The daily struggles of divorced women in ancient times

Next, Mrs. Pei exchanged a few more pleasantries with everyone and then led everyone to another garden to listen to opera.

Mrs. Pei specially invited the opera troupe from the capital.

The play sung was "Zhe Gui".

It was the first time that Xia Mianwan watched a play she had written being performed. Mr. Hua Si was really talented and his performance was so lifelike that even she, who didn't like watching plays, couldn't help but be fascinated by it.

"Madam Xia, I remember that the 'Zhegui' wine is also produced by your winery, right?" asked Madam Yang next to her.

"Indeed." Xia Mianwan responded.

"I wonder what new wine your shop will produce? My master and I like it very much."

Xia Mianwan nodded, "Yes, 'Peach Blossom Drunk' will be released soon. This one is suitable for women to drink. It tastes sweet and not too strong."

"Will there be a new play this time?" Madam Yang was very curious.

"Yes, there will be."

"Well, Madam Xia, I am ashamed to say that my master often sells some items from our side to the outside of the Great Wall, and then brings some items from the outside of the Great Wall to sell in the Central Plains. I wonder if I can get the goods from you and let me sell them outside the Great Wall?" Madam Yang said with a smile.

Beyond the Wall?

It should be the Western Region.

Xia Mianwan nodded and said, "Of course you can. But besides Zhegui, there are still some left. Taohuazui is not available yet. We have to wait until the peach blossoms bloom."

Madam Yang said, "It's not urgent. My master won't go out until the peach blossoms start to bloom. But I don't know if the price here can be cheaper than the market price."

Xia Mianwan said: "Of course there is no problem. The price will definitely be different for different quantities."

Xia Mianwan was chatting with Madam Yang quite enthusiastically. At this time, Aunt Xu came to Xia Mianwan's side, bowed and said, "Madam Xia, our old lady wants to see you."

Xia Mianwan looked towards the main seat and found that Madam Pei was no longer there. She stood up, bowed slightly and said, "Please lead the way, Madam Xu."

Madam Xu was somewhat surprised that Xia Mianwan knew her last name, "You know me?"

Xia Mianwan followed Madam Xu and said, "I heard Lord Pei mention it."

Madam Xu paused for a moment, "Our Master is quite familiar with you?"

Xia Mianwan smiled slightly, "Indeed... not unfamiliar."

Aunt Xu: “…”

Nanny Xu brought Xia Mianwan to Dengyun Pavilion in the Pei Mansion. Madam Pei was already sitting in the pavilion waiting.

"Madam Xia, please sit down." Mrs. Pei said with a smile.

Xia Mianwan nodded slightly and sat down. Lian Qiao, the maidservant beside Mrs. Pei, came up and made tea for Xia Mianwan, then left.

Nanny Xu also withdrew.

Seeing that everyone else had left, Mrs. Pei smiled and invited Xia Mianwan to have tea.

Xia Mianwan picked up the teacup, took a sip, then put it down and waited for Mrs. Pei to speak.

Mrs. Pei was somewhat impressed by Xia Mianwan's calmness and lack of stage fright.

"You are awesome!" Mrs. Pei praised.

Xia Mianwan: “?”

This seems... not quite the same as what Xia Mianwan thought.

"Why do you say that, Madam Pei?" Xia Mianwan raised the teacup and took a sip calmly.

"Our family went to the capital after Yan Xu became rich. When I first went to the banquets hosted by those noble ladies in the capital, I was extremely nervous. I was far from being as calm as you see me today." Mrs. Pei sighed.

Xia Mianwan thought for a moment and said, "Maybe it's because I used to be... a general's wife."

At this moment, Mrs. Pei's hand holding the teacup trembled. It was really strange that this young lady would tell her directly that she was married. With such a nonchalant attitude, could it be that her son was asking her to take the blame again?

Mrs. Pei took a closer look at Xia Mianwan, and seeing that Xia Mianwan still looked normal, she could only say, "You agree with Yan Xu..."

"Madam, do you object?" Xia Mianwan asked instead of answering.

Madam Pei smiled and shook her head. "My son's marriage is a very difficult matter. If he loves you, how can I stop him?"

This is not quite the same as what I had expected.

Xia Mian is a little silent at night.

Mrs. Pei changed the subject slowly at this time, "I am a girl from a humble family, and Yan Xu's father is just a small county magistrate. Yan Xu's father and I were childhood sweethearts, and we got married when we were old enough. After that, Yan Xu was born, and later we had two daughters and a son."

Xia Mianwan nodded slightly to indicate that she was listening.

"Yan Xu was just a student, and I was only responsible for handling the household affairs of the county magistrate. I would not be a hindrance. But I did not expect that a war would allow Yan Xu to suddenly make our Pei family so rich. I never thought that one day I would become the mistress of this noble family. To be honest, I only came from a small family, and I knew nothing about the twists and turns of the noble families. So... when I first went to the banquet, I made a lot of jokes."

Mrs. Pei's voice was very gentle, and she spoke in a very leisurely manner.

"After that, it got better, but it was still very tiring to handle many mundane affairs. It was fine earlier, but Yan Xu's brothers and sisters are getting older and they need to discuss marriage. But for a rich family, it turns out that even marriage is a lot of tricks. I originally wanted Yan Xu to marry a woman from a high-class family to be the mistress of the Pei Mansion, so that I could get rid of the marriages of the children. But... who knew that Yan Xu would never marry a woman from a rich family or a daughter of an aristocratic family."

Having said that, Mrs. Pei sighed.

"But it is indeed difficult for a woman from a small family to take on such a big responsibility. Since Yan Xu disagrees, I will just let him do what he wants. But as time goes by, several of my brothers and sisters-in-law are also waiting to get married." Mrs. Pei said with a bitter face.

"So..." Xia Mianwan finally had a bad feeling.

"So..." Madam Pei grabbed Xia Mianwan's hand and said, "If it's really you, I think it's very suitable. My son has to be a lone minister, he can't marry a noblewoman, he can't be taken advantage of by others, and he can't let the emperor think that my son will cultivate his own power. However, without a deep family background, I'm afraid he won't be able to handle all the affairs of the family. You are just right, you are not from a high family but you have been a general's wife, you know everything. What's more, you don't get along with that military general, you are really a perfect match for our family."

As she spoke, Mrs. Pei's smile became even wider, "You must not give up on my son!"

Xia Mianwan: "..."

The smile on Xia Mianwan's face gradually stiffened, and he didn't know what to say, so he could only smile awkwardly.

"My eldest daughter's marriage is imminent, my youngest daughter is not so anxious yet, but my youngest son has reached the age where he can be married, so you have to worry about it!" Mrs. Pei repeatedly instructed.

Xia Mianwan simply nodded and agreed, "I understand, Madam Pei."

Mrs. Pei saw that Xia Mianwan responded naturally and didn't notice anything else unusual. She was about to speak when she saw Pei Yanxu coming over.

"Why did mother invite only Mianwan here?"