Hope
After being unconscious for several days, Dao Yun's hand moved, finally showing signs of waking up.
Her movement startled Qin Zhiyi, who was standing beside her. It was late at night, and Jiang Yufan had just brought in the medicine she had prepared when she saw Qin Zhiyi turn her head in a daze.
"Madam, it seems that Sister Daoyun has woken up!" Qin Zhiyi said to Jiang Yufan.
Jiang Yufan handed the medicine to her and sat on the edge of the bed. Sure enough, she saw Daoyun's lips move slightly as she pursed them. She was about to wake up. Jiang Yufan said to Qin Zhiyi, "She wants some water. I'll help her sit up, and you can feed her the medicine."
The most dangerous time, as the doctor had warned, has passed, and everyone can now finally relax.
Dao Yun woke up in Jiang Yu Fan's arms. The first thing she saw when she opened her eyes was Qin Zhi Yi. She was still thinking she was fighting. She was about to frown and ask Qin Zhi Yi where they were when she quickly heard Jiang Yu Fan's voice.
"Daoyun, we're at home, don't move around." Jiang Yufan was afraid that Daoyun was uncomfortable or would bleed and get injured, and that she would have to call a doctor to come and take a look.
“Buddha Maiden…” Dao Yun looked at Jiang Yu Fan, “I’ve returned alive?”
"Master, rest assured, we have repelled the bandits. They have promised never to offend us again and to live in peace. The people of Chang Le City will have peaceful days again. Now, Master, you just need to take good care of your health." Qin Zhiyi told Daoyun the results to put her mind at ease.
"What are you doing here?" Daoyun asked weakly. "Don't you need someone to take care of you at home?"
“Since Lord Gu and his wife came here and saved me, our family’s life has become much better. We no longer need to go up the mountain to chop firewood to earn money. We can just stay at home and do our own work. My parents are overjoyed and always remember how good you are to us.”
"I have rendered meritorious service in this battle, so please, Master, put in a good word for me. I want to work in the county government like you, to support my family. When I grow up, I also want to protect the people of Chang Le City, and work alongside you, Master!"
Upon hearing Qin Zhiyi's words, both Jiang Yufan and Daoyun laughed. Jiang Yufan said to Daoyun, "Look at this adopted brother, isn't he quite promising?"
"I don't want him to be my brother." Daoyun shook her head. She wanted to take her medicine herself, but Qin Zhiyi insisted on feeding her.
"Why not, Master? Sister Daoyun, wouldn't it be good to have another relative in the world? From now on, we can all live and work in peace and contentment in Chang Le City, and take care of each other. We are family!"
“But the word ‘family’ doesn’t exist in my mind,” Daoyun shook his head. “I have no family. I depend on the Buddhist nun for survival. I don’t know what family should do.”
"Then find your family here, find your home," Jiang Yufan encouraged Yun.
“We are all family to each other, isn’t that wonderful?”
"That's good. All the hope and beauty for the future begin anew at this moment." Daoyun leaned against Jiang Yufan's chest, still looking guilty: "I've still troubled the Buddhist nun with her care."
"No, you are a great hero of Chang Le City. It is only right that I take care of you. Once you are able to get out of bed and go outside, you will be surrounded by love and respect. You deserve all of this. You are no longer an unknown junior. Hold your head high and be yourself."
"By the way, where is Gu Sidu? Why isn't he here?" Daoyun looked around the room. "Has he been keeping you busy all this time, Buddhist nun?"
"He spent money to hire the best doctor for you, and he's been helping me brew your medicine. These past few days, he's gone out to fend off those people who want to see the hero." Gu Sidu has done a lot, and he can't keep it all a secret.
"Oh, I'm relieved that he can stay by the Buddha's side."
Everything is fine, following his original trajectory.
-
Half a month later, Daoyun recovered her health and regained her former strength. When she was all dressed up and ready to go to the county government to report her mission, she was stunned as soon as she stepped out the door.
Although the Buddhist nun told her to be prepared, Daoyun still didn't expect such a large-scale event.
Jiang Yufan stood beside Daoyun. As they descended the steps of the Gu residence, Magistrate Xu Zhian stood in front, with Gu Sidu beside him. Behind them stood the people of the city. When they saw Daoyun come out, they all stepped forward, wanting to speak to him.
“Let’s talk here. Daoyun hasn’t fully recovered and doesn’t have the energy to handle so much,” Jiang Yufan said.
“Alright, alright, then I’ll speak on behalf of everyone,” Xu Zhian said, bowing respectfully to Daoyun. “I never imagined that Miss Daoyun could be so brave, leading my soldiers to defeat the bandits. I’ve heard about her heroic deeds from the other soldiers these past few days, and you can hear them from the teahouses, taverns, and storytellers throughout the city.”
"You are a hero of our Chang Le City. From now on, we will all rely on you to protect the safety of our Chang Le City. Today, I lead the people to thank you and welcome you back to the county government. We have prepared fine wine and food for you and invite you to drink to your heart's content."
