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

Xie Xun frowned: "Youlan? I have never heard of this name. Madam, do you think this letter is credible?"

Gu Zhiyi pondered for a moment and said, "My husband, I believe what is said in this letter. Although the name 'Youlan' is unfamiliar, she described it in such detail, so this matter must be related to her. Why don't we go to meet this Youlan according to the address in the letter."

Xie Xun nodded and immediately arranged for his servants to prepare the horses. The two of them simply packed up and quietly left Xie's house.

As night fell, Xie Xun and Gu Zhiyi arrived at the place mentioned in the letter - a restaurant called "Youlanxuan". The two walked into the restaurant and found that the layout was simple and the atmosphere was peaceful. It was indeed a good hiding place.

As soon as they sat down, a woman came over and asked with a smile, "Dear guests, are you here to look for Youlan?"

Xie Xun and Gu Zhiyi looked at each other and nodded: "That's right, we want to meet Youlan."

The woman led them through a secret door and into a secret room. Inside, candlelight flickered and a woman in red was sitting at a table, holding a glass of sake.

"Welcome, my two distinguished guests." The woman in red put down her wine glass and stood up to greet them.

Xie Xun and Gu Zhiyi looked at the woman in red. They saw that she had beautiful eyebrows and eyes and skin as white as snow. She was indeed quite pretty. But for some reason, Gu Zhiyi always felt that her eyes were a little vague, as if she was hiding something.

The woman in red noticed Gu Zhiyi's gaze and smiled slightly: "Madam, do you think I look familiar? In fact, we have met before."

Gu Zhiyi was stunned, and immediately remembered that she had seen the woman in red at the market that day. At that time, she was talking to a man who was the mastermind behind the assassination.

"Who are you?" Xie Xun asked in a deep voice.

The woman in red sighed and said, "My real name is Su Yao, and I am Youlan's younger sister. This assassination was ordered by my eldest brother."

Xie Xun and Gu Zhiyi looked at each other and understood what was going on.

"Su Yao, are you willing to cooperate with us and expose your elder brother's crimes?" Xie Xun asked.

Su Yao hesitated for a moment, and finally nodded: "I do. But you have to promise me to protect my sister and not let her get hurt."

Xie Xun and Gu Zhiyi smiled at each other and firmly agreed to Su Yao's request.

……

The night is like water, and the moonlight shines on the blue brick path, reflecting a tranquility.

Gu Zhiyi stood under the corridor, with a hint of anxiety between her brows. Her husband Xie Xun was just coming out of the study. Their eyes met, and they could both feel the tense atmosphere.

Xie Xun walked over with a smile on his face, trying to ease his wife's anxiety, but he saw Gu Zhiyi frowning slightly, pursing her lips, as if she wanted to say something but hesitated. He knew that something important must have happened.

"Madam, what makes you so anxious?" Xie Xun asked softly.

Gu Zhiyi hesitated for a moment, and finally couldn't help but said: "My husband, today during the day, I heard someone spread rumors outside the mansion, saying that our Xie Mansion was going to encounter an accident. This... How can we not be worried?"

Xie Xun frowned slightly when he heard this. He gently held Gu Zhiyi's hands and said softly, "Madam, don't worry. These rumors are just the actions of villains, trying to alienate our relationship. How can I, Xie Xun, be moved by these rumors?"

A trace of gratitude flashed in Gu Zhiyi's eyes. She snuggled tightly in Xie Xun's arms and said softly, "My husband, I believe you. But if this rumor spreads for a long time, I'm afraid it will affect the reputation of the mansion."

Xie Xun gently patted Gu Zhiyi's shoulder and said, "Madam, don't worry. I have ordered my servants to investigate this matter thoroughly and will bring those who spread the rumors to justice. Now, all we have to do is stay calm and let the rumors die out on their own."

As the two were talking, the butler came hurriedly, with a look of panic on his face. Seeing this, Xie Xun frowned and asked, "Why are you so flustered?"

The housekeeper took a breath and said, "Master, Madam, something bad has happened! A few strangers just sneaked into the mansion and were caught by us. They claimed to have come to the Xie Mansion for refuge, but in fact their identities are unknown and their behavior is strange."

Upon hearing this, Xie Xun's face darkened and he said, "Take me to see it."

When they arrived at the guest room, they saw several strangers tied to chairs, looking panicked. Xie Xun sat in the main seat, looking at them coldly.

"You claim that you have come to seek refuge in the Xie Mansion, but what is your real purpose?" Xie Xun asked.

One of them replied tremblingly: "We really came to seek refuge in the Xie Mansion. We beg the master to have mercy and let us live."

Xie Xun sneered: "Since you are here to seek refuge, why don't you come openly and honestly, instead of sneaking in secretly?"

The other person hurriedly explained: "We...we chose this path out of desperation because of misfortune in our family. Please spare our lives, sir!"

Gu Zhiyi watched silently from the side. She felt that these people's explanations were a bit far-fetched, but she didn't dare to jump to conclusions. She turned to look at Xie Xun, only to see a hint of doubt in his eyes.

"Do you know that anyone who steals in Xie's house will be killed without mercy?" Xie Xun's voice was low, revealing an unquestionable majesty.

Several people were so frightened that their faces turned pale and they shook their heads repeatedly: "We...we definitely have no intention of stealing, please investigate clearly, Master!"

At this moment, a servant came running over in a hurry, holding an exquisite jade pendant in his hand, and said, "Master, this was found on one of the strangers. It seems to be the property of the Xie family."

Xie Xun took the jade pendant and examined it carefully, his eyes gradually becoming sharper. He looked at the men coldly and said, "What else do you have to say?"

Several people looked at each other, speechless. Xie Xun waved his hand and said, "Come here, take them to the prison and wait for their fate."

Seeing this, Gu Zhiyi couldn't help but sigh in her heart: "My husband is really wise. He saw through these people's tricks at once." She couldn't help but feel proud of Xie Xun's wisdom and decisiveness.

The flickering candlelight illuminated everyone's face.

Gu Zhiyi sat at the top, while her husband Xie Xun stood beside her with a frown on his face.

"Zhiyi, what do you think of this sudden change?" Xie Xun asked in a deep voice, his eyes sharp as torches, staring directly at Gu Zhiyi.

Gu Zhiyi smiled slightly, with a hint of determination in her eyes: "Husband, this matter is of great importance, but we must remain calm. Since it has already happened, what we have to do is to find out the truth and give justice to the Xie family."

Xie Xun nodded and looked at Gu Zhiyi with appreciation: "Madam is right, then, how should we proceed?"

Gu Zhiyi pondered for a moment and said, "First, we need to investigate the strange things that happened in the mansion that night. I heard that someone saw a figure that night, and it seems to be related to this incident."

Xie Xun nodded: "Yes, I also noticed something that night. I will have someone investigate the figure that night to see if there are any clues."

At this moment, a servant ran in in a panic, panting, "Madam, something terrible has happened! Someone just saw the figure from that night appear again, near the swing in the back garden."