Dream of the Red Chamber: Daiyu and I swapped clothes

Chapter 67 I'll Marry Myself?
Seeing Lin Daiyu's astonished expression, Marquis Zhenyuan Li Chong became even more smug, clapping his hands and laughing, "Not to mention you, if it weren't for what your father saw with his own eyes, I wouldn't believe that a family as refined and scholarly as the Lin family could raise such a spirited daughter."

"Moreover, their agility and quickness of action are probably even better than yours by three points!"

Lin Daiyu's lips twitched slightly. She suppressed the various emotions in her heart and hesitated for a long time before saying, "Then... then is she injured?"

"not at all."

Li Chong shook his head, then praised her again, "That girl was truly quick-witted. She sent someone to warn us early on and dispersed the onlookers. By the time I arrived, she had already cornered the thief."

Lin Daiyu secretly breathed a sigh of relief and said, "That's good, that's good."

"On the other hand, look at the young men of the Jia family."

Li Chong suddenly changed the subject and chuckled, "Especially the one with the jade pendant around her neck."

Lin Daiyu replied, "Call him Jia Baoyu."

"Exactly!"

Li Chong slammed his hand on the table, his face showing disdain. "So it was he who provoked that thief. When the thief brandished his weapon, he actually hid behind a girl. What kind of person is he?"

"See that? This is what spoiling someone produces! Cowardly behavior!"

Lin Daiyu nodded silently.

She did not doubt that Li Chong had exaggerated the story.

This is indeed something that a timid and cowardly Jia Baoyu would do. It's just a pity for the girl beside him; I wonder if she was hurt.

Lin Daiyu couldn't help but feel secretly distressed about this.

As he was pondering, he heard Li Chong sigh, "Such a good girl is truly rare in this world. If she could become a daughter-in-law of my Li family, what a wonderful marriage it would be."

"what?"

Lin Daiyu stood up in surprise from the tea table, nearly knocking over the teacup, and looked at Li Chong in disbelief.

Li Chong, however, was completely unaware, muttering to himself, "I promised to give her credit. However, for a young lady, catching a thief in the street is not exactly a good reputation, and I'm afraid Lord Lin wouldn't want that either."

"Let's put this matter aside for now and give her a reward from the manor."

"Father's considerations are thorough!"

Coming to her senses, Lin Daiyu quickly chimed in, gaining a deeper understanding of the Marquis of Zhenyuan at that moment.

It turns out he was like Zhang Fei embroidering, rough on the outside but meticulous on the inside.

"If word gets out that a woman caught a thief in the street, it will ruin the reputation of young women."

Lin Daiyu didn't even dare to think about how people would talk about her if the news really got out.

What would my father, far away in Yangzhou Prefecture, feel upon hearing this?

Hearing Lin Daiyu's words, Li Chong silently shook his head. "It's just worldly prejudice. I actually think it's better for women to be more spirited. Besides, Lin Tanhua's daughter must be well-educated and reasonable. Such a combination of literary and martial skills is rare even among men!"

"They are still keeping their true strength hidden."

Lin Daiyu sighed softly, rubbing her forehead, feeling utterly speechless.

She doesn't know any martial arts at all; she's never even killed a single insect in her life.

Just as Lin Daiyu breathed a sigh of relief and secretly rejoiced at Li Chong's decision.

Li Chong suddenly turned his head, narrowed his eyes, and questioned Lin Daiyu, "Why do you lose your composure when Miss Lin is mentioned? Could it be that you had the honor of seeing that young lady when you went to the Rongguo Mansion earlier?"

Lin Daiyu was caught off guard by the question and waved her hands repeatedly to interrupt, "Absolutely not! The Rongguo Mansion has strict rules. I only went to the hall to see the old master of the Jia family. I didn't have the chance to see the young ladies of the mansion at all."

"Oh?" Li Chong slowly approached, scrutinizing him meaningfully. "Then why were you just now speaking from the perspective of considering Miss Lin's feelings? And you still say you're not interested in Miss Lin?"

Lin Daiyu was speechless for a moment, embarrassed and standing there, her cheeks burning, and she gradually lowered her head.

Great!
The next moment, Li Chong patted Lin Daiyu on the shoulder and laughed heartily, "A fair maiden is sought after by a gentleman, what is there to be ashamed of?"

"To tell you the truth, your mother and I met by chance in the courtyard when your second uncle and I were having a drink at your house. I fell in love with your mother at first sight and repeatedly went to propose marriage. I don't know how many banquets your three uncles had to prepare before we finally made it happen. It was truly not easy."

"but……"

Li Chong couldn't help but sigh again, his expression darkening as he paced back and forth in the hall. "Although our family holds the title of a noble family, we have long lost the prestige of a marquis's mansion. The Lin family has been marquises for four generations, a distinguished and noble family. Even in the generation of Lord Lin, he was able to pass the imperial examination as a third-place scholar and is a favorite of His Majesty."

"My household is still far from being able to do so. If you really want to marry Miss Lin, you will have to rely on your own efforts."

"Mr. Xing said you're a good student and have a chance to pass the imperial examination? Why not take the exam for two or three years? It's not impossible. Miss Lin is probably a few years younger than you."

"If you truly achieve great things in your studies, I will never refuse to propose marriage to the Lin family on your behalf."

Li Chong comforted his son, trying to prevent him from losing confidence.

Lin Daiyu was already dumbfounded, her mind a complete mess.

I'll pass the imperial examinations and marry myself?
Furthermore, aren't the Zhenyuan Marquis's mansion and the Xue family very close?
Therefore, Lin Daiyu finally couldn't help but voice her doubts and asked, "If the Xue family is going to marry Miss Lin, what about them?"

Lin Daiyu was truly embarrassed when he asked her to marry him.

Li Chong suddenly turned around and said earnestly, "As a man, I can understand your thoughts. But lust is a dangerous thing. You are still studying, so it would be better to restrain yourself."

"Won't this habit of falling in love with every girl you see break your mother's heart?"

"She's done so much for your studies..."

Lin Daiyu was speechless, choked by Li Chong's words.

She only wanted to ask a question, but instead of getting an answer, she was lectured by Li Chong.

Tell her not to be so lustful?
There is no such truth.

Besides, when did Lin Daiyu ever become lustful?

Lustful, and that纨绔 (spoiled brat) you gave birth to, disregarding my frail health, showing off his strength and power in front of my sisters.

They must be feeling incredibly smug right now.

As soon as Lin Daiyu closed her eyes, the image of that纨绔 (playboy) being fawned over by his sisters flashed before her eyes, making her feel dizzy and her body sway slightly.

Seeing this, Li Chong was slightly displeased and frowned, saying, "Studying is important, but you can't ruin your health, otherwise how can you endure the imperial examinations?"

"I think you're not as agile as that Miss Lin. From now on, add another ten pounds of stone locks to the room."

He then waved his hand and sent Lin Daiyu away.

When Lin Daiyu came out of the main hall, she was completely dazed and confused.

"What kind of mess is this?"

……

Rongguo Mansion
Li Chen had just slowly woken up when he heard Shi Xiangyun beside him muttering indignantly all night.

"The old matriarch is biased! Jia Baoyu is a scourge!"

(End of this chapter)