Marrying for someone else and being a widow? Stepmothers open classes to raise children

"Mom, I'm a little scared..." Xie Huiyi hid behind Gu Zhiyi, her eyes filled with tears.

Gu Zhiyi gently stroked Xie Huiyi's hair, her eyes revealing endless tenderness and determination, and she slowly said, "Huiyi, although the palace is big, it is not a place where we can retreat at will. Since we are here, we should make the best of it. We must learn to adapt to everything here."

Xie Huiyi sobbed, her voice trembling slightly: "But mother, those women in the palace, their eyes..."

Gu Zhiyi smiled slightly, with a sharp look in her eyes: "Their eyes are because of jealousy. They are jealous of your youth, beauty, and the favor of Duke Ningguo. But you must remember, no matter how jealous they are, you must keep your original heart."

At this time, the maid Luluo came in and reported in a panic: "Madam, Zhao Zhaoyi from the palace is here and said she wants to see the eldest lady."

Gu Zhiyi frowned. She didn't like Zhao Zhaoyi, but since she was here, she couldn't refuse to see her. She patted Xie Huiyi's hand gently, signaling her daughter not to be afraid, and then turned and walked towards the side hall.

Zhao Zhaoyi was plump and dressed in gorgeous palace clothes. As soon as she entered the room, she looked at Gu Zhiyi with a smile: "Madam Gu, I haven't seen you for many years. You look younger and more beautiful."

Gu Zhiyi smiled slightly, but in her heart she was sneering. This Zhao Zhaoyi was clearly mocking her for struggling in the palace as she got older. She responded politely, "Zhao Zhaoyi, you are too kind. Time is not forgiving. How can I compare to your youth and beauty?"

Zhao Zhaoyi smiled lightly, glanced at Xie Huiyi, and said frivolously: "This is the daughter of Duke Ningguo, right? She is as beautiful as her reputation says. I wonder if she will be lucky enough to become my concubine?"

Xie Huiyi blushed and lowered her head shyly, while Gu Zhiyi's eyes turned cold. She knew that Zhao Zhaoyi was deliberately provoking her. She slowly said, "Zhao Zhaoyi is joking. Huiyi is young and doesn't understand the rules of the palace. She needs to learn more in the mansion."

A trace of dissatisfaction flashed in Zhao Zhaoyi's eyes. She sneered and said, "Madam Gu, you are really good at teaching your daughter. However, I came here today to invite Madam Gu to attend the banquet in the palace. I wonder if Madam Gu is willing to do me the honor?"

Gu Zhiyi nodded and agreed: "It is hard to refuse Zhao Zhaoyi's kindness, so I am willing to do it."

Zhao Zhaoyi looked at Xie Huiyi, with a hint of jealousy in her eyes. She deliberately walked to Xie Huiyi and smiled softly, "Miss Gu, you have to be careful. The women in the palace are not so easy to get along with."

Xie Huiyi smiled gently and looked at Zhao Zhaoyi with a firm look in her eyes: "Don't worry, Zhao Zhaoyi, I will handle it carefully."

The banquet was in full swing. Gu Zhiyi had a pleasant conversation with Zhao Zhaoyi and others, but their eyes could not conceal the hostility between them.

Gu Zhiyi was dressed in gorgeous clothes and had a graceful demeanor. She sat in her seat with dignity, a hint of confidence in her eyes.

Although Zhao Zhaoyi's words were provocative, she just smiled slightly and remained calm.

"Zhao Zhaoyi, you are too kind." Gu Zhiyi opened her red lips slightly, her voice as gentle as flowing water, "Although the palace is full of dangers, there are also wise people. My eldest daughter, Xie Huiyi, is smart and clever. I believe she can handle it with ease."

Zhao Zhaoyi's expression changed slightly, and a hint of anger flashed in her eyes, but she immediately regained her composure and chuckled, "Madam Gu, you are too kind. I was just reminding you."

At this time, Xie Huiyi just came over. Hearing what Zhao Zhaoyi said, she smiled slightly and said, "Don't worry, Zhao Zhaoyi, I know my identity. I will be careful in what I say and do and will not cause you any trouble."

