The daily struggles of divorced women in ancient times

Pei Yanxu searched for a long time and found a family that was not bad. This family was the third branch of the Wuyang Marquis's mansion. Although the third branch did not inherit the title, it was also a legitimate child. The Wuyang Marquis's mansion had a clean and upright family tradition. From the Wuyang Marquis to the sons below, there was no custom of taking concubines. Pei Yanxu fell in love with the eldest son of the third branch, Wu Qingheng.

Wu Qingheng is now in charge of the work in the palace. Although he cannot be said to be highly regarded by the emperor, he has achieved great success at a young age.

When Pei Yanxu learned that Wu Qingheng was not yet engaged, he couldn't wait to come back and tell Xia Mianwan. Xia Mianwan got Wu Qingheng's name and went to Yan Niang to inquire. She was very satisfied with the result, so she took the opportunity when Nanny Yuan went to Manyue Academy to invite Pei Yanqi to Shaoguangyuan for tea.

As soon as Pei Yanqi arrived at Shaoguang Courtyard, she felt a little absent-minded, and Xia Mianwan pretended not to notice anything wrong with her.

"Second sister, I have some free time these days. A few days ago, your elder brother went out and found you a box of fine jadeite and oriental pearls and asked you to inlay them into a headpiece. I thought it was time for you to discuss marriage, so I asked you to come here today." Xia Mianwan smiled and asked Chai'er to present the brocade box.

Pei Yanqi smiled a little reluctantly, "Thank you, sister-in-law, for your concern."

Pei Yanqi was indeed not right, it was too obvious, but Xia Mianwan pretended not to know and chatted with Pei Yanqi for a while. At this time, Pei Yanqi raised her head and asked tentatively: "I wonder if big brother suddenly mentioned marriage...does he have a suitable family?"

Xia Mianwan tapped the lid of the teapot with her orchid fingers, "I have indeed found a suitable family. I will ask you to meet them when the time is right."

Pei Yanqi felt a little disappointed when she heard that. She pretended to be unaware of Xia Mianwan's actions and just drank her tea by herself.

After a while, Pei Yan raised his chin, as if he had made up his mind, "Sister-in-law, I already have someone I love, I hope you can help me."

Xia Mianwan smiled softly, "Whose boy is this?"

Pei Yanqi lowered her head somewhat embarrassedly, with a faint blush on her face. "Yes... he is also a scholar. Although his family's current situation is not very good, he is very smart. Once he passes the imperial examination, his future will be bright. Sister-in-law... I... I like him."

Xia Mianwan could tell from Pei Yanqi's tone that the girl was deeply in love. "Did he ask you to wait for her?"

Pei Yanqi hurriedly shook her head upon hearing this, and said in a panic, "No, Brother Tan never told me this, and in fact, we never talked about the future either."

"How old is the Brother Tan you are talking about? Has he ever been engaged?" Xia Mianwan signaled Pei Yanqi not to worry and asked gently.

Pei Yanqi felt like there was something going on and calmed down a bit, "Brother Tan is already 21 years old and has never been engaged."

Xia Mianwan asked thoughtfully, "At this age, he still hasn't arranged a marriage? Do his parents have any comment?"

Pei Yanqi had never expected so much, and shook her head blankly, "I don't know... Sister-in-law, we are together out of love and courtesy, and have never done anything that is unreasonable, so we have never talked about these things."

Xia Mianwan nodded to show her understanding, "So... does he know that you are a girl from our Pei family?"

Pei Yanqi said: "Yes, I know."

Xia Mianwan finished asking the question, her eyes turned colder, but it was not the right time to get angry. "When you two were together, did the maid follow you?"

Pei Yanqi nodded hurriedly, "Qingyan has always been by my side."

Xia Mianwan smiled and said, "I know about this matter, but it is related to your future marriage after all, so I need to think about it carefully. And your elder brother has also found a good family for you, so I will need to discuss it with him when the time comes."

Pei Yanqi opened her big eyes and asked worriedly, "Brother, can you agree? Sister-in-law, you support me, right?"

Xia Mianwan comforted him, "Don't worry. You have to let me take a look first whether you agree or not. But how can I tell whether that Mr. Tan is a good man just by listening to a few words? Go call Qingyan. I have something to ask her."

Qingyan was a maid bought by the Pei family after they came to the capital. She was not a born child. Qingyan's home was in the suburbs of the capital. Every month, the Pei family would give the maids a day off, and Qingyan would go home to stay. With Qingyan's monthly salary, Qingyan's family's life became much better.

Pei Yanqi was worried that Qingyan would be scolded, so she hurriedly explained to Xia Mianwan, "Sister-in-law, none of this has anything to do with Qingyan. It has nothing to do with her. My meeting with Brother Tan was accidental."

Xia Mianwan held Pei Yanqi's shoulders and said, "You are already a grown-up girl. You should be more sophisticated and should not be so anxious. Besides, is my sister-in-law someone who cannot distinguish right from wrong? How could she punish someone without knowing right from wrong? Second sister, if you are so anxious, my sister-in-law will be sad."

Pei Yanqi changed her mind and immediately apologized to Xia Mianwan: "Sister-in-law, I was too worried and anxious."

Xia Mianwan smiled and said, "You go back first and leave Qingyan behind."

Pei Yanqi didn't dare to disobey anymore, so she bowed and left.

Qingyan was very flustered when she heard that Xia Mianwan was the only one left. Her own young lady had never experienced much, was innocent, and had a straightforward personality, but the mistress of the Pei family was different.

Qingyan walked into the inner hall nervously. Xia Mianwan was sitting on the rose chair, reading a book in her hand.

"Young Madam." Qingyan bowed politely.

Xia Mianwan said nothing and just read the book. Qingyan was afraid of Xia Mianwan, so she had to lower her head even more.

After a stick of incense had passed, Xia Mianwan was still silent. Qingyan was undergoing tests every moment while kneeling. He was anxious and beads of sweat appeared on his forehead.

Xia Mianwan glanced at Qingyan out of the corner of his eye. Seeing that Qingyan was already extremely flustered, he felt that it was enough. He put down the book and said softly, "Qingyan, you know why I am like this. Tell me everything you know. If you hide anything, I will not let you go even if your daughter comes to beg for mercy."

Qingyan was shocked by Xia Mianwan's cold expression, her lips and teeth were a little unclear, "I don't know what the young lady wants to hear."

"Tell me everything you know." Xia Mianwan said.

Qingyan trembled with fear. "Our girl and Mr. Tan met at the temple fair. The girl lost her purse and Mr. Tan found it. There were several banknotes in the purse, so the girl wanted to give Mr. Tan some money as a reward. But Mr. Tan refused. Later, the girl heard that Mr. Tan was a scholar and highly praised Manyuehuabao, so the two of them talked a little more and got to know each other."

Manyuehua News? Xia Mianwan was a little surprised. Interesting, interesting. It didn't sound like the beginning of a talented scholar and a beautiful woman. It sounded more like... a pig-killing scheme.