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

Gu Zhiping was secretly delighted, but she remained humble on the surface: "I am humbled and honored to be appreciated by the Lord. Although this song and dance is just a small thing, I hope it can please the Lord."

The chief eunuch smiled and said, "Madam Ji, there is no need to be modest. I have heard about this song and dance for a long time. After seeing it today, I found that it is indeed as good as its reputation has been."

The singing and dancing girls danced gracefully, their voices were as melodious as the sound of stringed instruments. The emperor and the chief eunuch were immersed in this wonderful music, while Gu Zhiping nervously observed their expressions.

When the song ended, the emperor applauded and praised, "Good! Good! Good! This song and dance really lived up to my expectations." He turned to look at Gu Zhiping, "Madam Ji, do you know the meaning of this song and dance?"

Gu Zhiping smiled and replied, "I know a thing or two about this. This song and dance is called "Song of Everlasting Sorrow," which symbolizes faithful love. I hope that through this song and dance, Your Majesty can feel the beauty of love."

The emperor nodded and praised, "Good! Good! Good! Madam Ji is indeed very smart." He turned to look at the chief eunuch, "Eunuch Wang, what do you think?"

The chief eunuch smiled slightly and said, "I congratulate you, my lord. It is a blessing for the world to have such a beautiful woman."

Gu Zhiping was secretly delighted, as the purpose of this song and dance was finally achieved.

The emperor and the chief eunuch are both smart people, they will definitely understand her intentions.

The emperor asked, "Madam Ji, do you know why I attach so much importance to this song and dance?"

Gu Zhiping smiled slightly and replied, "I guess that the Lord is doing this to commemorate the love between the late Emperor and the Empress."

The emperor nodded: "Yes. The love between the late emperor and the empress has always been a role model for me. I hope that the same can be true for me and the empress."

The chief eunuch said: "Your Majesty is wise. The Empress' spirit in heaven will also be pleased."

Gu Zhiping said, "My Lord, I have something to ask of you, but I don't know whether I should say it or not."

The emperor said, "Madam Ji, please feel free to speak."

Gu Zhiping said: "I ask the Lord to allow me to hold a grand sacrifice for the Queen on her death anniversary."

The emperor was silent for a moment, then said, "Okay. Since this is Madam Ji's request, I approve it."

The chief eunuch smiled slightly and said, "Madam Ji, you are really smart. This sacrifice will not only allow the Queen's spirit to rest in peace, but also make the Lord look at you with new eyes."

However, in this game of power, Gu Zhiping also understood that she had to be careful. If she was not careful, she would fall into an irretrievable situation. She looked at the magnificent palace and thought to herself: "Since I have entered this game, I must go to the end and become the real winner."

Time flies, and in the blink of an eye, the anniversary of the Queen's death has arrived. Gu Zhiping carefully prepared a grand sacrifice, and the emperor personally attended the ceremony, which was solemn and dignified.

After the sacrifice, the emperor said to Gu Zhiping, "Madam Ji, I am very pleased that you held such a grand sacrifice for the Empress. If you have any request, please feel free to ask."

Gu Zhiping smiled slightly and said, "I have only one request, which is to help the Lord and seek benefits for the people of Western Wei."

The emperor nodded: "Okay. Since it is Madam Ji's request, I approve it."

……

Gu Zhiyi walked slowly to the center of the hall, seemingly unaware of the emperor's anger: "I want to give your majesty a gift."

Her voice was calm and firm, like a stone thrown into a calm lake, attracting the emperor's attention.

The emperor frowned slightly, a hint of doubt flashed in his eyes, but he soon regained his composure. He asked calmly, "Oh? I wonder what the lady wants to give me?"

Gu Zhiyi smiled slightly, took out a roll of yellow silk from her sleeve, and gently unfolded it. On the silk was painted an exquisite landscape painting, in which the mountains and waters blended together, and the clouds and mists were lingering, as if bringing people into a dreamlike world.

"This is a landscape painting that depicts the scenery of my hometown." Gu Zhiyi said softly, "I hope to use this painting to express my respect for Your Majesty."

The emperor's eyes fell on the painting, and a trace of admiration flashed in his eyes. He nodded gently: "Madam, I feel your heart. But this painting is just a painting after all. Don't you have any other gifts, Madam?"

Gu Zhiyi smiled slightly, with a sly look in her eyes: "Your Majesty, I have another gift, but I can only present it to you after Your Majesty agrees to a condition."

The emperor raised his eyebrows, showing more interest: "Oh? What are the conditions?"

Gu Zhiyi bit her lip lightly, seeming a little hesitant. She slowly said, "Your Majesty, do you know that there is a saying among the people of Western Wei, 'A harmonious family brings prosperity'? I hope that my son Xie Yunchen can serve as an official in the court to ensure the peace of the Xie family."

The emperor's expression changed slightly. He looked at Gu Zhiyi deeply, as if he was weighing the pros and cons. After a moment, he slowly spoke: "I understand your intentions. Since you are so sincere, I will agree to your request. But you must remember that if Xie Jin enters the court as an official, he must strictly abide by the laws of the country and must not do anything for personal gain or corruption."

A glimmer of joy flashed across Gu Zhiyi's eyes, and she knelt down quickly: "I obey your command. Thank you, Your Majesty, for your grace."

The emperor waved his hand gently, signaling Gu Zhiyi to stand up. He looked at Gu Zhiyi, with a hint of complex emotions in his eyes: "Madam, do you know why I agreed to your request?"

Gu Zhiyi smiled slightly, her eyes full of confidence: "Your Majesty, there is indeed a saying among the people, 'No one knows a son better than his mother.' I believe in my son, he will not disappoint your Majesty's expectations."

The emperor nodded slightly, a smile flashing in his eyes: "Okay, then I will wait and see how your son serves the country."

In a corner of the hall, the eunuch Xiao Lizi quietly observed the emperor and Gu Zhiyi, secretly amazed in his heart. He had never seen the emperor treat a woman so gently, nor had he seen Gu Zhiyi talk to the emperor so calmly and confidently.

"Little Li, what do you think of this lady from the Xie family?" the emperor suddenly asked.

Little Li was stunned and knelt down quickly: "Your Majesty, Madam Xie is both beautiful and intelligent. She is truly a role model for women in the Western Wei Dynasty."

The emperor smiled softly: "Yes, I feel the same way. She is not only beautiful, but also has extraordinary wisdom. I am very happy to meet such a woman."

Gu Zhiyi was secretly delighted when she heard the emperor's praise.

……

On a quiet night, Gu Zhiyi sat alone in front of the window, looking at the bright moon outside, her heart filled with emotion.

At this moment, the emperor quietly walked into the room. He looked at Gu Zhiyi's lonely back, and a surge of pity surged in his heart. He walked gently to Gu Zhiyi and patted her shoulder gently.

"Madam, it's late, you should go to bed early." The emperor said gently.

Gu Zhi turned around and looked at the emperor, a trace of gratitude flashing in her eyes. She nodded gently: "Your Majesty, thank you."

The emperor smiled gently, took Gu Zhiyi's hand, and walked out of the room. They walked side by side in the corridor of the palace, looking at the bright moonlight in the sky, their hearts filled with tranquility.