Dream of the Red Chamber: Daiyu and I swapped clothes

Chapter 55 Playful Teasing in the Boudoir
Shi Xiangyun had only intended to stay the night, but she never expected Lin Daiyu to react so strongly, which startled her.

However, she was always easygoing and didn't delve into it. She simply rolled her eyes and changed the subject.

"Dear sister, I have another question for you. Once you answer it, I will go back, okay?"

Shi Xiangyun approached and tugged at Daiyu's sleeve, her face full of curiosity.

As long as she didn't insist on staying overnight, Lin Daiyu would agree. Feeling a little relieved, she said, "What is it? Tell me."

Shi Xiangyun leaned close to Lin Daiyu's ear, lowered her voice, and couldn't hide her excitement, "Why has Second Aunt been treating you so differently lately, Sister? Even Third Sister secretly told me that your allowances in the manor are several times more generous than those of the other sisters!"

Lin Daiyu pursed her lips; they really did talk about her behind her back.

But is it appropriate to say such things to someone's face?
Shi Xiangyun is straightforward and innocent, and Lin Daiyu couldn't bear to deceive her, but she had no choice but to keep it a secret.

She went on to recount in detail the good deeds that playboy had committed.

Lin Daiyu pursed her lips and said perfunctorily, "My second aunt is just cold on the outside but warm on the inside. She pities my body and is weaker than the other sisters, so she adds more expenses to help me take care of myself. After a while, the amount will naturally decrease."

"Your sister is lying!"

Upon hearing this, Shi Xiangyun puffed out her cheeks, her face full of dissatisfaction.

She turned and ran to Daiyu's bedside, then slumped down, her legs kicking wildly in the air. "Sister, you really had ulterior motives! You're wicked! I heard everything from Third Sister and the others! You even made up stories to fool me!"

Seeing Shi Xiangyun throwing a tantrum in the room, Lin Daiyu was both annoyed and amused, watching helplessly, truly at a loss for what to do.

He had no choice but to walk over, sit down on the edge of the bed, gently press down on her flailing arms, and scold her, "Then tell me, what's the story going on outside?"

Upon hearing this, Shi Xiangyun sprang to her feet and excitedly gestured, "They said that the other day, Second Brother Lian and Second Sister-in-law were arguing, and Sister happened to see it. Second Brother Lian got angry and even pulled out the sword hanging on the wall, ready to get violent..."

As she spoke, Shi Xiangyun made a gesture as if she were about to draw her sword and strike, as if she were performing a grand drama.

"In the blink of an eye, Sister Lin, you grabbed a bronze candlestick and knocked the sword out of his hand with one blow, slapped his face twice to make it swell, and then chased him out of the room. He slunk out of the manor and didn't dare to come back for more than a month!"

Daiyu couldn't help but burst out laughing when she heard her speak in a manner reminiscent of a street storyteller.

With a handkerchief lightly covering her face, Lin Daiyu raised an eyebrow and threatened in a pretentious manner, "If I were really that powerful, would you still dare to act so recklessly in my room right now? Aren't you afraid I'll throw you out too?"

Shi Xiangyun immediately clung to Daiyu, gently shaking her arm and pleading softly, "Good sister, of course I know they're spreading rumors. But my curiosity got the better of me, and I wanted to hear it from you yourself! But I couldn't find out the truth, otherwise... I'd like to verify it myself!"

Before she could finish speaking, Shi Xiangyun suddenly shoved Lin Daiyu's shoulder, and the latter immediately fell onto the couch.

Shi Xiangyun then took the opportunity to scratch the itch on her waist.

Caught off guard, Lin Daiyu exclaimed in surprise.

Unable to resist the tickling, Lin Daiyu twisted her body, dodging and pushing Shi Xiangyun's shoulder, laughing so hard she could barely breathe. "Stop it! You crazy girl! What martial arts have I ever known? You actually believe these rumors?!"

"I refuse to believe it's as easy as my sister makes it out to be!"

