The daily struggles of divorced women in ancient times

Bai Xiao settled down in Heqiao Town, and the children in the ruined temple were very happy to have such a big brother living with them. Bai Xiao was Zheng Xiaoyun's secret guard when he was very young, and he always kept to himself. This was also his first time living with the children.

Bai Xiao would take the children to practice martial arts every morning. After the practice, Xia Mianwan would ask Zhou Chengze to bring breakfast over.

Because the world outside was in chaos, Xia Mianwan's shop could not be opened, and he could not go out of the town, which gave Xia Mianwan a lot of time to think about food.

Xia Mianwan prepared different kinds of food for Bai Xiao and the children every day. The days when Bai Xiao was around were the best days for these children.

The food made today was flower steamed buns and red bean soup. After Xia Mianwan finished making them, she served one portion to Zhou Chengze and asked him to deliver the meal.

"Sister Xia, I received a message today." Zhou Chengze took the basket handed to him by Xia Mianwan and said.

"What news?" Xia Mianwan asked curiously.

"Because of the war in Qianling, people from nearby villages and towns fled to here and Yueya Town with their families." Zhou Chengze said.

Xia Mianwan was somewhat tempted after listening to what Zhou Chengze said. The people near Qianling are much richer than those in Heqiao Town. If so many people moved here, wouldn’t the business of the shop be guaranteed?

"This is good news, but have you heard about the situation on the battlefield?" Xia Mianwan had an idea in his mind and continued to ask.

"I heard that King Zhou was a military genius and that foreign enemies were defeated one after another. But the more this happened, the more people attacked nearby villages and towns," said Zhou Chengze.

Xia Mianwan nodded, "I understand, Brother Zhou, go and deliver the food first. I'm afraid my shop will be open soon."

After Xia Mianwan finished talking to Zhou Chengze, she took some steamed buns and red bean soup and went back to the house. Chen Ge'er and Yu Jie'er stayed in the house except when they were sleeping, and were taken care of by Old Lady Zheng and Zhou.

As soon as Xia Mianwan entered the room, Yu Jie'er saw her mother, and hurried over to hug Xia Mianwan's calf, looking up and saying, "Why did you come just now, mother? I missed you so much!"

Xia Mianwan touched Yu Jie'er's little head and said with a smile, "You naughty boy, mother just brought you and Chen Ge'er here this morning!"

Sister Yu smiled and held Xia Mianwan's hand, "I just miss my mother!"

"You only think about your mother. Your grandmother loves you in vain!" Zhou said with a smile.

When Sister Yu saw her grandmother, she hurried over and said, "Grandma, Sister Yu feels sorry for you too!"

"You!" Zhou tapped Yu Jie'er's head.

"Mother, this is the red bean soup and steamed buns I made. Please try them." Xia Mianwan handed a steamed bun to Zhou.

Zhou took the flower roll and tasted it, and nodded, "Your cooking skills have improved over the past two days!"

Xia Mianwan smiled and said, "Mother, I heard that some people from Heqiao Town have moved here. I think my shop should be open now. I plan to open it on a certain day."

Zhou was worried and asked, "If we don't lack money, should we wait a little longer?"

Xia Mianwan shook her head and said, "It's true that we don't lack money, but we can't just sit there and eat it all. Besides, I also want to do something for the people in the north. Mother, Bai Xiao is here to see you."

"Bai Xiao?" Zhou's voice rose excitedly.

"Yes, Bai Xiao! My husband sent him here to protect us before the war. Well, he was delayed because we were being hunted down. Mother, I have a hunch that my husband and father-in-law are not dead." Xia Mianwan expressed her judgment over the past few days.

"Why do you say that?" Zhou excitedly grabbed Xia Mianwan's hand.

"Mother, I don't know why either. We only knew that my husband and father-in-law fell off the cliff, but we never heard that their bodies were found. This is the biggest doubt. If they are still alive, then we must live well. Not only must we live well and wait until my husband and father-in-law are vindicated, but we must also have our own network of connections. Otherwise, even if my husband and father-in-law are not dead, we will have no way of knowing."

Zhou nodded and waited for Xia Mianwan to continue.

"Our neighbor, Brother Zhou, is a capable and kind-hearted kid. His family is in trouble, and I want to give him a hand. Maybe he can be a help in the future. Bai Xiao now lives in a dilapidated temple, where some displaced children live. I asked Bai Xiao to keep an eye out for anything useful. Maybe we can use them in the future. Because of this, we must open this shop, on the one hand for living, and on the other hand for building connections!"

Zhou always knew that Xia Mianwan was a smart and determined child, but she didn't expect that she had thought so deeply. This is a blessing for the Zheng family.

"I understand. Just go ahead and do it!" Zhou smiled lovingly.

"Thank you, mother!"