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

"Zhi Yi, I haven't seen you for many years, but you are still as beautiful as ever." Lin Zixuan said with a smile.

Gu Zhiyi smiled slightly, but she was a little confused: "Cousin, why did you ask me to come here?"

Lin Zixuan walked up to Gu Zhiyi, his expression serious: "Zhiyi, I have something to ask of you, please agree to it."

Gu Zhiyi frowned. She didn’t know what Lin Zixuan was up to, but she believed that Lin Zixuan would not look for her for no reason.

"Cousin, please speak." Gu Zhiyi said.

Lin Zixuan said in a deep voice: "I recently learned that someone inside the Gu Mansion betrayed them. They colluded with outsiders and attempted to usurp the Gu Mansion's property. I know this matter is very serious, but I can't just sit back and watch. So, I would like to ask you to help me investigate this matter and find the traitor."

Gu Zhiyi was shocked. She didn't expect that there was such a bold person in the Gu Mansion. She looked at Lin Zixuan with a hint of doubt in her eyes: "Cousin, why do you know all this?"

Lin Zixuan smiled bitterly and said, "Zhiyi, you may not know that I have been secretly investigating the affairs of the Gu Mansion. Recently, I discovered this secret, so I asked you for help."

Gu Zhiyi was silent for a moment, then nodded and agreed: "Cousin, I understand. I will do my best to investigate this matter and find the traitor."

Lin Zixuan showed a satisfied smile. He looked at Gu Zhiyi with gratitude in his eyes: "Zhiyi, thank you. I know this is not easy for you, but I believe you can do it well."

In the plum forest, Gu Zhiyi and Lin Zixuan had a secret conversation for a long time, and they said goodbye only when the sun was setting.

Gu Zhiyi brought Luluo and the servants back to the Gu Mansion.

……

Gu Zhiyi looked at Gu Zhiping and said calmly, "I'm not wearing this dress for you to see. I will only wear it this once and I won't cause you any trouble in the future."

Gu Zhiping's eyes flashed with surprise when she heard this, and then the corners of her mouth slightly raised, revealing a complicated smile. She walked gently to Gu Zhiyi, gently held her hand, and whispered: "Sister, you misunderstood. I never meant to ask you to dress up for me. Whether you dress beautifully or not is irrelevant to me."

Gu Zhiyi looked at her sister's gentle eyes, and her heart warmed slightly, but she was still a little confused: "Then why do you say that?"

Gu Zhiping sighed softly, with a trace of worry in her eyes: "Sister, you also know about the recent disturbances in the mansion. Mother is not feeling well, and father is busy with official duties. Most of the affairs in the mansion fall on us. I... I am just worried that you will be subject to unnecessary gossip because of me."

Gu Zhiyi frowned slightly. She understood her sister's worries, but she didn't want to make her worry too much. She gently patted Gu Zhiping's hand and smiled, "Don't worry, sister, I'm not that fragile. Besides, I know my limits."

The two of them were silent for a while. After a while, Gu Zhiping suddenly changed the subject. She looked at Gu Zhiyi's clothes and asked curiously, "Sister, this dress is really beautiful. Who designed it for you?"

Gu Zhiyi smiled slightly and said, "This is my own design. I think today's occasion is special, so I want to give it a try."

Gu Zhiping's eyes flashed with envy, and she chuckled and said, "Sister is really multi-talented. When can I be like you?"

Gu Zhiyi looked at her sister's eager eyes, and her heart moved. She gently took Gu Zhiping's hand and said seriously: "Sister, you actually have many advantages, but you are always modest and unwilling to show them. How about I teach you?"

Gu Zhiping's eyes flashed with surprise. She held Gu Zhiyi's hand tightly and said excitedly, "Really? Sister, can I really learn it?"

Gu Zhiyi smiled and nodded, saying, "Of course. From today on, I will teach you painting, embroidery, and music, chess, calligraphy and painting. Are you willing to learn?"

Gu Zhiping nodded excitedly, with a determined light in her eyes: "I do! Sister, thank you."

……

Gu Zhiping listened to the praise and compliments from the crowd, feeling proud, with a slight smile on her lips and a sly gleam in her eyes. She glanced at her sister Gu Zhiyi who was sitting beside her, and saw that she looked calm, as if she didn't care about all the praise at all.

Gu Zhiyi noticed her sister's gaze, smiled gently, and said, "Ping'er, you are really dressed very beautifully today. You have received so many compliments from people. I am happy for you too."

Gu Zhiping smiled slightly and said, "Sister, you are too kind. It is all thanks to you that I am so beautiful today. However, your outfit today is also good. It's just that you are always so low-key that people overlook your beauty."

Gu Zhiyi shook her head gently and said, "Being low-key is my personality. I don't like to compete for fame and fortune. And, Ping'er, do you know? True beauty does not rely on gorgeous clothes and jewelry, but on inner cultivation and temperament."

Gu Zhiping widened her eyes and said unconvincedly, "Sister, are you lecturing me? I know as much as you do, but I prefer more excitement. Besides, as the eldest daughter of the Gu family, we have to bring honor to the family at today's banquet."

Gu Zhiyi smiled and said, "Ping'er, you misunderstood. I just want to remind you not to be blinded by the praise from the outside world. The reputation of our Gu family depends not only on our appearance, but also on our character."

Gu Zhiping was a little unhappy when she heard her sister's words, but she couldn't get angry. She bit her lip lightly and changed the subject: "Sister, look at Mr. Li over there. He has been looking at us. I heard that he is a famous talent in Jiangnan. Are you interested in him?"

Gu Zhiyi smiled slightly and said, "Ping'er, do you want to be my matchmaker again? I don't know much about Mr. Li, so I don't dare to express my opinion easily. Besides, marriage is a big matter, and it still needs the permission of parents and the words of matchmaker."

Gu Zhiping felt a little disappointed when she heard her sister's words, but she still forced a smile and said, "Sister, you are always so rational, which makes people feel distressed. Okay, I won't worry about you anymore."

Gu Zhiping finally calmed down and looked at Gu Zhiyi's face with a hint of jealousy in her eyes. She bit her lip and said with a forced smile: "Sister, you are so beautiful today, and the dress fits me very well."

Gu Zhiyi smiled slightly, with a hint of pride in her eyes: "Sister, you are too kind. This dress was made by my newly hired embroiderer. She said it was tailored according to my body shape and will naturally fit me."

Gu Zhiping's smile froze slightly. She knew that Gu Zhiyi was showing off. She took a deep breath and tried to make herself look more calm: "Sister, you seem to be in a good mood today."

Gu Zhiyi smiled gently: "Yes, I received a letter from my mother today. She said that my father's affairs outside have been dealt with and he will be back soon."

Gu Zhiping's heart sank.

Gu Zhiyi's father is her supporter. As long as he is there, Gu Zhiyi's position cannot be shaken. She forced a smile and said, "That's great. Our family can finally be reunited."

Gu Zhiyi smiled slightly and looked at Gu Zhiping, with a hint of sarcasm in her eyes: "Yes, the family is reunited, and we sisters should also live in harmony."