pray
Something's not right, not at all. The next day, Daoyun felt that something had happened between Jiang Yufan and Gu Sidu, but she hadn't missed anything. What was wrong?
Who can tell her why Gu Sidu was combing the Buddha's hair in the Buddha's room so early in the morning? Who can tell her why there was shyness and embarrassment in the Buddha's eyes?
Others could do these things, she could do them herself, there was no need for Gu Sidu to come. But as soon as she entered the room and was about to take over the comb from Gu Sidu, Gu Sidu wouldn't let go, but instead told Daoyun to go have a cup of tea first.
Gu Sidu looked delighted and said to Daoyun, "Miss Daoyun, have something to eat and get ready so we can go out and have some fun. We'll set off as soon as you've finished eating."
"Us?" Dao Yun looked at Gu Sidu. "I didn't even know that Lord Gu had become our Buddhist nun's husband. We haven't even had a wedding ceremony yet."
"Is this how Lord Gu respects us Buddhist nuns? Does he intend to draw our eyebrows for us later?"
Dao Yun's words were barbed and sarcastic, showing no respect for Gu Sidu, but Gu Sidu didn't care at all. Dao Yun's words actually gave Gu Sidu some inspiration: "That's right, Bodhisattva, I'll draw your eyebrows for you later!"
Dao Yun felt she shouldn't speak up, so she took a deep breath and said to Jiang Yu Fan, "Buddha Maiden, aren't you going to do anything about Lord Gu?"
"Daoyun," Jiang Yufan was choosing earrings for herself, and she put on the simplest one, "Stop arguing with Gu Sidu. Nothing happened. We're new here, don't you want to go for a walk?"
Dao Yun wanted to go out and have fun, and she didn't mean to target Gu Sidu. It's just that Dao Yun didn't want the Buddhist nun she had grown up with to be so intimately involved with Gu Sidu. She wanted to see Gu Sidu give Jiang Yufan the proper etiquette before she would feel at ease and be willing to accept it.
Since Jiang Yufan didn't have parents to make these demands for her, Daoyun wanted to fight for everything for her, but all of this was ultimately for Jiang Yufan's happiness. She took a sip of porridge and said to Jiang Yufan, "Alright, wherever the Buddhist nun wants to go, I'll go with her."
"I heard there's a very efficacious temple here, we can go and pray." Gu Sidu really wanted to draw Jiang Yufan's eyebrows, but Jiang Yufan shook her head first, wanting to do it herself. They weren't really husband and wife yet, and it wouldn't be right to do these things so easily, besides, Daoyun would be angry.
However, Gu Sidu's words made Daoyun even angrier.
"Gu Sidu, are you doing this on purpose? We Buddhist nuns dislike going to temples the most. We've had enough of life at Chenxiang Temple. Why do you still want to go to a temple?"
“That’s not how it’s said. In the past, Bodhisattvas suffered and endured torment, but now that they’ve returned to the status of ordinary women, they are praying for peace of mind. It’s different.” Gu Sidu wasn’t trying to reopen old wounds; he wanted to ask for a peace charm for himself and the Bodhisattva.
"Where is the Buddhist nun? Are you going?" Daoyun asked Jiang Yufan.
“Going is not a bad idea. My life took a turn for the better when I went to the temple. If I want to start over, then I should go to the temple again.” Jiang Yufan smiled. She knew that Daoyun was afraid that she would be reminded of the pain of the past and be reminded of painful memories, but Jiang Yufan knew that she would no longer be moved by those old things.
She let it go.
After breakfast, they set off, but before they even reached the temple, they encountered something novel that caught their attention.
Also on their way to the temple were a man and a woman who looked like a newlywed couple. They weren't traveling by sedan chair, but on foot. Their laughter at first turned into bickering, and the noise attracted Jiang Yufan and Gu Sidu.
They listened intently. The couple was indeed newlyweds who had gone to the temple to pray for a long and happy marriage, and also hoped to have a son and a daughter. They were very eager and hopeful for their future, but they disagreed on whether they wanted a boy or a girl, and couldn't reach an agreement. Then they turned their gaze directly to Jiang Yufan and Gu Sidu.
Jiang Yufan had a bad feeling and was about to quicken her pace, but she was held back by Gu Sidu, who loved watching the excitement and was extremely enthusiastic. Jiang Yufan couldn't pull Gu Sidu away, but she could always pull Daoyun away. She hooked her wrist around Daoyun's arm, but before she could take two steps, she was stopped by Gu Sidu and the young couple behind her.
Dao Yun said, "Buddha, we are about to encounter trouble."
"I can see that now. I'll have to give Gu Sidu a good talking to when we get back."
Jiang Yufan had no choice but to turn around and watch the newlywed couple approach her. She smiled and bowed, listening to Gu Sidu introduce them.
"This is Miss Song and Young Master Cheng. They are going to the Gospel Temple with us."
"This must be Madam Gu," Miss Song said with a smile, returning the greeting. "You two are a perfect match. What are you praying for at the Gospel Temple?"
Jiang Yufan remained silent, only looking at Gu Sidu.
“Ah, let’s go pray for a long and lasting marriage.” Gu Sidu said without hesitation, extending his hand so that Jiang Yufan could take his arm, making them look like a real couple.
