Dream of the Red Chamber: Daiyu and I swapped clothes

Chapter 45 All's Fair in War (Please continue reading)

"Sister Feng is a very busy person. The whole household would not be able to do without you as the pillar of the family. You don't need to worry about such a trivial matter."

Li Chen greeted Wang Xifeng with a smile, took her arm affectionately, and spoke to her in a warmer tone than usual.

Seeing that Lin Daiyu was so attentive today, quite different from when they met in her room last time, Wang Xifeng was pleased.

With his other hand, he affectionately tapped her forehead and teased, "Oh my, you little rascal, you're already so sweet-talking as soon as you feel better? If you keep saying such flattering things, you should ask Grandma for your New Year's money. I'm broke and can't even scrape together a penny."

Li Chen's eyes flickered, and he immediately discerned the unspoken meaning behind Wang Xifeng's tactic of feigning poverty once again.

Li Chen's smile remained unchanged, but his tone was playful as he teased, "Sister Feng is just joking. Who doesn't know the saying, 'When the East Sea is short of a jade bed, the Dragon King comes to invite the King of Jinling'? Even if this mansion really reaches the end of its rope, Sister Feng's private treasury will surely not go hungry."

"Stop talking nonsense!"

Wang Xifeng stomped her foot in annoyance and hurriedly covered Li Chen's mouth. Looking around, she saw that there were no other outsiders present. She then scolded him, "You little rascal, you're getting sharp-tongued more and more these days."

“When have I ever lied to you, sister-in-law? Lately, there are things to take care of in the palace, and New Year's gifts to be sent to various households. We just finished the ancestral worship this morning, and now we have to calculate the expenses of each household. The money is being spent like water. I'm so worried…”

As she spoke, Wang Xifeng picked up her handkerchief again, pretending to wipe away tears that hadn't even appeared. "I really have unspeakable suffering, but isn't it all for everyone to have a prosperous New Year?"

The last time I spoke vaguely in Lin Daiyu's room, she didn't respond. Today I'll pour out my troubles again; surely she'll understand by now?

Just as Wang Xifeng was thinking this, she heard Li Chen speak up, following her words with concern, "How could I not understand my sister's difficulties? But this is not a good solution in the long run."

"The rent from the estates in your manor is not good this year, with limited income but ever-increasing expenses. Living beyond our means is not a sustainable solution. Even if you have extraordinary abilities, you still need to find a new source of income."

Upon hearing this, Wang Xifeng was secretly delighted, "They've arrived!"

Pretending to be anxious, Wang Xifeng pressed, "Good sister, since you understand, please tell your sister-in-law quickly, is there any good way? I'm really worried to death!"

Li Chen tightened his grip slightly, pulling her close by and whispering in her ear, "I've heard that the ladies of those noble families outside all seem to have their own ways of making money. For example, some of them have connections and can settle lawsuits for others, earning a little 'hard-earned money' in the process. A few hundred taels of silver can come easily."

Upon hearing this, Wang Xifeng's face turned pale instantly, and she exclaimed in a low voice, "Oh dear sister! This is absolutely unacceptable! That's interfering in criminal matters, a matter that could cost you your head!"

"So you knew this was a job that could get you killed."

Li Chen sneered inwardly, but on the surface, she put on an agreeable expression and nodded, saying, "Sister is right, I was mistaken. However... I've also heard that some women in the household secretly lend money at exorbitant interest rates to supplement their household income, which seems more prudent. What do you think, sister?"

Wang Xifeng's heart skipped a beat when she heard this, for this was exactly the kind of business she was doing!

Otherwise, how could they have managed such a large business and provided for hundreds of mouths to feed?

Her tone immediately softened, and Wang Xifeng leaned closer to Li Chen, whispering, "Does my sister also think this... is acceptable?"

"Bullshit!"

Li Chen's expression suddenly changed. He shoved Wang Xifeng aside, pinched her face, and scolded, "Sister, you knew just now that interfering in criminal matters was a crime, but now you don't know that lending and exploitation are also crimes? According to the Da Jing Law, the lightest punishment is caning! If someone is driven to death because of this, and someone's life is lost, then it is a heinous crime that will lead to exile for thousands of miles and the destruction of one's family!"

Li Chen's gaze was so intense that Wang Xifeng's pretty face turned pale. She was no longer the ethereal goddess she once was, but rather resembled a frightened lamb.

“Even if you don’t care about the reputation of the Jia family, don’t you care about yourself? Once a woman enters that dark and gloomy prison, she will suffer all kinds of humiliation and lose all her dignity. Her life will be truly ruined!”

Caught off guard by his rapid-fire interrogation, Wang Xifeng shivered uncontrollably, staggered back two steps, and forced herself to defend herself, "But, but everyone outside says that the officials are turning a blind eye..." "Ha," Li Chen scoffed, "Then let's hope the Emperor never turns a blind eye! Otherwise, I'll have to prepare some simple food and drink and visit you in prison!"

With a cold snort, Li Chen turned and left.

After taking a few steps, she suddenly remembered something else, turned back with a smile, and said in a light and cheerful tone, "By the way, sister, I've noticed that Brother Bao has been studying very hard lately, and his knowledge has improved greatly. He'll definitely pass the county exam with flying colors!"

"When the celebration banquet comes, sister, you must hold it in a grand and magnificent way to make the old lady and the madam happy. They will only remember your kindness!"

After speaking, Li Chen left without lingering.

Wang Xifeng stood frozen in place, as if struck by lightning. Staring at Li Chen's retreating figure, she went limp and slid down, collapsing into the pavilion.

"This little devil, how could he be Lin Daiyu? He's a little devil who's taking my life! He tricked me out of everything with just a few words. Now my source of income is cut off, and I'll even have to pay out of my own pocket to organize a celebration banquet for Baoyu! It's all out of money and no in income. My life... how can it be so miserable!"

Wang Xifeng rubbed her face, which had been pinched red by Li Chen, and complained bitterly, her mind a complete mess.

……

"According to the annotations left by Miss Lin, I have finished studying the Analects and am now studying Mencius..."

Inside the room, Li Chen meticulously recorded the recent events, looking very serious.

Today is Lunar New Year's Eve, and tomorrow, the first day of the Lunar New Year, he will return to the Zhenyuan Marquis's residence.

Li Chen never expected that he would spend the Spring Festival at the Rongguo Mansion.

"I wonder how Lin Daiyu is doing at the manor after she went back. I hope she hasn't fallen behind in her studies. She has to prove herself and show Jia Baoyu and the others what a system is, oh no, what a talented woman is."

Li Chen pondered silently, then wrote down some details about his life, down to the smallest detail.

"Upon arriving at the Rongguo Mansion, I had my period 21 times, Zijuan 10 times, and Xueyan 10 times."

"I traveled with Baochai twice, and Baochai was always warm and fragrant."

"I pinched Sister Feng's cheeks; they felt wonderful to the touch, and her waist was as slender as a young girl's. If she didn't speak, Sister Feng would be considered a beautiful woman."

"..."

"Miss, it's time to go to the main hall. The wedding banquet will begin soon."

Zijuan and Xueyan approached, holding a brand-new plain white silk dress, their faces beaming with joy.

Li Chen quickly closed the booklet in his hand and stuffed it into the drawer.

"Okay, let's go early then. I knew you guys were looking forward to robbing the reward money."

Zijuan and Xueyan giggled and busied themselves around Li Chen.

Outside the window, the faint sound of firecrackers could already be heard...

　Thanks for reading!
　　
　
(End of this chapter)