A Girl Traveling Through Troubled Times

After looking around for a while, I finally settled on a push-pull silver bracelet with a floral pattern. The pattern wasn't one of those tacky ones with longevity characters or flowers symbolizing prosperity, but rather a simple and elegant orchid, perfect for everyday wear.

Taohua asked timidly, "How much is this bracelet?"

The saleswoman said with a smile, "Miss, you have a very good eye. This is a new model, the most fashionable style from Shanghai. It is very popular among young ladies and wives, and the price is cheap, only 25 yuan." As she said that, she took the silver bracelet out from the counter.

After hearing this, Taohua immediately retracted her outstretched hand.

Guier took the bracelet and put it on Taohua's hand. Her hand was as pink and tender as lotus root, and her fingers were soft and boneless. When she put the bracelet on, she looked like the hand of a rich lady.

Guier nodded and said with satisfaction, "It's really nice, really good. I'll take this one. By the way, is there any discount?"

The salesperson smiled and said, "Although there is no discount, we are giving you a jewelry box for free. It looks very high-end."

Gui'er nodded and asked her to pack it. The small bag of silver dollars that Sha Yanxiao gave her contained more than 20 yuan in silver and some loose copper coins and banknotes. This was an overspending, and Gui'er also paid 5 yuan herself.

After buying the bracelet, Gui'er dragged Taohua to look at shoes. Taohua said, "Why don't we buy shoes? I've made several pairs of cloth shoes myself. They're so comfortable. I've even made shoes to match my wedding dress. There's no need to waste money."

Gui'er didn't force it and said, "Then go buy some scarves. Wool scarves for winter are fine, and silk scarves for summer are fine."

Taohua said longingly, "Then let's buy a silk scarf. I saw the silk scarves worn by the girls on the calendars are so fashionable. I've wanted one for a long time."

Guier nodded, and the two of them came to the scarf section of the clothing counter.

The salesperson was wearing a white silk scarf decorated with small flower patterns.

Taohua looked at it and pointed at the silk scarf around her neck and asked, "Do you have this silk scarf?"

The salesperson smiled and said, "Miss, you have a very good eye. This is the best imported product we sell here. I only have one belt left, and I don't wear it normally. I only wear it for a while when I go to work."

Taohua asked, "How much is it?"

"It's not expensive. It's imported from France and looks very elegant with any cheongsam. It's only 10 silver dollars."

Not only the peach blossoms, but even the osmanthus flowers seem too expensive.

"This is really not expensive. This is real silk, pure silk."

Guier saw a silk scarf with a geometric pattern on it and pointed at it and asked, "How much is this scarf? I think it would be easy to match with other clothes."

"Oh, this one! This is indeed the best-selling item here. It is made in China and costs only 3 silver dollars. I'll take it out for you to try on." As she spoke, she took out the silk scarf skillfully.

Taohua gently touched it with her hand, saying, "Isn't this made of silk? It feels so smooth."

Seeing that she liked it, Guier said to the salesperson, "Then I'll take this one. Please help me wrap it."

Taohua grabbed her and said, "I think three yuan is a bit expensive. This is one or two months' wages for the servants in the mansion."

Gui'er patted her hands and said, "Marriage is the only chance in a lifetime, so just spend it. Just be extravagant this once. From now on, just live a down-to-earth life."

Then he paid the money.

Taohua took the packaged silk scarf and couldn't let it go.

Gui'er lamented that the money was not enough to buy expensive things.

Only then did she understand why the Fourth Concubine wanted to show off to her the dowries and gifts prepared for Sally and Sha Yanwen in her courtyard, because they were indeed very valuable, and the Fourth Concubine had prepared them twice, and this time it was probably even more than the last time, which showed that she had some assets in her hands.

After buying the scarf, Taohua took the initiative to say, "Now that we have everything we need, let's go back."

Guier smiled and said, "Since we're here, let's go upstairs and have something to eat."

I took her to a pastry shop and ordered a cream cake and two drinks.

Taohua was drinking a drink and eating a piece of cake. She looked around and sighed, "I've been to this Wing On Department Store before, but it wasn't until today that I understood what life is like for rich people. Gui'er, I really envy you. Second brother loves you so much, and you've lived the life of a real marquis' daughter. Although I've had no worries about food and clothing these past few years, I'm still just a servant. I can get married in such a grand manner this time, all thanks to you."

Gui'er smiled bitterly. Sha Yanxiao had indeed never lacked food, clothing, and daily necessities for her. As long as the clothes were bought by him, they were either custom-made by Yunshanglou or imported from foreign countries.

But she always maintained a conscious attitude, trying to be low-key and unassuming. While in Nanjing, she rarely wore the clothes Sha Yanxiao made for her, mostly wearing her school uniform. On vacation, she wore the homespun cheongsams she made herself. She knew full well that living in a large house could easily lead to mishaps if she wasn't careful.

After buying things, she sent Taohua back to the outer house and returned to the general's mansion.

As soon as we returned to the courtyard, the housekeeper came over and said that there were distinguished guests in the mansion and the commander-in-chief was hosting a banquet. Everyone had to go to the main room for dinner tonight.

Gui'er was very curious. After the Marshal fell ill, Sha Yanxiao had been in charge of everything. How could this guest still be entertained by the Marshal? She asked, "Who is this guest?"

"He seems to be from Nanjing. A director named Tian is an old acquaintance of the Marshal." said the butler.

Gui'er was surprised: "Why did he come here suddenly?"

Sure enough, at dinner time, everyone in the Marshal's Mansion attended Director Tian's welcoming banquet. Although the Marshal still spoke haltingly, he still took Director Tian's hand affectionately and asked him to eat and drink well.

Sha Yanxiao also rushed back from the military camp. During the meal, he and Sha Yanyao sat on either side of the Marshal and Director Tian, ​​and they were obviously the two most influential young masters in the mansion.

After three rounds of drinks, Director Tian took the Marshal's hand and said with a smile, "Old Sha, you need to take your time to recover from this illness. If I were you, I wouldn't be in a hurry to have children. Your son is so promising, unlike me, a useless son who is now talking about studying literature. I said I wanted him to be a secretary in the State Council, but he actually said he didn't want to get involved in politics. I'm really angry and helpless."

"You can, you can be a professor, that's fine." The Marshal said flatteringly with difficulty.

"Tian, ​​Brother Tian, ​​this time you come, please stay at your house for a few more days."

"Ah, I wanted to, too. But I'm just passing through this time, and I came to see my niece. Are you happy here? I'm going to take your Yan Yao to Shanghai again. We did a sweep there before and achieved some success, but I heard they've resurfaced recently. These revolutionaries are really capable of causing trouble."