marriage
"Mountain bandits and outlaws?" Jiang Yufan looked at Daoyun. "If you go by yourself, can you hold them off?"
“I can do it, Buddha Maiden, you have to believe me.” Dao Yun nodded.
"But you might get hurt. I don't want to see you in danger." Jiang Yufan was worried about this. Daoyun and she had been together since childhood. If something happened to Daoyun, she would definitely not feel good.
Jiang Yufan was worried, but she also knew that this was Daoyun's lofty ambition, which could not be stopped.
"It's alright. These mountain bandits aren't soldiers properly trained by other countries. Besides, Daoyun isn't alone. She has many people with her, including Qin Zhiyi," Gu Sidu comforted Jiang Yufan.
"Qin Zhiyi?" Jiang Yufan frowned.
"Yes, he's very capable. He's determined to be my deputy commander, and he always does a better job than others. So, Buddha, don't worry, I will come back safely," Daoyun said.
"If all else fails, could you do some calculations for me and see if there's any chance of success on this trip?"
"That makes sense," Jiang Yufan nodded, immediately taking out her tools and starting to prepare. Leaving Gu Sidu aside, watching the two having so much fun, Gu Sidu was puzzled, then shocked. "Isn't the Bodhisattva a fake Bodhisattva? How come when he's not acting like a Bodhisattva, he's taken to these things?"
Is that correct?
Gu Sidu followed and sat down next to Jiang Yufan: "What was the result?"
It was a good result, an auspicious sign, and Jiang Yufan felt somewhat relieved. She agreed to let Daoyun go and repel the bandits. She couldn't go herself, so she could only stay at home and pray for Daoyun's safety.
Xu Zhian has become much more obedient, staying quietly in the county government office and not daring to go out. He has even lost interest in seeking pleasure. These days have been a boon for Gu Sidu, who has even stopped going to roll call and has been staying at the mansion with Jiang Yufan.
Jiang Yufan was worried, so Gu Sidu could only stay by her side to ease her worries. He poured tea for her, but Jiang Yufan was just fiddling with her divination tools, her mind elsewhere. The battle of wits and courage with the bandits had been going on for several days, and with Daoyun nowhere to be seen, Jiang Yufan felt that something big was about to happen.
“Bodhisattva,” Gu Sidu reassured her, “Don’t worry, have faith in Daoyun’s abilities, and also in Qin Zhiyi.”
"Have you been out checking things out these past few days?" Jiang Yufan asked Gu Sidu. "Has any news come through?"
"Don't worry, it would be bad if there were any news at this time. These bandits are going to fight in the mountains. Before she left, Miss Daoyun instructed me not to write to you. If she did write, it would be her last wish. Do you really want to see Daoyun send you such a letter?"
"Then let's not." Jiang Yufan shook her head.
“By the way,” Gu Sidu looked at Jiang Yufan, “I have some good news to tell you.”
Gu Sidu presented the news from the county government office to Jiang Yufan, saying, "Although Miss Daoyun has not written back, I have learned from the county government office that a fierce battle will take place in three days. If we succeed, the mountain bandits and outlaws will be driven back."
Three days, just three days.
Winter snow is coming soon, and the weather will turn cold. These bandits will have to return to their strongholds to spend the winter. Only by showing them how tough it is, will they know that Chang Le City cannot be invaded and that they cannot have such thoughts.
Gu Sidu didn't go into the details of those terrifying risks, nor did he mention how Daoyun calmly dealt with those cunning maneuvers and relied on his brute strength to get to this point.
Gu Sidu only wanted to reassure Jiang Yufan, but he knew that these three days had been extremely agonizing for Daoyun. In order to rescue his soldiers, Daoyun charged into the bandits' lair alone, using all his strength to rescue a hundred men single-handedly, but he was also seriously injured.
The bandits were so eager to attack because they wanted to press their advantage and capture Daoyun in one fell swoop. He could only gamble with his life; if he failed, he would be on the brink of death. Gu Sidu's heart was pounding. He said nothing, told nothing. Although he was afraid, he also believed in Jiang Yufan's divination and unwavering resolve.
The Bodhisattva said that if Daoyun can successfully return, then he can.
During these days, Gu Sidu remained quiet and didn't disturb Jiang Yufan, which even Jiang Yufan found unusual. However, every time she asked, she would be interrupted. Finally, three days passed, and she wanted to find Gu Sidu to pick up Daoyun from the gate. She even specially asked the kitchen to prepare some fine wine and dishes for her, as well as to entertain the victorious soldiers.
But just as she reached Gu Sidu's door, a servant came to report that someone on horseback was approaching from the front gate, looking very anxious.
Gu Sidu and Jiang Yufan locked eyes, then rushed to the front gate. They heard the sound of horses' hooves and saw that the person riding up was not Daoyun, but Qin Zhiyi. Jiang Yufan felt a sense of foreboding; Daoyun was nowhere to be seen. Where had she gone?
With a neigh and a rein in, Qin Zhiyi saw Gu Sidu and Jiang Yufan and immediately said, "Lord Gu, Madam, quickly find a doctor! Sister Daoyun is injured!"
"Is it serious? Where is she?" Jiang Yufan asked.
"I'm coming right away, I'll get off first."
