The daily struggles of divorced women in ancient times

March 5th, Cui family.

Xia Mianwan got up and dressed at 1:00 a.m., when the Pei Mansion's carriage had already arrived at Cui's house. Xia Mianwan was led by a servant through the corridor to the front hall.

Mrs. Cui looked to be in her forties, with a round face and a simple but not extravagant appearance, which made people feel close to her. Next to Mrs. Cui stood a woman in her twenties, who was dressed very extravagantly and had her hair tied up in a bun.

"Mrs. Pei is well-known. This is the first time we meet. She is indeed a wonderful person." Mrs. Cui smiled and invited Xia Mianwan to sit down.

Xia Mianwan smiled and said, "Thank you for the compliment, Madam Cui."

"This is my daughter, Cui Wanru." Mrs. Cui introduced with a smile.

Cui Wanru, that was the wife of the prince. Xia Mianwan nodded and greeted Cui Wanru. Cui Wanru was dressed luxuriously, but her face was cold, and her eyes were indifferent when she looked at Xia Mianwan.

Mrs. Cui and Xia Mianwan chatted for a while before getting down to business.

"It's really abrupt to invite you to our house today, but based on what happened before...the Cui family owes the Pei family a favor, so we invited you this time." Mrs. Cui didn't specify what it was, but the three people present understood it tacitly.

"Mrs. Cui, you're joking. It was the prince who made a mistake before. Just explain it clearly. It's not a big deal." Xia Mianwan only said that she made a mistake, but refused to admit the affair between Shen Yicheng and Pei Yanqi. She didn't dare to admit it easily before she figured out the purpose of the Cui family.

Seeing Xia Mianwan being so cautious, Madam Cui really wanted to make some friends with her. She said with a smile: "No matter what, I invited you here today to thank you and for the sake of our Cui and Pei families. Although the Cui and Pei families have never been friends, it would be bad if there was a misunderstanding between them. Madam Pei is not very old, but she is very disciplined in her approach, which I admire very much."

Pei Yanqi had just left the city when the Cui family had already received the news and showed goodwill towards the Pei family. The Cui family was indeed... extraordinary.

Xia Mianwan smiled but didn't say anything. At this time, Cui Wanru suddenly said, "Madam Pei, let's go for a walk in the garden. The gardens of this house were designed by famous artists and are modeled after the gardens of Jiangnan."

This means that he had something to say to Xia Mianwan. Xia Mianwan thought about it for a moment and nodded, "Okay, let me appreciate it too."

Xia Mianwan and Cui walked in the garden for a while and sat down in a pavilion not far from the rockery. A stove was already lit in the pavilion and hot tea was ordered.

Cui had a cool and aloof temperament. She ordered tea herself and waved her hand to signal Xia Mianwan to try her cooking skills.

"Good tea." Xia Mianwan praised.

Cui slightly curled her lips, "When I was young... I was very ambitious. I was from the Qinghe Cui family, and I was the daughter of the first branch, so naturally I would marry a rich man in the future. Since I was young, I followed my brothers in learning everything, and I even wanted to learn more. I grew up step by step, and met the prince. At that time, he was not the prince yet, and the person I was going to marry was not him.

It was the month of fireworks in March. I went out to play with my brothers in disguise. I saw him saving a child who was almost kicked by a horse. At a glance, he was handsome and elegant at that time. Later, I disobeyed my father and my mother and was determined to marry Shen Yicheng no matter what. "

Cui frowned and sighed slightly, "Mrs. Pei, tell me...did I do something wrong?"

Xia Mianwan didn't understand why Cui said this to her, and didn't say whether it was right or wrong.

Cui didn't really want to hear any answer, and continued while tapping her fingers, "After we got married, Shen Yicheng and I had a life of complete chaos. Later, I learned that Shen Yicheng and I had met premeditatedly for the sake of the Cui family. Without the Cui family, without me... he wouldn't even be able to be the crown prince.

I actually fell in love with such a thing, which is ironic. I regretted it, but I still hurt my father and brother. No matter how my father and brother tried to stop me, I insisted on getting married. Now I regret it, and my father and brother are also very disappointed in me and have never been nice to me again.

It was not until I had a child that my father and brother could not persuade my mother to resume their relationship with me. However, I never wanted to see Shen Yicheng again after that. He took in concubines one by one, and I helped him take in concubines one by one. I originally thought that the matter of Miss Pei Er would also end with taking in concubines, but I didn't expect that you, Madam Pei, would suppress it. Actually, I want to thank you. Although I don't mind him taking in concubines and I have no feelings for him for a long time, and now I wish he would die soon, but if Miss Pei Er came into the house, I think my life in the Marquis' Mansion would become even more difficult.

As the wife of the Crown Prince, I have no hope or thoughts for my husband, so nothing is more important than my status and face..."

Xia Mianwan felt that there was a disconnect between the cold and aloof Cui and the Cui in front of her who was said to have an important status.

Cui smiled faintly, "Madam Pei, let's talk business. Shen Yicheng's behavior shows that the Pei Mansion is aware of the Marquis Mansion's plan. In my eyes, the Marquis Mansion is hopeless, but my son is going to inherit the title, so Shen Yicheng will be useless."

Xia Mianwan was shocked. She never thought that Cui invited her today to form an alliance with her.

"You..." Xia Mianwan hadn't figured out what to say yet.

"Madam Pei, I promise you that I, Cui Wanru, will stand on the same side as your Pei family. But you also have to promise me that my child must be the eldest son of the Marquis's Mansion. As for the death of the Marquis and the eldest son, they can die. I don't care." Xia Mianwan was surprised by every word Cui Wanru said.

Xia Mianwan was silent for a while and asked, "Do you mean to represent the Cui family's position?"

Cui Wanru said: "Madam Pei, I can only guarantee that my position is consistent with that of the Cui family, and the Cui family will always be of one mind with the emperor."

Xia Mianwan understood. If she and Pei Yanxu could guess the actions of the Jinyang Marquis' Mansion, then the Cui family must be able to guess it as well. It would not be good for the Pei family to be attacked from all sides, so she accepted the Cui family's goodwill.

And judging from today's situation, the Cui family knew more than she imagined.

Thinking of this, Xia Mianwan smiled and said, "If that's the case, then don't call me Madam Pei from now on. I'm older than you, so you can just call me sister."

Cui Wanru readily agreed, "Sister Xia."

"Your mother doesn't know what you told me today, right?" Xia Mianwan asked with a smile.

Cui Wanru did not deny it. "Yes, so I can only say that for now, our positions are the same."

"Your mother doesn't know either... You want to abandon Master Shen and the Marquis and run the Marquis's mansion yourself, right?"

Cui Wanru said calmly: "Of course."

"I understand. It's a pleasure to work with you. I hope you can get what you want." Xia Mianwan smiled and stretched out her hand.