A Girl Traveling Through Troubled Times

Zhao Yingwu said with a hint of embarrassment: "Um, our engagement..."

Gui'er wanted to deny it outright and say that the engagement was invalid, but then she thought that Zhao Yingwu was still by the Marshal's side, taking care of him. If the Marshal got better one day, they could ask their family to persuade him again, and maybe he would change his mind by then.

She pretended to be sad and said, "Butler Zhao, this isn't the time to talk about this, is it? Father is already like this. I'm really not in the mood. Besides, I'm quite traditional. I'd definitely leave my marriage to my parents. Father and Mother love me so much, they'll definitely plan a good future for me. I don't want to think about anything else. I just need to listen to them."

Zhao Yingwu opened his mouth but seemed unable to say anything. He smiled and nodded, saying, "That's right. Young lady is so filial, she must obey her parents' words."

Gui'er took the opportunity to say, "I'm mainly worried about my father's health right now. Housekeeper Zhao has worked hard to take care of him every day. If there's anything you need, please let me know. As a child, I can do my part to help my parents, and it will be worth the love they've shown me over the years."

She said this actually because she wanted Zhao Yingwu to tell her about the Marshal's physical condition, but she was just testing him, so she just ignored his expectations.

Zhao Yingwu smiled and said, "Yes, Miss, your filial piety is truly moving. I believe the Marshal will definitely get better."

Seeing his flawless answer, Gui'er didn't know what to say and turned away.

Back in her own courtyard, Gui'er was still feeling unhappy. Sha Yanxiao noticed this and walked up to her, touching her face and asking, "What's wrong with you? You came home from get off work today looking glum. Did you get mad at the hospital?"

Gui'er sighed and said, "I just came back and stopped by to see my father. He was pretty much the same as yesterday. But the people we sent were sent to do rough work in the yard. And that housekeeper Zhao even mentioned his engagement to me, so I'm a little uncomfortable."

Sha Yanxiao's face turned cold. But then he comforted her, saying, "Don't worry. Father is so old. It's hard for an old man like him to recover from his mistakes. Ultimately, I will decide your marriage."

Gui'er nodded. She was trying to figure out how to justify her investigation of Sha Yanyao, so she asked, "Brother, have you visited father?"

Sha Yanxiao said: "I have been there. He is not seriously ill, but he is a little unsteady when walking and has a tendency to forget things. This way, I don't have to worry so much."

After dinner, Gui'er returned to her room. As soon as she entered, Dingxiang followed her in. She whispered, "Miss, why aren't you anxious at all? The other rooms have already started to take action."

Gui'er was puzzled: "What's the point of taking action?"

"Of course they want to divide the family fortune. With the Marshal's current condition, everyone thinks he might remain muddleheaded. So why not take as much as we can now? I heard they're all vying to establish a good relationship with Manager Zhao."

"What's the point of having a good relationship with Manager Zhao? Can Manager Zhao give them money?"

"But Steward Zhao is also the Marshal's financial manager. He controls all the account books. Now the Marshal is confused again. If he changes the account books and takes out some of them, who would know? The Marshal is usually wary of everyone but Steward Zhao. So even his wife doesn't know how much money the Marshal's mansion has. Now everyone is trying their best to get close to Steward Zhao."

Gui'er thought about it and realized that what Zhao Yingwu had just said to her was indeed a hidden meaning. He wanted her to rush to make friends with him.

Thinking of this, Gui'er couldn't sit still anymore, so she decided to check each room.

She first came to the third concubine's courtyard under the pretext of visiting Cheng Gang, but she didn't expect that Jin Bao was also here with his youngest son. Because Gui'er never came to see the children empty-handed, she would either bring some small toys or some snacks, so Cheng Gang liked her very much, and ran towards her with open arms when he saw her.

Gui'er took out the sweet-scented osmanthus cake she had made in her yard and said to Chenggang, "Let's share this dessert with my brother."

Cheng Gang said in a baby voice, "Okay."

Jin Bao said happily, "Among all the people in the family, I'm afraid you are the only aunt who loves him the most."

The third concubine beside him got anxious when she heard this and said, "What about me? I watch him every day, but I'm much more tired than Gui'er. Even if I don't make any contribution, I still work hard."

Jin Bao knew he had said the wrong thing and quickly corrected himself, saying, "That's right, Third Aunt loves Cheng Gang so much that even his own grandmother probably can't compare to her."

When Gui'er heard that this was her chance, she quickly said, "Mother must be busy taking care of Father right now."

Jin Bao helped his youngest son sort out his clothes. He said nonchalantly, "I don't know. I just need to take care of the three of us. Anyway, with my status, no benefits will fall on me."

When the Third Concubine heard this, her eyes lit up and she said, "You've got it wrong. The Marshal is confused now. As the mistress of the Marshal's mansion, Madam is the one who calls the shots. So much money? If you get it, you can enjoy it too. By the way, have you heard what Madam is going to do? Jinbao, I'm not pretending to be older. I've helped you take care of Chen Chenggang for so long, and I don't ask for anything in return. I just hope you can say a few good words for me in front of Madam. I have no sons, and my daughters are married. It's pitiful for me to be alone in this courtyard."

Jin Bao smiled awkwardly and said a little unnaturally, "The Third Aunt has been so kind to us mother and son. If I had a say, I would definitely speak for you. I'm just afraid that my words are too insignificant and won't count."

The Third Concubine quickly smiled and said, "No, no, come, I'll teach you. Just say that the Third Concubine has a very difficult life. She has a special faith and respect for Madam. As long as Madam is willing to take care of her, the Third Concubine will definitely follow Madam's lead."

Gui'er felt very embarrassed after hearing this.

Jin Bao rolled his eyes slightly, then smiled and said, "Third Auntie is right. I'll do as you say. It's getting late. I'll go back first. Gui'er, let's go."

After leaving the Third Concubine's courtyard, Gui'er saw that no one else was around, so she asked Jinbao, "Is what Concubine Zhang said true? Now everyone in the courtyard is trying to get Zhao Zongguan, even the Madam."

Jin Bao turned around, looked at Gui Er, and asked doubtfully, "Don't you have this idea in your courtyard?"

Gui'er said honestly, "I don't know either. My second brother just told me to take a couple of days off from work and stay home longer to visit Father and see if there's anything he needs. He's busy with things in the military camp and I'm afraid he can't leave."