Chapter 25: She wished Zhou Linjin’s eyes would never be healed again…

Three days later, Yang and his group set off.

Zhou Linjin and Shen Lianxiu sent them to the villa together. The villa was not far away and one day was enough for the round trip. Yang even arranged for a group of people to go to Baoguang Temple outside the capital to worship Buddha and burn incense. Baoguang Temple was near the villa, so it was just right to go to the villa after burning incense. After lunch, they let Zhou Linjin and others go back.

Several people left the city at dawn at the hour of Mao and arrived at Baoguang Temple at three quarters past seven, which was the time when there were the most pilgrims.

Baoguang Temple knew that someone from Duke Cheng's Mansion was coming, so they asked a young monk to wait for them at the mountain gate and lead them inside.

Once you enter Baoguang Temple, you will notice that even though there are many pilgrims and tourists around, there is little noise. In addition, Baoguang Temple is built in the mountains, surrounded by tall trees with green shade covering the sky, making the environment even more quiet and peaceful, as if you have entered another world.

Yang was accompanied by Zhou Yishao to talk to the abbot about something, leaving Zhou Linjin and Shen Lianxiu with Zhu'er. Shen Lianxiu saw that the pilgrims were burning incense and worshiping Buddha in the main hall, so she also planned to go and pay her respects.

She had originally planned to go alone, but it was not convenient to leave Zhou Linjin alone to look after Zhu'er, so she asked, "Do you want to go together?"

Chen Lianxiu thought Zhou Linjin wouldn't want to go, but he nodded unexpectedly.

So Chen Lianxiu took Zhou Linjin's hand in one hand and Zhu'er's hand in the other and walked into the main hall. Fortunately, there were fewer pilgrims in the hall at that time, so after waiting for a while, it was their turn.

Zhu'er first knelt down like the pilgrims, then clasped her little hands together, pretended to close her eyes, quickly opened them again, and got up from the ground.

"Uncle, aunt, I have made my wish!" Pearl looked up and said to them, "You should make your wish too!"

Chen Lianxiu asked Zhu'er to stand aside and wait for them, and then stood next to Zhou Linjin.

She didn't say anything to Zhou Linjin in advance. Anyway, she had led him to the place, and it was his own business as to what to do.

Who would have thought that it was such a coincidence that just as Chen Lianxiu knelt down, Zhou Linjin also knelt down.

He couldn't see, so naturally he didn't know what the two were doing. However, Chen Lianxiu glanced at him, then quickly looked away, fearing that he was not sincere enough in front of the Bodhisattva.

Chen Lianxiu clasped his hands together and bowed three times respectfully.

What wish do you want to make?

Chen Lianxiu opened his eyes and first looked at the golden Buddha in front of him.

Of course, she hoped that her substitutionary marriage would not be discovered, never discovered.

But if she made this wish, did it mean... that she wanted Zhou Linjin's eyes to never get better?

It's either this or that, there is no third option.

The sound of chanting came from nowhere, seeping into Shen Lianxiu's mind like a cold spring. Her mind gradually became clear and bright. Thousands of thoughts flashed through her mind, and she turned her head to look at Zhou Linjin beside her.

At this moment, Zhou Linjin had also finished his worship and was closing his eyes, as if he was making a wish.

Shen Lianxiu closed her eyes again.

She solemnly recited a sentence in her heart. She hoped that Zhou Linjin's eyes would get better soon and he could see the light again.

There were still many pilgrims waiting behind. After Chen Lianxiu made his wish, he quickly got up. The three of them waited together for a while, and then Yang and Zhou Yishao came back.

Yang had been worried about family matters for days, but now she looked much more relaxed. She said to them, "I've spoken with the abbot for a while, and I feel much better now. Once we add some more money to the incense offerings, our family will surely prosper in the future, and your father will be safe out there."

