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

"Nonsense!" Old Madam Zhao, whose nerves were touched, knocked over the teacup and said angrily.

The tea spilled onto the table, instantly filling the air with mist, as if foreshadowing an impending storm.

Gu Zhiyi remained calm. She gently brushed away the water droplets on her collar and looked at Old Madam Zhao indifferently, her eyes revealing unyielding and determination.

"Madam, you misunderstood." Gu Zhiyi spoke slowly, her voice calm and firm, "I have no ill intentions, I am just speaking the truth."

Madam Zhao's eyes widened, her eyes flashing with anger. She looked at Gu Zhiyi coldly, with a sneer on her lips: "Gu Zhiyi, just because you are the wife of the Duke of Ningguo, you can boss me around?"

Gu Zhiyi smiled slightly and responded in a neither humble nor arrogant manner: "Old Madam, I am not unaware of my status, but in this family, I have my position and responsibilities. Everything I said is for the peace and prosperity of the Ningguo Mansion."

After hearing this, Mrs. Zhao's expression eased a little, but she still said seriously: "Then why do you want to interfere in my affairs? Don't you know that this is my family affair?"

Gu Zhiyi frowned slightly and sighed, "Madam, I know this is your family affair, but this matter involves the reputation and interests of the Ningguo Mansion. As the wife of the Ningguo Mansion, I cannot sit idly by."

Old Madam Zhao was silent for a moment. She looked at Gu Zhiyi, and a complex emotion flashed in her eyes.

Gu Zhiyi was right. This matter had indeed gone beyond the scope of family affairs and had become a problem for the entire Loyal and Brave Marquis's Mansion.

"Okay, then tell me, what are your plans?" Old Lady Zhao finally asked.

Gu Zhiyi smiled slightly. She looked at Madam Zhao with a firm and confident look in her eyes. "Madam, we should take a gentle approach to solve this problem. We can start by understanding the truth of the matter, and then formulate corresponding countermeasures."

After listening to Gu Zhiyi's suggestion, a hint of approval flashed in Mrs. Zhao's eyes.

This matter cannot be rushed, but requires long-term consideration.

"Okay, then we'll do as you say." Old Madam Zhao nodded, a hint of fatigue in her tone.

Madam Zhao nodded slightly, her eyes revealing approval of Gu Zhiyi: "Zhiyi, your calmness is really comforting. Unlike me when I was young, I was always impatient and anxious when encountering things."

Gu Zhiyi smiled softly and responded, "Old Madam, you are too kind. I was just thinking that our Loyal and Brave Marquis Mansion has survived all the ups and downs and has been passed down to this day. Isn't it because of this calmness and careful consideration that we rely on?"

Madam Zhao nodded, with a hint of emotion in her eyes: "Yes, our Zhongyong Marquis Mansion has always been known for its gentle and tolerant family style, which is our pride. But now the world is changing, and we also need to be more cautious."

Gu Zhiyi gently brushed away the dust on the stone bench in the pavilion and invited Madam Zhao to sit down.

Old Madam Zhao smiled slightly and sat on the stone bench, while Gu Zhiyi poured her a cup of tea.

"Madam, what do you think the truth of this matter is?" Gu Zhiyi asked softly, her eyes full of inquiry.

Madam Zhao took a sip of tea, pondered for a moment, and slowly spoke: "I guess there must be something fishy going on. Maybe someone is deliberately trying to sow discord and destroy the harmony of our Loyal and Brave Marquis's Mansion."

……

"Yun Chen is going to become a disciple tomorrow afternoon. Could you trouble me to see him off?" The eldest daughter-in-law Wu Jingying spoke on the carriage back home.

She looked at the flowing scenery outside the car window, with a barely perceptible expectation in her eyes.

Gu Zhiyi smiled slightly, turned around and looked at Wu Jingying, her eyes full of warmth and love: "Of course, Yun Chen's apprenticeship is a big deal, how can I not send him off in person? But you haven't been feeling well these days, can you sustain the journey?"

Wu Jingying smiled gently, hiding the fatigue on her brows: "Don't worry, Madam. For Yun Chen, my discomfort is nothing. Besides, with you by my side, I have more confidence."

Soon, the carriage slowly drove into the mansion of the Marquis of Loyalty and Bravery. Gu Zhiyi and Wu Jingying got off the carriage together and walked into the mansion. Xie Yunchen was already waiting in the hall. When he saw his mother and wife coming, he immediately went to greet them.

"Mother, Jingying, you are back." Xie Yunchen smiled, his eyes revealing respect for his mother and love for his wife.

Gu Zhiyi patted her son's hand gently and said with a smile: "Yun Chen, you will go to become a disciple tomorrow. Have you made all the preparations?"

Xie Yunchen nodded and said, "Don't worry, mother. Everything has been arranged. I am just a little nervous. After all, this is an important turning point in my life."

Gu Zhiyi comforted him, "Yun Chen, you are a talented child. I believe you will be able to achieve success in your studies. Moreover, you have us to support you from behind, so don't be afraid."

Wu Jingying also comforted him softly: "Yes, Yunchen, you must believe in yourself. We will all be here waiting for you to come back."

The next afternoon, the mansion of the Marquis of Loyalty and Bravery was bustling with activity. Gu Zhiyi and Wu Jingying got up early to prepare Xie Yunchen's luggage. The servants in the mansion were also busy preparing for Xie Yunchen's trip.

At noon, Xie Yunchen came to the hall in a new suit. Gu Zhiyi and Wu Jingying were already waiting there, looking at Xie Yunchen with eyes full of expectation and concern.

Xie Yunchen walked forward, bowed to his mother and wife, and said, "Mother, Jingying, I am leaving now. You must take care of yourselves."

Gu Zhiyi gently patted her son's shoulder and said, "Yun Chen, don't worry, we will take good care of ourselves. You must learn something and bring honor to our Xie family."

Wu Jingying's eyes were filled with tears as she said, "Yun Chen, remember, no matter when or where, we are your strongest support. You must return safely."

Xie Yunchen nodded, tears welling up in his eyes. He took a deep breath, held back his tears, and said, "Mother, Jingying, I will. When I come back, I will make you proud of me."

……

Gu Zhiyi lazily leaned on the rattan chair and turned to ask Madam Yang: "Yunlin likes small animals?"

Madam Yang smiled and nodded, her eyes full of love: "Yes, Madam, the young master has loved these little lives since he was a child. When he was a child, he loved the cats and dogs in our house very much."

Gu Zhiyi smiled slightly, with a hint of nostalgia in her eyes: "He was still little at that time, and he always followed me and asked me to catch butterflies for him."

After hearing this, Madam Yang smiled even more: "Yes, the young master at that time was really adorable."

As the two were talking, Xie Yunlin ran in from outside, sweating all over but with a happy smile on his face. He saw his mother and Madam Yang and said excitedly, "Mom, Madam, guess what I just caught?"

Gu Zhiyi looked at her son and said with a smile: "Could it be a butterfly?"

Xie Yunlin shook his head, proudly took out a little bird from his arms, and handed it to Gu Zhiyi: "Mom, it's a little bird, and I saved its life."

Gu Zhiyi looked at the bird in her son's hand, a trace of relief flashed in her eyes: "Yunlin, you are such a loving and good child."