Dream of the Red Chamber: Daiyu and I swapped clothes

Chapter 64 Protect yourself
The Zhenyuan Marquis's Residence

Even on the Lantern Festival, Lin Daiyu did not slack off and continued to study the classics with her teacher Xing Bingcheng in the study.

This is the third time this lesson has been given.

In recent days, Xing Bingcheng has not only been explaining the Five Classics to Lin Daiyu in detail, but also preparing lessons by lamplight at night, making him even more diligent than his students.

In just three days, he already had bruises on his face, and his voice sounded tired when he lectured.

The Book of Rites, in its chapter "Li Yun," states: "When the Great Way prevails, the world is a commonwealth; the virtuous and capable are chosen; and trustworthiness and harmony are valued and practiced..."

Just as Xing Bingcheng was getting to the crucial point, he heard Lin Daiyu softly call out, "Master."

Upon hearing a soft call, Xing Bingcheng's hand holding the book trembled involuntarily.

What has alarmed him most these past few days is the sudden questioning from this second young master.

Those questions often permeated the Five Classics, pointing directly to the contradictions in their meanings, which often left this scholar, who specialized in the Book of Poetry, unable to cope.

Forcing a smile, Xing Bingcheng replied, "What advice do you have for me, young master?"

Lin Daiyu frowned and pondered for a moment before slowly saying, "When I read the Book of Rites, I saw that it strongly advocated the rule of the Three Dynasties, saying that 'people do not only love their own parents, nor only cherish their own children.' However, in the same Book of Rites, the Quli says, 'Punishment does not extend to high officials, and rites do not apply to commoners.'"

"If the world truly belongs to all, as the Book of Rites says, then why does the Book of Rites strictly distinguish between the noble and the lowly? If the Book of Rites distinguishes between the superior and the inferior, how can the ideal of Great Harmony described in the Book of Rites be realized?"

"The student was thinking, if the examination questions were to discuss the rule of rites, which aspect should be chosen as the basis for the argument?"

"Cough cough..."

Xing Bingcheng covered his mouth with his sleeve, coughed repeatedly, put down his book and said, "This... this question involves the fundamental meaning of the classics and cannot be explained in a few words."

He paused, then sighed and said, "I'm feeling a little unwell today and need to rest for half an hour earlier."

Lin Daiyu put away her books, nodded and said, "Teacher, please take good care of yourself. You do not look well lately. I apologize for bothering you."

As she left the study, Lin Daiyu couldn't help but nod to herself, "Even the teacher has times when he's not feeling well, so it seems I didn't lie to Sister Xiangling."

"Master."

As Lin Daiyu walked along the corridor, she suddenly saw several old women walking towards her in a group, carrying food boxes in their hands.

"Are you going to deliver food to Father?"

"Exactly."

The head maid, Wu, said, "Master doesn't like food from outside, so we'll send some more supper to him tonight to help him recover. Would the young master like to go himself?"

Lin Daiyu frowned and thought for a moment.

She and the Marquis of Zhenyuan were not really acquainted. If it were Lady Zou, she might have wanted to go out and explore.

Shaking her head, Lin Daiyu said, "The teacher taught us a lot of lessons today, and I would like to review the books again now."

“Alright, there are already a lot of people outside, and it will take a lot of time to go back and forth. Since you are so diligent, young master, let us old servants go instead.”

……

"Please wait, young lady! Why don't you speak?"

Jia Baoyu chased after the "woman" who turned and left, his heart filled with increasing resentment.

In the Rongguo Mansion, has there ever been a woman who avoided him like the plague?

Today, he was first overshadowed by Lin Daiyu, then ignored by his sisters, and now even a stranger doesn't want to talk to him. How can he tolerate this?
"Don't be afraid, young lady. The streets are crowded and chaotic. Since you've been separated from your family, why don't I take you to the authorities to find your relatives?"

Baoyu thought his words were reasonable, but unexpectedly the "woman" suddenly turned around, a cold glint flashing in her eyes.