Yang's health was not fully recovered after all, and she had gotten up early and traveled, so she was tired. She asked Zhou Yishao to accompany her to the prepared wing room at the back to rest, and took Zhu'er with her as well, leaving Zhou Linjin and Shen Lianxiu behind. After asking them and finding out they didn't feel tired, she asked Zhou Linjin to take Shen Lianxiu for a walk in Baoguang Temple.

When Zhou Linjin was a child, he often came to Baoguang Temple with Yang, so he was very familiar with Baoguang Temple. Even if he was blind, it would not affect him at all. He only needed Chen Lianxiu to lead the way.

Baoguang Temple was built against the mountain, and the treasure hall in front was crowded with tourists. Zhou Linjin took Chen Lianxiu and walked slowly to the back, talking to her about the scenery as they walked.

In late spring, the sun was already quite scorching, but fortunately, there was a gentle breeze in the temple and the ancient trees were dense, making it very comfortable.

Zhou Linjin took Chen Lianxiu through the back hall, and the view in front of him suddenly opened up. There was a small garden deep in the temple. Mountain spring water gurgled down from the mountain wall and was led into a pond to form a clear spring. There were many koi carps in the pond, and many peonies were blooming by the pond, colorful and in various shapes. The trees in the garden were much taller and greener than those they had seen just now.

There are fewer tourists here, only a few feeding fish, admiring flowers, or avoiding the sun under the towering ancient trees.

Upon seeing this, Chen Lianxiu just sighed, but didn't say anything else.

Zhou Linjin pondered the general direction, pointed toward the tallest ancient tree, and asked Chen Lianxiu, "Do you see the tallest tree? It's a camphor tree. I heard it's five or six hundred years old. It's been planted here since the Baoguang Temple was built during the previous dynasty. When I was a child, I came here with my mother and loved playing under this big camphor tree because it was cool there."

Shen Lianxiu nodded: "So that's how it is."

Seeing that she was distracted, Zhou Linjin did not point it out and said, "Go and see the koi. There is a king fish there."

The two went to the pond and took some fish food to feed the fish.

Because it was just a shallow pond, there was no guardrail around it. Zhou Linjin squatted down, leaned out slightly, and reached for the clear spring water in the pond with his hand.

He could no longer see the spring water and could only feel it by touch.

"Be careful not to fall." Shen Lianxiu warned.

Zhou Linjin smiled and said, "I can swim."

Upon hearing this, Chen Lianxiu fell silent again and silently fed the koi with the fish food in her hand.

After making that wish, she felt a little melancholy in her heart. It wasn't sadness, but it wasn't emptiness either. She seemed to feel satisfied.

The wishes people make are what they most hope to come true, so why would she feel disappointed?

But think about it, if that wish doesn’t come true, will she be happy?

She really wanted him to get better, so she made that wish.

No matter how she feels, her heart is true.

It’s not that she is unhappy at this moment, she is just worried about herself at the same time.

"That biggest fish is so old it's losing its teeth," Zhou Linjin continued. "Look at its scales; they're different from the other fish. Ever since I was a kid, everyone's said this koi might one day make it big. But when I came here with my mother last year, it was still like that. See if it's still there now."

Chen Lianxiu looked over and saw the koi that Zhou Linjin had mentioned. It was indeed different from the other koi and could be found at a glance. The color of the scales was also different, the body of the fish was much thicker than other fish, and even the head was bigger.

But Chen Lianxiu still had no interest in such novel things.

Zhou Linjin had noticed her abnormality a long time ago and couldn't help wanting to ask her several times, but he held back in the end. If she wanted to say it, she would say it naturally. If she didn't want to say it, it would be unnecessary for him to ask again. In fact, asking at this time would only make her more upset. It would be better to wait for her to resolve the problem herself.

So Zhou Linjin stopped talking and let her stand there feeding the fish.

After a while, Chen Lianxiu asked him again: "Why are you silent, my dear? Are you tired?"

"It's nothing. I just haven't been to Baoguang Temple for a long time. Just standing there quietly for a while makes me feel relaxed and happy both physically and mentally." Zhou Linjin smiled.

