A Girl Traveling Through Troubled Times

Taohua became happy after hearing this.

The two of them quickly packed up their things in Taohua's room. Taohua had been there for quite some time, but she didn't bring much with her. Apart from a few pieces of clothing, some needlework and embroidery pieces, they were all small items and nothing of value.

After packing up, Guier returned to Sha Yanxiao's yard and told him something. Sha Yanxiao personally drove to the gate of the third concubine's yard to pick up Taohua, and moved the little dowry he had prepared for her directly into the trunk of the car and left.

All along the way, Taohua nervously held Guier's hand. Guier knew Sha Yanxiao was trustworthy, so she patted the back of her hand and comforted her, saying, "It's okay, don't worry."

The car drove through the downtown area in twists and turns and came to the edge of a wealthy residential area in the city. Guier looked out and the scenery was very familiar. Wasn't that near the Song family?

She and Taohua looked at each other, a little puzzled.

At this time, Sha Yanxiao drove the car to a house on the side of the road and stopped. He turned around and said to them, "We're here."

A doorman had already seen the owner's car coming back and opened the big iron gate, and Sha Yanxiao drove the car into the courtyard.

Gui'er got out of the car and looked around curiously. Wisteria covered the high walls, clad in blue brick and gray tiles. Stone lions flanked the arched iron gate, its bronze knockers gleaming with a cold light. Passing through the hanging flower gate, the Taihu rocks and koi pond created a striking contrast. Warm yellow light filtered through the carved window lattices along the winding corridor. The main building, a fusion of Chinese and Western design, featured columns carved with twined branches, and the cast iron railings on the terrace were intricately patterned.

Entering the hall, Persian rugs blanket the teak floors, and crystal chandeliers cascade like a galaxy. The living room boasts a mahogany armchair inlaid with mother-of-pearl, and a landscape scroll by Zhang Daqian hangs on the wall. In the study, sandalwood bookshelves are filled with thread-bound ancient tomes, and a phonograph gleams with the luster of brass in the corner. On the second floor, the bedroom features a carved bed draped in soft satin draperies. A Western-style dressing table juxtaposes a Chinese-style display case, and a gilded table lamp illuminates the room's antiques with a vibrant brilliance.

Sha Yanxiao said to Taohua, "There are rooms on the second floor. Apart from the master bedroom, you can pick any of the others. You won't be staying here for many days anyway. There are cooks and maids in the house. If you need anything, just ask them to do it."

Taohua said stiffly, "Thank you, second brother."

At this time, the old maid and the doorman took down the luggage and dowry. She walked in and respectfully asked Sha Yanxiao: "Sir, which room is the young lady's things in?"

Sha Yanxiao said, "Let the young lady decide."

Taohua has never been able to make decisions in the Marshal's Mansion. Now that she is allowed to make decisions on her own, she will be confused.

Gui'er wasn't shy. She took her hand and ran up to the second floor, looking through every room. Besides the study and the room where clothes were stored, which was clearly Sha Yanxiao's bedroom, there were three other rooms. She noticed the window of one of them looked out into the distance, thinking Taohua could enjoy the scenery and not get bored.

I said, "How about this one? You can enjoy the view, it won't be so boring."

Taohua nodded obediently and said, "Okay."

Gui'er told the maid, "She lives in this room."

The old woman smiled and said quickly, "Okay, we'll move the things into the house right away. Miss, please rest for a while. The kitchen has prepared food and will bring it to you later."

Sha Yanxiao also followed them up and saw that they had chosen a room. Then he said to Guier, "I'll be leaving first. You sisters can have a good chat. I'll ask Ah Cheng to pick you up later." Then he turned and left.

Taohua finally relaxed after he left.

Gui'er smiled and said, "Don't be so nervous. It's not like we just met today. We used to meet often in the mansion."

Taohua whispered, "But Second Brother is very majestic. In fact, everyone in the mansion is afraid of him. Only you and Lily are not afraid. However, Lily is also arrogant and domineering. She is the daughter of the Fourth Concubine and usually doesn't take people like us seriously."

Seeing that she looked like Xianglin Sao, Gui'er said, "Okay, now that you're out, it's hard to say whether you'll return to the Marshal's Mansion in the future, so let's not talk about these unhappy things." She walked to the window, pushed it open, and actually could see part of the Song Mansion. Surprised, she quickly called Taohua over to see.

Taohua walked to the window and pointed at one of the buildings with nostalgia, saying, "Isn't that the yard where my young lady and I lived?"

Gui'er also found the courtyard where Song Xichen lived. It turned out that their house was halfway up the mountain, and the Song residence was located at the foot of the mountain. So although the house was small, they could overlook most of the Song residence from their place.

Gui'er chatted with Taohua for a while, and then Acheng came to pick her up.

Taohua reluctantly took her hand and said, "Why don't you stay with me? Second brother knows about it anyway, and this house is big enough. We can sleep in the same bed and talk about our true feelings."

Before Gui'er could speak, Ah Cheng said, "No, the young marshal said that Miss Gui'er must be brought back to the mansion."

Gui'er had no choice but to comfort Taohua and said, "It's okay, I will come again tomorrow and take you to the tailor shop to have your measurements taken." Only then did Taohua let go of her hand.

Back at the Marshal's Mansion, Sha Yanxiao had gone to the military camp and hadn't returned yet. Gui'er wondered, "He told me to come back, and I thought something was up. What's going on? He's not here."

Dingxiang brought a glass of milk to her and said with a smile, "Miss, you're usually in Nanjing. It's rare for you to come back, so the young master naturally wants to spend more time with you. If you ask me, you've been very kind to Miss Taohua. Over the years, how much has the Third Concubine been able to take advantage of Miss Taohua? Now that she's married, it's good that no one in the mansion can control you anymore."

Guier thought about it and agreed.

In the evening, Sha Yanxiao returned from the barracks in military uniform. Guier hurried out to help him take off his coat, and ordered the maids to serve tea and bring the food prepared in the kitchen. The two of them chatted and ate at the table.

Sha Yanxiao was in a good mood and told several interesting military anecdotes in a row, which made Guier laugh out loud.

Sha Yanxiao said with emotion, "Only since you've returned do we feel like home here. Ever since I took over most of the affairs from my father, I've been so tired of dealing with all the intrigues in the mansion that I've mostly been living in the outer house."

Guier said curiously: "Father is already like this now, what is there for them to fight about?" Indeed, what is there to fight about a half-paralyzed old man?

Sha Yanxiao smiled and said, "That's exactly why we're fighting. We're worried that if our father passes away, they won't know where to go."

Gui'er suddenly realized something. She asked tentatively, "Second brother, what if, I mean what if, something really happened to father? What would this place become?"