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

"It's nothing serious..." Xie Yunce pursed his lips and was about to explain something when he was interrupted by Gu Zhiyi.

Gu Zhiyi sat at the head of the table, looking at Xie Yunce with a sharp look in her eyes: "Yunce, what's wrong with you? You are not usually so hesitant. Just say whatever you want to say."

Xie Yunce nodded slightly, and after a moment's silence, he slowly spoke: "Mother, today's incident actually involves an old friend. I am worried that if I tell the truth, it will affect the reputation of our family."

Gu Zhiyi frowned slightly. She knew very well that her second son was a thoughtful and considerate person. Since he said so, the matter must be complicated.

She sighed softly and said, "If that's the case, then tell me in detail. I know what to do."

Xie Yunce nodded and began to speak slowly.

It turned out that he met a woman named Su Rongrong outside the city today. She was once a member of the Ningguo Mansion, but was forced to live among the people because of the decline of her family. Su Rongrong told him that she recently learned a secret about the Ningguo Mansion, and if this secret was revealed, it would damage the family's reputation.

Hearing this, Gu Zhiyi's face became solemn. She pondered for a moment and asked, "Yunce, do you think this Su Rongrong is trustworthy?"

Xie Yunce pondered and said, "Mother, I have observed her for a long time and I don't think she is the kind of person who speaks nonsense. Moreover, I also think that the secrets she mentioned are not groundless. However, I am worried that there may be a bigger conspiracy behind this."

Gu Zhiyi nodded slightly and said, "If that's the case, then let's meet this Su Rongrong first and then make a decision."

In the study room of the Ningguo Mansion, Xie Yunce and Gu Zhiyi sat opposite each other. Su Rongrong was led into the study room, and she looked at the once noble lady in front of her with a trace of awe in her eyes.

Gu Zhiyi looked at Su Rongrong and said, "Su Rongrong, do you know what the consequences will be if what you said today is untrue?"

Su Rongrong bit her lip and said firmly: "Madam, I know this matter is very serious, but if I tell the truth, I will definitely prevent the Ningguo Mansion from being implicated."

Gu Zhiyi nodded slightly, signaling her to continue. Su Rongrong then revealed all the secrets she knew. It turned out that the secret Su Rongrong was talking about involved a scandal in the palace that had not yet been made public. She bit her lip and said slowly: "Madam, that day in the Imperial Garden, I accidentally heard the Queen and a palace maid talking in secret. They mentioned a name - Xie Yu." After a pause, she nervously observed Gu Zhiyi's reaction.

Gu Zhiyi frowned slightly. She naturally knew the name Xie Yu. Xie Yu was the younger brother of Duke Ningguo and the second uncle of Xie Yunce.

Many years ago, Xie Yu committed a serious crime and was demoted to a commoner by the emperor, expelled from the Ningguo Mansion, and exiled to Lingnan. Now that this name is mentioned, could it be...

"Su Rongrong, please continue." Gu Zhiyi said calmly.

Su Rongrong took a deep breath and continued, "The Queen said that Xie Yu was secretly colluding with the rebels in Lingnan and trying to usurp the throne. And this palace maid was the contact person responsible for delivering the message."

The atmosphere in the study room suddenly became tense. Gu Zhiyi stared at Su Rongrong with a sharp gaze: "Do you have any key evidence for this matter?"

Su Rongrong nodded and took out a letter from her sleeve: "This is what I stole from the palace maid. The letter describes in detail Xie Yu's connection with the rebels and their plans."

Gu Zhiyi took the letter and read it carefully. The content of the letter was exactly as Su Rongrong said, and she couldn't help but be shocked. If the emperor knew about this, the Ningguo Mansion would definitely be implicated. She looked up at Xie Yunce, and a trace of worry flashed in her eyes.

Xie Yunce felt his mother's gaze and gently held her hand: "Mother, I have a plan for this matter. We just need to hand over the evidence to the emperor and expose Xie Yu's conspiracy, and the Ningguo Mansion will be safe."

Gu Zhiyi looked at her son with a look of relief in her eyes: "Yunce, you have grown up."

……

Gu Zhiyi raised her eyebrows, looked at Nanny Yang, and said in a dignified manner, "It's just a small matter?"

Madam Yang was startled and immediately lowered her head, saying in a trembling voice, "Madam, it was indeed my negligence. That incident was caused by the servants' momentary negligence, which led to such a joke."

Gu Zhiyi sneered slightly, with a sharp look in her eyes. She slowly sat back on the rosewood chair and said indifferently, "Negligence? Madam Yang, you are an old man in the Ningguo Mansion, you should know the rules here. Can such negligence be easily forgiven?"

Madam Yang's face turned pale. She tightly grasped the silk handkerchief in her hand, her lips trembling, "Madam, I am willing to accept the punishment. However, this matter is indeed a misunderstanding, and the child has no ill intentions."

Gu Zhiyi tapped the table lightly and stared at Madam Yang: "Misunderstanding? Then tell me, Madam, how could a misunderstanding make the servants in your house so bold as to talk about the master behind his back?"

Madam Yang lowered her eyes, feeling extremely guilty: "Madam, I failed to discipline him strictly, and I deserve death. But please forgive the child, he is young and ignorant, and he said those words out of curiosity."

Gu Zhiyi took a deep breath, then slowly stood up and walked to the window. She looked at the lush trees outside and her voice became softer: "Madam Yang, you have watched me grow up, so you should know that I am not a harsh master. But rules are rules, and they cannot be broken."

Madam Yang's heart tightened. She knew that Madam was giving her a chance, so she knelt down quickly and said sincerely, "Madam, I am willing to take all the blame. Please decide what will happen to the child."

Gu Zhiyi turned around and looked at Madam Yang with complicated eyes: "Madam, you have been with me for many years, I will naturally not let you bear the blame. I will handle this matter personally."

A trace of gratitude flashed in Yang Ma's eyes. She whispered, "Madam, you are too kind. I hope that child can remember this lesson and won't make the same mistake again."

Gu Zhiyi nodded slightly, she sat back in her chair, and said seriously: "Mammy, please get up. I have something to ask of you, and this matter cannot be known to anyone else except you and me."

Nanny Yang stood up immediately and asked nervously, "Madam, don't worry, I know what to do. What do you want me to do?"

Gu Zhiyi pondered for a moment, then slowly said: "I plan to let the child go to the study room to accompany the young master to study. In this way, he can learn a lesson without affecting other children in the mansion."

A hint of surprise flashed in Yang Ma's eyes. She didn't expect that Madam would forgive the child so easily, but she also understood that Madam was teaching the child with good intentions. She immediately nodded and agreed: "Madam, I understand. I will arrange it myself."

Gu Zhiyi smiled slightly. She looked at Madam Yang with trust in her eyes: "Madam, I believe you."

Nanny Yang felt warm in her heart, bowed deeply, then turned and left.

Gu Zhiyi looked at Nanny Yang's back and sighed inwardly.