A Girl Traveling Through Troubled Times

Gui'er is worried.

Shopkeeper Liu came to his side at some point and said, "Gui'er, are you worried about Taohua's betrothal gift?"

"Yeah, I don't know how much money the Third Concubine will ask for. My brother doesn't have much himself, so I'm afraid I'll have to pay for it. I have saved some money, but it's for when I can move out of the Marshal's Mansion. Oh, I'm worried."

"Actually, I still have some money in my account. If it's not enough, you can use it first." Shopkeeper Liu said.

Gui'er was startled and said quickly, "No, no, I have my own money. How can I use your money?"

At this time, Zhang the shopkeeper also came over and said with a smile: "What are you afraid of? We have watched you grow up. We have no children. Now we treat you as our own daughter. Your family's affairs are ours, right? Don't be so polite, just take it and use it."

Gui'er waved her hand hastily and said, "I'm not being polite, but I can't let Third Wife ask for too much. I'll give her whatever she wants. It has to be within my acceptable range. Besides, the situation is unstable right now. We never know when the Japanese will attack. If that happens, not only will the lives of the people be devastated, but livelihoods will also be difficult. I think everyone in the market is saving as much as possible right now. Isn't it because we are preparing for the war that may happen in the next two years?"

After hearing this, Manager Liu sighed and said, "Hey, I originally thought that since you were kept in the Marshal's Mansion, you might not be familiar with the situation outside. Now I am finally relieved."

Gui'er smiled bitterly and said, "How is that possible? The situation is indeed turbulent right now. You two should save some money for emergencies."

Shopkeeper Zhang touched Gui'er's head and said with relief, "Guier has grown up and is now thinking about making a living. That's good, and we can rest assured."

Guier smiled. In fact, he had always thought about it, but he just couldn't say it out loud.

That day, after returning to the Marshal's Mansion from the Zhenxiu Workshop, Gui'er counted her savings, which consisted of two or three gold bars, more than 30 silver dollars, and some loose change.

Before in Nanjing, her monthly allowance was always withheld by the lady. When Sha Yanyao found out, he felt bad about it and paid for her for a while. However, he never paid her again after she started having an affair with Jinbao.

In the past, Sha Yanxiao helped her open a foreign bank account in Shanghai and deposited some money in it. However, she doesn't go to Shanghai now, and there is no branch of that bank in Jiangcheng, so she can't withdraw the money.

Gui'er wondered if she should take some of her jewelry and pawn or sell it, but the jewelry was limited. If Dingxiang found out it was missing and there was a commotion, Sha Yanxiao wouldn't be angry if he found out.

"Why are you counting this little money with such a sad face? Do you need the money?" Sha Yanxiao's voice suddenly came from behind.

Gui'er was startled and turned around. Sha Yanxiao had walked behind her without her knowing.

She had wanted to hide it, but after thinking about it, she couldn't find an excuse, so she had to tell the truth: "Brother, I think Sanmei is already married, and Taohua should be married soon. When I just came back two days ago, I went to the third concubine's room, and she let me know that she wanted a betrothal gift. My brother's livelihood is difficult, as you know. I also asked my brother, and their entire family property is only a dozen or twenty silver dollars. I can't take it all. By then, Miss Zhang's second child will be born, and she will need money. So I thought about giving a little bit of money myself, but I don't know if it's enough. Will the third concubine ask for too much?"

Sha Yanxiao sat down beside her, moved his pile of silver coins with his hands, and said with a smile: "Why do you, a little girl, care about these things? The Third Concubine only spoke to you because she thinks you are easy to talk to. How can an elder talk about the betrothal gift with a little girl? If he wants to talk, he should talk to me. Don't worry, I will arrange everything."

Gui Er suddenly realized what was going on. That was right. Although she was a teenager, she was still very young in the Marshal's family. How could an elder approach Xiao Bei to discuss the betrothal gift for a daughter under their own name? It seemed she had been fooled by the Third Concubine again.

She breathed a sigh of relief and said to Sha Yanxiao with a smile, "Oh, that's right, why didn't I think of that? But the money has to be paid after all. Third Concubine has taken care of Taohua, so I don't think it's too much for her to ask for a little. As long as it's not too outrageous, it's fine."

"You are so kindhearted. Even I know that Taohua went to the Third Concubine's courtyard. The monthly interest is paid to the Third Concubine's courtyard on a monthly basis. Given the Third Concubine's personality, she must have withheld it. Over the years, Taohua has only worn clothes that are slightly better than the servants', or Sanmei's old clothes, except for the new ones you gave her. When it comes to food, it's just an extra pair of chopsticks. The Third Concubine has been making a profit for many years, and now she just wants to make a final profit."

"Then my brother plans to..."

"I will give, but not too much. Besides, Taohua is your good sister, I won't let her marry too poorly, I will prepare a dowry. But she is marrying into an ordinary family after all. There is still a difference between her and the sisters in other generals' houses, so don't feel uncomfortable when the time comes."

Gui Er was so moved after hearing this that she quickly said, "That's great, brother. I'll be here first on behalf of Tao Hua and my third brother. Thank you."

Sha Yanxiao was very satisfied after hearing this. He scratched Gui'er's nose with his finger and smiled: "If you get married, I will definitely give you all the good things."

Gui'er was stunned for a moment, feeling an indescribable feeling in her heart. After all these years of getting along with Sha Yanxiao, she felt like he was a close family member. But sometimes, she felt that he was, after all, a ruthless warlord with a rather ambiguous political stance, so she still had some taboos.

Now it seems that Sha Yanxiao really treats himself as a relative.

Gui'er thought for a moment and said to Sha Yanxiao, "Brother, actually, I want to tell you that in the near future, maybe one or two years, or maybe three or four years, a nationwide war will definitely break out. By then, it will be a nationwide resistance against Japan. By then, the economy will definitely be very difficult. If we can save as much money as possible now, we should do so."

Sha Yanxiao looked at Gui'er with a bit of surprise. After several seconds, he smiled and said, "I didn't expect Gui'er to be so thoughtful at such a young age. Don't worry, I've prepared everything for you. I can ensure that you will have food and clothing for most of your life. As for me, as a soldier, I need to defend my country. I can't predict what will happen in the future, so there's no point in overthinking it."