Gu Sidu immediately tossed out his purse, ordering his servant to quickly fetch the best and most skilled doctor, as there was no time to lose. He patted Jiang Yufan on the shoulder, reassuring her, and then helped Qin Zhiyi dismount. Upon closer inspection, they saw Daoyun lying quietly on the horse.
Holding Daoyun in her arms, Qin Zhiyi said to Gu Sidu and Jiang Yufan, "Don't worry, sir and madam. Daoyun is still alive and can be saved. Now is not the time to be sad!"
"Okay, come with me." Jiang Yufan led Qin Zhiyi into his room and settled her on his couch.
Qin Zhiyi stayed by the bedside without leaving for a moment. Seeing this, Jiang Yufan said, "Why don't you go back? We're here, don't worry."
“Madam, Sister Daoyun saved my life and taught me martial arts. I fought alongside Sister Daoyun and went through life and death together. In my heart, Sister Daoyun is my benefactor, and I must repay this kindness no matter what.”
Unable to persuade her otherwise, Jiang Yufan had no choice but to let Qin Zhiyi stay there. Having another person was better; it meant having more help.
The doctor arrived, bandaged all of Daoyun's wounds, and prescribed several doses of medicine to be decocted and prepared for slow recovery. However, the wounds were too deep, requiring a long recovery period before he could get out of bed, and he needed careful attention.
None of that matters; anything that can be solved with money can be addressed. It's just that these wounds are prone to festering in winter, requiring extra care. Jiang Yufan changed the dressing; Qin Zhiyi was supposed to have it changed too, but Jiang Yufan said there were differences between men and women.
Qin Zhiyi lowered her head, feeling sad, but she was obedient.
Seeing Qin Zhiyi's expression, like a worried younger brother, Jiang Yufan smiled and said to Qin Zhiyi, "Your sister Daoyun is alright."
Jiang Yufan thought to herself, if Daoyun and Qin Zhiyi were truly like siblings, then the younger brother's concern for his older sister would be touching. Daoyun and Qin Zhiyi aren't even blood-related siblings, yet they can do this; what about real siblings?
Her thoughts drifted away, and Jiang Yufan recalled a boy of seven or eight years old. That boy lacked Qin Zhiyi's vibrant brightness; his face was deathly pale. Just thinking about it made Jiang Yufan feel a dull ache in her wrist, but her injury had healed, and it shouldn't hurt anymore.
After each dressing change, Jiang Yufan would have Qin Zhiyi stay with Daoyun while she withdrew.
Gu Sidu sensed Jiang Yufan's thoughts and asked, "Did the Bodhisattva think of Jiang Yurong because Qin Zhiyi was so kind?"
Jiang Yurong, what an unfamiliar name. Jiang Yufan looked at Gu Sidu: "He and I were never really siblings."
With the favoritism of her parents and the estrangement of never having met, the sibling relationship is too thin. If Jiang Yaoguang had not abandoned her, she would still be the young lady of the Jiang family. A year later, she would have a younger brother. They would be eight or nine years apart. Would they be able to talk to each other? If she were injured, would Jiang Yurong care about her in the same way?
If that were the case, and if Jiang Yurong developed the illness later on, without anyone else mentioning it, she would naturally rush to the front to cut open Jiang Yurong's flesh and bleed him; she was willing to save her own brother's life.
But they can't be so close. Their parents gave them life, but they also pushed away this bond of kinship.
Jiang Yufan suddenly felt very tired, and she leaned against Gu Sidu's shoulder. Because of this small gesture, Gu Sidu's expression changed drastically, and joy spread through his heart. He raised his hand and pulled Jiang Yufan into his arms, gently stroking her shoulder.
“Gu Sidu, do you think I was born unable to have these worldly family ties? Looking at it this way, it seems that I am really destined to be a Buddhist after letting go of family.”
“Bodhisattva, please don’t overthink it. This is not your fault. It is others who are pursuing fame and fortune and they have caused this consequence. Don’t take the blame for others’ mistakes. You are not at fault.”
“I did nothing wrong,” Jiang Yufan murmured.
“Yes, just like I still feel that what I did in the court was not wrong, but I can’t change it, and I don’t want to change it.” Gu Sidu pressed his forehead against Jiang Yufan’s and rubbed it.
“That’s exactly what you should say. You’re not wrong. Since you and Jiang Yurong are not meant to be, there’s no need to force it. Although you don’t have a younger brother, you have me. I’m here for you.”
"I'll stay with you, I'll always stay with you."
With Gu Sidu still by her side, that was the greatest comfort. Jiang Yufan nodded. It was time to say goodbye to the past and embark on a new journey. Jiang Yufan asked, "Gu Sidu, when will spring arrive?"
"Would you like to see the flowers?" Gu Sidu asked.
"I always feel that some wonderful things will happen in spring, such as watching the flowers bloom, or someone holding a wedding."
Upon hearing this, Gu Sidu immediately understood. He grasped Jiang Yufan's hand and asked, "Bodhisattva, Bodhisattva, do you mean to marry me in the spring?"
Jiang Yufan glanced at Gu Sidu: "I didn't say anything."
"You said it!" Gu Sidu was certain that this was exactly what the Bodhisattva meant!
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