Chen Lianxiu had already finished feeding the fish. She lowered her eyes and watched the fish in the pond swarm around her to eat. She brushed off the fish food stuck on her hands and suddenly said, "My dear, what wish did you make in front of the Buddha just now?"

She didn't have such a strong desire to spy on Zhou Linjin.

She just wanted to ask him herself, and after he told her, he would also ask about her wish, so that she could express what she was thinking.

There has never been a moment like this, she desperately wanted to let him know what she was thinking about, she wanted him to know that the wish she made in front of the Buddha was that he could regain his sight as soon as possible.

After he knew it, when he regained his sight in the future, would he be able to forgive her for deceiving him?

In the past, she was afraid that she would be sent back to the Shen family after he regained his sight, but now what she fears most is that he will not forgive her.

The better and more gentle he treated her, the more she feared his anger in the future when he found out that he had given all his affection to the wrong person.

If he knew she was Shen Lianxiu, would he still be so nice to her?

"I won't tell you," Zhou Linjin shook his head at this time, "What if telling you doesn't work?"

Even this little thought failed on Shen Lianxiu's part.

Since he refused to say anything, she could only swallow her words.

What's more, she was afraid that it wouldn't work after she said it out loud.

The two of them stayed here for a while, then went over to have a vegetarian meal with Yang and the others, and then set off again for the villa.

The temple gate was a short distance away from where the carriage was parked, only about a hundred steps of stone steps, which was no big deal for an adult, but Zhu'er was young and a little tired, so she had to be carried by someone.

Zhu'er grabbed Zhou Linjin and refused to let go, insisting that Zhou Linjin hold her.

Zhou Yishao was helpless. If it were in the past, Zhou Linjin would hold her, and it would not be unusual for an uncle to hold his niece. But now Zhou Linjin is blind, and he might even have difficulty walking on the mountain road. How could he be allowed to hold a three-year-old child?

She was about to explain to Zhu'er and ask her to let go, but she saw Zhou Linjin lean over and pick up Zhu'er who was nestled against his legs, and said, "Just walk slowly."

How could Zhou Yishao let Zhou Linjin take Zhu'er away like this? She wanted to go forward and take Zhu'er back, but Chen Lianxiu stopped her and said, "I'm here. Sister, just take good care of the lady."

After she finished speaking, she took Zhou Linjin's hand that was not holding the child and smiled at Zhou Yishao.

Zhou Yishao didn't insist.

Fortunately, this section of stone steps was built to facilitate pilgrims' walking. Although it is a mountain road, the steps are wide and flat, and it is not difficult to walk on.

After Chen Lianxiu held Zhou Linjin's hand, he took the opportunity to hold her hand and held it in his palm. She walked half a step in front of him. Every time she went down the stairs, he would feel it and use it to judge how to step.

During this short distance, the two men didn't say anything. If it weren't for someone paying attention, no one would have noticed that Zhou Linjin was blind, and Chen Lianxiu was the one who was leading him.

The tacit understanding between the two also prevented passers-by from looking at Zhou Linjin sideways.

When they were about to go down the last few steps, Zhu'er suddenly said to Zhou Linjin, "Uncle, do you want to know what wish Zhu'er just made?"

Chen Lianxiu, who was standing next to him, naturally also heard Zhu'er's words. She was afraid that Zhou Linjin would fall while walking and talking, so she stopped.

Zhou Linjin also stopped and smiled when he heard this: "Zhu'er, aren't you afraid that it won't work if you tell me?"

"Don't be afraid, I'm only telling you." Zhu'er said with a smile, covering her mouth.

Zhou Linjin had no choice but to ask, "What is it?"

Zhu'er continued to cover her mouth, as if someone had heard her, and smiled so hard that her eyebrows and eyes were squeezed together: "I want you to give me a little sister."

As soon as the childish words fell, Zhou Linjin felt the hand he was holding shudder, and then seemed to subconsciously want to pull it away from his hand.

