Chapter 343 Who are the people you care about?
He asked the question very lightly, but at that moment, it felt like a huge boulder pressing down on Shang Ruyi's heart. She almost immediately felt suffocated and even couldn't speak.
After a long pause, he managed to say with difficulty, "Brother—"
Shen Wuzheng looked at her gently, but his gaze did not allow her to escape: "Little sister, I need to know what you think."
"..."
"Did you choose this path, or this person?"
"..."
Shang Ruyi bit her lower lip, and after a long silence, she finally took a deep breath, raised her head, and said, "If I were to say that I chose Yuwen—"
Before she could finish speaking, a click came from behind her.
Both of them were startled and quickly turned around. It turned out that the main hall gate was open not far away, and the monks who had finished their evening prayers filed out. Although none of them made a loud noise, the orderly footsteps and the sound of their robes fluttering gently in the night breeze still broke the tranquility of the night.
Shang Ruyi breathed a sigh of relief, but then felt her heart beating a little fast, and her face flushed red.
Shen Wuzheng also glanced back, and seeing that nothing serious had happened, turned back around.
Looking at Shang Ruyi, whose cheeks were slightly flushed, his expression became even more serious—although Shang Ruyi hadn't finished speaking, he had still heard those two words, and her choice was self-evident.
A subtle hint of sadness flickered in Shen Wuzheng's eyes.
Shang Ruyi said softly, "Brother, I—"
At this point, she didn't know what else to say. In a somewhat somber silence, Shen Wuzheng reached out and gently placed his hand on her thin shoulder, saying softly, "Alright, as long as you know what you've chosen, that's fine. It's okay, whether your choice is right or wrong, I'll always be by your side."
"elder brother……"
Looking into his eyes, Shang Ruyi felt a warmth in her heart, and a surge of emotion rose within her.
She thought for a moment, then said softly, "Brother, if I told you that my choice was definitely the right one, would you believe me?"
"...?"
Shen Wuzheng was taken aback and stared at her in astonishment.
It's important to understand that they weren't discussing choosing a piece of jewelry, taking a particular route, or even a woman's marriage; they were talking about life choices, especially those involving the grand scale of dynastic change. Even the powerful kings and generals in the court, those who held considerable military power and dominated their regions, were extremely cautious, fearing that a single misstep could lead to eternal regret.
But Shang Ruyi was so certain that she believed her choice was the right one!
If an ordinary person had said this, Shen Wuzheng would have either scoffed at it or paid it no mind, simply dismissing it as nonsense. But the one who said it was Shang Ruyi—you see, his little sister had never been a confident or arrogant person; on the contrary, she was more cautious in her words and actions than anyone else.
Why did she say that this time?
Shen Wuzheng looked at her for a long time with a complicated expression before saying, "Ruyi, what exactly do you know?"
"..."
"What happened to you?"
"..."
Shang Ruyi thought for a moment and said, "Brother, there are some things I can't tell you right now because I don't even understand them myself. But you have to believe me, I'm not talking nonsense or going crazy. Everything I've done is to achieve the best outcome, to protect Uncle and Aunt, you, and myself!"
Looking into her resolute gaze, Shen Wuzheng's heart grew even heavier.
After thinking for a long time, he said, "Okay, I believe you."
A joyful smile immediately appeared on Shang Ruyi's face.
Shen Wuzheng then said, "However, you don't need to shoulder so much burden. I will protect your safety, your parents' safety, and mine. You—you should think more about yourself. Your happiness is more important than many things, understand?"
Shang Ruyi smiled so hard her eyes crinkled, and nodded vigorously.
Although the conversation didn't untangle the knots in Shang Ruyi's heart, it did offer her some gentle comfort and improved her mood considerably. By this time, the monks had all left, the main hall doors were closed, and the entire temple seemed to have quieted down. Only then did Shen Wuzheng say, "It's getting late, and I've troubled you for half a day. Go back and rest now."
Shang Ruyi glanced back and saw that they were standing at the entrance of a side hall, where Guanyin Bodhisattva was enshrined.
She said softly, "Brother, you should go back first. I want to pray to the Buddha again."
Do you want me to come with you?
"No, I have something to say to the Bodhisattva alone."
Shen Wuzheng thought that she probably had some girlish things she was embarrassed to say in front of outsiders, so he smiled and gently stroked her hair, then said, "Don't stay too late."
