Catching Monsters

Chapter 290 Dream

"These days, the Marquis has won one great victory after another at the front. He will soon lead his troops to attack the Hu people's royal court. If we can take down the Hu people's royal court, our Marquis's mansion will probably be promoted to the Duke's mansion."

The Marquis of Weiwu's residence was filled with joy and harmony.

Many servants in the mansion whispered among themselves while they were working, "Miss has been going to the Hanlin Academy quite often lately."

A maidservant next to her covered her mouth and said, "You probably don't know, but the young lady held a poetry gathering a while ago and took a liking to this year's top scholar, who is said to be named Jiang Yun and comes from Jiangnan Prefecture."

"This young master Jiang is now a compiler in the Hanlin Academy, and everyone says he has a bright future."

On the bustling streets of the capital, Jiang Yun, dressed in a scholar's blue robe and holding a book, was walking with Feng Beier.

“Young Master Jiang, your essay for becoming the top scholar is truly excellent…” Feng Beier said wistfully, her eyes filled with admiration, as she followed beside Jiang Yun.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Yun smiled and quickly bowed, saying, "Miss Feng, you're too kind. I only created this masterpiece by chance..."

A perfect match, one a top scholar, the other a renowned beauty in the capital.

Walking down the street, you'll often find yourself stopping to look.

The two arrived at a river in the capital and walked along it. Just then, the willows were just beginning to bloom, their branches and leaves flourishing.

Jiang Yun had just passed the imperial examination and naturally developed feelings of love for Feng Beier, such a beautiful and powerful woman.

Walking under the willow trees, Feng Beier said with emotion, "Young Master Jiang, have you ever heard a poem?"

"The ospreys cry 'guan guan' on the river's islet. A fair maiden is the object of a gentleman's affections."

“Lately, I often hear this poem in my dreams, as if you wrote it for me.”

Jiang Yun, being a scholar, blushed slightly upon hearing this and hurriedly said, "Miss Feng, please don't misunderstand, I..."

Suddenly, Feng Beier took Jiang Yun's hand and kissed him.

The two embraced, a gentle breeze blowing, willows swaying in the breeze, a perfect couple, their emotions irresistible.

……

"shameless!"

Beyond the bronze mirror, Ao Yu saw this scene and her eyebrows furrowed slightly. She then asked in a low voice, "Isn't Jiang Yun already engaged to the Duke of Zhenguo's family? Why is he still dreaming about being all lovey-dovey with this Miss Feng?"

Feng Yu's face darkened as well; if they continued watching, the scene would become somewhat inappropriate for children.

He coughed, looked at Master Miaode, and said in a deep voice, "Master, since Jiang Yun went in, besides being all lovey-dovey with Feng Beier, he's been cooped up in the Hanlin Academy..."

Master Miaode sighed softly and said in a deep voice, "Those who are in a dream have a hard time realizing that they are dreaming."

"It seems that I should help him."

After he finished speaking, the Buddha light in Master Miaode's hands shone even brighter.

……

In a dream.

These days, Jiang Yun and Feng Beier either go to poetry gatherings to recite and exchange poems with a group of people.

Or they would go outside the capital for spring outings and leisure activities.

Listening to Feng Beier's advice, Marquis Weiwu is winning one victory after another on the front lines.

To celebrate the double happiness, and especially at Feng Beier's request, the Marquis of Weiwu's mansion took the initiative to request a marriage from His Majesty.

Upon hearing this, His Majesty thought it was a wonderful match between a talented man and a beautiful woman, and soon bestowed a marriage upon them.

This matter became widely known in the capital and earned it a great reputation.

Soon, preparations began at the Marquis of Weiwu's residence.

Festive red lanterns are hung high, creating a bright and cheerful atmosphere.

But these past few days, Jiang Yun has been unable to sleep well. Unexplained Buddhist chants often echo in his mind, disturbing his peace of mind.

The wedding preparations are complete, and it's the day before the wedding.

Disturbed and troubled, Jiang Yun suggested that they pray for the Marquis of Weiwu at the front lines.

He and Feng Beier decided to go to Puji Temple to pray for the Marquis of Weiwu on the day before their wedding.

That day, Jiang Yun held Feng Beier's hand and slowly arrived at Puji Temple. The huge Puji Temple was almost deserted.

A monk from Puji Temple, knowing that the two were of noble status, politely guided them into the temple.

"Such a large Puji Temple, how come there aren't many people?" Jiang Yun looked around the huge temple with curiosity.

The monk smiled faintly and did not reply. He invited the two to the main hall, and soon asked them to wait a moment before turning and leaving.

Looking at the Buddha statue in front of her, Feng Beier pulled Jiang Yun, intending to kneel down.

But no matter what Jiang Yun did, she couldn't kneel down. The Buddhist chants in her mind became even louder at this moment.

The noise was so loud that Jiang Yun couldn't help but cover her ears, but the Buddhist chants continued to flow into her ears.

Seeing that Jiang Yun did not kneel, Feng Beier asked in confusion, "Young Master Jiang, Young Master Jiang, what's wrong?"

