The daily struggles of divorced women in ancient times

"Pei Xia, don't be afraid. Your sister-in-law just wants to ask you something." Seeing Pei Xia's nervousness, Xia Mianwan spoke to her in a friendly manner.

Pei Xia raised her head slightly and said timidly, "Sister-in-law, what do you want to ask?"

"Just now in the garden, when your sister was talking, your eyes were a little evasive. Can you tell your sister-in-law where your sister has been these days?" Xia Mianwan asked softly.

Pei Xia quickly lowered his head upon hearing this, and kept pinching his hands, extremely nervous.

Seeing this, Xia Mianwan grabbed Pei Xia's hand and said earnestly, "Pei Xia, sister-in-law wants to ask you, why do you think your grandfather wanted to entrust you three sisters to the Pei Mansion?"

Pei Xia was no longer nervous when her grandfather was mentioned. In the past, because she was the youngest child in the family, her grandfather was very kind to her and she had the closest relationship with him.

Pei Xia thought for a moment and said, "Grandpa hopes that we will be well and have a good family."

"Pei Xia, what kind of person do you think your grandfather is?" Xia Mianwan asked again.

At this time, Pei Xia was no longer as timid as before. He straightened his chest, looked into Xia Mianwan's eyes and said, "My grandfather is the best person in the world."

Xia Mianwan nodded, stood up, took Pei Xia's hand, and walked into the garden.

"Since your grandfather is the best man, do you believe in him?" Xia Mianwan asked.

"Of course I believe it."

"Okay, then you should believe that your grandfather entrusted you three sisters to the Pei Mansion because he believed in the character of the head of the Pei Mansion, the ability of the mistress, and that he believed that the Pei Mansion could find a good family for you." Xia Mianwan's voice was soft and gentle, very pleasant to the ears.

"Yes, sister-in-law." Pei Xia nodded. She believed in her grandfather very much.

"So what does Pei Xia think is a good family?" Xia Mianwan continued to ask.

Pei Xia was stumped by this question. She had never thought about what a good family was, or even what kind of family she would marry into.

"Maybe it's... a good family background?" Pei Xia hesitated.

Xia Mianwan smiled, "Pei Xia, you are a grown-up girl now. You should know that your life is actually in your own hands, and the choice should be made by yourself. If the family background is good but the family tradition is not upright, then entering such a family is tantamount to seeking the skin of a tiger. In this era, it is difficult for women to establish themselves. Not everyone is lucky enough to choose a good marriage."

"Sister-in-law, are you talking about the Zheng family?" Pei Xia asked in confusion.

Xia Mianwan nodded, "I'm talking about the Zheng family, and also about most of the noble families in this world. Sister-in-law said this to tell you that choosing a son-in-law is very important in this world, but it's not extremely important. If a woman wants to gain a foothold, it depends on her own ability."

Pei Xia didn't say anything. She thought quietly for a while, then nodded and said, "Sister-in-law, I understand."

Xia Mianwan stopped at this time, and Pei Xia also stopped.

"Pei Xia, if you don't change your personality, you will be suppressed by your sister at home, and by your husband and mother-in-law after you get married. If you don't win the jackpot and choose a good husband, you will suffer a lot in the future." Xia Mianwan sighed.

Pei Xia looked at a red plum blossom in the distance, silent. After a long time, Pei Xia finally made up her mind. She bowed deeply to Xia Mianwan. Although her eyes were still not firm enough, they were less timid.

"Sister-in-law, I want to change, please teach me."

Xia Mianwan did not let Pei Xia get up, but said to her: "Look, Pei Xia, when you feel you need help from others, you will want to make a big gift. In fact, you also know that if you want others to be nice to you, you have to pay a price. This is an equal matter. Your grandfather's face has long been spent on letting you enter the Pei Mansion. In the future, you have to earn every bit of face in the Pei Mansion or after you get married. Do you hear me?"

Pei Xia nodded heavily.

Xia Mianwan then smiled and helped Pei Xia up, "Then Pei Xia, whether it's for your sister's good... or for your own good, you should tell me what your sister has done these days and who she has met."

Pei Xia's eyes were clear now. She actually knew that what Pei Ying did was wrong, but she never dared to say it.

"Sister-in-law, elder sister has been to Qingping Academy on Qingping Street these days. She made friends with several scholars there. Today is the day that elder sister and others have made an appointment to go appreciate the plum blossoms together." Pei Xia said.

Xia Mianwan asked, "Where does your sister usually meet with them?"

Pei Xia said: "It's in the teahouse next to the academy."

Qingping Academy...

Isn’t that really the academy where Jiang Chengying studied?

Xia Mianwan's expression became subtle, "Ruzhu, send a servant to take a look."

"Yes."

"Pei Xia, your sister-in-law will prepare some gifts for you later. Can you take them to Nanny Yuan to apologize to her? If Nanny Yuan is willing to accept you, starting tomorrow, you should go and study with her with your other sisters." Xia Mianwan said.

Pei Xia nodded, "Yes, but...what about my elder sister?"

Xia Mianwan smiled slightly, "Pei Xia, sister-in-law knows that you are a good child. It is very difficult for you to be caught between two sisters. But you have to know that you are yourself, not someone else's appendage. Think about it carefully, if you say or do something, can it affect your sisters' decision?"

Pei Xia thought about it carefully and realized... yes, she could not influence her sisters' decisions at all, and her sisters had never really asked for her opinion.

Seeing Pei Xia was silent, Xia Mianwan continued, "Respect is mutual. The only thing you can control is your own life."

"Sister-in-law, I know."

Xia Mianwan was satisfied when she saw that Pei Xia's explanation made sense. At least Pei Ying had not led the little one astray.

"Then you follow Sister Rumeng to prepare. You guys go down first."

"it is good."

……

Pei Ying knew that she couldn't leave the house today, so she had to return to Yimeyuan angrily.

Pei Ying waited and waited in Yimei Courtyard but Pei Xia never came back. She finally felt a little nervous. "Pei Xia, that blockhead, wouldn't say anything nonsense, right?"

After waiting for a long time, Pei Ying still didn't see Pei Xia. Even when Pei Ling came back, she didn't see Pei Xia. She couldn't sit still anymore.

Pei Ling had not spoken to Pei Ying since the quarrel that day. Seeing Pei Yi sitting restlessly in the yard, she was afraid that she would get into trouble and be implicated, so she asked, "What's wrong with you? Is there anything wrong?"

Pei Ying no longer cared about the unpleasantness she had with Pei Ling before, and asked, "Have you seen Pei Xia?"

"Sister? You saw it. When Nanny Yuan let us back, sister was waiting at the door." Pei Ling said.

"What? You said my sister went to Nanny Yuan's place?" Pei Ying said in surprise.

"Yes!"

Pei Ying was so angry at this moment. Pei Xia, this stupid guy, actually dared to betray her. She was so angry that she rushed straight to Changchun Garden.