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

The old lady listened attentively and couldn't help asking, "Is that female scholar your master?"

Gu Zhiyi nodded and said, "Yes, her name is Tang Wanfei. My master offered to teach me to read, and I was very happy, so I agreed. At that time, I didn't know that she was a world-famous female scholar."

The old lady sighed, "What about your cousin? Did she also want to study with you?"

Gu Zhiyi's eyes flashed with a gloom: "Yes, my cousin Zhiping also asked the master for help, but the master refused. She said that everyone has a different destiny, and she can only teach me."

The old lady was puzzled: "Why didn't she teach you two?"

Gu Zhiyi continued to recall: "Master said that she was worried that my family would get entangled after knowing her true identity, so she never revealed it. She just wanted to teach me quietly and didn't want any disturbance."

The old lady was silent for a moment, then asked, "When did you know the truth?"

Gu Zhiyi said: "It was not until I was a 15-year-old that my master told me her true identity. She said that I had grown up and could face these things on my own."

The old lady sighed and said, "So that's how it is. What were you thinking at that time?"

"My heart was filled with shock and gratitude at the time. I think if it weren't for my master's protection, I might have been bound by my family and unable to pursue my ideals freely. My master's teachings made me understand what a true scholar is and what an independent personality is." Gu Zhiyi recalled with gratitude.

The old lady looked at Gu Zhiyi with a glimmer of respect in her eyes: "Zhiyi, you are a blessed person. It is your luck to meet such a master."

Gu Zhiyi smiled slightly: "Yes, old lady, I know how lucky I am. But over the years, I have been worried that this matter will cause trouble for Master, so I never mentioned it to my family."

The old lady nodded and said, "I understand your concerns. You are a grateful child."

Inside the Dingyuan Marquis's mansion, the hall was magnificent and filled with laughter. The old ladies of the nobles from the various marquis' mansions sat around in the hall, looking eagerly at the wife of the Duke of Ning, Gu Zhiyi. Gu Zhiyi was wearing a lavender silk dress, with a beautiful face and a graceful demeanor. She smiled slightly, with a humble yet dignified look.

"Madam Gu, we have heard of your great name for a long time. You are the disciple of Mr. Tang, and your reputation is well-deserved." The old lady of the Zhenyuan Marquis Mansion spoke first, her eyes full of anticipation.

Gu Zhiyi nodded gently and smiled, "Old Madam, you are too kind. I am just a newly married bride. I am busy with household affairs and it will take some time for me to get everything done."

"Mrs. Gu, you're too polite." Another old lady said, "We old bones can only understand our granddaughters' sufferings by watching them grow up day by day. If they can get guidance from a great teacher like you, their lives will definitely be able to reach a higher level."

Gu Zhiyi sat in the main seat, looking very graceful. She smiled and said to everyone, "Ladies and gentlemen, Zhiyi has just married into the Ningguo Mansion and is indeed very busy. I will come to visit you in person after I have taken care of things, and we can discuss the matter of accepting you as my disciple then."

As soon as the voice fell, the old lady of Dingyuan Marquis Mansion spoke first. Her eyes were kind and her tone was cordial: "Madam Gu, you are too polite. How long can we old bones wait? I only hope that you can accept my girl and let her learn from you so that she can have a good home in the future."

Gu Zhiyi smiled slightly and glanced at everyone: "I am very grateful to all the old ladies for their kindness. However, I need to be cautious about accepting disciples. Tang Daru's disciples are very important, I must choose them myself."

At this time, the old lady of the Duke of Qing's mansion couldn't help but interrupt and said, "Madam Gu, you misunderstood. We don't want you to accept us as disciples immediately, but we just hope that you can give us a chance so that our girl can have the opportunity to learn from you."

Gu Zhiyi nodded gently to show her understanding: "Don't worry, old ladies. Since I have promised, I will definitely treat every student fairly. However, before that, I still need to get to know your granddaughter."

As soon as the voice fell, everyone began to introduce their granddaughters. The old lady of Dingyuan Marquis Mansion spoke first: "My granddaughter is called Wan'er, she is fifteen years old, smart and clever, and proficient in music, chess, calligraphy and painting."

Gu Zhiyi smiled slightly and said, "I have heard of Wan'er from Dingyuan Marquis's Mansion. If she is sincere in wanting to learn, I will certainly be willing to teach her."

Then, the old lady of the Duke of Qing's mansion said, "My granddaughter's name is Wei'er. She is fourteen years old, has a gentle personality, and is quite accomplished in poetry and songs."

Gu Zhiyi nodded slightly and said, "I have also heard a little about Wei'er from the Duke of Qing's Mansion. If she is willing, I am willing to personally guide her."

At this time, other old ladies also introduced their granddaughters. Gu Zhiyi listened and observed their expressions.

The old lady of Dingyuan Marquis's house had a twinkle of expectation in her eyes. She said, "Madam Gu, what do you think of Wan'er? I have watched her grow up. She is smart and kind-hearted."

Gu Zhiyi smiled slightly and said, "Wan'er is indeed good, but I still need to observe her in person. After I finish dealing with the affairs of the Ningguo Mansion, I will pay her a visit in person and make a decision then."

Everyone smiled with satisfaction when they heard this. They knew that Gu Zhiyi had agreed to their request. Next, they only needed to wait for Gu Zhiyi to come and visit them in person, and their granddaughter would have the opportunity to become Tang Daru's last disciple.

Gu Zhiyi looked at the expressions of the crowd and sighed in her heart. These old ladies were all thinking about the future of their granddaughters. And she would also shoulder this responsibility and create a better future for them.

The old lady sat in the main seat with a satisfied smile in her eyes. She had just heard the response of Lady Ningguo, Gu Zhiyi, and couldn't help but admire it in her heart.

Gu Zhiyi bowed slightly and smiled, "Thank you for the compliment, old lady. Zhiyi is not worthy of such praise. It is all thanks to you that I have achieved what I have today."

The old lady nodded gently, a trace of nostalgia flashed in her eyes, and she slowly said: "Madam Gu, do you know what I am thinking?"

Gu Zhiyi was slightly stunned, then replied respectfully: "Whatever the old lady has to say, Zhiyi will obey."

The old lady smiled slightly, with a hint of envy in her eyes: "I used to despise your family background, but now it seems that if I had known that you were the disciple of Tang Daru, I would have taken the initiative to snatch you away. It can be seen that the Ningguo Mansion has a unique vision."

Gu Zhiyi showed a humble smile on her face: "You are too kind, old lady. Zhiyi was just lucky enough to get in. How can I dare to deserve this praise."

The old lady tapped the table lightly, her eyes swept over everyone, and she thought to herself, "Gu Zhiyi is indeed worthy of her reputation. She has good manners and extraordinary conversation. No wonder the Ningguo Mansion values ​​her. It seems that my Dingyuan Marquis Mansion must also train the next generation well and cannot lose to them."