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

"Afraid? Why weren't you afraid when you framed Xie Yunchen?" Wu Jingying asked coldly, "If you don't go, I will force you to go. You should know that the consequences of framing the eldest son of the Duke's Mansion are imprisonment, beatings, and even prohibition from entering the official career!"

Zheng Xingliu was so frightened that his face turned pale and he was trembling with fear, regretting it deeply. This time he was really in big trouble and there was no way out.

Seeing Zheng Xingliu so scared, Wu Jingying became more determined to make him pay the price. She continued to question, "Zheng Xingliu, why did you frame Xie Yunchen?"

Zheng Xingliu gritted his teeth and wanted to tell the truth, but fear finally prevailed. He whispered, "I, I was jealous of Xie Yunchen's background, so I said those slanderous words about him. Miss Wu, please, don't force me anymore."

Wu Jingying sneered and disdained Zheng Xingliu's apology: "Do you think an apology can solve the problem? You are insulting my intelligence! I must submit this matter to the government for handling. This is an act that the Ningguo Mansion cannot tolerate."

She turned to face the crowd and said loudly: "My fellow students, I, Wu Jingying, want to clarify to everyone that Zheng Xingliu's slander against Xie Yunchen is untrue. The Ningguo Mansion is not easy to mess with. Even if we have to go to the Golden Palace, we will fight them to the death!"

Wu Jingying stood at the entrance of the academy, staring at the students who were watching. Her voice was full of power: "Zheng Xingliu's slander is nothing but fabrication, and it is a malicious slander against Xie Yunchen. The Ningguo Mansion is not easy to mess with. Anyone who tries to slander our family will pay the price." Her words were so powerful that everyone present felt her determination.

The students looked at each other, and the original voices of accusation gradually disappeared, replaced by silence. They began to realize how careless and ignorant their actions were. Wu Jingying continued, "If someone is willing to stand by me and prove Xie Yunchen's innocence, then our Ningguo Mansion will no longer pursue this matter."

The students at the entrance of the academy began to apologize to Xie Yunchen one after another. Their attitudes took a 180-degree turn. Some even took the initiative to walk up to Xie Yunchen and bowed deeply to express their apologies. Xie Yunchen looked at this scene, feeling both astonished and helpless. He had never thought that he would experience such a turmoil at the entrance of the academy, and he had never expected that Wu Jingying would stand up to defend him.

Xie Yunchen was shocked by Wu Jingying's handling of the situation, but at the same time he was deeply grateful. He realized that if Wu Jingying had not stood up for him, he might have been stigmatized for the rest of his life in the academy. He looked at Wu Jingying with a surge of respect in his heart.

Wu Jingying walked to Xie Yunchen and gently reminded him, "Husband, don't make a big deal about it, so as not to cause unnecessary trouble."

Xie Yunchen nodded slightly to show his understanding. He looked at everyone and said sincerely, "I am not afraid of trouble. I, Xie Yunchen, am not the kind of person who can be manipulated by others, but I will not make trouble for no reason either."

Upon seeing this, the students at the entrance of the academy gathered around and wanted to please Xie Yunchen and the others. The power of the Ningguo Mansion should not be underestimated. If they could gain Xie Yunchen's favor, it would bring immeasurable benefits to their future prospects.

In the carriage, warm wind blew on their faces as Xie Yunchen and Wu Jingying sat opposite each other. Wu Jingying carefully wiped the dirt off Xie Yunchen's body, her eyes full of concern and heartache. Her movements were gentle, fearing that she would hurt Xie Yunchen, while Xie Yunchen endured it quietly, with a warm feeling in his heart.

"Jingying, why did you suddenly come to the academy?" Xie Yunchen finally spoke, with a hint of doubt in his voice.

Wu Jingying raised her head, a hint of hesitation flashed in her eyes: "I am worried about you, Yunchen. I have been worried since you left home. Mother told me that you should study in the academy, but you don't seem to put your mind on it."

"What impact does your mother's stories telling you have on the way you handle things?" Xie Yunchen asked curiously.

Wu Jingying smiled: "My mother's stories are always full of wisdom and courage. She told me that when faced with difficulties, I must face them bravely and not escape. I was inspired by my mother's stories to handle things like this today."

After Xie Yunchen heard this, a trace of surprise and admiration flashed in his eyes: "I didn't expect you to be able to use your mother's story so cleverly. I really underestimated you."

Xie Yunchen asked again: "How did your mother convince you to lie to me?"

Wu Jingying sighed: "My mother told me that the situation in the Duke's Mansion is unstable and we need to choose a suitable successor. She said that you are the most promising, but you have your mind on other things. She is worried that you will not be able to inherit the title, so she asked me to help stabilize the morale of the army."

Xie Yunchen was silent for a moment, feeling mixed emotions. He had never expected that he would be so unbearable in the eyes of his wife and mother.

"Jingying, I was not ambitious enough before, and I made you and mother worry." Xie Yunchen sighed, a trace of guilt flashed in his eyes, "But now, I have learned to distinguish who treats me well and who treats me badly. I am grateful for your kindness to me, and I am also grateful for my mother's love for me."

A touch of emotion flashed in Wu Jingying's eyes, and she gently held Xie Yunchen's hand: "Yunchen, it's good that you understand. We all have to work hard for the future of the Duke's Mansion and for our future."

Xie Yunchen nodded heavily, with a gleam of determination in his eyes: "Yes, we must work together to make the Duke's Mansion more prosperous."

At this moment, Xie Yunchen hugged Wu Jingying tightly, his eyes full of love: "Jingying, you are my wife, the love of my heart. From now on, I will work harder, for you, for our future, I will move forward courageously."

Wu Jingying felt Xie Yunchen's sincere emotion, and a warm current surged in her heart. She couldn't help crying: "Yunchen, I love you too. I am willing to go through the ups and downs with you and spend my whole life with you."

In this warm carriage, the misunderstanding and resentment between the couple disappeared at this moment. They smiled at each other, their eyes full of happiness and expectation.

Gu Zhiyi heard the report from the servant at the door in the inner hall. Although the voice was low, it reached her ears clearly. She nodded slightly and said softly, "I know."

She turned back to the inner hall, sat on the soft brocade cushion, picked up the herbal tea on the table, and drank it all. Her eyes were calm and deep, as if what she had just heard did not stir up the slightest ripple in her heart.

Du Yusheng, who was standing opposite her, looked at her with a complicated expression. He had been paying attention to Gu Zhiyi's every move, and at this moment, he finally couldn't help but speak: "Zhiyi, you clearly knew the relationship between Xie Yunchen and Wu Jingying, why did you let their misunderstanding deepen? Did you do this on purpose?"

Gu Zhiyi put down the teacup in her hand and looked at Du Yusheng calmly: "Mr. Du, why do you say that? When did I let them misunderstand me?"

Gu Zhiyi's eyes flashed with a barely perceptible sharpness. She said to Du Yusheng calmly, "Mr. Du, you misunderstood. I didn't mean to worsen the relationship between Xie Yunchen and Wu Jingying."