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

As the two were talking, a eunuch came hurriedly, holding an envelope in his hand, and said, "Your Majesty, this is an urgent report from the border."

The emperor took the envelope, opened it, and his expression suddenly became solemn. He was silent for a moment, then handed the letter to Gu Zhiyi: "Zhiyi, take a look."

Gu Zhiyi took the envelope, glanced at it, and her face became solemn. The letter said that there were foreign forces on the border who were ready to invade the border.

Gu Zhiyi looked up at the emperor, a hint of determination flashed in her eyes: "Your Majesty, this matter is of great importance. The safety of the border is related to the country. If your majesty has a decision, I am willing to go to the border in person to help deal with this matter."

The emperor looked at Gu Zhiyi, with a hint of admiration in his eyes.

"Zhiyi, don't worry, I will go to the battlefield to supervise the battle. But I still need you to stay in the palace. I believe you can handle everything."

Gu Zhiyi smiled slightly, with a hint of determination in her eyes: "Your Majesty, rest assured, I will live up to your trust."

The imperial physician paced anxiously outside the palace, feeling extremely worried.

If he couldn't find out the truth this time, he might lose his life. He took a deep breath and decided to check the emperor's condition again.

He returned to the emperor's bedroom, where the emperor had already fallen asleep. The imperial physician gently felt the emperor's pulse and prayed silently in his heart, hoping to find the root cause of the disease.

Suddenly, he found that there was something wrong with the emperor's pulse, and he immediately understood something. He was overjoyed and hurried back to his residence to study the prescription for detoxification.

As night fell, the palace was brightly lit. The imperial physician finally developed a prescription for detoxification, and he brought the prescription to the emperor's bedroom to detoxify him.

After the emperor woke up, he looked at the imperial physician with a hint of gratitude in his eyes. He knew that he was able to escape this time thanks to the imperial physician and Gu Zhiyi.

He looked at Gu Zhiyi and said, "Zhiyi, you have made a great contribution this time. I will reward you handsomely."

Gu Zhiyi smiled slightly and said, "Your Majesty, I am just doing my duty. As long as Your Majesty is healthy, I will be satisfied."

The emperor looked at Gu Zhiyi and felt warm in his heart.

Everyone looked at her with judgmental eyes, and the emperor's pressure was clearly evident at this moment: "Gu Zhiyi, is this true?!"

Gu Zhiyi stood in the center of the hall, facing the scrutiny of the civil and military officials. Her heart was beating like a drum, but she tried to remain calm and met the emperor's majestic gaze with a firm gaze. She knew very well that her silence at this moment was a tacit agreement, so she took a deep breath and spoke slowly.

“I, Gu Zhiyi, have indeed acted inappropriately, but I did not do it on purpose. I hope Your Majesty can understand.” Although her voice was low, it echoed in the empty hall, firm yet polite.

The emperor's eyes were still sharp as he examined Gu Zhiyi, as if he wanted to see through her heart. He said in a deep voice: "If that's the case, then tell me in detail what exactly happened?"

Gu Zhiyi lowered her head slightly, recalling the past, and slowly spoke: "A few months ago, news came from the Ningguo Mansion that the lady was ill, so I sent a reliable maid to visit her. Unexpectedly, when the maid came back, she brought news that the lady was seriously ill. I was extremely worried, so I went to visit her myself."

The emperor nodded slightly, motioning her to continue. Gu Zhiyi continued, "When I arrived at the Ningguo Mansion, I found that the lady was indeed seriously ill, so I stayed to accompany her. That day, I overheard the servants talking in the Ningguo Mansion, saying that the lady's condition had improved, but she had a dispute with the elders in the family over some trivial matters. I was worried about the lady's health, so I went to persuade them."

At this point, Gu Zhiyi paused, a trace of pain flashed in her eyes. She continued, "But I didn't expect that the dispute would lead to the worsening of Madam's condition and her unfortunate death. I feel deeply guilty for not being able to protect Madam, which led to the tragedy."

After hearing this, the emperor frowned and thought for a moment, then asked: "Gu Zhiyi, do you admit your guilt?"

Gu Zhiyi knelt down without hesitation and bowed her head, saying, "I know my crime, Your Majesty, please punish me."

At this time, the maidservant beside Lady Ningguo couldn't help crying and complained: "Your Majesty, Lady Ningguo has always treated me like a sister, and I have always treated you like a relative. But now that Lady Ningguo has passed away, I am unable to avenge her, and I feel guilty."

The emperor looked at the maid, a trace of tenderness flashed in his eyes, and he comforted her: "Don't worry, I will make the decision for you. Although Gu Zhiyi made a mistake, I will not pursue it because she was kind-hearted. However, she must bear some responsibility for the death of the lady."

After hearing this, Gu Zhiyi felt a tightness in her heart, but she did not refute. Instead, she responded respectfully.

The emperor added, "Gu Zhiyi, since you are the wife of Duke Ningguo, you should know the rules of the palace. From now on, you must strictly abide by the rules of being a woman and not do anything out of line again. Otherwise, I will not forgive you easily."

Although Gu Zhiyi felt wronged, she thought this was the emperor's love and warning to her, so she replied respectfully: "I obey your order."

The emperor saw that Gu Zhiyi was so sensible, and his anger subsided. He waved his hand and signaled everyone to leave.

The emperor heard Gu Zhiyi's subtext, and after a little thought, he agreed with her. He smiled slightly, a hint of appreciation flashed in his eyes, and then he said, "Madam, what you said is very true. I should indeed personally inquire about this matter. I wonder if Madam is willing to discuss it with me?"

Gu Zhiyi smiled lightly, with a hint of humility in her eyes: "How dare I discuss state affairs? But if His Majesty the Emperor trusts me, I am willing to do my best."

The emperor's smile became more obvious when he heard this. He waved his hand, signaling the maid to leave, leaving only the two of them. The palace instantly became quiet, with only the faint sound of birds singing outside the palace.

"Madam, do you think there is anyone else in the Ningguo Mansion who can share my worries like you?" the emperor suddenly asked.

Gu Zhiyi hesitated for a moment and said, "I think that there are many talented people in the Ningguo Mansion, but if you want to share the worries of Your Majesty, you still need to have a certain amount of wisdom and courage. In addition to me, there may be another person."

"Oh? Madam, are you talking about your daughter, Xie Huiyi?" A hint of curiosity flashed in the emperor's eyes.

Gu Zhiyi nodded gently: "That's right. Huiyi has been smart since she was young, and she has a broad mind. If she is nurtured, she will become a great talent."

The emperor smiled slightly and said, "Since Madam praises it so highly, I will let her enter the palace and observe it for herself."

Gu Zhiyi smiled slightly and said, "Your Majesty is wise. However, I have something else to ask of you."

A trace of doubt flashed in the emperor's eyes, and he said, "Madam, please speak."

Gu Zhiyi bit her lower lip and said, "My second daughter is named Xie Huixuan. Although she is young, she already has some talent. I hope Your Majesty can give her some opportunities to learn in the palace and gain more knowledge."

The emperor looked at Gu Zhiyi, and a hint of tenderness flashed in his eyes.

This lady is seeking a future for her daughter. He nodded slightly and said, "Don't worry, madam. I will make arrangements."

Gu Zhiyi felt warm in her heart when she heard this.