The daily struggles of divorced women in ancient times

This farce made the three girls lose their appetite. Seeing that the three girls had lost interest, Xia Mianwan took them back to Pei Mansion.

After lunch, the three girls returned to their respective courtyards, and Xia Mianwan went to Pei Yanxu's study.

The consistent actions of Duke Xu's Mansion, Marquis Pingyang's Mansion, and Minister Qiu's Mansion made Xia Mianwan feel that something was wrong. When Pei Yanxu left, he left behind some of his own writings, which were all about the relationships between the current aristocratic families and wealthy gentry.

Xia Mianwan spent an entire afternoon in Pei Yanxu's study and finally figured out the relationships between these families. It seemed that these people were aiming to rule the world.

But there's something missing in this line.

Xia Mianwan pondered for a long time, and finally an idea flashed in his mind: this line was still missing a general.

Xia Mianwan didn't have complete information and couldn't make any further judgments, so she picked up a pen and wrote down everything she knew in the past few days.

"Four barrels."

"Yes, Madam." Si Tong heard Xia Mianwan calling someone in the study and hurriedly pushed the door open.

"You should send this letter to your husband as soon as possible."

"Yes, ma'am."

A few days later, Mrs. Zhang brought her young son Zhang Hengzheng to the capital.

After receiving the visiting card, Xia Mianwan began to prepare the banquet.

The banquets in Pei Mansion are all regulated. There have always been old rules in the mansion. Xia Mianwan just needs to follow the old rules. However, the biggest problem is whether Qin Qinqing has figured it out, otherwise it will just be a joke.

Xia Mianwan took Rumeng and Ruzhu to Yimeyuan first, but found it empty. After asking the maid, she learned that Madam Qin had gone to Qinglingyuan.

Xia Mianwan then took people to Qinglingyuan.

When Xia Mianwan arrived, Madam Qin was talking to Qin Qinqing in the room. The maid was about to report, but Xia Mianwan stopped her. She wanted to hear what Madam Qin and Qin Qinqing said.

"Ah Qing, Madam Zhang and her youngest son have already arrived in the capital. Tomorrow, your cousin's wife will host a banquet to entertain them. Since you two are just seeing each other, we will use the name of the banquet to let you meet. You must dress up well tomorrow."

"Mother, are you really willing to let me marry the son of a county magistrate?" Qin Qinqing asked unwillingly.

"Ah Qing, you have to believe in your mother. Even if everyone in the world is not doing this for your good, I will definitely do this for your good. These past two days, your mother has taken inventory of everything she has. When we came to Pei Mansion, we had already sold the land and shops in our hometown, and bought two shops in the capital. The annual income from these two shops is not bad, so these two shops will be your dowry. As for jewelry, your mother has saved some for you over the years, and your aunt also gave you some. I sorted them out and there are roughly two boxes. As for cash... about 10,000 5,000 taels. Mother can't give you all this silver, but 5,000 taels is enough. Mother's family is not very powerful, so the dowry was not much. But... your father did get some good things when he was on the march, and I can sort out two loads of dowry from these things. As for the small box, mother took it to the pawnshop a few days ago and got 2,000 taels of silver. I will use this money to buy you some furniture and other things. Add it all together, mother can probably get you 32 loads of dowry."

"Mother……"

"Ah Qing, sometimes you have to accept reality. If your father were still alive, your marriage would not be like this. Mother knows that you are strong-willed, but... we have to look at the current situation clearly. Our dowry is so much. If you marry into a wealthy family, what can you rely on if your family is not prominent? The Pei Mansion... is your aunt's family. You can use favors, but you can't use them all the time. However, marrying into a small family is different. Your dowry is very good. As long as you don't cause trouble and don't make trouble, and your relationship with your aunt's family is still there, your aunt and cousin will not treat you badly."

"Mother... I just know that our dowry is not that much, so I... I just... Mother, I don't want us to live with our heads down all the time."

"Ah Qing, whether or not to bow your head depends on yourself, not on men's power. Don't think that the Pei family has given your cousin's wife enough face, but that's because your cousin's wife is capable enough. Winning over men is not a skill. Men's love is too shallow. If you are unlucky, you will lose your gamble."

Xia Mianwan truly felt Mrs. Qin's motherly love at the door.

There was no sound from inside for a long while. After a long time, Qin Qinqing's voice was heard again.

"Mother...I really just can't accept it..."

"Mother knows, but how can we argue about the quality of life in a short time? Well, when your marriage is settled and you get married, mother will go to Yanzhou with you. Mother will buy a house in Yanzhou City, and then we can see each other often. Mother has lived the first half of her life for your father, and the second half for you. After you get married, mother doesn't want to work so hard anymore, and wants to live a leisurely and ordinary life."

After a long time, Qin Qinqing's voice came over with sobs, "Mother, I will listen to you. I will live a good life and never make trouble again. I accept my fate."

"It's better to accept your fate, it's better to accept your fate..."

Xia Mianwan sighed softly, feeling a little melancholy. It turned out that no one in this world lived an easy and comfortable life.

After calming down, Xia Mianwan asked Ruzhu to knock on the door.

When Mrs. Qin learned that it was Xia Mianwan who came, she hurriedly let Xia Mianwan into the house.

There were still tears in the eyes of Mrs. Qin and Qin Qinqing.

Xia Mianwan said: "Aunt, cousin, Madam Zhang is here, I wonder if you have discussed it?"

Madam Qin wiped her tears and said, "We have discussed it, we have discussed it. We will dress appropriately tomorrow."

Xia Mianwan looked at Qin Qinqing, "What did my cousin say?"

Qin Qinqing said: "Cousin, I will attend well."

Seeing this, Xia Mianwan nodded and said, "That's the best. I'll go and arrange the banquet."

After Xia Mianwan finished speaking, she stood up and was about to leave. At this moment, Qin Qinqing suddenly called her, "Cousin."

"Ok?"

Qin Qinqing suddenly knelt down solemnly and kowtowed to Xia Mianwan.

Although Xia Mianwan looked calm on the surface, he was scrolling through comments in his mind. What was he doing?

"Cousin, I was wrong before, but now I have thought it through. I will choose a husband for myself and live a good life." Qin Qinqing said.

Xia Mianwan always talks about deeds rather than intentions, "In this case, I will also prepare it for you."