A Girl Traveling Through Troubled Times

After Young Master Liang left, Gui'er asked Song Xichen, "Is this the young lady's new fiancé? He doesn't look very good."

Song Xichen said helplessly, "My parents think that among all the suitors, his family has the best conditions. Since he's not engaged yet, and the government is calling for a New Life Movement, they should let them meet and talk more. If they're not suitable, we can find someone else."

Gui Er curled her lips and said, "How could this guy possibly be suitable for Miss? He doesn't seem like a good person at all."

Song Xichen glanced at her and said with a smile, "Why do you think he's not a good person?"

Gui'er said seriously, "He's talking nonsense. He actually told my future brother-in-law that he went to those shady places. I think he looks like a fool."

Song Xichen had just heard Young Master Liang bragging about his romantic encounters and thought he was a stupid person. He had been sitting here the whole night, and none of his words were as disgusting as his action of staring at Gui'er. He didn't realize from beginning to end that he was far inferior to his arrogant and scheming father.

There was one thing Song Xichen didn't mention. Although Song Tingting successfully broke off the engagement by diverting attention, the fact that she was captured by bandits was a fact. This incident determined that many wealthy families would not consider her as a candidate for their daughter-in-law.

The conditions of those who came to propose marriage were not very good. The Liang family of this pawnshop was considered to be the best-off family. Although this son was frivolous and stupid, it seemed that he could still be controlled. He could be observed for a while longer. I believed his parents thought the same.

However, he did not say these words to Guier, because he did not want her to experience the cruelty of the world too early at such a young age.

From then on, Young Master Liang often came to the Song Mansion, but the rules of the Song Mansion were still followed. He had no chance to be alone with the young lady at all. At least Taohua was always there.

When Gui'er and Taohua were chatting, they mentioned Master Liang. Taohua said, "Master Liang told the young lady a lot about his experiences in Shanghai, which made the young lady very fascinated by Shanghai." However, Taohua didn't like Master Liang very much. She said that the way he looked at people was too scary. Gui'er knew that the playboy Master Liang looked at Taohua with the same eyes as he looked at her.

Gui'er couldn't help but tell Taohua that she had run into Mr. Liang, the pawnshop owner, who was also Mr. Liang's father, while watching a play. He brought Qiuju with him and had already taken Qiuju as his concubine. Taohua was shocked and very nervous when she heard this.

Gui Er was very puzzled and asked, "We didn't have much contact with Qiu Ju at that time. What does it have to do with us who she became a concubine for?"

Taohua hesitated for a long time before saying, "Didn't you hear what the other servants were saying?"

Gui'er knew that she was referring to the two people coming up from the flower boat, but Gui'er never took these words seriously. Besides, everyone knew that Gui'er had a strong personality and was protected by the eldest young master, so no one dared to say it in front of her, so she pretended not to hear it.

Gui'er quickly comforted Taohua, saying, "Anyway, we are upright and have nothing to fear. If they go too far, just tell the young lady and let her help you."

Taohua was still scowling. Guier knew she was gentle and might not want to get involved, so she said, "Then if anyone says that again, tell me and I'll find a way to deal with him. I won't believe it."

Taohua said quickly, "You should control your temper. You're prone to offending people. The other day, the eldest mistress complained to the young lady, saying that the eldest young master takes you, a servant, too seriously."

Gui Er anticipated that the eldest wife would be unhappy, so she could only sigh and say, "Isn't it just that the young master gave me the bracelet he bought at the auction? Those things are beyond my control."

After that, he sighed and said to Taohua, "I really want to grow up quickly."

Taohua heard this and a rare look of sadness appeared on her face. She said, "I want to grow up quickly, too."

That day, Gui'er returned to the Song Mansion after school. As she arrived at the servants' dining hall and was about to eat, she heard the servants talking about the Liang family from the pawnshop coming to discuss the engagement with the master and the mistress with the young lady.

Gui'er couldn't believe it. Song Xichen had just said that they could let the two of them get to know each other slowly, so how come they were suddenly engaged?

Taking advantage of the fact that no one was around, Aunt Zhang quietly told Gui'er, "It's mainly the Liang family that's worried because Young Master Liang is the same age as our eldest young master, both in their twenties and twenties. No matter where they are, they're already quite old. Moreover, our Song family is one of the best in the city in terms of both family affairs and strength. We have many businesses under our name that can help the Liang family in business. Our eldest young master is the chief of police, so he's rich and powerful. It would be strange if they didn't want to marry into our Song family as soon as possible."

Although Gui'er disliked Young Master Liang, it was none of her business, so she just listened for fun. After dinner, she returned to the eldest young master's yard and did her homework and read in her small room.

Just as she was watching, the servant from the gatehouse came to say that Taohua came to see her. Gui'er was very surprised. Although she and Taohua were good friends, they usually met only in the servants' dining hall, or had the opportunity to chat when they met while doing business in the mansion. The Song Mansion had strict rules and servants were not allowed to move around casually. Although Gui'er and Taohua were the personal maids of the young master and young lady, and were considered high-class servants, they still had to abide by the rules.

Gui'er thought that the young lady sent Taohua to see the eldest young master about something, so she quickly asked someone to let her in.

Today, Song Xichen was out for another social event, so Gui'er asked, "Taohua, did the young lady send you here for something? The eldest young master is out. I'll tell him when he comes back."

Taohua was seen hesitating and nervously looking at the servant who brought her in and was waiting nearby.

Gui'er felt that she might have something important to say that was not convenient for her to discuss in front of outsiders, so she said to the servant, "Brother Dali, you go back first. I will personally escort Taohua out later."

The doorman left. Taohua looked around and whispered to Guier, "Is there really no one else here?"

Gui'er had sensed something was amiss and said, "Don't worry, it's gone. The young master won't be back soon."

After hearing this, Taohua collapsed to the ground, tears falling like beads from a broken string.

Gui Er was startled and asked quickly, "Were you bullied? Did they say anything bad about you again? Tell me, and I'll have the young master scold them later."

Taohua just shook her head, tears streaming down her face.

Gui'er was anxious and said, "Come on, tell me what's going on? The young master will be back soon."

Taohua quickly wiped her eyes when she heard this and said, "Young Master Liang came over just now and said he was getting engaged and wanted me to go to the Liang Mansion as a maid to serve him."

Gui'er was shocked. "This is ridiculous! You're only nine years old, and how did you become a concubine? What does the young lady say?"

Taohua choked up and said, "The young lady didn't say anything, and then Master Liang said it was settled, and then he left."

Gui'er asked, "Did you say when you're going to get engaged?"

Taohua shook her head and said, "I don't know. He didn't tell me." She grabbed Gui'er's hand and said, "What should I do? Gui'er, I'm so scared. That Young Master Liang looks at people like he wants to eat them."

Gui'er thought about it calmly. Based on her previous interactions with the young lady, she felt that this young lady was a weak and naive person just like Jia Yingchun in Dream of the Red Chamber. She might not know how to resist at all. Taohua was young and ignorant, but at least she was smart enough to know that Young Master Liang was not a good person.

Gui'er said to Taohua, "You go back first. When the young master comes back, I'll feel out his feelings. Just because the young lady doesn't object doesn't necessarily mean the master, mistress, and young master don't object. I believe the Song family won't be manipulated by a dandy boy like this."

Taohua nodded, not quite understanding, and then walked away nervously, looking back every few steps.