A Girl Traveling Through Troubled Times

Gui'er then remembered that she had hardly seen Wu Mingqiang during the entire holiday.

I smiled and said hello: "Xiao Wu, how come I never saw you when I came back for vacation this time? Have you been out of town?"

Wu Mingqiang opened his mouth and was about to say something when Sha Yanxiao said, "I'll send him to Shanghai to see what the Japanese are doing there."

Gui'er quickly asked, "Oh, really? What's the situation over there?"

Wu Mingqiang sighed deeply: "After the January 28 Incident, Japan's military presence and political influence in Shanghai continued to grow. Shanghai's International Settlement and French Concession became 'countries within a country.' Through these concessions, the great powers exerted influence on Shanghai's politics and economy, interfering in China's internal affairs. Although the Nationalist government was committed to urban construction and management, it was also constrained by the domestic political situation and the power of the great powers."

The economy and industries suffered from problems such as Japan's economic aggression, economic pressure from Western powers, and excessive domestic taxes. For example, in the textile industry, many domestic textile mills reduced production or even stopped operations due to Japan's low-priced gauze dumping. Of course, many also moved away.

Sha Yanxiao nodded and said, "We also have textile factories here that moved from Shanghai, but they've all been scaled down."

Wu Mingqiang continued, "Prices in Shanghai are fluctuating significantly right now, especially with rising prices for necessities like food and coal. This has increased the burden on residents, forcing many families to tighten their belts. Public security has also deteriorated, with black markets, gambling, street robberies, and fraud rampant. However, bureaucrats, compradors, and capitalists haven't been greatly affected. Intellectuals and employees enjoy relatively stable lives, while workers and coolies face hardship. During my trip, I also took the opportunity to visit my brothers, relatives, and family members still in Shanghai, who are generally having a difficult time."

Gui'er felt very uncomfortable after hearing this. She felt that although she knew the future, she was powerless to change anything.

"Miss, you have become more beautiful and taller after not seeing you for a while. I just happened to get this necklace in Shanghai. It was originally owed to me by someone who couldn't pay it back, so I'll use it to pay off the debt. I'll give it to you." Wu Mingqiang said as he took out a small brocade box from his pocket and opened it. Inside was a diamond and jade necklace. The jade was in the shape of a teardrop, and the surrounding area was inlaid with diamonds the size of a child's fingernail. Even someone who didn't know much could tell at a glance that it was worth a lot of money.

Gui'er said quickly, "How can this be? This is too expensive. I can't accept it."

Wu Mingqiang glanced at Sha Yanxiao, who smiled and said, "Since it's given to you sincerely, accept it."

Gui Er finally accepted it, and Wu Mingqiang said with a smile, "Miss, try it on for a try."

Sha Yanxiao coughed and said to Gui'er with a smile, "You were frightened yesterday. You will be returning to Nanjing in two days. Go back and rest up and pack your luggage."

Wu Mingqiang asked curiously, "What happened yesterday?"

Guier thought that the matter was in the past and there was no need to bring it up again, so she smiled and said, "It's just a small matter that has passed. Brother Wu, you must be tired after returning from Shanghai. Have a good rest. Thank you for the necklace."

After returning to the room, Guier sat in front of the dressing table and put the necklace around her neck, and immediately she looked noble.

Ding Xiang saw this from the side and said with a smile, "Wu Mingqiang is still the best to Miss. He gave her such a valuable necklace without hesitation. I think he also gave her a jewel brooch before. That one was also very beautiful. Oh, by the way, if Wu Mingqiang knew that Miss was almost harmed by Young Master Liang, he might stand up for you."

Gui Er laughed and said, "What's the point of speaking out? The incident has already passed. Why bring it up again?"

In the afternoon, Gui'er felt that she was not seriously ill, so she went to Liu's Pharmacy and told Manager Zhang and Manager Liu that she was going back to Nanjing.

Shopkeeper Zhang was reluctant to let you go and said, "You are staying in Nanjing with the eldest son of the Sha family, and they are not treating you well. It is better for you to stay in Jiangcheng."

Shopkeeper Liu said, "You're being ignorant. Jiangcheng is a small place, how can it compare to the capital of Nanjing? People always want to move to higher places, learn knowledge and broaden their horizons, so of course they have to go to big cities. It would be better to get Gui'er some more daily medicine to take home, just in case."

Shopkeeper Zhang said, "That's right." He took a few bottles of ointment for injuries and a few doses of medicine to prevent acclimatization and asked Gui'er to boil them back in Nanjing. Shopkeeper Liu asked Gui'er to hold out her hand so he could feel her pulse. He then took out a few bottles of pills and said to Gui'er, "You've been frightened this time. Take this medicine for a few days. It's mild and will replenish your qi and blood."

Gui'er thanked Manager Zhang and Manager Liu one by one and wanted to give them money, but they refused to take it, so she had to give up. When she returned to the Marshal's Mansion, Sha Yanxiao saw Gui'er holding the medicine and asked curiously what was going on.

Gui'er mentioned that it was Shopkeeper Zhang and Shopkeeper Liu who gave her the medicine to guard the door. Sha Yanxiao smiled and said, "Those two are really thoughtful."

Gui'er's heart moved, and she took the opportunity to say, "Yes, the two shopkeepers have always been very kind to me. After their child died, they treated me like their own child. Brother, Shopkeeper Liu is not very mobile right now, and their pharmacy is near a brothel where all kinds of people gather. If they need anything, can you please take care of it for me?"

After hearing this, Sha Yanxiao smiled and agreed.

At dinner time, Gui'er told Taohua at the table that she would be leaving in two days. Taohua was very reluctant to let her go and repeatedly urged her to be careful. She said, "You just encountered such a thing yesterday, why are you in such a hurry to go back? Can't you rest a little longer?"

Sha Lili interrupted and said, "That's because my eldest brother is going back to hold his wedding."

Gui'er was stunned for a moment and said, "There's such a thing? How come I didn't know about it?"

Sha Lili whispered in Gui'er's ear, "I heard from the doctor in the mansion that the eldest wife is pregnant. I don't know which one is pregnant, but no matter which one it is, we have to hold the wedding quickly, otherwise it won't be good if the news gets out."

Gui'er was very surprised: "Brother, why don't you hold your wedding here? It just so happens that he has a day off."

Sha Lili glanced at her and said, "What a blockhead you are! Our eldest brother is essentially a son-in-law, so how could he possibly hold his wedding at our house? Of course we have to go back to Nanjing, and it has to be a grand affair. But I wonder if it will be our second brother or our father who will go? I'd actually like to go over there too. There will surely be many dignitaries there, and I could use the opportunity to expand my network."

Gui Er suddenly realized what was going on and went back to tell Sha Yanxiao. Sha Yanxiao nodded and said, "I've heard about it too, but I don't bother to get involved in the affairs of the main courtyard. This Miss Tian is no ordinary person. When she becomes your sister-in-law, you have to be careful."