Chapter 1: The Dream Came True

Nanyan had a strange dream.

In broad daylight, the actress Xia from Swallow Tower, who often came to their home to perform, was engaged in an illicit affair!

In the dream, Nanyan stood beneath a window, clearly hearing the sounds of intimacy from within; it was unmistakably Xia.

“Be gentle… ah… I still need to go on stage later…”

There was also a man’s heavy breathing, laced with desire. The sounds were constant. Embarrassed, Nanyan quickly turned away, and then she awoke.

April’s sunlight was bright and lovely. While Biezhi helped her wash and dress, she said, “Today is the fifteenth, madam, you’ll be quite busy!”

Indeed, it was a busy day. On the fifteenth, she had to attend the temple fair to pray and burn incense. For the entire Meng household, nearly a dozen people, she had to draw lots for each and have the master interpret them.

That odd dream had made her wake up late… but so be it.

“There’s no need to be ostentatious at the temple. Something simple and pure will do.”

Biezhi nodded, adding, “The Lady Dowager sent a message to Swallow Tower, inviting Xia to perform after supper.”

Nanyan paused, recalling her dream, a strange feeling flickering through her heart.

“Wasn’t Xia supposed to be out of the capital? Didn’t Lord Wang retire and pay a hefty sum to have her perform elsewhere?”

Biezhi was uncertain: “Perhaps she has returned?”

Swallow Tower was an official music house, performing only for the families of officials. The whereabouts of its performers were always posted for convenience in sending invitations.

At least till last night, Nanyan had received no notice from Swallow Tower.

How, then, did the Lady Dowager know that Xia had already returned to the capital?

Another question arose in her mind, but she suppressed it and summoned Madam Su to arrange things.

“Order some peach blossom cakes from Su Yi Bakery—the Lady Dowager’s favorite! Also almond soup and osmanthus cakes, which the girls love.”

“Spend extra if needed—the peach blossom cakes take time to prepare. Ask the mistress to deliver them before supper.”

“Prepare carriages for the girls. There’s a flower feast at the Minister’s mansion; they may wish to attend.”

“My mother’s health is poor—make sure all nourishing soups and medicines are prepared on time.”

Having made all the arrangements, she finally went out and climbed into her carriage.

Old Madam Liu by the side gate turned and went straight to the Lady Dowager to complain.

“You spent the night fasting in the Buddha Hall, yet the young mistress didn’t come to pay her respects—she just went out, all dressed up!”

The Lady Dowager rose from her cushion, leaning on Madam Liu’s arm. “Today’s the fifteenth—she must be busy as the mistress of the house.”

“She’s only good at ordering servants and slaves about. She claims to go to the temple, but who is she dressing up for?”

Madam Liu helped the Lady Dowager into her clothes, clearly seeing her expression darken, and pressed on.

“Our young master was sent to Zhuxi Town three years ago to compile the local records—she must be lonely in her chambers!”

“Zhuxi Town is just east of the capital—not far at all. Boji comes home every two or three months; you’ll be accused of overthinking.”

Though the Lady Dowager defended Nanyan, her heart was already pricked.

Madam Liu’s tongue was even sharper: “She sees her husband only every two or three months. With her natural allure, can she really remain faithful?”

“Whenever the young master comes home, she clings to him endlessly. Indulging her will only harm him!”

The Lady Dowager fell silent. Madam Liu lowered her voice, fanning the flames.

“The young master is now a scholar at the Hanlin Academy. The Meng family can’t afford such disgrace, and it could ruin his career!”

Concerned for her only grandson, the Lady Dowager’s face turned grim.

“She really went out all dressed up?”

“I saw it with my own eyes!”

The Lady Dowager slammed the table. “If I can’t control her, someone else will!”

Baohua Temple was an imperial temple, and on the fifteenth, it bustled with incense and prayers. Many wives and daughters of officials came to worship.

Nanyan spent the day drawing lots and seeking fortunes, repeatedly seeking new lots if the previous ones were unfavorable. Her legs grew weak from walking, her knees numb from kneeling.

Biezhi, worried for her, helped her to a quiet side courtyard to rest, then went off to fetch a talisman for peace.

Nanyan, exhausted, sat beneath the eaves, wiped her sweat, and massaged her aching calves.

Suddenly, she heard voices—familiar ones.

Puzzled, Nanyan followed the sound to a tightly closed window. It was a side room of the temple, and the voices came from within.

It was a man’s heavy, intimate breathing.

“Be gentle… ah… I still need to go on stage later…”

Nanyan’s face changed dramatically; she stumbled back.

This… this was Xia Qingfei, one of Swallow Tower’s leading actresses!

The Lady Dowager often summoned her to perform at the mansion, and the Meng household was all too familiar with her voice—Nanyan was certain it was her!

The most shocking thing—this was exactly as she had dreamed the night before!

“Going to the Meng household again?”

“Mmm…”

Nanyan turned to leave, but suddenly heard the man mention the Meng family.

“It’s because of the Meng family… you don’t want me!”

With a hint of resentment, the man thrust forcefully, eliciting a licentious, high-pitched moan from Xia Qingfei.

Nanyan clapped a hand to her mouth, feeling sick to her stomach!

How could Xia Qingfei commit such a filthy act in a place dedicated to Buddhist purity, in broad daylight?

Swallow Tower was an official music house; its performers were strictly bound by rules, meant to conduct themselves with dignity—yet it turned out…

“Be gentle… ah… if you had even a third of Meng Boji’s talent… would you need to complain to me… ah—!”

“Is he really better than me? Are you sure?”

The movements inside grew wild, the sounds unbearable. Nanyan could no longer listen, covering her ears as she fled.

She ran out of the side courtyard, back into the crowd, finally stopping to catch her breath.

The bustle of the crowd seemed distant to her—her mind was filled with Xia Qingfei’s words.

If you had even a third of Meng Boji’s talent…

What did that mean?

Nanyan’s face was pale as death, dread rising in her heart, but she refused to believe—

“Impossible… my husband isn’t that kind of man!”

Meng Boji—pure as wind and moon, noble as jade and tree—how could he be entangled with Xia Qingfei?

Three years ago, it was in front of Baohua Temple, in a moment’s glance, that Meng Boji fell deeply, hopelessly in love with her.

To marry the legitimate daughter of the Duke’s household, he studied day and night, topped the autumn exams, donned the scholar’s robes, and proposed.

He knelt outside the Duke’s mansion for three days and nights, enduring scorching sun and pouring rain, fell dangerously ill, yet kept murmuring her name.

Such devotion—how could he betray Nanyan for an actress?

Perhaps, Xia Qingfei had merely used his name to tease or provoke another man.

Yes, it must be so.

Nanyan let out a long breath, calming her heart. Only then did she hear Biezhi’s anxious calls.

“Madam! Madam—”

She steadied herself and saw Biezhi had been standing beside her for some time, holding onto her sleeve.

She hadn’t even noticed. She truly had been frightened.

“I’m fine…”

Biezhi was deeply concerned. “But madam, your face is so pale—did something happen?”