A Girl Traveling Through Troubled Times

Manager Zhao was stunned for a moment, then turned to look at Sha Yanxiao: "Could it be that the Second Young Master is also going to threaten me with the lives of mother and daughter?"

Sha Yanxiao quickly shook his head and said, "How could I possibly do such a thing? But if you continue to hold onto the account book and the key, they'll definitely use your women to blackmail you. You should know this better than I do."

Manager Zhao shook his head painfully and said, "If I hand it over, what should I do once the Marshal wakes up and asks me? Madam will probably use my son as a savior. I have worked like a slave in the Marshal's Mansion for decades. Marshal Sha hadn't even become the Marshal yet, but I was already here. Do I deserve to end up like this?" At the end, he was already a little angry.

"Then what do you want to do? The dead cannot be resurrected. Steward Zhao, you need to be more open-minded. This stalemate is not a solution. You should call me Young Master. I can't refuse. For the sake of my father. But you also know that I don't have much say in this Marshal's Mansion. However, I will do my best to protect the lives of your daughter and wife."

Steward Zhao also calmed down. He thought for a moment and said, "Second Young Master, I know you're trustworthy. But the Madam and the Eldest Young Master are forcing me to hand over the keys and account book because they're probably trying to monopolize the family fortune. If I hand it over to them, the others in the Marshal's Mansion won't let me off, and I'll be dead anyway."

Sha Yanxiao glanced outside and said, "Manager Zhao, I'll cut to the chase. I do want to help you, but you have to cooperate with me and tell me where the account books and keys are. I can guarantee that you, your wife, and your daughter will leave here safely. If you trust me, I'll take a risk. Actually, you know I've always had my own little stash of money. That's why my father has been so tight on me with money. I really didn't want to get involved in this because I knew someone could die, but now what they're doing is a bit too shady."

Manager Zhao hesitated for a moment, glanced outside, and said, "But how can you get me out of here?"

Sha Yanxiao smiled and said, "Don't worry about that. If you don't trust her, you can give me one of the things first. We can build trust. When I go out, I will bring you a token of your daughter's love."

"The medicine is here, the medicine is here." Acheng, who was keeping watch at the door, suddenly said.

Manager Zhao suddenly became nervous and said quickly, "Neither the account book nor the key is with me. They are usually kept by the Marshal. But I know where they are. The account book is in the wall next to the Marshal's bed. There is a movable brick, which is a secret compartment. The account book and the key are kept in it."

As soon as he finished speaking, Butler He came over quickly, handed the medicine over with a flattering smile and said, "Second Young Master, the medicine is here."

Gui'er stepped forward to take the medicine and treated the wounds on Butler Zhao's hands and face. She also wanted to help Butler Zhao take a look at his injuries. She suspected that they must be serious, but Butler Zhao refused to let her see them. She had no choice but to give up and leave the medicine to him, letting him deal with it himself.

Sha Yanxiao said to Manager Zhao, "Then you think about it again. I'll come to see you tomorrow." Then he pulled Gui'er out.

Butler He looked at everyone in confusion and asked cautiously, "Second, Second Young Master, that account book..."

Sha Yanxiao walked out without looking back, saying as he walked, "I'll go report to my mother right away."

Then they came to the main room, where the lady, Sha Yanyao, Miss Tian and Jinbao were already sitting there waiting.

Sha Yanxiao sighed as he entered the room and said, "Mother, he didn't tell me because Zhao Yingwu was killed. He was afraid that if he handed over the account book and keys, his own life would be in danger."

Sha Yanyao turned to his wife and said, "Mother, I think we've been tricked by that woman from the fourth room. We shouldn't have listened to her and attacked Zhao Yingwu."

The lady frowned and said irritably, "Now that things have come to this, what else can we do? Otherwise, we can kill him and then go dig deep into the main courtyard. There's only an account book and a key, and I'm afraid we won't be able to find it."

The lady usually appeared so compassionate, but when she suddenly said such cold-blooded words, everyone present couldn't help but shudder.

"What mother said is certainly reasonable, but this commotion would be too loud. If word gets out and people outside think something's wrong in our mansion, causing a mutiny in the army, that would be a matter of life and death. Besides, father still has some old subordinates. If he really did this and they found out and came to question him, how would we respond?"

"This doesn't work, and that doesn't work either. So what do you think we should do?" the lady asked with a frown.

"I think everyone is afraid of death. Let's lock him up for two days and then give him some good food. I just asked Gui'er to treat his wounds. I'll go and try to persuade him tomorrow. He's only lived in poverty when he was young. For decades, he's been living with his father, eating delicious food and drinking spicy drinks. How could he endure such hardship? I believe he'll give in soon."

After hearing this, the lady pondered for a moment, then looked at Sha Yanyao, who nodded.

The lady said, "Okay, I'll do as you say."

Sha Yanxiao smiled and said, "Thank you for your trust, mother. I'll take my leave now."

The lady coughed and said, "When you go tomorrow, tell me and I'll send someone to accompany you so we can take care of you."

Sha Yanxiao was stunned for a moment, then said, "Okay."

When he returned to his courtyard, he found the servants standing there anxiously, their necks stretched out in anticipation. The housekeeper stepped forward and said, "Master, Miss, it's great that you're back. When those two came back and told us what happened, we were so frightened that we didn't know what to do."

Sha Yanxiao smiled and said, "I'm fine. I guess everyone hasn't eaten yet. Let's go eat."

Then everyone dispersed.

As soon as they entered the house, Dali was waiting in the hall. Sha Yanxiao took Gui'er with him and invited Dali to the study. After closing the door, he asked, "How is it?"

Dali said, "I arrived just in time. Manager Zhao's wife and her daughter had already been transferred."

Gui'er said to Sha Yanxiao, "Brother, since we already know where the keys and account books are, why don't we just go get them now to avoid any further complications."

Sha Yanxiao shook his head and said, "Right now, the main courtyard is full of spies from the eldest house, watching us. Even if we get it, I'm afraid the Madam will force us to hand it over."

"Then young master, what you mean is..." Dali asked.

"As far as I know, my father's storehouse isn't in the Marshal's Mansion at all. Steward Zhao still left it as a last resort. But Zhao Yingwu is dead, so it's understandable that he did this. I'm going to meet Steward Zhao's wife and daughter tomorrow and ask them for a token or a letter to give to Steward Zhao. Then we'll find a way to rescue him. I think he'll tell me then. However, we have to get the keys and account books first, otherwise we'll be led around by the nose by the eldest wife."