Dream of the Red Chamber: Daiyu and I swapped clothes

Chapter 25: The Transformed Playboy or the Playboy?
Even after Lin Daiyu returned to her room, her heart was still pounding, and her thoughts were a jumbled mess, impossible to unravel.

I had intended to say a few words of sound reasoning and righteousness to appease the Marquis of Zhenyuan's question.

Unexpectedly, the phrase "only ask about reason, not about good or bad fortune" was like throwing a spark into dry tinder, immediately igniting the fierce military spirit in the heart of the Marquis of Zhenyuan.

He resolutely embarked on the path of becoming a loyal and upright official.

They could even go directly to the palace to meet the emperor.

How can we withstand the coming storms?
Lin Daiyu felt powerless and even placed her hopes on that playboy, hoping that he would come and deal with this troublesome situation after she changed back into her original body the next day.

But does he really have that kind of cunning?
Moreover, good fortune never comes in pairs, but misfortunes never come singly.

She then heard even more bewildering news in Zou's room.

It was like another heavy hammer blow to her heart, throwing Lin Daiyu into complete disarray.

"If the Xue family were to form a marriage alliance with the Zhenyuan Marquis's mansion, wouldn't that mean it would be like my marriage to Sister Bao..."

Lin Daiyu lay on the cool desk, holding her cheeks, feeling them burning hot, even her ears felt like they were on fire.

"No, no way." Lin Daiyu rubbed her face, forcing herself to calm down.

"That's just Sister Chuntao's wild speculation. Sister Bao has such discerning eyes, how could she possibly be interested in a playboy? She even questioned Li Chen's character with me before."

"If it weren't for my strong recommendation, the Xue family would never have had any dealings with the Zhenyuan Marquis's mansion, let alone a marriage alliance."

Thinking of this, Lin Daiyu felt a mix of emotions.

If this were to actually happen, wouldn't it be like digging a hole and burying yourself in it?

"But the Zhenyuan Marquis's mansion benefits from this, and Madam Zou no longer needs to pawn her jewelry, which is ultimately a good thing. Aunt, Baochai's warm hospitality towards me is a way of returning the favor, so we are even. But what if this really leads to a marriage between our two families...?"

A chill ran down Lin Daiyu's spine as she thought of something even more terrifying.

Li Chen will eventually have to get married. If the bride is someone else's daughter and he doesn't know her, then she might not be as good as the gentle and virtuous Baochai.

But the thought of entering the bridal chamber as a man made Lin Daiyu feel as if her chest was blocked by a stone, making it hard to breathe.

All the myriad sorrows were ultimately transformed into a few words on paper.

Lin Daiyu took out the booklet containing her correspondence with Li Chen and wrote guiltily, "The mastermind behind Steward Qiu is the Marquis of Zhongxin, and the evidence is conclusive. The Marquis has already entered the palace to meet the Emperor and explain the whole story. This move may cause a turmoil in the court, and the future of our household is uncertain."

With her pen poised on the last stroke, Lin Daiyu ultimately couldn't bring herself to write that she was the one who had fueled the flames.

As for the second matter, it concerns the Xue family.

Lin Daiyu blushed, her pen hovering in mid-air, but ultimately failed to write a single word.

"If I were to get involved in matters of love and romance, I would surely only invite ridicule from that纨绔 (spoiled brat). Forget it, I'll just ask Sister Bao about it myself when I get back to the manor."

Lin Daiyu put down her pen and folded up the booklet containing their correspondence.

Disturbed, Lin Daiyu opened the book again, took a deep breath, picked up her brush, dipped it in ink, and forced herself to immerse herself in the classic texts.

"It seems I've messed up both of these things. The only thing I can do well is my academic work. I'll just focus on my studies and from now on, I'll be more careful with my words and actions and stop talking so much."

At this moment, the academic studies that she used to find burdensome have become a source of comfort for Lin Daiyu.

After putting down her pen, Lin Daiyu's mood gradually eased.

……

The next day,

Lin Daiyu slowly opened her eyes, and saw the familiar Xiangfei-colored bed curtains. She let out a long sigh.

Finally home.

This time, she was the one worrying about whether the body swap would go wrong, but fortunately everything was proceeding according to plan.

The Marquis of Zhenyuan did not return to his residence until late last night. It is likely that the palace was locked and he was slung out of the palace by palace servants. This shows how serious the matter is. Lin Daiyu did not even dare to go to his room to ask him in detail.

