Dream of the Red Chamber: Daiyu and I swapped clothes

Chapter 20 Brother Bao, we've never been on the same path!

Li Chen was perfectly clear-headed and knew exactly what Jia Baoyu had come for.

Little did Jia Baoyu know that the young master of the Zhenyuan Marquis's mansion who had angered him at the banquet yesterday, and the "Sister Lin" he sought solace from before, were actually the same person.

Seeing Jia Baoyu's embarrassed expression, Li Chen found it amusing. Fortunately, Lin Daiyu was only concerned with changing bodies last night and left Baoyu's matter to him, otherwise there wouldn't have been such a good show to watch.

Baoyu stood there, stunned, like a clay or wooden sculpture.

He was filled with remorse at that moment, wondering how he could have blurted out such a stupid thing!
It is a common prejudice that women should not take the imperial examinations or study the classics.

He clearly knew that Lin Daiyu had been taught the Four Books and Five Classics since childhood and had been raised like a boy.

But he couldn't escape the common fate and blurted out something he shouldn't have, earning a sharp retort from Lin Daiyu. Now, he's probably nothing more than a mud pig and a mangy dog.

When Jia Baoyu tried to ask Lin Daiyu about her views on pragmatism, he was at a loss for words.

Zijuan, who was inside the house, saw the two arguing but did not come up to mediate as usual.

She vaguely sensed that her young lady was becoming increasingly distant from Master Bao.

Considering the young lady's recent actions—being energetic and diligent in her studies at home—it's only natural to think that her mind has matured and that she dislikes Baoyu for only indulging in domestic affairs and lacking ambition.

"No wonder the young lady once said she wanted to leave the manor," Zijuan thought to herself.

"Brother Bao, didn't you have something to say? If not, please leave. I still have books to read."

Li Chen tried his best to adjust his tone and act in accordance with Jia Baoyu's performance.

When his name was called, Jia Baoyu seemed to wake up from a dream. He scratched his head and said with difficulty, "Sister, yesterday I went to Brother Xue's banquet. There was a young master from the Zhenyuan Marquis's mansion who spoke of economics and politics. It was really vulgar, unlike the quiet place here."

“I refuted his claim that he was blinded by greed, but others didn’t agree with me. Sister… you wouldn’t be like them and say those ‘nonsense’ things that are trying to force me into an official career, would you?”

As Jia Baoyu spoke, his voice grew weaker and weaker, and he had long lost the confidence he had when he arrived.

"Nonsense?"

Upon hearing "Sister Lin" speak, Baoyu's heart tightened, and he listened intently, holding his breath.

However, instead of the expected agreement, he received a calm retort: ​​"Does Brother Bao think that everyone in the world should be like you, only talking about romance and ignoring worldly affairs?"

Without hesitation, Jia Baoyu replied, "Of course it should be so! Those fame and fortune are nothing but empty boasting."

Li Chen chuckled. Today, he would personally shatter Bao Yu's unrealistic fantasies about Lin Daiyu.

Mimicking Lin Daiyu's tone, Li Chen spoke in a more profound way: "Brother Bao was born into a life of luxury, so naturally he doesn't know how many people in this world struggle to even make ends meet. The 'corrupt officials' you speak of certainly have their despicable aspects, but there are also people in this world who are doing their part in their own way."

“Take my father for example. He was in charge of the salt administration in Lianghuai. He dealt with salt merchants all day long, which seemed like a lot of mundane affairs to you. But if it weren’t for people like him mediating, salt prices would have skyrocketed, and who would have suffered?”

Jia Baoyu said urgently, "Uncle Lin is different! He..."

“How is he different?” Li Chen interrupted Jia Baoyu, and said, “Is there no other official in the entire court like my father, who, despite being in a high-ranking position, still has a heart to help the world?”

Jia Baoyu was speechless for a moment, only muttering, "But the officialdom is corrupt, why must I get involved..."

Li Chen's tone was hesitant, revealing a sense of detachment. "You have your way of living, and others have their own choices. It's your blessing to find peace and quiet amidst poetry, wine, and romance. But in this world, someone always has to shoulder the burdens you don't want to bear."

“My father taught me to read and understand principles, not to be arrogant, but to have the courage to face the hardships of the world.”

Jia Baoyu's eyes widened in astonishment as he asked, "Could it be... that you, sister, also think that careers in government and the economy are good?"

Li Chen shook his head slightly. "It's not that I think it's good, but that I understand its necessity. Just as I know that the blooming and withering of flowers in this garden is beautiful, the people outside the garden are also truly destitute. Brother Bao, you may only see the former, but I cannot pretend not to know the latter."

"We have never been on the same path!"

