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

In the side hall of the Ningguo Mansion, at breakfast the next day, the sun shone through the window onto the table, illuminating the room with warmth. The old lady carefully observed Gu Zhiyi's expression, and saw a flash of fatigue in her eyes, but she still forced a smile. The old lady's heart tightened, and she personally served her a bowl of steaming rice porridge.

"Zhiyi, you worked really hard last night." The old lady spoke softly, her tone gentle, "You look exhausted. Come, have some porridge to warm yourself up."

Gu Zhiyi's eyes were full of gratitude: "Old Madam is so caring, I am very grateful. But, this porridge..."

"I know, I know, it's according to your taste." The old lady interrupted her with a smile, a hint of playfulness in her eyes, "You are a great contributor to our Ningguo Mansion, of course you need special care."

Gu Zhiyi shook her head and smiled bitterly, feeling touched and helpless. But she could not refuse the old lady's kindness and could only accept it.

"Zhiyi, I heard that you put a lot of thought into arranging the children's studies, so I asked you to ask." The old lady suddenly changed the subject and asked with concern, "Especially Yunchen went to Bailu Academy, and Huiyi and Huixuan studied under Jiang Minjun and Xiao Xiying, two famous teachers respectively. These were all your ideas, right?"

Gu Zhiyi nodded slightly and said modestly: "Old Madam, you are too kind. I didn't spend too much effort. I just used some of my usual connections to give the children better learning opportunities."

The old lady smiled slightly, her eyes full of admiration: "Zhiyi, I feel much more assured with your ability. The children of the Duke's Mansion need someone to support them. Whoever can awaken first will be able to take on the heavy responsibility."

Gu Zhiyi bowed her head slightly and said firmly, "The old lady is right. Only when the Duke's Mansion has children who can gain a foothold in the court can we truly put an end to the endless calculations of the outside world against the Duke's Mansion."

The old lady patted Gu Zhiyi's hand gently and said earnestly: "I know your worries. It is easy to force children to grow too fast if they are too anxious about their studies. But you must have confidence. I believe you will find a way to make the children grow quickly."

Gu Zhiyi's eyes flashed with determination, but then revealed a trace of worry: "Madam, I do have a way, but the process will be difficult. I'm worried that the children can't hold on."

The old lady's eyes were full of trust: "Zhiyi, I believe in your judgment. Just go ahead and do it. Everything in the Duke's Mansion will be decided by you."

Gu Zhiyi stood up with emotion, bowed to the old lady, and said firmly: "Old lady, I will remember your trust in me. From today on, I will go all out and fight for the future of the Duke's Mansion."

The old lady nodded with satisfaction, and said with concern: "Zhiyi, your health is important. Eat more nourishing foods. Only in this way can you have the energy to face future challenges."

Gu Zhiyi smiled slightly, feeling warm in her heart. How lucky she was to meet someone who cared about her like the old lady in this world.

Gu Zhiyi was strolling in the back garden to digest her food. The sunlight shone through the lush leaves onto her body, reflecting her jade-like skin.

As she walked, she thought about the affairs of the Ningguo Mansion and how to handle them more properly.

Suddenly, a maid who called herself Qi Mo knelt down and blocked her way. Gu Zhiyi was stunned, she didn't know this maid, but she saw that Qi Mo's eyes were full of sincerity and eagerness.

"Madam, please go and see Aunt Zhao." Qi Mo's voice was pleading.

Gu Zhiyi frowned. She didn't understand why Qi Mo made such a request. She looked at Qi Mo and asked calmly, "What's wrong with Aunt Zhao?"

Qi Mo lowered her head, tears welling up in her eyes: "Aunt Zhao felt guilty and admired your ability to handle the affairs of the Ningguo Mansion, so she felt heavy-hearted and couldn't sleep at night."

Gu Zhiyi was silent for a while. She could understand Aunt Zhao's feelings. After all, Duke Ning was dead, and the aunts were grief-stricken, but she didn't feel too much about it.

Qi Mo raised his head, his eyes full of pleading: "Madam, I know you are a sensible person, please go and see her, she is really in pain now."

Gu Zhiyi looked at Qi Mo, a complex emotion flashed in her eyes, and then she nodded gently: "Okay, I'll go see her."

Qi Mo immediately knelt down, touched his head to the ground, and said with gratitude: "Thank you, Madam."

Gu Zhiyi led a group of people to Aunt Zhao's courtyard. She knew that Aunt Zhao was in an awkward position. She had no son, only a daughter, Xie Huiyi, and her stay or departure depended on her words.

On the way, Gu Zhiyi said to Qi Mo, "Why do you care so much about Aunt Zhao?"

Qi Mo replied: "Madam, Aunt Zhao is a good person. Although she is of a low status, she has always tried her best to do her duty, and she is also very good to the eldest girl."

Gu Zhiyi pushed open the gate and her eyes fell on Aunt Zhao's trembling figure. A complex emotion surged in her heart. She stepped forward, her eyes firm and gentle, and slowly said, "Aunt Zhao, what are you doing? Even if you have done something wrong, you don't have to torture yourself like this."

When Aunt Zhao heard Gu Zhiyi's voice, her body paused and her crying gradually subsided. She raised her head, her eyes full of pleading and fear. The redness and swelling on her forehead were particularly shocking. She answered in a trembling voice:

"Madam, I know I was wrong. I am willing to accept any punishment and only ask for your forgiveness."

Gu Zhiyi frowned, she understood that Aunt Zhao’s mistakes were not accidental, but the result of long-term accumulated resentment and dissatisfaction.

When Aunt Zhao heard Gu Zhiyi's voice, her body trembled, and she raised her head, her face full of shame and fear. She struggled to stand up, but the pain on her forehead made her kneel down again in an instant. She sobbed and choked: "Madam, I... I'm sorry for you, I'm sorry for the mansion..."

Gu Zhiyi looked at Aunt Zhao and sighed in her heart. Aunt Zhao felt guilty for the mistakes she had made before, but her behavior would only make things worse. She took a deep breath and said slowly: "Aunt Zhao, I have forgiven your mistakes, but why do you hurt yourself like this?"

Aunt Zhao burst into tears when she heard this. She tightly grasped Gu Zhiyi's hand and said in a trembling voice, "Madam, I know that I have sinned deeply, but I really cannot forgive myself. I am willing to accept any punishment, and I only ask you to forgive me."

Gu Zhiyi gently patted Aunt Zhao's hand, her eyes full of care: "Aunt Zhao, do you understand? True forgiveness means letting go of the past and starting over. You punish yourself like this, not only can't make up for your mistakes, but it will make people in the mansion worry. As the mistress of the Ningguo Mansion, I have the responsibility to help you stand up again and face the future."

Gu Zhiyi held Aunt Zhao's hand and felt the coldness and trembling of her palm: "Aunt, you will only make me feel worse. Get up, don't torture yourself like this."

At this time, Nanny Yang came over and advised in a gentle tone: "Aunt Zhao, why are you doing this? The mistress has always been magnanimous and generous, she will not blame you. Besides, now that Duke Ning has passed away, there should be no more scandals in the mansion. You will only make it difficult for the mistress."