After all, it was Gu Qinlan who sacrificed all for her. The Zhao family's protection of Zhao Qingyu stemmed from blood ties and family interests.
But Gu Qinlan was only his sister-in-law.
Can you find another sister-in-law as selfless as her in the world?
Zheng Huiyi was certain that she had never heard of any sister-in-law who would do such a thing to her sister-in-law.
Before Gu Qinlan's status as her brother's wife was firmly established, there were actually few vested interests between her and her brother, who was not yet married to her. All her actions stemmed from the most sincere feelings deep within this sister-in-law's heart. This commitment was made entirely by her alone, without consulting any member of the Zheng family.
It cannot be ignored that undertaking such a significant matter, with the family's reputation as collateral, is an extremely risky undertaking. A mistake could invite retaliation from family members. However, the sister-in-law showed no hesitation whatsoever.
Frankly speaking, if she were in Gu Qinlan's situation, she would find it difficult to do so. She might be morally motivated to take better care of her sister-in-law, but beyond that, she would be neither capable nor courageous.
Therefore, she could feel the depth of Gu Qinlan's feelings even more deeply.
Zheng Huiyi embraced Gu Qinlan with deep gratitude, her eyes glistening with tears, and said in a choked voice, "Sister-in-law, I must have accumulated good karma over many lifetimes to meet such a wonderful sister-in-law like you in this life. I, Zheng Huiyi, could never repay your kindness in this lifetime."
Gu Qinlan smiled and replied, "We're family, what's the point of these formalities?"
Zheng Huiyi said firmly, "Even blood relatives like my own brothers and sisters would find it hard to be as selfless as you. Sister-in-law, if it weren't for you, I might have already taken my own life. I can live so openly and honestly now, all thanks to you for shielding me from those storms. Sister-in-law, you are like a second mother to me. I feel extremely ashamed when I think back to how disrespectful I was to you."
She was always puzzled as to why her sister-in-law, who was about the same age as her, seemed so mature and wise, while she herself seemed to be still a naive child.
Gu Qinlan chuckled inwardly.
In her previous life, she was over thirty years old when she passed away. If she had children, Zheng Huiyi would be about the same age as them.
Therefore, she never regarded Zheng Huiyi as a peer, but rather as her own child.
Who would argue with their own child over trivial matters?
Gu Qinlan gently ruffled her hair: "You must remember the lessons of the past and act cautiously, but there is no need to be overly restrained. You must remember that as long as you do the right thing and sit upright, even if the sky falls and the earth collapses, even if the Zheng family is gone, I will still hold up a sky for you."
"Huaiyu is the same. I hope that you sisters will grow up strong and healthy in the future, not only to protect yourselves, but also to protect those around you and provide them with a safe haven."
Both girls nodded emphatically.
In the past, they always believed that as daughters of the Zheng family, the Zheng family would always be their strong support, no matter what.
But today, they have come to a deeper understanding.
The daughters of the Zheng family should be like the sons. Although they cannot fight on the battlefield and defend the country like their fathers and brothers, they can protect the weak and defend their homeland.
From that day on, the two daughters of the Zheng family became more composed.
Zheng Huiyi, in particular, has undergone the most significant transformation. She is no longer clumsy and has learned to conceal her thoughts and not easily reveal her emotions. She treats her superiors with propriety and is kind and tolerant towards her subordinates.
The person most excited about Zheng Huiyi's changes was none other than Granny Zhang.
In the past, Granny Zhang often gritted her teeth in anger because of Zheng Huiyi's willfulness. If it weren't for Gu Qinlan's sake, she would have resigned long ago. Although she stayed later, she didn't have high expectations for Zheng Huiyi.
However, after Zheng Huiyi returned, she did undergo a significant transformation.
As the saying goes, "It is easier to change mountains and rivers than to change one's nature." In the eyes of others, Zheng Huiyi's performance has always failed to meet her expectations.
But recently, Zheng Huiyi has transformed like a butterfly emerging from its cocoon, completely renewed! What's even more admirable is that this change was voluntary on her part, which undoubtedly makes people look at her with new respect.
With unwavering determination, Granny Zhang vowed to mold Zheng Huiyi into a second Gu Qinlan.
However, Gu Qinlan disagreed.
She wasn't acting out of jealousy, but because she firmly believed that everyone should stay true to themselves, rather than be a shadow of others.
Zheng Huiyi's personality is completely different from Gu Qinlan's. Suppressing her natural instincts during her upbringing was not a blessing for her.
“Granny, you only need to guide her according to her nature, without taking me as a benchmark. She is herself and does not need to become a second Gu Qinlan. Besides, I am just an ordinary person with no special abilities.”
After listening, Granny Zhang felt she had benefited greatly. She went back and thought it over carefully, and then she understood what to do.
With her meticulous guidance, Zheng Huiyi's progress became increasingly remarkable.
Time flies, and the day for Gu Qinlan's adoption ceremony arrived in the blink of an eye. The Zhao family attached great importance to this adoption of their adopted daughter and specially chose an auspicious day, the 22nd day of the twelfth lunar month, the day before the Lunar New Year.
Three days ago, the Zhao family sent out invitations to all parties, inviting them to attend the ceremony.
The families who received the invitations were all quite surprised.
"What exactly are the Zhao and Zheng families up to? Gu Qinlan is already married, why do they still want to become godparents?"
"Hmph, the Zhao family is truly cunning. By acknowledging Gu Qinlan, the daughter of a merchant, isn't that the same as gaining Zheng Dinglian as a son-in-law?"
"In the imperial court, besides the affection between fathers and sons and brothers, the relationship between fathers-in-law and sons-in-law is also solid and reliable."
"It has to be said that the Zhao family is really resourceful. With this operation, Zheng Dinglian will be their son-in-law in the future."
"Do you think the Zhao family has secretly sided with some prince? Otherwise, why would they suddenly adopt such a daughter?"
Everyone was speculating, feeling that the Zhao and Zheng families must have some grand scheme.
Otherwise, how could two families who had no connection before suddenly become so close? And not only are they close, but they've also become godparents. This is truly perplexing.
Some even speculate that at least one of these two families has already pledged allegiance to a certain prince in an attempt to win over the other.
Some even asserted that the actions of these two families would likely arouse the emperor's suspicion.
Despite everyone's own speculations, on the actual day, they all brought gifts to witness the ceremony.
Gu Qinlan moved into the Zhao family's house a day early.
The courtyard that the Zhao family prepared for her was adjacent to Zhao Qingyu's courtyard, and was similar in size. Everything inside was just like Zhao Qingyu's, without any carelessness.
The next morning, Gu Qinlan accompanied Madam Zhao to greet the guests.
Madam Zhao, accompanied by her two daughters, greeted the ladies and introduced the guests' identities to Gu Qinlan in detail.
In fact, Gu Qinlan was already familiar with these ladies, and even knew what their future would be like.
For example, the woman surnamed Mo who was eyeing her—four years later, her husband was dismissed and investigated for involvement in a corruption case. Ultimately, the entire Mo family was exiled, and Mrs. Mo died in prison.
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