She Became A Downfall Noble Lady
Chapter 365 - 364: A Dream of a Lifetime

Chapter 365: Chapter 364: A Dream of a Lifetime

Though Jiang Yifan was trained by a mentor who was an atheist, it was obvious that Jiang Yifan himself was not an atheist. Therefore, Jiang Yifan’s understanding of what Ye Xinyan said was somewhat biased.

The vast cosmos, the changing seasons, and the ethereal rulers had nothing to do with each other; when astrophysics reached a certain level, these phenomena were given clear explanations, and hence lost their mystique.

Similarly, souls and spirits were only associated with deities when people didn’t understand them. If technology advanced to a certain level and these concepts of the soul became material, then traces of the soul might also be found.

Perhaps sensing Ye Xinyan’s skepticism, Jiang Yifan asked, "You don’t believe?" His tone held an undisguised astonishment, as he thought she definitely would, given her current situation.

Ye Xinyan shook her head. "There are too many things in this world that I don’t understand. I dare not say I believe, nor do I dare say I don’t believe." Originally, she hadn’t believed, but now she was uncertain, at least with the level of scientific and technological civilization of her era, she was unsure.

"What about you, then? What’s your story?" Jiang Yifan asked softly.

Ye Xinyan glanced around and noticed that the closest person from Anshun’s Household was also far away, simply watching from a distance without approaching. Feeling reassured, she countered, "What does Lord Jiang think it is?"

Jiang Yifan laughed, "If it were the legitimate young lady of Duke An’s Mansion, she definitely would not address me this way. No matter what our relationship is now, she wouldn’t call me that."

"Is that so? To Lord Jiang, what kind of address would be appropriate and reasonable?"

Jiang Yifan thought for a moment, "Probably not addressing me at all, or maybe just by my name."

Ye Xinyan nodded. "I’ve learned something."

Jiang Yifan continued the earlier topic, "I believe that people are reincarnated into this world. Anything that is operational is bound to have errors. Perhaps the soul that was sent to this world was found to be incorrect after some time, and then fixed..."

"Pfft—" Ye Xinyan couldn’t help it and burst out laughing, then stuttered an apology, "I’m sorry, I’m really sorry. I, this humble woman, didn’t do it on purpose. I just couldn’t help it... it was really beyond me."

It was just too funny. The immortal and Yama Raja made a mistake?

Then she couldn’t hold back anymore and chuckled, "Lord Jiang is quite tolerant, not only allowing for mistakes by immortals and Yama Raja..., but also... allowing for those mistakes to be corrected." Forgive her lack of self-control, and let her laugh a bit longer.

Jiang Yifan, with an embarrassed face, watched helplessly as Ye Xinyan shook with silent laughter. It wasn’t until her shoulders slowly stopped shaking and became steady, and she used a handkerchief to dab at the corners of her mouth, returning to normalcy, that he asked, "If not this, then what?" Jiang Yifan spread his hands, "I really can’t think of any other explanation."

Ye Xinyan examined Jiang Yifan with a seriousness she had never used in all her time here. This guy was quite sunny, huh? Despite his confusion, he still hadn’t considered monsters, devils, ghosts, and demons?

Ye Xinyan raised an eyebrow high and asked Jiang Yifan, "Haven’t you ever considered the possibility of being possessed by monsters and devils or haunted by ghosts and demons?"

"Tsk." This time it was Jiang Yifan’s turn to scoff. "My master and I have traveled for many years, walking through desolate areas and wild beaches at night, and we have never seen any such creatures. It’s only in inhabited places that I’ve heard stories of ghosts and demons, but unfortunately, when these tales are investigated, they turn out to be hoaxes."

"Besides, Miss Ye, being under so many watchful eyes and still fearless of water and fire, defying all prohibitions without a care, could you really be possessed by monsters and devils? When did Miss Ye learn to joke like this? Hehe," Jiang Yifan even let out a laugh towards the end.

Ye Xinyan gave him a glare. Damn it, truly a disciple of the same master—Guan He had also said she defied all prohibitions. Didn’t they know that to describe a woman with such words in ancient times was akin to cursing her?

Jiang Yifan was glared at by Ye Xinyan, and he happily restrained his smile, carefully asking, "So, can you tell me what’s going on?"

Ye Xinyan took another look around and said, "Is this really the time to discuss these things?"

This indeed wasn’t the time to discuss such matters, or else, Ye Xinyan would have truly intended to have a proper talk with Jiang Yifan. Lest he really believe she was some kind of monster or demon, that would be bad. Although she could argue, once questioned, there would inevitably be those influenced by such views, which could inconvenience her future life.

"Not even a little bit?"

Jiang Yifan’s curiosity was completely piqued. If Ye Xinyan continued to keep her lips sealed and refused to explain anything, he would have no choice, nor would he be so eager to know. But now, seeing that she was not opposed to discussing it, yet refusing to do so because of the environment, he felt a little restless. Who knew if after this moment, Miss Ye would still be in the mood to talk.

"Do you believe in ’a dream which spans a lifetime’?" Ye Xinyan asked.

"Oh?" Jiang Yifan looked at Ye Xinyan with surprise in his eyes, "Just from having a dream?"

Ye Xinyan looked past him and focused her gaze on the gate where bursts of firecrackers glinted. "What if it was just one night’s dream that felt incredibly long, as if a lifetime had passed? No, not a lifetime, but a period of time, in a very realistic dream. Then you wake up after one night, and it’s still this current life. Do you believe in such a thing?"

Ye Xinyan looked at Jiang Yifan.

"I believe," Jiang Yifan nodded, "Maybe that was a memory from another life."

This was one of the real possibilities Ye Xinyan had considered: Zhuangzi and the butterfly. Who could clarify such things, who knew which was actually the dream? But if that was the case, what happened to her previous self? Where did this life’s Miss Ye go since her current thinking and Miss Ye were not of the same nature, not even the same person.

Ye Xinyan shook her head, still unable to make sense of it.

"What’s wrong?" Jiang Yifan asked from the side.

Ye Xinyan bluntly replied, "To tell you the truth, I can’t figure it out either." Then, frowning, she wandered out towards the gate. Who could make sense of this sort of thing? Besides, her head would explode if she thought about it any longer.

Jiang Yifan stood where he was, not moving, just smilingly watching the woman walk out, in an exceptionally good mood. Whether it was his previous speculation about Yama Raja making a mistake or Ye Xinyan’s own account of a dream spanning a lifetime, either outcome was quite delightful.

When Ye Xinyan went out, the firecrackers were already at their finale. Qi Jiajia’s screams followed the noise incessantly, her voice somewhat hoarse, while Nanny Jin kept telling her to keep her voice down, yet not willing to be too strict and deprive her of the joy that came just once a year.

The air was thick with the smell of gunpowder, and the ground outside the courtyard was covered with a thick layer of firecracker scraps. Under the glow of the lanterns, the scene looked remarkably festive.