The daily struggles of divorced women in ancient times

Xia Mianwan asked what she wanted to ask, and confirmed that Pei Yanqi was indeed set up by the Jinyang Marquis Mansion before returning to the courtyard. It was late at night, and Xia Mianwan seemed to see a dark shadow in the light.

"Who?" Xia Mianwan asked in surprise.

The black shadow appeared so quickly that Xia Mianwan thought he had seen it wrong. With doubt in his heart, Xia Mianwan returned to Shaoguangyuan with a serious face.

Pei Yanxu was still waiting for Xia Mianwan in the study. Seeing Xia Mianwan's serious expression, he hurriedly asked, "Mianwan, what happened?"

"I saw a dark shadow in the garden, and I don't know if I was seeing things." Xia Mianwan was not sure.

Pei Yanxu said solemnly: "I'm going to find Qian Da, you go to sleep first."

Xia Mianwan nodded and sat in front of the dressing table, letting Xuanxue take off her hairpins and rings. Seeing that Xia Mianwan was still worried, Xuanxue said, "There's a calming soup in the kitchen, would you like a bowl, Madam?"

Xia Mianwan stared at the removed hairpin for a long time and said, "No, go call Rumeng and Ruzhu."

Xuan Xue nodded in agreement.

After Ruzhu and Rumeng came in, Xia Mianwan gave them detailed instructions, "You will do it later. Find someone to pretend to be Aqi and live in Qiufeng Courtyard. The maids and servants in the room should be replaced by the most trusted ones in our courtyard. No one else in the courtyard should be disturbed. As for Aqi... take her to the servants' room next to Yimei Courtyard. It has been unused for a long time and is very remote. Ruzhu, when you go to Qiufeng Courtyard, remember to knock Aqi out first. Don't let her scream and alarm others. After sending her there, find a few useful servants to take good care of her."

"Yes."

"Rumeng, find Qinghe, Zizhu and Xuanxue, and the rest of you should check all the servants in Pei Mansion together, and rotate the posts in important places." Xia Mianwan continued.

"Yes."

After explaining everything, Xia Mianwan went to bed first. If the shadow tonight was not an illusion... there would be some trouble tomorrow.

The next day, Xia Mianwan, several girls from the Pei family, and Li Yaoyuan went to Mrs. Pei's yard to have breakfast. Mrs. Pei's eyes were swollen, as if she had not slept all night.

Mrs. Pei saw Xia Mianwan and was anxious to know the outcome of Pei Yanqi's treatment, but Xia Mianwan said, "Mother, your daughter-in-law has something to ask of you."

Mrs. Pei hurriedly said, "You go ahead."

Xia Mianwan sighed and waved everyone away, "Mother, I think the next few days will be difficult. Aqi's matter is not that simple. If mother is really doing this for Aqi's good and for the good of the Pei family, please pretend to be sick and rest for the time being."

Madam Pei cried out in amazement: "Mian Wan, what do you mean by this? Are you going to put me under house arrest?"

Xia Mianwan was a little speechless, but still patiently said: "Mother, it seems that the prejudice between you and me has been deep. Of course, Aqi was expelled from the house. I know that you have a lot of dissatisfaction with me in your heart, but... Heaven and earth can bear witness. If Aqi really followed such a man, it would just fall into a bottomless pit. I expelled Aqi from the house, but I didn't really ignore her. Hengwu will pass in a few days. I just want Aqi to know that it is very difficult for her to live on her own without the Pei family. People should not be so selfish. If it weren't for you and Ayue's help from time to time, making Aqi fearless, how could Aqi have come to this day?

My husband and I have discussed for a long time, but we still can't think of a perfect solution. My husband is walking on thin ice in the court. One wrong step may lead to eternal damnation. Mother, let me ask you, is there only Aqi in your eyes, and no husband, Ayue, Yanshu, or these grandchildren?"

Mrs. Pei was shocked to hear Xia Mianwan's heartbreaking words. "You...you...how could I ignore you...but Aqi...Aqi was also born from my belly. I can't bear to let her go."

Xia Mianwan disagreed, "Mother, you have to know that if you can't give this up, once something happens to your husband, he will be like me back then... exile is a good option, and by that time you will have to give it up even if you don't want to."

Mrs. Pei said nervously: "How did it come to this..."

Xia Mianwan laughed at herself and said, "Mother, the crying child gets the milk. My husband never complains, so you think he deserves it. Mother, don't you feel sorry for this husband who has been supporting the family? Mother, I still remember you went to Yanzhou to talk to me. I remember it so clearly. It is true that only when the knife cuts yourself will you know the pain, so... Mother, Aqi will never marry into the Marquis' Mansion, and the child will never stay. Mother is reluctant to do it, so I will do it. Believe me, Aqi still has a way out, otherwise... Aqi will only die. When it really comes to a last resort, even if it is my sister, my husband will have to do it himself."

Mrs. Pei was silent for a long time after hearing this. She looked at Xia Mianwan steadily and smiled reluctantly, "Mianwan, I was right about you... You are indeed the most suitable wife for Yan Xu. Well, I won't care about Aqi's affairs anymore. From today on, I will pretend to be sick until you say it's okay, then I will come out again. But... please consider my motherly heart and help Aqi within the scope of your ability."

After Mrs. Pei finished speaking, she looked older. Xia Mianwan bowed solemnly and said, "Yes, mother."

Xia Mianwan walked out of Mrs. Pei's yard and happened to meet Li Yaoyuan who was still waiting on the side, "Sister-in-law."

"What's wrong?" Xia Mianwan asked.

Li Yaoyuan hesitated for a moment and then spoke: "My maid said... except for the personal maid, everyone has to take turns..."

Xia Mianwan nodded and said, "That's true."

"Yes...something happened? Where's Aqi?" Li Yaoyuan asked tentatively.

Xia Mianwan smiled, "Aqi has gone back. As for the maids, I found that some of them relied on staying in Pei's house for a long time. It's ok for them to be lazy on weekdays, but now they are doing such petty thefts. I have to do this to investigate."

Seeing that Xia Mianwan was unwilling to say more, Li Yaoyuan did not ask any more questions and just said, "Sister-in-law, no matter what, I owe you a favor for what happened with Yan Shu. Although I don't like you, I will definitely find a way to repay you."

Xia Mianwan laughed and raised her hand to brush the messy hair on her head. "I don't need you to pay it back, but if you really want to consider yourself a member of the Pei family, I hope you will be of the same mind as me. You have seen what happened before. Men... are not trustworthy, and Yan Shu may not be something you can rely on. So, if you want to live a good life in this Pei Mansion, then to be frank, you must stand on my side."

Li Yaoyuan thought about it carefully and nodded slightly, "Okay, if you have anything to say, just let me know."

Xia Mianwan smiled faintly, "Of course there is a place where you can be used."