Dream of the Red Chamber: Daiyu and I swapped clothes

Chapter 27 I can't take it anymore!

Inside the outer study, the charcoal brazier had long since burned out, and the chill was biting.

Marquis Li Chongzheng was squatting down, laboriously poking at the charcoal fire. The dim light from the tinderbox revealed his furrowed brow.

The tea stove was cold, just like his current state of mind.

“Father, I’m coming in,” Li Chen’s voice came from behind the felt curtain.

Then they heard the servant standing outside the door say goodbye and leave.

Li Chong's movements were slightly hesitant.

Li Chen took the tinder from his hand and skillfully started a fire, boiled water, and heated the tea stove.

The sound of burning firewood gradually filled the room.

Li Chong was clear about why his son had come. The complex thoughts swirling in his mind were crucial matters that would determine the future of the Zhenyuan Marquis's mansion.

But since his son didn't come looking for him last night, he didn't want Li Chen to get involved anymore.

The situation is quite different now.

"His Majesty has not made it clear."

After a long silence, Li Chongcai spoke in a deep voice, his voice carrying an undisguised weariness and disappointment.

Holding the hot tea that Li Chen handed her in both hands, the warmth seemed unable to penetrate the icy chill in her heart.

Li Chen poured himself a cup, sat down at the lower end, and said slowly, "Father, please forgive my bluntness. While upright officials are certainly admirable, Wei Zheng of ancient times was able to be remembered in history, while Yue Fei suffered a wrongful death at Fengbo Pavilion. The rulers they encountered were different, and so were their paths."

"Chen'er!" Li Chong frowned and scolded, "Be careful what you say! Do not presume to know the emperor's mind."

“I am not trying to fathom Your Majesty’s mind, but rather trying to understand His Majesty’s intentions.” Li Chen met his father’s gaze, his tone calm yet firm. “Father, do you know that what I have presented this time is not just a case of embezzlement, but a difficult problem that Your Majesty must decide?”

“A problem? But didn’t you just say yesterday, ‘Only ask about the principles, not about good or bad fortune’? Does that mean the sages’ teachings can only lie in books?”

"Huh? I said that?"

Li Chen was taken aback by her father's rebuttal, then lowered her head and secretly twitched her lips. "You, Lin Daiyu with thick eyebrows and big eyes, are actually keeping secrets? What happened to your innocence?"

Quickly suppressing his inner turmoil, Li Chen raised his head again, put on a smile, and said calmly, "It's not like that. Father, think about it. Once this case is brought to light, it will involve the face of the imperial family and the reputation of the princes. At that time, the officials in the court will be quick to act, and the various factions will take the opportunity to fight each other. One move will have far-reaching consequences."

"Your Majesty's primary consideration is the stability of the empire and the balance of power in the court. What choice does Father want Your Majesty to make between 'legal principles' and 'stability'? How is this any different from forcing Your Majesty to personally deal with your own flesh and blood?"

These words were like ice water poured over his head, instantly sobering Li Chong up.

He lived deep within the military camp, and although he had some understanding of court affairs, it was far less than that of his close relationships with civil officials, and he had even fewer opportunities to make pilgrimages.

If he hadn't just personally funded the military supplies and earned a good reputation, he probably wouldn't have been able to enter the palace.

Li Chong suddenly recalled the seemingly approving but actually meaningful look in Emperor Tai'an's eyes when he met the emperor.

And the comment, "Minister Li's loyalty is evident; he truly deserves to be a descendant of a military family."

It turns out that it wasn't praise, but admonition.

Li Chong's face turned slightly pale, and the knuckles of his fingers holding the teacup gradually turned blue.

"So... it is I who have placed His Majesty in a dilemma?"

“It’s not Father’s fault, but the method was slightly flawed.” Seeing that his father had taken it to heart, Li Chen softened his tone and leaned forward slightly. “What His Majesty needs is not loyal ministers who would die for him, but capable ministers who can share his burdens.”

“A capable minister?” Li Chong murmured repeatedly, his eyes filled with confusion.

