The daily struggles of divorced women in ancient times

Early the next morning, Xia Mianwan went to Madam Zhou's house and took her back to Pei Mansion to celebrate the New Year.

Madam Zhou was not pretentious. She felt relieved knowing that her son was now with Pei Yanxu.

But the weather in Beijing is really bad. It feels even colder than when we were in the mountains.

Xia Mianwan placed Madam Zhou in Changchun Garden so that she could have company with Nanny Yuan and occasionally play mahjong with Madam Pei.

Just as Xia Mianwan had expected, the grain shops in the capital began to sell less grain.

The wealthy families in Beijing were better off as they all had their own farms. Although they had donated a lot of supplies, they still had some food left on the farms.

However, those poor minor officials who did not have farms in the capital, as well as ordinary people, had to queue up at the grain shops to buy grain.

However, the longer the queue, the more families in the capital came to buy grain, and the more people there were, the longer the queue.

After that, grain shops began to limit the quantity of grain sold and raised the price of grain.

Food prices were rising almost every day, and the people in Beijing were complaining bitterly.

When the people started complaining, the waiter at the grain shop said with a bitter face that the Pei Mansion had taken the lead in donating the grain to Yubei, and if they really wanted to make trouble, they could go to the Pei Mansion.

The waiter said so, and some people deliberately incited them. Those who could not afford to buy food ran to the gate of Pei's house and gathered together.

There was a commotion at the gate of Pei's residence, so loud that even Huayang Courtyard could hear it.

At this moment, everyone in Pei Mansion was sitting in the flower hall of Huayang Courtyard, some chatting, some playing mahjong, and some reading storybooks.

Chai'er came in hurriedly and whispered in Xia Mianwan's ear about the situation outside.

Xia Mianwan put down the notebook in her hand and said to everyone with a smile: "There are some things. I'm going to go out and take a look."

Seeing that something was not right, the doorman of Pei's house had already closed the door. When he saw Xia Mianwan, he hurriedly said with a sad face, "Madam, there are a lot of people making a fuss outside, saying that they can't afford to eat, and asked us to pay for food."

"There's been a commotion outside for so long, haven't the people from the Military Affairs Department come?" Xia Mianwan asked.

"No, Manager Zhang asked someone to check through the back door, and saw that there were only civilians making trouble. Not a single soldier or officer came," said the doorman.

After such a long time of commotion, no one from the Military Affairs Department came, so it was obvious that they just didn’t care anymore.

Xia Mianwan's previous actions harmed the interests of all officials, but they were indeed good for the country and the people. Therefore, it is not easy for these people to directly discipline Xia Mianwan and Pei Mansion.

However, now that the people are forced to cause trouble, the Pei Mansion has no choice but to bear this hard loss.

Xia Mianwan pondered for a moment. It had been quite some time since Madam Qin returned to Yanzhou. Logically, Xiaowu should have arrived by now...

"Where is Qian Da?" Xia Mianwan asked.

"Qian Da just went out, saying he was going to investigate the situation."

Xia Mianwan bit her lip when she heard that. Now... is not the right time. So she said, "Hold on for a while longer. Don't open the door."

"Yes, young lady."

Xia Mianwan did not return to Huayang Courtyard, but just sat in the main courtyard.

After a long time, the noise outside became louder and louder. Everyone in Huayang Courtyard couldn't bear it anymore and came to the main courtyard.

"Sleeping late." Mrs. Pei said with a worried look on her face.

"Mother." Xia Mianwan smiled.

"It's so noisy outside, is it really okay if we don't go out and take a look?" Mrs. Pei was worried.

Nanny Yuan supported Madam Pei and advised, "Of course we can't open the door at this moment. If we open the door, it will be very easy to hurt people due to the excitement."

Pei Yanyue asked: "Why are there suddenly so many people gathered at the entrance of Pei Mansion? Did something happen?"

Ruzhu glanced at Xia Mianwan, who nodded. Ruzhu then explained, "It's because the young lady took the lead in donating supplies to Yubei before. I guess those families who have lost money are taking this opportunity to cause trouble."

Pei Ying finally understood what was going on and couldn't help complaining, "Sister-in-law, how do you manage the family? How can you let people pick on you? You are too careless. If the people keep surrounding us like this, we won't be able to live and save our dignity. There are so many girls in the family, and we all want to discuss marriage!"

Chen Ge'er glanced at Pei Ying coldly, then knelt down in front of Madam Pei, "Grandma, I did this for my father, and I can't bear such slander from outsiders."

Seeing that Chen Ge'er was angry, Xia Mianwan was worried that Chen Ge'er was worried. She was about to step forward, but unexpectedly, Mrs. Pei pulled Chen Ge'er up first, "Chen Ge'er, you are right. Your mother is for your father and for the entire Pei family. Your mother is the backbone of our Pei family. If it weren't for your mother, your father would have a hard time in Yubei. Others really have no right to eat the Pei family's rice and slander the Pei family's mistress."

After hearing what Mrs. Pei said, Chen Ge'er stood up and walked coldly to Xia Mianwan.

Xia Mianwan smiled slightly, "Brother Chen, thank you very much."

Chen Ge'er said seriously: "Mother is the best!"

Yu Jie'er also walked up to Xia Mianwan and said, "There are always some people who are shameless and ungrateful. They want to steal my sister's husband and take advantage of my sister's family. I don't know where they get the nerve to do that."

What Yu Jie'er said was true, and Pei Ying also took it for granted.

"What do you mean? Is this the rule for children?" Pei Ying's voice became louder because she felt guilty.

Sister Yu smiled and said, "Did I say anything about you? Why are you so eager to admit it? Besides, my rules are always different for different people... I have rules for those who have rules, but I have no rules at all for those who don't."

Madam Zhou burst out laughing, "I haven't seen you for two years. Our Sister Yu has become more clever. She said it well."

Madam Pei glared at Pei Ying and said, "Ying'er, don't talk nonsense in the future. If I find you disrespecting your sister-in-law again, I will send you back to the clan. I don't have to repay your grandfather's kindness to you. What's more, it's a matter between your grandfather and my master. Whether it's Mian Wan or Yan Xu, it doesn't necessarily mean that you have to take the blame. So, you should behave yourself and don't make any more mistakes. Staying in the capital and getting married decently can also be regarded as fulfilling your grandfather's heart."

Pei Ying's face turned red after being pointed out by Mrs. Pei, and she naturally didn't dare to say anything more.