A Girl Traveling Through Troubled Times

As soon as Gui Er returned to the eldest young master's courtyard from Zhang Ma's, she saw Wu Ma waiting for her there with a gloomy face. Gui Er saw that something was not going well, so she quickly ran over to Wu Ma and said, "Wu Ma, do you have any instructions for me?"

Wu Ma said, "Where have you been? The eldest young master is usually very easygoing and doesn't like extravagance, so there are not many people available in the garden. If you don't have anything to do, don't run around everywhere."

Gui'er quickly said, "Okay, I just went to the kitchen to have breakfast..."

Before she could finish, Wu Ma interrupted her impatiently and said, "You won't starve to death if you skip a meal. I tell you, from now on, when the eldest young master goes to eat with his grandfather and his wife, you have to serve him at his three meals a day."

Gui'er was stunned for a moment. She didn't know how people were served at meals in the old society, so she asked, "How should I serve the young master at meals?" At the same time, she was thinking: It's impossible for me to feed him.

Wu Ma glanced at her and said, "Just stand by and listen to my instructions. Now that you've arrived in this courtyard, you'll be responsible for cleaning the young master's room and tending to the flowers and plants in the courtyard. You need to be more attentive and don't just play around."

Gui'er quickly said, "Okay."

"What's good about that? You should say: yes." Wu Ma scolded.

Gui Er quickly changed her tone and said, "Yes." Then she added, "Madam Wu, I was born in the countryside and haven't seen much of the world. I'm lucky that the young master saved me. I will definitely work like a slave to repay the young master. However, there are still many things I don't understand and I need your guidance one by one."

Wu Ma sneered and said, "It's good that you know. Our Song family is a wealthy family. Ordinary people can't enter. You can come in to serve us. It's really a great blessing from our ancestors. You should cherish it."

Guier quickly said: Yes, but I was a little confused in my heart, and felt that Wu Ma's malicious intentions towards me were a little unclear.

But there was no time to think too much. It would take a lot of time for Guier to clean such a big yard by herself. When she actually started, she found that the work that she could complete easily before was now difficult for a nine-year-old child to do, because she was not even as tall as the broom.

Gui'er was cleaning with all her might when Taohua came over to play with her. Gui'er was very surprised and said, "How come you can come here? Don't you have to stand over there and work?"

Taohua was a little surprised by her question and said, "Actually, there's nothing to do. I just keep the young lady company and chat. She has so many servants in her house. Some clean, some plant trees, and even pour tea. I don't know what to do. The young lady went out to meet a friend this time and left me behind, so she asked me to come and play with you."

Gui'er was envious when she heard this. She noticed that Taohua was no longer wearing the same outfit she had worn when she came. Instead, she was wearing an apple green soft satin cheongsam with a small phoenix-shaped pattern, and a pair of light yellow round-soled slippers. Her round, plump little face and rosy, fair skin looked absolutely stunning, and she didn't look like a servant at all. Someone would believe she was a wealthy lady. Taohua said, "The young lady made me several new sets of clothes, saying they look good on me." She also took a few snacks from her pocket and gave them to Gui'er, saying, "These are the young lady's for me. She said they're called Fuling Cakes. Try them, they're delicious."

Gui'er took a bite and found it was really delicious. Just as the two friends were chatting happily, Wu Ma appeared out of nowhere, pointed at Gui'er and scolded: "You idiot, you only know how to eat. You haven't finished your work and you are still gossiping here. I will ask the young master to kick you out later."

Gui'er was just thinking about how to respond when Taohua burst into tears out of fear. Wu Ma felt a little embarrassed and said to Taohua, "Taohua, I'm not talking to you. I'm talking to Gui'er. She's too lazy. She hasn't finished her work and is running around all day. She's not a good person. Why don't you go back first? When she finishes her work, I'll ask her to come find you."

Although Taohua was reluctant, she did not dare to object and walked away, looking back every few steps.

Gui'er worked hard under Wu Ma's supervision, sweating profusely until noon when she was able to rest. Wu Ma took out a small blue jacket with white flowers and asked Gui'er to put it on, and then asked her to go to the front hall to serve the young master for dinner.

Gui'er changed her clothes and came to the front hall. Taohua was already there and was standing behind the young lady. The eldest young master was also sitting there. He glanced at Gui'er without saying anything. Gui'er hurriedly walked behind him and stood there like Taohua, waiting for instructions.

At this time, the old man and his wife had not arrived yet. Only the young masters and young ladies were here. The second young master and the young lady were chatting, discussing going to the movies and a play on Sunday. Gui'er guessed that it might be a movie, so she couldn't help but prick up her ears with curiosity. As she was listening, a middle-aged woman who looked like an old maid came in. She was wearing a dark blue satin cheongsam with a black smock over it. She had phoenix eyes and thin lips. Even without speaking, she had a sense of majesty. The other servants looked at her with respect. Song Xilun asked her, "Madame Zhou, when will father and mother come down for dinner?"

Nanny Zhou said, "The master is out for a social event, and Madam said she doesn't have much of an appetite today, so she won't eat. Let the young ladies and young masters eat."

The young masters and young ladies stood up and walked to the dining table. Aunt Zhang said hello to the servants at the back, and the kitchen servants came in with the dishes and placed them on the table.

The second young master, Song Xilun, asked with concern, "What's wrong with Mom? Are you feeling unwell?"

Nanny Zhou said calmly, "Maybe he just has no appetite. I'll have the kitchen bring food to his room later."

After a pause, Nanny Zhou said to Song Tingting, "Miss, servants should dress like servants. Your servant is obviously overdressed. Please pay attention."

Song Tingting pouted and said unconvincedly: "Taohua looks good in this."

"No matter how good-looking they are, they are still servants. They must not overstep the line and let the servants have improper thoughts. Look at the people in the eldest young master's room, they are dressed very appropriately." Nanny Zhou said calmly.

"I understand. I won't let her wear fancy clothes next time." Song Tingting actually agreed.

Gui'er guessed that this middle-aged woman must have a very high status in the Song family. She had to be careful in the future and not be targeted. She looked at Taohua secretly. Taohua was trembling with fear. The young ladies and the young master also saw it, but did not pay any attention. Instead, when Wu Ma heard that Zhou Ma praised Gui'er's dress, her eyes showed a hint of pride.

After Song Xichen finished his lunch, he left the house without returning to his own courtyard. Gui'er followed Wu Ma back to the eldest young master's garden. As soon as they entered the courtyard, Wu Ma said proudly, "Thank goodness I didn't give you some nice clothes like others did, otherwise you would be scolded now. Madam Zhou hates those who try to get ahead by using tricks."

Gui'er was a little speechless. Taohua was only nine years old, how could she talk about rising to the top? It was all the master's will. However, she made up her mind that she must be more careful in the future and not let anyone catch her.