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

Chapter 249 Provocation

"What do you mean?" Duke Dun's eyes became serious, and he looked at Gu Zhiyi with scrutiny in his eyes.

Gu Zhiyi frowned slightly, feeling a little uneasy. She slowly stood up and looked at Duke Dun firmly. "My Lord, since you have entered the Xie Mansion, you should know that my husband Xie Lang has passed away. It is not easy for me, an orphan and a widow, to live in this mansion."

Duke Dun smiled slightly, but the smile did not reach his eyes. He chuckled and said, "Madam, you have misunderstood. I did not come here to offend you. I just have a few words that I want to be honest with you."

Gu Zhiyi bit her lip lightly, sat down slowly, and looked at Duke Dunguo calmly: "Sir, please speak."

Duke Dun straightened his clothes and looked around, as if looking for a suitable opening. He pondered for a moment and said, "Madam, do you know the relationship between the Xie Mansion and the Western Wei Dynasty?"

Gu Zhiyi smiled slightly. She naturally knew the origins of the Xie family and the Western Wei Dynasty. She whispered, "The Xie family has three prime ministers in one family, and they have been loyal for generations. Naturally, they have a deep connection with the Western Wei Dynasty."

Duke Dun nodded and looked at Gu Zhiyi with satisfaction: "Madam, I'm glad you understand. The Western Wei Dynasty is now facing internal and external troubles, the emperor is young, and the government is unstable. I came here this time to discuss with you how to stabilize the government and protect the Western Wei Dynasty."

Gu Zhiyi's eyes flashed. She didn't expect that Duke Dunguo would bring up this topic so bluntly. She pondered for a moment and said, "Lord, do you think I have the ability to do this?"

Duke Dun laughed, with a hint of admiration in his eyes: "Madam, you are too modest. Madam Xie is no ordinary person. Everyone in the court of Western Wei knows that Madam is very intelligent and has a good way of managing the Xie Mansion. It is precisely because of this that I dare to come here."

Gu Zhiyi felt warm in her heart. It was obvious that the Duke of Dun was praising her. She smiled and said, "Your Excellency is too kind. Since you trust me so much, I will speak frankly. If we want to stabilize the government, we must first stabilize the country. The Western Wei is now in turmoil, and the people are exhausted. If we want the Western Wei to be stable, we must first resolve the turmoil."

Duke Dun nodded slightly. He looked at Gu Zhiyi, a trace of seriousness flashing in his eyes: "Madam, what you said is absolutely right. Then according to Madam, how should we resolve the civil unrest?"

Gu Zhiyi pondered for a moment and said, "First, we must appease the people and reduce taxes so that they have food to eat and clothes to wear. Secondly, we must severely punish corrupt officials and rectify the government. Finally, we must select talented people and train a new generation of officials to make contributions to the Western Wei Dynasty."

Duke Dun listened attentively. He slapped the table and praised, "Madam, your opinion is brilliant. I will return to the court and report your opinion to the emperor."

Gu Zhiyi smiled slightly. It was obvious that she had achieved her goal. She looked at Duke Dunguo with a hint of determination in her eyes: "Sir, the country of Western Wei is in your hands."

Duke Dun stood up and looked at Gu Zhiyi with a glimmer of respect in his eyes: "Madam, rest assured, I will live up to your trust."

The two looked at each other, and for a moment, the atmosphere in the room was solemn. Duke Dunguo suddenly changed the subject and said, "Madam, do you know the relationship between Western Wei and its neighboring countries?"

Gu Zhiyi smiled slightly. It was obvious that Duke Dun was testing her. She said softly, "Lord, the relationship between Western Wei and its neighbors must be based on peace. But if the other party infringes on the interests of Western Wei, we must not show weakness."

A trace of appreciation flashed in Duke Dun's eyes, and he smiled and said, "Madam, you are indeed very knowledgeable. The relationship between Western Wei and its neighbors should indeed be based on peace. But I cannot let them underestimate Western Wei. Madam, how do you think Western Wei should respond?"

Gu Zhiyi pondered for a moment and said, "My Lord, Western Wei should speak with strength. Strengthen national defense, improve military strength, and at the same time conduct diplomacy and maintain friendly relations with neighboring countries."

Duke Dunguo nodded repeatedly. He looked at Gu Zhiyi, with a hint of emotion in his eyes: "Madam, if you were a man, you would definitely become a famous official."

Gu Zhiyi smiled slightly. She knew that this was the highest praise from the Duke of Dunguo. She said softly, "You are too kind. I am just an ordinary woman who only wants to do my part for the Western Wei."

Duke Dun looked at Gu Zhiyi with a mixture of emotions in his heart.

……

Xie Xun sighed: "Yes, my sister has been pampered since she was a child and has never experienced such hardships." He looked out the window, a trace of worry flashed in his eyes.

At this time, Gu Zhiyi walked gently to his side, held his hand, and comforted him softly: "Husband, I know what you are worried about. But since my sister has chosen this path, we, as a family, should support her and accompany her through this difficult time."

Xie Xun turned to look at Gu Zhiyi, his eyes showing gratitude: "Zhiyi, you are always so considerate. So how can we help my sister?"

Gu Zhiyi thought for a moment and said, "First, we need to let sister know that no matter what difficulties she encounters, we will always be by her side. Secondly, we can send people to secretly protect her and ensure her safety. Finally, we must try to make her life more comfortable."

Xie Xun nodded in agreement: "You are right. Then let's act according to this plan."

The two returned to their seats and continued to discuss how to help their sister. At this time, a maid came in and reported: "Madam, there is a young man named Lin Yi outside the door who wants to see you. He said he has something important to discuss."

Gu Zhiyi frowned slightly: "Lin Yi? This name sounds familiar to me." She turned to Xie Xun and asked: "Husband, do you know this person?"

Xie Xun thought for a moment and said, "Yes, Lin Yi. He is a good friend of mine in the martial arts world. He is an excellent swordsman and a righteous man. He came to visit suddenly, so he must have something important to tell me."

Gu Zhiyi nodded and said, "Then let's meet this young master."

The maid took the order and left. After a while, Lin Yi was led into the living room. He was wearing a long green gown, with sharp eyebrows and bright eyes, and he looked extraordinary. When he saw Xie Xun and Gu Zhiyi, he bowed and said, "Brother Xie, Madam Gu, sorry to bother you."

Xie Xun smiled and returned the greeting: "Brother Lin, you are too polite. Please take a seat."

After Lin Yi sat down, he said, "Brother Xie, I came here to tell you something. Recently, the martial arts world has been in a state of panic. Someone is secretly manipulating and trying to stir up trouble among the major forces in the martial arts world, causing a bloody storm."

Gu Zhiyi's face was serious: "Mr. Lin, what does this matter you are talking about have to do with us?"

Lin Yi said in a deep voice: "It's a big connection. I suspect the mastermind behind this conspiracy is related to the Xie family. I'm not sure who it is. But I'm worried that if it's not stopped in time, the martial arts world will fall into chaos."

Xie Xun frowned: "It is not convenient for us to interfere too much in the affairs of the martial arts world. But if it is really related to the Xie family, we must not sit idly by."

Gu Zhiyi said, "Husband, I think we should investigate this matter first and find out who is behind this before making any plans."

Lin Yi nodded: "Madam is right. However, I came here this time to ask for a favor. I have a good friend named Shi Potian, who is proficient in disguise and good at tracking. I would like to ask him to help investigate this matter, and I believe he can find the mastermind behind it."

Xie Xun pondered for a moment and said, "In this case, we will ask Shi Potian to come and help. However, this matter involves the secrets of the martial arts world, so we must act with caution."