The daily struggles of divorced women in ancient times

Pei Yanqi's matter was over, and the plan of the Marquis of Jinyang Mansion failed. Pei Yanxu had overcome the crisis of the first step. However, the matter of the disaster relief silver had not been exposed, so this matter was not over.

On this day off, Pei Yanxu specially set up a game of chess and asked Qian Mingzhang to play with him.

The two men discussed the game of chess and got along very well.

Although Qian Mingzhang's official position is not high, he has his own views on the current situation and his own persistence. This is the first time that Qian Mingzhang reveals his inner burden to Pei Yanxu, and it is also the first time that Pei Yanxu understands Qian Mingzhang's ability.

Xia Mianwan was in Changchun Garden with Pei Yanyue. It was not yet spring, and Xia Mianwan came here with Pei Yanyue to take a look. After Pei Ling and Pei Xia got married, Nanny Yuan would go to Manyue Academy to be a teacher. This would also be the last time Nanny Yuan lived in the Pei family.

Manyue Academy has prepared independent courtyards for the female teachers. Nanny Yuan also has her own courtyard in the academy, but she did not live there because she had to take care of Pei Ling and Pei Xia.

When Nanny Yuan saw Xia Mianwan and Pei Yanyue, she hurriedly welcomed them in.

"Given the situation this year, it seems that the start of school will be postponed..." Nanny Yuan had just gone to the academy yesterday and had already received a message that because it was too cold to travel, some female students who lived far away had to wait until the weather was better before coming to school.

Xia Mianwan suggested: "How about we postpone the start of school for some time?"

Nanny Yuan thought for a moment and said, "Then I will discuss this with Madam Yang then."

"I have a suggestion. Sister Yuan, please help me see if it is feasible or not..." Xia Mianwan said while holding the hot water bottle and tilting her head.

Upon hearing this, Nanny Yuan sat up straight and said, "Go ahead."

"People's livelihood is difficult this year. Those who work in our workshop are better off, but the students outside can't make ends meet now, so how can they have the energy to plan for the future... The expenses of the academy are actually not small. We have taken in the families of the workshop and the students in extreme difficulties, but the number of students accepted from outside is limited, so this year the academy has been subsidized by my and Sister Sang's private savings. It's okay for one or two days, but it will not be a problem in the long run, so... I think our academy must also make a living and be self-sufficient." Xia Mianwan said slowly.

Nanny Yuan listened carefully to what Xia Mianwan said and felt that there was some truth in it. "Mianwan, you are right, but how can we be responsible for our own profits and losses?"

"Since we are teaching cooking, let's try to sell the prepared food on the street. Xiaowu now has a group of beggars waiting to be supported, so we can just hire those beggars to sell. As for the embroidery and wooden hairpins that we have learned, we can also ask those beggars to sell them together. Those who sell the best will get a commission, which can also increase the enthusiasm of students and reduce the burden on their families. After all, our academy mainly accepts female students from ordinary families." Xia Mianwan said carefully.

After hearing this, Nanny Yuan clapped her hands and said, "I'll go discuss the specific details with Sang Niang and show them to you then."

"Okay." Xia Mianwan smiled and nodded.

"Mianwan..." Nanny Yuan suddenly seemed a little uncertain.

Xia Mianwan looked at Nanny Yuan in confusion and asked, "What's wrong, Sister Yuan?"

Nanny Yuan hesitated for a while and said, "You have arranged a lot of things recently. I have a feeling... you are going to get rid of Manyue Tower, the academy, and the workshop."

Xia Mianwan was slightly stunned. Nanny Yuan was really perceptive.

Xia Mianwan thought for a moment and said to Pei Yanyue, "Ayue, go check on how Pei Ling and Pei Xia's dowries are prepared."

Pei Yanyue was suddenly called and realized that Xia Mianwan had something to say to Nanny Yuan, so she tactfully left.

Xia Mianwan watched Pei Yanyue leave, then turned around and said, "Sister is so perceptive. I do intend to sell these businesses. I am not worried about Xiaowu and Xiuxiu taking charge of the workshop. Sister Sang is already very good at running Manyue Building. Now there is only Manyue Academy, which is the woman's hope, so... I am the most worried. However, times have changed. I am not sure whether Manyue Academy can still operate so stably and independently after I sell it. After all, only economic independence is true independence. Sister Yang is good at teaching, but she is still a little lacking in business management, so I want the academy to find a way to survive as soon as possible."

Nanny Yuan asked worriedly, "What happened out of nowhere? Why are you suddenly selling off these properties... Is there something wrong with the Pei family?"

Xia Mianwan said, "Sister Yuan, I won't hide it from you. The situation in the court is changing rapidly. You never know when you might fall into a trap. I'm just a little worried. The Crown Prince is getting older, and the Third Prince is also older. The competition for the crown prince is especially fierce. I... I'm just making preparations in advance."

Xia Mianwan didn't say much, but given the current situation, he had to prepare for a rainy day.

Nanny Yuan knew that Xia Mianwan had always had plans, so she didn't ask any more questions. She walked to Xia Mianwan, held Xia Mianwan's hand and said, "Mianwan, no matter when or where, as long as you need me... I will do my best to help you."

Xia Mianwan was touched by Nanny Yuan's determined eyes, and she held Nanny Yuan's hand and said, "Sister Yuan, Manyue Academy is the hope of poor girls. I'm leaving her to you and Sister Yang. I'm afraid I won't be able to handle it in the future."

Nanny Yuan nodded heavily, with some sadness in her eyes. Xia Mianwan was different from Madam Sang. She found Xia Mianwan's vision and ideas novel, which was why she was willing to stay in Pei Mansion and the academy.

Xia Mianwan thought about it and decided to give the things she wanted to give to Nanny Yuan. "Sister Yuan, there is a silver note of one thousand taels and several acres of land in this brocade box. There is a box of gems outside the compartment. You take these things as a token of my gratitude for your care for the girls in my family and the academy. I don't know if I can take care of so many things in the future. I have prepared these things for a long time and I will give them to you today. There is also a seal in the box. When you are in real trouble, take the seal to find Xiaowu and Xiaowu will help you."

Nanny Yuan was not at all pretentious and directly accepted the brocade box. "Mianwan, I understand what you mean. No matter what the future holds, I hope we can get what we want and live in peace every year. I've also taken note of everything you said."

Nanny Yuan understood her, which saved Xia Mianwan a lot of trouble. The two of them sat there and drank two cups of tea and chatted for a long time before Xia Mianwan said goodbye and left.

Three days after the snow melted, Pei Yanqi was stuffed into a carriage and secretly escorted out of the capital by secret guards. At this time, Xia Mianwan received a letter from the Cui family.

The person who sent the invitation was the mother of Shen Shizi's wife, Cui, and the mistress of the Cui family.

"It's really strange that the Cui family's post appeared at this time." Xia Mianwan silently put the post away.