Dream of the Red Chamber: Daiyu and I swapped clothes

Chapter 51 A Prophecy Come True

Inside the Rongguo Mansion, on the first day of the Lunar New Year.

After Grandmother Jia returned from her grand visit to the palace to offer New Year's greetings, her household was filled with relatives and friends who came to pay their respects.

Inside the inner chambers, people come and go, and collisions are inevitable. Therefore, young ladies like Lin Daiyu were instructed to rest quietly in their rooms and not to move around casually.

This suited Lin Daiyu's wishes perfectly.

After a simple breakfast, Lin Daiyu no longer worried about Li Chen and focused on her books.

After all, there were less than two months left until the county examination.

This is her top priority right now.

However, the fact that she didn't go out to stretch her muscles early in the morning, and that there was no stone lock to lift in the room, made Lin Daiyu feel a little uncomfortable.

Only when sitting behind the desk, subconsciously stretching out slender fingers, gently grasping in the air, can one find relief.

Seeing this, Xueyan, who was serving by grinding ink, couldn't help but ask, "Miss, what are you doing?"

Mimicking Lin Daiyu's eccentric posture, Xueyan covered her mouth and chuckled softly.

Lin Daiyu looked up and her brows furrowed slightly.

"What's wrong?"

Xueyan shook her head. "Nothing much, it's just that when you used to read, you were as quiet and graceful as a delicate flower reflected in water, but now you're just waving your hands around, like a cat beckoning for money."

Lin Daiyu's heart stirred slightly, and after a moment's thought, she indeed felt a slight force flowing through her palm, unlike the softness of the past.

In the past, she had never felt powerless and helpless.

"Could it be that your health has really improved?"

Lin Daiyu examined herself, then opened her palms.

The palms of her hands were even a bit rosier than before.

If I think about it carefully, it's been more than two months since I changed bodies.

"Could it be that the playboy's indulgence in food and drink, coupled with his daily training, has somehow cured my health?"

A fleeting sense of gratitude arose, but when her gaze fell upon the newly changed undergarment inside her collar, that feeling vanished instantly.

She could crumple up her underwear; what was there to thank that lecherous man for!
Rolling her eyes, Lin Daiyu was just about to send Xueyan away so as not to disturb her peace and quiet.

Unexpectedly, someone came from the corridor and knocked on her door—something that had never happened before.

"Sister Lin, are you getting up?"

Lin Daiyu turned her head and saw Wang Xifeng standing in front of the door.

Unlike her usual radiant appearance, Sister Feng, despite wearing heavy makeup, looked tired today. If it weren't for the rouge, the dark circles under her eyes would probably be visible.

"Sister Feng works hard to manage the household, and it's even harder during the New Year. I wonder how that纨绔 (playboy) has bullied her."

While inwardly grumbling, Lin Daiyu greeted her with a light smile, "Sister Feng, the hall must be full of guests right now. What brings you to my humble abode?"

Wang Xifeng hesitated, glancing at Xueyan to the side as she entered.

Lin Daiyu, being quick-witted, immediately instructed, "Xueyan, go outside and see if there are any bookstores still open. Buy a few copies of the newly arrived official gazette."

Unlike the Zhenyuan Marquis's mansion, this place offered access to many contemporary articles that were not available to young ladies in their quarters, so Lin Daiyu had to make up for it in this way.

But Wang Xifeng, who was listening nearby, felt a sudden chill run down her spine.

"Incredible! Lin Daiyu even keeps up with the official gazette. No wonder she pinpointed my weakness in just a few words yesterday. She's a female strategist! How could I have underestimated her before?"

With this in mind, Wang Xifeng, who had just been given a rude awakening, naturally became more respectful.

After Xueyan left, Wang Xifeng quickly stepped forward and said with a smile, "It's nothing important, I was just thinking that it would be nice for you to treat your younger sister poorly in order to welcome the New Year."

