"What's wrong?" Rong Qingqing noticed and raised an eyebrow to ask.

"I just feel like your relationship with your father is truly beyond repair?" Shangguan Yanran asked curiously.

“It can’t be fixed, and I won’t try to fix it.” Rong Qingqing shook her head without hesitation. If Rong Shiqing had any conscience at all, he wouldn’t have allowed his concubine to harm his daughter, but Rong Shiqing’s actions had changed her understanding of what a father should be.

That's a scoundrel, someone who would abandon all conscience for profit. She doesn't feel the need to mend her relationship with such a person.

Upon hearing this, Shangguan Yanran said nothing more.

She grew up in a complete family and was loved by her parents. She did not experience what Rong Qingqing went through, but just because she did not experience it does not mean that she cannot understand her.

Although she felt that the relationship between father and daughter had become so strained, she would not try to persuade Rong Qingqing to forgive Rong Shiqing.

If Rong Shiqing hadn't gone too far, Qingqing probably wouldn't have disliked him so much.

"Don't you think I'm too cold and heartless?" Rong Qingqing asked with a smile when she saw that she was silent but did not show any disapproval on her face.

Shangguan Yanran shook her head and smiled, "How could that be? We've known each other for a while now. How could I not understand you? As a friend, I can't help you with anything, but I support you in spirit."

Upon hearing this, Rong Qingqing put her arm around Yanran's shoulder and said with emotion, "Yanran, you are so kind. I never thought I could make such a good friend as you. It seems that God has been kind to me."

Shangguan Yanran blinked and said jokingly, "If I hadn't known that we were the same age, I would have thought that you were already middle-aged and had experienced a lot in life."

Rong Qingqing raised an eyebrow, "Are you insulting me?"

"No, no, please don't take offense, Madam Xie," Shangguan Yanran joked.

"Take this!" Rong Qingqing reached out and tickled her armpit.

"Ha ha!"

...

Xie Jingrun returned from outside and was about to enter his room when he suddenly heard laughter coming from Rong Qingqing's room across the street. His handsome face immediately flashed with displeasure and dissatisfaction.

Thinking of this girl's aloofness and caution when she was with him, his mood immediately darkened.

"Changlin, go tell Rong Qingqing to prepare lunch," he ordered in a deep voice.

Changlin glanced at the sun, sweat beading on his forehead. It was still early; was his master already thinking about lunch?

Are you sure this isn't just to mess with the old lady?

However, since his master had given the order, he dared not disobey and had no choice but to move to Rong Qingqing's room.

Hearing the hearty laughter coming from inside, he vaguely understood what his master was thinking.

The master is clearly jealous, isn't he?

He wiped his sweat, coughed lightly, and called out, "Madam, it's almost noon. The Marquis will be having lunch in the courtyard. Please go and make the preparations."

The laughter inside the room continued unabated.

Changlin: "..."

His voice was loud enough; he didn't believe the old lady hadn't heard him.

He immediately realized that this task was really difficult.

He had no choice but to shout it out again at the top of his lungs.

The laughter inside the room finally stopped.

Rong Qingqing came out of the house and glanced at him. "Eunuch Changlin?"

Changlin: "..."

He subconsciously looked around, and when he didn't see anyone else, he realized that the old lady was mocking him.

He coughed lightly, "Madam, I am not a eunuch."

"Oh. Then why are you yelling like a eunuch? I thought you were having some kind of mental breakdown and went to be castrated first thing in the morning." Rong Qingqing leaned against the door, a half-smile on her face.