Chapter 4 The Demand
Mother had warned me: if Shen Wanrong wanted something of mine, I must not refuse.
She also told me that at our first meeting, I would be forced to surrender the courtyard I had lived in for over a decade.
Indeed, only one place in the entire Loyal Brave Marquisate matched Shen Wanrong’s description.
My Yaoguang Courtyard.
But was the “plot” truly inescapable?
I looked straight at Xie Chengzong and tried.
“Father, could we find another place…”
“Silence.” Before I finished, his expression darkened.
Perhaps my refusal embarrassed him in front of Shen Wanrong. He snapped, “You have always been sensible and considerate. Why are you so petty today?”
“Wanrong is young and alone, already inconvenienced by staying here. She only wants a suitable residence.”
“Has all the etiquette the marquisate taught you gone to the dogs?”
I bit my lip. “But Yaoguang Courtyard was arranged for me by Mother herself…”
When I was young and frail, Mother had personally designed the spacious courtyard, teaching me Baduanjin exercises to strengthen my body.
The place was filled with memories of us.
Now that Mother had just left me, how could he bear to take it away?
Xie Chengzong frowned, but when he saw Shen Wanrong’s dejected expression, his voice rose again.
“Your mother is gone. Moving out might spare you further grief.”
Before I could speak, he continued, “It’s settled.”
He led Shen Wanrong toward the inner residence without sparing me another glance.
Xie Chengzong knew exactly how important that courtyard was to me.
Yet at Shen Wanrong’s casual request, he demanded I give it up.
The power of the “plot” was truly formidable.