A Girl Traveling Through Troubled Times

Gui'er didn't stay in Zhenxiufang for too long after school today. The remaining servant came to pick her up. Since the war in Shanghai, the public security in the city has deteriorated a lot, and street robberies have occurred frequently, so Gui'er had to leave a servant behind to ensure her own safety.

She went to the Zhenxiu Shop and told Zhang and Liu what happened at the Marshal's Mansion, then said goodbye and left. The two shopkeepers sighed and said, "That's how it is with wealthy families. It's hard to avoid intrigue. Be careful. If you can't make it over there, come here. There's room to stay in the shop anyway."

Gui'er was very grateful, but she was worried about Taohua. It was unrealistic for both of them to run to Zhenxiufang to seek refuge with Manager Zhang. She was afraid that the Marshal's Mansion would not allow them to do so for the sake of face.

When they returned to the Marshal's residence, Dingxiang told her, "Miss Taohua came over today and had a big argument with the Fifth and Sixth Concubines, accusing them of bullying you. Later, she asked the Third Concubine to send the housekeeper over to call them back."

When Gui'er heard this, she quickly said to Dingxiang, "Hurry up and pack up my things and call that..."

Ding Xiang said, "The eldest brother who stayed behind is called Ah Cheng."

Sha Yanxiao usually didn't let his servants get close to Gui'er, so apart from one or two close to him, she didn't know the names of the others. Gui'er said, "Oh, then quickly pack up my things and ask Brother Cheng to help move them to Big Brother's courtyard so I can go to Taohua to see if she's been scolded by the Third Concubine."

Gui'er didn't go there immediately because if she went there she would inevitably have to talk to the Third Concubine. Gui'er knew that the Third Concubine was also a flatterer. If she moved to Sha Yanyao's courtyard and then went there, as soon as she said that she lived in Sha Yanyao's courtyard, it meant that she was under the protection of the First House, and the Third Concubine would be much more polite, and it would not be easy for Taohua.

Gui'er didn't have much stuff, just some clothes and books. Dingxiang said she was worried that Gui'er wouldn't be able to get used to sleeping over there, so she took her bedding as well. It was only three or four packages in total, and Acheng found a small cart to move them all.

As they walked out of the courtyard, the fifth and sixth concubines hurried up and said with a smile, "Guier, are you going to live in your eldest brother's courtyard? You said that it seems like we squeezed you out. In fact, we didn't want to come here at the time. We only had two rooms there and there was no room. When we told the Marshal, he said we should move here. We are mothers too, and sometimes we think too much about our children. There's nothing we can't do. Don't take it to heart. If you're not happy living there, just come back and live here."

Gui'er looked at their expressions, which changed faster than a chameleon. She was too tired to complain and didn't want to waste words, so she just smiled and turned away.

Arriving at Sha Yanyao's yard, it was actually very close to the main yard where the Marshal lived. For some reason, the Madam did not live in the main yard with the Marshal, but lived here with her son. However, she had to be a vegetarian and chant Buddhist scriptures, so she specially built a small three-story auxiliary building next to the main building where Sha Yanyao lived. It had an independent entrance and exit, and was connected to the main building. The last time Gui'er came here, she lived next door to Sha Yanyao. Every morning before going to school, Gui'er went to the auxiliary building to pay her respects to the Madam, and went to pay her respects again after returning from school in the evening. So although the Madam would occasionally show a little bit of impatience, it was not her fault.

Gui'er led two servants to the gate of the courtyard. The housekeeper was already waiting at the gate. He took the things and said to Gui'er, "The eldest young master has already instructed that the young lady will stay on the second floor when she comes. The eldest young master and the eldest young mistress are currently staying on the third floor. This will be more convenient."

Gui'er nodded and said, "Brother, this arrangement is great. Thank you, housekeeper." In fact, she was also happy to keep a certain distance from Sha Yanyao and his wife so that they could each have some living space.

Gui'er asked the housekeeper, "Where are my elder brother and his wife now?"

The housekeeper said, "The eldest young master now goes to the military camp every day, but the eldest young mistress is often in the courtyard. You can find her on the third floor."

Gui'er thanked the housekeeper and arranged for the servants to put her things in the room. She and Dingxiang then set up the room, making the bedding, hanging the clothes, and putting the books away. Then she said to Dingxiang and Ah Cheng, "You two must be tired. Go and rest for a while and set up your own rooms. I don't have anything to do here."

After the two of them left, Gui'er went to pay her respects to the lady in the auxiliary building. The lady's maid helped her out of the Buddhist hall and sat in the living room to rest.

Gui'er stepped forward, bowed, and said, "Greetings to Mother. My eldest brother and his wife asked me to move in with them. I'm sorry to bother you from now on."

The lady took the tea from the maid, took a sip, and passed it back, saying slowly, "Your second brother went to Fengcheng. Is there any news? How is the suppression of the bandits going?"

Guier said honestly, "Since my second brother went to Fengcheng, we've lost contact. I don't know if the situation there is urgent or what. Anyway, I haven't received any information from him yet. I'm very worried."

After hearing this, the lady's face brightened for some reason, and she said kindly, "In that case, you should come and live with your eldest brother and sister-in-law. You are getting older, and you need to learn how to treat people when you live with your sister-in-law. You can't be as childish as before."

Guier said respectfully, "Yes."

The lady said, "Go ahead."

Guier bowed again and then turned around and came out.

As soon as she came out, she didn't go back to the house, but went straight to the third concubine.

Arriving at the Third Concubine's place, as soon as she entered the courtyard, the servants in the courtyard looked at Gui'er curiously. Sanmei held her son and greeted Gui'er with a smile: "Sister Gui'er, you're here? How are you doing recently?"

Gui'er was about to answer when the Third Concubine came out from the inner room and saw Gui'er. She smiled and said, "Guier, your brother is not around, so you must be feeling uncomfortable all by yourself, right? If you're not happy over there, come over here more often. We don't have many extra rooms in our courtyard, so why not let you stay here? I don't have any special abilities, but I could still speak up for you."

Hearing this, Gui'er felt relieved. The Third Concubine still remembered that Sha Yanxiao had helped her daughter become Marshal Zhang's wife, which had improved their status. Although she didn't dare to help too much, she didn't step in and step on them. Taohua should not be blamed either.

Gui Er smiled and said, "Third Aunt is so thoughtful. I'm moving in with my eldest brother and his wife now."

When these words were spoken, everyone around was surprised.

The Third Wife was stunned for a moment, then smiled and said, "I've always said that clever and intelligent children like Gui'er are very lovable. You see, after the second brother passed away, the eldest brother loved him very much. If you were in another family, you wouldn't have such good fortune. You came to see Taohua, right? She's in the room. Come and sit down. I'll send someone to bring you some fruit and snacks."