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

Gu Zhiping perked up. For her, what was going to happen next was the real highlight.

At this moment, every eye in the palace was focused on her and her sister Gu Zhiyi. She took a deep breath, trying to calm her inner tension.

The palace gate slowly opened, and Gu Zhiyi and her sister Gu Zhiping slowly walked into the magnificent palace. In the hall, the emperor looked majestic, and on both sides, civil and military officials lined up in order, and the atmosphere was solemn and dignified.

Gu Zhiyi gently held her sister's hand, conveying a firm strength. She bowed to the emperor and said with a smile: "Your Highness, Gu Zhiyi, and your sister, Gu Zhiping, come to pay homage to the emperor. Long live the emperor."

The emperor's eyes swept over Gu Zhiyi and Gu Zhiping, and he said in a calm tone: "Madam Gu, please stand up. Gu Zhiping, raise your head."

Gu Zhiping raised her head slightly and looked at the emperor with a firm gaze. The emperor could not help but nod slightly when he saw her beautiful face and elegant temperament.

The emperor asked, "Gu Zhiping, do you admit your guilt?"

Gu Zhiping calmly replied: "I know I am guilty, but I have no intention of committing a crime. Your Majesty, please understand."

The emperor smiled and said, "Well, since you know your crime, then tell me about it."

Gu Zhiping said: "I have committed three crimes. The first crime is entering the palace without permission. The second crime is offending the emperor. The third crime is failing to apologize to the emperor in time. But I have no intention of offending the emperor. I just want to seek a ray of light for the people of our country."

The emperor's eyes flashed with admiration, and he said, "Oh? Then why did you lie and say that you and Gu Zhiyi are sisters?"

Gu Zhiping said frankly: "I did lie, but that was because I wanted to take this opportunity to get close to the emperor and plead for the people. I know that deceiving the emperor is a crime that cannot be punished, but I am willing to bear all the blame, just asking the emperor to think about the people."

The emperor was silent for a moment, then said, "Gu Zhiping, do you know the consequences of deceiving the emperor?"

A trace of fear flashed across Gu Zhiping's eyes, but she quickly said firmly: "I know, but I am willing to die as an apology, and I only ask that the emperor seek the welfare of the people."

The emperor looked at Gu Zhiping with complex emotions in his eyes.

The emperor suddenly smiled and said, "Well, since you are so sincere, I will give you a chance. Gu Zhiping, I will make you the Imperial Concubine, responsible for assisting me in handling state affairs. Gu Zhiyi, you will be the Queen, assisting the Imperial Concubine and governing the country together."

When these words came out, everyone in the room was shocked. Gu Zhiyi and Gu Zhiping looked at each other, both of them showing disbelief.

The emperor continued, "Gu Zhiping, since you are willing to plead for the people, you must take practical action. From today on, you are my imperial concubine. I will give you a gold medal, and you can do anything that benefits the people."

Gu Zhiping knelt down excitedly and said, "I thank you for your grace, and I will do my best to seek the welfare of the people."

The emperor nodded and said, "Okay, then I'm relieved. You can leave now."

Gu Zhiyi and Gu Zhiping left the hall and walked back to the palace, both of them fell into deep thought.

Gu Zhiyi asked: "Sister, why do you do this? Do you know what the consequences will be?"

Gu Zhiping gently held her sister's hand and smiled, "Sister, I know what I am doing. As long as it can help the people, I am willing to pay any price."

Gu Zhiyi looked at her sister's determined eyes and couldn't help but worry for her.

A hint of determination flashed in Gu Zhiping's eyes, and she quietly clenched the handkerchief in her hand, as if to cheer herself up.

Gu Zhiyi was waiting with her in front of the palace gate. Both of them were dressed in gorgeous palace clothes, looking noble and elegant. Not long after, the emperor's motorcade slowly drove in, and the dragon flag fluttered in the wind. After the emperor got off the car, he walked towards the two with a smile on his face.

The emperor's eyes were as sharp as torches as he swept over Gu Zhiyi and Gu Zhiping. He nodded slightly and said, "Madams, I have heard a lot about you." Gu Zhiyi quickly bowed in return and said, "Your Majesty, you are too kind to praise me. I am humbled and overwhelmed." Gu Zhiping also bowed slightly, but her eyes could not conceal her excitement.

The emperor smiled and said, "Gu Zhiping, look up." Gu Zhiping slowly raised her head and looked at the emperor. A trace of admiration flashed in the emperor's eyes, and he said, "As expected, you are beautiful and intelligent." Gu Zhiping blushed slightly, smiled and said, "Your Majesty, you are too kind. I am flattered."

Seeing this, Gu Zhiyi secretly breathed a sigh of relief. She knew that her daughter's position in the emperor's heart had been initially established. She took the opportunity to say, "Your Majesty, I have a favor to ask you." The emperor smiled slightly and said, "Madam, please feel free to speak up."

Gu Zhiyi bowed and said, "I have a younger sister named Gu Zhiping. She is naturally intelligent and beautiful. I would like to have her enter the palace to accompany Your Majesty. What do you think?"

The emperor's eyes flickered when he heard this, and he smiled and said, "Since Madam is so kind, how can I refuse? However, entering the palace is a serious matter, so we must be cautious." Gu Zhiyi's heart tightened, and she hurriedly said, "Your Majesty, don't worry. I have taught my sister to abide by the palace rules. She will definitely do her best to serve Your Majesty."

The emperor nodded slightly and said, "Okay, then let her enter the palace." Upon hearing this, Gu Zhiping was so excited that she almost cried out.

After entering the palace, Gu Zhiping served the emperor carefully. She was smart and considerate, and soon won the emperor's favor. Gu Zhiyi's position became more stable because of her daughter's favor.

One day, the emperor summoned Gu Zhiyi and said with a smile: "Madam, your sister is indeed a beauty. I am very satisfied with her." Gu Zhiyi was delighted, but pretended to be modest and said: "Your Majesty, you are too kind. My sister is just a little pretty, but how can she compare to the beauty beside your Majesty."

The emperor laughed and said, "Madam, there is no need to be modest. I know what you mean. However, I have something to ask of you. I wonder if you can agree to it?" Gu Zhiyi was stunned and said hurriedly, "Your Majesty, please tell me what you want."

The emperor hesitated for a moment and said, "I want your sister to accompany the prince. What do you think, Madam?" Gu Zhiyi was shocked, wondering what she meant, but she still said firmly, "Your Majesty, rest assured. I will let my sister do her best to assist the prince."

The emperor nodded with satisfaction and said, "Okay, I'll trouble you, Madam."

As the chief eunuch clapped his hands and saw the singing and dancing girl about to enter, Gu Zhiping touched the breast mirror hidden on her chest and took a deep breath. She looked at the magnificent hall and thought to herself: "Today's matter can only succeed, not fail."

The singing and dancing girls walked into the hall slowly, their graceful postures and beautiful smiles instantly attracted everyone's attention. The emperor sat on the dragon throne with admiration in his eyes, while the eunuch chief stood aside with a smile on his face, as if he was already accustomed to this singing and dancing.

Gu Zhiping walked forward slowly. The emperor and the chief eunuch bowed and said with a smile, "Your Highness, Gu Zhiping, wishes our emperor a long life. I wish the chief eunuch good fortunes as vast as the East Sea and as high as the South Mountain."

The emperor smiled and said, "Madam Ji is indeed sensible. I am very pleased. I have been looking forward to this song and dance for a long time."