A Girl Traveling Through Troubled Times

Sure enough, two days later, when the Marshal was having dinner with his family, he mentioned going to Shanghai to celebrate the New Year. In fact, he was discussing it with his wife.

At this time, his wife smiled and said, "It's more lively in Shanghai for the New Year, but if everyone in the family goes, it will inevitably be extravagant. So, in my opinion, the Eighth Concubine just lost her child, so she can go and relax. The Fifth and Sixth Concubines both have children, although they are both girls, so they should also come along."

The Seventh Concubine said to the Marshal in a coquettish tone: "Marshal, I have children too, even though they are two girls. The Fifth Sister and the Sixth Sister can go, so why can't I go?"

Gui'er saw that the lady had obviously rolled her eyes. She had heard before that the Seventh Concubine was originally a dancer. When she was seventeen or eighteen years old, she was already the most popular leading actress in the dance hall. Many young masters and big bosses wanted to marry her as a concubine or side room. She was also a very smart person. As soon as she met the Marshal, she threw away other suitors and finally succeeded in becoming the Seventh Concubine. She had only been in the mansion for a few years and gave birth to two daughters who were only two or three years old. She was the most favored among the Eighth Concubine before she entered the mansion.

The lady didn't let her go. On the one hand, she might be afraid of her favor and worried that if she spent more time with the Marshal, she would have the chance to give birth to a son. On the other hand, she didn't want other noble ladies to know that she was sharing a husband with a dancer.

The Marshal glanced at his wife, smiled sheepishly and said, "Shishi, your two daughters are still young. The journey to Shanghai is long and they can't stand the bumpy ride. You don't have to go this time. I'll take you with me next year when I have the chance to go on a business trip."

When the Seventh Concubine heard this, her face suddenly became long, but it changed in half a second. She said coquettishly: "Okay, I won't make things difficult for you, but you promised me, in the spring of the year zero." After saying that, she pouted and blew a kiss to the Marshal across two tables.

The Marshal seemed to enjoy it very much, and a lewd look immediately appeared on his face. Gui'er looked at the two two- or three-year-old daughters of the Seventh Concubine who were sitting at the same table with her, and felt so embarrassed for them that she could dig out a three-bedroom apartment with her toes.

The lady pretended not to see it, turned her head and smiled at the Marshal, saying, "I originally wanted to take Fourth Sister with me, but she just got out of the hospital, and I'm worried she won't be able to handle the bumpy ride. If she catches a cold or something on the way to Shanghai, my uncle's family will be even more distressed. But Yanwen and Lili can go, too."

The fourth concubine lowered her head, not daring to say anything. Sha Lili said pitifully, "Mother, I can't bear to let my mother, no, let my aunt stay here alone. You should let her go with us."

The Marshal said irritably, "If you don't want to go, then stay and accompany the Fourth Concubine. Children are not allowed to interrupt when adults are talking."

Sha Lili was so scared that she shut up immediately. It was obvious that the Marshal did blame the Fourth Concubine for the Eighth Concubine's child being gone. However, Guier heard that the Fourth Concubine's family was also a famous family in Shanghai, but she was the daughter of a concubine and her family did not pay much attention to her. They let her marry in as a concubine in order to win over the Marshal, the warlord. Because of such a backer, she was usually more domineering in the mansion.

It was obvious that the Madam was very satisfied with the Marshal's reaction. She continued, "Originally, I wanted to bring my third sister along, but there has to be someone older in the family who can take charge. This way, if anything happens, it will be easier to make decisions. So, I'll have to trouble my third sister."

Gui'er heard from Taohua that the third concubine's family was from the local area. They were neither from a scholarly family nor from wealthy gentry, but just an ordinary family. It was just that she was pretty when she was young and was seen by the Marshal on the street, so he asked someone to propose marriage to her and marry her as a concubine. She only gave birth to a daughter, who fell out of favor when she was old. Because her family had no wealth, she lived frugally and used her own money to do business for her family, and had no money to manage interpersonal relationships, she seemed to be stingy and petty, so people in the mansion basically did not take her seriously.

The Third Concubine was probably used to it, so she accepted it calmly and said with a smile, "Yes, Madam."

The lady paused for a moment, then turned to the Marshal and said, "Master, let's take Gui'er with us. Many of my sisters have heard the story of how she risked her life to block the bullet, and they're all eager to meet her in person."

The Marshal also smiled and said, "Of course, all my comrades and brothers want to meet her."

