In the abandoned backyard, Zhou's mother lay on the bed, calling out with difficulty.

She developed heart and lung problems after being kicked by Zhou's father last time, and has been coughing ever since.

She was locked in this abandoned courtyard and couldn't get out. She wasn't even sure if she would get food every day, let alone call a doctor.

At first, she was still hoping that her husband would change his mind.

But after a few days, she gradually gave up hope.

She had never suffered like this before. Even when the Yongning Marquis's mansion was in trouble, Yuan Zhao had always taken good care of them and never let her suffer.

Now, she's even having trouble getting food every day; she's barely holding on.

She managed to get a chance to send a message to Zhou Shiyuan while someone was delivering food, asking him to come and see her.

She couldn't rely on her husband, but luckily she still had her son.

However, Zhou's mother waited for several days but her son did not come.

Finally, taking advantage of the moment when someone brought her food, she grabbed the person and asked them a question. The person looked at her with pity and said:

"The Crown Prince said that his mother is dead."

Upon hearing this, Zhou's mother felt as if her world had collapsed.

She couldn't believe Zhou Shiyuan had said those words; how could it be?

That was her son. She worried every day that he wasn't eating or dressed warmly enough, and she was always making plans for him.

But now, he's saying he's dead.

"No, I don't believe it. You damned lackey, how dare you lie to me."

The person who delivered the food meant well, but was scolded instead, and immediately became angry.

She shoved Zhou's mother away and said disdainfully:

"Do you still think you're the Marquis's wife?"

"It is already a great favor from the Crown Prince's wife to let you stay here."

After saying that, the maidservant coldly spat at her and left. She didn't bring her any food for two days.

Zhou's mother had never known that a person could be so hungry. She had previously complained that the meals delivered to her every day were just leftovers.

But now she feels that even the leftovers are delicacies.

She called out for two days but no one paid any attention to her. She couldn't get out of the house, and in the end, she was so hungry that she had to pull up and eat the weeds in the yard.

Today, she could hear the commotion outside even while lying in bed.

She knew nothing about the Spring Banquet, and no matter how lively it was outside, it was irrelevant to her. All she wanted now was a full meal.

As if hearing her thoughts, the door, which hadn't been opened for two days, finally opened, and the maid who brought the meal came in.

Upon seeing her, Zhou's mother forgot all about scolding her and quickly snatched the food box from her hand, not even bothering to use chopsticks, and began to eat heartily.

The meal today was quite lavish, something she wouldn't have thought much of in the past, but now it was considered a state banquet.

After eating two steamed buns and a chicken leg, Zhou's mother felt like she had come back to life.

She paused for a moment and asked:

"What's going on outside today? It's so lively."

Upon hearing this, the maidservant spoke up:

"Today is the spring banquet held in the manor, and many people have been invited."

"The Crown Prince's wife hasn't forgotten you; she specially asked me to send some delicious food over."

Spring feast?

Zhou's mother was stunned. She felt that these things were very far away from her. She couldn't even remember what she looked like when she attended banquets in the past.

Hearing the maid's words, she said angrily:

"Who would believe her feigned kindness?"

Although she said that, her hands were still gripping the food box tightly.

She didn't know where her next meal would come from after this one.

Chicken drumsticks have now become the most delicious food in her mind.

The maidservant looked at her with disdain.

"The shameful things you've done deserve to be drowned in a pig cage. The Crown Prince's wife saved your life, and you still don't know how to be grateful."

"You ungrateful wretch!"

"I didn't! You're lying!"

Zhou's mother's face turned red with anger, and in her anxiety, her cough worsened.

The maidservant took a few steps back in disdain and said dismissively:

"If I really didn't do it, I would have already proven my innocence with my death."

"Pooh!"

After saying that, the maid snatched the food box and turned to leave.

Zhou's mother wanted to chase after her, but she had no strength. She coughed violently and coughed up blood.

To prove one's innocence by dying?

That day, she did indeed think about proving her innocence with her death, hoping to gain a good reputation and benefit her son and daughter.

However, after being locked up for more than ten days, Zhou Shiyuan's actions chilled her to the bone. He didn't even acknowledge her as his mother, so why should she die for him?

Furthermore, she dared not die.

These past ten days have been incredibly difficult for her, and the more difficult it has been, the more she has feared death.

Hearing the commotion outside the courtyard, tears streamed down Zhou's mother's face.

If she hadn't treated Yuan Zhao that way, would she have ended up like this?

She could sit among those wealthy ladies and be admired by them.

The most ironic thing is that, now that she's in this state, the only person who cares about her life or death is Yuan Zhao.