A Girl Traveling Through Troubled Times

Gui'er smiled and said, "Dingxiang, you're worrying too much. There's no way she'll become my second brother's wife. Think about it, who did my second brother, my eldest brother, and my third brother marry? Either they were daughters of wealthy families or children of high-ranking officials. Although my three brothers appear polite to all women, have you ever seen them want to marry a woman who wouldn't benefit them? Even Marshal Zhang's daughter married my third brother. When her father lost power, he was immediately resented. What's more, it's an orphan like Jinbao. You don't have to worry about it. She's just a poor person. Let her come if she wants. It won't be a big deal anyway."

Dingxiang was stunned for a moment, then suddenly fell silent. Guier asked her, "What's wrong? Is there anything else?"

She just woke up from her dream and murmured, "No, no more."

Gui'er said, "Then you go out first. I want to lie down for a while. I'm a little tired."

Normally when he came back, the Marshal would always take everyone out for a meal with more food, which could be considered a welcome. But this time he didn't do it. Gui'er probably thought it was because the Marshal felt that the first wife had spent too much of his money this time, so he was a little angry and deliberately didn't do it.

It was not until the next morning that she, led by Sha Yanxiao, went to pay her respects to the Marshal.

Gui'er was a little surprised when she saw the Marshal, because he had lost a lot of weight. The fat on his face had disappeared, and he no longer had the domineering look he used to have. However, his eyes still held murderous intent, and his thin face made him look a little eerie.

The Marshal saw that her attitude was very good and said with a smile, "My daughter has grown taller, not bad. I heard that you are not only excellent in school, but also helped a lot when things happened at home, both financially and physically. This is what I should be a daughter for. By the way, your mother said that she never gave you her monthly allowance to save money, right? She is the kind of person who doesn't save what she should save, but desperately saves the little money that she shouldn't save. I have been married to her for decades and I still can't understand her thinking. Second son, make up for your sister's pocket money later."

Gui'er wanted to laugh. Isn't this just using Sha Yanxiao's money to do a favor? But she still had to put on a good show. She quickly said to the Marshal, "Thank you, father. I feel that you have lost a lot of weight since you came back this time. Are you working hard for the country day and night? Take care of yourself."

The Marshal came over and touched Gui'er's head and said, "Good child, you are indeed the most considerate. Although you are not my biological child, I have raised you by my side for so many years. You are more sensible than some of my biological children."

After leaving the Marshal's place, Gui'er asked Sha Yanxiao, "Second brother, why has father lost so much weight all of a sudden? Is he sick? Have you asked the doctor in the mansion to take his pulse?"

Sha Yanxiao shook his head and said, "He smokes because of it. I tried to persuade him not to smoke, but he refused to do so, so I just let him do it."

Gui'er was a little confused and didn't know what to say. Sha Yanxiao said to Gui'er, "You're back now. Anyway, you should take a good rest during your time at home. Go out and go shopping with your former classmates. If you don't have enough money, just tell me. But you can't go alone. You have to let Ah Cheng come with you." As he said that, he took out a dozen silver dollars from his pocket and stuffed them into her.

"Before you came back, I had someone at Yunshang Tower make you a few cheongsams. They should be ready in the next two days. Since Western-style dresses are popular now, I asked someone to buy you two more in Shanghai. They should arrive soon. You've grown up, and it's time for you to have some jewelry. I wanted to buy you some, but I remembered your sister-in-law left behind so much. She left a will saying she wanted to give it to you, and I'm afraid you wouldn't like it because it was something that had been brought by a dead person."

Gui'er thought of the arrogant and yet somewhat pitiful Ji Yiru, sighed, and said, "No, why would I dislike her?"

Sha Yanxiao said happily, "Okay, go back and choose what you like and wear it."

Back in the courtyard, Sha Yanxiao took Gui'er straight to his own suite, opened the safe, and took out a rosewood box and handed it to Gui'er. She gently opened it, and a faint sandalwood fragrance filled her face. The jewelry inside shimmered softly in the dim light.

Every time Gui'er saw Ji Yiru's jewelry, she would be shocked by its huge number and exquisite styles. However, she didn't particularly like wearing luxurious jewelry, fearing that it would attract other people's attention. She felt that the best way for her, as an adopted daughter, to protect herself was to keep a low profile. However, since Sha Yanxiao asked her to choose, she had to pick at least two or three pieces.

She picked up a necklace, meticulously twisted from pure gold, each link bearing the pristine texture of handcrafted craftsmanship. At its center, dangling was an oval piece of mutton-fat white jade, its texture smooth and delicate, warm to the touch. Carved in bas-relief, it was auspicious, auspicious cloud patterns, the lines flowing gracefully, the work executed with exquisite skill. Beneath the jade, three delicate coral pendants added a touch of liveliness and color to this simple necklace.

Next, she picked up a pair of earrings. The main body of the earrings was two small, delicate white magnolia flowers, with delicate and lifelike petals. Under the magnolia flowers, slender glass tassels dangled, swaying gently with Gui'er's movements.

Finally, her gaze fell on a bracelet. It was made of icy jadeite, as transparent as ice, with a faint tinge of light green. It was inlaid with several small rubies. Guier slipped the bracelet on her wrist; it was the perfect size and felt cool to the touch.

These three pieces of jewelry are all very suitable for matching cheongsams. Gui'er said to Sha Yanxiao, "Let's just take these three. When the new cheongsam is made, I can match it with it."

Sha Yanxiao looked at the layers of gold and silver jewelry in the wooden box. There were at least a hundred pieces. Gui'er had only taken three pieces. He smiled and said, "Sister, please take a few more. How about this set of pearl jewelry to match your dress?"

Guier took a look and saw that it was a very exquisite set of pearl jewelry, including a necklace and earrings. Both were made of pearls of different sizes pieced together into the shape of flowers, and then connected together. The core of the flower was embellished with diamonds. Such large diamonds are very rare, and you can tell at a glance that they are very valuable.

She didn't want to carry too many expensive jewellery with her, as she had to return to Nanjing soon, and she was worried that her wife might plot against her. However, she couldn't say this to Sha Yanxiao, so she smiled and picked up the heart-shaped necklace she was wearing and said to Sha Yanxiao, "Actually, I don't usually wear expensive jewellery in Nanjing. After all, I'm still a student, so this little heart-shaped necklace is fine for me."

Sha Yanxiao smiled helplessly and said, "I thought you'd grown up now and would have to go out and meet some people. So, take this pearl necklace for now. You can pair it with your dress when you get back. If you don't want to take it to Nanjing, I'll keep it for you when you leave."

Guier had no choice but to accept it.