Seeing this, Gu Qinlan asked gently, "Are you troubled by your mother's situation?"
Zheng Huaiyu gently bit her lip and nodded: "I am deeply resentful of her ingratitude back then, but at the same time, I feel uneasy. If she hadn't remarried back then, how could our family have ended up like this?"
Gu Qinlan calmly analyzed, "However, if she hadn't remarried, she might be full of resentment now, feeling that her whole life has been dragged down by you. Her purpose in coming here is not out of regret for remarrying, but in hoping that the Zheng family can support her and allow her to live a peaceful life in the Lou family."
"If she is doing well in the Lou family, she will never think of the Zheng family. On the contrary, she will be eager to sever ties with the Zheng family and show her loyalty and devotion to Lou Yongwei."
Her words were like sharp blades, piercing straight to the heart, showing no mercy.
Upon hearing this, Zheng Huaiyu felt even more heavy-hearted.
Gu Qinlan smiled and continued, "So, what are you hesitating about? What's the point of torturing yourself for someone who no longer cares about you?"
"Everything she's going through now is her own choice, and she has no one to blame but herself."
“I bet if the Zheng family intervenes to help her today, she might be grateful for the time being. However, if Lou Yongwei tries to curry favor with her even slightly, she will immediately turn around and blame the Zheng family for being too harsh and causing harm to her husband.”
A hint of contempt flashed in Gu Qinlan's eyes, and her tone revealed undisguised disdain: "Despite her noble status as your mother, I can't help but speak frankly. Her character is truly despicable. She only cares about her own interests, lacks a sense of responsibility, and has absolutely no foresight."
"Judging from the current situation, her change of course may not be a bad thing for you two siblings."
Zheng Huaiyu looked at her in astonishment: "A blessing? Don't you know how much ridicule and mockery my brother and I have suffered in front of everyone just because she remarried?"
Gu Qinlan responded casually, "So what? It's their business what other people say. Who can control what they say? Even if she didn't remarry, wouldn't those who want to mock you find other things to say?"
"The reason I think this is a good thing is because such a mother not only cannot provide you with any real help, but may even become a stumbling block to your progress. Think about it carefully: if you become like her in the future, can you tolerate becoming that kind of person?"
Zheng Huaiyu imagined what it would be like if he turned into Zou Shi in the future...
She couldn't help but shudder and quickly shook her head in denial: "I would never want to become like her!"
Gu Qinlan gave a calm smile: "Since ancient times, women have had a more difficult life than men. It is not wrong for women to want to change their fate through marriage. However, if they place all their hopes on men, they will only end up like your mother."
"Most men in the world are fickle, and if women do not strive for independence and perseverance, they will inevitably suffer the fate of being abandoned."
Zheng Huaiyu gently bit her lip, her expression suggesting she had something to say but dared not speak.
Gu Qinlan smiled slightly, as if she could see through her thoughts: "Are you trying to say that the reason I am where I am today is because I changed my fate through marriage?"
Zheng Huaiyu smiled awkwardly, afraid of offending Gu Qinlan.
Gu Qinlan, however, didn't care at all: "By worldly standards, my marriage into the Duan Prince's mansion is indeed an example of turning my life around through marriage. But do you think I'm the kind of person who needs to rely on a man to survive? Do you think I can't survive without the Duan Prince's mansion and Prince Zheng?"
Zheng Huaiyu was taken aback for a moment, then decisively shook his head: "You don't need to rely on the Duan Prince's Mansion."
She suddenly realized why Gu Qinlan, the daughter of a merchant, was still so resilient, proud, and arrogant after marrying into the Prince Duan's mansion, without any sense of inferiority or dependence on the powerful.
The reason is simple: she never placed her hopes on the Prince Duan's mansion.
She has ample confidence and strength, and even without the protection of the Prince Duan's mansion, she can still live a carefree and comfortable life, and may even be more carefree.
Because she had a clear understanding of the current state of the Prince Duan's residence.
For Gu Qinlan, the Prince Duan's mansion was like a heavy burden, a trouble she couldn't shake off.
Gu Qinlan smiled, her eyes revealing a resolute light: "Therefore, a woman should always have her own confidence and self-assurance. In this way, even if her husband cannot be relied upon in the future, we can still stand on our own two feet in this world."
"You must remember that you should never place your hopes on others. Only you can save yourself. If you rely on others, they may leave; if you rely on mountains, the mountains may collapse. Only yourself is the most solid and reliable pillar."
Zheng Huaiyu was stunned and asked in confusion, "Is this really the truth?"
This is completely different from the education she received from childhood.
Throughout her upbringing, those around her always told her that when she grew up, she should find the most outstanding man, make her husband her head, be a good wife and mother, and once her husband achieved great success, she would also be honored.
However, Gu Qinlan is now telling her that she should rely on herself.
Zheng Huaiyu felt that Gu Qinlan's words made sense, but at the same time, he lacked confidence in his own abilities.
Gu Qinlan stood up, her gaze sharp as she stared at the sky: "Throughout history, countless men have been unreliable. Women should cherish the lofty ambitions of Mulan. Rather than helping others climb to the top, it's better to earn your own fortune!"
Her voice wasn't loud, but Zheng Huaiyu felt as if a thunderbolt had struck, deeply shocking him.
At that very moment, her confidence sprouted like a spring bud breaking through the soil.
“Mother, I long to learn real skills from you.”
This was the first time Zheng Yu had sincerely addressed Gu Qinlan as "mother."
Gu Qinlan turned her head and gave her a warm smile: "Want to learn skills from me? That's not impossible, but you must pass my test. After all, if your will is not strong and your strength is insufficient, you will only waste my time."
Zheng Huaiyu's eyes shone brightly: "How will Mother test me? I firmly believe I can meet the standard!"
Gu Qinlan said slowly, "First of all, you have to meet Granny Zhang's strict standards within two months. You know how strict Granny Zhang is. If you can meet the standards in such a short time, that will be enough to prove your determination."
Zheng Huaiyu nodded resolutely, his gaze firm: "Absolutely no problem! And what about the second task?"
Gu Qinlan spoke slowly, her tone revealing a hint of seriousness: "In the next six months, you must master the art of housekeeping and become proficient in managing household affairs. To truly master a skill, you must have the ability to coordinate the overall situation, and managing the inner quarters is the best way to hone this ability."
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