Dream of the Red Chamber: Daiyu and I swapped clothes

Chapter 62 Definitely next time

The Lantern Festival, the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, has arrived.

The young ladies in their boudoirs had been eagerly anticipating this day. From early morning, each room was bustling with activity, filled with constant chatter. As night fell, their joy and excitement became even more palpable.

The Rongguo Mansion had already been newly decorated, with glass lanterns and crystal lamps hanging everywhere. Even two exquisite gauze lanterns had been added next to the parrot stand in front of Lin Daiyu's corridor.

Once the hour of You (5-7 PM) had passed, all the lanterns were lit, illuminating the entire mansion with dazzling light, making it seem like a fairyland.

Li Chen was sitting in front of the mirror, being helped by Zijuan and Xueyan to do his makeup.

Her black hair was tied into a loose, flowing bun, with a kingfisher feather butterfly hairpin inserted at an angle.

Inside was a moon-white cross-collar silk jacket, paired with a light blue floral crepe skirt, and an outer fox fur and crane cloak, all gifts from the Xue family.

The fluffy fur at the neckline made her face appear even more delicate and refined.

She wore a matching rabbit ornament on her forehead, making her so charming that it made one's heart flutter.

Li Chen looked at himself in the mirror and couldn't help but smile.

No wonder Jia Baoyu looked like a lecherous man when he saw Lin Daiyu.

Zijuan and Xueyan were also overjoyed.

The manor originally stipulated that each household was only allowed one maid to accompany the young lady, but the two of them were made an exception and were allowed to go out with her. Naturally, they dressed up nicely so as not to feel too ashamed in front of the young lady.

Before long, Xue Baochai and Shi Xiangyun arrived together.

Baochai was wearing a rose-purple satin jacket with a front opening, the collar and cuffs trimmed with sharp silver fox fur that gleamed faintly under the lamplight.

Xiangyun, wearing an apricot-yellow cloak embroidered with gold butterflies and flowers, with a jade-green floral crepe skirt peeking out underneath, was timidly hiding behind Baochai.

After being bullied so badly by Li Chen that day, Shi Xiangyun packed her bags and fled to Pear Fragrance Courtyard that very night.

Li Chen couldn't help but feel a little regretful, after all, that round, plump buttocks really felt nice to the touch.

"Sister Lin, hurry up, we're waiting for you!"

Shi Xiangyun couldn't help but peek out and urge them on.

Upon hearing this, Li Chen stood up, and Shi Xiangyun's eyes lit up immediately. She clapped her hands and exclaimed, "Sister, you are truly a fairy descended to earth today! Even those who have stepped out of paintings are not as beautiful as you!"

Li Chen stepped forward with a smile, lightly tapping the dimple on her cheek with her fingertip. "You have such a sweet mouth. Come sleep in my room tonight, and I promise I won't bully you."

Shi Xiangyun secretly rubbed her bottom, shook her head repeatedly, and hid on the other side of Baochai. "I don't believe it! They talk a good game now, but at night they'll just take advantage of you whenever they want, won't they?"

Baochai couldn't help but laugh, and she and Li Chen exchanged a smile.

"Are you all ready, sisters?"

Just then, Jia Baoyu arrived excitedly.

She wore a bright red robe with gold python sleeves, an outer robe of dark blue floral pattern with eight tassels, and small court boots with blue satin soles and pink soles. She wore the jade pendant around her neck and her face seemed to be powdered.

Her gaze swept across the crowd before finally settling on Li Chen, and she grinned from ear to ear, “We originally planned to go see the lanterns, but now I feel that all the lights outside are no match for the beauty of you sisters. It’s enough to enjoy them from home.”

Li Chen secretly curled his lip, "Greasy."

Baoyu didn't hear clearly and blinked in confusion, "What did you just say, sister?"

Li Chen smiled and said, "I was just thinking of going to the lantern market to find some greasy snacks to try because I didn't eat enough at the banquet." Bao Yu quickly flattered, "Sister is in for a treat! I heard there are even more stalls at the lantern market this year than in previous years, with all kinds of food from all over the country. There's bound to be something to your liking!"