“That’s right!” Li Chen urged patiently. “Father, you should immediately submit another memorial. Stop focusing on the case itself, and instead, thoroughly expose the long-standing problems in the military supply system of the capital garrison and various regions. These problems have become parasites that erode the foundation of the nation, leaving it vulnerable to powerful external enemies. This is a major threat to His Majesty! Then, volunteer to be His Majesty’s vanguard, thoroughly investigate and rectify the military supply process, and establish regulations and laws.” He paused, lowered his voice, but spoke clearly, “At the same time, recommend the Earl of Zhongxin to investigate this case with Father.”

A glint of light suddenly flashed in Li Chong's eyes.

This move is absolutely brilliant.

On the surface, it's about dragging your opponent down, but in reality, it's about putting them on the hot seat.

If he agrees, he will be tying his own hands; if he refuses, he will be unwilling to share the burden of the ruler, and his heart is despicable!

In any case, the initiative has quietly returned to the hands of the Marquis of Zhenyuan.

More importantly, this move cleverly transformed a scandal involving a prince that could have caused a political upheaval in the court into a reform of officialdom that His Majesty was happy to see.

From posing a difficult problem to His Majesty, it has now become relieving His Majesty's worries!

"Good! This is the path of a capable minister!" Li Chong exhaled a breath of turbid air, his previous dejection vanished, and the sharpness of a military general rekindled in his eyes.

Li Chong strode to the desk, spread out the Xuan paper, and ink dripped down.

“Father, please remember this,” Li Chen said solemnly as he came up behind him, “From this day forward, the Zhenyuan Marquis’s Mansion will only serve His Majesty. We will not form factions, nor will we seek personal gain. We will only be loyal to the Emperor and work for the country.”

Li Chong turned around, patted his son's shoulder heavily, his gaze complex, but mostly filled with admiration, "My son has such foresight and wisdom, I am very pleased! From now on, I should no longer restrain you."

Li Chen thought to himself, "It's not that I'm particularly clever or resourceful. I was exposed to historical dramas in my previous life, which broadened my horizons. I think I'm a cut above you, my cheap old man, who has been fighting in the military camp all day long."

……

The Rongguo Mansion was already deep in the night.

Lin Daiyu's room

Lin Daiyu had been busy at her desk all day, and it was almost midnight when she finally stopped trimming the lamp wick. She rubbed her aching wrists and prepared to go to bed to rest.

With Zijuan taking care of her foot bath and changing clothes, Lin Daiyu couldn't help but worry about the situation of the Zhenyuan Marquis's mansion when she had some free time.

They were even more worried that her previous instigation might bring disaster to the Zhenyuan Marquis's mansion.

"Girl, studying so diligently is just like preparing for the imperial examinations."

Zijuan teased, trying to smooth out Lin Daiyu's furrowed brows.

Lin Daiyu asked with a smile, "If I were to take the imperial examination, do you think I could pass?"

Zijuan blinked and said with certainty, "Master Lin is a third-place scholar in the imperial examination. If you, young lady, surpass your master, wouldn't you be able to become the top scholar or second-place scholar and parade through the streets on horseback?"

"You always manage to use such sweet words to coax me." Lin Daiyu chuckled, the gloom in her heart dispelled somewhat by these playful words.

Looking around, Xueyan was nowhere to be seen. The playful girl must have been unable to stay up and had gone to bed early, so I didn't think much of it.

"Please rest, young lady. I'll blow out the bed candles."

"it is good."

Lin Daiyu shifted her body to lie down on the bed. In the pitch black, she suddenly touched someone's arm, and there was still warmth emanating from under the brocade quilt.

Lin Daiyu was startled. "Oh! Who?"

Before she could finish speaking, Xueyan rubbed her sleepy eyes and crawled out from under the quilt, her little face scrunched up in a wronged expression. "Miss," she said, "even if I upset you this morning, you can't hold a grudge like this. It's my turn to keep you company tonight, and... are you trying to get rid of me?"

"Keep him in bed?!" Lin Daiyu was taken aback at first, then gritted her teeth, "I still can't tolerate this spoiled brat's nature!"

(End of this chapter)