The Great Dream God

Meng Jin is sitting comfortably in the center of the quaint courtyard, surrounded by mottled red bricks and blue tiles, as if time has frozen in this quiet corner. The courtyard is deep and green, with lush green plants. Several pots of orchids exude a faint fragrance, dancing with the breeze, adding a bit of elegance. Under his feet, a square of smooth bluestone floor tiles witnessed the passage of time and the sedimentation of history.

He lazily leaned on the armchair carefully made of old elm wood. The texture of the chair back was like mountains and rivers, telling ancient stories. The sunlight shone through the grape trellis in the yard, scattering on his body in a mottled manner, bringing a touch of warmth. His eyes were distant and peaceful, as if the whole world became slow and peaceful under his smiling eyes. Everyday life was like an unfinished poem, without the need for gorgeous words, but only the leisure and freedom.

Mengjin is no longer as busy and busy as before. Those things that once made him excited have now turned into a wisp of smoke and dissipated with the wind. He is satisfied with the status quo and enjoys the small happiness in this plainness. Every day is like tasting a glass of aged wine, mellow and intoxicating. He no longer pursues the prosperity of the outside world, but only wishes to lie quietly in the embrace of this courtyard, letting time flow slowly like water, with endless peace in his heart.

Meng Jin was immersed in a quiet world he had created for himself. In his heart, there was only sunshine, breeze and the faint fragrance of tea, and he longed for time to flow quietly like running water. However, this peaceful afternoon was ruthlessly broken by a series of rapid knocks on the door, like a violent storm that hit his carefully maintained mental balance.

He frowned slightly, and the fan in his hand, the bamboo fan that accompanied him through countless leisurely hours, slowly slid down his cheek and fell lightly on the ground covered with bamboo mats, and he let out a tiny sigh. The exquisite landscape painting on the fan seemed to have lost its color at this moment, blending into the dust on the ground, symbolizing the disturbed tranquility.

Meng Jin lazily stood up, his slippers leaving a series of vague marks on the floor, and every step seemed so reluctant. The sound of his slippers echoed in the empty room, forming a sharp contrast with the knocking on the door, as if it was a symphony of two worlds, one was his comfort, and the other was the noise of the outside world. On his face, irritability gradually appeared, his brows were furrowed, and his eyes revealed a hint of helplessness and boredom.

Under the bright sunshine, Meng Jin slowly pushed open the heavy door of the courtyard, as if opening a dusty picture. The scene outside the door instantly jumped into his sight, like a vivid oil painting, delicate and rich in layers. Wei Yanren, the familiar figure, stood quietly in the silhouette of the sun, his figure was as straight as a pine tree, his eyes were deep and firm.

Beside him, an exquisite carriage shimmered with a warm luster in the sun, looking solemn and luxurious. As the coachman steadily pulled down the curtain of the carriage, a figure appeared elegantly. It was Princess Ziyang. Her appearance was like the warm sun in spring, illuminating the entire picture. She was dressed in a purple brocade robe, and the corners of her clothes swayed gently in the breeze, like a blooming violet, exuding a faint fragrance. Her gait was light, and every step seemed to be telling of nobility and tenderness. Her unique temperament made it impossible to ignore her existence. Under the baptism of the sun, her face shone like pearls, and her eyes revealed not only dignity, but also tenacity and wisdom. At this moment, Meng Jin seemed to see the whole world quiet down in front of her, just to appreciate this moving picture.

Meng Jin's movements were as fast as lightning. He slammed the door shut without hesitation, as if an invisible barrier instantly separated the inside and the outside. The force was so great that the door hinges creaked, and the vibrations echoed in the air, bringing about a subtle atmosphere of tension. Princess Ziyang frowned, her nose trembled slightly, and she could almost see the anger condensing on her delicate face, like a volcano about to erupt. She understood that all of this was directed at her, and the resentment in her heart surged like a tide.

The princess clenched her jade hands into fists, her nails deeply embedded in her palms, but she didn't feel any pain. Her feet were like the wind, rushing towards the door that had just closed like a storm, with endless power in every step. When she approached the door, she slapped her hands hard, and the sound of clapping echoed in the empty space. Every impact was like the venting of her anger, and every sound was telling of her dissatisfaction and stubbornness. The force was so great that it seemed to crack the door panel, so that the whole mansion could feel her emotional waves.

Meng Jin stood in front of the gate of the mansion, his voice loud and firm, resounding all around. His declaration was like a thunderbolt, shocking everyone who heard it: "I, Meng Jin, am no longer a wandering adventurer, but a scholar-official of the human empire, enjoying the royal salary and shouldering the responsibility of protecting the country. This royal grain is not only a guarantee of life, but also a symbol of responsibility. From now on, no one, whether it is the king, the generals, or the common people, has the power to order me to go through fire and water, to go through life and death! My sword and my courage will exist for the peace and prosperity of the empire." His tone was full of determination and pride, and every word revealed his recognition of his new identity and his farewell to the past. This transformation is not only an affirmation of his own life, but also a solemn commitment to responsibility and honor.

Princess Ziyang slammed the door with her angrily hands, and each impact was accompanied by her sharp questioning: "How can you be so satisfied with the status quo? How can you be so lacking in enterprising spirit?" Her brows were furrowed, and her eyes flashed with disappointment and confusion, as if she couldn't believe that the person in front of her would be content with mediocrity.

Meng Jin, facing such accusations, seemed calm and even smiled. He shook his head, unmoved, and responded: "If a person has a stable life and has accumulated a rich foundation, but still insists on putting his own life and death aside and blindly fights with others to the death, such a person can only be called extremely stupid." His voice was calm and firm, and every word refuted the point of view of Princess Ziyang, forcing people to re-examine the so-called "ambition".

Wei Yanren deeply understood the influence of Princess Ziyang. He clearly realized that for Meng Jin, every word of the princess was as heavy as a mountain and could not be easily shaken. Therefore, he decided to change his angle to enlighten Meng Jin and communicate in a more caring and understanding way: "Meng Jin, you may have misunderstood our original intention. We are not here today with the intention of letting you take on a difficult task. I empathize with your concerns, but please believe that we hope you can stay true to yourself and not be afraid." His words were full of sincerity, trying to eliminate Meng Jin's concerns and let him understand that they came to support, not to pressure.