Zhao Zhaoyi looked at Xie Huiyi, a hint of jealousy flashed in her eyes, but then she smiled again: "Miss Gu is really smart, I feel relieved."

At this time, a palace maid came over and whispered to Gu Zhiyi: "Madam, there is news from the palace. The Queen has summoned you."

Gu Zhiyi was slightly startled, then stood up and walked towards the Queen's palace, followed closely by Xie Huiyi.

The Queen's palace was magnificent. Gu Zhiyi and Xie Huiyi walked in and saw the Queen sitting on the dragon throne with a serious look in her eyes.

"Madam Gu, do you admit your guilt?" The Queen's voice was cold.

Gu Zhiyi was stunned for a moment, then knelt down, lowered her head and said, "I don't know."

The Queen sneered: "Your daughter Xie Huiyi has behaved improperly in the palace and has caused dissatisfaction among Zhao Zhaoyi. As a mother, don't you have any responsibility?"

Gu Zhiyi was shocked. This was Zhao Zhaoyi trying to sow discord behind her. She took a deep breath, looked up and said, "My queen, I have failed to teach my daughter well. I deserve death. But I can guarantee that Huiyi will be extremely cautious in her words and deeds in the palace."

The Queen looked at Gu Zhiyi with a hint of admiration in her eyes. She said, "Madam Gu, please get up. I believe you."

Gu Zhiyi stood up and secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

After coming out of the Queen's palace, Gu Zhiyi said to Xie Huiyi, "Huiyi, you must be careful in the palace and not give anyone a handle on you."

Xie Huiyi nodded gently: "Don't worry, mother, your daughter knows."

Gu Zhiyi's eyes showed some relief, but there was still a trace of worry. She stood up, walked to the window, looked at the bustling crowd in the palace, and was silent for a moment.

"Huiyi, do you know Zhao Zhaoyi?" Gu Zhiyi suddenly asked.

Xie Huiyi was slightly stunned and replied, "Mother, Zhao Zhaoyi is the emperor's favorite concubine and has tremendous power, so of course I have heard of this."

Gu Zhiyi turned around and stared at Xie Huiyi sharply: "She is not a good person. You must be extra careful when dealing with her. She once framed many women in the palace because of jealousy."

A trace of fear flashed in Xie Huiyi's eyes, but she quickly calmed down: "Mother, my daughter will keep it in mind."

As they were talking, a palace maid hurried in and reported in a low voice: "Madam, Zhao Zhaoyi is here."

Gu Zhiyi frowned slightly, while Xie Huiyi nervously clenched the handkerchief in her hand.

Zhao Zhaoyi walked into the room, wearing a gorgeous red palace dress, with a smile on her face that was a bit arrogant. She glanced at Xie Huiyi, and a trace of contempt flashed in her eyes.

"Sister Zhiyi, I'm here to visit you." Zhao Zhaoyi's voice was sweet, but a little harsh.

Gu Zhiyi smiled slightly and greeted her warmly: "Empress Zhaoyi, I haven't seen you for many years. You are even more beautiful and charming."

Zhao Zhaoyi smiled, but her eyes fell on Xie Huiyi: "Who is this?"

Gu Zhiyi introduced: "This is my eldest daughter, Xie Huiyi."

Zhao Zhaoyi smiled softly: "So she is the eldest daughter of the Ningguo Mansion. It is really better to meet her in person than to hear about her."

Xie Huiyi bowed slightly and greeted politely: "Hello, Empress Zhaoyi."

Zhao Zhaoyi nodded slightly, but her eyes became more sharp: "Huiyi, you must be careful in the palace to avoid being framed."

Xie Huiyi's heart tightened, but her face remained calm: "Thank you for your concern, Empress Zhaoyi. Huiyi will keep it in mind."

Zhao Zhaoyi turned around and said to Gu Zhiyi, "Sister, I recently heard that some people in the palace were privately discussing that you were too strict in your house and too harsh in disciplining your daughter."