Chapter 72 What are your plans?

Dirty, bloody, and blank.

Gu Songnian frowned repeatedly, tucking a handkerchief around his nose, and asked the person in front of him, "What's going on?"

Because of the fight, Gu Songnian was forced to kneel in the ancestral hall for three days straight. Gu Chunling fared even worse; after being punished by his grandmother, his mother would punish him again, and he was sent to the Buddhist hall as soon as he came out of the ancestral hall.

Originally, Gu Songnian was supposed to be confined to her quarters after leaving the ancestral hall, but her father was right there beside her. He doted on her the most, and he could argue with her even more than she could with her mother, so she was spared.

Kneeling in the ancestral hall isn't really kneeling; you can occasionally loosen your legs, but it's three days in total. Most of the time you're still kneeling, kneeling until you're dizzy and disoriented. Afterwards, you can't even move, let alone walk, and you lie on the bed groaning in pain.

I suffered a great deal, but I was happy inside.

Because her arch-rival was in an even worse situation than her.

Her arch-enemy couldn't get out, but she could. So even though she hadn't recovered, she still had to go out. She even arranged for someone to go to her arch-enemy's side to tell him, afraid that he wouldn't know.

She's out, but where to go? There's nowhere in Xingdu she hasn't been before.

The maid gave her an idea, saying that today is the fifteenth, and there is a market next to Huguo Temple. Miss has never been there before, so why not go and have a look? I went there with relatives a few years ago, and it was very lively. The stalls stretched as far as the eye could see.

Gu Songnian remained silent for a moment after hearing this.

Huguo Temple...

It has indeed been many years since I last went there.

I don't go to places where the lower classes congregate.

The girl didn't dare to speak.

The other maids remained silent.

Everyone remained silent until the driver outside spoke up, asking, "Where to?"

"Go to Huguo Temple."

Go to Huguo Temple, but not the market.

Xishan has beautiful scenery; even without Huguo Temple, it's still worth a visit.

The girls rarely had the chance to go out, let alone in the wild, so they all had a great time. Some of the bolder ones even took off their shoes and ran into the water to catch snails. Gu Songnian, however, just sat on a rock by the water, lost in thought.

He just sat there.

It took until someone next to her reminded her that the stone was cold and she would get sick if she sat on it any longer.

The stone was round, and it was difficult to place a cushion on it, so she sat directly on the stone.

It was indeed a bit chilly and damp.

So he stood up.

Just as I was looking for something to do, I saw a shadow running wildly in the distance, as if it were being chased by something.

Of course there are wild animals in the mountains, especially since this place is so desolate.

He called out to Ayun, pointed with his chin, and said, "See that? Go take a look and lend a hand. Let's accumulate some good karma before Buddha."

I only asked you to help chase away wild animals, how did you end up bringing two people over?

Upon closer inspection, lo and behold, it was someone I knew! He was so disheveled I almost didn't recognize him.

Hearing her master ask, A-Yun lifted her foot slightly.

A woman with her hands and feet bound rolled straight up to Gu Songnian.

Gu Songnian rolled his eyes, clutching his handkerchief. That A-Yun! How could she do such a thing! He couldn't be bothered with her.

"Tell me, what happened?"

The woman also had a blank look on her face, just like the other one, but even worse, with saliva dripping straight down her face.

How disgusting!

Ask another question, but although the other one didn't drool, it was clear that it was also unreliable.

She could only turn to look at A-Yun, who was cold and aloof. When A-Yun looked at her, she also looked back with a cold face, but she didn't say a word.

Are you mute?

Gu Songnian said bitterly.

"I'll replace you tomorrow and find someone who knows how to please people. Do you think you're something unique?"

Ayun is a bodyguard with excellent skills. He has been with Gu Songnian for a long time. Gu Zheng found him for his daughter. If Ayun is not by his side, Gu Zheng will not allow his daughter to go out.

Ah Yun spoke up, “When I arrived, someone was about to do something indecent to that girl. I immediately intervened, intending to injure his shoulder, but he suddenly bent his head, and the dart pierced his neck. He bled to death on the spot. I was just about to bring that girl back to report when this woman suddenly rushed out. Seeing the corpse, she screamed for me to give her son's life back…” As she spoke, the woman, who had been lying quietly on the ground, suddenly let out a bloodcurdling scream, followed by a frantic struggle like a fish out of water, “Give me back my son's life! Give me back my son's life! Give it back to me! Give it back to me!”

The voice was shrill, sharp, and venomous.

"Gag her! It sounds awful!"

Even with the gag in place, she kept shouting, "Mmm mmm mmm."

