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

Gu Zhiyi stood at the palace gate. The autumn sun shone through the clouds onto her body, making her look even more determined.

Ying Chongming walked over quickly. He was wearing a gorgeous eunuch costume, and there was a hint of shrewdness in his eyes.

"Madam Ningguo, please follow me." Ying Chongming bowed slightly and said politely.

"Ying Chongming, where are you taking her?" asked the third prince in a deep voice.

Ying Chongming bowed slightly and said, "Third Prince, the Emperor sent me to welcome the wife of Duke Ningguo."

The Third Prince frowned and said, "I know, but my mother is very unhappy about this matter. She thinks that Gu Zhiyi is challenging the emperor's authority."

Gu Zhiyi stepped forward and looked at the Third Prince firmly: "Third Prince, I am not challenging the Emperor's authority on purpose, but for the sake of my family's injustice. Otherwise, how could I dare to wait at the palace gate?"

The Third Prince was silent for a moment, with a complex expression in his eyes: "Madam, I understand your intentions. But you know that your actions have caused an uproar in the court, and many ministers are secretly observing the emperor's attitude."

Gu Zhiyi smiled slightly: "Third Prince, I know this matter is very serious, but I believe that the emperor will see through everything. If my family is really wronged, the emperor will definitely clear my name."

The Third Prince shook his head helplessly and turned away. What happened today could not be undone.

"Madam Ningguo, the emperor already knows about your beating of the heavenly drum, and he has specially sent me to welcome you into the palace." Ying Chongming's tone was calm, but it revealed a hint of unquestionable authority.

Gu Zhiyi smiled slightly and bowed to Ying Chongming: "Boss Ying, thank you for coming to greet me. I have something to ask of you, I wonder if you can help me?"

Ying Chongming nodded slightly: "Madam, please speak."

"My son Xie Yunce was seriously injured in this incident. I hope to ask the imperial physician to treat him to avoid leaving a root of illness." Gu Zhiyi said in a firm tone, with worry in her eyes.

Ying Chongming pondered for a moment, then nodded and agreed: "I understand. I will definitely arrange for an imperial physician to treat your son. Madam, please follow me into the palace."

Ying Chongming nodded: "Madam, rest assured, I will personally supervise the treatment of the imperial physician to ensure that your son is safe."

At this moment, the people outside began to cheer. They gathered outside the palace gate, talking about it, their faces filled with joy and anticipation.

"Look, the wife of Duke Ning is about to enter the palace! This is the emperor's victory, and it is also our victory!"

"Yes, the Ningguo Mansion has been wronged for a long time, and now the emperor is finally going to clear their name!"

The people around nodded one after another, with hope glittering in their eyes as if they saw the future of Ningguo Mansion.

Ying Chongming turned to Gu Zhiyi and said, "Madam, please follow me. The emperor is waiting in the imperial study.

The two walked and talked, and soon they arrived at the door of the imperial study. Ying Chongming turned to Gu Zhiyi and said, "Madam, I can only let you go in alone to see the emperor. The other children of the Ningguo Mansion please wait outside the door."

Gu Zhiyi nodded slightly, turned around and said a few words to her children, then followed Ying Chongming to the imperial study. Her children stood outside the palace gate, looking at her back with firm eyes, their hearts full of pride and expectation.

Gu Zhiyi looked at Ying Chongming, a hint of determination flashed in her eyes, she nodded slightly, turned around and walked towards the imperial study. Ying Chongming watched her leave, secretly sighing in his heart that this Ningguo Duke's wife was indeed extraordinary.

Walking into the imperial study, Gu Zhiyi felt a rigorous and solemn atmosphere. She slowly knelt down and bowed her head to salute: "Your Highness, I, Gu Zhiyi, pay my respects to you." Her voice was low but clearly heard throughout the room.

"Madam Gu, please don't be polite." The emperor's voice was calm and majestic. He motioned for Gu Zhiyi to stand up and then asked her to sit on a chair beside him. Gu Zhiyi raised her head slightly and saw the emperor sitting on the dragon throne with a serious face and deep eyes.

The emperor stared at Gu Zhiyi coldly, his eyes revealing a bit of doubt and scrutiny. He raised the teacup in his hand and slowly said, "Gu Zhiyi, how did you know the news of the death of Duke Ningguo?"

Gu Zhiyi bowed her head slightly and replied calmly, "Your Majesty, I overheard a guest of a border merchant in the wine shop. He mentioned the various deeds of Duke Ningguo at the border and the news of his unfortunate death. I felt that this matter was of great importance, so I paid some attention to it."

The emperor nodded slightly, indicating that she should continue.

Gu Zhiyi paused and continued, "Your Majesty, the Ningguo Mansion has been framed by thieves recently, and the family members have suffered a lot of injustice. I cannot sit idly by, so I made public the news of Ningguo's death. I did act according to my own speculation and did not receive any orders. But I think that the reputation of Ningguo Mansion cannot be ignored."

The emperor frowned and said in a more serious tone: "Gu Zhiyi, are you using your intelligence to evade responsibility?"

Gu Zhiyi raised her head and looked at the emperor firmly: "I dare not. I just feel that the reputation of the Ningguo Mansion and the reputation of my family are more important than my personal safety. I am willing to bear all the consequences."

The atmosphere in the imperial study became tense. The emperor was silent for a moment, and suddenly sighed: "Gu Zhiyi, your talent is indeed amazing. If you had not married Duke Ningguo, I could consider giving you to the prince as a concubine. Unfortunately..."

Gu Zhiyi heard this, a flash of surprise flashed across her face, then she regained her composure: "Your Majesty, thank you for your praise. I am flattered. But I have already found my love, so I dare not think of him anymore."

The emperor smiled softly, with a hint of tenderness in his eyes: "You are a loyal woman. However, I am still curious, how can you analyze those coincidences so cleverly?"

Gu Zhiyi smiled slightly and replied, "Your Majesty, I have loved reading since I was young, and I especially like studying all kinds of books. In the process of reading, I learned to observe and analyze. This time, when I learned the news of Duke Ning's death, I was able to infer the truth with these skills."

The emperor listened attentively and couldn't help but sigh: "I didn't expect you to have such talent. I really underestimated you."

The atmosphere between the two gradually eased, and the emperor suddenly changed the topic: "Gu Zhiyi, do you think that the Ningguo Mansion was framed this time, is there a master behind it?"

Gu Zhiyi hesitated for a moment and replied, "I dare not speculate. But this matter involves so many people, there must be something fishy behind it. I will continue to investigate and clear the Ningguo Mansion of the grievances."

The emperor nodded in agreement: "Okay, since you are so determined, I am relieved. I will send someone to assist you secretly and make sure to find out the truth."

Gu Zhiyi looked at the emperor gratefully: "I thank the emperor."

At this moment, following the emperor's call, the old duke and the old lady suddenly appeared on the scene. Their arrival made the originally tense atmosphere even more subtle.

As soon as the old lady entered the room, she knelt down in front of the emperor and said with tears in her eyes: "Your Majesty, please be more discerning. Gu Zhiyi...she was forced to tell the truth!" Her voice trembled, filled with endless grief and helplessness.