"Okay."
After watching Shen Wuzheng leave, Shang Ruyi turned and walked into the side hall.
A few candlesticks were lit in a corner of the hall, not making it brightly lit. A gust of wind caused by someone walking in made the candlelight flicker, adding a touch of gloom and mystery to the face of the Bodhisattva.
Shang Ruyi walked to the prayer mat and slowly knelt down.
Unlike Yuwen Ye, who did not believe in gods or Buddhas and did not believe that gods or Buddhas could bestow anything upon the world, she believed in the existence of gods and Buddhas and believed that gods and Buddhas were compassionate and would bestow some peace and happiness upon the world. However, she had never asked for anything from childhood to adulthood. Due to her childhood experiences and personality, she had lived a peaceful and undisturbed life for the first ten years of her life, without desires or wants.
But after getting married, she discovered that she wasn't as peaceful and undisturbed as she thought.
She also has someone she wants, and she longs for her feelings to be reciprocated.
But now, she understands even more clearly that some things cannot be obtained even if you force them. Even if God gives you a chance, God cannot control a person's heart.
Moreover, that person doesn't believe in gods or Buddhas.
Thinking of this, Shang Ruyi gave a bitter smile, then clasped her hands together and said softly, "Even now, I don't understand why such a thing happened to me. If this is your guidance, then I will follow it, no matter how many thorns and hardships lie ahead. But—"
She paused, then looked up at the kind-faced Bodhisattva, and said, "Please let me and those I care about have the best outcome."
After saying this, he knelt down.
But just as she finished bowing three times, a curious voice suddenly came from above her head—
Who are the people you care about?
"ah!?"
Caught off guard, Shang Ruyi gasped in surprise. Looking up, she saw a round little head peeking out from behind the Bodhisattva.
Upon closer inspection, it turned out to be a little monk!
Shang Ruyi hurriedly stood up and said to him, "Who told you to eavesdrop on people's conversation?"
The young monk hurriedly waved his hand: "I didn't mean to eavesdrop. You came in and started chattering away. I couldn't refuse to listen even if I wanted to."
Shang Ruyi was both annoyed and amused, and could only wave at him: "Get down quickly, this is disrespectful to the Bodhisattva."
The little monk chuckled and nimbly jumped down from behind the Bodhisattva.
When he got closer and took a closer look, the child was only thirteen or fourteen years old, with a chubby face and a touch of childishness, very cute. In his hand, he was holding half a steamed bun. After jumping down, he carefully held the bun in his arms, and then said to Shang Ruyi in a serious tone, "Female benefactor, this humble monk greets you."
Shang Ruyi originally wanted to put on a stern face and scold him, but seeing how cute the little monk was, and how he took out the half-eaten steamed bun and ate it in big bites after bowing, she couldn't help but laugh and ask, "Are you cultivating here?"
"yes."
"May I have your name?"
"My name is Shan Tong'er."
"Good boy? Who told you to hide behind the Bodhisattva in the middle of the night and scare people?"
"No, I'm here to eat."
"Why don't you eat in the kitchen instead of hiding here?"
Shan Tong'er took another big bite and mumbled, "They all think I eat too much and won't let me eat at night, so I secretly came here to eat."
Shang Ruyi laughed again.
Seeing that the kind boy was eating heartily, unaware that there were many crumbs of noodles stuck to the corners of his mouth, she reached out to wipe them off for him. The kind boy glanced at her and said with a grin, "Thank you."
Shang Ruyi discovered that although the child was naughty, he was very polite and seemed to have received some education.
So he asked, "Why did you become a nun at such a young age? Where are your parents?"
Shan Tong blinked, then said, "They... don't want me anymore."
Shang Ruyi frowned: "Why don't I want you?"
Shan Tong blinked her big eyes again and said, "I don't remember, I was too young back then."
Judging from his appearance, he seemed to genuinely not remember. He didn't even feel sad about being abandoned by his parents. Shang Ruyi felt a pang of sadness and spoke to him in a gentler tone, asking, "And then what happened?"
Shan Tong thought for a moment and said, "Later, I was bought and put into a beautiful house to play with a young master."
"Then why did you become a monk?"
“The young master fell ill, and they told me to become a monk, saying that if I became a monk, the young master would get better.”
