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

Deng Zechen was covered with bundles of all sizes. As Xiangling and Qin Keqing were busy running around, it seemed as if they wanted to tie their entire home to him and carry it away.

"Stop! Listen to me!"

Xiangling, who was still stuffing clothes into the trunk, froze, while the others were also drawn to Deng Zechen's voice.

Deng Zechen stripped off his belongings one by one. "I'm not fleeing from disaster! I'll be back after the prefectural examination. There's no need for me to bring so much stuff."

Although Qin Keqing also felt that she didn't need so many things to go out, she unconsciously joined in when she saw everyone else busy stuffing things into Deng Zechen's luggage.

When Deng Zechen refused, Qin Keqing was the first to react, feeling somewhat embarrassed, and silently put down the cloak in her hand.

Only Xiangling was still somewhat unwilling:

"Brother Deng, you should bring more warm clothes. It would be bad if you caught a cold."

Deng Zechen's eye twitched violently after hearing this:

"Didn't you say you'd be back within a month? You brought so many clothes, you couldn't possibly wear them all even if you wore one outfit a day."

Upon seeing the fox fur hat in Xiangling's hand, Deng Zechen quickly stopped her:

"Don't put this down! What kind of weather is this? You can't wear this hat!"

"But……"

Deng Zechen was really struggling to keep up. "No buts, listen to me! That's how it'll be done!"

Just then, a few clear laughs came from outside the door, and everyone in the courtyard looked towards the entrance, their eyes lighting up.

The newcomer had red lips and white teeth, sword-like eyebrows and bright eyes. He carried only a simple box in his hand, yet he still exuded a unique charm.

When Deng Zechen saw Feng Ziming, he felt as if his savior had arrived:

"You're all packed? Let's go!"

Feng Ziming smiled. "Why are you in such a hurry? I can tell your girls are quite worried about you. Shouldn't you stay a little longer?"

Deng Zechen slung his prepared luggage over his shoulder, took a long stride over the pile of things that Xiangling and the others had packed, and pushed Feng Ziming toward the door.

"You're really unfair! Not only do you not help me, but you're also here laughing at me!"

Qin Keqing, standing behind, stared blankly at the two people with their arms around each other's shoulders.

"I knew that Young Master Feng was handsome, but I only realized today that Brother Deng was just as good-looking as him when they stood together."

This comparison is not just about appearance, but also about their overall demeanor.

Feng Ziming is a typical Confucian scholar. In addition to his handsome appearance, he has a very obvious scholarly air and is gentle and approachable in conversation, making it easy for people to feel close to him.

But perhaps because of his martial arts training, Deng Zechen was tall and had a more chivalrous air about him.

Perhaps it's because he's getting older, but the childishness on his face has gradually faded, and his features have become more defined, giving him a very dashing appearance.

Logically speaking, such a heroic face shouldn't be as pleasing as Feng Ziming's, but Deng Zechen's doe-like eyes softened the inherent aggressiveness of his appearance, making people unconsciously lower their guard.

Thinking of Deng Zechen practicing martial arts, Qin Keqing's thoughts drifted away.

His well-defined chest and abdomen muscles were even more clearly visible when the wind blew and his workout clothes clung tightly to his body.

Broad shoulders, narrow waist, long and straight legs—he looks very strong…

Deng Zechen led Feng Ziming further and further away, while Xiangling stared intently at their retreating figures until they disappeared from sight, at which point she abruptly looked away.

Looking at the mess on the ground, Xiangling suppressed her disappointment and began to tidy up.

Turning around, he found Qin Keqing still staring blankly outside, assuming that she, like him, was reluctant to part with Deng Zechen.

"Sister Qin? Brother Deng said he'll be back soon. Let's pack our things away first."

Qin Keqing seemed not to have heard clearly:

"what?"

Baozhu and Qin Keqing grew up together, and Baozhu guessed some of Qin Keqing's thoughts:

"Miss, Xiangling said that Young Master Deng will be back soon, and told us to put these things away first."

"Well, of course, of course..."

The four women silently began to pack up, putting everything back in its place.

After finishing her work, Baozhu followed Qin Keqing into her room and tentatively asked:

"What's wrong, young lady?"

"Nothing's wrong."

Qin Keqing appeared outwardly calm, but having lived and eaten together for over a decade, she couldn't hide her subtle actions from the other.

At this moment, although Qin Keqing's tone did not change much, she blinked twice quickly while speaking and her gaze quietly shifted to the left. Although she quickly returned to normal, Baozhu still noticed it.

"What do you think of Young Master Deng, young lady?"

"He is a polite and ambitious person, and he will definitely have a bright future."

Seeing that Qin Keqing was avoiding the main point, Baozhu stopped pressing her for answers:

"Yes, I wonder what kind of girl such a talented young man will marry in the future."

Qin Keqing: ...

Baozhu pretended not to notice Qin Keqing's silence, and feigned sudden realization:

"Look at my memory, how could I forget Miss Lin next door?"

I think they are a perfect match. Young Master Deng always seems very interested in whatever he hears about Miss Lin, and Miss Lin behaves differently in front of him than she does in front of us.

Upon hearing Baozhu's words, Qin Keqing felt as if her burning heart had plunged into the icy cold lake water.

"Yes, they are a perfect match, a handsome man and a beautiful woman..."

Seeing Qin Keqing's sudden drop in mood, Baozhu realized she had gone a bit too far.

"Don't overthink it, young lady. I didn't mean to say that you are inferior to Miss Lin."

If you truly have such feelings for me, please express them to Young Master Deng. It would be better than you being saddened here alone.

Although Young Master Deng is currently only a student of the lowest level, his future achievements will certainly be much greater. Young lady, you should seize this opportunity; being in such a prominent position will give you a head start!

Qin Keqing was lost in thought, and when faced with Baozhu's words, she simply pursed her lips and did not respond.

……

On the other side, Deng Zechen and Feng Ziming finally arrived at the dock. Du Feng had arrived early and waved to the two of them.

Upon seeing Du Feng, Deng Zechen led Feng Ziming toward Du Feng's location, and the three of them boarded a ship bound for Yangzhou together.

Not long after boarding the ship, Feng Ziming's face grew paler and paler, and finally he couldn't hold on any longer:

"Zechen, Brother Du, I'm so sorry, I'm still feeling a bit dizzy and nauseous... I'll head back now."

Upon hearing this, Du Feng called out to Feng Ziming:

"I know a little about acupoints on the human body, would you mind letting me give it a try?"

Feng Ziming felt a glimmer of hope, forced a smile onto his pale face, and nodded.

Du Feng said no more, pulled Feng Ziming's right hand, pushed up his sleeve, and began to press the Neiguan acupoint.

Deng Zechen watched with great interest, only to see that Feng Ziming's face slowly regained some color.

"It really works, though it's a bit sore and numb. Thank you, Brother Du."

Seeing that Feng Ziming had recovered somewhat, Du Feng also withdrew his movements and nodded in reply:

"Well, but this only treats the symptoms, not the root cause. Remember this acupoint and go back to rest. If you feel dizzy or nauseous again, you can press it yourself."

Feng Ziming left with profuse thanks, while Du Feng and Deng Zechen stood on the deck looking into the distance.

Just as he was about to say something, Deng Zechen was interrupted by the sudden news that appeared before him:

Qin Keqing's favorability rating: 57/100

what's going on?