Baoyu was taken aback by her glare, but he was still unwilling to give up. "Is the young lady born mute? If you can speak, please answer. If not, then it is the right thing to do to come with me to see the magistrate..."

Although she didn't take Jia Baoyu seriously, the "woman" couldn't stand his persistent pursuit and even said something about "reporting to the authorities."

The woman stopped abruptly, wanting to get rid of Jia Baoyu first. But seeing that he was dressed in fine clothes, she hesitated to make any rash moves.

The woman didn't come to this lantern festival intentionally to cause trouble.

He couldn't help but mutter, "This is why I hate these spoiled brats!"

Baoyu blinked, looking forward curiously. "Hmm? What did the young lady just say?"

At the same time, Li Chen and his group realized that Bao Yu had broken away from the group, and at Xi Ren's tearful plea, they quickly caught up with him.

A group of servants surrounded Baoyu and the "woman," attracting the attention of passersby.

Shi Xiangyun asked in confusion, "Brother Ai, why are you bothering that girl?"

Baoyu panicked, unable to reveal his true intentions—that he wanted to spite his sisters. If they ignored him, he could find someone else to talk to.

But now, things are different.

After glancing at the deaf-mute "woman" again, Jia Baoyu mustered his courage and said with righteous indignation, "This young lady has been separated from her family and cannot speak. How can I sit idly by and do nothing when I have encountered her?"

"If we leave her here wandering around, won't she be stolen by thieves?"

"A thief?" Shi Xiangyun was startled.

Jia Baoyu patted his chest and said, “Don’t worry, Sister Yun, he’s just a petty thief who only knows how to use tricks on women. I will protect my sisters.”

The nosy Shi Xiangyun slowly approached Jia Baoyu and together they began to observe the "woman".

Taking a closer look, Shi Xiangyun asked suspiciously, "Miss, what is your name and where are you from? Don't let his somewhat foolish appearance fool you, he is definitely a good person at heart. We are from the Jia family of Rongguo Mansion."

I asked a question, but received no answer.

Jia Baoyu spread his hands and said, "Sister, look, isn't it because she can't speak?"

"So you really are mute. I misunderstood you."

At this moment, Li Chen sensed something was wrong and tugged at Zijuan behind him, saying, "In the name of the Rongguo Mansion, quickly go and invite the patrol officers and soldiers. This person is probably suspicious."

Xue Baochai frowned and whispered, "Sister Lin, have you noticed something's wrong too?"

Li Chen nodded. "Look at her neck. Although her Adam's apple is covered by a silk scarf, it still rises and falls when she swallows nervously. And her gaze keeps drifting towards the person speaking. How could she be born deaf and mute?"

Xue Baochai's brow twitched. "Could it be that it's really a coincidence, and it's the thief that Baoyu mentioned earlier?"

Before he finished speaking, something strange happened.

The "woman" suddenly pulled a dagger from her bosom and stabbed it straight into Baoyu's heart.

The intention was to advance as a form of retreat, not to harm Jia Baoyu's life.

Thus, Jia Baoyu escaped a disaster. With his not-too-slow reaction, he took two steps back and shielded Shi Xiangyun in front of him.

Shi Xiangyun, who was taken aback, was in trouble; her sleeve was immediately slashed.

"careful!"

Without hesitation, Li Chen swiftly pulled out the hairpin and threw it forcefully, striking the thief squarely between the eyebrows.

The thief dodged to the side.

The next moment, as he was about to steal Shi Xiangyun's hair, Li Chen strode forward, grabbed Shi Xiangyun's wrist and pulled her back, while simultaneously drawing the bone fan from her waist and striking the thief's wrist with it.

The movements were fluid and graceful.

The ivory fan, perhaps due to a defect in its material, cracked in half, revealing sharp edges that forced the thief to take a half-step back.

While everyone was still reeling from the shock, the thief used the commotion to turn and try to blend into the crowd...

(End of this chapter)