A Girl Traveling Through Troubled Times

When Shopkeepers Liu and Zhang heard Gui'er was going to Shanghai, they were a little worried and said, "Isn't Shanghai said to be in chaos right now? Why would the Young Marshal take a little kid like you with him?"

Gui'er didn't know what to say. She was already fifteen or sixteen years old, and some of her classmates were already married, but in their eyes, she was still a child.

She said, "It's okay. Shanghai is a bit chaotic right now, but he must have had his reasons for bringing me there. He said that Director Shen's warehouse is now under the name of the Japanese, and he brought me there to avoid suspicion from the Japanese and to conceal his whereabouts."

Shopkeeper Zhang said, "Then you better be careful. Shopkeeper Liu and I were so worried about the things you wrote back to us that we couldn't sleep at night."

Gui'er smiled and said, "That's why I came here today. I wanted to tell you that the crisis has been resolved. Young Master Liang has been murdered. Please also tell Brother Xichen so he doesn't worry anymore."

When Shopkeepers Zhang and Liu heard this, their faces lit up with joy. They asked, "What's going on?"

Guier told them everything about Liang Guowei.

Shopkeeper Zhang said, "So that's how it is. This is indeed a good thing for you. So the Liang family has nothing else to say?"

Gui Er smiled and said, "The murderer has been found. It's the prostitute's partner. Liang Guowei's death was extremely unbecoming. I'm afraid that even if the Liang family is furious, there's nothing they can do. Besides, this matter has nothing to do with us. And Mr. Liang is a man who cares about his reputation. I'm afraid he's too embarrassed to come to his house again, right?"

Shopkeeper Liu nodded and said, "That analysis makes sense. When are you going to Shanghai? Don't you want to meet Director Song before you go?"

Gui Er smiled bitterly and said, "I'm afraid I won't be able to see him. I also wanted to catch up with him. Originally, the young marshal was planning to leave right away, but I told him I hadn't been home for a long time and hadn't seen my classmates and family, so I asked him to leave later. Otherwise, we might have left today."

Shopkeeper Liu said, "Well, if that's the case, then we must be more careful."

Guier smiled and said, "Don't worry, I'm an adult now."

Shopkeeper Zhang sighed and said, "A girl in troubled times is like a flower, everyone wants to get their hands on her."

Shopkeeper Liu glanced at her and said, "Can you please stop saying this is unlucky and scaring people?"

Shopkeeper Zhang quickly smiled and said, "Yes, yes, I'm just too pessimistic."

After they finished chatting, Gui'er went back to the Zhenxiufang next door to embroider and said to Taohua and Wu Dafu, "It's almost time, we should go."

The two were holding hands and talking in low voices. When she said that, she was startled and quickly let go of her hand with a red face.

Wu Dafu stood up, pulled Gui'er aside and said, "Sister, when are you going to let your brother and Taohua get married? Could it be that old Marshal won't allow it, so we'll just keep putting it off? If he doesn't allow it, will I be single forever?"

Gui Er said angrily, "My brother, I really want you to get married, but what can you do if the Marshal doesn't allow it? Are you going to grab a knife and kidnap them? Then my second brother and his whole family will be buried with you."

After hearing this, Wu Dafu lowered his head like a deflated ball and remained silent.

Seeing his expression, Gui'er felt a bit sorry for him and said, "I mentioned it to the Marshal last time, but he reacted strongly and rejected it outright. So I don't dare to bring it up again in the near future. But he's not in good health right now, so I'll let the Young Marshal handle it. After a while, when the Young Marshal has more power, I'll probably be less likely to object. So don't be impatient."

Wu Dafu nodded and said, "Sister, I will listen to you. I know I am not capable. I was very happy when you introduced me to this marriage. I just see that Taohua has grown up to be a rich lady. You are living in the general's mansion, which is different from our poor family's life. Maybe one day she will meet a rich and powerful young master or a promising young man, and she will look down on me."

Gui'er rolled her eyes and said unhappily, "Don't let your imagination run wild. It was Taohua who begged me to come see you this time. She said she hadn't seen you for so long and wanted to see you. Besides, Taohua isn't some rich lady you've been talking about. Our life in the Marshal's Mansion isn't as luxurious and free as you think. She's essentially a maid, and I'm just living in the cracks."

Wu Dafu listened and said with shame: "Actually, I also know that being an adopted daughter in a wealthy family like yours must not be easy. As your brother, I can't do anything. I am so useless."

Seeing that Wu Dafu was about to start complaining again, Gui'er said quickly, "Alright, go and talk to Taohua. We're going back."

Wu Dafu walked up to Taohua, held it in for a long time, and said with a red face: "Taohua, you, you must think of me when you go back, and I will think of you too."

When Taohua heard this, her face flushed, but she still said quietly: "Yeah."

Shopkeeper Zhang, who was standing next to him, covered his mouth and laughed.

Gui'er said to Wu Dafu, "You go back first and get your things. The driver will come to pick us up later."

Wu Dafu took the biscuits, peach cakes, and malted milk that Gui'er had bought for them, thanked Zhang again and again, and then left, looking back every few steps.

Gui'er and Taohua were helping with some simple chores in the store while waiting for Acheng. It took a long time before Acheng came to pick them up.

After returning to the Marshal's residence and having dinner, Sha Yanxiao took Gui'er to see the Marshal.

Sha Yanxiao said to the Marshal, "Father, we plan to set out early tomorrow morning."

The Marshal nodded and said, "Okay, be careful. I think the intelligence this time is pretty accurate. After all, it was Director Shen's mistress who told him that. That old guy pretended to be a decent person in front of everyone, but I didn't expect him to take the treasure I gave him back then and turn around and defect to the Japanese. In the end, he was blown to death. He deserved it. We have to get our own things back. If we can take his other things as well, it will be a profit."

Gui'er was listening to their conversation from the side. It was the first time in several months that she saw the Marshal so closely. She found that his mental state was even more depressed than when she left last time, and there was a faint sweet smell coming from his body. She was very familiar with this sweet smell as she had smelled it on Sha Yanwen before. It was obvious that the Marshal was still smoking opium.

By this time, he and Sha Yanxiao had almost finished their conversation. He turned to look at Gui'er and said to Sha Yanxiao, "There are certain risks in this investigation. Why did you bring your sister along?"