A Girl Traveling Through Troubled Times

Song Xichen listened with admiration and said, "Gui'er, you've thought it through very carefully. In times like this where the situation is uncertain, it's right to make some preparations in advance. Having a safe retreat will allow you to be more relaxed when the time comes."

Shopkeeper Liu also agreed, "Guier, this is a good idea. It's better to plan ahead than to panic when the time comes. I just don't know what the Marshal will decide."

Song Xichen frowned slightly and said, "No matter what the Marshal does, we can't just sit back and watch. We have to find a way to make him realize the dangers of surrendering to the enemy. Maybe we can change his mind."

Gui Er said firmly, "Brother Xichen, I'll do whatever you say. As long as I can stop the Marshal from making the wrong decision, I'm willing to help."

Song Xichen looked at Gui'er and encouraged her, "Okay, let's find a solution together. For now, keep an eye on the Marshal's movements and see what he will do next. Gui'er, you're in the Marshal's mansion. If you have any news, please let us know."

Gui'er nodded vigorously: "Yes, I understand, Brother Xichen. I will be careful and pay attention."

Ever since Sha Yanyao brought the child back to Jiangcheng, the Marshal has been in a very good mood. Later, he heard that the child did not even have a full-month banquet, which made him very distressed, so he said that he must hold one. Jinbao of course agreed with both hands, but Sha Yanyao was a little hesitant, because Miss Tian wanted him to go back for a few days and then return to Nanjing to be with her, and if Miss Tian knew about it, there would probably be a big fight.

But the Marshal didn't care about this. After all, he was still a very traditional person. Now that Sha Yanyao had given him a grandson, he felt that the Marshal's family had a successor. Gui'er heard from Acheng that the Marshal actually brought his children to the military camp from time to time for the officers to see. Everyone speculated that the Marshal might want to train this eldest grandson as his heir in the future, which brought a lot of pressure to Sha Yanxiao.

However, Sha Yanxiao was still a very tactful person. After Jinbao's child came back, Sha Yanxiao sent gifts every now and then, sometimes a small bed, sometimes a small wooden horse, showing that he cared more than Sha Yanyao, the biological father. When the Marshal took the child to the military camp, he simply gave a pony to the eldest wife, saying that when the child grew up, the pony would also grow up, and the two would grow up together, have a deep affection, and would not fall easily.

The lady was of course very happy. Now when she saw Sha Yanxiao, she called him "Yanxiao, Yanxiao" very affectionately, as if Sha Yanxiao was her own son.

In the end, the Marshal still considered the Tian family and told others that it was a hundred-day banquet for the child. Of course, the hundred days had long passed.

Jin Bao was very happy anyway. She even took Gui'er to Yunshang Tower to have clothes specially ordered. Her wallet was much fuller after this trip back to Jiangcheng. Moreover, she was very good at dealing with people. After going to Yunshang Tower, she insisted on taking Gui'er to Yong'an Department Store to buy her a silk scarf imported from France.

She said to Gui'er with great gratitude, "Back then, I was stuck in a quagmire. If you hadn't pulled me out, I probably wouldn't have many years left to live. How could I have the good life I have today?"

Gui Er smiled and said, "This is all your own idea, but with this child, the Marshal's Mansion will definitely treat you well."

Jinbao laughed happily, Guier smiled and said nothing more. In a few years, Nanjing would fall, and who knows what would happen then?

On the day of the Marshal's hundred-day banquet, the entire residence was festooned with lights and vibrant colors, a scene of extraordinary activity. Bright red lanterns hung in every corner, swaying in the breeze and casting a festive glow all around. The gates were wide open, and guests streamed in endlessly, creating a bustling scene of traffic and elegant people.

The concubines of each room were also dressed meticulously, competing for beauty. The seventh concubine wore a gorgeous cheongsam embroidered with delicate peonies, swaying gracefully as she walked, with a graceful smile on her face, warmly greeting the guests. The fourth concubine wore an elegant silk gown and precious jewelry, appearing graceful and elegant, her eyes unable to conceal her joy. After all, today she had invited the two families to whom Sha Yanwen and Sha Lili were engaged.

However, the most proud person was the wife of the first house, Jinbao. The wife even held the child in her arms as if she were a baby. Sha Yanyao also had a very happy face. Everyone tacitly agreed not to mention the eldest young lady who did not show up.

Everyone gave a lot of generous gifts. This time, Lian Guier also made a pair of mutton-fat jade safety lock pendants for the child. Of course, these were insignificant among the many generous gifts, but Jinbao accepted them solemnly, holding the child and teaching him, "Baby, baby, look, your aunt gave you a safety lock. Thank you, aunt."

The whole banquet was very lively.

Guests moved about the mansion, exchanging pleasantries. The current situation inevitably came up in their conversations, with the Japanese and the possibility of a future war becoming a hot topic.

"I've heard the Japanese are very ambitious. I'm afraid the situation is becoming increasingly unstable," a middle-aged man in a long gown said with a frown. A wealthy businessman nearby echoed, "Yes, I really hope the Marshal can come up with a plan to deal with it and keep us safe."

The fourth concubine invited the two families to whom Sha Yanwen and Sha Lili were engaged. These two families were very tactful and brought many generous gifts. One family presented a longevity lock made of pure gold, the body of which was intricately carved with auspicious dragon and phoenix patterns. The lock was lifelike and shimmered brightly in the sun, symbolizing the child's longevity and good fortune. The other family presented a set of precious jade jewelry, including a pair of earrings, a necklace, and a bracelet. The jade was of a warm texture, bright color, and flawless transparency, and it was obviously priceless.

The Marshal was overjoyed to see these generous gifts and said generously on the spot, "Anyway, I have grandchildren now. Seeing them happy makes me happy. I am willing to give my children more choices in their lifelong affairs. I agree to Lili and Yanwen's marriage!"

After hearing this, the fourth concubine was overjoyed, her face beaming with joy, and she thanked the Marshal repeatedly: "Marshal, you are wise, and you really love the children. Now the children finally have a happy home, and it is all thanks to you, Marshal!" The guests around also sent their blessings. For a moment, the mansion was filled with laughter, and the lively atmosphere reached its climax.

When the Third Concubine saw that the Marshal had agreed to the marriage of the Fourth Concubine's children, she was filled with envy and jealousy. She quickly rushed to the Marshal and said with a smile, "Marshal, I'm so happy today. How about the three beauties..."

The Marshal glared at her, and the third concubine immediately shut up like a quail.