Shi Xiangyun didn't stop there. Instead, she grabbed Lin Daiyu's slender wrist and negotiated with a grin, "If you agree to let me stay, I'll let go immediately, okay?"

"Zijuan, Xueyan! Hurry up and pull this crazy girl away!"

Lin Daiyu laughed until she felt weak all over and had no strength left, so she had to ask her maid for help.

But this wasn't the first time Shi Xiangyun had ever joked and fought with anyone she met.

Zijuan and Xueyan just smiled and pretended to stop her, saying, "Miss Yun, please stop teasing our young lady!"

But it wasn't appropriate for them to actually go up and pull him away.

Seeing Shi Xiangyun's bright, dark eyes fixed on her, as if determined to get her to agree, Lin Daiyu was at her wit's end. She quickly began to think, "Today is only the eighth, two days before the body-changing ceremony. I should agree to her for now, get through these two days, and then find a reason to send her away. Otherwise, if this girl starts making a scene, there will be no peace and quiet."

Thinking of this, Lin Daiyu's brows relaxed helplessly, and she sighed softly, "Alright, let go of me now."

Shi Xiangyun asked happily, "Sister agreed?"

Lin Daiyu nodded slightly, a helpless smile playing on her lips. "Yes, I agree. But if you stay here, you must abide by my rules. If you dare to make noise all day long and disturb my peace, I will definitely kick you out!"

"A word is settled!"

Shi Xiangyun cried out in delight, then let go of her hand, rolled off the edge of the bed, and cheerfully called for Zijuan and Xueyan to fetch warm water for her to wash up.

As Shi Xiangyun nestled into the softly scented bedding, she couldn't help but bury her face in it and inhale deeply, sighing contentedly, "Sister, this bed is so soft and fragrant, much more comfortable than Third Sister's. I'm sure I'll get a good night's sleep these next few nights!"

Lin Daiyu had her back to her, her lips twitching slightly as she thought to herself, "You should just stay put for a couple of days. If you really refuse to leave, you'll be in for a world of trouble when that person comes."

……

The Zhenyuan Marquis's Residence

After Li Chen returned, he devoted himself to his career.

Xue Pan's economic assistance goes without saying, and the managers of Fengzihao were not all mediocre.

If it weren't for the tireless efforts of these elderly people, and the hands-off management of the Xue family like the mother and son, their vast fortune would probably have been long gone.

Now that he has both financial and human resources, and with the added advantage of Lin Daiyu's brilliant talent, Li Chen's most pressing task is to package this "learning experience" in a way that is enticing enough to make people fall in love at first sight.

The imperial examination system in this era has lasted for a century and is quite comprehensive. There are already countless examination books and anthologies on the market.

If it is not published by an official school or the Imperial Academy, it must have a preface written by a contemporary Confucian scholar. In the end, it cannot be separated from the word "correct". It emphasizes that the teacher should be from a famous school, the source should be pure and the authority should be well-known.

However, such authority can easily intimidate ordinary students, making them feel that it is unattainable.

"In that case, why should I quote any profound words from sages in my opening?"

Li Chen's eyes flashed, and his mind began to work.

The county examination was merely the first step on the path to the imperial examination system, and it was mostly for children with limited knowledge and students from poor families.

Instead of currying favor with authority, it's better to find another way and do business in lower-tier markets.

"Why not fabricate a story about an ordinary young man who, through diligence and a few tricks, gradually masters Chinese classics? This would make readers feel more involved."

The experience of reading countless online novels in my previous life finally came in handy.

Li Chen's mind raced, and he began writing a story of a comeback and upgrade based on his own experience, embellished and exaggerated.

He worked diligently until nightfall when a soft voice came from outside, "Young Master should rest now."

Xiangling carried the wooden bucket and walked over gracefully.

Li Chen let out a long sigh, leaned back in his chair, and stretched his somewhat stiff body.

"Alright, I'll trouble you to help me relax today."

"Ah."

Xiangling gave a soft "hmm" as usual, but Li Chen noticed out of the corner of his eye that her cheeks were unusually flushed today.

(End of this chapter)