Just as they were clapping and cheering, Jia Baoyu suddenly noticed that Baochai was only accompanied by Ying'er, while Xiangyun was all alone. He couldn't help but ask in surprise, "Sister Bao, doesn't Sister Yun have anyone with her? Why didn't you ask Sister Xiangling to come along?"

Upon hearing this, Baochai's expression immediately became flustered, and her gaze involuntarily drifted towards Li Chen.

Li Chen, however, calmly tucked his sleeves in, a smile playing on his lips, looking like he was enjoying the spectacle.

The outspoken Xiangyun frowned and said, "What are you saying, Brother Ai? I haven't seen Sister Xiangling at all these days at Pear Fragrance Courtyard. Could it be that she went back to the south?"

Baoyu grew increasingly suspicious: "That's impossible! I saw her before the New Year, and now the canal is still frozen. How could she have gone south?"

Turning his gaze to Xue Baochai, Jia Baoyu sought only answers to his questions.

Xue Baochai was put on the spot and couldn't back down. With Lin Daiyu beside her, she couldn't come up with a reason at will. She could only lower her eyes and sigh softly, telling the truth: "My brother gave it to someone else."

"what?!"

Baoyu was struck dumb, beating his chest and stamping his feet, lamenting, "How could you give away such a beautiful girl like Xiangling so easily! It's such a waste! Dear sister, tell me, who did you give her to?"

Before Baochai could speak, Li Chen casually replied, "Of course, a maid should be given to someone close to you. Why would you give her to an enemy? Second Brother Bao, think about who Brother Xue has been befriending lately. The answer is self-evident. Why press Sister Bao for an answer?"

Baochai secretly tugged at Li Chen's sleeve and whispered reproachfully, "If I had just said I didn't know, I could have gotten away with it. But you knew he was mentally challenged, yet you still added fuel to the fire? Your heart is truly black!"

Li Chen pulled Xiangyun close and whispered with a smile, "A short pain is worse than a long one. He'll find out about this sooner or later."

After saying that, he patted Shi Xiangyun on the back generously and said loudly, "Since Zijuan and Xueyan are with me, Sister Yun, come with us."

No one responded to Baoyu's words, and no one tried to comfort him. He became even more frantic, pacing around the room and stamping his feet, throwing a tantrum. "She must have been given to that纨绔 (spoiled brat) of the Zhenyuan Marquis's mansion! How can such a pure and innocent girl be allowed to be defiled by such filthy things? No way! I'm going to go and get Sister Xiangling back right now!"

Just as Baochai and Xiangyun were about to offer their advice...

Suddenly, a familiar, hoarse voice came from under the eaves.

"My little darlings, it's time to set off. The streets and the city lights are already mostly on. Go early and come back early, so the old master won't worry in the hall!"

"Come here!"

Li Chen responded loudly, took Baochai's arm with one hand and pulled Xiangyun with the other, and walked straight outside, completely ignoring Baoyu who was still jumping up and down.

After everyone left, chatting and laughing, Xiren, who had been waiting under the eaves, sensed something was wrong and hurriedly went inside to check.

Baoyu stood there blankly, his eyes glazed over, muttering to himself. It was clear that he had fallen into a trance again.

"Second Master has been studying all day since early morning, wasn't he looking forward to strolling through the lantern market with the girls today? Why aren't we leaving now?"

Jia Baoyu angrily said, "Xiangling has been given to Li Chen by that fool Xue!"

Xi Ren sighed helplessly, "What can we do? Xiang Ling was originally a maid sold into servitude by the Xue family."

"I have to go save her! With her gentle nature, she must suffer so much injustice and humiliation in that mansion!"

Xiren stood on tiptoe and glanced down the corridor. The girls had almost disappeared in groups, so she asked softly, "So, are you going today? Aren't you going to the lantern festival?"

Upon hearing this, Jia Baoyu instantly snapped out of his reverie and turned to chase after him, saying, "Uh, let's go to the lantern festival first. Tomorrow... I'll definitely go to the Marquis of Zhenyuan's residence to demand my return!"

(End of this chapter)