Xu Zhian was concerned about his reputation and knew what to say in such important situations. He wanted to maintain a good name, so he took the lead in bowing to Dao Yun, followed closely by Gu Sidu, and then many people thanked Dao Yun together.
"Buddha, what should I do?" Daoyun was still a little unaccustomed to the situation and was flustered and flustered.
“This is what you deserve, just accept it,” Jiang Yufan said to Daoyun.
Daoyun was filled with excitement. She raised her head and bowed to the crowd in return. She had found her purpose in this world. It was only through the Buddhist nun's divination and her unwavering belief in her return that she was able to persevere and come back. The Bodhisattva also deserved credit for this.
Daoyun wanted to reveal the names of the people who had contributed to the success of the project, but Jiang Yufan stopped her.
Jiang Yufan shook her head at her, only smiling.
It was awkward to talk to people in a crowd. After a busy day of banquets, Daoyun's face was flushed from the alcohol. She stood in front of Jiang Yufan's house, hesitating. Jiang Yufan saw her and called her in.
"Why are you standing at the door?" Jiang Yufan asked. "Is there something you want to say to me?"
“Buddha Maiden,” Daoyun walked in, “I was able to return because I remembered your words that I could come back and that there was good news. Today I want to tell everyone about this achievement, but why won’t you let me speak about it?”
We also need to stop her.
“What good would it do to tell you?” Jiang Yufan said. “You were able to come back not because of me, Daoyun, but because of your own amazing perseverance. You know me, I’m a fake bodhisattva, so naturally I can’t believe those things I’ve learned from all over the world.”
"Because of me?" Dao Yun shook his head. "Buddha, it's not like that."
“Think about it carefully. You believed you could come back, so you came back. I couldn’t help you with the suffering you endured there. You fought your way through it all yourself. It was you, not me, who got through all that pain.”
"Buddha, do you mean..."
“I was once deeply mired in suffering and was taken to Chenxiang Temple, where I was in immense pain. At that time, I asked the abbot, ‘Is this person not destined for salvation? Will the Buddha save me?’”
"Then we shouldn't take it," Daoyun pondered.
"But the abbot wants to ordain me."
"That is salvation?" Dao Yun had never understood these profound and mysterious Buddhist terms.
“I have no heart for Buddhism and I have attachments in my heart. Chenxiang Temple is not my home, but the abbot told me to stay at Chenxiang Temple. The abbot said that one day I will understand and let go of my attachments and resentment, and then I will understand.”
Dao Yun became interested: "So what is the answer? Who is saving whom?"
Jiang Yufan smiled and said, "What nonsense about Buddhist principles? I don't understand them. Those obsessions and endless cycles of revenge are tiresome, which is why some people choose to let go. It's not that they don't care anymore, but that they don't want to waste their time."
"As for those who claim that Buddha can save people, they only paint a beautiful picture of the other shore, making people yearn to reach it, but the inevitable path is full of pain and torment, and at that time no one can help you."
"Those kinds of suffering, Buddha cannot save you. Buddha can only reach out and grab you when you see the light of hope. Those who pray to gods and Buddhas to save themselves from all suffering are just illusory hopes. The only one who can truly help people get through it is themselves."
It is a determination to believe that one day you will overcome difficulties. With this mindset, you can forge ahead and overcome all hardships.
Jiang Yufan still doesn't believe in Buddhism. She lacks the wisdom to understand Buddhism and prefers to believe in her own strength in this world.
Only when you hold your own hands tightly can you create and obtain everything.
You are important, but the hope that you have for yourself is even more important; neither can be lacking.
Jiang Yufan wanted Daoyun to understand that believing in herself gives her all the power, that she herself is the one who has achieved everything and overcome all suffering; she is the only one who has ever done so.
If anyone disagrees with this statement, then just consider it as Jiang Yufan talking nonsense to himself.
“Daoyun,” Jiang Yufan said, “I want to marry Gu Sidu next spring.”
"Alright," Dao Yun nodded, looking at Jiang Yufan who had finally overcome her hardships. "I hope the Buddhist nun will be happy from now on."
"But it must be Gu Sidu who takes the initiative, not you, Bodhisattva!"
“It was his initiative,” Jiang Yufan patted Daoyun’s hand. “I told him the date, and he was very excited and happy when he heard it. He gave me a gift and promised me a lifetime together.”
Recalling that day, a faint blush and a touch of red still lingered in Jiang Yufan's eyes. Even without parental consent and a matchmaker's words, if it were truly destiny, happiness could be found without these things.
She was certain that Gu Sidu was the one she had chosen.
My childhood dreams have all come true. I've found my soulmate and will spend my life with her. Although the process was full of twists and turns, we all ended up in the same place, so it can't be said that my fate was changed.
After seeing Daoyun off, Jiang Yufan entered the courtyard. Hearing footsteps, she turned around and saw Gu Sidu bringing wine to invite her to enjoy the wine and admire the moon. Given Gu Sidu's low alcohol tolerance, he'd probably get drunk again.
Thinking of this, Jiang Yufan smiled.
What good is getting drunk? Life is short, and getting drunk is a rare treat.
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