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

Jiang Minjun looked at the two of them and said with a smile, "Okay, stop fighting. It's not easy for us to be together today. We should cherish this time and enjoy it to the fullest."

After the three of them finished talking, they began to taste the snacks and tea on the table. Xiao Xiying suddenly remembered something and asked curiously: "Sister Zhiyi, how are you doing recently? I heard that your business is booming. Do you have anything new to share with us?"

Gu Zhiyi smiled and said, "Nothing new, but business has been good recently. I have opened several stores in Beijing, and business is booming. I also plan to expand the business to other places so that more people will know our name."

Jiang Minjun praised: "Sister Zhiyi is really getting better and better. Your business is so successful. Among all of us sisters, you are the most promising one."

Gu Zhiyi said modestly: "No, no, everyone has their own strengths. I'm just lucky and encountered some opportunities."

Xiao Xiying suddenly remembered something and said mysteriously, "By the way, Sister Zhiyi, I came back with good news this time."

Gu Zhiyi asked curiously: "What good news?"

Xiao Xiying smiled and said, "I know a very interesting person. His name is Lu Yi, and he is a talented painter. The characters he paints are so lifelike that people can feel the breath of the characters in the paintings. I think he has great potential, and I want to introduce him to you."

Gu Zhiyi's eyes lit up and she said excitedly, "Great, we all love art, and we must see Mr. Lu Yi's paintings if we have the chance."

Jiang Minjun also agreed: "That's right, we must see it if we have the chance. Maybe we can help Mr. Lu Yi become more famous in Beijing."

Xiao Xiying smiled and said, "It's settled then. I'll take you to visit Mr. Lu Yi some other day."

In the private room of Yipinju, Gu Zhiyi flicked her sleeves and gently placed the bottle of Wanli Mulan wine on the table.

Xiao Xiying and Jiang Minjun smiled at each other, with a hint of anticipation in their eyes.

Gu Zhiyi introduced with a smile: "This Wanli Mulan is a rare wine from Yipinju. It has a rich aroma and a sweet taste. It is the most suitable for the three of us to drink together."

Xiao Xiying clapped her hands excitedly and said, "Okay, today, let the three of us sisters taste the flavor of Wanli Mulan together."

The three of them filled their glasses one by one, raised them gently, and clinked them together. The glasses made a crisp sound, as if telling of their deep friendship.

Gu Zhiyi said softly: "Xiying, you seem to be worried lately. If you have anything troubling you, you might as well share it with us."

Xiao Xiying's face changed slightly when she heard this. She put down her wine glass and sighed, "Ah, speaking of this, I am really angry and hateful. The prince of Dongyin actually broke his engagement with me and wanted to marry another concubine. I have given so much for him, how could he betray me like this?"

Jiang Minjun frowned upon hearing this. She patted Xiao Xiying's shoulder and comforted her, "Xiying, marriage is full of uncertainties. Perhaps the prince has his own difficulties. You don't have to worry too much."

Xiao Xiying's eyes widened and she said angrily, "Difficulties? What difficulties? I heard that the concubine's family is powerful and beneficial to the East Yin Kingdom. For the sake of power, he actually gave up the relationship between us. I was really blind to fall in love with him!"

Gu Zhiyi looked at Xiao Xiying's excitement and sighed softly. She picked up the wine glass and said softly: "Xiying, life is a long journey and we will always encounter some setbacks. But this does not mean that we have to give up. We have to learn to face all difficulties."

Gu Zhiyi and Xiao Xiying sat opposite each other, a pot of elegant fragrant tea, two cups of warm tea, reflecting their beautiful faces like pear blossoms. Gu Zhiyi gently pushed the teacup, her voice soft but revealing unquestionable firmness.

Gu Zhiyi looked at Xiao Xiying and said, "Xiying, there is no need to pretend to be sad. I know very well that your feelings for the prince are not sincere."

Xiao Xiying was stunned for a moment, a complex fluctuation flashed across the depths of her eyes. She gently put down the teacup in her hand, and a faint smile appeared at the corner of her lips.

Xiao Xiying said admiringly: "Zhiyi, your insight is amazing. I really have no interest in the prince, but my disappointment in him is so real."

Gu Zhiyi nodded gently, her eyes like torches, looking straight into Xiao Xiying's heart: "So, what is your original intention behind breaking off the engagement?"

Xiao Xiying took a deep breath, and a gleam of determination flashed in her eyes.

Xiao Xiying said firmly: "I broke off the engagement to show my firm stance. I cannot tolerate a person who betrays his friends for power, and I cannot accept him using me to make friends with other forces. Everything I did was to criticize this corrupt royal family, while protecting the noble purity in my heart."

Gu Zhiyi was silent for a moment. She knew Xiao Xiying's personality very well. Once she made a decision, she would be as firm as a rock.

Gu Zhiyi said calmly: "Xiying, have you ever thought about this? Your request to cancel the engagement has put the emperor in a deep dilemma. He regrets supporting the prince, but he cannot rashly abandon a female general who has made many military achievements."

A complex emotion flashed across Xiao Xiying's eyes. She stared at Gu Zhiyi quietly, her eyes revealing endless determination and no regrets.

"Senior Sister, you know, I don't want to be a victim of this power game." Xiao Xiying's voice was calm and firm, but with a hint of sadness that could not be concealed.

Gu Zhiyi sighed softly. She looked at Xiao Xiying and spoke slowly: "Xiying, we know the pain in your heart, but the prince and you have a childhood sweetheart relationship after all. Why do you want to break off the engagement?"

Xiao Xiying smiled slightly, with a hint of sarcasm in her smile: "So what if we were childhood sweethearts? The prince no longer has me in his heart. For the sake of power, he can betray everything, including the vows we made to each other."

Jiang Minyun interrupted, "So, you really don't like the prince?"

Xiao Xiying was silent for a moment, then slowly said: "I don't like the prince. This is a secret I have never told anyone. I once thought that I could force myself for the honor of my family and for the East Yin Kingdom. But now, I find that I can't do it. I can't accept a person who betrayed his oath, and I can't accept a man who treats me as a pawn."

Gu Zhiyi looked at Xiao Xiying with a hint of admiration in her eyes: "Xiying, I admire your courage. But your decision to break off the engagement is not only a betrayal to the crown prince, but also a betrayal to the Dongyin royal family."

Xiao Xiying's eyes were firm: "I know that breaking off the engagement will make Dongyin lose a female general, but I don't want to be a tool in the prince's power struggle. I am willing to give up military power and title, just for freedom."

Jiang Minjun asked doubtfully: "Then how do you plan to deal with the decision of Emperor Dongyin?"

Xiao Xiying lowered her head in thought. After a moment, she slowly spoke: "I will wait. If the emperor agrees to cancel the engagement, I will leave the barracks, return to my hometown, and live an ordinary life. If the emperor disagrees, I will stick to my position, even if it means being expelled from the Women's Army."