Zhao Ya nodded, "Since coming to the capital, I’ve troubled you for so long, I felt a bit embarrassed, so I found a place, and the money’s already been paid."
Upon hearing this, Shang Luoluo’s expression instantly dimmed.
Even when she heard of her father’s career obstruction earlier, Shang Luoluo wasn’t this disappointed.
But she still forced a smile and said, "Well... congratulations then!"
Shang Jingchuan, however, gave Zhao Ya a long look, his expression gradually turning cold.
"In that case, forgive this old man for not seeing you off, Young Hero Zhao."
With these cold words, Shang Jingchuan turned and left.
Seeing this, Shang Luoluo said apologetically, "My father is in a bad mood today, don’t mind him."
Zhao Ya shook his head with a smile, "I won’t."
The dinner was tasteless.
After the meal, Zhao Ya, with the already packed Zui’Er, prepared to say goodbye and leave.
Shang Luoluo stood at the door to see them off, opening her mouth to speak several times, but in the end, she held back.
"LuoLuo, I..." Zui’Er wanted to say something.
"Zui’Er, don’t say more." Zhao Ya suddenly interjected.
Zui’Er had to shut her mouth.
"Miss Luoluo, farewell." Zhao Ya cupped his hands and said.
"Hmm, farewell," Shang Luoluo said softly, then watched Zhao Ya and Zui’Er walk away into the distance.
It wasn’t until their figures were no longer visible that Shang Luoluo sighed infinitely wistfully.
"A long journey proves a horse’s strength, time reveals a person’s heart. It seems one has to go through some ups and downs to see a person clearly!"
Shang Jingchuan’s voice suddenly came from behind.
Shang Luoluo turned around.
She saw Shang Jingchuan, wearing casual clothes instead of his official robes, squatting on the steps like an old farmer, his expression somewhat uncertain under the lamp’s light.
"Before I lost my position, he didn’t mention moving, but now that I’m out of favor, he leaves without hesitation. It seems this Zhao Ya’s character isn’t as pure as we thought," Shang Jingchuan said coldly.
Shang Luoluo didn’t make a sound, just lowered her head.
"I know you’re very disappointed. If you want to cry, just cry..."
"Isn’t that enough!" Shang Luoluo suddenly interrupted Shang Jingchuan, then looked up at him angrily.
"Do you really think everyone is like you, craving those damned official positions? Even if you’re the Capital Prefect now, even if you truly became a grand chancellor, Zhao Ya wouldn’t look at you twice."
Usually eloquent, Shang Luoluo’s rare curse indicated her real anger.
Shang Jingchuan was taken aback, then trembled with anger after a moment.
"Even now you’re speaking on behalf of that guy. You haven’t even married him, yet you’re taking his side?"
"Whom I side with is my business, not yours, and don’t bother me with your matters from now on either."
"Bothering you? I worked so hard climbing, isn’t it all for you?"
"For me?" Shang Luoluo laughed in disbelief.
"When I was young, you often left me home alone for a whole day for so-called official socializing. Even then you were doing it for me?"
Shang Jingchuan’s face stiffened, his momentum subsiding significantly, he stammered, "That... that was special circumstances..."
"Fine, consider it special circumstances, but later when Yan Fei and other children bullied me, even cursed at me right outside, where were you?"
"What... such things happened, how come I don’t know?" Shang Jingchuan was shocked.
"Of course you don’t, you just came home drunk every day and fell asleep. Even if I wanted to talk, you didn’t listen, thinking I was just a child. So I stopped bringing it up."
"I spent my days hiding at home, never stepping out unless necessary, with my only company being the flowers and that old tree in the yard. Did you know that?"
"Over the years, you pursued your goals headlong, that I’ve tolerated, after all, I am your daughter. But do you ever think about my feelings?"
"Yes, as I grew up, understood more, you began consulting me, but you were ignorant of my childhood experiences."
"You’re just someone constantly living in your own world, thinking yourself a good father, a good subordinate, but achieving nothing except for your outdated education, a pitiful soul."
Years of grievances finally erupted at this moment.
Tears welling in her eyes, Shang Luoluo almost pointed at Shang Jingchuan’s nose while speaking.
Shang Jingchuan was left speechless, his face alternating between green and white.
He truly didn’t know his daughter went through so much.
The words Shang Luoluo hurled also hit him like a wake-up call, leaving him disoriented.
For a moment, both remained silent.
At this time, a knock on the door suddenly came from outside the courtyard.
Shang Luoluo frowned.
Who could it be this late?
Nevertheless, she wiped the tears from her eyes and walked to the door.
"Who is it?"
"It’s me!"
A familiar voice sounded, Shang Luoluo froze, then instinctively opened the gate.
Sure enough.
Standing outside were Zhao Ya and Zui’Er.
But now Zhao Ya was holding two lanterns, smiling amiably at her.
Shang Luoluo was somewhat puzzled.
"Aren’t you moving to a new home?"
"Yes, that’s why I came to invite you to a housewarming dinner. Would Miss Luoluo honor us with your presence?"
As he spoke, Zhao Ya raised the lanterns in his hands, "I heard when moving houses, one must hang lanterns, so I bought two in the street."
Joy flashed in Shang Luoluo’s eyes.
Though earlier she decidedly retorted Shang Jingchuan, Zhao Ya’s sudden move still impacted her.
Now seeing Zhao Ya inviting her to a housewarming, she felt a little relieved.
Yet she shook her head, "No need, it’s too late today, I’ll come congratulate you tomorrow."
"Don’t worry, it’s not late at all. Guess where I moved to?"
With that, Zhao Ya stepped aside and gestured back.
Across the street, the courtyard door was wide open, Zui’Er stood in the doorway waving at Shang Luoluo with a big smile.
"You..." Shang Luoluo widened her eyes.
"I told Fang Ya I wanted a spacious house, preferably not too far from Guangde Square, and what a coincidence, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites was retiring, preparing to sell his house. Upon checking it out, I found it right across from your home, so I bought it,"
Looking at the earnest Zhao Ya, Shang Luoluo broke into laughter, then chided, "So earlier you and Zui’er were teasing me on purpose?"
"Not really, after all, it is a move, just a short one."
Saying this, Zhao Ya beckoned at Shang Luoluo, "Come on, help me hang the lanterns."
Shang Luoluo gave Zhao Ya a look, took the lanterns, then joyfully ran to the other side to help Zui’Er.
Zhao Ya glanced back at the courtyard, Shang Jingchuan, who was squatting on the steps, was nowhere to be seen.
Actually, the argument between father and daughter earlier, Zhao Ya heard everything outside.
He didn’t mind Shang Jingchuan’s misunderstanding.
Yet he didn’t expect Shang Luoluo to stand so firmly against her father.
Nonetheless, what Shang Luoluo said was spot-on; hopefully Shang Jingchuan will take heed.
Zhao Ya closed the courtyard gate and returned to his new home.
Meanwhile, at the Wei Mansion, Wei Tianlin was playing chess with someone.
After the person opposite him placed a piece, Wei Tianlin observed the game closely, finally smiling bitterly.
"I’ve lost again, it seems Prince Qi’s chess skills are becoming more formidable."
The person across was a middle-aged man, wearing a crown and a dragon robe, the esteemed Prince Qi of the Great Yan, Yan Sifu.