A Girl Traveling Through Troubled Times

Chapter 706: Entering the Song Mansion with a Trick

When Gui'er heard the news that the young master had gone to Shanghai, her heart skipped a beat, and a sense of foreboding washed over her. She knew full well that the comrades in Shanghai were in danger. If the young master left before the comrades had fully evacuated or relaxed their vigilance, the consequences would be disastrous.

At this time, the eighth concubine saw that although Sha Yanxiao's attitude was gentle, he was not willing to speak, so she tactfully said goodbye.

After the Eighth Concubine left, Guier took a deep breath, walked up to the Young Marshal who was reading the documents, and said, "Brother, Taohua is getting married in a few days. While we can still see each other easily, I want to go and spend more time with her."

The young marshal raised his head, shifting his gaze from the newspaper to look at Gui'er. He smiled and said, "Well, you've been together since childhood, and now you're going to be separated, so of course you'll be reluctant. Then go. But the assassination incident just happened a few days ago, so you should be careful when you're out there."

Gui'er nodded quickly and agreed, saying, "Don't worry, brother. I know what's important. Taohua has almost bought everything she needs. I'll just go over and help her pack her things. We can chat. I'll be back soon."

The young marshal smiled slightly, waved his hand, and said, "Okay, go ahead. Let Ah Cheng drive you. I'll feel more at ease with him."

Guier agreed with a smile, turned around and left in a hurry.

Soon, Gui'er came to the outer house, and Taohua was looking forward to her coming.

Gui'er said to Ah Cheng, "Brother Ah Cheng, I'm at home anyway, so I'm not going out shopping today. You don't have to follow me, just go and rest."

Ah Cheng smiled and said, "Okay, I'll go brag to the servants in the outer house."

As soon as Ah Cheng left, she hurriedly asked Taohua: "Taohua, how did you tell Young Master Song the news before?"

Taohua blinked her eyes and said with a bit of pride, "It wasn't particularly difficult actually. I didn't want to alert the people in the Song Mansion, so I just waited at the small gate where we used to go in and out of the Song Mansion when we were little, where firewood, rice, oil, and salt were transported. I saw Aunt Zhang and asked her to pass on the message while she was delivering snacks to Young Master Song."

When Gui'er heard this, she suddenly understood. So she and Taohua took the opportunity of taking a walk and slowly walked to the familiar little gate to wait.

Not long after, some vegetable farmers delivered vegetables to the door, and Aunt Zhang showed up as expected, bending down to count the vegetables and fruits delivered by the farmers.

Gui'er hurriedly took a few quick steps, a smile of surprise on her face, and shouted, "Auntie Zhang!"

Aunt Zhang looked up at the sound and was stunned for a moment, but then she immediately recognized Gui'er. Her eyes were filled with disbelief and surprise, and she almost dropped the vegetables she was fiddling with. She straightened up, her eyes wide open, and looked Gui'er up and down, her mouth slightly open. After a long while, she said, "Oh my, this... isn't this Gui'er! Am I seeing things?"

Guier smiled and walked quickly to Aunt Zhang, took her hand, and said, "Aunt Zhang, it's me! You haven't changed at all! I recognized you right away!"

Aunt Zhang held Guier's hand tightly and said excitedly: "Oh my God, I haven't seen you for these few years, and Guier has grown into a big girl! She has become so pretty. If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes, I wouldn't have recognized her!" As she spoke, she gently stroked Guier's hand, her eyes full of love and surprise.

Guier smiled playfully and said, "Aunt Zhang, I miss you so much too! Over the years, I often think of the days in the Song Mansion and how kind you were to us. I remember it all in my heart."

Aunt Zhang's eyes reddened slightly as she sighed, "Time flies by so quickly! That little girl back then has grown into such a dignified and graceful young lady. Looking at your demeanor, I can tell you've had a good life these past few years. Aunt Zhang is truly happy."

The two exchanged a few more pleasantries. Gui'er looked around to see if there were any suspicious people. Then she lowered her voice and said to Aunt Zhang, "Aunt Zhang, could you please give Young Master Song a message for me? Tell him I want to meet with him and discuss something important."

Aunt Zhang smiled and said, "What a coincidence! The eldest young master is at the mansion today. Come with me quietly to his courtyard."

Gui'er hesitated for a moment, but thinking about the safety of her comrades in Shanghai, she finally agreed.

Aunt Zhang quickly sent the vegetable farmer away, picked up the basket of vegetables effortlessly, and waved to Gui'er.

The two of them followed Aunt Zhang carefully into the inner house.

Entering the inner courtyard of the Song residence, Gui'er and Taohua were filled with emotion. After all these years, the Song residence had barely changed, remaining exactly as they remembered it. The familiar corridors and carved doors and windows were where they had spent so many happy times. Now, revisiting the place, their mood was completely different.

The three of them walked along a familiar path, the bluestone slabs beneath their feet making a slight sound. Passing by a small garden, Gui'er saw the peonies in full bloom, and couldn't help but recall playing there with Taohua as a child, and how she'd secretly broken off a branch and been scolded by the housekeeper.

Soon, they arrived at Young Master Song's courtyard. It was quiet and peaceful, with few people around. Aunt Zhang said, "Young Master was furious when Madam drove you away. He even drove away all the servants Madam had assigned to his courtyard, leaving only two of his former servants, and he's been unwilling to add more staff ever since."

Gui'er felt very emotional after hearing this. In fact, this matter had already passed in her heart.

Aunt Zhang knocked lightly on the door and said softly, "Master, Miss Gui'er wants to see you."

Young Master Song's steady voice came from inside the house: "Come in." Gui'er took a deep breath, pushed the door open and walked in. Young Master Song was standing by the window. When he saw them come in, a hint of surprise appeared on his face, but he quickly regained his composure and said, "Guier, Taohua, why are you here? What happened?"

Taohua thought Gui'er was looking for a date with Song Xichen, so she quickly said with a smile, "I'm here to chat with Aunt Zhang. You guys chat, you guys chat. Aunt Zhang, we haven't seen each other for so long, and I have a lot to tell you. My engagement date has been decided. I brought you some wedding candy. Let's go to the kitchen and chat."

When Aunt Zhang heard this, she smiled happily and said, "Oh, really, congratulations."

The two of them went back while talking.

Guier glanced at the servants in the courtyard and recognized them all from when she was there before. They all smiled and nodded at her, then lowered their heads and went back to their own work.

Song Xichen said, "Do you still remember them? Don't worry, they are all trustworthy and won't say anything nonsense."

Guier smiled and nodded, saying, "I remember."

After confirming that it was safe, Gui'er told Sha Yanyao that he was going to Shanghai on official business and that she was worried about the safety of her comrades in Shanghai.