He couldn't see the expression on her face after hearing this. The only thing he could do was tie her hands tightly to prevent her from slipping away.

At this time, Zhu'er said again: "Aunt is blushing."

Zhou Linjin took half a step forward and just walked to Shen Lianxiu's side.

Chen Lianxiu didn't know whether she was feeling guilty or embarrassed. Her scalp was tingling and she was more and more afraid to look at Zhou Linjin. She just stared at the tip of her shoes that were exposed from under her pink pomegranate skirt.

But Zhou Linjin still asked: "Are you shy?"

"No!" Shen Lianxiu really felt her face burning. She didn't know what to say, so she could only shake Zhu'er's little hand and beg for mercy softly, "Zhu'er, don't say that."

Zhu'er blinked her big eyes, which looked very much like Zhou Yishao's, and looked at Chen Lianxiu. Before she could say anything, she heard Zhou Linjin say before Zhu'er: "Zhu'er is not wrong. Don't you want a daughter?"

Chen Lianxiu opened her mouth and found that she had been set up by Zhou Linjin, and no matter what she answered, it would be wrong.

She was also anxious for a moment and said, "We haven't..."

"Why do you say this in front of the child?" Zhou Linjin interrupted her, gently pinched her palm, and said slowly.

Chen Lianxiu looked at his handsome and elegant face, which now had a faint smile on it, and suddenly wanted to step on him to avenge herself for not being able to argue with him.

Fortunately, Yang and Zhou Yishao had already reached the bottom. Seeing the three of them still there, Zhou Yishao called out to them, "Why don't you come down? It's going to rain!"

The two of them then restrained their expressions, and fell silent at the same time, and walked down the stairs together as before.

It is a little more open here. Through the gaps in the shade of the trees above your head, you can see that the sun has been covered by dark clouds, and the clouds are getting thicker.

"The weather is so unpredictable." Yang muttered, and then asked them to get on the carriage and head down the mountain.

The villa is only half an hour's walk from Baoguang Temple. Once you go down the mountain, you can reach it by walking a little further.

But unfortunately, they encountered heavy rain on the way, and the rain only subsided after they arrived at the villa.

Zhou Linjin and Shen Lianxiu had not originally planned to stay overnight in the villa. They had originally planned to go there and come back on the same day. At least it was still early and they could get back to the capital before nightfall. Yang did not let them rest and urged them to leave quickly while the rain had subsided.

However, the servant said that the shaft of Zhou Linjin and Shen Lianxiu's carriage was broken. This was not a problem, because Yang and Zhou Yishao had another carriage, and they could use this carriage when they went back.

Yang's carriage was even bigger. Because it was raining outside and the carriage was wet, Chen Lianxiu immediately lit the incense after entering the carriage, then rubbed her sore shoulders, pounded her calves, and leaned back on the small couch.

Zhou Linjin asked her: "Are you tired?"

Chen Lianxiu remembered what happened outside Baoguang Temple just now, so she turned her face away and decided not to pay any attention to him.

Zhou Linjin slowly reached over to the small table with his hands, being careful not to knock anything over, then he touched the teapot and teacup, poured a cup of tea, held it in his hands, and handed it in the direction of Shen Lianxiu.

The tea was warm, and in the mist of hot air, coupled with the gloomy sky outside, Zhou Linjin's eyes looked even dimmer, but his jade-like face showed a serious expression.

Chen Lianxiu ignored him for a moment, so he continued to hold the tea like this, as if he would keep doing this unless she took it.

In the end, Chen Lianxiu thought that he couldn't bully a blind man, so he took the tea.

Only then did Zhou Linjin go to pour himself some tea.

It was raining outside, but the carriage was warm and dry, so Shen Lianxiu soon fell into a doze.

It was not known how long had passed, but Shen Lianxiu, who was sleeping soundly, suddenly felt her body shaken, and then her whole body fell forward. She woke up from her dream and opened her eyes in a hurry. Fortunately, a hand reached out from the side and supported her.

