A Girl Traveling Through Troubled Times

The convoy did not stop in Fengcheng, but went straight to the train station. When they arrived at the train station, just like last time, the area was cleared and the people from the Marshal's Mansion went up to the platform and got on the train.

This time, the Marshal's Mansion directly booked two carriages, one to accommodate servants and luggage, and the other was for all those who could not fit in the luxury suite, including, needless to say, those who had just taken the bus.

So the third concubine and the others started another round of fighting for seats. Fortunately, this time it was a train, so sitting in the front or back was actually the same, so it was okay.

Sha Yanxiao dragged Gui'er to a luxurious suite. Gui'er took a look and saw that it was just like the room the Marshal, his wife, and the eldest son had stayed in when they first went to Shanghai. It had a bed, a sofa, a dining table, and was very spacious. Gui'er quietly asked Sha Yanxiao, "Brother, is it okay for us to live so well? What about Father and the others?"

Sha Yanxiao smiled and said, "Don't worry, the three suites we booked this time are all the same. We have a bigger budget this time, so we can sit more comfortably."

Gui'er felt a little relieved. She saw Taohua wanted to go to the carriage, so she quickly pulled her into the suite.

Sha Yanxiao went out to see how the others were settling in. Taohua took the opportunity to say to Guier, "Why don't I go to the carriage and join the Third Concubine and the others?"

Gui Er shook her head and said, "You should be more comfortable here. Besides, when you go back, you will have to face the Ninth Concubine. Will you be at ease?"

Taohua remained silent. Gui'er said to her, "I pulled you over here to avoid you having to face the Ninth Concubine. I think she's so proud now that she might get carried away. If she says something wrong, there are people in our house who will take advantage of her misfortune. Besides, when we get to Shanghai, I might have to go out a lot and won't be able to stay with you in the mansion. You have to be careful and try to avoid contact with her. If she says something, you must never admit that we are from the flower boat, otherwise we may suffer the same fate as the Song family."

Taohua nodded solemnly and said, "Don't worry, I know the seriousness of the matter."

After a while, Sha Yanxiao went out for a walk and came back. Gui'er asked him, "Is everyone settled in?"

Sha Yanxiao smiled and said, "This time it went smoothly. There's Western food on the train. I ordered steak for you. It will be delivered to you later. After you finish eating, you can take a nap in bed. When you wake up, we'll be almost there."

As they were talking, the waiter on the train brought three steaks and everyone sat down at the table to eat. Taohua was a little nervous in front of Sha Yanxiao, and she didn't usually eat Western food, so she seemed a little clumsy.

After dinner, Gui'er chatted with Sha Yanxiao for a while, then took off her shawl and asked Taohua to go to bed with her for a nap.

Sha Yanxiao also took off his coat and closed his eyes to rest on the sofa.

Gui'er soon fell asleep. Taohua was taking a train for the first time and was very excited to see the scenery outside the window. After a while, she whispered in Gui'er's ear, "Guier, I really envy you."

After waking up, Sha Yanxiao asked someone to bring clean water for them to rinse their mouths and wash their faces. Gui'er looked out the window and saw that the train was still moving forward. Song Xichen said that it would take more than an hour to arrive.

Gui'er took Taohua out to go to the bathroom, but unexpectedly ran into Song Xilun, the second young master of the Song family. Gui'er was very surprised because Song Xilun did not tell her that their family was also leaving today.

Song Xichen smiled at Gui'er and nodded. Gui'er also smiled and greeted him, saying, "Brother Xilun, long time no see. How are you?"

In fact, Song Xilun and the second wife of the Song family left a very good impression on Guier. They did not cause trouble and were approachable. Although they were always suppressed by the first wife, they were still neither humble nor arrogant.

Song Xilun stopped when he heard Gui'er greet him and said with a smile: "Little Gui'er, you have grown up a lot and become more beautiful. I almost didn't recognize you."

Gui'er smiled and said, "No, you're too kind. I haven't even congratulated you on your engagement to my friend Tong Yujun yet. Are your family going to Shanghai today too?"

Song Xilun smiled and said, "Thank you very much. Yujun also mentioned you. She said that you have very good grades in school and skipped two grades. Now you are in the same class as her. We may have to wait a few days. My mother and I will leave for Shanghai first. My mother has been in poor health for the past two years and has always been depressed."

Gui'er asked with concern, "Is the Second Madam okay?"

Song Xilun sighed: "Alas, it's all family matters."

Gui'er understood immediately that the first lady had suppressed the second wife for many years and did not allow Song Xilun to work or take over the family business. Mr. Song dared not say anything. After all, the first lady now had the Marshal as her backer, so the second lady was naturally in a bad mood. In fact, it was beyond Gui'er's expectation that Song Xilun could be engaged to Tong Yujun.

Gui Er didn't want to ask about the Song family's affairs, so she smiled and said, "Tong Yujun has already left for Shanghai. You can meet again then."

Song Xilun smiled with a hint of sadness and said, "It's really unfair for her to be engaged to me. I was so much older than others, I was afraid it wouldn't be suitable, but my mother said that this girl's appearance, personality, and family background are all suitable. I should hurry up and get engaged to her while the first wife doesn't object, otherwise it will be difficult."

Gui'er was stunned for a moment. She also knew that in fact, in this era, there is no such thing as love in blind dates. Tong Yujun was probably also confused and thought that the second young master had a good temper and a comparable family background, so she listened to the adults in the family.

However, Tong Yujun and Song Xilun both have gentle personalities and decent character, so they should be quite suitable. She smiled and comforted Song Xilun: "I think Tong Yujun is really looking forward to meeting you. She has a gentle personality and is a good girl. You two should be a good match."

Song Xilun smiled and thanked Guier.

After they parted, Guier noticed that Taohua had been hiding behind her, looking timid, so she asked her, "What's wrong?"

Taohua sighed and said, "Gui'er, I used to always hear you say that we would go out and be independent in the future, and I was full of longing for it. But when we actually got out, we realized that we were pretty useless and couldn't hold our heads high like you did."

Gui'er said to Taohua, "In fact, everyone in this world is equal, regardless of their background. Don't say we were innocently trapped on the boat that day. Even if we were forced to become prostitutes, as long as we don't degenerate, our character is equal to everyone else in this world. I don't want others to know about this past, simply because we don't have the power to fight it now. Just wait and see. In the future, this world will surely realize that all people are created equal."

Taohua nodded, a little confused and a little yearning, and put her arm around Gui'er and said, "Anyway, I will follow you from now on. Our future will definitely not be worse than others, right?"

Gui'er also knew that Taohua would definitely not understand her profound truth, so she could only smile and nod.