A Girl Traveling Through Troubled Times

Gui'er lived in the courtyard of the eldest young master of the Marshal's mansion. She found that although the eldest young master did not show off his abilities, he did have some means. The servants in her house were not as relaxed and free as those in Sha Yanxiao's house. Instead, they were well-trained. They would never say a word that should not be said and were respectful to their masters, especially the eldest young master.

Dingxiang also told Guier that she didn't dare to act so recklessly after coming here. However, she still came to Guier to tell her about any gossip or rumors in private. Perhaps it was because she was really grateful to Guier after what happened last time.

Gui'er asked her to find out what Ji Yiru and Lulu were doing.

Dingxiang went there and came back at first saying that the people there were very tight-lipped and unwilling to disclose anything. Two days later, she said that the former manager of Sha Yanxiao's courtyard asked the chief steward to let him go to the manor to work. When the steward asked him the reason, he just said that he was in poor health and too old to be competent.

But everyone privately believed that Ji Yiru was intolerant. After all, Gui'er moved away as soon as Sha Yanxiao left. But because her family was too powerful, no one dared to mess with her and just kept their distance.

After living there for a few days, Guier discovered that Sha Yanyao was not just letting her stay. He also tutored her in her homework every day and even taught her the Four Books and Five Classics, music, chess, calligraphy and painting. Guier's current Western-style school did not offer these courses, so she studied very hard.

Gui'er was quite surprised that Sha Yanyao was so knowledgeable. She smiled and said to him, "Big brother, you can even be a teacher in school."

Sha Yanyao said a little embarrassedly: "I just like reading."

Guier said, "Then you can call the other sisters over and teach them together. Everyone can learn something."

Sha Yanyao shook his head and said, "Everyone has their own destiny. The other sisters may not have such talent. I am teaching you now, but it is just that God helps those who help themselves."

Overall, living with Sha Yanyao was quite comfortable, but laziness was not an option. One had to be extremely studious and hardworking, unlike Sha Yanxiao's free rein, where one could do whatever they wanted. Gui'er also felt that Sha Yanyao seemed to be extremely well-informed. He knew about the Marshal and Sha Yanxiao's scheme to bring Marshal Zhang here for treatment and confinement. Other than the Marshal and Sha Yanxiao, no one else likely knew about this. Gui'er only learned about it after Sha Yanxiao mentioned it, but Sha Yanyao seemed to know. He even knew about Marshal Zhang's current health condition.

One day, Gui Er mentioned that Sha Yanxiao had been away for a few days but hadn't returned yet. Sha Yanyao immediately said, "He won't be back that quickly. It might take ten days or half a month. He needs to adjust the city's defense layout."

Gui'er was stunned for a moment. It seemed that although Sha Yanyao was disabled, he was not completely incompetent, and was very likely in charge of intelligence matters.

Since moving to Sha Yanyao's place, Guier has spent more time on studying, but she still makes time to visit the third and fourth concubines.

Gui'er herself did not specifically say that she had moved, but everyone knew about it almost at the same time and became even more enthusiastic about her. This surprised Gui'er very much. She originally thought that Sha Yanxiao was already the heir, after all, a disabled person could not lead troops to fight. Now it seems that Sha Yanyao is still very powerful, and it is still unknown who will win.

The fourth concubine once jokingly said to Gui'er, "Guier is so lucky to be valued by both the eldest and second sons. You are the only one in the mansion who can do that. If our Lili had your ability, what would I worry about?"

Gui'er smiled awkwardly and said, "Auntie, you're joking. It's just my brothers who take care of me. Lily doesn't seem to be that cared for. Isn't that because she has you taking care of her?"

The fourth concubine was quite happy to hear this.

Gui'er was also concerned about Song Xichen's injury, but since she was staying with Sha Yanyao, she didn't dare to call Song Xichen rashly for fear of causing any misunderstanding.

It was not until later when Taohua asked her to help deliver the embroidery pieces that he finally had the opportunity to find Manager Zhang to inquire about it.

That day, Gui'er specifically told Sha Yanyao that she would go to Wing On Department Store to buy some things and might come back a little late.

Then after school, I went to Wing On Department Store first, bought a notebook, and then went to the needlework shop.

I had only intended to ask Shopkeeper Zhang about Song Xichen's condition, but I didn't expect him to be at the Zhenxiu Workshop. Shopkeeper Zhang was changing his dressing.

Song Xichen smiled and asked Gui'er, "How are you doing recently?"

Gui'er originally thought that nothing was wrong, but when she heard Song Xichen's greeting, her nose suddenly felt sore. Song Xichen was shocked by her current situation and hurriedly asked Gui'er what had happened?

Gui'er told her that Ji Yiru and Lulu had drugged her, and she discovered it and moved to Sha Yanyao's courtyard.

Song Xichen's face turned pale with anger. He clenched his fists and said, "This is outrageous! It's simply lawless. These gangs don't take human life seriously at all."

He carefully observed Guier's face and asked Manager Zhang to take Guier's pulse.

After taking her pulse, Manager Zhang said, "Miss Gui'er, you should be fine now." Song Xichen finally breathed a sigh of relief.

He said to Gui'er, "It's good for you to stay with Sha Yanyao now. He is a trustworthy person."

Gui'er asked in confusion, "Does Brother Xichen know Sha Yanyao?"

Song Xichen smiled and said, "He and I were classmates. He recommended me to be the police chief."

Gui'er suddenly realized that, yes, Song Xichen and Sha Yanyao were of similar age, and the circle of rich people in a city was so small, so the chances of their children knowing each other were very high.

In the past, Gui'er thought that Song Xichen and Sha Yanxiao disliked each other because of her. Now it seems that Song Xichen is also on Sha Yanyao's side. No wonder Sha Yanxiao doesn't like him.

Gui'er was so busy chatting with Song Xichen that she almost forgot the time. It was only after Manager Zhang reminded her that she hurriedly got into Song Xichen's car and returned to the Marshal's Mansion.

As soon as I went upstairs, I saw a maid coming out of Sha Yanyao's room. When she saw Gui'er, she bowed and went downstairs.

Gui'er noticed that the maid's clothes seemed to have two buttons unbuttoned, which seemed strange. When Dingxiang brought in tea, Gui'er asked, "When I came up just now, I seemed to see a maid who looked unfamiliar go downstairs. Do you know her?"

Dingxiang thought for a moment and said, "Miss, you are talking about Xiren, right?"

"Xiren? Isn't this the name of a character from Dream of the Red Chamber?"

"What is Dream of the Red Chamber?"

"...a book. What does this maid do? Why don't we see her often?"

"Oh, she is the eldest young master's concubine."

"Big brother has a concubine even though he's not married?"

"Hey! It's because the young master's leg was disabled by a bomb, so the young lady he was engaged to refused to give in. She was crying out for a break-up, and the young master was good-tempered and agreed after saying it wouldn't burden others. But the Marshal was furious and gave the young master three concubines."

"Three? Who else?"

"And Qingwen and Musk Moon."

Gui'er was greatly shocked, but then she thought that Marshal Sha had eight wives and his sons shared the same bed with three of them, so it didn't seem too exaggerated.