In the kitchen of the eldest princess's house, Zhang Zong drove the cook and others out, then rolled up his sleeves and cooked himself, and made a few side dishes that Xue Shao liked. However, considering that Xue Shao hadn't eaten for two days, it was not suitable to eat too greasy, so these dishes were mainly light, and the only meat dish was just a stir-fried chicken dish.

In addition, Zhang Zong also made a small pot of rice porridge, which was the most pungent and suitable for Xue Shao now. After these dishes were prepared, Zhang Zong packed the dishes in a food box, and then he took the food box to the yard where Xue Shao lived.

Since he was arrested that day, Xue Shao has been under house arrest in this yard. He can only move in the yard. There are many guards around him. It is usually prohibited for anyone to contact Xue Shao, let alone let Xue Shao come out.

However, these guards had already received the orders from Princess Chengyang, so they were not stopped by Zhang Zong. When he entered the yard, he was soon led to Xue Shao's bedroom by the maid, and saw a man sleeping on the bed covering his head.

Seeing this, Zhang Zong also waved his hand to ask the maid and others to retreat, and then put the food box on the table, but did not wake Xue Shao up, but opened the food box and placed the food inside on the table.

Sure enough, as soon as the food was served, the fragrance floated out. Xue Shao on the bed immediately jumped up, but then he seemed to think of something again, and then lay back. However, when he saw Zhang Zong in front of the table, he jumped up excitedly and said, "Brother Shi, why are you here?"

"Ning'er is afraid that you will be hungry, so she goes to me for help. How can I not come?" Zhang Zong said with a smile, and then looked at Xue Shao. Although he had only been hungry for two days, he had lost a lot of weight. He probably hadn't had a good meal after being under house arrest. He was also very haggard, with dark circles hanging on his face.

"Ning'er still feels sorry for me!" Xue Shao said with some emotion when he heard this, but then he looked at the food on the table and swallowed, but he said firmly, "Brother Shi, you must have met your mother. Since she asked you to come, she must have tried to persuade me to give up the hunger strike, but I have decided that if she doesn't agree to marry Yuanyi, I will starve to death here!"

Zhang Zong did not stop when he heard Xue Shao's words, but put the last porridge on the table. Then he turned his head and looked at Xue Shao and said, "Your mother and I did talk for a while just now. I also advised her to agree to your request, but she wanted me to persuade you to give up Changsun Yuanyi. In the end, neither of us convinced anyone."

"I knew that with my mother's temper, as long as I decided on one thing, even nine cows could not be pulled back, so I just starved to death!" Xue Shao sat back on the bed and said in a very discouraged manner.

"Don't be anxious!" Zhang Zong smiled and picked up the chopsticks, then placed them on the table and continued, "Although the eldest princess and I couldn't convince each other, they decided to take a step back. The eldest princess agreed to lift your house arrest so that you can move freely and even go to see Changsun Yuanyi, but you can no longer abuse yourself like this, eat well and have a good rest!"

"That's all?" Xue Shao said a little unsatisfied when he heard this, because he felt that this was his mother's delay. If Changsun Yuanyi married someone else, he would have to surrender.

"Of course I won't let you suffer a loss, so I asked another extra condition!" Zhang Zong said this but deliberately stopped, then greeted Xue Shao, "Come here and I will tell you while eating."

"What extra conditions? Brother Shi, please tell me!" Xue Shao immediately jumped out of the bed when he heard this, ran to the table barefoot and sat down and asked, but he still didn't move his chopsticks.

"The condition is that the eldest princess must give a clear reply before the Lantern Festival." Zhang Zong sighed slightly when he said this.

"What if my mother doesn't agree then?" Xue Shao asked again.

Zhang Zong spread his hands when he heard this, and he could only do this. If Princess Chengyang agreed to Xue Shao and Changsun Yuanyi's marriage at that time, of course it would be the best. If she did not agree, Zhang Zong would have no choice. He would not stop Xue Shao from doing anything he wanted. Even if he and Changsun Yuanyi decided to elope, he would help the other party. However, based on his understanding of Changsun Yuanyi, the other party might not agree.

Hearing Zhang Zong's answer, Xue Shao also showed a thoughtful expression. He also knew that this was the best benefit Zhang Zong could win for him, but he still had his own concerns. So after thinking about it again and again, he suddenly shook his head and said, "Brother Shi, I cannot agree to this condition!"

"Why?" Zhang Zong frowned and asked.

"If I promised my mother's conditions now and gave up the hunger strike, what if she still refused to agree with Yuan Yi and me? As the saying goes, one move will fade away again, and then I will exhaust myself. Will I have the courage to go on a hunger strike again?" Xue Shao's eyes were shiny when he spoke, as if he had already seen everything through.

Zhang Zong was stunned when he heard this. He really didn't expect this. But if you think about it carefully, Xue Shao's words make sense. Hunger strike is actually very painful. It is not easy for Xue Shao to make this decision now. Moreover, if you give up on hunger strike once, it will be difficult to pick it up again.

"Brother Shi, I appreciate your kindness, but I can't agree to the conditions, and I can't eat the food... I can't eat it either!" Xue Shao said at the last glance at the food on the table, and finally couldn't help swallowing, but he still said very firmly.

Zhang Zong also showed an expression of admiration when he heard this, and patted Xue Shao on the shoulder and said again: "You have really grown up. You have considered this matter more profoundly than me. Since that's the case, I will help you and convey your conditions to the eldest princess. I hope she can make a decision today!"

Zhang Zong said and put away the food again. Although Xue Shao was so greedy that he was not even timid, he still didn't take a bite. Finally, he suddenly filled a stomach full of tea, and then greeted Zhang Zong and got into the quilt. After all, the feeling of starvation was too uncomfortable, and he would only feel better when he fell asleep.

Zhang Zong walked out of Xue Shao's yard with the food box and went straight to Princess Chengyang's residence. The princess was waiting for his news. When she saw him appearing with the food box, her face changed. She seemed to have guessed something, but she still stood up and asked, "He...he didn't eat?"
Chapter completed!