The daily struggles of divorced women in ancient times

The sky is foggy today, giving people a feeling that it is about to rain heavily.

Zhao Erhu looked at the sky and ordered everyone to walk faster.

Xia Mianwan was taking turns sitting on the donkey cart at this time. Seeing the weather like that, he was worried that a heavy rain was about to come.

After walking for about another quarter of an hour, the sky became so dark that it didn't even feel like daytime. Zhao Erhu knew that there was a mountain road next to the official road with several caves on it, so he asked everyone to go up the mountain road.

Before we reached the cave, raindrops as big as beans started to fall.

Zhao Erhu quickened his pace and finally reached the cave. Although they were all exiled prisoners, if someone died before reaching the Northland, they would also be considered dereliction of duty, so Zhao Erhu did not treat these prisoners harshly.

"You go in in order, don't crowd, and find a place to make a fire." Zhao Erhu said.

Everyone went in headfirst, fearing that they would get caught a cold if they got wet in the rain.

Xia Mianwan and her friends had a donkey cart, so they didn't get wet. After the people from the Zheng and Zhang families entered the cave, Zheng Xiaocheng pulled the donkey cart aside and tied it up.

The rain was so heavy that everyone was crowded into this small cave.

Many people were soaked, and everyone gathered around the fire to warm themselves. In this situation, Xia Mian was very worried that everyone would catch a cold. They were all in the same team, and if one person was infected, the others would not be immune.

So, Xia Mianwan pretended to take out some ginger from the space and asked Zheng Xiaocheng to give it to Zhao Erhu.

When Zhao Erhu saw Zheng Xiaocheng bringing a bag of ginger, he immediately knew why Zheng Xiaocheng came.

"Brother Zhao, my sister-in-law asked me to get these gingers, saying that they can drive away the cold for everyone." Zheng Xiaocheng said as he handed the gingers to Zhao Erhu.

Zhao Erhu nodded and took the ginger. "I'll ask someone to make ginger tea right away."

Several of Zhao Erhu's men were sent to fetch a lot of water, and then they set up several large pots and started to boil ginger water.

"Each person gets a bowl of ginger water. Line up and take it. Don't rush to get it. If you do, get out of the cave and get wet in the rain." Zhao Erhu said.

Everyone murmured yes.

After drinking the ginger water, everyone felt warm and relaxed, and some even fell asleep.

Zhao Erhu stood at the entrance of the cave looking at the heavy rain, feeling a little worried.

The rainstorm didn't look like it would stop anytime soon. The cave was too small. If everyone slept together, they wouldn't be able to stretch out. The second issue was food. The dry food they prepared was enough for two days, but there was no more. They had originally planned to replenish their dry food and water at the next post station.

The heavy rain continued to pour down, and it got heavier and heavier with thunder.

Seeing that it was about to get dark, Zhao Erhu reluctantly called a few of his men and told them to notify everyone to find a location. The current plan was to stay in the cave for two days.

After hearing the notice, Xia Mianwan thought about it and found a place at the innermost part of the cave. It was raining heavily outside and it was impossible to go to collect firewood. She thought about it and took a cushion prepared by Cui'er and spread it on the ground. She let the four children lie on it first, and the others could not care so much and sat on the ground.

"Xiao Cheng, we have a stove and some charcoal on our donkey cart. You and Xiao Qi can get them. We'll make a fire here at the vent." Xia Mianwan said.

Zheng Xiaocheng and Zheng Xiaoqi responded and went out.

"Sister-in-law, please take care of the children and grandma first." Xia Mianwan said to Zhu again.

Since being exiled, Zhu has become accustomed to listening to Xia Mianwan's words. After Xia Mianwan finished speaking, Zhu would do as he said.

"Mother, are you and aunt okay? You got caught in the rain just now." Xia Mianwan asked.

Zhou shook her head and said, "We are fine, don't worry about us. You have been worried all the way here, so take a good rest during these two days."

Xia Mianwan nodded and said, "I know."

When Zheng Xiaocheng and Zheng Xiaoqi brought the stove in, as expected, they attracted a lot of attention from everyone, either with envy or jealousy.

"Sister-in-law, I even lit the fire and brought it in." Zheng Xiaoqi said with a smile.

Xia Mianwan nodded and said, "That's great. I'll get you all something to eat first. Remember to dry your bodies and then go have a bowl of ginger tea."

"I know, sister-in-law."

Xia Mianwan tilted his head up, not knowing what to eat. Zhao Erhu had already distributed today's food to everyone, one steamed bun and one corn bread per person, both of which were very hard.

Steamed corn bread can be eaten with beef sauce, and steamed buns can be soaked in hot porridge until softened.

The exiled prisoners also had their own luggage. After all, most of them were just exiled and would not become military households to serve. How could they survive there without luggage? Therefore, they were allowed to bring luggage.

The rice was put on the donkey cart in advance during the summer hibernation, so it wouldn't be too eye-catching just to drink some porridge.

Xia Mianwan asked Zheng Xiaocheng to collect some rain water, put it on the stove to boil, then poured in rice and started to cook porridge.

After a while, the aroma of rice porridge wafted out, attracting everyone to look over.

Xia Mianwan didn't care about those looks. He had to eat. Otherwise, he would die if he died and reached the north.

After serving the porridge, Xia Mianwan called everyone to come and eat. Seeing that the Zhang family had not come yet, Zhou went to call the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law to come and eat together.

"You know what, I've never eaten steamed buns soaked in porridge like this before, and it tastes quite good." Zheng Xiaocheng praised while eating.

Zhou sighed. None of the men in the Zheng family had ever eaten these things before, and even she had never eaten them.

Seeing that Zhou was a little depressed, Xia Mianwan comforted her: "Mother, difficulties are only temporary. As long as we can get through it, we will be able to live a good life in the north."

Seeing her daughter-in-law's strong determination along the way, Zhou felt that she should act like the mistress of the Zheng family and not let her eldest daughter-in-law suffer alone.

"You make sense. We can definitely live a good life." Zhou nodded.

Old Mrs. Zheng saw this scene and nodded with satisfaction. No matter what, she did not make a wrong choice in marrying her daughter-in-law and granddaughter-in-law. As long as there is green hills, there will be no shortage of firewood. When they go to the north, they may be able to earn a future for themselves.

Xia Mianwan felt relieved when she saw that Zhou had figured it out.

"Sister-in-law, does it smell like beef?" Zheng Xiaoqi said in disbelief.

"Speak more softly!" Zhu said complainingly.

Zheng Xiaoqi quickly lowered his voice and said, "This steamed bread tastes like beef."

Xia Mianwan smiled and said, "Cui'er prepared it because she was worried that everyone wouldn't have a good meal on the road and it would be inconvenient to get food."

"Sister-in-law, you are so amazing. I want to be in the front."

Xia Mianwan smiled without saying anything. After finishing her own portion of food, she went to take over Zhu's.