A Girl Traveling Through Troubled Times

"My mother might have gone too far this time." Sha Lili, seeing no one around, spoke directly after leaving Sha Yanxiao's courtyard. "She originally just wanted to eliminate this rumored illegitimate son of the Marshal and win over the Madam, thinking she could get a bigger share of the property when the time came. Unexpectedly, the Madam killed the Eighth Concubine and Zhao Yingwu without a word. I heard the servants in the Eighth Concubine's courtyard were also sold off, and the Zheng family who brought her into the mansion fled to the countryside out of fear."

Gui'er didn't know what to say for a moment.

"My mother is a little panicked now. She said that if she had known this would happen earlier, she should have discussed it with my second brother. But she thinks that my eldest brother is the legitimate son after all, and he has the upper hand in this battle for the inheritance. Can you put in a few good words for me and my second brother?"

Gui'er realized now that the fourth concubine might have heard about Sha Yanxiao going in and out of the dungeon, and guessed that he might be the one with the upper hand, so she asked her daughter to come and intercede for him. In the final analysis, she still wanted to take more.

"Actually, the account book has already been obtained. My eldest brother has it in his hands. He is now going to check it with Manager Zhao. What will happen in the end? I don't know because neither of my brothers let me go."

Upon hearing this, Sha Lili quickly said, "Did you really get it?" Then she hurriedly said, "Then I'll go back and tell my mother, and we'll talk later." Then she left in a hurry.

Gui'er was stunned where she was. She didn't expect Sally to change so quickly. But she was right. When it came to dividing the family property, it would be strange if she wasn't proactive.

Suddenly, she thought of something and hurried back to her own courtyard, calling Dingxiang over. "Don't you have sisters in each courtyard? Go out now and spread the word to them. Tell them that Big Brother has gotten the information out of Manager Zhao, obtained the account books, and is now reconciling the accounts with Manager Zhao in the main courtyard."

Ding Xiang said puzzledly, "Miss, if you spread this news, won't they all rush out to fight for the family property? There are too many monks and too little porridge. If they get more, we will have less. The Fourth Concubine just wanted a bigger share of the family property, so she ordered her servants to expose the Eighth Concubine and Zhao Yingwu."

Gui'er shook her head and said, "What do you know? Since you already know that Madam and Big Brother are such ruthless people, what if they want to take all the property and harm Second Brother? What's the point of asking for money if you're already dead? If the news spreads, the other branches will definitely converge on the First Branch. Madam and Big Brother can't kill everyone in the Marshal's Mansion, right? They have to save face. Wouldn't that keep Second Brother safe? I'd rather take less money in exchange for Second Brother's safety."

Ding Xiang heard this and said, "That's right, I'll go right away."

Gui Er then instructed, "Just treat it as a casual chat. Just mention it vaguely to one or two loudmouths. If they knew we deliberately revealed it, they might blame us."

Dingxiang nodded, turned and ran out.

Gui'er looked at her back and felt a little less uneasy.

Not long after, Dingxiang came back with an excited look on her face.

"How about it?"

"Hehe, Miss, I went to the kitchen in the main courtyard and pretended to chat with the people sent out from our courtyard. There's a chef in the kitchen who's really talkative, Fatty Wang. He's usually in charge of making cakes for the courtyards and knows a lot of people. I specifically told him about it. As soon as he heard it, he made an excuse to deliver egg cakes to the courtyards and ran away. When I came back and was halfway there, I went to the main courtyard to take a look. Oh my God, it was so lively there. I heard from the sisters there that the fourth concubine had already come with her two children, as well as her daughter-in-law and son-in-law. She said congratulations to the eldest and second brothers for inheriting the family business, but in fact, she was waiting there eagerly, afraid that she wouldn't get her own share."

"Not long after I arrived at the main room, the third, fifth, sixth, and seventh concubines also hurried over. My concubine and the sixth concubine each brought their two daughters, and the third concubine also brought the eldest young master's eldest son over. She said that the young master Cheng Gang suddenly wanted to come over to pay his respects to Grandma, but in fact, wasn't she just trying to please the lady? The main room is so lively now. You weren't there, so you really missed a lot of good things."

Guier smiled and said, "I just want my brother to be safe. Showing up there with my identity will make them think I'm trying to take over the family fortune."

I don’t know if it’s because the family property is difficult to divide, but Sha Yanxiao didn’t come back until almost dawn.

Gui'er quickly went over to him and asked, "Brother, is everything going well?"

Sha Yanxiao took Gui'er's hand and rubbed it against his cheek. He smiled and said, "Were you the one who spread the news and had the other rooms rush to the main room? Are you worried that something might happen to me?"

Guier nodded and said, "Yes, after all, Zhao Yingwu's matter is right in front of us."

Sha Yanxiao sighed, took her hand and walked to the study, closed the door, and said cheerfully, "It's settled. It's divided into ten parts. Brother gets six, I get three, and the remaining one will be divided among the various rooms."

Gui Er frowned and said, "Big Brother, it's a bit too much for you to take the lion's share. Besides, the remaining portion should have originally belonged to you, Second Brother."

Sha Yanxiao smiled and said, "It doesn't matter. My eldest brother is going to Nanjing to develop his career. If I stay here, I have to consider my reputation. Besides, if father dies, his concubines and children will be left without care. What will others think of the Marshal's Mansion?"

He smiled faintly and said, "Anyway, I still have those two mines. Although we've agreed to continue supporting Big Brother financially, the amount of support isn't up to me. Besides, we've already taken out the biggest finger from Father's slush fund and the account book."

He shook Gui'er's hand and said, "Da Li has taken Manager Zhao to inspect the small treasury and the property we've withdrawn. I'll take you to see it in a couple of days. There should be quite a few good things. If you like anything, feel free to take it."

When Gui'er heard Butler Zhao suddenly remember that the person staying in the Marshal's Mansion was an imposter, she quickly said, "That Boss Jia is so powerful that he can even fool the account reconciliation? I was worried sick."

"My eldest brother and his wife only have a vague understanding of the accounts. Boss Jia is a well-informed liar who specializes in pretending to be a wealthy man. He has seen all kinds of situations, so he can be fooled. Although my mother and eldest brother repeatedly tried to keep him, I still persuaded them to let him go. Once he leaves tomorrow, everything will be gone. Even if the new housekeeper finds something wrong, it will not be my business."