A Girl Traveling Through Troubled Times

Gui'er returned to the Marshal's residence and, upon entering the courtyard, spotted Butler Zhao standing in the corridor with Sha Yanxiao. Dressed in a navy blue gown and a melon-shaped hat, Zhao, holding an account book, addressed Sha Yanxiao respectfully, "Second Young Master, the new Eighth Concubine's dowry has arrived. Where should we place it? We also need your advice on many other matters, including the purchases and furnishings for the new house."

Sha Yanxiao must have just returned from outside. He wore a neat suit, his hair slicked back. He frowned slightly, seeming rather annoyed by these trivial matters. He casually replied, "Butler Zhao, you can handle these matters as you see fit. According to the usual rules, since Father has decided to take in a new eighth concubine, we should do what needs to be done and not fall behind."

Butler Zhao nodded and bowed quickly, "Yes, Second Young Master. It's just that this new Eighth Concubine's background isn't particularly wealthy, but the Marshal holds her in high regard. He's currently unable to move, so we've asked you to take care of things. We have to pay a little more attention to her, so as not to make people think we're being negligent."

Sha Yanxiao waved his hand: "I understand. I trust you to do the work. Just don't cause any trouble and don't worry the Marshal."

Butler Zhao continued to ramble on about things like the list of the new Eighth Concubine's dowry. The Second Young Master listened absentmindedly, nodding his head in agreement. When Butler Zhao finished, he waved his hand, and Butler Zhao respectfully withdrew.

Seeing this, Gui Er also felt annoyed and didn't want to get involved in this matter, so she turned and went to the courtyard of the fourth concubine. As soon as she entered the courtyard, she heard the fourth concubine loudly directing the maids to do things in the house.

When Gui'er walked into the house, she saw the fourth concubine standing next to a pile of boxes and crates, looking through the items inside with a smug look on her face.

Seeing Gui'er come in, the fourth concubine greeted her warmly, "Guier, you're here. Look, these are the gifts and dowries I prepared for Yanwen and Lili."

As she spoke, she opened a large vermilion chest, revealing neatly stacked rolls of brightly colored silk, embroidered with exquisite designs like peonies and auspicious symbols. "I had someone buy these rolls of silk from Suzhou and Hangzhou specifically to make Lily some beautiful dresses and a few wedding quilts. They'll definitely be fantastic."

She then pointed to an exquisite jewelry box nearby. When she opened it, the gold and silver jewelry inside sparkled brightly in the sunlight. "These pieces are all what I've saved over the years. While they're not as magnificent as the ones in the main house, they're still pretty good. When Lily gets married, she won't be looked down upon wearing these."

The fourth concubine walked to the other side, patted a tall camphorwood box, and said, "These are all the gifts prepared for your brother Yanwen. There are fine jade pendants, four treasures of the study, and some precious medicinal herbs. When we take them to the girl's family, it will also show the sincerity of our Marshal's Mansion."

Gui'er smiled and responded, "Fourth Concubine, you are so thoughtful. My brother and Lily will definitely be grateful to you in the future."

At this time, Sha Lili also came out from the inner room. After hearing their conversation, she snorted disdainfully: "Hmph, with these things, I don't know if they will be enough by then."

After she finished speaking, she pulled Gui'er aside and said in a low voice, "Guier, do you know? I heard that the new eighth concubine is called Zheng Wanyu, and she's the biological daughter of the owner of a cloth shop. Her cloth shop isn't doing well, and her father favors boys over girls, so he wants to marry his daughter to the Marshal to get some benefits from him."

The fourth concubine also came over and echoed, "That's right, I heard that too. This woman is pitiful, and so is Boss Zheng. For the sake of fame and fortune, she actually married her own daughter to a half-dead old man."

When Gui Er heard this, she quickly said, "Fourth Aunt, keep your voice down. If Father knew, he would be angry again."

Sha Lili curled her lips and continued sarcastically, "Besides, haven't you heard? There's a rumor out there that the eighth concubine's yard in the Marshal's Mansion has bad feng shui, and several eighth concubines have had bad endings. I wonder what will happen to Zheng Wanyu in the future."

Upon hearing this, the Fourth Concubine's face showed a trace of worry. "Hey, I hope there won't be any more trouble in the Marshal's Mansion. This mansion is already in chaos enough. If there is to be more trouble, at least wait until you are married."

Sha Lili nodded and agreed, "That's right, Gui'er. While father is still unable to take charge, you should quickly find someone to marry. If father gets better, it will be difficult."

Guier smiled bitterly and said, "This isn't like selling vegetables at the market. How could it be that easy? Besides, I still want to go to school."

The fourth concubine smiled and said, "Lily, you don't have to worry about Gui'er. She has your second brother's protection. She is much better than you. Maybe she can wait until she is in her twenties and finishes college before getting married. Female college students may still have good conditions and are willing to marry. As for now, they are all from ordinary families. It will be hard for her to marry into them."

Guier smiled. She didn't study to marry into a wealthy family. But in this day and age, it was hard to explain it to them. She just smiled and said nothing more.

I originally thought that since the third beauties had just gotten married, it would take some time to wait. However, I never expected that the Marshal could not wait any longer and simplified all the procedures to let the new eighth concubine come in early. So, within two days, everyone gathered in the main courtyard to welcome the new eighth concubine.

On that day, the main courtyard of the Marshal's residence was festooned with lights and decorations. Although kept simple due to the Marshal's health, it still retained its grandeur. Two large red lanterns hung from the main gate, and a festive red "happiness" character was affixed to the lintel. The corridors within the courtyard were also draped with red silk, which fluttered gently in the breeze.

In the main hall, the Marshal sat in the main seat, with his wife beside him. Although the Marshal looked a little haggard, after some dressing up, as long as he didn't speak or move, he didn't look like a patient.

The lady was dressed in a dark cheongsam, dignified and elegant, but with a hint of resentment and impatience on her face, she must have been both helpless and unconvinced about the newcomer. On either side sat the concubines, dressed in gorgeous clothes, adorned with gold and silver jewelry, and with different expressions on their faces.

The young masters and young ladies sat on the other side. Sha Yanxiao, dressed in his military uniform, stood tall and straight, his face slightly distant. Sha Lili stood beside Gui'er, looking around curiously, her eyes gleaming with gossip.

The new eighth concubine, supported by her bridesmaid, walked into the main hall with delicate steps. She wore a red cheongsam, a well-tailored dress that accentuated her figure. A delicate veil hung on her head, partially obscuring her features. Even through the veil, one could still see that she was a beauty with exquisite features, even exquisitely delicate.