Zhao Ya was currently looking at a house.
It was a residence with five courtyards, spacious and bright, especially the back garden, which was very quiet and expansive.
Zhao Ya was very satisfied with this back garden, feeling it would be perfect for his martial arts practice.
But what ultimately made Zhao Ya decide was the location and Zui’Er’s attitude.
She was staring at the kitchen, which took up three whole rooms, with infatuation, clearly expressing her desire.
So Zhao Ya straightforwardly paid the house price.
These Fang Ya were very efficient, and soon after the payment was made, they completed the change of house contract.
Once the official seal was stamped, Fang Ya congratulated them with a smile, happily leading his people away.
The transaction went very smoothly, and Fang Ya profited a lot from it, naturally feeling very pleased.
After everything was settled, Zhao Ya said to Zui’Er, "Alright, let’s head back now, and move in tonight."
"Ah? So soon!"
"What? You don’t want to move in?"
"Of course I do."
Not to mention anything else, just this fully equipped kitchen was enough to deeply move Zui’Er.
This was the dream kitchen she had always yearned for.
So Zui’Er didn’t persist and followed Zhao Ya back to the Shang Family.
As they reached the entrance, they just happened to see Shang Jingchuan getting off a sedan chair.
"Uncle Shang!" Zui’Er called out.
But Shang Jingchuan ignored this, walking inside absentmindedly.
Zhao Ya noticed this and felt a slight unease.
Today was supposed to be the day Shang Jingchuan received his official appointment at court, yet his expression was anything but happy.
Could it be that Luoluo was right, and everything was just Shang Jingchuan’s wishful thinking?
"Huh, what’s wrong with Uncle Shang?" Zui’Er was still somewhat unaware.
Zhao Ya remained silent, leading her into the house.
Upon arriving in the courtyard, they saw Shang Jingchuan sitting dazed under a tree, still wearing the official uniform he treasured and only wore briefly for court sessions, which he usually changed out of immediately upon returning home.
Shang Luoluo was standing beside him, with a look of helplessness on her face.
"What’s wrong?" Zhao Ya asked.
Shang Luoluo shook her head, "I asked, but he wouldn’t say anything, but clearly, it didn’t go well."
No sooner had she spoken than Shang Jingchuan suddenly began to wail loudly under the tree.
Crying and banging his head against the tree.
"Your Majesty, how could you listen to slander? Didn’t you say before that you would value me? And now you appoint me as the Capital Prefect?"
Shang Jingchuan wailed and shouted.
Only now did Zhao Ya and Shang Luoluo understand what was going on.
"What kind of official is the Capital Prefect?" Zhao Ya asked.
Shang Luoluo gave a bitter smile, "A third-grade official, nominally the highest official of the Capital City, but in reality, just someone who captures thieves and maintains order."
Zhao Ya suddenly understood.
"So he’s gone from being a high-ranking official in his region to just a chief constable?"
Upon hearing this, Shang Jingchuan cried even harder.
Shang Luoluo gave Zhao Ya a sullen look.
Though she thought Shang Jingchuan brought this upon himself, it was still her own father, so she couldn’t just stand by idly.
Zhao Ya also felt he had said the wrong thing, gave an awkward smile, and then helped to appease him.
After much effort to calm Shang Jingchuan down, Shang Luoluo asked him what had happened.
Shang Jingchuan recounted the events at court.
After listening, Shang Luoluo frowned slightly.
"Although entering the cabinet as a prime minister was unlikely, it shouldn’t result in being suddenly assigned as Capital Prefect. Otherwise, His Majesty wouldn’t have specially summoned you and given so much encouragement, so clearly someone is playing tricks."
Shang Jingchuan slapped his thigh upon hearing this, "I think so too, His Majesty must have been deceived by some villain, otherwise he would never do this."
"But the question is, who would do such a thing?" Zhao Ya asked.
Shang Luoluo suddenly asked, "Who is currently the Capital Prefect?"
The Capital Prefect and the Capital Prefect have a significant distinction despite the similar name.
The Capital Prefect is like Zhao Ya said, the chief constable of Yan Capital City, seemingly prestigious, but with limited authority.
Moreover, if anything happens in the city, he’s the first to be blamed, truly miserable.
The Capital Prefect is different, he is the highest official of the city, and also the direct superior to the Capital Prefect, responsible for guarding all the city gates, holding a high position, and therefore this position is often held by someone whom the emperor trusts the most.
"It’s... Prince Qi!"
Shang Jingchuan said with great difficulty, looking somewhat gloomy.
He was well aware of the matter between his daughter and Prince Qi’s daughter, Yan Fei, and now that he was working under Prince Qi, the future looked dim.
Shang Luoluo’s expression also changed, but she remained calm and analyzed, "In that case, Prince Qi seems the most suspicious."
"But somehow, I feel this matter isn’t that simple."
Zhao Ya didn’t participate in the question.
Because whether Shang Jingchuan became the Capital Prefect or, as he dreamed, entered the cabinet as prime minister, it didn’t concern him.
And after thinking for a long time, Shang Luoluo finally gave up due to a lack of information.
With such a sudden incident, Shang Jingchuan naturally had no appetite for dinner. As he was about to return to his room to sleep, Zhao Ya brought up the matter of moving.
"What? You’re moving out?"