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

"Mother……"

Seeing Gu Zhiyi coming, Xie Huiyi's tears seemed to burst out, silently sliding down her cheeks. She hurriedly wiped her tears, trying to hide her fragility. Gu Zhiyi gently walked to her daughter, patted her shoulder gently, her eyes full of concern and love.

"Huiyi, what happened? What makes you so sad?" Gu Zhiyi asked softly.

Xie Huiyi sniffed, trying to calm herself down, and then slowly said, "Mother, when I was walking by the lake, I heard some unbearable gossip. They said... that I was a disaster star and would bring misfortune to the family."

Gu Zhiyi frowned slightly, a flash of anger flashed across her face, but she soon regained her composure. She gently held her daughter's hand and looked at her firmly: "Huiyi, do you know how these words came out?"

Xie Huiyi shook her head, a trace of confusion flashed in her eyes.

Gu Zhiyi sighed and said, "These are rumors deliberately spread by those with ulterior motives in order to alienate us mother and daughter. But don't be affected by these words. You will always be the treasure in my heart."

Hearing her mother's words, Xie Huiyi's heart gradually calmed down. She raised her head, with a firm light in her eyes: "Mother, I know these words are rumors, and I won't be swayed by them. But I am worried that these rumors will affect the reputation of our family."

Gu Zhiyi smiled and patted her daughter's hand: "Don't worry, Huiyi. In this family, I have the final say. As long as I'm here, I won't let anyone hurt you."

At this time, Chun'er, the personal maid, came in with a pot of hot tea in her hands. Seeing the tears on Xie Huiyi's face, she suddenly became nervous, put down the teapot, and asked with concern: "Miss, what's wrong with you? Did someone bully you?"

Xie Huiyi shook her head and said with a smile: "It's okay, Chun'er. It's just a little thing that made mother worried."

Chun'er widened her eyes and looked at Gu Zhiyi: "Madam, don't worry, the young lady is so strong, she will definitely get through this difficult time."

Gu Zhiyi nodded and said to Chun'er, "Go tell the servants not to believe the rumors outside, otherwise I will never let them off easily."

Chun'er immediately agreed and turned away.

Only Gu Zhiyi and Xie Huiyi were left in the room. Gu Zhiyi looked at her daughter with a worried look in her eyes: "Huiyi, do you know where these rumors came from?"

Xie Huiyi bit her lower lip and whispered, “I guess it might be my cousin Lin Wan’er.”

Gu Zhiyi's eyes flashed with surprise, but then she regained her composure: "Lin Wan'er? Why would she do this?"

Xie Huiyi sighed: "My cousin has always liked to compete with me since she was a child. She may think that this way she can make me lose my status in the family."

Gu Zhiyi patted her daughter's hand gently: "Huiyi, don't worry. Mother will help you solve this problem."

Gu Zhiyi pondered for a moment, a look of determination in her eyes.

"Hui Yi, let's go to Jingxin Lake tomorrow. There is a villa of our Ningguo Mansion. The environment is quiet and perfect for you to relax." Gu Zhiyi said with a glimmer of anticipation in her eyes.

Xie Huiyi nodded slightly, with a hint of curiosity in her eyes: "Jingxin Lake? I have never been there, but I heard that the water there is crystal clear and the scenery is picturesque."

"Yes, it's indeed a good place." Gu Zhiyi smiled, with a nostalgic look in her eyes.

Xie Huiyi blinked her big eyes and couldn't help asking, "When are we leaving?"

"Early tomorrow morning." Gu Zhiyi answered promptly.

On the second day, the carriage of the Ningguo Mansion slowly drove towards Jingxin Lake.

In the carriage, Gu Zhiyi and Xie Huiyi sat opposite each other. Gu Zhiyi looked at the scenery outside the window, but in her heart she was thinking about how to solve Lin Wan'er's problem.

The carriage drove to the lakeside, and the Ningguo Mansion's courtyard came into view. This is an exquisite courtyard, full of various flowers and plants, and a path leads to the lakeside. The lake water is clear and sparkling, and it is indeed a good place to cultivate the body and mind.

After Gu Zhiyi and Xie Huiyi got off the car, they were immediately greeted by servants. They first went into the room to rest for a while, and then went to the lake for a walk.

"Mother, how do you think we should deal with the matter of our cousin Lin Wan'er?" Xie Huiyi couldn't help but ask.

Gu Zhiyi stopped and turned to look at her daughter, with a serious look in her eyes: "Huiyi, we can't let this go easily. But we can't make it too public, so as not to cause disputes."

Xie Huiyi nodded to show her understanding.

Gu Zhiyi continued, "I will find a suitable opportunity to talk to Lin Wan'er alone. If she can recognize her mistakes and sincerely repent, then we can give her a chance to correct them."

Xie Huiyi smiled slightly: “Mother, you are always so tolerant.”

Gu Zhiyi smiled gently, with a hint of tenderness in her eyes: "To be tolerant of others is also to be tolerant of yourself. Huiyi, you must remember that people are all made of flesh and blood. Sometimes, giving others a chance is also giving yourself a chance."

At this time, Lin Wan'er quietly came to the lake. She looked at Gu Zhiyi and Xie Huiyi from a distance, with a flash of jealousy and resentment in her eyes. She took a deep breath and tried to calm herself down.

Lin Wan'er walked up to Gu Zhiyi and Xie Huiyi and smiled slightly: "Aunt, cousin, you are here."

Gu Zhiyi looked at Lin Wan'er, with a complicated look in her eyes. She smiled slightly: "Wan'er, you are here too."

Lin Wan'er smiled softly, with a sly look in her eyes: "Aunt, I heard that you came to Jingxin Lake to relax, so I came here specially to take a look. The scenery here is indeed beautiful."

Xie Huiyi looked at Lin Wan'er coldly, with a hint of dissatisfaction in her eyes: "Cousin, you came at the right time. There are some things that we just want to talk to you about."

Lin Wan'er's heart tightened, but she still kept a smile on her face: "Aunt, cousin, if you have anything to say, just tell me."

Gu Zhiyi looked at Lin Wan'er, with a firm look in her eyes: "Wan'er, do you have anything to say about those rumors?"

Lin Wan'er's face changed. She didn't expect Gu Zhiyi to be so direct. She hesitated for a moment, then gritted her teeth and said, "Aunt, I...I admit that I spread those rumors. But I really didn't mean it. I just...just wanted to see your reaction."

Gu Zhiyi's eyes flashed with disappointment, but she remained calm: "Wan'er, do you know how much harm you have caused to our family by doing this?"

Lin Wan'er lowered her head, a trace of regret flashed in her eyes: "Aunt, I know I was wrong. I am willing to accept any punishment."

Gu Zhiyi looked at Lin Wan'er, struggling in her heart. She took a deep breath, then slowly said: "Wan'er, since you are sincere in admitting your mistakes, I will give you a chance. From today on, you have to reflect on yourself in the courtyard until I am satisfied."

Lin Wan'er raised her head, a hint of surprise flashed in her eyes: "Aunt, are you...are you really willing to forgive me?"

Gu Zhiyi smiled slightly: "Well, I am willing to give you a chance. But you have to remember that this is the last time. If there is a next time, I will never let you go easily."