The daily struggles of divorced women in ancient times

Because of Zheng Xiaoyun's matter, Xia Mianwan felt relaxed and comfortable for a while. However, after just a few days, the decree of marriage arrived at the Pei family, and Xia Mianwan became busy again.

Marrying a girl is different from marrying a girl. Although you don't have to worry about the dowry, you can't lose etiquette with the betrothal gift. However, Xia Mianwan had already discussed the regulations of the betrothal gift with Pei Yanxu before, so now you just need to take out the money to buy it.

Mrs. Pei had saved some private money over the years, and this time she happily took it all out to buy a dowry for Pei Yanshu.

The dowry negotiation was initiated by Xia Mianwan, and it was just a formality for the two mistresses to exchange the betrothal gifts and dowry lists. However, something went wrong.

On the day of discussing the dowry, the Li family specially invited the Eighth Princess to accompany them. She was domineering throughout the whole process, as if her daughter was marrying down to a lower class.

This is a marriage, not an enmity, so Xia Mianwan was naturally very unhappy with such behavior.

What happened later was even more exaggerated. The list of dowries sent by the Li family was a huge one, much better than Xia Mianwan's. Moreover, even if other people married their daughters off at a lower level, for the sake of the man's face and the woman's future life, they would not write down all the precious items in the bottom of the box clearly. Some smart ones would even directly write "a box of silver as a dowry" and add the attachments.

The Li family...if this isn't intentional, then what is this?

Xia Mianwan was stunned when she looked at the dowry list, then handed it to Mrs. Pei.

Mrs. Pei was stunned when she saw the long list. "Mrs. Li, your dowry is really large, but my family doesn't have so much betrothal gifts."

Madam Li didn't expect Madam Pei to be so blunt. She was stunned for a moment and said, "What do you mean? Do you think our daughter is unworthy? Our family is the empress dowager's family. Madam Pei should be careful with her words."

Mrs. Pei really didn't expect Mrs. Li to say that. It was also because Xia Mianwan had managed the household affairs very well since she got married, so she didn't have to worry about anything. So she didn't know what to say for a while.

Madam Li thought that the Pei family was easy to control, and said arrogantly: "If the Pei family is not ready, there is no need to talk. Our daughter is very noble, so I will give you some time to prepare the betrothal gifts."

The Eighth Princess looked at Madam Li's actions in amazement and was secretly annoyed. If she had known that she would be with such an idiot, she should have called herself sick.

Mrs. Pei was really angry this time. Her face darkened and she was about to say something, but was held back by Xia Mianwan. She shook her head at Mrs. Pei.

Mrs. Pei has always trusted Xia Mianwan. Since Xia Mianwan didn't allow her to speak, she kept silent at this moment.

Xia Mianwan smiled and invited everyone to drink tea. "This tea is brewed with the first batch of dew this morning. Princess and Madam Li, please try it."

Xia Mianwan's posture of drinking tea is very beautiful, calm and comfortable. It seems that she really comes here just to drink this sip of good tea.

Madam Li was interrupted and naturally unhappy because she didn't get an answer from the Pei Mansion. She looked at the Eighth Princess, wanting her to help her restart the conversation, but the Eighth Princess seemed to be immersed in the tea.

Is it really that delicious? Mrs. Li took another sip of tea with a skeptical attitude, but still couldn't taste anything.

After all, she has been a noble lady for many years. If others don't start a conversation or add insult to injury, she naturally won't ask rashly. They are all noble ladies and they all need some face.

However, Xia Mianwan was determined and didn't say a word about the dowry. She just chatted with the Eighth Princess. The Eighth Princess was a smart person. She knew the position of Pei Yanxu in the heart of the emperor. She also heard a lot of anecdotes about Mrs. Pei and knew that Pei Yanxu was afraid of his wife.

If a powerful person were to spread rumors that he was afraid of his wife, it meant that he must value his wife very much, so the Eighth Princess was happy to sell herself well.

The princes like the Eighth Prince, who didn't have to stay in the capital for a long time, were most afraid of any accidents. Her prince had no ambition and just wanted to be an idle prince, so she was naturally happy to be an idle princess. During the war, her prince also led the troops, but later he was too tired and even handed over the military power.

A quarter of an hour passed, and Madam Li found that everyone was just sitting there drinking tea and chatting, and no one said a word about dowry and betrothal gifts. She became a little anxious, "Madam Pei, Madam Pei, can you give us a definite answer?"

Xia Mianwan took the handkerchief and wiped her mouth, then raised her eyebrows and asked, "I wonder what the accurate message that Madam Li is talking about is?"

Madam Li frowned and said, "Regarding the betrothal gift, your betrothal gift is not enough."

Xia Mianwan was surprised and said, "Didn't my mother-in-law already say that? Our family has its own rules for betrothal gifts. The things on the betrothal gift list are the betrothal gifts we will give out, and we won't increase them."

Madam Li was so angry that she fell backwards after hearing this. She slammed the table and pointed at Xia Mianwan and said, "You! Do you know that our daughter was married off by the Queen Mother?"

Xia Mianwan nodded calmly, "I'm not stupid, so of course I know. Madam Li might have forgotten that my marriage was also arranged by the Emperor. This is how the Pei family's betrothal gifts are set. We can't afford more. This is how the Pei family is built. If... Madam Li has any objections to the Queen Mother's arranged marriage, then go find the Queen Mother. We, the Pei family, have already done our best."

What a sharp-tongued Madam Pei is! The Eighth Princess had heard rumors about Xia Mianwan for a long time, and even went to Manyue Tower and Manyue Academy many times, but had never met Xia Mianwan. Only when she saw her with her own eyes this time did she realize that Madam Pei was truly a wonderful person.

The Eighth Princess did not support others, especially not those who supported fools.

It's just that the Eighth Princess didn't want to talk, so naturally there were idiots chasing her to talk. Madam Li just hit a soft nail, and she said to the Eighth Princess: "Princess, why don't you help me speak up."

The Eighth Princess said helplessly: "If the Li family is not satisfied with other things, I can talk them over, but if they are not satisfied with the betrothal gift, how can I talk about it? My hands are not that long, and it is not easy for me to pay for it myself."

The Eighth Princess made it clear that she didn't want to care anymore. Madam Li was really furious, but she couldn't get angry at the Eighth Princess.

"Mrs. Pei, what do you think?" Mrs. Li looked at Mrs. Pei with a burning gaze.

Madam Pei said calmly: "Mian Wan is the head of our Pei Mansion. Her opinion is my opinion and also the opinion of our Pei Mansion."

Madam Li said unhappily, "How can we let our eldest sister-in-law take care of all the marriage affairs of our children?"

Madam Pei looked cold, "No matter whether the marriage of our young generation is managed by me or Mian Wan, it is not the place for outsiders to comment. It seems that Madam Li is extremely dissatisfied with this marriage. If she is really so dissatisfied, we in the Pei Mansion cannot force it. We will naturally report it to His Majesty and not let Miss Li suffer any grievances."