Jiang Yun was panting heavily. He didn't understand what was wrong with him, but looking at the Buddha statue in front of him, he resisted kneeling down from the bottom of his heart.

"I... I can't kneel." Upon hearing this, Feng Beier frowned and gently advised, "Young Master Jiang, we are here to pray for our fathers on the front lines. If you don't kneel, Buddha will be displeased."

Sweat beaded on Jiang Yun's forehead. Gritting his teeth, he inexplicably blurted out, "What does it matter to me if Buddha is unhappy..."

"I."

Seeing that he was not in a good state, Feng Beier quickly got up to help him up: "If Young Master Jiang doesn't want to kneel, then so be it, we..."

"Miss Feng, do you... do you remember what the monk from earlier looked like?"

“I…” Feng Beier stopped there.

Jiang Yun stared wide-eyed, his eyes bloodshot. He had clearly just seen that monk, but he couldn't remember his face.

Jiang Yun couldn't recall the faces of his colleagues and superiors in the Hanlin Academy, even though they had spent several days together.

Jiang Yun stumbled out of the Buddhist temple and leaned against a tree.

Buddhist chants kept coming into my ears.

"Form is not different from emptiness, emptiness is not different from form; form is emptiness, emptiness is form. Sensation, perception, volition, and consciousness are also like this."

"All dharmas are empty in nature, neither arising nor ceasing, neither defiled nor pure. They neither increase nor decrease. Therefore, in emptiness there is no form, no sensation, no perception, no mental formations, and no consciousness."

"I……"

Jiang Yun's eyes gradually cleared, and then he leaned against the tree, panting heavily.

Looking around, is this a dream?
So true.

It was so realistic that even Jiang Yun almost couldn't tell the difference.

Sweat kept dripping from Jiang Yun's forehead.

At that moment, Feng Beier held a handkerchief and wiped the sweat from Jiang Yun's forehead: "Young Master Jiang, are you alright?"

Jiang Yun suddenly grabbed Feng Beier's hand, took a deep breath and said, "Miss Feng, listen to me. Perhaps to you, all of this sounds a bit far-fetched, but this world is not real."

“This is a dream.”

“You and the people from the Marquis of Weiwu’s mansion have all been bewitched by witchcraft and are trapped here.”

"We need to get back to the Marquis of Weiwu's residence immediately and bring everyone back to their senses, otherwise..."

Feng Beier's hands trembled, and the handkerchief fell to the ground. She stared at Jiang Yun and shook her head repeatedly: "Young Master Jiang, what are you saying?"

As she spoke, she quickly reached out and touched Jiang Yun's forehead: "Could it be that the workload at the Hanlin Academy has been too heavy lately, causing you to overthink things?"

“Miss Feng, I…”

Feng Beier suddenly turned and left, running towards the outside of the Buddhist temple.

Seeing this, Jiang Yun took a deep breath and could only hurry after them. In this dream, his character was a scholar!

After running for a while, Jiang Yun was panting heavily and unable to use any of his magic.

Fortunately, as soon as Jiang Yun came down the mountain, he saw Feng Beier squatting under a sycamore tree at the foot of Puji Temple, her eyes filled with a sense of helplessness.

"Miss Feng, I know that what I'm about to say is difficult for you to accept..."

Unexpectedly, Feng Beier asked, "Why did you come?"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Yun was taken aback and looked at Feng Beier: "Miss Feng, I..."

“This dream is real enough, it’s good enough, why did you have to come?” Feng Beier’s eyes welled up with tears as she slowly said, “If you hadn’t come, I could have married you in my dream, had children, and lived out my life with you.”

"I know you don't like me, but even if it's a fake you, a dream, can't I have it?"

Jiang Yun looked at Feng Beier in disbelief. She already knew that she was in a dream.

And judging from his appearance, he was really enjoying it and was quite absorbed in it.

This is the most dangerous situation; if the person dreaming refuses to wake up, no one can save her.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Yun paused slightly, took a deep breath, squatted down beside Feng Beier, and said, "Miss Feng, calm down. This is just a dream. We can still meet after this dream ends."

Feng Beier said with a determined look in her eyes, "Once we leave here, you will no longer be mine."

Jiang Yun took a deep breath and slowly said, "Miss Feng, even if you don't think about yourself, you should at least think about all the people in the Marquis of Weiwu's mansion, right?"

"Do you want to see them die in this dream?"

Feng Beier squatted on the ground and, after thinking for a long time, said, "I have only one condition."

"You must marry me in your dreams!"

"After the wedding ceremony, I'll do whatever you want!"

Jiang Yun looked distressed and said, "Miss Feng, as you know, I am engaged to Xu Suwen, and..."

"Is it really not possible?" Feng Beier's eyes held a hint of pleading. "It's just in my dreams, to fulfill my fantasies."

“Miss Feng, this is a matter of principle.” Jiang Yun took a deep breath and shook her head.

Upon hearing this, Feng Beier could only nod helplessly: "Let's go, I'll do whatever you want."

(End of this chapter)