Chapter 3: Dream or Not a Dream

Nan Yan frowned. “At this moment?”

“If madam feels disturbed, I can go ask Brother Meng.”

“...”

Nan Yan’s delicate brows knitted into a tight knot.

Sending him to inquire of Meng Boji was tantamount to admitting she had been a poor host.

Taking a deep breath, Nan Yan instructed Bie Zhi, “Arrange the stage and see if the pastries have arrived. Lady Xia will be here later this evening.”

Bie Zhi responded promptly and left, leaving Nan Yan alone to deal with Jiang Li.

She glanced at the stone table in the courtyard and smiled gently. “Sit down and let’s talk.”

Jiang Li nodded. Dan Zhu supported him as he took a seat, then Jiang Li waved Dan Zhu away.

With only the two of them left, Nan Yan clenched the handkerchief beneath the stone table tightly.

She had deliberately refrained from entering the room with him to avoid being alone with him as an unmarried couple, yet now it was just the two of them.

Nan Yan felt a helplessness that she could neither deny nor change, which made her especially uneasy.

Especially since Jiang Li’s gaze no longer held any restraint, staring fixedly at her.

Nan Yan felt offended but could not turn away.

She couldn’t accuse Jiang Li of ill intentions without proof; he was a guest, she the hostess—any accusation might seem like the host mistreating the guest.

Moreover, Meng Boji’s subtle respect for him always made Nan Yan feel Jiang Li’s identity was not simple.

Suppressing her anger, Nan Yan forced a smile. “Is there something you wish to ask, Young Master Jiang?”

“Do you regret marrying into the Meng family?”

Nan Yan was caught off guard, almost choking, doubting if she had heard correctly. She stared at Jiang Li.

His eyes were fathomless and unyielding, his complexion flawless like jade under the moonlight.

Though possessing the grace of a celestial being, his words were base and crude. “Come with me.”

This was too much.

Nan Yan slapped the stone table sharply and stood abruptly, her palm stinging painfully.

“Jiang... Young... Master—”

She took a deep breath, maintaining her last shred of courtesy.

“Please compose yourself! Nan Yan has been a married woman for three years—not an innocent girl secluded from the world. If—”

“You shouldn’t have married him.”

“!”

Nan Yan was cut off, her fury surging to the brink.

How could there be such a shameless and arrogant scoundrel, judging her life from their very first meeting?

---

As if oblivious to Nan Yan’s blazing anger, Jiang Li remained calm and continued speaking.

“Come with me, and I can give you everything you desire.”

“You have no future in the Meng family.”

“Meng Boji’s feelings for you are not genuine...”

Nan Yan could bear it no longer. “Enough—”

“My husband invited you home out of respect. For Young Master Jiang to use this chance to behave lewdly and frivolously toward his wife is truly despicable and shameless—”

“I am the wife of the top scholar, the legitimate daughter of the Duke of Rongguo’s household. I was raised to understand propriety and honor. You and I are of different worlds!”

“If Young Master Jiang continues with such improper and rude words, I will not entertain you any longer—”

Nan Yan took a decisive step forward, determined not to look back again.

After barely two steps, she heard a voice behind her: “You will come back to me.”

Her footsteps paused. Though she did not turn around, her heart burned with fury.

Why would Meng Boji associate with such a shameless rogue? A man so upright and noble—how could he consort with a villain like this?

Despite treating him with utmost courtesy, she was met only with lewd insults. Nan Yan felt deeply wronged.

What was more, Jiang Li spoke these rude words with such ease and nonchalance, as if there was no fault in them.

Did this man even understand human decency?

Nan Yan refused to speak another word to him and strode away firmly.

Faintly, she seemed to hear him say something else: “...Not human, not dream...”

What did that mean?

Though puzzled, Nan Yan pressed on without stopping. Once she left the courtyard, she suddenly realized.

“A dream...”

The night before, she had dreamt of Xia Qingfei’s illicit affair, and it had indeed happened that day at Baohua Temple.

But how could Jiang Li have known about her dream—especially since it came true?

In an instant, Nan Yan’s hands and feet turned icy cold, a strange chill rising in her heart.

Who exactly was this Jiang Li?

The distant sound of drums and gongs interrupted her thoughts—it was the performance of “The Peony Pavilion: The Return of the Soul.” Xia Qingfei must have arrived.

The woman who had indulged in debauchery by day was now acting the gentle and proper Du Liniang on Nan Yan’s stage.

Nan Yan couldn’t help but recall what she had witnessed at Baohua Temple; nausea surged up again, and she clutched a tree trunk, vomiting uncontrollably.

Meng Boji came briskly from afar, noticing her pale, sickly state. His eyes flickered with subtle concern.

“Yan’er, what’s wrong with you?”

---

Hearing his voice, Nan Yan suddenly realized Meng Boji was beside her. She looked up, her face as pale as death.

Meng Boji reached out to steady her. “Why do you look so unwell?”

Nan Yan instinctively touched her cheek. This was the third time today someone had remarked on her poor complexion.

“Perhaps... I didn’t sleep well last night.”

This was true.

Meng Boji seemed unconvinced and studied her carefully. “Is it really just lack of sleep?”

Nan Yan forced a smile. “I was busy today and went to Baohua Temple to pray for blessings. Maybe I’m just tired.”

Meng Boji nodded but his eyes still held a trace of doubt. He did not press further.

“It’s rare for me to return home. You manage everything here. I am the one who suffers, unable to take better care of you...”

Nan Yan’s heart warmed slightly. “Husband, the man manages affairs outside while the wife oversees the home—that is only proper. You shouldn’t blame yourself.”

Meng Boji sighed softly. “Marrying you is truly a blessing I’ve earned through ten lifetimes... Since you’re tired, you should rest early.”

“Why have you come here?” Nan Yan asked, glancing toward Jiang Li’s residence with a shadow in her eyes. “Is it... to see Young Master Jiang?”

“Yes. Grandmother invited Lady Xia Qingfei, the top actress from Swallow’s Nest Tower, to perform. Naturally, I must invite Brother Jiang to enjoy the show with us.”

“He...” Nan Yan hesitated, then said, “It’s rare for you to come back. You should rest well.”

“All right.” Meng Boji embraced her gently. “Go and rest.”

Nan Yan left, glancing back repeatedly, unable to bring herself to say what she truly wanted.

Once she was out of sight, Meng Boji’s smile vanished, replaced by a deep frown.

After pondering for a moment, he entered Jiang Li’s courtyard, smiling again, and knocked on the door.

Inside, the lights were out, the room pitch black. Jiang Li was nowhere to be seen; only Dan Zhu came to greet him.

“The young master has retired to rest and recuperate. Please excuse him, Scholar Meng.”

Meng Boji did not insist, exchanged a few words, and took his leave.

As he stepped out, a strange feeling lingered. “Strange... How did Dan Zhu know I came to invite Brother Jiang to the play?”

He hadn’t said anything, yet on second thought, Dan Zhu’s words seemed unremarkable.

Meng Boji thought no more and returned to the stage, quietly whispering into Lady Meng Li’s ear, “Nan Yan is with child.”

“What?!” The words made Lady Meng Li nearly jump. “She... what... what are we to do?!”