Phi-Fic Chapter 70 The Most Powerful Widow
Chapter 70 The Most Powerful Widow
The emperor frowned slightly, but before he could speak, the old duke knelt down and said sincerely, "Your Majesty, I beg you to do justice. Gu Zhiyi knows nothing. Those treacherous people forced her to do it. Please investigate and clear her name."
The air in the imperial study seemed to freeze. The emperor was silent for a moment, and finally spoke: "I know what you are thinking, but the matter has become too serious to be handled quietly. I will give an explanation, but this does not mean that I can completely calm the public opinion in the court."
Upon hearing this, the old lady said anxiously, "Your Majesty, I beg you to show some mercy to Gu Zhiyi to compensate for the loss of the Ningguo Mansion. She is loyal, brave, and righteous, and has made great contributions to the protection of the mansion. She should not be treated like this."
The emperor looked at the old lady, a complex emotion flashed in his eyes, and then he said slowly: "In this case, I will grant Gu Zhiyi the title of First-Rank Imperial Concubine to commend her loyalty, bravery, and righteousness, and her meritorious service in protecting the mansion. But I want to remind you that the reputation of the Ningguo Mansion has been damaged, and a title cannot make up for it."
The old lady kowtowed excitedly: "Your Majesty is wise, and I am grateful to you. Gu Zhiyi will definitely remember your Majesty's kindness and bring honor to the Ningguo Mansion."
Gu Zhiyi stood aside with a complicated look in her eyes. She felt that it was not worth it for the old lady to use the death of her son, Duke Ningguo, in exchange for the imperial edict, but she finally accepted the title.
As the copper-nailed red door at the palace gate slowly opened, the children of the Ningguo Mansion walked out in unison, their eyes full of expectation and desire. Xie Yunce, Xie Huiyi and others all had red eyes and tears welling up in their eyes.
The breeze blew past the palace gate, and the figures of the old Duke and the old lady gradually became clear. The old Duke was wearing a dark blue court dress, a purple gold crown on his head, and court beads on his chest, looking majestic and solemn. The old lady was wearing a gorgeous dress, with an elegant temperament and a variety of manners.
This old couple holds a high status in the Ningguo Mansion and are the pillars of the family.
Xie Yunce was the first to rush forward and hugged the old Duke tightly: "Grandpa, you are finally back! We have been waiting for you!" Before he finished speaking, tears had already flowed out of his eyes. Xie Huiyi also threw herself into the old lady's arms and sobbed: "Grandma, you are back, our family is finally reunited!"
The other children gathered around and cried with excitement. The old Duke gently patted Xie Yunce on the shoulder and said kindly: "Good children, you have worked hard. We are back. From now on, the Ningguo Mansion will no longer be in turmoil."
The old lady pulled Xie Huiyi up, wiped away her tears, and said with a smile: "Hui'er, you have grown up and become more and more sensible. We must work together to make Ningguo Mansion more prosperous."
The family hugged each other tightly, feeling each other's warmth. Led by the old Duke and the old lady, they returned to the Ningguo Mansion. The mansion was decorated with lights and full of laughter, as if it had returned to its former glory.
Back in the main hall, the old Duke sat in the main seat, and the old lady sat beside him. The children stood on both sides, waiting for the old Duke to speak. The old Duke cleared his throat and said seriously: "We came back this time, first for reunion, and second for the future of the family."
He paused, and then continued, "In recent years, the position of the Ningguo Mansion in the court has been shaken, and we need to re-consolidate the family's power. As children of the Ningguo Mansion, you must perform your duties, give full play to your strengths, and contribute to the future of the family."
On the day when she returned to the Ningguo Mansion, the sky was gradually getting dark. The old lady sat in the hall, waiting for Gu Zhiyi's arrival with a serious look. When Gu Zhiyi slowly walked into the hall, the old lady hurriedly ordered someone to serve tea, poured her a cup personally, and then dismissed the attendants and quietly asked: "Zhiyi, when did you know the news of the Duke's death?"
Gu Zhiyi smiled slightly and answered with a firm look in her eyes: "Madam, I already knew it before I got married."
The old lady's face changed and she looked at her in surprise: "You...did you arrange the marriage exchange on purpose?"
Gu Zhiyi nodded, her tone calm: "Yes, old lady. I don't want to see the children of the Duke's Mansion being spoiled by my concubine sister, so I switched marriages with her and voluntarily married into the Ningguo Mansion as a widow."
The old lady was silent for a moment. She held Gu Zhiyi's hand tightly, with a complex emotion flashing in her eyes: "Why did you do this?"
Gu Zhiyi smiled slightly, her eyes revealing determination and resoluteness: "Madam, the Duke's Mansion is a great family in our country, and I cannot watch it decline. The children are innocent, they need a mother who knows how to educate them, not a concubine sister who only knows how to enjoy herself. I am willing to sacrifice for the children, even if it means I will become a widow."
After hearing this, the old lady was so moved that she couldn't express it in words. She held Gu Zhiyi in her arms and gently stroked her hair: "Zhiyi, your sacrifice and dedication make me feel extremely comforted. It is a blessing for the Ningguo Mansion to have you here."
Gu Zhiyi had tears in her eyes. She snuggled in the old lady's arms, but her heart was extremely firm.
After a while, the old lady let go of Gu Zhiyi and asked seriously, "Zhiyi, how do you plan to manage this family?"
Gu Zhiyi calmed down, stood up straight, and looked at the old lady with a firm gaze: "Old lady, I will manage this family with strict family rules, so that the children can understand the way of respect and inferiority, and let them know what loyalty and filial piety are. At the same time, I will also try my best to let them receive a good education and let them become the pillars of the country."
After hearing this, the old lady nodded with satisfaction: "Okay, I believe you."
At this time, the old Duke of Ning walked in, his eyes full of praise. He knocked the ground vigorously with his cane and said in a loud voice: "Children, listen carefully! Gu Zhiyi sacrificed her own happiness for the future of the Duke's Mansion and married into our mansion. From now on, you must be filial to her and respect her, otherwise, you are no longer the descendants of the Duke of Ning's Mansion!"
The children knelt down and answered in unison: "We grandchildren will definitely be filial to Madam Gu, treat her as our mother, respect her, and love her."
Gu Zhiyi's position in the Ningguo Mansion became more and more stable. She was not only the stepmother of the children, but also a first-rank imperial lady of the dynasty. The elders in the mansion all looked at her with respect, and her every move became a weather vane in the mansion.
Gu Zhiyi can be said to be the most powerful widow in history!
……
Gu Mansion.
In the garden, Gu Zhongyu sat on a stone bench, the wine glass in his hand swaying gently, reflecting the afterglow of the setting sun. He closed his eyes slightly, enjoying this moment of tranquility. Suddenly, Yao came hurriedly, breaking the tranquility.
Gu Zhongyu gently swung the wine glass in his hand and looked at Yao with deep eyes, which seemed to be able to see through people's hearts. He couldn't help but chuckle and said, "Madam seems to be in a good mood. Did you hear any good news?"