"Knock her out!"

Finally, it's quiet.

Gu Songnian took a long breath and then exhaled.

The noise was so loud it felt like her head was going to split open.

What bad luck! I went out happily, and then this happened.

"Is there anything you'd like to say?"

Let's get this over with quickly, she needs to go back.

Shanlai is much better now. Although his head still hurts terribly, his soul is still inside his body and he can hear people talking.

"...They were kidnappers, they wanted to kidnap me, I kept running, I ran all the way here..."

His voice was so hoarse that each word sounded like it was being ground against sand.

Upon hearing this, Gu Songnian immediately cursed, "What an idiot! When you encounter kidnappers, you don't go to crowded places, you run into the wilderness! What would you have done if you hadn't met us? You wouldn't have died in vain! You'd have died stupidly!"

“They told people they were my family members, and that they kidnapped me because I was eloping with someone. I was afraid to go into crowds, afraid they would kidnap me too.”

Gu Songnian was embarrassed and didn't bother to say anything more, only asking, "What are your plans?"

Shanlai didn't react for a moment.

Gu Songnian looked at her and said, "You're a girl. If you encounter kidnappers when you go out, even if you're saved, even if we testify for you, your reputation will be ruined. If you can accept it, that's fine. If you can't accept it... You're a perfectly good person. There's no need to ruin your reputation because of two kidnappers. If you ask me, since no one saw it anyway, killing one or two is the same. Just kill them both and be done with it once and for all. As long as it's handled cleanly, there will be no future troubles. If there are any, I'll take the blame. I can handle it."

This is actually the best solution. The two people claimed to be looking for their daughter, and so many people believed them. However, Shanlai has no relatives, so this matter has nothing to do with Yao Shanlai. As long as she goes back, finds Uncle Wang as usual, and takes a carriage back to the Liu family, the problem will be solved once and for all, with no future troubles.

but.

Shanlai is, after all, a Buddhist disciple. She has read many Buddhist scriptures. She can save people, but she certainly cannot kill them. Although she did not do it herself, the person died right in front of her and she did not stop it. So she is also a murderer, even if the person deserved to die.

It's definitely impossible.

This person can die, but not because of her.

"Let's hand her over to the authorities. She's a kidnapper and so cunning; she must have done a lot of evil. Countless people have been torn apart because of her. Let's hand her over to the authorities and have them interrogate her. If she confesses, we can find out where those she harmed are now, find them, and send them home to reunite with their families."

This was a good idea, but Gu Songnian remained silent after hearing it.

Shanlai did indeed have selfish motives.

Thinking that her selfish motives had been exposed and that she had angered the young lady, she quickly said, "Please forgive me, Miss. I am not ungrateful, nor am I pretending to be kind and righteous to take advantage of your good intentions... I just feel that the authorities will surely punish her severely. Since that's the case, I don't want her blood to stain my clothes, as if I were carrying her life on my shoulders..."

“No,” the young lady said. “I didn’t think that way. I just think you’re right. It would be better to send them to the authorities so that the victims can go home…”

She spoke slowly and softly, which made her words sound exceptionally sincere.

Shanlai was finally relieved.

"You all have no sense of propriety!" Gu Songnian shouted to her maid in the distance, "What are you all doing huddled there? Come and help! Can't you see she's covered in injuries?"

She spoke, and the maids, no matter how scared they were, could no longer hide. They hurriedly went to the carriage to fetch things: medicine, clean water, clean cloth, a basin, a mirror, a comb, cosmetics...

A maid asked, "Shall we change this young lady's clothes?"

There were only Gu Songnian's change of clothes in the carriage; the maid dared not make the decision.

Gu Songnian said, "Who do you take me for? Do you think I'm the kind of person who can't bear to part with my clothes?"

The maid understood and immediately took the clothes and curtains and went downstairs.

Before long, Shanlai was dressed up and no longer looked as disheveled as before.

Gu Songnian asked her, "Where would be the best place to take you?"

Shanlai thought for a moment and replied, "The person who was supposed to pick me up is still at the market. I think I should go back to Huguo Temple."

Gu Songnian had already figured out that this wasn't a foolish person, so she didn't need to worry about him. She nodded and said, "Then I'll take you to Huguo Temple. Come on up." She invited Shanlai to ride with her.

Now that things have come to this point, it would be pointless to talk about the difference between superiors and inferiors, so Shanlai didn't say much, thanked him, and got into the carriage.

