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

Gu Zhiyi said softly: "Xiying, do you know? Your decision will not only affect you, but also us."

Xiao Xiying raised her head and looked at her two senior sisters: "I know, but this is the only thing I can do. I can't let my whole life be bound by the power of the prince."

A complex emotion flashed in Xiao Xiying's eyes, and she looked at Gu Zhiyi quietly.

Xiao Xiying said firmly in her heart: "What can the emperor's regret change? My trust in you has been betrayed. Prince, I once thought that you would be my support in life, but I didn't expect that you would be a crack in my life."

Memories came flooding back like a tide, and Xiao Xiying's thoughts drifted to the past.

Xiao Xiying recalled that she and the prince had played and laughed together, and rode horses and shot arrows together when they were childhood sweethearts. The prince had made a solemn promise to her that he would protect her no matter when and where.

But the reality was cruel. The prince betrayed his oath for power. Xiao Xiying's heart was as painful as being cut by a knife.

Xiao Xiying looked at them and said, "Perhaps, I have never really liked the prince, but I once believed in him sincerely. Now, I am disappointed and awake. I want to use my broken engagement to tell this royal family that I, Xiao Xiying, am not a pawn that can be manipulated at will."

Gu Zhiyi frowned slightly, wondering what Xiao Xiying's decision meant. She had chosen a path that would make her an enemy of the entire royal family.

"Xiying, have you really thought it through? This is not as simple as leaving the royal family. You may lose everything, even your life." Gu Zhiyi's tone was heavy. She tried to make Xiao Xiying reconsider.

Xiao Xiying's eyes were more determined. She gently held Gu Zhiyi's hand and said gently but firmly: "Sister Zhiyi, I know what this means. But I can't go against my heart. I can't let myself live in lies and bondage. I must pursue my own truth."

Her words were like a stream of fresh air, striking Gu Zhiyi's heart. Xiao Xiying had always been a strong-willed person. Once she made a decision, no one could change it. She took a deep breath and nodded.

"Okay, since you have made up your mind, I will stand by you, no matter the wind or rain, life or death." Gu Zhiyi's promise made Xiao Xiying's eyes flash with gratitude.

Xiao Xiying smiled gently, and that smile was like a spring breeze blowing across the water. Her eyes flashed with a determined light, as if she had seen the road ahead. This road might be full of thorns, but as long as there was light in her heart, she could move forward fearlessly and with firm faith.

Gu Zhiyi coughed lightly and broke the silence: "Junior sister, I know you have some concerns in your heart, but I would like to ask you to accept Xie Huixuan as your disciple. She is a child I watched grow up, and I believe she has this potential."

Xiao Xiying frowned. She had known Gu Zhiyi for many years and knew the vision of this senior sister very well, but Xie Huixuan... She hesitated and said, "Sister Gu, I know your feelings, but Xie Huixuan... her ambition is only in the back house. It seems unnecessary for me to teach her."

Hearing this, Xie Huixuan's face showed more confidence. She straightened her back and said loudly, "Master Xiao, you misunderstood. I do have the ability to manage the household affairs of the Duke's Mansion, but this does not mean that my ambition is limited to this. The reason why I am willing to take you as my teacher is because I am eager to learn more, whether it is managing household affairs or governing the country."

Gu Zhiyi smiled slightly. Xie Huixuan's confidence was not blind. This child has been smart and courageous since she was young. She turned to look at Xiao Xiying and said softly, "Junior sister, look at her. Her confidence and pride are something I have never seen in anyone else. If she becomes your disciple, she will definitely be better than you."

Xiao Xiying hesitated for a moment, and she looked at Xie Huixuan, and she couldn't help but feel a little curious. How confident was this girl to dare to speak so confidently in front of her?

"Xie Huixuan, what exactly do you mean by the ability to manage the household affairs of the Duke's Mansion?" Xiao Xiying asked.

Xie Huixuan smiled slightly. She knew that Xiao Xiying was testing her. She spoke slowly, "First, I know how to allocate the resources of the family so that every penny can play the greatest role. Secondly, I know how to manage the servants so that they can perform their duties and do their best. Thirdly, I know how to handle all the affairs of the mansion so that the Duke's Mansion can operate normally."

A hint of approval flashed across Xiao Xiying's eyes, but she remained unmoved: "These skills are indeed enough to manage a mansion, but do you really think you are qualified to be my disciple?"

Xie Huixuan raised her head and chest with a firm tone: "I have confidence and determination. I know your identity and status, Sister Xiao, and I also know my own shortcomings. But it is precisely because of this that I need your guidance even more. I believe that under your guidance, I can become a better person."

Gu Zhiyi looked at her junior sister and said softly, "Junior sister, give her a chance. I believe you will regret not accepting her as your disciple earlier."

Junior Sister Xiao Xiying sat next to Gu Zhiyi with a serious look on her face. Xie Huixuan stood in front of the two of them, showing some hesitation.

Gu Zhiyi said softly, "Huixuan, we have discussed the master-disciple relationship between you and Junior Sister Xiying for a long time. But today, you seem to be worried. Can you tell us honestly?"

Xie Huixuan lowered her head, bit her lip slightly, and finally said, "Senior Sister, I really have a hard time deciding on one thing. Junior Sister Xiying put forward a condition that I must not marry after becoming your disciple. I am really conflicted."

Gu Zhiyi smiled slightly and said, "Huixuan, marriage is an important matter that should be decided by you. Junior Sister Xiying's suggestion is indeed a bit unreasonable. But you know, she is also doing it for your own good."

Xiao Xiying interrupted coldly, "I put forward this condition because I know very well that the martial world is dangerous and once a woman gets married, she will be controlled by others. I hope that my disciple can concentrate on cultivation, not be bound by worldly affairs, and become a master in the future."

Xie Huixuan was silent for a while, then said, "Sister, I know Junior Sister Xiying has good intentions, but I cannot help but consider my own happiness. I am afraid that once I become your disciple, I will no longer be able to have my own family."

Gu Zhiyi gently patted Xie Huixuan's hand and said, "Huixuan, you don't have to worry too much. Although Junior Sister Xiying has a strong personality, she is not unreasonable. Why don't we discuss it together and see if there is a way to have the best of both worlds."

Xiao Xiying frowned slightly and said, "Senior Sister, you are indulging her like this, I'm afraid it's not for her good. In the martial arts world, if a woman wants to gain a foothold, she must work harder than a man. I'm doing this for her sake."

Gu Zhiyi glanced at Xiao Xiying calmly and said, "Junior Sister Xiying, I know you are worried, but you should also understand that everyone has their own choices. We can't force Huixuan to live according to our ideas."