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

Gu Zhiyi walked forward and greeted them: "Hello, father and mother." Then she looked at the strange man on the ground.

Gu Zhongyu sat on the armchair, his luxurious purple robe gleaming under the light. His eyes were deep, as if he could see through people's hearts. Hearing Gu Zhiyi's greeting, he nodded slightly as a response.

"Zhiyi, this is your new butler, Uncle Zhang." Gu Zhongyu pointed at the man on the ground with a flat tone.

Gu Zhiyi frowned slightly and looked at Zhang Bo. He looked to be about fifty years old, with wrinkles all over his face, but his eyes were very sharp. She couldn't help but wonder, how could such a shrewd old man become a housekeeper?

Yao sat next to Gu Zhongyu, wearing gorgeous clothes and looking very dignified. She looked at Gu Zhiyi, with a barely perceptible coldness in her eyes.

"Zhiyi, it's good that you're back. I have something to discuss with you." Yao said. Although her tone was gentle, it carried an unquestionable authority.

Gu Zhiyi's heart tightened. Yao was about to start her lecture again. She lowered her head slightly to hide the displeasure in her eyes.

"Mother, just tell me what's the matter." Gu Zhiyi replied.

As soon as she finished speaking, Yao smiled slightly, but that smile was accompanied by a hint of indifference that was barely noticeable. She coughed lightly, as if trying to adjust her mood, and then spoke slowly.

"Zhiyi, you know that all the affairs of the Gu Mansion fall on my shoulders." Yao's voice was calm and powerful, revealing an unquestionable majesty. "I didn't want to interfere too much in your affairs, but your recent behavior really forced me to step in."

Gu Zhiyi frowned slightly. The "action" Yao was talking about was the dispute between her and her half-brother Gu Zhiyuan. She took a deep breath and tried to stay calm.

"Mother, I know that there are some things I haven't done well enough, but I'm just trying my best to maintain the reputation of the Gu family." Gu Zhiyi's voice was soft but firm.

Yao's eyes flashed with approval, but then she became stern again: "It is important to maintain the reputation of the Gu family, but you can't be too willful. The conflict between you and Zhiyuan has affected the harmony of the Gu family. As the eldest daughter of the Gu family, you should know how to properly handle these things."

Gu Zhiyi bit her lower lip, feeling helpless. Yao was right, but she couldn't stand Yao's partiality for Gu Zhiyuan.

"Mother, it's not that I don't want to reconcile, but Zhiyuan..." Gu Zhiyi paused and took a deep breath, "He really went too far. Not only did he take my things, he also plotted against me behind my back."

Yao's expression changed slightly. She didn't expect Gu Zhiyi to expose Gu Zhiyuan's actions so bluntly. She pondered for a moment, then slowly spoke: "Zhiyi, I know you have been wronged, but in this Gu Mansion, you still need to learn to be tolerant. The foundation of the Gu Mansion is already unstable, and we can't have any more internal fighting."

Gu Zhiyi's eyes flashed with reluctance, but she also understood Yao's concerns. She took a deep breath and tried to keep her tone calm: "Mother, I will try my best to reconcile with Zhiyuan, but I also hope that you can look at the conflict between us fairly."

Yao nodded slightly, Gu Zhiyi had already made a concession.

She sighed softly, and her tone became softer: "Zhiyi, I understand how you feel. As a mother, I naturally hope that you can live a happy life. But in this chaotic world, we have to learn to be patient. After your father passed away, the situation of the Gu family has become increasingly difficult, and we cannot afford to make any more mistakes."

Gu Zhiyi nodded silently. Yao's worries were not unreasonable. Although she still felt unwilling, she also knew that she could not continue to be willful.

"Mother, I will try my best to reconcile with Zhiyuan, but I also hope that you can support me behind me." There was a hint of request in Gu Zhiyi's voice.

……

Gu Zhiyi smiled with satisfaction, and the ring on her hand shone softly in the sun. She gently stroked the ring, with a hint of nostalgia in her eyes.

"Is this ring left by your grandfather?" The old lady sitting opposite her had a hint of curiosity in her eyes.

Gu Zhiyi nodded slightly, a hint of pride flashing in her eyes: "Yes, mother. This is what my grandfather used to fight on the battlefield when he was young. He was always proud of it when he was alive."

The old lady smiled, a trace of kindness flashed in her eyes: "Zhiyi, I have heard about your grandfather's heroic deeds. I didn't expect that you would be able to get such a precious relic of his."

At this moment, a maid came in with a plate of steaming snacks in her hands.

"Madam, this is your favorite almond pastry, freshly baked." The maid said respectfully.

The old lady smiled slightly and waved her hand: "Put it here."

After the maid left, Gu Zhiyi picked up a piece of almond cake, took a light bite, and a look of enjoyment appeared between her brows.

"Mother, please try it too." Gu Zhiyi handed a piece of almond cake to the old lady.

The old lady took it, took a bite, and nodded in praise: "It tastes really good. Zhiyi, when did you learn to make this?"

Gu Zhiyi smiled slightly: "I learned this especially for you. If mother likes it, I will make it more often."

The old lady's eyes flashed with relief after hearing this. She gently stroked Gu Zhiyi's hand and said slowly: "Zhiyi, you are becoming more and more considerate. I feel more and more that you are like my own daughter."

Gu Zhiyi lowered her head and smiled shyly. Although the old lady liked her, she still felt a little embarrassed by such direct compliments.

"Mother, you're too kind. I'm just doing my duty as a daughter-in-law." Gu Zhiyi said softly.

The old lady looked at her with admiration in her eyes. She patted Gu Zhiyi's hand gently, then turned and walked towards the tea set on the table.

"Zhiyi, do you know why I like you so much?" the old lady asked while pouring tea.

Gu Zhiyi was slightly stunned. She looked up at the old lady, her eyes full of confusion.

The old lady smiled, handed a cup of tea to Gu Zhiyi, and then slowly said: "Because you know how to respect others, you know how to be a good daughter-in-law and a good wife. This is something that many young women I have seen cannot do."

Gu Zhiyi felt warm in her heart after hearing this. She took the teacup and said softly, "Mom, I will continue to work hard."

Just then, footsteps were heard outside the door, and then a maid came in with a plate in her hand with a letter on it.

"Madam, this is a letter from the capital with your name on it," the maid said respectfully.

Gu Zhiyi took the letter, a hint of doubt flashed in her eyes. She opened the envelope, and the contents inside made her face turn pale instantly.

"What's wrong, Zhiyi?" The old lady asked with concern when she saw this.

Gu Zhiyi raised her head, a trace of pain flashed in her eyes: "Mother, this is a letter from my father. He told me that my brother is sick and very sick."

The old lady's face changed. She held Gu Zhiyi's hand and said softly, "Zhiyi, don't worry. We will help you find a solution."