zhao Qing Qing. Mother pities you and has no outlet for her anger, so she can only go scold Zhao Qing Qing. She can’t bear to come and vent her anger on you.”

“These two conditions won’t be approved by Father, Mother, or Grandmother. What’s the use of me agreeing?”