The daily struggles of divorced women in ancient times

At noon, Xia Mianwan had not woken up yet, but Pei Yanxu had already woken up. He had already delivered a letter to the emperor as soon as he arrived in the capital yesterday, so it was just the right time for him to get up.

The maids and servants in Shaoguang Courtyard were used to sleeping late and waking up late in the summer, so they were a little uncomfortable with Pei Yanxu suddenly coming back and getting up so early.

"Sir, you're awake. The young mistress has already told us to prepare your favorite breakfast." Xuan Xue said with a smile when she saw Pei Yanxu waking up.

Xuan Xue is very good at making medicinal food, so Xia Mianwan specially arranged for Xuan Xue to be on duty in the mornings these few days.

When Xia Mianwan woke up, Pei Yanxu had already entered the palace. After breakfast, Xia Mianwan went to Pei Yanyue's yard.

During these ten days, Nanny Yuan's classes at Manyue Academy were all in the morning, and her homework at home was arranged in the afternoon.

At this time, Pei Yanyue was practicing needlework with Pei Yanqi, Pei Ling and Pei Xia.

Several people sat together chatting and laughing, it was so pleasant.

When Xia Mianwan came in, the maid did not inform her. Pei Yanyue happened to be sitting opposite her and was the first to notice Xia Mianwan, so she put down the embroidery in her hands.

Xia Mianwan waved her hand to signal Pei Yanyue not to get up, "Your brother is back today, and I have arranged a family dinner tonight. Ah Yue, come with me for a walk."

Everyone was very happy to hear that Pei Yanxu was back and responded happily.

Pei Yanyue stood up and said, "Sister-in-law, where are we going?"

Xia Mianwan smiled and said, "Just follow me."

Xia Mianwan took Pei Yanyue out of the Pei Mansion and went to a small alley in the north of the city. When they got off the carriage, Pei Yanyue was still a little confused.

This alley is on the outskirts of the capital, far from the city center. Most of the people living in the alley are ordinary people who share a house, and there are also small officials in the capital who live in an independent courtyard and have a decent living standard.

Various vendors have already started doing business outside the alley, so the inside of the alley seems very quiet.

"Sister-in-law, what are we doing here?" Pei Yanyue asked in confusion.

Xia Mianwan smiled and said, "You will be getting married in a few days. I want to bring you here to see where you will live in the future."

Pei Yanyue understood what Xia Mianwan meant when she heard it, which meant that Qian Mingzhang lived here.

Pei Yanyue asked: "Sister-in-law, are you worried that I won't be used to living here?"

Xia Mianwan said: "Well, let me show you the situation. You will not complain until you face your own environment."

Pei Yanyue nodded and said, "Sister-in-law, I understand."

Pei Yanyue did have a hard time when she was young, but Pei Yanxu was very capable since she was young. When Pei Yanxu was older, he could already support his family, not to mention that Pei Yanxu had a smooth journey after the imperial examination. Although Qian Mingzhang was a Jinshi, the family situation was not very good for Pei Yanyue.

This is how people are, it is easy to go from frugality to luxury, but it is difficult to go from luxury to frugality.

Although Pei Yanyue had met Qian Mingzhang and Qian's mother briefly before, she had no real understanding of the Qian family. Xia Mianwan was worried that Pei Yanyue would feel disappointed, so she brought her to the alley where the Qian family lived.

"This place is so far from the palace. Don't we have to get up very early to be on duty?" Pei Yanyue asked curiously.

Seeing Pei Yanyue already worried about her future husband's daily life, Xia Mianwan laughed, "Of course you have to get up early. Some people who live farther away and can't afford a carriage have to rent a donkey cart."

Pei Yanyue now began to calculate the money she had on hand, wondering if it would be feasible to sell the shop she brought as a dowry and exchange it for a house closer to the palace.

Pei Yanyue's dowry has been almost ready these days, all of which was paid by the Pei Mansion's treasury. The Pei Mansion's treasury doesn't have much money, but fortunately, with the summer sleep party running, the income these days is not to be underestimated.

Xia Mianwan took out most of it to buy a dowry for Pei Yanyue. The emperor had also rewarded her with a lot of ornaments and jewelry before, and Xia Mianwan also took some of these for Pei Yanyue as a treasure.

Pei Yanxu also had some dowries prepared for his sisters in his private storehouse, and Xia Mianwan took them out for Pei Yanyue. It was still early for Pei Yanqi to get married, and the family situation might be better by then, so there was no need to rush to keep too much.

However, most of the things Xia Mianwan prepared were practical things, just for show, and Pei Yanyue would not be able to use them in the short term.

As for the makeup, Xia Mianwan had given it to Pei Yanyue early on. They were all bracelets made of glass beads, a very clear mirror, and a set of pure gold headwear.

Pei Yanyue was still thinking about it, but Xia Mianwan saw through it.

"You've been thinking about it for such a long time, aren't you... thinking of using your dowry to buy a house in the center of the capital for the Qian family to live in?" Xia Mianwan asked.

Pei Yanyue was a little embarrassed when her thoughts were spoken. She lowered her head shyly and asked, "Sister-in-law, do you think it's okay for me to do this?"

Xia Mianwan smiled faintly, "Do you know the Qian family? Do you know your future mother-in-law? Do you know your future husband?"

Pei Yanyue shook her head in confusion.

Xia Mianwan said earnestly: "Since you don't know, don't give your true heart to others before you get married. Sincerity is precious, but money is even more precious. Do you understand?"

To be honest, Pei Yanyue didn't quite understand. "Aren't we a family? Shouldn't a family work together?"

Xia Mianwan sighed and said, "But how can you guarantee the sincerity of others? If you are too enthusiastic and they are not willing to work with you, what's the point?"

Pei Yanyue looked at Xia Mianwan with a confused look in her eyes.

"When you don't understand others, don't go too far, otherwise you will easily feel wronged and others will think you are meddling. Especially for women, life is already difficult in this era. If your heart is completely tied to your husband, it's fine. But if you even lose all your money, and if the result is not what you expected, what will you do? The so-called loss of both life and money is a huge blow. Can you start over again and start over?" Xia Mianwan asked.

Pei Yanyue silently thought about what Xia Mianwan said. This was different from what her mother taught her.

Xia Mianwan patted Pei Yanyue and took her for a stroll on the street.

"Sister-in-law, what you said is different from what mother said, but... I think you are right. If I buy a house for the Qian family, will Mr. Qian feel that his self-esteem is damaged? Will mother Qian think that I am easy to control? If she relies on me for everything in the future, how will I live?"

Xia Mianwan was very happy to see Pei Yanyue had figured it out, "You're right, that's it."

"Thank you, sister-in-law." Pei Yanyue knew that no one else could hear these words.

"Sister-in-law just hopes you have better luck and that the Qian family is a good choice." Xia Mianwan said sincerely.

"What about my home?" Pei Yanyue couldn't help but ask.

Xia Mianwan was stunned by the question, then smiled and said: "My mother treats me very well, your brother treats me very well too, I have nothing to be dissatisfied with, I guess I am also very lucky!"