"Don't you want to have children?" Miss Song asked bluntly. "If you did have a child, would you prefer a boy or a girl?"
Miss Song spoke quickly, and no matter how much Young Master Cheng tried to stop her, it was no use. Miss Song was already pushing her words forward and trying to get Jiang Yufan to agree with her.
"Mrs. Gu, which one do you prefer?"
Jiang Yufan blushed, and Daoyun came to her rescue, saying, "Our lady hasn't thought about having children yet, so she hasn't thought about these things."
“Oh, how can I not have children at such a good age? I just want a daughter, but my husband wants two, a son and a daughter. I told him, if he doesn’t give birth, he doesn’t know how hard it is for him.”
“I know, he wanted a boy, but he was afraid I would get angry, so he said he wanted a boy and a girl.”
"And another thing," Miss Song turned to look at her husband and lowered her voice to Jiang Yufan, "Men don't know how capable they really are. With his physique, it must be very difficult for him. Otherwise, I wouldn't have come to ask for this."
Jiang Yufan was initially a little awkward, but she gradually relaxed after hearing these words. These everyday remarks had a down-to-earth feel to them and were all genuine. Even Daoyun couldn't help but look at Gu Sidu and Young Master Cheng after hearing these words. The three women smiled gently, but Gu Sidu and Young Master Cheng were completely confused.
"What are you talking about?" Young Master Cheng asked.
“We’re discussing what we really want, a boy or a girl. The gods and Buddhas are already busy, and if we start arguing, they won’t help us,” said Miss Song.
"Lord Gu, what about you? If it were you, what would you choose?"
The question was presented to Gu Sidu. He didn't rush to answer. His gaze fell on Jiang Yufan, and after a long while, he said, "Whatever my wife likes, I will like."
"Wow, look at Young Master Gu!" Upon hearing this, Miss Song pinched Young Master Cheng's ear. "And look at you, you never listen to me."
The two argued all the way. Jiang Yufan, Gu Sidu, and Daoyun watched as the two bickered and even took the time to go back to worship and say goodbye. The lively sounds faded away, leaving only the three of them again, with the Gospel Temple right in front of them.
Jiang Yufan was genuinely curious. She looked at Gu Sidu and asked, "If you had your own child, would you prefer a boy or a girl?"
Gu Sidu said, "What I just said was not flattery. What the Bodhisattva likes, I like too. More than having children, I hope the Bodhisattva can have more happiness in this world. Everything else can be discussed later."
Take a good look at everything in this world, and be yourself first.
Gu Sidu's feelings for Jiang Yufan were never feigned, only genuine. Since she was sincere, Jiang Yufan reciprocated with the same sincerity, saying, "If I have any children, I hope they will be daughters."
It's not that boys are bad; boys are good too. But there are already many eagerly awaited sons in this world. Some are taught exceptionally well, while others are taught to be just average. Even so, they are all given high hopes. Jiang Yufan wants the people of this world to see that, besides men, women can also be extremely outstanding. If she can continue her lineage, she will definitely raise the most capable woman, letting her travel across mountains and rivers, so that there can be a place in this world where women can stay.
May this world one day appreciate men and praise women, and not abandon anyone casually.
Unlike her, who suffered those humiliations.
Gu Sidu stood side by side with Jiang Yufan. Gu Sidu said to Jiang Yufan, "Okay, if it's a daughter, I will definitely teach her to write and read, and make her the most amazing person in the world."
"Who said I needed you to teach me?" Jiang Yufan glanced at Gu Sidu, who was taking advantage of the situation, and smiled lightly. "I also didn't say I wanted to marry you and have children."
After Jiang Yufan finished speaking, he led Daoyun into the Fuyin Temple, leaving Gu Sidu standing there in a daze for a long time. Before the figure could turn the corner and leave, Gu Sidu hurriedly chased after it.
No, if the Bodhisattva won't marry him, who else would he marry? He won't allow it!
The Bodhisattva belongs to him!
The Gospel Temple, however, possesses a unique spiritual aura. Unlike the Chenxiang Temple, it lacks the grandeur and majesty of the capital's temples, preferring a secluded location. Yet, it is imbued with spiritual energy. The incense here burns exceptionally brightly, as if it truly can grant the small wishes of the people.
Making a small wish, whether you believe or not, is ultimately about seeking peace. Gu Sidu had something on her mind, so she asked for a peace charm and fulfilled her wish, as did Daoyun. But Jiang Yufan simply put her hands together; she didn't ask for anything, nor did she think of anything.
She had no wishes, but the moment she closed her eyes, she felt an immense peace in her heart.
That was enough. This was what Jiang Yufan wanted. Peace and quiet were rare in life; calm and tranquility allowed everything to unfold smoothly and comfortably. Jiang Yufan understood why the abbot had her meditate daily and sit facing the statue, but she understood too late.
But it's not too late; her life has only just begun.
Without worry or fear, there is neither sorrow nor joy.
Of course, not everyone thinks like Jiang Yufan. A cry reached Jiang Yufan's ears, causing her to turn around and see a pitiful person in tattered clothes, clasping their hands together, trembling as they cried and made their wish.
"May the Bodhisattva protect me and save me..."
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