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

"By the way, I have here a set of precious carved hibiscus jade headpiece and earrings, which were sent by your cousin who lives far away in Nanling as a make-up accessory. You can put them on, they should be very suitable for today's occasion." Gu Zhiyi said, taking out a brocade box from her sleeve.

Xie Huiyi opened the brocade box and her eyes lit up immediately. The set of carved hibiscus jade headpiece and earrings was exquisite and exuded a faint fragrance. She said in surprise: "Thank you, mother, this is really a precious gift."

Gu Zhiyi looked at her daughter's happy expression and felt relieved. She said, "As long as you like it, go and try it."

Xie Huiyi hurried back to her room holding the brocade box. She stood in front of the mirror and carefully put on her headpiece and earrings. The jade ornaments sparkled in the sun, reflecting her beautiful face.

Gu Zhiyi looked at her daughter's cheerful back and smiled in her heart. She turned to look at Wu Jingying and said softly, "Jingying, what do you think of Huiyi?"

Wu Jingying smiled and said, "Madam, Huiyi is smart and talented, and a good child. However, she is sometimes too naive and needs more guidance."

Gu Zhiyi nodded gently and said, "Yes, I am worried about this too. Although she is smart, she is still young after all and doesn't know much about the world."

"It's just that, mother, I need to remind you." Wu Jingying's voice was gentle, but it was firm and unquestionable. "Yan Tinghan doesn't really love Xie Huiyi, mother, don't you realize it?" Wu Jingying's eyes were firm, she stared at her mother, with a hint of urgency in her tone.

Gu Zhiyi's eyes changed slightly. She gently stroked the hairpin on her temples and said slowly, "Of course I know, but this is her own choice. As outsiders, it is inconvenient for us to interfere too much."

"But mother, once Xie Huiyi falls into this, she will probably suffer greatly." Wu Jingying said worriedly.

Wu Jingying said anxiously: "Mother, but Xie Hui..."

Gu Zhiyi interrupted her: "I know Xie Huiyi is a good child, I will not let her get hurt. Don't worry, I have a plan."

Wu Jingying was slightly stunned. She didn't expect her mother to have already made a plan. She couldn't help but ask, "Mom, what are your plans? Can you tell me?"

She patted Wu Jingying's hand gently and said, "Jingying, your worries are not unreasonable. But this matter involves too much, and we can't intervene lightly. However, I can promise you that I will take you to the poetry gathering and let you observe it yourself, which can also be regarded as letting you go out and walk more."

Gu Zhiyi and Wu Jingying walked into the fragrant Yipin Restaurant. They walked through the bustling hall and headed for the private room of Yicuixuan. The door of the private room opened gently, and a woman in simple and elegant clothes came towards them. It was Jiang Minyun who had been waiting there for a long time.

"Senior Sister, this is my eldest daughter-in-law, Wu Jingying. She has admired your talent for a long time." Gu Zhiyi introduced with a smile.

Jiang Minjun smiled slightly, with admiration in her eyes: "Sister Zhiyi, you are so lucky to have such a talented and beautiful daughter-in-law."

Wu Jingying bowed slightly and said politely, "Thank you for your praise, Senior Sister. I only know a little bit."

The three of them sat down one by one, and Gu Zhiyi personally poured tea for Jiang Minyun and Wu Jingying. In Yicuixuan, the bamboo curtains were lightly rolled up, and through the window, one could clearly see the poetry gathering downstairs.

"The view from Yicuixuan is really great. You can have a panoramic view of the entire poetry meeting." Wu Jingying exclaimed.

"That's right, so I specially booked this private room so that the three of us can enjoy the poetry reading quietly." Gu Zhiyi said with a smile.

The poetry reading was in full swing, and among the crowd downstairs, Yan Tinghan and Xie Huiyi were particularly eye-catching. "Sister Zhiyi, look at Yan Tinghan and Xie Huiyi, they seem to get along quite well." Jiang Minyun said softly.

Gu Zhiyi nodded slightly: "They are indeed enviable. However, let's just observe them first."

As she spoke, she suggested trying the newly arrived green plum-flavored fruit wine from Yipinju. Wu Jingying and Jiang Minyun both expressed their willingness to try it. The fruit wine was served on the table, with a turquoise color and a refreshing fragrance.

"This fruit wine has a unique flavor and a mellow taste. It is indeed a good wine." Jiang Minyun took a sip and praised it highly.

Wu Jingying also thought the wine tasted wonderful and couldn't help but drink a few more glasses. The three of them chatted while drinking, and the atmosphere became more harmonious.

In the lobby on the first floor of Yipinju, candlelight flickered and the room was full of guests. Many scholars and celebrities took their seats, their eyes focused on the stage in the center. The talented Lu Qiujun and Yan Tinghan were both at ease, ready to start a fierce poetry contest.

Xie Huiyi sat in the crowd, her beautiful eyes flickering, paying attention to the discussions around her. She heard some people disapproving of Yan Tinghan, and even mocking his poetry, and she couldn't help but feel annoyed. She secretly clenched her fists and cheered for Yan Tinghan.

At this time, Yan Tinghan's fellow countryman and friend He Hongshen quietly came to Xie Huiyi and whispered, "Miss Xie, I have a plan that may allow Yan Tinghan to win without a fight."

Xie Huiyi turned her head, looked at He Hongshen, and asked in confusion: "Oh? What's the plan?"

He Hongshen smiled slightly and said, "Yipinju has a rule of adding money to the poem. Why don't you add some color to Lu Qiujun to exhaust his poetic talent, and Yan Tinghan will naturally win."

A gleam of light flashed in Xie Huiyi's eyes. She thought for a moment and nodded, "This is indeed a good idea. But how can I participate in adding color?"

He Hongshen said: "You have to participate in person. As a student of Wansong Academy, it is inconvenient for me to participate in this matter. Please give me the purse and I will take you to add color."

Xie Huiyi shook her head gently and said, "No, I want to do it myself. You just need to tell me the specific rules and steps."

He Hongshen smiled and said, "Okay. The rules of adding color are very simple. Before the poetry competition begins, a certain amount of silver will be given to the contestants. The more silver a contestant gets, the weaker his poetry talent will be. However, the one who adds color must be a live audience, otherwise it will be considered cheating."

Upon hearing this, Xie Huiyi nodded and put the purse in her arms.

During the poetry competition, Lu Qiujun's voice was sonorous and powerful, and every word was like a pearl, as if a tangible rhythm was echoing in the air. After he finished reciting, there was thunderous applause. For a moment, the hall was filled with laughter and everyone praised Lu Qiujun's talent.

Xie Huiyi sat in the corner, watching Lu Qiujun's high-spirited appearance, and couldn't help feeling a little sad. She secretly glanced at Yan Tinghan, only to see that he looked calm and didn't seem to care about the situation on the field. At this time, He Hongshen whispered quietly in her ear: "Miss, the time has come."

Xie Huiyi's hands trembled slightly, she held the purse tightly, her eyes were firm. Under He Hongshen's anxious urging, she finally made up her mind and poured all the silver in her hand into the box for adding color. The sound was crisp and pleasant, as if it also aroused ripples of hope in her heart.