A Girl Traveling Through Troubled Times

Back at the Marshal's residence, Sha Yanxiao was still furious, so Gui'er consoled him for a long time, saying, "Brother, let's not dwell on these unhappy things. We still had a lot of fun today."

Sha Yanxiao sighed and said, "This Duanmu family will be a disaster sooner or later."

Gui Er said curiously, "Father is incapable of worldly affairs now. Actually, you can just call them over and give them a good beating. After all, they are unfamiliar with Jiangcheng. As the Marshal's Mansion and the de facto ruler of Jiangcheng, what else can they do to us?"

Sha Yanxiao shook his head and said, "It's not that simple. After all, Father agreed to their marriage and the mining operation in the first place. Now that I've just taken over, I'm going back on my word. The folks in Jiangcheng will think that everything Father promised them back then is no longer valid. That's going to make people uneasy."

"Besides, the Japanese are behind the Duanmu family, and this is well known. If things get too awkward, I'm worried that the Japanese will take other measures. Besides, the Duanmu family contributed to getting back Director Shen's treasures from the Japanese Mitsui. Now he's not approaching us in the name of the Japanese, he's approaching us in the name of his family. Although everyone knows the ultimate goal, but they haven't said it out loud, that's it. Since they haven't said it out loud, we can't turn against them easily."

Guier nodded and felt that it made sense. After all, one cannot act on impulse when managing a city.

At this time, the housekeeper from the main house came in from outside, bowed to Sha Yanxiao with a smile, and said, "Excuse me, Second Young Master. Madam sent me here to tell you that Director Tian will be returning to Nanjing with Mr. and Mrs. Tian tomorrow. He asked the eldest young master, his wife, and his wife to go with him, and specifically asked me to come and inform Miss Gui'er to be prepared."

There were originally two days left in the holiday, and Guier thought she could play for two more days before going back. However, Director Tian came here specially to attend the full moon banquet, and he should have gone back after the event. It was normal that he stayed for two more days just to go back with Miss Tian and the others.

Sha Yanxiao was a little surprised when he heard this, but then he said, "Okay, I'll ask someone to help her pack her luggage. By the way, have you bought the tickets? Is it a suite?"

"Well," the butler hesitated for a moment, then said with a smile, "Because we're leaving in a hurry, Madam has secured two suites, one for each family, and the servants have ordinary seats. I assume Miss Gui'er will be sharing a room with Madam and the others."

Sha Yanxiao smiled and said, "Okay, I understand. Please go back and tell them that I'll book her a new suite. My sister-in-law has a small family with a few children, so a little more space is better."

The butler bowed and left.

Sha Yanxiao immediately picked up the phone and dialed the number of the stationmaster of Fengcheng Railway Station, asking him to get an extra suite no matter what.

Gui'er also asked Dingxiang to help her pack her luggage. Actually, there was no need to pack much. She was back for a short time this time, so she only brought back a few sets of clothes.

Sha Yanxiao held Gui'er's hand and said, "It's a pity that we can't stay here for two more days. I'd better take some souvenirs back so you can share them with your classmates and friends."

Then he called Dali over and said to her, "Go find Wu Mingqiang and ask him to buy some souvenirs from Jiangcheng for Gui'er to take back so she can share some with her classmates and friends."

He nodded vigorously and left.

At night, when Gui'er was about to go to bed, Wu Mingqiang arrived with two large bags of souvenirs. Gui'er quickly thanked Wu Mingqiang, who smiled shyly and nodded, handing the items to Dingxiang. He then said to Sha Yanxiao, "Second Young Master, we discovered that the Duanmu family seems to have brought some people here these past two days."

Sha Yanxiao frowned and asked, "What's going on?"

Wu Mingqiang glanced around cautiously. Sha Yanxiao understood what he meant and stood up, saying, "Let's go to the study and talk."

Normally, Gui'er would have chosen to avoid suspicion at this time, but this time, she really wanted to know what was going on. Because the Duanmu family had Japanese background, what was going on when they brought their men here? She had to find out.

So she followed him to the study.

Wu Mingqiang said to Sha Yanxiao, "These people were brought here by Duanmu Lei. At first we thought they were ordinary servants, but later we discovered there were only men, no women. They were all muscular. We don't know if they had guns, but judging by the calluses on their hands, it seems they've practiced with guns."

Sha Yanxiao looked solemn. He turned around and went out to call Dali in.

He paced back and forth in the study, his hands behind his back. After a while, as if he had made up his mind, he turned to the others and said, "Wu Mingqiang, continue to find someone to monitor them. Be careful not to get caught. Report anything immediately to me."

Wu Mingqiang nodded and turned to leave. But when he reached the study door, he stopped, turned around, glanced at Gui'er, and said to Sha Yanxiao, "The current situation isn't right. I think Miss Gui'er should not go out."

Guier smiled and said, "Don't worry, Brother Wu, I will be back to Nanjing tomorrow."

Wu Mingqiang was stunned for a moment when he heard this, and Sha Yanxiao and Dali seemed to have reacted as well.

Dali said, "Damn it, these wicked traitors are probably planning to kidnap our family members while they're on the train. If they have our people in their hands, they can negotiate terms with us. We won't be able to react quickly enough."

Sha Yanxiao's face was grim as he said to Wu Mingqiang, "Immediately send someone to monitor the situation around the clock. If possible, secretly take photos of the people Duanmu Lei sent over and try to get evidence that they are working for the Duanmu family."

Wu Mingqiang nodded, but still looked at Gui'er worriedly: "Miss, are you still going to Nanjing tomorrow? I'm afraid on the way..."

Sha Yanxiao said, "I'll make arrangements here. They're just a bunch of rabble. My family comes from a distinguished military background. If I'm afraid of them, how can I survive in Jiangcheng?"

Wu Mingqiang had no choice but to leave with concern.

Sha Yanxiao turned around and said to Gui'er, "Guier, don't worry. I will do my best to protect you. But you should load that pocket pistol with bullets tomorrow and carry it with you just in case."

Gui'er was not particularly afraid. After all, she knew that the most dangerous part of the road from Jiangcheng back to Nanjing was just the remote mountain road between Jiangcheng and Fengcheng. Moreover, they were always escorted by military vehicles, which made them much safer than ordinary people.

"Since there is potential danger this time, can I not bring Dingxiang with me?" After all, Dingxiang was unarmed, and if something really happened, he at least had a pistol.