Dream of the Red Chamber: Daiyu and I swapped clothes

Chapter 71, Volume King Lin Daiyu

The Zhenyuan Marquis's Residence

Li Chen woke up early in the morning, touched the slightly cool bed beside him, and couldn't help but sigh silently.

It's back again.

These past few days I've been so engrossed in playing and frolicking with Shi Xiangyun that I haven't even read a few pages of my book. I don't know how I'm going to deal with Mr. Xing's test later.

The thought of this matter troubled Li Chen.

Having previously tried various means to avoid attending classes, now that the teacher has already taught Lin Daiyu for seven or eight days, where can he find a reason to shirk his duties?

There was no Xiangling waiting under the bed; without a doubt, she had been driven away by Lin Daiyu again.

However, it wasn't very convenient with only Xiangling busy in the room.

When will we be able to add a few more maids?

There were people to help with dressing, people to help with meals, and people to help with writing materials. The division of labor was clear and the hierarchy was distinct.

This is the life that noble families should have.

Looking at myself, I realize that everything—economic status, reputation, career advancement—requires my own hard work.

"Alright, let's see what message Lin Daiyu left behind."

After getting dressed, Li Chen went to the desk and began to read the handbook left by Lin Daiyu.

With just a few strokes, not much was written. When his gaze fell on the line "The teacher doesn't like to test students' knowledge; they can get away with just listening quietly," Li Chen finally breathed a sigh of relief.

But upon further reflection, Li Chen felt something was amiss.

"When Mr. Xing first arrived, he would come to my room to test my knowledge, even if I pretended to be sick. How come he suddenly changed his mind and no longer likes to test me?"

Li Chen frowned slightly, unable to figure out the reason for the situation.

"Young Master has had breakfast."

Xiangling quietly entered carrying a food tray, keeping her eyes down the whole time as she set out the dishes and bowls.

Seeing her so distant, Li Chen became even more certain that Xiangling must have been neglected by Lin Daiyu these past few days.

He couldn't help but think to himself, "What an irresponsible woman. She brought him to her room and then deliberately ignored him. I'm the only one left to make sacrifices to protect our relationship."

Before Xiangling could even leave, Li Chen smiled and beckoned, saying, "Sister, would you mind sitting down and sharing this meal with me?"

Xiangling was slightly taken aback upon hearing this. Her lips trembled, but she finally managed to utter, "Young Master, I've already used it."

What did you use?

Li Chen picked up a spoon and scooped up some chicken porridge. "Is the soup on the main stove just watery broth?"

He filled a bowl and first pushed the porridge in front of her.

"When you were at the Xue family, you didn't have to worry about anything, and the food you ate was better than at the manor. You only lost a lot of weight after a month or so of living here. How could that have escaped my notice?"

The young master's sudden tenderness made Xiangling's heart tremble slightly, but she didn't dare to answer the question of whether the Xue family was better than the Zhenyuan Marquis's mansion.

He stammered and couldn't give a clear answer.

Li Chen looked up again, frowned, tapped the table, and asked, "What, do you think I won't care about you?"

"I……"

Under Li Chen's oppressive presence, Xiangling had no choice but to sit down at the table, take a spoonful of porridge, and her eyes were already slightly red.

She had long since given up on such intimacy with the young master, who was hot and cold at the same time, but when he showed her kindness again, she couldn't help but get closer.

"Come on, try another shrimp dumpling. These are all leftover New Year's goods. In February and March, when food is scarce, we won't be able to eat these good things anymore."

As he spoke, Li Chen picked up a crystal shrimp dumpling and brought it to Xiang Ling's lips.

Xiangling blushed and hurriedly reached for the chopsticks, but Li Chen glared at her, stopping her in her tracks.

She could only suppress her embarrassment, brush a strand of hair behind her ear, and take a bite. Her cheeks immediately bulged, making her look like a hamster.

Li Chen couldn't help but chuckle.

Xiangling's ears turned bright red.

But when Xiangling finished her breakfast and cleared away the dishes, a rare smile appeared on her lips, and her steps were much lighter. Li Chen had never seen her smile before.

Satisfied with his masterpiece, he went to the stone lock for his morning exercise as usual.

But as soon as Li Chen grasped the stone lock, he sensed something was wrong.

This stone lock is heavier than before?

Li Chen couldn't help but think to himself, "Holy crap, it's gotten worse? Lin Daiyu, are you taking the imperial examination or the military examination?"

……

Li Chen sat quietly in the study waiting, and when his mentor, Mr. Xing, entered, he hardly recognized him.

With slightly protruding cheekbones, dark circles under his eyes, and a skeletal appearance, he only responded to Li Chen's greeting before launching into his lecture.

The lecture was delivered very fluently, and it was clear that it had been carefully prepared.

However, after only an hour, Mr. Xing's body began to sway, and his voice became unsteady as he lectured.

Even so, he still insisted on attending classes, using strong tea to stay awake during breaks, the bitter taste filling the entire study.

The break between classes was much longer than usual, and Li Chen didn't want to disturb them.

Unexpectedly, Mr. Xing started snoring, which made Li Chen even more astonished.

Understanding Mr. Xing's age, Li Chen gently shook him awake, "Sir, sir, wake up."

Upon hearing Li Chen's shout, Mr. Xing suddenly sat up in surprise and asked guiltily, "What, what does the young master wish to ask this time?"

"Just now, we were talking about the Book of Rites. What is it about that you want to ask, young master?"

"That's enough for today."

Li Chen was genuinely afraid that the old man might suffer some mishap.

Mr. Xing hurriedly straightened his clothes and firmly denied it, saying, "No, no, the county examination is approaching, how can we slack off? Your son is determined to be the best, and as his teacher, I must set an example."

"We must not let the master's health deteriorate."

Li Chen smiled reassuringly and helped him gather his books, "Besides, the top scorer in the county examination mostly reads what the county magistrate likes."

"After the county examination, there is the prefectural examination, and after that, there is the provincial examination. If you fall ill before the county examination, how will you continue teaching?"

"There are only two months between the county examination and the prefectural examination."

Upon hearing this, Xing Bingcheng immediately wavered.

Li Chen then said, "With my current knowledge, aren't you confident in dealing with the county examination examiners?"

Upon hearing this question, Xing Bingcheng completely dispelled his doubts, nodded slightly, and said, "That makes sense. Young master, please rest assured. I have already inquired with my fellow graduates about the new magistrate's preferences, and I believe we will have news soon."

"Well then, please take care of yourself, sir."

Seeing Xing Bingcheng stagger out the door, even tripping on the threshold and needing a servant to help him back to his room, Li Chen felt utterly helpless.

"Does this gentleman dislike being tested? Or is he just tired of being grilled by you?"

"Lin Daiyu, you truly deserve the title of Queen of Scrolls!"

……

Rongguo Mansion
After Shi Xiangyun pulled up her trousers and fled out the door, the room was completely silent, and all the sisters looked at Lin Daiyu with strange expressions.

She felt like crawling into a hole in the ground.

Looking around, Lin Daiyu forced a smile. "May I explain?"

Tan Chun muttered under her breath, "We've seen Sister Lin twice already..."

Xue Baochai couldn't help but smile, "Indeed, I thought Sister Yun was crazy enough..."

Li Wan, who had come with them, couldn't help but rub her temples and advised, "Sister Lin, even if it's a life-saving grace, you can't humiliate someone like this for your own amusement."

"I am innocent!"

Lin Daiyu inwardly roared, "This纨绔 (wan ku, a spoiled brat) has ruined me! What kind of ridiculous plan did he come up with!"

(End of this chapter)