The daily struggles of divorced women in ancient times

Xia Mianwan took Madam Liu for a stroll, and then called a carriage to pick them up. When they returned to Pei Mansion, they had just missed lunch. Xia Mianwan thought about it and asked Xuanxue to prepare some snacks and milk tea, and then took Madam Liu to the flower hall.

Mrs. Liu didn't dare to look around and followed Xia Mianwan through the corridor to the flower hall.

"Mrs. Liu, how about we just have some simple snacks?" Xia Mianwan asked with a smile.

There was naturally nothing bad about Mrs. Liu. Lord Liu was a very upright man. Although he was a small official, he lived a very tight life.

Xuan Xue's homemade pastries that are both medicinal and edible are very delicious and nutritious, so it's a good idea to ask Mrs. Liu to try some.

"Madam Liu, what's the situation in the Cen family? Can you tell me in detail?" Xia Mianwan picked up a piece of flower cake and put it in Madam Liu's bowl.

"Thank you, Mrs. Pei. Of course I can."

The Xiyang Cen family prospered when the Chen Dynasty was founded. The ancestor failed to start a rebellion and fled to Xiyang. When he fled to Cenling, he was saved by the ancestor of the Cen family. The ancestor of the Cen family was just a farmer of fifteen or sixteen years old at that time. He stuffed the ancestor into his cart and carried him up the mountain. Most of the people living in Cenling are surnamed Cen. The ancestor lived in Cenling for a long time.

Later, with the help of the Cen family, the ancestor found his subordinates, took back the military power, and finally marched straight to the capital. The ancestor was a man of loyalty and righteousness. In gratitude for the help of the ancestor of the Cen family, he sent someone to grant the red book and iron certificate and ten thousand taels of silver.

After that, the Cen family officially became prosperous, and the number of Cen family members increased.

Cen Qianghai, also known as Young Master Cen just now, is the direct descendant of the Cen family and the second son of this generation.

The red book and iron certificate are now kept by Cen Qianghai's father, who is now the patriarch of the Cen family. Cen Qianghai's mother is from the Lei family, a branch of the Tuyi tribe.

With such a background, he can be considered a bully in Xiyang, so Cen Qianghai is particularly domineering.

The Tu Yi people... Xia Mianwan’s heart moved.

"Madam Liu, are the Tuyi tribe actually in cahoots with the Cen family?" Xia Mianwan asked. If that was true, then it would not be appropriate to visit the chief of the Tuyi tribe now.

Madam Liu hurriedly said, "No, no, no, although Cen Erlang's mother is a branch of the Tuyi tribe, the tribe leader doesn't care much about them because he doesn't like the behavior of Lei Mingyue's family. The tribe leader Lei Minghao is very prestigious in Xiyang. In the early years, the Zhai Qiang broke through the defense line of Tongyu Pass. Before our reinforcements arrived, it was the tribe leader Lei who led the Lei family and people from various tribes to resist with all their strength, which prevented the Zhai Qiang from succeeding. It's just that... a big tree has many branches, and the tribe leader Lei can't control so many branches."

Xia Mianwan smiled slightly, "I see. I'll definitely go visit him when I have the chance."

Madam Liu hesitated a little, "Patriarch Lei doesn't like people from the government, I'm afraid... he won't see you."

"Oh? Why?" Xia Mianwan asked curiously.

Madam Liu sighed and said, "I don't know the details, but the former governor and the current prefect wanted to visit, but Chief Lei refused to meet them."

"I see." Xia Mianwan took a sip of milk tea and nodded.

Madam Liu said with some worry: "Madam Pei, I know that Lord Pei must be a good official, but good officials are not successful in our country. You embarrassed the Cen family in front of so many people today, and the Cen family will probably come to cause trouble."

Xia Mianwan smiled and assured Madam Liu, "No matter how powerful a dragon is, it is hard for a local snake to be defeated. He is just a snake and cannot become a dragon. Madam Liu, don't worry."

It was getting dark, and Xia Mianwan thought it was almost time, so he asked someone to send Madam Liu back.

Xia Mianwan felt a little tired after a busy day, so she let Yujieer eat by herself. Chenge'er had gone on an investigation with Pei Yanxu these days, so there were only her, Yujieer, Shige'er and Yuanjieer at home.

Shi Ge'er and Yuan Jie'er are still little kids in their nanny's arms, and Xia Mianwan usually doesn't take them into consideration.

That night, Sitong and Wutong caught a few furtive beggars at the gate of Pei's mansion. The secret guards had plenty of ways to make them confess, and it turned out that they were indeed sent by Cen Erlang.

After daybreak, Xia Mianwan ordered his men to beat up these beggars and throw them out.

"Madam, the people of the Cen family are so bold, are they trying to save their lives?" Ruzhu still found it hard to imagine that the Cen family, who were all commoners, dared to be so arrogant to the Governor's wife.

After Xia Mianwan sorted out the account books for the recent days with Yu Jie'er, she said, "What kind of arrogance is this? There are even more outrageous things to come."

Ruzhu was puzzled, "Our Lord is only a little younger than the Governor, aren't they afraid?"

"They must have heard Zhuang's gossip. My husband was indeed demoted and came to Xiyang. In their opinion, a fallen phoenix is ​​no better than a chicken. What's more, they have the red book and iron certificate, and they can use their ancestors to guarantee us. The emperor is far away, so doesn't he think that he, the local emperor, is the greatest?" Xia Mianwan explained lightly. Some people in this world always don't know the immensity of the world before they realize it.

Ruzhu sighed, "Madam, what should we do next? Qian Da has also gone out with the master."

Xia Mianwan smiled and said, "Do you think those sneaky beggars were really caught by the four or five barrels? By the way, ask Suying to find Madam Liu to lead the way and help me send a message to Chief Lei."

"Yes."

Ruzhu is just strong. The security in Xiyang is too poor, so it would be safer to let Suying go.

Madam Liu felt helpless when she received Xia Mianwan's post. It was true that Patriarch Lei had not met with the court in these years, but Su Ying had told Madam Liu about it and only asked Madam Liu to lead the way.

Mrs. Liu had no choice but to take Suying to the Tuyi tribe's territory. When the servants of the Lei family heard that Suying was the governor's family member, they hurriedly asked Suying to go back. Suying smiled and handed the bronze medal that Xia Mianwan gave her to the servants of the Lei family to pass on to the Lei tribe leader.

When Chief Lei saw the bronze medal, he stood up suddenly and hurriedly asked his servants to keep Su Ying.

After Su Ying met Chief Lei, she only said that her master wanted to come to the Tuyi tribe to visit Chief Lei. Chief Lei agreed and made an appointment.

Mrs. Liu was confused by this sudden turn of events. Wasn't she trying to get Suying to leave just now? How did they arrange to meet?

On the way back, Madam Liu scratched her head and asked, "Miss Suying, what on earth is going on?"

Su Ying smiled and said, "I don't know the details. Our wife didn't tell me. She just told me to give the things to Chief Lei and then talk about the visit."

Mrs. Liu now felt that Xia Mianwan was a capable person. If the governor's wife was so capable, shouldn't the governor be even more capable? Xiyang might really be saved this time!

Thinking of this, Madam Liu was filled with joy. She was born and raised in Xiyang. Her greatest hope was to see the people of Xiyang able to afford food and have a place to live, instead of having a pair of empty eyes. The four words "live and work in peace and contentment" were the most important things for ordinary people.