As she spoke, Wang Xifeng took out a heavy, embroidered gold sachet from her sleeve and stuffed it into Lin Daiyu's hand. "Sister, please don't find it offensive. This is a small token of my appreciation." Lin Daiyu took the sachet, but felt bewildered.

"New Year's money? There's no precedent for that in previous years. Sister Feng manages such a large mansion, surely she wouldn't need my help?"

Holding the sachet, Lin Daiyu was unsure whether to accept it or not, so she could only wait and see.

Seeing that she did not refuse, Wang Xifeng relaxed slightly, let out a long sigh, and said in a low voice, "Good sister, I thought about it all night and I feel that everything you said makes sense. This morning, I gave the order to completely end that business."

Taking a step closer, Wang Xifeng's tone was almost pleading, "From now on, I will never think of such things again. I only beg you, sister, to keep quiet."

Lin Daiyu became even more puzzled. "Sister, what are you talking about?"

Seeing Lin Daiyu's confused expression, Wang Xifeng smiled and nodded repeatedly, "Yes, yes, that's right! It's alright, it's really nothing!"

"Please keep this New Year's money carefully, little sister. There are many guests in the hall, so it's not appropriate for your sister-in-law to stay any longer."

Wang Xifeng got up, walked to the door, but hesitated and turned back, asking shyly, "But, sister, do you really have no other way to make money?"

Lin Daiyu already felt powerless, so she subconsciously weighed the sachet in her hand. Hearing her question, she felt even more helpless.

She was focused on her studies and passing the imperial examinations; she never thought of making a profit.
"Perhaps that纨绔 (a spoiled, dissolute young man) used my body to deceive Sister Feng about something?"

Shaking her head and sighing softly, Lin Daiyu said gently, "Sister is joking. I am confined to my room and have never heard of what is happening outside. How would I know about the economy outside? If you really need money, why don't you ask someone else?"

After saying that, she handed the sachet back, saying, "Otherwise, sister, you should take this New Year's money back."

Seeing Lin Daiyu's hesitant movements, Wang Xifeng's face had already turned pale. Upon hearing this, she hurriedly waved her hand and stepped back, inwardly astonished.

"Sure enough, she thought this sentiment was too meager and didn't meet her standards. Well, it makes sense; Master Lin came from a salt-producing family, what kind of wealth hasn't she seen?"

Forcing a smile, Wang Xifeng said again, "No, no! How can you take back good fortune that has been given away?"

"Sister, please rest assured. If you need anything, just have Zijuan and Xueyan let me know."

Watching Wang Xifeng's retreating figure, Lin Daiyu rubbed her temples, utterly perplexed.

"Is this the same sharp-tongued and shrewish Sister Feng from the front hall? How come she's so obedient?"

Wang Xifeng had always treated her well, especially in the past two months, her food, clothing and other necessities were the best she had ever received.

Now they've become so obsequious, Lin Daiyu truly can't understand it.

With a hint of suspicion, Lin Daiyu untied the sachet. She had assumed it contained only a few coins, but when she saw what was inside, she couldn't help but gasp.

Where is the silver or money?
They were clearly two bright yellow, exquisitely crafted gold butterflies and twin lotus hairpins, with precious spices from the Western Regions adorning the sides.

This is considered an exceptionally thoughtful gesture in a young woman's quarters.

Holding the heavy gold ornament, Lin Daiyu was both amused and annoyed. "Xueyan's words really came true."

Holding her forehead, Lin Daiyu sighed helplessly, "What exactly did you do to Sister Feng?"

……

The Zhenyuan Marquis's Residence

Li Chen arranged a meeting with Xue Pan and then focused intently on compiling his notes in his room.

There needs to be a template before meeting in person.

Li Chen worked at his desk until nightfall, when his arm ached and he could no longer write well, before finally putting down his brush.

"Young master, here's your hot water."

Xiangling entered the room at just the right moment and respectfully presented the wooden bucket to Li Chen.

Li Chen leaned back against the couch, kicked off his boots, and said lazily, "Come on, is it time to relax?"

Xiangling blushed and shyly lowered her head...

(End of this chapter)