Upon hearing this, Jia Baoyu felt as if he had fallen into an ice cellar, muttering incoherently, "Was I wrong? Was I really wrong?"

"Am I just arrogant, thinking that having a piece of jade makes me different from others? It seems I'm not worthy of this jade. I... I might as well smash this piece of junk!"

Suddenly, Baoyu's delirium flared up again. He untied the five-colored thread around his neck and tried to throw the jade stone to the ground.

"Second Master, you mustn't!"

Zijuan and Xueyan exclaimed in unison.

Li Chen turned over, snatched the jade away, and held it in his bandaged hand. "Brother Bao, are you still going to throw a tantrum like a child? Are you going to get us all punished for your sake?"

"No, no, no..."

Baoyu's arrogance vanished instantly, and he fell silent in dejection.

Hearing the commotion, Baoyu's maid Xiren rushed in and helped Baoyu, who was slowly sliding to the ground, up.

Li Chen considerately returned the jade to Xiren, nodding and saying, "Sister Xiren, Grandmother, Aunt entrusted Bao Erge to your care. How can we let him keep coming to my room to cause trouble? Take him back quickly, and keep this jade safe."

Seeing that Baoyu was only crying and not injured, Xiren breathed a slight sigh of relief. She was already used to Baoyu's unpredictable temper.

However, Lin's calm and aloof demeanor made her feel somewhat unfamiliar with her.

"Thank you, Miss Lin. I understand. I'll take him back right away."

Xiren wrapped the jade in a handkerchief, put it in her bosom, and then, supporting Baoyu, moved out.

Seeing that the person had gone far away, Xueyan couldn't help but whisper, "Miss, you said such harsh words just now, which caused Master Bao to have a mental breakdown. I'm afraid the Second Madam will have to ask about it..."

"What are you afraid of? Didn't we offend her long ago?"

Xueyan stuck out her tongue and then fell silent.

……

At noon, after enjoying a delicious meal comparable to that of Zuixianlou, Li Chen was satisfied and sat down at his desk to look through the calligraphy notes written by Lin Daiyu herself.

This insightful discussion covers everything from the selection of writing implements and the essentials of holding a brush, to the movement of the brush tip, the techniques of copying, and the interpretation of famous calligraphic works such as the "Duobao Pagoda Stele," all in great detail.

Between the lines, one can see the immense effort Lin Daiyu poured into her writing.

Since she has been so devoted, how could I, Li Chen, be a heartless person who would betray her kindness?
I immediately prepared to follow the instructions and begin practicing.

Still grinding ink, another guest arrives today.

"Sister Lin."

A gentle female voice came, accompanied by two light knocks, "It's me. I'd like to hear your thoughts on the matter we discussed earlier."

Zijuan lifted the beaded curtain and glanced inside. "It's Miss Bao. Miss, should we avoid her any longer?"

"What private things did Lin Daiyu say that even Zijuan and Xueyan had to avoid her?"

Li Chen swallowed hard, thinking it was some private matter in the bedroom, and his heart started racing.

"Um, go and fetch some tea and snacks to entertain Sister Bao," Li Chen instructed, feigning composure.

"Tch." Xueyan pouted, "Can't even come up with a new excuse!"

The two men stormed out, letting Xue Baochai in.

The beaded curtain was gently rolled up, and a woman with radiant skin and graceful manners entered the room. Her face was like a silver basin, her eyes like water apricots, her lips red without rouge, and her eyebrows dark green without paint.

She wore a honey-colored cotton-padded jacket, with a rose-purple two-tone gold and silver fur-trimmed vest over it, and a pale yellow silk cotton skirt. The clothes looked neither new nor old, but they perfectly outlined her plump figure, making her appear even more graceful and dignified.

Even before the person reached Li Chen, a fragrant aroma wafted over.

This was the first time Li Chen had seen Xue Baochai's true face. No wonder she was considered one of the female protagonists of Dream of the Red Chamber, alongside Lin Daiyu. In terms of appearance alone, she was truly like spring orchid and autumn chrysanthemum, each with her own unique charm.

"Xue Baochai wants to have a private talk with me in my boudoir? That's really a bit embarrassing."

Li Chen was lost in thought.

But then Xue Baochai took off her outer coat, revealing only a close-fitting round-necked gauze dress, which accentuated her voluptuous figure.

Xue Baochai leaned closer and whispered, "Sister Lin, I didn't think the second young master of the Zhenyuan Marquis's mansion that you recommended before was that good."

Li Chen was raising his cup to drink tea, trying to hide his unconscious glance at a certain deep spot, when he heard this and choked, almost spraying the tea all over Xue Baochai's face...

(End of this chapter)