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

"I'll go and plead for Aunt Li's death penalty right now." Wu Jingying cried bitterly.

Xie Yunchen looked at Wu Jingying who was kneeling in front of Gu Zhiyiyuan with a complicated expression.

"Wu Jingying, why are you doing this?" Xie Yunchen's voice was low and hoarse. He looked at Wu Jingying kneeling on the ground, her face blurred by tears.

Wu Jingying raised her head, her eyes full of determination: "I know you are surprised by what I did, but I can't watch you feel embarrassed because of Aunt Li's matter."

Xie Yunchen frowned, staring at Wu Jingying, a hint of doubt flashed in his eyes: "Are you really willing to plead for Aunt Li? Do you know what consequences this will bring to you?"

Wu Jingying bit her lip and choked up: "I know, but I'm your wife. I can't watch you like this. I feel sorry for you."

Xie Yunchen was silent for a moment, his heart seemed to be hit by a heavy hammer, a feeling he had never had before grew in his heart. He looked at Wu Jingying, a hint of complex emotions flashed in his eyes.

"Do you really love me?" Xie Yunchen asked, with a trembling voice.

Wu Jingying lowered her head even lower, tears dripping onto the ground. She said in a choked voice, "Yes, I love you, Xie Yunchen. I have fallen in love with you since the day we got married. I know you don't like me, but I am willing to spend my whole life loving you and protecting you."

Xie Yunchen's heart seemed to be surrounded by a warm current. He looked at Wu Jingying, and a hint of tenderness flashed in his eyes.

In the rainy night, raindrops like silk poured down from the sky, soaking the blue bricks and tiles of the Ningguo Mansion. Wu Jingying knelt in the rain, her clothes soaked, and she was shivering with cold, but she still stubbornly refused to get up.

"Madam, you'd better not kneel down since you're pregnant. The child is more important!" Madam Yang advised while holding an umbrella, her eyes full of worry.

Wu Jingying shook her head and said firmly: "Mammy, I know what I am doing."

At this time, Gu Zhiyi was pacing back and forth in the main hall of Ningguo Mansion. When she heard Nanny Yang's persuasion, her heart tightened and she hurried out of the door holding an oil-paper umbrella.

"Jingying!" Gu Zhiyi's voice was filled with unquestionable severity, "What are you doing? The child in your belly is the future of the Ningguo Mansion, don't you cherish it?"

Wu Jingying looked up at Gu Zhiyi, a hint of stubbornness flashed in her eyes: "Mother, I know the importance of children, but I can't let the people in the mansion look down on me and think that I am making trouble for no reason."

Gu Zhiyi sighed, a trace of helplessness flashed in her eyes. She walked to Wu Jingying and patted her shoulder gently: "Child, I know how you feel, but the most important thing for you now is to protect yourself and the child. Kneeling in the rain like this will only make everyone worry."

Nanny Yang also echoed, "Yes, Madam, you are soaked. What if you catch a cold?"

Wu Jingying bit her lip, a trace of hesitation flashed in her eyes, but she still said firmly: "Mother, I know you care about me, but I have to do this, otherwise I can't feel at ease."

Gu Zhiyi's face was a little heavy. She knew Wu Jingying's personality. Once she made a decision, nothing could change it. She took a deep breath and her tone became serious: "Wu Jingying, listen to me. The child in your belly is the eldest son of the fourth generation of the Ningguo Mansion. His birth is related to the future of the entire family. You can't damage his health because of a momentary anger."

Wu Jingying's eyes finally wavered. She slowly raised her head and looked at Gu Zhiyi: "Mother, do you really care about this child so much?"

Gu Zhiyi's eyes were firm: "Of course, he is not only your child, but also the future of Ningguo Mansion. As the wife of Ningguo, I have the responsibility to protect him."

Nanny Yang couldn't help but interrupt and said, "Madam, look, Madam cares so much about you and the child, you should stop being stubborn and get up quickly."

The raindrops hit the bluestone slabs of the Ningguo Mansion, making a dull and long sound. Xie Yunchen stood tall in the rain, holding Wu Jingying's shoulders tightly with one hand to shield her from the wind and rain. Wu Jingying's eyes were full of gratitude, while Xie Yunchen's firm eyes revealed an indescribable determination.

Xie Yunchen turned to face Gu Zhiyi, bowed deeply, and said firmly: "Mother, everything is my fault. I forced Wu Jingying, I ask you not to blame her."

Gu Zhiyi's face was as gloomy as water, and a trace of anger flashed in her eyes, but when she saw Wu Jingying's pitiful appearance, the anger in her heart slowly dissipated. She looked at Xie Yunchen coldly, and said indifferently: "Yunchen, do you know what you are saying?"

"I know, mother." Xie Yunchen raised his head, his eyes firm, "I am willing to take responsibility for everything. I only ask you to have mercy and not blame Wu Jingying."

Wu Jingying couldn't help crying out loud. She pulled Gu Zhiyi's sleeve and begged, "Mother, please have mercy. Xie Yunchen is willing to study at Bailu Academy. I only ask you to let Aunt Li go."

Gu Zhiyi frowned slightly, and a trace of thought flashed in her eyes. She looked at Xie Yunchen and said in a serious tone: "Yunchen, if you are really willing to study at Bailu Academy, I can consider letting Aunt Li go. But if I find out that you are cheating on me, I will not hesitate to take back my promise and punish the other concubines."

Xie Yunchen clenched his fists, and a trace of struggle flashed in his eyes, but he soon became firm. He looked at Wu Jingying deeply, then turned to Gu Zhiyi and said in a deep voice: "I promise you, mother. I am willing to go to Bailu Academy to study in exchange for Aunt Li's life."

Gu Zhiyi nodded slightly, with a hint of satisfaction in her eyes. She looked at Wu Jingying and said in a gentle tone: "Wu Jingying, you are a good child. From today on, I will look at you differently."

Wu Jingying's eyes were filled with tears, and she looked at Gu Zhiyi gratefully: "Thank you, mother."

……

In the evening, Gu Zhiyi had dinner with Wu Jingying and Xie Huiyi in the main hall of the main courtyard. The atmosphere was silent.

Gu Zhiyi gently stroked her clothes, breaking the silence in the main hall. She picked up the tea on the table, blew it gently, and slowly said, "The atmosphere at breakfast today seems a little heavy. Are you worried about something, Huiyi?"

Xie Huiyi raised her head, a hint of hesitation flashed in her eyes, then she bit her lower lip lightly and said, "Mother, Yan Tinghan invited me to attend a poetry gathering at Yipinju, I... I don't know if I should agree."

Wu Jingying frowned slightly, she put down her chopsticks and said softly: "Yan Tinghan? Huiyi, do you really want to go?"

Gu Zhiyi smiled slightly and looked at Xie Huiyi with eyes full of care: "You can go. But remember, be careful about your dress and behavior, and don't lose the dignity of the mansion."

Xie Huiyi heard this, a glimmer of joy flashed in her eyes, and she nodded gently: "Mother, I will."