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

"You are right. Aunt Li's behavior is indeed outrageous. But this matter involves the eldest young master, so we need to be cautious." Gu Zhiyi said, sighing softly, "The eldest young master has always doted on Aunt Li. If we act rashly, I am afraid he will misunderstand that we are deliberately targeting Aunt Li."

Wu Jingying's expression changed slightly, and she said anxiously: "Mother, are we just going to watch her continue to harm people?"

Gu Zhiyi sighed softly, a trace of helplessness and sadness flashed in her eyes, and she slowly said: "Jingying, you still don't understand the twists and turns of this mansion. Although Aunt Li has a vicious mind, her existence is also necessary for the Ningguo Mansion."

Wu Jingying bit her lower lip tightly, frowned, and looked a little confused.

Gu Zhiyi patted her hands gently and said, "Come, sit down, and listen to me slowly."

Wu Jingying sat down as she was told, her eyes full of anticipation.

Gu Zhiyi said, "This Ningguo Mansion may seem peaceful on the surface, but it is actually full of undercurrents. Although Aunt Li wants to harm you, her fertility is limited, and this is a fact she cannot change. If we get rid of her, I'm afraid more people will covet your position, and then there will be no peace in the mansion."

Wu Jingying's expression gradually calmed down, and she whispered, "Mother, do you mean that keeping her will help us maintain our status?"

Gu Zhiyi nodded slightly, a shrewd look flashed in her eyes, and she said softly: "That's right, Jingying. The stability of Ningguo Mansion is of vital importance to all of us. Although Aunt Li is scheming, she is unable to have children, which is an insurmountable gap."

Wu Jingying sighed softly, a trace of confusion flashed in her eyes, and asked: "Then how should we treat her? Should we just let her stir up trouble in the mansion?"

Gu Zhiyi frowned slightly and said slowly: "Things in this mansion are complicated and changeable. When dealing with Aunt Li, we must be on guard against her and also use her. We must let her know that her position is not stable. Once she has any ulterior motives, she will lose everything."

Wu Jingying nodded slightly, a trace of determination flashed in her eyes, and said: "Mother, I understand. So, what should we do?"

Gu Zhiyi pondered for a moment and said, "First, you have to learn to be patient. Aunt Li is very thoughtful. If you show any dissatisfaction, she will definitely seize the opportunity to attack you. What you have to do is to get along with her peacefully on the surface, but secretly be on guard against her every move."

Wu Jingying's eyes flashed with determination, and she said softly: "Mother, I will remember your teachings."

Gu Zhiyi looked at Wu Jingying's eyes, and her heart warmed slightly. She continued, "Secondly, we need to cultivate our own power in the mansion. As the eldest daughter-in-law of Duke Ningguo, you have a noble status, but you must also have your own people to support you. In this way, even if Aunt Li has ulterior motives, she can't easily touch you."

Wu Jingying's eyes flashed with doubt, and she asked, "Mother, everyone in the mansion knows that I am your daughter-in-law. Will they betray me?"

Gu Zhiyi smiled faintly and said, "The human heart is hard to predict. Everyone in this mansion has their own thoughts. What we need to do is to find those who are loyal to us, train them, and make them our helpers."

Wu Jingying nodded slightly, with a hint of determination in her eyes.

Gu Zhiyi looked at Wu Jingying worriedly, her eyes full of worry, and her tone became serious: "Xie Yunchen has really gone too far recently. He indulges himself in brothels and other places every day and does not do his job properly. If this continues, I am worried that he will not be able to take on the important task of inheriting the title in the future."

Wu Jingying's face turned pale instantly when she heard this. She didn't expect Gu Zhiyi to express her concern for Xie Yunchen so directly. She bit her lips tightly, trying to hide her shock and uneasiness, and said calmly, "Mother, Yunchen...he is just young and energetic, and he played a little too much. I believe he will restrain himself."

Gu Zhiyi shook her head slightly, her eyes revealing deep disappointment: "I understand how you feel, but as the eldest son of the Ningguo Mansion, he shoulders the future of the family and cannot be so irresponsible. It's not that I don't support him enjoying life, but overindulging in sensual pleasures will only make him lose his fighting spirit and delay the important matter of inheriting the title."

Wu Jingying felt as if her heart was pierced by a needle. She knew that what Gu Zhiyi said was the truth, but she was still unwilling to accept this fact. She clenched her fists tightly and said with a firm look in her eyes: "Mother, I will find a chance to persuade Yun Chen and make him understand the importance of the family. This cannot go on."

Gu Zhiyi looked at Wu Jingying, a trace of relief flashed in her eyes. She knew that this daughter-in-law was a responsible person, and she only hoped that she could convince Xie Yunchen and make him return to the right path. She gently patted Wu Jingying's hand and said, "I believe you, Jingying. You are a sensible woman, and I believe you can convince Yunchen."

"But, the decision to inherit the title is not something I can make on my own." Gu Zhiyi told Wu Jingying.

As soon as Gu Zhiyi finished speaking, a hint of disappointment flashed across Wu Jingying's eyes. She slowly sat up straight, holding the armrests of the chair tightly with both hands, as if trying to calm herself down.

"Madam, I understand that the matter of succession to the title is not something you can decide alone, but Yun Chen is the future of our Ningguo Mansion. How can I not think about him?" There was some firmness in Wu Jingying's voice.

Gu Zhiyi smiled slightly, her eyes showing deep love. She gently patted Wu Jingying's hand and said slowly: "I know you care about Yun Chen, but the matter of inheriting the title is extraordinary. The glory of the Ningguo Mansion was earned by the blood and sweat of our ancestors. We can't act rashly."

Wu Jingying frowned and said anxiously, "But Madam, Yun Chen has been very smart since he was young. If he joins the military, he may be able to make great achievements in the army. If so, wouldn't it be a natural thing for him to inherit the title?"

Gu Zhiyi shook her head slightly, with a hint of helplessness in her eyes: "You also know Yun Chen's physical condition. He has been weak and sickly since childhood, and he is already old, so it is not easy for him to practice martial arts. Besides, the glory of Ningguo Mansion cannot be continued only by martial arts."

Wu Jingying was silent for a moment, with a hint of doubt in her eyes: "What do you mean, Madam?"

Gu Zhiyi smiled slightly and said firmly: "I suggest that Yun Chen study liberal arts hard and strive to get good grades in the imperial examination. In this way, he will not only become a pillar of society, but also bring glory to the Ningguo Mansion. The inheritance of the title will come naturally."

After hearing this, Wu Jingying's eyes flashed with hesitation. She thought for a moment and finally said, "But Madam, if Yun Chen has no achievements in liberal arts, then wouldn't the glory of our Ningguo Mansion be ruined?"