The daily struggles of divorced women in ancient times

Xia Mianwan understood Madam Sang's urgency and said with a smile, "Don't worry, Sister Sang. These things cannot be resolved in a day or two. When you arrive in the capital, can't I buy in?"

When Mrs. Sang heard this, she agreed and immediately invited Xia Mianwan to drink with her.

After the drinking, the banquet ended.

Xia Mianwan's days in Yanzhou seemed to have come to an end with this banquet. After sending you thousands of miles away, we will eventually have to say goodbye.

Three days later, Xia Mianwan set off for the capital with Chen Ge'er, Yu Jie'er and a boat full of luggage.

After arriving in the capital, Xia Mianwan had someone take him to the Xia family's house in the capital. The location of this house was very remote, probably outside the Fifth Ring Road, but the courtyard had three entrances.

The prices in the capital are high, and not many minor officials can afford to buy houses outside the Fifth Ring Road.

Although no one had lived in the Xia family's house for a long time, the housekeeper Zhou Bo had been taking care of it. When Zhou Bo heard that Xia Mianwan was coming back to prepare for her wedding, he sent people to wait at the dock early after cleaning up the yard.

After Xia Mianwan, Chen Ge'er and Yu Jie'er got off the boat, they took the Xia family's carriage back to the Xia residence.

Because there were too many luggages, the neighbors around came to watch for a while.

Uncle Zhou watched Xia Mianwan grow up. After hearing about Xia Mianwan's experiences over the years, he couldn't help but shed tears when he saw Xia Mianwan again.

"Miss!" Zhou Bo lost his composure for a moment and quickly wiped his tears with his sleeves.

Xia Mianwan nodded slightly and smiled: "Uncle Zhou, I'm back safe and sound, right?"

"Just come back, just come back!"

After Xia Mianwan took Chen Ge'er and Yu Jie'er to the hospital and settled them there, she asked Ruzhu to call Zhou Bo to the hall to answer the call.

"Miss!" Zhou Bo bowed respectfully.

Xia Mianwan quickly asked Zhou Bo to stand up and told Ruzhu to look for a seat. Only then did Zhou Bo start to reply.

As the Xia family has lost power in recent years, only Zhou Bo's family and one family with a child remain in the Xia residence.

Xia Mianwan did not bring anyone else with him this time. He only brought Ruzhu, a maid, two servants of Chen Ge'er, and Ruying of Yu Jie'er. If it was as Zhou Bo said, more people would definitely be needed.

"Uncle Zhou, please call a reliable official tomorrow. I want to buy some people." Xia Mianwan said.

Zhou Bo replied, "To answer the young lady's question, it has been agreed upon. The master gave me two thousand taels of silver and said that the expenses of the young lady here will be paid by the public."

Xia Mianwan didn't expect that her cheap father was not so stingy after earning money, and nodded with satisfaction.

"The master said that he would bring his wife back early before the young lady's marriage proposal." Uncle Zhou said again.

Xia Mianwan thought about Madam Xia's previous handling of the matter and felt a headache. "Uncle Zhou, go tell my father that Madam Yang will come to Beijing to help me with all matters related to the marriage. Dad can just come to drink some wedding wine and send me off. Madam doesn't have to come, so as not to embarrass everyone."

Seeing Xia Mianwan's firm attitude, Zhou Bo didn't know what to say. After all, it was his wife who was too harsh on her daughter.

"Yes, I will report it right away."

"Oh, Uncle Zhou, go to the restaurant and order two tables of food. Don't cook today. We'll start cooking after everyone has bought their food."

"Yes." Zhou Bo replied.

"Also, please help me send someone to inquire about Madam Zhou's home in Guanliu Hutong. If you run into the owner there, please let me know that I have arrived in the capital."

"Yes."

Xia Mianwan wrote a letter to Madam Zhou before she left. She thought that Madam Zhou should have known that she was coming to the capital.

After everything was arranged, Xia Mianwan finally felt tired and prepared to go back to his room to rest.

She thought she would have to clean up after returning to the room, but she never expected that Uncle Zhou had already asked someone to replace the bed and bedding with the latest ones. Xia Mianwan felt somewhat satisfied. Uncle Zhou was really sincere to her, otherwise he would not be so considerate.

……

The next day.

The singing of birds in spring is melodious and lingering. I wake up slowly from my summer sleep. I am still a little dazed, without any sense of the reality that I have arrived in Yanzhou.

Ruzhu heard the noise in the room and hurriedly lifted the curtain and walked in with a basin of water.

"Ruzhu, what time is it?" Xia Mianwan asked with a yawn.

"It's time."

"Are Brother Chen and Sister Yu up yet?"

"Yes, my brother is already studying, and my sister is already counting her belongings."

Xia Mianwan nodded and prepared to get up.

After everything was dressed up, Xia Mianwan took Ruzhu to the front hall. Madam Pei sent two maids over, saying that she was worried that the newly bought maid might not be capable and didn't know these etiquettes, so she asked the two maids to train her before sending back.

Mrs. Pei was really considerate. She was afraid that if she sent a maid directly, Xia Mianwan would feel uncomfortable using her and think that she was going to interfere in the affairs of her room. She was also afraid that Xia Mianwan would not have anyone to considerate of her, so she came up with this idea.

The next day was packed with activities including selecting people, assigning rooms, and packing luggage, and the work did not stop for even a moment.

After a few busy days, the Xia family's house finally began to have a lively atmosphere.

Xia Mianwan still only has Ruzhu by her side, and Yu Jie'er only has Ruying by her side. The other maids are still being trained by the two maids sent by Madam Pei.

The Pei family will wait until Pei Yanxu returns before sending an official matchmaker to propose marriage.

Therefore, Xia Mianwan would probably have to stay in the Xia family's house for half a year. This half a year was neither long nor short, but since Xia Mianwan was going to get married, she would definitely need to prepare a dowry.

Xia Mianwan didn't understand these things, so she picked up a letter to Mrs. Yang, asking her what she needed to prepare as a dowry before she came to Beijing.

After Xia Mianwan finished writing the letter, she gave it to the servant, then took Chen Ge'er and Yu Jie'er to Guanliu Hutong to look for Madam Zhou and Zhou Chengze.

Chen Ge'er and Yu Jie'er had no memory of the capital, so they were still a little curious about it. As the carriage was moving on the road, Chen Ge'er and Yu Jie'er lifted the curtain to look outside.

"Mother, the streets in the capital are even more lively than those in Yanzhou." Yu Jie'er stretched her head and looked left and right, very curious.

Xia Mianwan also looked out and said, "Yeah, it's really lively, even more lively than Yanzhou!"

"Mother, didn't you live in the capital before? Why are you so surprised?" Yu Jie'er asked curiously.

Xia Mianwan smiled and touched Yu Jie'er's head and said, "I've been away from Beijing for too long. The past seems to have gone with the wind. So, mother, I'm as curious as you are."

"Mother, I heard yesterday that the night market in Beijing is very lively. How about we go shopping when Aunt Sang comes?" Yu Jie said excitedly. Seeing the bustling street, all of them were the business opportunities that her mother always talked about!

Xia Mianwan responded: "Okay, then mother will take you to see it."