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

Chapter 147 Guests

After spending a whole morning, Gu Zhiyi finally calculated all her visible assets.

Gu Zhiyi sighed softly, and gently placed the abacus in her hand on the table, with a trace of fatigue in her eyes. She raised her head and looked at the blue sky outside the window, but her heart was filled with sorrow.

At this moment, there was a gentle knock on the door, and then Green Radish pushed the door open and walked in, holding a cup of hot tea in her hand.

She placed the teacup in front of Gu Zhiyi and said softly, "Madam, you have worked hard. Have a sip of tea."

Gu Zhiyi smiled slightly, took the teacup, and said softly: "Luluo, go and ask the eldest lady to come over. I have something to discuss with her."

Luoluo nodded and left the room. After a while, the eldest lady of Ningguo Mansion, Ji, came in. Ji was about 40 years old, with a dignified face and decent manners. She looked at Gu Zhiyi and asked earnestly, "Sister, is there anything bothering you?"

Gu Zhiyi put down the teacup, sighed, and said, "Sister, do you know what I was calculating this morning? I was calculating our apparent assets. Now, I have been calculating for the entire morning, but I found that our family's assets have actually decreased by 30%."

Ji's face changed, and she asked in surprise, "How could this happen? The family's expenses have always been carefully calculated. Could it be that someone is embezzling money?"

Gu Zhiyi shook her head and said, "That's not the case. I calculated again and again and found that it was due to the recent loss of Ningguo Duke's business. Now, Ningguo Duke's Mansion is probably in a tight spot."

Ji thought for a moment and said, "Sister, this matter is serious and we must not act rashly. I have a good friend who is good at financial management and may be able to help us through this difficult time."

Gu Zhiyi's eyes lit up and she said, "Sister, are you talking about Mr. Zhao?"

Ji nodded and said, "That's right. Mr. Zhao is proficient in financial management. If he can help, our family's wealth will surely recover."

Soon, Mr. Zhao arrived at the Ningguo Mansion, and Gu Zhiyi and Ji personally went out to greet him. Mr. Zhao was about fifty years old, vigorous and extraordinary. When he saw Gu Zhiyi and Ji, he smiled and bowed, saying, "Madams, Zhao is honored."

Gu Zhiyi and Ji hurriedly returned the greeting and invited Mr. Zhao into the flower hall. After the host and guest sat down, Gu Zhiyi said, "Mr. Zhao, my family has encountered difficulties recently. I hope you can give me some advice."

Mr. Zhao smiled and said, "You are welcome, ladies. I have heard about your family's situation and am willing to do my best to help you through this difficult time."

Ji said, "Mr. Zhao, do you know anything about my family's financial situation?"

Mr. Zhao shook his head and said, "I only know the general idea. The two ladies will need to tell me the specific details."

Gu Zhiyi and Ji told Mr. Zhao the truth about their family's property situation. After listening, Mr. Zhao pondered for a moment and said, "Madams, in my opinion, although your family's property has been damaged, as long as you manage it properly, you still have a chance to turn things around. I have a few suggestions, what do you think?"

Gu Zhiyi and Ji looked at each other and nodded, "Mr. Zhao, please go ahead."

After listening to Mr. Zhao's suggestion, Gu Zhiyi and Ji both felt that it was feasible.

With the help of Mr. Zhao, Gu Zhiyi and Ji Shi began to make large-scale adjustments to the Ningguo Mansion's property. They calculated carefully and increased income and reduced expenditure.

……

The next day.

Gu Zhiyi glanced at the bright sunshine outside the window and told Luluo, "Serve the tea, there are guests coming."

As soon as the words fell, Luluo responded briskly and turned to walk towards the tea room. The sunlight shone through the window lattice, shining on her face, reflecting a faint blush.

After a while, Luluo came back with a pot of steaming hot tea and several exquisite teacups. She placed the tea sets neatly and poured a cup of tea for Gu Zhiyi. Gu Zhiyi gently picked up the teacup and smiled softly, "Luluo, your skills are getting better and better. This tea is just right."

Luoluo smiled shyly and said, "Madam, you are too kind. I only know a little bit. By the way, Madam, who is the guest you are talking about?"

Gu Zhiyi put down the teacup and frowned slightly: "It's the second son of Ningguo Mansion, Xie Yunce. He came to visit suddenly, and I don't know why."

Luoluo covered her mouth in surprise: "Second Young Master? Hasn't he been training in the frontier? Why did he come back suddenly?"

Gu Zhiyi sighed softly: "Yeah, I find it strange too. But since he's here, we have to entertain him."

As soon as he finished speaking, Xie Yunce pushed the door open and walked in. He was dressed in military uniform, looking heroic, with a strong sense of confidence between his eyebrows. Seeing Gu Zhiyi and Luluo, he smiled slightly and said, "Mother, Luluo, you have worked hard."

Gu Zhiyi stood up to greet him and asked with concern: "Yunce, why did you come back so suddenly? Have you dealt with the border affairs?"

Xie Yunce picked up the teacup and chuckled, "Mother, the border issues have been dealt with almost completely. I came back this time mainly to learn about the situation at home, and to visit you and Luoluo by the way."

Luoluo stared at Xie Yunce with wide eyes, and a warm feeling welled up in her heart. She couldn't help but interrupt and said, "Second Master, you must be having a hard time out there, right?"

Xie Yunce patted Luoluo's shoulder gently and said, "Yes, life in the frontier is indeed very hard, but when I think of you at home, I feel that all the sadness can be endured."

Gu Zhiyi looked at her son, feeling both relieved and worried.

After chatting for a while, Xie Yunce suddenly changed the subject: "Mom, I heard that something happened at home recently. Did someone bully you?"

Gu Zhiyi smiled slightly and said, "Yunce, you have grown up and become sensible. You don't have to worry about things at home. Mother knows her limits."

Xie Yunce frowned and said, "Mother, I came back this time just to protect you. If anyone dares to bully you, I will never let him go easily."

Luoluo widened her eyes, secretly surprised by Xie Yunce's words.

Xie Yunce has always had a strong sense of justice, and whenever he encounters something unfair, he is always the first to stand up.

Gu Zhiyi patted Xie Yunce's hand gently and said, "Yunce, I believe in your ability. However, there are some things that you don't have to intervene in. Mother is confident that she can handle it well."

Xie Yunce was silent for a while, then nodded: "Mother, I am relieved. However, if you encounter any difficulties, you must tell me and I will come back immediately."

After three rounds of tea, Xie Yunce stood up to say goodbye. Gu Zhiyi and Luluo saw him off and watched him go away. Back in the room, Gu Zhiyi looked at Luluo and said, "Luluo, Yunce has grown up, and mother has grown old. From now on, you have to take care of the family affairs."

Green Rose's eyes were red, and she said, "Madam, don't worry, I will do my best to take care of you and not let you worry."

Gu Zhiyi patted Luluo's hand gently and said with a smile: "Good boy, I believe you."