A Girl Traveling Through Troubled Times

When school was over, Guier told Sha Lili that she wanted to go to Wing On Department Store to buy some stationery and she could take a rickshaw back later.

In fact, she wanted to go see Song Xichen, and since Dali didn't come to pick her up today, it was a great opportunity.

After leaving the school, Guier arrived at Song Xichen's police station as if she was familiar with the place. As soon as she entered, Song Xichen's colleagues smiled at Guier and said, "Little sister, it's been a while since you came here."

Guier wished them a happy new year obediently.

When I arrived at Song Xichen's office, he was reading a newspaper. He was a little surprised by Gui'er's arrival. After thinking for a moment, he smiled and said, "Today is your first day of school, right? How is it? Are you used to it?"

Guier smiled and said, "It's okay. We're all familiar with each other, so I don't feel awkward. I heard from my classmates that he's engaged to your brother?"

Song Xichen smiled and said, "Yes, she is a good girl, generous and cheerful. However, she is still too young. It is a bit regrettable that she has to decide her future as a child."

Gui'er didn't expect that Song Xichen's ideas were so similar to those of modern people, but when she thought about it, it was Song Xichen who insisted on sending her to school.

She couldn't help but ask curiously: "Brother Xichen, you haven't gotten married yet at your age, aren't you anxious?"

Song Xichen was stunned for a moment, then smiled. He lowered his head and thought for two seconds before saying to Gui'er, "Little Gui'er, you're still a child. I don't know how to explain this to you. I think the marriage system of our time is very problematic. Too many people become parents while still children, and then numbly treat their children like their own parents. Many people choose to marry without considering their thoughts, only their family background. I can't accept that."

Gui'er was shocked again. She realized that Song Xichen's thoughts were so close to those of modern people. It should be said that they were even more open-minded than some modern people.

She smiled and said, "Then you can find someone close to your age to date and get married."

Song Xichen smiled and pinched her nose and said, "Where did you learn the word 'love'? From the newspaper again?"

Then, after a brief pause, she continued, "I did. I met someone when I was studying in Shanghai, but unfortunately, we weren't meant to be together. By the way, Gui'er, you have to promise me one thing. If the Sha family wants to arrange a marriage for you, you must tell me. Your classmate is only 12, it's too early to get engaged. Of course, I hope everything works out well for her and my brother, but she's still a child, and many of her life perspectives haven't been formed yet. I don't want you to end up like her."

Guier nodded and agreed, her heart filled with gratitude.

Afterwards, Song Xichen originally wanted to drive him back to the Marshal's Mansion himself, but Gui'er declined because she was afraid that Sha Yanxiao would be unhappy if he knew about it. Song Xichen then went to find a rickshaw driver he was familiar with to take her back.

Back at the Marshal's residence, today wasn't a family dinner day. Sha Yanxiao's small kitchen in the courtyard had already prepared dinner. Sha Yanxiao hadn't returned yet, but he'd left a message for Gui'er to eat first. Just as Gui'er sat down, the maid brought over a stewed fish, braised chicken, and scrambled eggs with leeks. Dingxiang said, "The Marshal has instructed us to eat light meals after the holidays to help digestion. The dessert I've prepared for you is water chestnut cake."

Guier nodded and started eating, but she found Dingxiang still standing beside her, hesitant to speak. She asked, "What's wrong?"

Ding Xiang said, "I can't really say for sure, it's over there in the small courtyard..."

At this point, she suddenly stopped talking. Gui'er felt something was wrong and asked, "It's Miss Zhang, what's going on?"

Dingxiang looked around to make sure no one was around. Then she said to Guier, "Miss, the meals for the small courtyard are also prepared in our small kitchen. I overheard the two maids who came to get the meals today talking privately. I shouldn't have been gossiping, but I heard them say that Miss Ji asked them to kill the three Miss Zhangs. I think this is a serious matter, so I thought it was best to tell you."

Gui'er was actually extremely shocked when she heard this. She believed that Ji Yiru should be able to do such a thing. After all, their family was the biggest suspect in Miss Rong's matter.

She said to Dingxiang, "You did the right thing. If something like this happens next time, you must tell me."

Then he didn't feel like eating anymore and just took a couple of bites. Ding Xiang saw this and said, "It's my fault. I should have told you after you finished your meal. If you're not full now, try some water chestnut cake. This one was made specially for you by the young marshal. No one else has it."

Gui Er suddenly had an idea and said, "Is there any water chestnut cake in the kitchen?"

Ding Xiang said, "Yes, I'll save some for you to eat tomorrow morning."

Gui'er said, "Take the water chestnut cake and go to the small courtyard."

Then she brought Dingxiang to the small courtyard. She did not go to either of their rooms, but went straight to the main room. She then notified the servants to ask Ji Yiru and the three Miss Zhangs to come over, saying that the young marshal had specially ordered some water chestnut cakes to be made for them.

Sure enough, Ji Yiru and the three Miss Zhangs arrived in a short while.

Gui Er invited them to sit down and took out the water chestnut cake from the lunch box for them to taste. She said, "Second brother, I've been busy with official duties these past few days and haven't been home. I feel really bad for neglecting you young ladies, so I made this water chestnut cake in the small kitchen. Please have a try."

Ji Yiru smiled and said, "Young Marshal, you're so thoughtful. But I clearly asked him to take me to the military camp before, but he refused and even said he would compensate me next time. But now he's treating everyone to water chestnut cakes."

The three Miss Zhangs glanced at each other, and Miss Zhang II said with a smile, "Thank you, Young Marshal, for your concern. I've been so busy with work lately. Please, Sister Gui'er, take care of him. Please also, Sister Gui'er, convey that I hope the Young Marshal takes good care of himself."

Gui'er smiled and said, "Okay, I'll definitely pass it on. By the way, Miss Zhang, because Second Brother wants to carefully select some capable servants for you, I'm afraid it won't be possible to find suitable ones for the time being. Second Brother said that fortunately Sister Yiru arranged for her servants to help. Since Miss Ji will be the mistress of the main house in the future and will have to take care of all matters, Miss Ji will have to give it a try this time. I'll leave the daily food and daily life of the three Miss Zhangs in your hands."

Ji Yiru seemed a little unhappy after hearing this, and said with a forced smile: "This young marshal is too good at ordering people around. Do I have to manage his concubines before I even get married?"

Guier smiled and said, "Brother is indeed a bit abrupt. Perhaps in his mind, you are the most reliable person."

Ji Yiru glanced at Gui'er and her third sister, Miss Zhang, and said with a smile, "That's true. Everyone in this courtyard is either too young or too low-ranking. I am the most suitable person to manage them."

Gui'er ignored the sarcasm in her words and said with a smile, "Yes, from now on, the daily life, health and safety of the three Miss Zhangs will be entirely in your hands."

Ji Yiru opened her mouth but said nothing, then nodded with a reluctant smile.

Gui'er finally felt relieved and said goodbye and went back. She had used Sha Yanxiao's pretense to arrange for Ji Yiru to take care of the three sisters of the Zhang family. In fact, it was to prevent her from harming the three sisters of the Zhang family. Now that Sha Yanxiao had clearly asked her to take care of them, if something happened again, it would be her responsibility.