A Girl Traveling Through Troubled Times

Sha Yanxiao found a spot, parked the car, and took Gui'er to the river. "Here on Qixi Festival, everyone has the custom of collecting Qixi water and releasing river lanterns. They say the water on this day is especially sweet, and the river lanterns are used to pray for finding your loved one and for family safety. On this day, the river is filled with river lanterns, which is really beautiful."

Gui'er became interested when she heard this and quickly quickened her pace.

Arriving at the river, candles gradually lit up as people pushed hundreds of river lanterns from the stone steps into the water. Pink and white lotus lanterns, pale yellow ingot lanterns, and paper lanterns depicting the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl drifted slowly down the current. The candlelight reflected on the river, like a streak of scattered stars, blending with the warm glow of the lanterns on the shore. The evening breeze, carrying the fragrance of osmanthus and mingling with the laughter of the people, seemed to imbue even the ripples with a gentle, lively atmosphere.

"What a pity, I didn't prepare any river lanterns." Gui'er said regretfully.

"Don't be afraid, let's walk forward, there should be something for sale." Sha Yanxiao pulled Gui'er and walked forward slowly.

Finally we arrived at a place with fewer people. There was an old lady setting up a stall there with colorful river lanterns, including lotus, rabbits, puppies, and ducks. There were many people gathered in front of the stall, choosing among them.

"Young masters and young ladies, please buy a pair. May the couple be blessed to finally get married." The old lady greeted a young couple in high-end clothing who came to her stall and greeted them casually.

When Gui'er heard this, her face turned red all of a sudden. Sha Yanxiao was also a little embarrassed, but he couldn't suppress the smile on his face.

"Guier, which one do you like?" Sha Yanxiao asked.

"I want the lotus one. Brother, which one do you want?"

Before Sha Yanxiao could say anything, the old lady said, "Oh, no, no, your lover can just use one. I only have one lotus flower left. Do you want one?"

Gui'er was so embarrassed that she quickly turned away, pretending not to hear. Sha Yanxiao coughed uncomfortably and said, "I, I'm an adult. I don't need it. I just want this lotus lantern."

After buying the river lanterns, the two walked to the river bank. Sha Yanxiao took out a lighter and helped Guier light the candle and put it on the river lantern. Guier carefully placed the river lantern on the water.

Seeing that the people around her were praying or kneeling, she wanted to follow their example, put her hands together, and silently recited in her heart.

Thinking of what happened during the meal, she sighed inwardly and muttered silently: "God, in this chaotic era, I dare not pray for love. I hope you can bless me and the people around me to be safe and sound, and that our country can get rid of the invaders as soon as possible and prosper."

After I finished reading it and opened my eyes, the river lanterns had already floated away for a distance. It and hundreds or thousands of other river lanterns slowly drifted away into the distance. At first glance, it looked like a small Milky Way, slowly drifting away into the distance.

Seeing a hint of worry on Gui'er's originally excited face, Sha Yanxiao guessed that she was thinking about what happened during dinner and was worried about her future, so he said, "Don't worry. In fact, the wishes made while releasing river lanterns are very effective. Even if they don't come true, I will help you realize it."

Guier smiled and said, "Really?"

Sha Yanxiao opened his mouth and was about to speak.

"Second Young Master, Miss Gui'er, what a coincidence! Why don't you come over and see the river lanterns being released on Qixi Festival?"

The two turned around and saw that it was Manager Zhao, Zhao Yingwu, and a middle-aged woman. Gui'er thought they looked familiar, but she didn't know who she was.

Sha Yanxiao's face had already changed when he saw Zhao Yingwu, but when he saw Manager Zhao and the woman, he softened a little and said, "Manager Zhao, what a coincidence! Are you all celebrating the holidays together?"

Manager Zhao politely bowed and said, "Thanks to the young master and young lady, we will come over after dinner to join in the fun."

Only then did Guier realize that the middle-aged woman should be the wife of Manager Zhao, and also the adoptive mother of Zhao Yingwu.

She couldn't help but glance over secretly, seeing that the woman was also looking at her, then asked with a smile, "Is this Miss Gui'er? Such a pretty face, such a slim figure. I heard she was even in school. Oh, the Marshal is so kind to our family that he's willing to marry such a beautiful girl to our Yingwu. Yingwu, you must treat Miss Gui'er well in the future."

Gui'er was very embarrassed and didn't know what to say. Zhao Yingwu smiled calmly, looked at Gui'er, and said, "I understand, mother."

Sha Yanxiao's face suddenly darkened. Gui'er was afraid that he would clash with Chief Steward Zhao and Zhao Yingwu, which would not help matters. When he returned, he might even be reprimanded by the Marshal. She quickly took his hand and said, "Brother, I want to go a little further."

Sha Yanxiao said coldly to Manager Zhao and the others, "Excuse me."

After the two walked away, Sha Yanxiao's face was still as dark as the bottom of a pot.

Gui'er thought that since she had finally come out for a trip, she had to enjoy it to the fullest. She didn't know if she would have such an opportunity again. She happened to see a stall selling soda and fruit drinks on the roadside, so she said to Sha Yanxiao in a coquettish manner, "Brother, I want to drink that."

Sha Yanxiao obediently took her to buy soda, and then bought some snacks along the way. The two of them were in a good mood again, and they walked around for a while until it was slowly getting dark and people on the road started to go back. Only then did they return home happily.

The next day, Gui'er had just gotten up and was about to wash up when Dingxiang ran in, angrily saying, "I'm so pissed off, Miss! Did Butler Zhao and his wife run into you and the young master releasing river lanterns by the river yesterday?"

Guier nodded and said, "Yeah, what's wrong?"

丁香说：“这个不知天高地厚的老太婆。居然在正院那边到处跟家人说你年纪不小了，还离不开哥哥，整天的腻在一起，说以后嫁到他们家，可不许再粘着少爷了，太不成体统，我过去找我姐妹聊天，她还特地揍上来，让我给你传话。”

Gui'er was speechless. After a moment's thought, she asked Dingxiang, "She probably said that because Butler Zhao was trying to gain respect in front of the Marshal. But it seems she really does love Zhao Yingwu."

Ding Xiang said sarcastically, "That's right. She and Butler Zhao only had two daughters. Zhao Yingwu was brought back from outside by Butler Zhao. There are all kinds of rumors in the mansion. Some say he's an illegitimate child of Butler Zhao. But when Zhao Yingwu was little, Butler Zhao brought him to the Marshal. The Marshal was very fond of him because he was handsome. He even sent him to school and said he would take over the position of headmaster in the future. Now he wants to marry you to Zhao Yingwu, so she's naturally very proud."

When Gui'er heard this, her heart skipped a beat. Could it be that the housekeeper's wife didn't know that Zhao Yingwu was the Marshal's descendant?

However, this was of no benefit to her, so Gui'er didn't think too much about it.