After saying that, both of them looked at Gui'er and smiled very gently. Gui'er had originally come to save Sha Yanxiao that time, but she didn't expect it to have such an effect, which was worth being happy about. She quickly stood up and said, "Thank you, father, thank you, mother." The Marshal and his wife were very satisfied.

The lady continued, "We'll be gone for at least half a month. You'll have to leave someone to look after the barracks. Why don't you let Yan Xiao stay?"

The Marshal waved his hand and said, "How can that be? I'll also introduce him to those brothers and acquaintances so that he can get familiar with the relationships. If you're worried about the military camp, just let him go for a while and come back early, just like Yan Yao did back then."

The lady's face froze when she heard this, and for a few seconds she could barely even pretend to smile. After a moment's pause, she managed a forced smile and said, "That's what the master said. Let's do it."

After the meal, everyone went their separate ways, some happy and some sad.

Gui'er asked Sha Yanxiao: "Why does Madam seem to not want you to go to Shanghai?

Sha Yanxiao sneered and said, "Her eldest son was originally a key person that father was training, but unfortunately, he was ambushed a few years ago and had his leg blown off. Fortunately, I hadn't returned at that time, otherwise he would have suspected me. Now, from the way father is talking, I have completely replaced his son's position. Of course, he feels uncomfortable."

Gui'er suddenly understood and said, "Then you should be careful too."

Sha Yanxiao smiled and nodded.

The next day at school, Gui'er couldn't help but tell Tong Yujun that she was going to Shanghai with her family to celebrate the New Year. Tong Yujun said happily, "I got the news too. Coincidentally, we have relatives in Shanghai, so we decided to go there for the New Year this year too."

Both of them were very surprised and agreed to go out together when the time comes.

Now we are eagerly waiting for the winter vacation. Guier took the skipping grade test and passed it successfully. Everything is going in a good direction.

One day, a classmate found Guier and said that there was an old lady looking for her at the door.

Gui'er arrived at the school gate confused and found that it was Zhang, the shopkeeper of Zhen Embroidery Workshop. Zhang was delighted to see Gui'er and said loudly, "Miss Gui'er, I'm sorry to bother you. But a customer really likes the embroidery pattern you sold me before and wants to make a few more. I wonder if you wouldn't mind borrowing a few more pieces?"

Gui'er could probably guess that Manager Zhang judged that she was a student of St. Mary's School based on her school uniform, but she didn't expect her to come to find her.

At this time, Shopkeeper Zhang glanced around and saw that no one was paying attention to them, so he lowered his voice and said, "Miss Gui'er, Young Master Song asked me to meet you at the dessert shop on the second floor of Yong'an Department Store after school."

Gui'er finally reacted and said, "Okay."

Seeing that she agreed, Shopkeeper Zhang smiled and said loudly, "Okay, then I'll wait for your embroidery pattern." Then he left.

After school, Guier told Dali that she wanted to go to Wing On Department Store to buy some stationery. Dali didn't doubt it and drove directly to the entrance of Wing On Department Store.

Guier pretended to go in and took a look around, bought a bottle of ink and a notebook, and then ran straight to the dessert shop on the second floor.

When she walked in, she couldn't see Song Xichen. A waiter came over and asked, "Are you Miss Wu? Mr. Song is waiting for you here." Then he took her to a seat in the corner where Song Xichen was leisurely reading a newspaper.

Guier said happily, "Master, long time no see."

Song Xichen smiled and said, "Long time no see."

As soon as they sat down, the waiter brought a cup of milk tea and an exquisite cream cake. Gui'er smiled. Song Xichen still remembered that he liked cream cake.

Song Xichen watched Gui'er eating cream cake and drinking milk tea, and his irritable mood suddenly calmed down a lot. He said, "I heard that you are going to Shanghai with the Marshal's Mansion?"

Gui'er was stunned for a moment and said, "You are so well-informed. Yes, I am going to Shanghai for the New Year."

Song Xichen said: "Our family is also going to Shanghai to celebrate the New Year this year."

Gui'er was very surprised. How could it be such a coincidence? She suddenly thought of the relationship between Mrs. Song and the Marshal, but she didn't dare to tell Song Xichen that her mother was having an affair with a man who was much higher in status than her family. Even if he knew, he would be powerless to do anything. Gui'er was even more worried that Song Xichen would act impulsively and do something irreversible. After all, he was the police chief and was equipped with a gun.