A Girl Traveling Through Troubled Times

On the first day of the new year, the Marshal distributed red envelopes to all his children as usual. Each red envelope contained a silver dollar. Ermei's son got two silver dollars because he was a grandson. The third concubine was so happy that she couldn't stop smiling. She felt that she had the honor of having the first grandson of the Marshal's family in her courtyard.

The fourth concubine also came with her two children to pay New Year's greetings to the Marshal. Even the fourth concubine's two brothers came with their families. The Marshal felt very honored and was very generous in his spending.

Gui'er felt strange and asked Sha Lili, "Why did your two uncles take the initiative to come over to pay New Year's greetings today? Is it because your father took them in for a while during the 128th Incident?"

Sha Lili laughed and said, "Bullshit! Of course it's because our eldest brother is now an official in the central government. When a central government official stamps his feet, the local government trembles. Don't you understand this principle?"

Gui'er suddenly realized what was going on. Sha Lili whispered to Gui'er, "Marshal Zhang, is he dying? Did my second brother go back to defend Fengcheng?"

Guier knew that Sha Lili was a smart person and that she couldn't hide it from anyone, so she nodded.

Sha Lili said thoughtfully: "I don't think Fengcheng should be a big deal. What can a bunch of old men who forget their principles for the sake of profit do?"

Gui'er didn't say anything. She felt that in troubled times, anything could happen, and she was still very worried.

Sha Lili suddenly suggested to Guier that they go for a walk in the yard.

Gui'er was a little confused, but she felt that she had something to say, so she agreed.

Arriving in the courtyard, the two walked to a deserted spot. Sha Lili looked around, making sure no one was around before saying, "Father and Mother want me to interact with Tang Yaozu."

Gui'er didn't understand and asked, "How do we get along?"

Sha Lili sighed and said, "He wants me to marry Tang Yaozu as a concubine."

Gui Er was very surprised because she had always thought that the Fourth Concubine loved her children very much. She asked Sha Lili, "Is this what the Fourth Concubine meant?"

Sha Lili sighed and said, "Mother can't afford to pay so much money as compensation. My brother is not young anymore, and he's also a good-for-nothing who smokes opium. Mother wants to find him a good marriage as soon as possible. Otherwise, it will be even harder to find a good wife as he gets older. She wants me to marry Tang Yaozu. Firstly, she can get a betrothal gift, and secondly, Tang Yaozu agreed to open a tea shop in Hong Kong with my two uncles, and then mother will have shares."

"What about you? What can you get?" asked Guier.

Sha Lili sighed softly and said, "It's nothing, actually. Didn't my mother marry my father in the same way? Tang Yaozu doesn't have a son yet. If I marry him and give birth to a son, I'll have prestige in the Tang family, just like my mother does in the Marshal's Mansion."

Gui Er shook her head and said, "Tang Yaozu is so rich, who knows how many women he will marry in his lifetime. Giving birth to children for him is not a big deal. I advise you to think it over carefully."

Sha Lili lowered her head and said, "I don't want to either. There's really no other way. Besides, even if I marry my current fiancé, there's no guarantee he won't take a concubine."

Gui'er was stunned for a moment. She really didn't expect this. She felt that marriage for women in this era was a tragedy.

The New Year holidays were actually quite dull. The Marshal and his wife were busy visiting people everywhere, always bringing Sha Yanyao and his wife along. Yulan and Director Huang stayed at the villa the entire time, never separated, like a couple in love. The Third Wife had nowhere to go, and no one from her family was in Shanghai, so she also stayed at the villa quietly.

On the second day of the Chinese New Year, the fourth concubine and her two brothers came to pay New Year's greetings to the Marshal again. At this time, even Tang Yaozu came, and he came with the fourth concubine's aunt's family. The Marshal was very happy to invite them to dinner. During the meal, Tang Yaozu sat directly next to Sha Lili. Everyone knew about his relationship with Sha Lili. Sha Lili herself also greeted everyone with a smile, and looked very happy to be a rich concubine. Only Gui'er felt sorry for her in her heart.

Taohua was actually enjoying the New Year's atmosphere this year. Although she only went to the bookstore with Gui'er, she also bought some Shanghai specialties when she passed by the grocery store, thinking of giving them to Wu Dafu when she got home. She said happily, "Although I've been to Shanghai before, I've never been out and about. Now I've finally seen the world."

Gui'er felt very uncomfortable after hearing this. Both of them were adopted by the Marshal, but their situations were so different. She thought about it and realized that Sha Yanxiao was not around now, and no one cared about her comings and goings. So she asked Acheng to find Wu Mingqiang and ask him to get a car. She planned to take Taohua to visit places like Xinshi Company and the Bund in Shanghai.

In order to avoid giving people a chance to talk, Guier found an opportunity to tell Dashuai about it. Dashuai just said casually, "Okay, you sisters go and have fun." And then he left it alone.

As a result, the Third Aunt learned about this and actually dragged Sanmei and Shanmei's son to come along. Guier had to say tactfully: "Third Aunt, it's actually quite chaotic outside right now, so we must take a small car with bodyguards, but there are not so many seats in the car, otherwise next time..."

Before Gui'er could finish her words, she was interrupted by the Third Concubine, who said, "What's so difficult about this? I'll sit next to the driver, and Sanmei and her son will squeeze in with you guys and sit in the back. And your follower, Ah Cheng, can just ride a two-wheeled bike and follow behind, right?"

After saying that, he dragged Sanmei's hand and ran to the bike and sat on it. Gui'er had no choice but to ask Ah Cheng: "Can you ride a bike?"

Ah Cheng nodded and said, "Yes, Miss, just ask Brother Qiang to drive slower."

So, they had to bring the third concubine, the third sister and her son, as well as Wu Mingqiang, Acheng and Taohua, a group of seven people. They first went to the Bund to see the scenery, then went to the Peace Hotel for a meal, and then went to the Sincere Company to buy things.

When Gui'er was about to pay for the meal, Wu Mingqiang said, "Miss Gui'er, the Second Young Master said that we will not let you pay for your expenses. Just eat, drink and have fun without worrying about the money."

Gui'er didn't know if Sha Yanxiao had really said this, but Wu Mingqiang had given her so many gifts in the past, so she quickly said, "Thank you, Brother Wu. You and Ah Cheng should sit down and eat too."

Wu Mingqiang hasn't spoken yet.

The third concubine started to cry out, "How can this be? How can a servant eat with the master? Gui'er, you are becoming more and more unruly."

Wu Mingqiang quickly said, "We are very grateful for your hospitality, Miss. We can just open a table next to you. If you need anything, just call us."

Afterwards, when they went to Sincerely Company, Gui'er was cautious and didn't buy anything because she was afraid that if she made a large purchase, Wu Mingqiang would pay for it. She knew that the Third Wife might also buy a lot of things with her. Taohua seemed to have guessed Gui'er's thoughts, so she bought a pen and said it was a gift for Wu Dafu, and didn't buy anything else.

But even so, the third concubine still picked a lot of things, including food, drink, and entertainment. She even picked out souvenirs, intending to take them back to Jiangcheng to give to her own family. She also pulled the third concubine and said, "Hurry up and pick, your second brother will pay."

Sanmei stood there awkwardly holding the child, feeling neither amused nor helpless.