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

Chapter 171 Strange Disappearance

Gu Zhiyi flicked her sleeves lightly and looked at the gratitude expressed in Yao Jiayi's eyes, but her heart was indifferent.

This favor will definitely cause a lot of waves in the Yao family and even in the entire capital. She turned and walked towards the inner room, followed closely by Yao Jiayi.

The inner room was elegantly decorated, with a faint scent of agarwood filling the air. Gu Zhiyi sat on a rosewood chair with a calm demeanor, while Yao Jiayi stood respectfully beside her.

"Sister Gu, if you hadn't rescued me this time, I would have died. My entire Yao family is grateful for your kindness." Yao Jiayi's voice trembled and tears welled up in her eyes, but she forced herself not to let the tears fall.

Gu Zhiyi smiled gently, with a hint of warmth in her eyes: "Sister Jiayi, don't you understand? In this chaotic world, it is not easy to survive. I saved you not for the gratitude of your Yao family, but out of the kindness in my heart."

After hearing this, Yao Jiayi's eyes flashed with surprise, and then she regained her composure: "Sister Gu is so kind-hearted, which is admirable. But no matter what, this kindness will be remembered by my Yao family."

Yao Jiayi asked curiously, "Madam, how did you know that I was in danger in that forest?"

Gu Zhiyi smiled slightly, her eyes revealing a hint of deep meaning. She gently stroked the teacup in her hand and slowly said, "That day, I happened to send my servants to the forest to pick some fresh flowers, and I happened to see your maid running back in a panic asking for help."

Yao Jiayi's eyes flashed with surprise. She didn't expect Gu Zhiyi to reveal this secret so easily. She lowered her head slightly, fiddling with the corner of her clothes unconsciously, and whispered, "So that's how it is. I was so careless that I didn't even notice the surrounding environment."

Gu Zhiyi smiled gently, and her eyes fell on Yao Jiayi softly: "Ms. Jiayi, you don't have to blame yourself. That forest is indeed a little strange. Anyone else might be in danger. But, I am a little curious, why did you go there alone?"

Yao Jiayi raised her head, a hint of determination flashed in her eyes: "Madam, to be honest, the reason why I went there alone is because I heard that there is a strange herb there that can cure my mother's illness. I was so anxious that I went to look for it at all costs."

After hearing this, Gu Zhiyi's eyes showed a hint of appreciation. She gently patted Yao Jiayi's hand and smiled, "Ms. Jiayi, you are such a filial woman. However, you should also know that some things may not always go as we wish. Is your mother's condition able to sustain the journey?"

Yao Jiayi nodded slightly, with a determined light in her eyes: "Although my mother's condition is serious, she can still hold on. I will definitely try my best to find herbs and make her healthy again no matter what."

Gu Zhiyi looked at Yao Jiayi's eyes and nodded secretly in her heart. She knew that this woman had firm belief and perseverance. She sighed softly and said, "Miss Jiayi, since you are so determined, I will not ask any more questions. However, it is really worrying that you were in danger in the forest. In the future, if you encounter similar things again, please be sure to inform me."

Yao Jiayi felt warm in her heart when she heard this. She looked at Gu Zhiyi gratefully and said, "Madam, thank you for your concern. I will definitely remember your advice and will not let you worry again."

Gu Zhiyi looked at Yao Jiayi and couldn't help but think of herself when she was young. She smiled gently and said, "Miss Jiayi, do you know that when I was young, I also had an unknown experience."

Yao Jiayi looked at Gu Zhiyi curiously. This lady must have had an extraordinary past when she was young. She leaned forward slightly and listened to Gu Zhiyi's story.

Gu Zhiyi's eyes flashed with reminiscence, and she slowly said: "At that time, I was still an innocent girl, full of hope for the future. I met a man, he was handsome and talented, we fell in love with each other and promised to grow old together. However, fate played a trick on us, he passed away in an accident, leaving me alone."

After hearing this, Yao Jiayi was filled with emotion. She held Gu Zhiyi's hand tightly and comforted her, "Madam, don't be sad. I believe that man in heaven will bless you and hope you can be happy."

Gu Zhiyi smiled gently, with a hint of determination in her eyes: "Yes, I also believe that he will bless me."

……

Ji Yinli looked at Gu Zhiyi with disdain: "Madam Gu, it was not enough for you to steal your sister's family and love when you were at Gu's house, and now you are running to the Ningguo Mansion to steal another woman's sweetheart, do you have any shame?"

Ji Yinli's words were like a knife cutting through Gu Zhiyi's eardrums. Her originally fair cheeks instantly lost their color, and a trace of anger that was difficult to conceal flashed in her eyes. She bit her lower lip tightly, trying to calm herself down.

"Ji Yinli, are you questioning me?" Gu Zhiyi's voice was weak, but her tone was firm. She stood up slowly, staring at Ji Yinli with a sharp gaze, as if she wanted to engrave every word he said into her heart.

Ji Yinli sneered, "Isn't it? You clearly knew that the Ningguo Mansion had an engagement with my family, but you still wanted to steal my love. Isn't this robbery?"

Gu Zhiyi's expression became complicated. She brushed her sleeves lightly, trying to hide her inner panic. She took a deep breath, trying to make herself look calmer: "Ji Yinli, you misunderstood. There is no private relationship between Mr. Xie and me. I came to the Ningguo Mansion just to find an answer."

"Looking for the answer?" Ji Yinli smiled sarcastically, "Is your answer to steal someone else's sweetheart?"

Gu Zhiyi's eyes flashed with determination: "I don't want to steal anyone's sweetheart, I just want to know what happened to my sister. She was a guest of the Ningguo Mansion, but she disappeared mysteriously in the Ningguo Mansion and her whereabouts are still unknown."

Ji Yinli's expression became serious. He realized that Gu Zhiyi was not being unreasonable. He was silent for a while, then said, "When your sister disappeared, we were indeed puzzled. But the situation was chaotic at that time, and we did not find her whereabouts."

A glimmer of hope flashed in Gu Zhiyi's eyes: "Then have you ever suspected that someone deliberately hid her whereabouts?"

Ji Yinli frowned, "It's possible, but we don't have any evidence. Besides, the Xie Mansion was in turmoil at the time, and we didn't have the energy to investigate further."

Gu Zhiyi's expression turned painful: "If you had investigated seriously back then, maybe my sister wouldn't have been missing for so long. I came to the Xie Mansion just to find her and bring her back to her family."

Ji Yinli looked at Gu Zhiyi, with a hint of sympathy in his eyes. He knew Gu Zhiyi's pain, but he couldn't change the past. He said in a deep voice: "Madam Gu, I understand your feelings. But blaming me now won't solve the problem. Why don't we work together to find your sister's whereabouts."

Gu Zhiyi hesitated for a moment, then nodded slowly: "Okay, I'm willing to cooperate with you. But you have to promise me that you will do your best."

Ji Yinli nodded seriously: "I promise you."