A Girl Traveling Through Troubled Times

Chen De glanced at Wu Mingqiang with some hesitation and slowly said, "That little master of the Five Righteousness Hall isn't really worth much, but when visiting someone's home during the New Year, you can't be stingy. Prepare a couple of small yellow croakers. Also, we might need to make some arrangements with the Five Righteousness Hall."

"Two gold bars? He might as well just rob someone!" Ru Meng shouted.

Gui'er glanced at Ru Meng speechlessly. This whole thing started because of her, and now she still had the nerve to complain about the price. However, out of consideration for Wu Mingqiang, she said, "Detective Ouyang should be able to handle this. After all, this guy is just a minor leader under the Five Righteousness Hall. As long as he can handle it, that's fine. We can't really go and fight him, can we? That could kill people, and who knows? Everyone can come back alive. I don't want anything to happen to Brother Wu. I'll pay for it myself."

After a moment of silence, everyone finally went along with Gui'er's idea.

Chen De led the way, followed closely by Gui'er and Wu Mingqiang. Ru Meng insisted on going along, saying that more people would help each other. Gui'er had no choice but to let her follow.

Although the Ouyang Mansion is considered a neighbor in the same community as them, it is quite a distance away. Theirs is located in a better area with a wider view.

The group arrived at the Ouyang mansion and saw a blue brick wall surrounding an ornate iron gate. The gatekeeper, dressed in a dark blue short jacket with white trim on the cuffs, was more imposing than the gatekeepers of ordinary households. Surprisingly, he recognized Chen De. Chen De explained his purpose, and the gatekeeper politely asked everyone to wait a moment. Then, one of the gatekeepers turned and went inside to report.

After a while, the doorman came out, made a gesture, and another doorman waiting on the side immediately bowed and opened the door.

Upon entering the courtyard, one finds a rockery and pond, with red lanterns hanging on the covered walkway. The main building is a Western-style building that blends Chinese and Western architectural styles, with gold leaf covering the pillars and gleaming glass doors that reflect the light from the crystal chandeliers inside.

The room was even more magnificent, with Persian carpets on the floor, Western oil paintings on the walls, and silver tea sets on rosewood furniture. Several concubines in silk cheongsams were chatting and laughing around a card table, some playing mahjong, there were as many as five or six of them. The jewels and ornaments in their hair were dazzling. Ouyang Bao sat on the sofa in the main seat, wearing a Hangzhou silk mandarin jacket, playing with a jade cigarette holder in his hand. He didn't even raise his eyelids when they entered.

Chen De quickly stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Chief Ouyang, Happy New Year! Miss Sha has come to ask you for a small favor." He then explained the whole story.

Ouyang Bao had met Gui'er before, so he nodded politely and said, "Please sit down."

Gui'er quickly asked Wu Mingqiang to put the souvenirs and some snacks he had brought on the table, and then said with a smile, "It's the New Year, and I'm really sorry to have to trouble Detective Ouyang. These snacks are some of the more famous ones from my hometown. I hope you won't mind them."

Ouyang Bao didn't respond, but his gaze was fixed on Ru Meng, a smile playing on his lips: "This young lady looks unfamiliar, which family is she from?"

Ru Meng felt uncomfortable under his gaze and forced a smile, saying, "Sheriff, you're joking."

The ladies at the card table turned around and saw that Ru Meng, as expected of a former top courtesan, was indeed quite attractive. Moreover, her cheongsam accentuated her curves, highlighting her graceful figure.

The wives' faces immediately darkened. The first wife put down her cards, turned around, and covered her face with her handkerchief: "Oh dear, what kind of young lady would wear a cheongsam with such a high slit? Miss Sha, right? I've heard that you're the only female member of your family living here. Your sister seems to have married a businessman surnamed Guo. It shouldn't be this one, right?"

Gui'er was startled, thinking to herself that as expected of a detective, Ouyang Bao had clearly investigated her background beforehand. She then glanced at Ru Meng and said with an awkward smile, "This is Miss Ru Meng in this matter; she is also one of the victims."

Another concubine said, "Isn't she just a prostitute? It's the New Year, doesn't she know where she is? How unlucky!" She then ordered a servant, "Throw her out!"

Ru Meng was both ashamed and angry, but dared not retaliate, and was half-pushed and half-shoved out by the servants. Although Ouyang Bao kept glancing at Ru Meng, he did not stop her. Gui'er felt that this was a bit too much, but in order to get things done, she dared not stand up for Ru Meng at this time.

Although Wu Mingqiang didn't say anything, he lowered his head and clenched his fists tightly, probably trying to control himself.

Chen De quickly stepped forward and bowed: "Sir, they are ignorant and have disturbed the peace of your residence. Please forgive them."

Ouyang Bao then withdrew his gaze and said slowly, "Miss Sha is a reasonable person. The matter of the Five Righteousness Hall is not difficult to handle, it's just that it's the New Year..."

Gui'er was prepared. Smiling, she took out a bag of silver dollars and said, "This was sent to me by my eldest brother. It's 100 silver dollars for living expenses..."

Ouyang Bao's face darkened as he said, "Miss Sha, you don't understand the rules. What can this little bit of money do? My wives play mahjong for more than this in one game."

Gui'er had only intended to test the waters, hoping it wouldn't cost that much. But now it seemed that Ouyang Bao was ruthless and greedy. She could only smile and say, "I know, I know. It's just that one of our brothers from the Five Righteousness Hall was injured, so we had to do something to show our appreciation. We'd appreciate it if Inspector Ouyang could pass on this money for us. That's how we show our respect to Inspector Ouyang."

He then had Wu Mingqiang hand over a brocade box containing two heavy gold bars. Ouyang Bao weighed them in his hand, his expression softening slightly: "This is a small matter, a word from me will suffice. Miss Sha is so generous, she has already prepared the compensation. Fine, I'll have them go to Mr. Wu's house to apologize. We're all friends, after all."

While feeling the pain of giving away the money, Gui'er still had to smile and say, "Then it's really too much trouble for Detective Ouyang. I've long heard of Detective Ouyang's outstanding abilities, and he truly lives up to his name."

At this moment, Ouyang Bao's first wife suddenly turned around and said, "By the way, Miss Sha, I was playing mahjong with your sister, Miss Lili, a few days ago. She was also very worried about you. She said that although you were always favored by your father and brothers when you were in the manor, you are still all alone here. She is very worried about you. If you have a place to settle down and a home to call home, she and her mother will be at ease. Speaking of which, Miss, do you have someone you like? Otherwise, you could consider our Ouyang family. Look how harmonious we sisters are."

Gui'er was surprised that Sha Lili would use her as a favor. She knew that Ouyang Bao was a ruthless and cunning man. Looking closely at the ladies sitting on the side playing mahjong and cards, their expressions varied. Among them were many with melancholy expressions, who were probably forced to become Ouyang Bao's concubines.