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

Xie Yunce looked up, a trace of unwillingness flashed in his eyes, but he finally nodded silently and followed Luluo to the ancestral hall. His heart was full of doubts and grievances. He didn't understand why Gu Zhiyi was so partial to Xie Yunlin. Was it because he was her younger brother that Gu Zhiyi was partial to Xie Yunlin and was unfair to him?

Gu Zhiyi entered the room and cast a sharp gaze on Xie Yunlin. Xie Yunlin sat on the bed, pressing the wound on his left arm tightly with his right hand, looking slightly painful. Gu Zhiyi frowned, walked up to Xie Yunlin, and asked in a serious tone: "Do you know your mistake?"

Xie Yunlin raised his head, looked at Gu Zhiyi honestly, and nodded gently: "I know I am also wrong."

Gu Zhiyi nodded slightly to show her approval. She pondered for a moment and felt that a person like Xie Yunlin really needed some special means to change. So, she said, "From today on, I will punish you to come to the main courtyard for four hours every day, and you must not be absent."

Xie Yunlin was stunned, and looked at Gu Zhiyi in confusion: "Mother, although I have made mistakes, it is not serious enough. Why do you want to punish me to stay in the main courtyard for four hours?"

Gu Zhiyi smiled faintly and said firmly: "You think you are innocent, but in fact, your withdrawn personality is the root cause of your mistakes. Let me tell you, these four hours are for you to learn how to interact with others and change your withdrawn personality."

Xie Yunlin was silent for a moment. Although he felt a little resistant, he knew Gu Zhiyi's good intentions, so he nodded slowly: "Okay, I am willing to accept the punishment."

From that day on, Xie Yunlin came to the main courtyard every day and spent four hours with Gu Zhiyi. At first, he was not used to it and even felt that it was a torture. But gradually, he began to find that this punishment was not meaningless.

During his time at the main courtyard, Xie Yunlin met all kinds of people. Some were enthusiastic and cheerful, some were taciturn, some were wise, and some were ignorant. He began to try to communicate with them and share his insights and feelings. Slowly, his personality began to change, and he was no longer so withdrawn, but became more cheerful and enthusiastic.

Gu Zhiyi was secretly relieved when she saw the change in Xie Yunlin.

Luoluo's report was like a stone that caused a thousand waves, and Xiao Xiying's name once again caused a stir in the capital. Her unique temperament and talent made her return the focus of everyone's attention. And this time, she not only brought her full enthusiasm, but also invited two distinguished guests, Gu Zhiyi and Jiang Minjun, to attend the feast at Yipinju.

The door of the main courtyard slowly opened, and Gu Zhiyi took her two daughters, Xie Huiyi and Xie Huixuan, on the carriage to Yipinju. Xie Huixuan's eyes flashed with curiosity and surprise. She had never thought that her mother had such a close connection with Yipinju.

"Mother, are you really the owner of Yipinju?" Xie Huixuan couldn't help but ask.

Gu Zhiyi smiled slightly, with a hint of nostalgia in her eyes: "Yes, Xiao Xiying and I knew each other when we were young. At that time, Yipinju had not yet become the most famous garden in the capital. We watched it grow step by step to where it is today."

Xie Huiyi seemed more calm. She listened quietly to her mother's narration, and her curiosity about this legendary woman grew stronger.

The carriage slowly drove along the bustling streets of the capital, with shops lined up on both sides and bustling with people. However, this seemed insignificant compared to the expectations of the three people in the carriage.

The carriage drove for about half an hour and finally stopped in front of the archway of Yipinju. Gu Zhiyi got off the carriage first, then turned around and helped Xie Huiyi and Xie Huixuan get off the carriage. As soon as the three of them stepped into Yipinju, they felt the prosperity and bustle here. The waiter greeted them warmly and led them through the crowded lobby to Yicuixuan.

After the three of them got off the car, Xie Huixuan was immediately attracted by the magnificent scene in front of her. The tall vermilion gate, with two stone lions placed on both sides, looked majestic and solemn. The stone steps in front of the gate were swept clean, and each step was shining.

Xiao Xiying went out to greet him personally, her smile as warm as the spring breeze: "Zhiyi, I haven't seen you for many years, you are still as charming as ever."

In Yicuixuan, Xiao Xiying and Jiang Minjun had been waiting for a long time. When Xiao Xiying saw Gu Zhiyi and others coming in, she immediately greeted them with a smile, patted Xie Huiyi and Xie Huixuan on the shoulders, and teased, "Sister Gu, your two daughters are getting more and more beautiful. No wonder you always praise them."

Gu Zhiyi smiled and introduced: "This is Sister Xiao, and this is Sister Jiang, you can call them auntie." Xie Huiyi and Xie Huixuan called them "Auntie" obediently, and then looked around curiously.

In Yicuixuan of Yipinju, warm sunlight shines through the window lattice onto the exquisite wooden floor, casting a mottled light and shadow. Gu Zhiyi, Xiao Xiying and Jiang Minyun sit around a mahogany round table, on which are placed several plates of exquisite snacks and a pot of fragrant tea.

Gu Zhiyi tapped Xiao Xiying's head gently and scolded her, "Little girl, you didn't tell us earlier that you were back in the capital, and made us wait so long."

Xiao Xiying stuck out her tongue and explained playfully, "Sister Zhiyi, I had a fortune teller predict that I would have a small disaster, so I need to hide for a while. I only dared to go out recently, otherwise I would have come back a long time ago." Gu Zhiyi gently tapped Xiao Xiying's head, with a hint of pampering in her tone: "Why are you doing this? What's the matter? Why can't you tell us earlier? You have to make us worry."

Xiao Xiying covered her head and muttered a little aggrievedly: "I am just worried about you. After all, I don't know what consequences this small disaster I calculated will bring."

Jiang Minjun laughed, patted Xiao Xiying on the shoulder and said, "You're overthinking it. Maybe it's just a small setback. It's not worth your being so cautious."

Xiao Xiying glared at Jiang Minjun and said unhappily, "What do you know? Xiao Liuren's hexagrams are very accurate. I can't be careless."

Gu Zhiyi drank in silence, thinking about Xiao Xiying's words. She knew Xiao Xiying's character, she was always cautious and would not do anything without a purpose. She put down her wine glass and asked softly, "Is the person you are talking about in the capital?"

Xiao Xiying nodded and said solemnly, "Yes, I suspect that someone is secretly controlling me in the capital and wants to restrict my actions. However, I don't know who it is yet."

Jiang Minyun restrained his smile and said seriously: "Then we have to help you find out clearly. We can't let you be threatened in the capital."

Gu Zhiyi smiled slightly and patted Xiao Xiying's hand: "Don't worry, you will be fine with us here. So when you come back this time, you must accompany us well and make up for the debt you owed before."

Xiao Xiying nodded and said sincerely: "Don't worry, sister. When I come back this time, I will definitely accompany you well and make up for all the regrets before."