A Girl Traveling Through Troubled Times

Gui'er went down from the restaurant on the second floor of Wing On Department Store to the first floor and saw Dali walking in. He said to her, "Your classmate said you would come down in 5 minutes. I saw that the time was up and you didn't come down yet, so I came to check on you."

Gui'er said, "Well, it's okay, let's go."

After returning to the Marshal's Mansion, Gui'er sorted out her thoughts. The matter of Lulu was indeed very infuriating, but she decided not to mention it because she didn't know how close Sha Yanxiao was to Lulu. It would not be worth it if she angered Sha Yanxiao.

What she is more concerned about now is the Eighth Concubine's trip to Shanghai. If the Eighth Concubine can make the trip, then she might also be able to successfully go to Shanghai in the future.

There is actually a reason why Guier wants to go to Shanghai so much. Shanghai is a big city with complicated forces. Even the Marshal cannot do whatever he wants there. Moreover, Guier got information from the newspaper that there are not only schools but also factories there, but also many more industries and businesses than in this small city. If women want to survive independently, it will be easier in such a big city.

It just so happened that today was the day to go to the main hall to have dinner with the Marshal's family. When they arrived at the restaurant, Guier paid special attention to the Eighth Concubine. The Marshal was still at the same table with his three sons and their wives. The Fourth Concubine also came and sat at the concubines' table, but her seat was not the main seat. The main seat was now occupied by the Third Concubine, and then the Eighth Concubine. Guier then realized that after the Fourth Concubine fell out of favor, the Third Concubine was the one who benefited from seniority.

The Marshal didn't look very well, probably still immersed in the sorrow of losing his beloved son. Sha Lili took the initiative to talk to Gui'er carefully several times, and all she talked about was how the food was today. Gui'er was confused at first, but when she saw the fourth concubine lowering her head and trying to reduce her presence as much as possible, she understood that she must be afraid that the responsibility for the death of the Marshal's child would be attributed to her.

After the meal, nothing happened. Gui'er was a little disappointed. As soon as she returned to her yard, she went straight to her room and sat at the desk in a daze.

Not long after they sat down, someone knocked on the door. Gui'er was wondering when Sha Yanxiao pushed the door open. He was holding a tray in one hand with a glass of milk and some cookies on it.

Sha Yanxiao placed the tray on the table. Guier picked up a cookie, took a bite, and said, "Thank you."

Sha Yanxiao dragged a stool over and sat down. He looked at Gui'er for a few seconds and said awkwardly, "Don't you have anything to tell me?"

Gui'er was stunned and thought to herself: Could it be that he already knows that I want to go to Shanghai?

Seeing Gui'er remained silent, Sha Yanxiao became a little flustered and said, "Actually, when I have some social events, I really need a woman to show off. Other prominent people are like this too."

Only after hearing this did Gui'er realize that Sha Yanxiao was talking about Lulu. Needless to say, it must have been Dali who told him, so she smiled and said, "Didn't Dali tell you? I'm fine, it was just a little sudden. She actually knew someone from the flower boat I used to be on, so she knew I'd been there before, and she told me we were sisters, and asked me to help her get into the Marshal's Mansion."

When Sha Yanxiao heard this, his expression immediately darkened. However, he still smiled and asked Gui'er, "Did she really say that?"

Gui'er looked at his face. Although he smiled, she felt a murderous aura lingering in his face. She said quickly, "She's had a hard time too. She just wants to find a good home. But I didn't agree to her promise because I didn't know if what she had done with you was true, and I didn't want to cause you any trouble."

Sha Yanxiao's anger instantly vanished after hearing this. He patted Gui'er's head and said, "Silly girl, you still feel sorry for others. If you encounter any problems in the future, you must tell me, okay? I'm an adult, I can handle it, you're just a child."

Gui'er nodded obediently, thinking that now was the perfect time, and said, "I heard from my classmate Tong Yujun at school today that the Eighth Concubine is planning to return to Shanghai to study. Is that true?"

Sha Yanxiao raised his eyebrows and said, "I'm not sure about that, but every year during the Spring Festival, my father and his wife take some people from the mansion to Shanghai to celebrate the New Year. Are you interested?"

Gui Er hadn't expected this to happen. She was a little surprised and said, "Really? Then who can go? I saw pictures of Shanghai in the newspaper. It's so prosperous and bustling. I really want to go and see it."

Sha Yanxiao smiled and said, "Shanghai is like paradise if you have money, and hell if you don't. I used to go to school in Shanghai, and there were just as many homeless people there as here."

Gui Er said nonchalantly, "Without money, everywhere is hell. This world is a world where the strong prey on the weak. You have to go out and see for yourself. Only when you are strong can you avoid being eaten by others."

Sha Yanxiao didn't expect Gui'er to say such words. He couldn't help but feel that there might be an adult's soul living in Gui'er's small body.

He shook his head, wondering how that could be possible. He turned and said to Gui'er with a smile, "If you really want to go, I'll take you there when the time comes."

Gui'er was overjoyed and said, "Really? That's great."

Seeing how happy he was, Sha Yanxiao couldn't help but smile and said, "Happy now, right? Then how are you going to thank me?"

Gui'er thought for a moment and realized she couldn't buy him anything expensive, so she said, "I'll make you a sachet."

Sha Yanxiao said happily after hearing this: "Then I'll be waiting."

Sha Yanxiao's agreement to go to Shanghai meant that half of the plan was fulfilled. Gui'er was so happy that she couldn't sleep. The next day, she found an excuse to take some scarce fruits and vegetables to find Taohua, wanting to share this joy with her.

The Third Wife was still surprised to see Gui'er in her courtyard, but she still took out a few oranges and said to Gui'er warmly, "It's rare for you to come here, have some oranges." Then, as if she had thought of something, she said, "Thank you for taking care of the Second Young Master before. The steward has sent a lot more things to our courtyard recently. Go back and tell him that I thank him."

This was Gui'er's first direct encounter with the Third Concubine, and she felt she was indeed quite petty. She quickly smiled and said, "Third Concubine, you're welcome. It was Brother Yanxiao who said that since the Third Concubine married far away, the Third Concubine is left alone and helpless. He asked me to come over and see if there's anything you need. You can tell him. It's only a few words."

The Third Concubine was deeply moved after hearing this. She repeatedly asked Guier to convey her gratitude and asked the maid to bring out a small plate of snacks.

Gui'er took a look and found that the old women and maids in the yard were quite respectful to Taohua, so she finally felt relieved.

When no one was around, Gui'er told Taohua about the opportunity to go to Shanghai. Taohua was also very happy and said, "Shall we go together then? Let's go and take a look first. The environment is also good. Do you really think it's better there than here?"

Gui'er said, "You're absolutely right to listen to me. It's a big city over there, with many more opportunities than here. It's easier for us to survive there."