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

Zhang Xiu Niang's face suddenly became solemn, and her lips slightly opened, as if she was about to say something. However, Gu Zhiping took the lead and said in a cold tone: "It seems unnecessary. Zhang Xiu Niang has an outstanding reputation. How could she steal the embroidery of a newcomer?"

She changed the subject and looked towards Aunt Fang, her tone revealing a hint of sarcasm: "I think Aunt Fang should reorganize the people in your building. As for the viewing banquet, it should proceed as usual, so as not to ruin everyone's fun."

Gu Zhiyi pursed her lips tightly, and after a long while, she spoke reluctantly, "As long as you are happy, that's good."

She turned her gaze to Hong Niang again and said with a smile, "Since you no longer have any exhibits, why not come and sit down with us."

Hong Niang glared at Zhang Xiu Niang, dragged a stool over without hesitation, and sat down next to Gu Zhiyi. Xie Xun, who was ignored, was full of indignation.

Although everyone had some complaints about Hongniang's appearance, since Xie Xun, the only son of the Ningguo Mansion, was also present, no one said anything about expelling her. Gu Zhiping also rarely caused any trouble. She was now immersed in the joy of victory.

Zhang Xiu Niang's eyes flashed with uneasiness, but after seeing her daughter's comforting eyes, her heart gradually calmed down. Everything is going smoothly and there will be no problems.

However, she still couldn't calm down completely. As usual, the purchase process would begin after the display.

The purchase process is similar to an auction, where a reserve price is set and then the highest bidder wins. Originally, eighteen pieces of clothing were supposed to be on display today, but because Hongniang's clothes were stolen, only fifteen sets were left.

The base price of each skirt was 3,000 taels. In the end, five skirts were sold at 3,800 taels, three skirts at 4,500 taels, three skirts at 5,100 taels, two skirts at 6,500 taels, one skirt at 700-800 taels, and one skirt at a high price of 11,000 taels.

That 11,000-tael skirt represents the golden autumn. And the one who captured the autumn mood was Gu Zhiping.

Gu Zhiyi asked Xie Xun to buy a skirt called "Red Maple", which was the second lowest in price.

At this moment, Gu Zhiping was caressing the golden ears of wheat on her skirt lovingly, and looked at Gu Zhiyi sweetly: "Aunt, you love collecting beautiful skirts the most. When I present this skirt to the palace, you will definitely like it."

Gu Zhiyi sighed softly: "If you don't want your aunt to hate you, you'd better not do such stupid things."

Concubine Gu, the younger sister of Minister Gu, was deeply favored by the emperor and was the most favored concubine in the harem. Since she entered the palace for more than 20 years, she had always been bathed in the emperor's grace and was the most favored concubine in the six palaces.

Although she failed to give birth to a child for the royal family, and only gave birth to two delicate princesses, this did not diminish the emperor's favor for her. Minister Gu, who held a prestigious position of the third rank, was able to marry his daughter into the noble Duke's Mansion, thanks in no small part to the favor of Concubine Gu. The Gu family was therefore very proud to have a concubine who was the most favored concubine in the family.

In fact, if the emperor had not already looked old, enough to become the grandfather of Gu Zhiyi and her sisters, and if all the princes and princes in the palace had not already been canonized as queens, and even the positions for concubines were few and far between, Minister Gu might have already conceived the idea of ​​sending the two daughters into the palace.

For Gu Zhiyi, not being connected to the royal family was a blessing in disguise. Gu Zhiping knew that Ji Yinli would be crowned the King of the Heterosexual for his outstanding military exploits in the future, so she didn't take it to heart.

At this moment, Gu Zhiping blinked her tearful eyes, her face full of grievance, and said to her sister: "Sister, are you worried that I will steal your glory?"

A noble woman could no longer bear to watch and could not help but rebuke: "Madam Ningguo, your idea is too absurd. Madam Ji San Shao is the real daughter of the Gu family and the niece of Concubine Gu. Even if there was no dispute about the skirt, Concubine Gu would naturally favor Madam Ji San Shao over you."

Gu Zhiyi didn't care about the ridicule at all. She just looked at Gu Zhiping with a smile and said, "If you have any doubts, you can send it immediately to see whether Concubine Gu will praise you or blame you for being stupid."

Her attitude seemed extremely strange, which made Gu Zhiping feel uneasy, and the noble ladies around her were also confused.

Zhang Xiu Niang's heartbeat was as rapid as a drum, and her face was filled with panic. Tingting could only hold her hand tightly and comfort her softly: "It's okay, mother. Lady Ningguo and that woman are accomplices. They are just supporting her. There is no evidence to prove this matter, and they can't cause any trouble."

Despite this, Zhang Xiu Niang still felt uneasy, but she had to force herself to cheer up and not let too much emotion show out.

Gu Zhiyi smiled and glanced at Zhang Xiu Niang, then turned to Xie Xun: "You are well-versed in history and current affairs, so you should be able to see through my hidden meaning, right?"

Xie Xun, a man who was always straightforward, might not know much about what women liked, but at this moment, he did notice something strange in the pattern of the skirt: "The pattern of this skirt...doesn't seem to fit the name 'Golden Autumn'."

Gu Zhiyi clapped lightly, her smile growing wider: "It really lives up to its reputation."

Xie Xun couldn't help but blush shyly. Although he was often praised and was accustomed to such compliments, this time, the pride and sense of identity in his heart were extremely strong.

At that moment, he rarely experienced a long-lost embarrassment and shame.

Gu Zhiyi did not notice the slight discomfort of the person opposite her, and just stared at Hong Niang with a smile: "Okay, reveal the answer."

Hongniang gently lifted up the loose hair on her chest and curled her lips contemptuously at Zhang Xiuniang and her daughter. Her disdain was evident in her words: "How can two ignorant people see the grain of wheat in autumn!"

These words were like a bolt from the blue, exploding in Zhang Xiuniang's mind. Her face turned pale in an instant, and Pei Tingting could no longer maintain that hypocritical smile.

Gu Zhiping's face was full of confusion, with a hint of uncertainty in her voice: "What...what exactly does this mean?"

This pampered young lady had no idea what wheat ears actually looked like, let alone the fact that they actually ripened in the summer.

Only in those severe colds further north will the wheat ears mature in early autumn.

However, wheat in Shengjing and its surrounding areas was harvested in summer.

Gu Zhiyi didn't know whether Concubine Gu knew the season when wheat ripened, but the emperor certainly knew it. If his favorite concubine came to compete for favor wearing a dress embroidered with wheat ears and named "Golden Autumn", the emperor would definitely think that she lacked wisdom.

However, it was precisely because of her intelligence and insight that Concubine Gu won the emperor's favor.

"It means that wheat ears will only mature in summer, and only corn can be seen in autumn."

As early as a hundred years ago, corn was introduced to the Central Plains from overseas, even earlier than sweet potatoes.

Today, the people of the Western Wei Dynasty could barely make a living by relying on corn and sweet potatoes, as well as many other crops such as rice in the south and wheat in the north.