As a result, Lin Daiyu felt a greater sense of indebtedness towards Li Chen. As for all the things she had done for him—washing his clothes, cleaning his house, helping him with his studies, and even giving him a thorough cleaning—she put them aside, thinking that they couldn't be made up for by the trouble she had caused.

"Miss, you're up? Xueyan just went to get breakfast and will be back in a moment."

Hearing the commotion, Zijuan rolled up the bed curtains and, as usual, fetched a basin of warm water to help Lin Daiyu wash her face and change her clothes.

Back in the Zhenyuan Marquis's residence, Lin Daiyu personally took care of these daily chores. Now, enjoying such attentive service, her feelings are quite different from before, and she no longer takes it for granted as she used to.

"Thank you for your help, Sister Zijuan."

Upon hearing Lin Daiyu's polite remark, Zijuan, who was combing and tying Lin Daiyu's hair, stopped in her tracks.

"Why are you being so polite with me, young lady? It makes us seem distant."

Lin Daiyu smiled and said calmly, "It's not that we're being distant, it's that I'm truly grateful."

"Really?" Zijuan chuckled, her tone tinged with a hint of affectionate coquettishness. "Then please don't feed me for breakfast anymore. I've gained weight from eating and sleeping together these past few days. I just had my winter clothes made last month, and it would be terrible if I couldn't fit into them for the New Year."

Upon hearing this, Lin Daiyu couldn't help but smile, amused by Zijuan's words.

Sure enough, without the pressure of the Zhenyuan Marquis's residence, this place is truly pleasant.

Lin Daiyu walked to the table by the window and carefully took out the booklet containing her communication with Li Chen. As she ran her slender fingers over it, she noticed that there were indeed many more words inside.

What's even more commendable is that this time it was written with a calligraphy brush, and it already has quite a bit of skill.

"After discussing the matter of financial assistance with Sister Bao, it turns out it wasn't the so-called marriage. Chun Tao really led us astray."

Lin Daiyu felt a huge weight lifted off her shoulders.

"After several days of training at the Marquis's residence, have you made any progress? I hope that after you return home, you will not forget to exercise your muscles and bones in addition to your meals, and proceed step by step, which may improve your congenital deficiency."

This simple act of care touched Lin Daiyu's heart, and a long-lost warmth quietly spread through her.

It had been a long time since anyone had cared about his health, yet he remembered it all.

"This playboy isn't entirely useless."

A barely perceptible smile appeared on Lin Daiyu's lips as she rummaged through the drawer and pulled out some calligraphy practice books.

The booklet ended with a sentence: "Please give me some guidance, my teacher Lin Daiyu."

Unfolding the Xuelang Xuan paper, Lin Daiyu saw this thick stack of paper, all bearing the marks of his calligraphy practice.

From the initial crooked and messy writing to the gradual neatness of the later pages, the progress was obvious, and Lin Daiyu's face became even more moved.

"His brushstrokes have become steady, and his structure is beginning to take shape. To make such progress in just ten days is truly remarkable."

In fact, Li Chen thought he was mostly thanks to Lin Daiyu's muscle memory.

Lin Daiyu didn't think about this aspect, but continued to judge, "If, as the Marquis of Zhenyuan and his wife said, he has the ability to plan and strategize, and is also talented and diligent, he would be a good candidate for marriage."

The moment this thought crossed Lin Daiyu's mind, two blushes suddenly rose on her cheeks, and her heart skipped a beat for no apparent reason.

"It's all Chun Tao's fault, what have I been thinking about all day?"

Lin Daiyu spat lightly, quickly calmed down, and after examining the handwriting again, she couldn't help but sigh, "Even this纨绔 (wan ku, a spoiled brat) has changed his ways, while I'm causing trouble in the mansion. I'm truly ashamed."

Just as Lin Daiyu was filled with self-reproach, suddenly everything went black before her eyes, and her entire face was buried in a warm and fragrant embrace.

"Xueyan? What are you doing?!"

"Huh? Didn't the girl say that when she sees you looking gloomy, she'll hug you like this and it'll cheer you up?"

"When will I..."

Lin Daiyu was only halfway through her sentence when she suddenly realized what she had said. The pen in her hand clenched so tightly it cracked. Her previous emotion and admiration vanished instantly, replaced by a nameless anger.

"That spoiled brat! I'd rather believe the fish in the pond can fly and disappear than believe he can change his ways!"

(End of this chapter)