The carriage of the young lady from the noble family was spacious and comfortable, and there was a fragrant breeze, the fragrance of which seemed to carry the scent of wine, intoxicating and making one feel dizzy. She felt her body becoming lighter and lighter, as light as an autumn feather, slowly drifting down from a high place. Her gaze followed her down from a high place, until it could not go any lower... She suddenly collapsed in the carriage, her eyes closed, of course, without her own awareness.

Gu Songnian knew, but said nothing and let her fall asleep until the carriage arrived at the gate of Huguo Temple.

He felt a pang of reluctance, but with such a crucial matter at hand, there was no time to waste, so Gu Songnian had no choice but to steel himself and shake the person awake.

"Get up, we've arrived."

Shan Lai woke up with a start, sat up abruptly, and stared blankly at him.

Gu Songnian had no choice but to remind him again.

Shanlai hurriedly got up, intending to go downstairs.

Of course, you should thank your benefactor before going down.

"I will never forget your life-saving grace. If you ever need my help in the future, I will do my utmost."

"If you're going to give your all, then my family will probably be ruined, and there's nothing you can do about it, so there's no point in saying such things."

The young lady is outspoken and doesn't care about giving people face.

Shanlai could only manage a bitter smile.

"Go home and get a good night's sleep. Just treat today's events as a dream, and forget about them when you wake up."

Shanlai thanked him again, and then prepared to leave.

But Gu Songnian stared at her face, and for some reason she didn't dare to move, remaining there as her benefactor scrutinized her.

After a while, Shanlai heard a sentence.

"It doesn't look like it at all..."

"What did you say, Miss?"

"...It's nothing, you can go back now."

Shanlai agreed, thanked him again, and turned to climb out of the carriage. Through the curtain, Shanlai heard voices again, but they were muffled and he couldn't make out what they were saying at all.

This young lady is difficult to deal with; it's best not to cause trouble.

So he got off the carriage and stood respectfully watching his benefactor's carriage leave.

Once the carriage was out of sight, Shanlai began to walk down the mountain. Her foot was injured, and every step was painful, but she had to pretend that nothing had happened. Even when she returned to the market, she maintained a calm demeanor.

The market was completely free of chaos. Everyone was doing their jobs in an orderly manner, buying and selling, strolling around, and bargaining. It was peaceful and harmonious, with no sign of crisis.

This time, Shanlai successfully reached the carriage.

Wang Liu was sitting in the car. When he saw her, he quickly jumped down and greeted her with a smile, "Have you finished your business, young lady?"

Shanlai smiled and nodded, saying that it was done.

"Shall we go back?"

"go back."

Wang Liu agreed and put down the stool.

As Shan Lai walked over and stepped onto the stool, Wang Liu suddenly exclaimed in surprise, "Why does it seem like the young lady has changed her clothes?"

Shanlai turned around on the stool to face Wang Liu directly and said with a smile, "I don't know how to count this. Logically speaking, it should be considered bad luck. A young lady bought some food at the market before entering the temple. She was fried cakes and couldn't wait, so she started eating them in the temple. She felt it was inappropriate and ate them furtively. When she saw someone, she panicked and bumped into me, ruining my clothes. She said she would compensate me with a new one, which is the one I'm wearing now. It's made of satin and is much better than my old one. What do you think, Uncle? It was because she was waiting for her maid to come down and get the clothes that she was delayed. Uncle didn't know that her maid was just as clumsy as her mistress. She didn't look where she was going on her way back and took the wrong path. I was waiting there, and I was so anxious. I'm sorry to have kept you waiting."

"Please don't say that, young lady. I only have this easy job because of you. How could I dare to say I'm waiting for a long time? Since this dress is made of satin, it is naturally good. However, this doesn't mean we are getting a good deal. Aren't your dresses also made of satin?"

"But this one is new."

"Oh my! It seems you really like this dress, young lady. I won't say any more. But speaking of which, you've actually turned misfortune into blessing. You don't know how much trouble there was earlier! A girl tried to elope, but luckily her family found out and brought her back. Tell me, would your own flesh and blood harm her? She didn't know that, and she kept causing trouble, even accusing her mother and brother of kidnapping. Later, she even smashed up a lot of stalls. She's really cunning! In the end, she still managed to run away. I wonder how things are now. It was quite a spectacle. The mess has only just been cleaned up. If you had come down earlier, you might have been blocked by the crowd of onlookers!"

"Such a thing is unbelievable! Did you see it with your own eyes, Uncle?"

"There were too many people, so I didn't see them very clearly, but I heard a lot about it from other people later."

"Oh, I see. What did you hear, Uncle? How old is that girl? Who did she elope with? And..."

She asked a lot of questions, as if it were really someone else's business and she knew nothing about it.