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

at this time.

"Hey, the master is here!"

Xie Yunce stood at the entrance of the main courtyard, the wooden sword in his hand gleaming faintly in the sun. His mouth curled up, his eyes full of confidence and expectation. Just as he was about to step into the main courtyard, Gu Zhiyi's voice came from the inner room, with a bit of laziness and grumpiness.

"Yunce, you came at the right time. I was just looking for you."

Xie Yunce was stunned for a moment, then walked into the main courtyard with a happy face. He saw Gu Zhiyi wearing a light blue dress, her hair loosely draped over her shoulders, and a look of dissatisfaction in her eyes.

"I have returned after completing my studies. This wooden sword is my achievement. Now I can go to Hongmeng Martial Arts Academy to take the exam." Xie Yunce said excitedly, waving the wooden sword in his hand in the air a few times.

Gu Zhiyi frowned, glanced at the wooden sword, and said in a cold tone: "Yunce, do you think it's so easy to return after completing your studies? You can't just take the exam of Hongmeng Martial Arts Academy if you want to."

Xie Yunce was stunned, and the joy on his face was gradually replaced by confusion: "I don't understand what you mean. I practice hard just to be able to enter Hongmeng Martial Arts Academy and improve my strength."

Gu Zhiyi sighed, walked up to Xie Yunce, and patted him on the shoulder gently: "Yunce, you don't understand the cruelty of this world. The examination of Hongmeng Martial Arts Academy is not only a competition of strength, but also a test of your character, wisdom and perseverance."

Xie Yunce's words were full of confidence, but Gu Zhiyi's brows slightly frowned. Gu Zhiyi noticed that the military officers around Xie Yunce all had bruises on their faces, and guessed that they might not really attack Xie Yunce because of their status.

She glanced at the military officers and understood a little. She walked up to Xie Yunce, her eyes were sharp, and she said calmly, "Yunce, does this wooden sword in your hand really represent your strength?"

Xie Yunce straightened his chest, with a hint of contempt on his lips: "Mother, my swordsmanship has already reached perfection, this wooden sword is just a symbol for the exam. I am confident that even in the Ningguo Mansion, few people can be my opponent."

Gu Zhiyi smiled lightly, with a sharp look in her eyes: "In that case, I won't be polite. Yun Ce, do you dare to compete with me?"

Xie Yunce's face changed slightly. He didn't expect Gu Zhiyi to make such a request. He hesitated for a moment, then shook his head decisively: "You are the elder, how can I fight with you?"

Gu Zhiyi's eyes flashed with coldness. She knew Xie Yunce was afraid. She said coldly, "Yunce, you don't have to worry about me getting you hurt. We'll stop here. I just want to see how good your swordsmanship is."

Xie Yunce took a deep breath, and a hint of determination flashed in his eyes. He tightened his grip on the wooden sword and said seriously, "I understand. Let's get started."

The competition started again, Gu Zhiyi's attack became more fierce, and every collision of the wooden swords made Xie Yunce's arms numb. But Xie Yunce did not give up, and he blocked Gu Zhiyi's attacks again and again with his tenacious will.

However, the gap in strength was too great, and gradually, Xie Yunce's defense began to show flaws.

Gu Zhiyi seized the opportunity and stabbed Xie Yunce's throat with the wooden sword. Xie Yunce quickly stepped back, but failed to avoid it completely. The wooden sword rubbed his cheek, leaving a mark.

Xie Yunce felt a sharp pain, but he still clenched his teeth and refused to beg for mercy. Gu Zhiyi's eyes flashed with admiration, but she did not show mercy. She attacked again, and Xie Yunce tried his best, but still couldn't resist.

Finally, Xie Yunce was kicked by Gu Zhiyi and fell heavily to the ground. He groaned in pain and struggled to stand up, but Gu Zhiyi was already standing in front of him.

"Do you want to admit defeat?" Gu Zhiyi asked indifferently.

Xie Yunce clenched his teeth tightly, his eyes flashing with an unyielding light. He looked at Gu Zhiyi, was silent for a moment, and then slowly said: "I... I give up."

Gu Zhiyi's eyes were sharp and her voice was cold. She stared straight at Deputy Commander Huang: "You are a general of our Ningguo Mansion. Don't you know that Xie Yunce's future is related to the safety of the entire mansion? Your lax training is disloyal to the mansion and indifferent to your duties!"

Deputy Commander Huang's face was pale, with beads of sweat on his forehead. He was well aware of Gu Zhiyi's authority and his own negligence. He lowered his head and was silent for a moment, then spoke with difficulty: "Madam Gu, I admit that I did slack off in training Xie Yunce. But all this was ordered by Aunt Meng."

Under Gu Zhiyi's stern gaze, Xie Yunce straightened his back and said firmly, "I admit that I slacked off in my martial arts training. It has nothing to do with others. Please punish me and don't implicate Aunt Meng."

Gu Zhiyi's face suddenly darkened when she heard this. She stared at Xie Yunce closely, with a complex emotion flashing in her eyes. She didn't expect that Xie Yunce would take such a fault for Aunt Meng.

"Xie Yunce, do you know what you are saying?" Gu Zhiyi asked coldly, "You are destroying your own future, do you know that?"

Gu Zhiyi stood in a corner of the courtyard, with a sharp gaze and a serious look, and instructed Deputy Commander Huang: "Deputy Commander Huang, you must train Xie Yunce well, so that he will not be unable to use his strength at the critical moment. We need not only his intelligence, but also his body and will to be strong enough."

Deputy Commander Huang took the order and immediately became serious. He straightened his back, looked at Xie Yunce firmly, and issued a series of strict training orders. From the dawn to the sunset, Xie Yunce practiced various martial arts and tactics over and over again under the supervision of Deputy Commander Huang.

As time went by, beads of sweat gradually appeared on Xie Yunce's forehead. His body seemed to be burned by fire and he was exhausted. But his eyes revealed a firm determination, without any intention of retreating.

At this time, Aunt Meng slowly walked into the yard. She was wearing a light blue silk dress, her steps were light, and her face was gentle. Aunt Meng originally wanted to say hello to Xie Yunce, but she saw him being strictly trained by Deputy Commander Huang. She frowned slightly, but soon regained her composure.

This was the inevitable ordeal that Xie Yunce had to go through on his way to growth. She had no chance to greet Xie Yunce, so she could only continue to move forward, but silently cheering for Xie Yunce in her heart.

Aunt Meng slowly walked into the main hall of the Ningguo Mansion. Her steps were light but carried a majesty that could not be ignored.

"I pay my respects to the new lady!" She greeted Gu Zhiyi, who was sitting in the most seated position, and deliberately emphasized the word "new". There seemed to be some provocation and dissatisfaction hidden in her tone.

As soon as Aunt Meng finished speaking, the atmosphere in the main hall suddenly became tense.