Just as Zhou Linjin helped her sit back on the couch, he heard the sound of fighting outside. He felt something was wrong. He sent Yang and the others to the villa today, and because he thought there wouldn't be much trouble, he didn't bring many people with him. He only brought one follower, Bingying, and apart from the driver, there were only three or four servants and maids.

In all likelihood, they encountered bandits on the road.

"My dear, what's happening outside..." Chen Lianxiu had naturally heard and expected it. It was raining heavily in the wilderness, and she unconsciously leaned towards Zhou Linjin.

Zhou Linjin put his arm around her shoulders and said, "I'm here."

However, just as he finished speaking, the carriage door was kicked open, wood splinters flew everywhere, and a man standing outside the carriage with a knife in his hand pointed at the two men and asked them to get out.

Chen Lianxiu took a quick look and saw that all the servants they brought with them had been subdued. Bing Ying was even forced to kneel on the ground with blood flowing from the corner of his mouth. He was probably injured.

She quickly whispered the current situation to Zhou Linjin.

Then the two were forced to get off the carriage.

It was still drizzling outside. Although it was not as heavy as a downpour, it was still very uncomfortable to stand in the rain without an umbrella.

Before they could even start negotiating, the bandits came forward and tied Zhou Linjin and Shen Lianxiu's mouths with cloth tape, making it impossible for them to say anything.

Next, both of their heads were covered with cloth bags. Chen Lianxiu suddenly felt a pitch-black scene in front of his eyes, and was pushed forward. Every step he took was terrified. He felt the feeling that Zhou Linjin could not see normally.

Soon, the two were taken to a place, and it was obvious that they had entered the house and were no longer exposed to the rain.

At the same time, the cloth bag on his head was also taken away. A candle was lit in the room, and the light suddenly hurt his eyes. Shen Lianxiu squinted his eyes, but before he could see clearly who was sitting on the seat, the person had already spoken impatiently.

"You bunch of idiots! I told you to kidnap Zhou Yishao, why did you kidnap these two?"

Chen Lianxiu felt the voice was familiar, but Zhou Linjin beside him had already recognized it and sneered, "Cheng Lanjiang, you want to kidnap my sister?"

Cheng Lanjiang spat on the ground and then looked at Zhou Linjin fiercely.

He originally just wanted to tie Zhou Yishao up to scare her, vent his anger, do something to her, and then let her go. After all, Zhou Yishao was a divorced woman at home, so she wouldn't dare to do anything even if she suffered a loss, and the Zhou family wouldn't make it public even if they knew about it.

He had hired these people long ago. They were all thieves and robbers who were good at stealing and robbing people. They were familiar with kidnapping people. However, they got the wrong carriage. When they started watching in the morning, this carriage was indeed the one Zhou Yishao was riding in. But when they returned to catch him, the person in the carriage had changed.

"Idiots, such idiots," Cheng Lanjiang continued to angrily curse. "I told you to capture a young woman in her twenties, and what did you get me? Look, a man and a woman. Who told you to capture them? Can't you see they're husband and wife?"

It’s terrible that Zhou Linjin was arrested by mistake.

Cheng Lanjiang suddenly hated himself for not having planned it well and for not being able to hold back. When he saw them bringing in a man and a woman, he should have thought of it. He should not have taken off their hoods or spoken a word. He should have sent them back quickly. Zhou Linjin didn't know that he had captured them.

Now Zhou Linjin knows that it was him. If he lets him go back, how will this end?

Even if Zhou Linjin was blind, he was still the eldest son of Duke Cheng. He must have guessed by now that he had originally intended to kidnap Zhou Yishao to intimidate and humiliate him, but he had kidnapped the wrong person. How could he let it go when he returned?

Cheng Lanjiang broke out in a cold sweat as he thought about it.

Just when his thoughts were in utter confusion, Zhou Linjin spoke again: "Mr. Cheng, let us go."

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The author has something to say: The second update is here [rainbow fart]