A Girl Traveling Through Troubled Times

Chapter 519 Let Wu Mingqiang investigate the Marshal

No matter what, Guier asked Dingxiang to pack up her things and be ready to leave for Nanjing at any time and wait for Sha Yanyao's notification.

Thinking that it would take several months for her to come back, Guier decided to take Taohua out for a walk.

She took her to Wing On Department Store, and Gui'er said to Taohua, "After I go back, you should see my brother less often. I've already asked Shopkeeper Zhang to tell my brother not to come into the Marshal's Mansion to meet you. After all, if he does, people will accuse him of being a thief, and he won't be able to protest even if he's beaten to death. Furthermore, if your private meeting is discovered, it'll be like having evidence against you, and it'll be hard to say what will happen then. If Father uses this as an excuse to marry you off to someone else, I'm afraid my second brother won't be able to speak up for you."

Taohua sighed reluctantly after hearing this and said, "When will this day end?"

Gui'er actually felt that Taohua had a little tendency to use marriage as a way to escape reality. If she knew that Wu Dahua and Wu Dafu's families only had meat once every few days, the children were a little malnourished, and the two concubines were so thin that they had no strength to walk, she wondered what she would think. She was now in the Marshal's Mansion, and although she was often exploited and bullied by the third concubine, at least she had no worries about food and clothing.

Suddenly, Taohua picked up a piece of fabric and said, "The things at Yong'an Department Store are so expensive. I saw a similar one at Xinxin Department Store for only half the price. Why don't we go to Xinxing Department Store?"

Xinxing Department Store is a newly opened department store that boasts affordable prices. However, many of the items there are discounted, so you get what you pay for. That's why people in the Shuaifu are used to going to Yong'an Department Store.

Taohua said, "I also need to buy some toilet paper, sanitary napkins, face powder, and vanishing cream. They'll be much cheaper at Xinxin Department Store. Let's go there."

Gui'er couldn't resist Taohua, so she accompanied her to Xinxin Department Store. Fortunately, they were on the same street and not far away.

As they entered the Xinxin Department Store, they were greeted by a bustling atmosphere. The mall was bustling with people, shoulder to shoulder. Customers spoke in accents from all over the world, carefully selecting items.

The shelves were filled with a dazzling array of goods, from daily necessities to all kinds of clothing. Bright electric lights hung from the ceiling, illuminating the entire mall. In a corner, a few children ran and laughed among the crowd, clutching their newly bought gadgets.

The salespeople were enthusiastically greeting customers, their voices echoing. "Come and take a look! We've just got the latest floral fabrics! We're selling them at a great price!" "This vanishing cream makes your skin so soft you can squeeze water out of it. Miss, try it!"

Taohua immediately began to choose with great interest. Gui'er took the opportunity to tell her about the financial situation of Wu Dafu and Wu Dahua's family while Taohua was selecting the items. "Taohua, you don't know, my second and third brothers' families live in extreme hardship. They only eat meat once every few days, and any good food they have is reserved for the children. My two concubines are also skinny and pale. I can't bear it, so I bought some nutritional supplements to send to them."

Taohua frowned slightly after hearing this, but her eyes were firm. "I know life will be hard, but I'm confident I can improve the living conditions of our two families. I really want to leave the Marshal's Mansion as soon as possible. The Marshal...is becoming increasingly hostile to me."

She paused, a trace of disgust flashing in her eyes. "When I was little, although the Marshal ignored me, at least he was decent at heart. But now, the Marshal occasionally comes to the Third Concubine's courtyard. One time, when he ran into Sanmei breastfeeding, he actually looked at her with that dirty look. Sanmei and I felt extremely uncomfortable. The Third Concubine has clearly told me and Sanmei not to go to the Marshal's courtyard alone. Even if the Marshal comes to the Third Concubine's courtyard, the servants in the courtyard have to come over and stand nearby when they see him. And the Third Concubine also said that the Marshal's temperament has changed a lot compared to before."

Gui'er thought about the Marshal's recent approach to handling Young Master Liang's affairs, which was indeed unlike his previous style, and she couldn't help but feel very confused.

The two were strolling through the mall when suddenly a familiar figure appeared before them: Wu Mingqiang. Gui'er was curious: how could he, with his considerable income and the money he had to spend on such an expensive jade and diamond necklace, end up in a department store like this?

So he called him over. When Wu Mingqiang saw that Gui'er had seen him, he had no choice but to walk over with a smile. After a few pleasantries, Gui'er couldn't help but ask, "Little Brother Wu, why are you here?"

Wu Mingqiang smiled and said, "I'll come over and take a look."

Seeing that he was hesitant to speak, Gui'er sensed that there must be something hidden, so she said to Taohua, "You choose here first. Brother Wu just happened to come over. I want to buy a shirt for my second brother. Brother Wu, you are about the same size as my second brother. Can you help me try on the size?"

Wu Mingqiang agreed without thinking too much. When they arrived at the men's clothing area next door, Gui'er said to Wu Mingqiang, "Brother Wu, do you have something to talk to me about? I see you have nothing in your hands. You don't look like you are here to buy anything." Wu Mingqiang is now considered a capable subordinate of Sha Yanxiao. He helps to handle many secret matters, so his income is quite high. He also wears clothes like a rich young master. The difference between his clothes and those of the ordinary people here can be seen. At first glance, he doesn't look like someone who would come here to buy things.

Wu Mingqiang smiled helplessly and said, "Miss, you are really smart. I heard about what happened to Young Master Liang. Now that the Marshal has released Young Master Liang, I am afraid that he will not give up. I am really worried about him, so I came to protect you secretly."

Gui'er felt a warm feeling in her heart and said, "Thank you, but I think there's something fishy about this matter. Based on what father did two years ago, he wouldn't have left the child with Young Master Liang. Wouldn't that make others think he's easy to bully? My sisters and concubines also said that father's temperament has changed drastically recently. I really don't know what's going on. If you have any ideas, please help me investigate."

Wu Mingqiang nodded seriously and said, "Okay, Miss. In fact, the young marshal also asked me to check the background of this young master Liang's family. When you return to Nanjing in a few days, I'm afraid I will also go to Nanjing."

Guier nodded and said to him, "Thank you for your hard work. When you are in Nanjing, be careful and don't get discovered."

Wu Mingqiang smiled and said, "Don't worry, Miss. I've been doing this for many years. I did a good job in the investigation in Shanghai this time, and the young marshal even praised me."

Guier smiled and said to him, "You have a very detailed understanding of the situation in Shanghai."