Dream of the Red Chamber: Starting with winning over Daiyu's favorability

With the prefectural examination drawing ever closer, Du Feng has stopped allowing Deng Zechen to study at the Li residence every day.

According to Du Feng, it is:

"Since passing the prefectural examination is already a foregone conclusion, there is no need to constantly force yourself to strive for perfection, otherwise it will only backfire."

Why not use this time to do something else? After all, you're still young. The imperial examinations are important, but there are many other important things to do. Don't put all your energy into it.

Deng Zechen spends most of his time reading every day, and now that he suddenly has free time, he doesn't know what to do.

I've already saved up nearly 20,000 taels of silver through "The Tale of the Demon Slayer," enough to live a comfortable life for a long time, even if I live extravagantly...

They've become too lax!

Without a formal title or official rank, in this far from peaceful world, one cannot be certain of complete safety.

His martial arts skills weren't at the level of a peerless master, so if he encountered the henchmen of some important figure, he would still be helpless and waiting to die.

More importantly, so much time has passed and we still haven't found an opportunity to deal with Shi Chen!

With the three-year mourning period almost over, Shi Chen actually stayed at Yongzuo Temple to eat vegetarian food and chant Buddhist scriptures, keeping vigil for the deceased Lady Shan Guo. During the vigil, he never left Yongzuo Temple even once.

Yongzuo Temple was a very famous temple in the capital. It was guarded not only by government officials, but also by members of the royal family who were said to be practicing Buddhism there while still keeping their hair.

Therefore, there were also many experts watching over him from the shadows. If Shi Chen stayed inside and didn't come out, Deng Zechen really wouldn't be able to do anything to him with his current skills.

Deng Zechen gave himself a slight scorn for being complacent and decided to practice a few more sets of boxing to relax.

After all, it is best for a scholar to persuade others with reason. When others are unwilling to give you the opportunity to persuade with reason, you should have the ability to persuade with force.

At first, Deng Zechen's family was a little unaccustomed to not having to go to school every day from early morning to late at night, but they got used to it after a few days.

At this moment, Deng Zechen was practicing boxing in the courtyard. Xiangling and Qin Keqing squeezed together behind the courtyard, peeking out half of their bodies and staring intently at Deng Zechen as he practiced boxing.

"Sister Keqing, you're stepping on my hair!"

Qin Keqing looked apologetic and shifted her body slightly. "I'm sorry."

But Xiangling didn't look at Qin Keqing at all; after freeing her hair, she focused on watching again.

The training and ample nutrition over the past three years have made Deng Zechen look no longer like the skinny boy he once was. His well-proportioned muscles, coupled with his height that is significantly taller than average, make him more imposing than his peers.

Deng Zechen's movements became faster and faster, each movement creating a gust of wind.

He didn't know how much time had passed, but Deng Zechen felt that he was covered in sweat, so he stopped what he was doing.

As soon as Deng Zechen stopped, Xiangling and Qin Keqing quickly pulled their heads back in.

The two held their breath, listening carefully to the sounds coming from the courtyard.

Xiangling patted her chest after hearing the door open and close: "That was close, he almost found out."

"Yes, luckily we reacted quickly."

After saying that, they smiled at each other and tiptoed away.

Qin Keqing was initially wary of this stranger who had suddenly appeared and helped her escape danger.

But Ruizhu kept repeating, "He's a good man. He gave them a place to live and never asked them to do anything wrong. There aren't any shady characters in his house."

After spending a long time with him, Qin Keqing also discovered that Deng Zechen was indeed a gentleman who had not done anything out of line.

After gradually feeling relieved, Qin Keqing became uneasy about eating and living there for free. However, she soon learned from Xiangling that the house was actually Xiangling's property.

So, Deng Zechen was also being kept by Xiangling?

This guess was too strange, which gave Qin Keqing a strange sense of peace. So she and Ruizhu Zhu did some embroidery at home to earn a little money.

After the group had saved up some money, they gave it to Xiangling as living expenses, but Xiangling did not accept it.

Qin Keqing had no choice but to nervously hand over the silver to Deng Zechen. Deng Zechen hesitated only for a moment before accepting the silver, and even said to Qin Keqing:

"I understand your intentions, but the three of you have worked hard for so long and this is all the money you can earn."

I don't mean to look down on you, I just hope you don't ruin your eyes by making money this way, otherwise it will be a losing proposition.

"We still have plenty of money at home right now. I can lend you some. You can use that money to buy some things and start a small business, how about that?"

Looking into Deng Zechen's sincere eyes, Qin Keqing realized that for the first time she had broken free from that cold and damp nightmare and was standing in the sunlight again, feeling the long-lost warmth.

Qin Keqing forgot what she had said at the time, and only cared about fleeing in panic. She returned to her room and could not calm down for a long time.

But Deng Zechen didn't bring up the matter again afterward. Instead, Xiangling came to her with money, saying that she couldn't just watch Brother Deng worry about making money all by himself.

Xiangling also wanted to do her part, and this time Qin Keqing agreed to help Xiangling. The two quickly became acquainted because of this.

……

After hastily washing his body, Deng Zechen brought up the panel. He didn't know when it started, but Qin Keqing's favorability had been increasing a little bit almost every day.

It just added 3 points at once, breaking through the 50 mark.

Qin Keqing's favorability rating: 51/100

【Charm +1】

Charm? What good is charm!

Increase the force!

Will we still be able to use our charm to seduce our enemies in the future?

Unfortunately, the attribute points awarded wouldn't change based on his own wishes, so all Deng Zechen could do was complain a couple of times before silently accepting it.

After venting his frustrations, Deng Zechen looked at the option to use the "Ask for Her Heart" feature and chose yes.

The familiar and noisy sounds once again overwhelmed Deng Zechen, who felt his mind being bombarded by a sudden surge of information.

After adjusting, Deng Zechen heard Qin Keqing's voice amidst the chaotic sounds:

"Why me? Why did I have to encounter such an absurd thing!"

"My husband...why is he just watching? He's my husband!"

"My mother-in-law knows...she must know...I didn't want to, but why does she pretend not to see anything even though she knows everything? Why is she only blaming me?"

"I don't want to stay here anymore, but where can I go? Where would I find a place to stay? My father-in-law won't let me go..."

"Is there no one in this world I can rely on?"

"There's only one way to leave here..."

As the sound faded, Deng Zechen pressed his throbbing temples. Qin Keqing's voice had long since disappeared, but the resentment and despair contained in it lingered for a long time.

Was this skill always this powerful? Or does it vary from person to person?

However, it seems that few of the women in the Dream of the Red Chamber have a good ending. Xiangling was abducted and went from being a rich young lady to someone else's servant.

Qin Keqing was coveted by her father-in-law, which violated human ethics, and she eventually hanged herself.

What is it that she wants?

Is he a reliable husband?