"..."
Watching him recount everything with almost no emotion, Shang Ruyi felt both sad and heartbroken. However, she understood that the child had been bought to play with the children of wealthy families. Originally, he was just a page and playmate, but the wealthy family's child fell ill. There was a saying that if a child's illness could not be cured, he would have to sacrifice himself to serve Buddha in order to find peace. However, most parents could not bear to part with their own children, so they would find another child to take their place and become a monk.
This kind-hearted boy was thus manipulated into becoming a monk.
He looked to be only ten years old, with round, dark eyes as clear as a spring, but I never imagined he had already been through so much.
Shang Ruyi suddenly felt a pang of sympathy for him and reached out to pat his bald head: "So, you've decided to become a monk here?"
The boy looked up, about to say something, when suddenly, a monk's reprimanding voice came from outside the side hall—
"Good boy, you've stolen food again!"
The two hurriedly turned around and saw a large monk walking in from outside. Upon seeing him, Shantong was so startled that he quickly stuffed the last bit of steamed bun in his hand into his mouth, his cheeks bulging, before finally saying, "Senior Brother..."
The monk walked in and saw Shang Ruyi there. He could only bow to her first, then reached out to grab Shan Tong'er: "You little rascal, I knew it was you when the kitchen was robbed!"
The kind boy didn't run away. He was lifted up by the back of his collar, his arms and legs bent like a little dog. He chuckled and said, "Senior brother, I know I was wrong."
The monk said, "You admit your mistakes every time, but you never change them, is that right?"
"hey-hey."
"You won't get away with this today. I'm going to beat you up."
Shang Ruyi, watching from the side, felt a pang of pity and hurriedly said, "Master, please spare him."
The monk glared at the boy in his hand, then looked at Shang Ruyi and said, "This female benefactor, you don't know, this boy is the worst. He often goes to the kitchen at night to steal food. He has a big appetite, and he steals half a basketful at a time. Tomorrow, half the people in the temple will go hungry."
Shang Ruyi looked at Shan Tong'er with some surprise, not expecting that such a small child could eat so much.
The monk grumbled again, "It's one thing for him to eat a lot, since he's so young. But he often sneaks out to play, disappearing for days on end. He won't chant scriptures when asked, and he won't meditate when asked..."
While cursing, he swung his large palm and slapped the boy's buttocks a few times.
The boy was beaten and cried out in pain, then begged for mercy, "Senior brother, please spare me."
Shang Ruyi still felt sorry for the child's pitiful background, so she said, "Master, he's still young and doesn't understand, so please don't blame him. How about this—"
As she spoke, she reached for her purse.
She had just left in a hurry and didn't have any money on her. Seeing the kind boy looking at her expectantly, Shang Ruyi thought for a moment and simply took off a pair of earrings from her ears and handed them to the monk: "This is for me to buy him steamed buns. Don't blame him."
These earrings weren't given to her by the official's wife before, nor were they considered precious treasures, but they were made of pure gold and were worth some money. The monk's eyes lit up when he saw them, and he immediately put down the servant girl and took the earrings, thanking her repeatedly: "Thank you, benefactor."
Shan Tong'er stood to the side, her eyes wide open, looking at Shang Ruyi and then at the earring in her senior brother's hand.
After a long pause, he said to Shang Ruyi, "Thank you."
Shang Ruyi smiled and said gently, "Listen to your senior brother, stop sneaking food and stop being so irresponsible."
The boy didn't say anything, just stared at her blankly, as if he had never received such treatment before. The big monk was overjoyed and thanked her repeatedly before pulling the boy away.
After this commotion, Shang Ruyi had no more desire to pray to the gods and Buddhas. She simply glanced back at the Bodhisattva, who was watching the bustling world with his eyes lowered, smiled, and turned to leave the side hall, heading towards her quarters.
As she walked, her steps grew heavy again—she wondered if Yuwen Ye had fallen asleep.
She still doesn't want to face him alone.
When I got to the door, I found that the doors and windows were tightly closed and the inside was dark, with no lights on, so he must have already gone to sleep.
Shang Ruyi breathed a sigh of relief and reached out to push the door, but just as her hands touched the door, the door suddenly opened from the inside.
Yuwen Ye stood at the door, quietly watching her!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com