Dream of the Red Chamber: Daiyu and I swapped clothes

Chapter 28 The time has come
The Dajing Dynasty is not the history that Li Chen knew in his previous life; it is a fictional world completely rooted in Dream of the Red Chamber.

Besides the similar territorial boundaries, the cultures are also closely intertwined, with famous figures from the Tang and Song dynasties being celebrated throughout history.

Then, it was as if there was a historical break. The Ming Dynasty was not successfully established. Instead, decades later, another rebel army in Jiangnan, with the support of local aristocratic families and wealthy merchants, successfully swept across the entire China and established a Han Chinese dynasty, which has now passed down three emperors.

The current Emperor of Tai'an is over fifty years old and has been on the throne for more than forty years. He ascended the throne at a young age, quelled rebellions by regional warlords, conquered the western deserts, and drove out foreign barbarians, personally creating this prosperous era of Tai'an.

He was confident in his talents and had a full harem and many offspring, including more than twenty princes and more than thirty princesses. He also granted all his princes the privilege of participating in government affairs and assisting in military matters.

Such a situation might have served as a test for the heir apparent in the early years, but now it has naturally led to a situation where the princes fight each other and form factions to eliminate dissidents.

Therefore, such an old emperor could tolerate the open and covert struggles among his children, but if the foundation of his rule was damaged, he would do anything to regain power.

The older one gets, the lonelier one becomes, the more afraid one becomes, and the more one wants to hold power in one's own hands.

Just as Li Chen had imagined, his father made some gains this time when he went to the palace to meet the emperor again.

He was assigned to oversee the military supplies of the three armies and, together with the Earl of Zhongxin and the palace eunuch Liu Bing, investigated a case of embezzlement.

Everything was proceeding according to his plan. If his father could seize the opportunity, he would likely be rewarded with a formal official position after this meritorious service.

He can be considered to have successfully transitioned from a family of nobles to one that no longer relies on nepotism to obtain official positions.

Moreover, my father is only forty years old. Forty or fifty is the age for hard work, and it's not too late for his career to just start.

Maybe he won't have to rely on Lin Ruhai in the future and can still live a life fully dependent on his father?
Marquis Zhenyuan was in a good mood, and so was Li Chen, until their mentor Xing Bingcheng returned from the military camp.

"Let's see how well the young master is doing with his studies today."

"Okay, sir, please."

Li Chen calmly pushed all the books on the table in front of Mr. Xing, and saw his eyes change three times: from initial appreciation to amazement to astonishment.

After finishing the last book, Xing Bingcheng's hands trembled slightly, and his voice changed when he spoke, "Young...Young Master, these...these were all written by you personally?!"

Li Chen nodded without changing his expression, "Of course."

Although the soul inside the body is Lin Daiyu, Lin Daiyu also controls her own body, so how can it not be considered her effort?
Lin Daiyu and I are no different, are we?

Xing Bingcheng was oblivious to Li Chen's ulterior motives, but was amazed by the quality of the completed assignments.

"This commentary on the Great Learning, the phrase 'renewing the people,' can actually extend from 'renewing oneself daily' to 'renewing the mountains, rivers, sun, and moon,' with a grand vision and profound thought! And this poem about plum blossoms, 'stealing three parts of the pear blossom's whiteness, borrowing a wisp of the plum blossom's soul? Such exquisite conception, even I... I am ashamed to admit my inferiority!"

Xing Bingcheng spoke excitedly, but couldn't help but think to himself, "With the young master's talent, let alone the county examination, even if he went directly to take the prefectural examination, he would definitely be on the list of successful candidates."

"Did you hide your talents and refuse to take the imperial examinations before because you didn't want to attract attention too early? Are you wary of 'the tallest tree in the forest is the first to be felled by the wind'?"

The more Xing Bingcheng thought about it, the more reasonable the reason seemed.

Seeing Xing Bingcheng's almost worshipful expression, Li Chen was naturally pleased.

"All of this was earned through my hard work and sweat."

"This old man can naturally see the young master's diligence. With such talent, if he doesn't enter the civil service examinations, it would be a waste of his potential! I thought that completing 30% would be remarkable, but now I realize I underestimated him..."

As he heard more and more praise, Li Chen's expression became somewhat unnatural.

"Lin Daiyu, Lin Daiyu, do you have to be so serious and insist on answering every question perfectly? Not to mention this old gentleman, even I was amazed when I saw that delicate calligraphy, with not a single smudge on the entire book."

"If I do this so well, how am I going to cope when my instructor tests me later?"

As Xing Bingcheng held the book and admired it, he stroked his beard and sighed sincerely, "Young Master's understanding of the classics has reached such a level that I don't know what else I can teach you."

Li Chen's eyes flickered, and he immediately spoke, "Sir, you flatter me. However, in my opinion, the New Year is still two weeks away, and there has been some trouble at home recently. I fear that some petty people may take their anger out on you." "How about... you return home for the time being to reunite with your family and celebrate the New Year together? After the New Year, when the turmoil has subsided, I will prepare tuition fees and respectfully welcome you back to teach us. What do you say?"

Upon hearing this, Xing Bingcheng was deeply moved. He had hardly taught anyone, yet he had such a considerate student who thought of him and even accepted a generous tuition fee from his family.

"Young master is a man of extraordinary talent, and he is so considerate of me. I am deeply grateful."

Taking out two taels of silver from his pocket, Xing Bingcheng said earnestly, "In the past month or so, due to various unforeseen circumstances, I have been unable to teach you wholeheartedly, and I am truly ashamed to accept this. I am too ashamed to accept the full tuition fee, so I will give you half of it, and I hope you will accept it, young master."

Li Chen was taken aback upon hearing this.

Indeed, the scholars of this era possessed integrity.

A gentleman loves money, but he acquires it in a proper way. The teacher in front of me, regardless of his academic knowledge, is a good teacher with upright character.

Li Chen declined repeatedly, but Mr. Xing was adamant, so he had no choice but to accept it for the time being and saw him off to his carriage, thus fulfilling the student's duty of respect.

Clutching the two taels of silver, Li Chen felt a bit hot to the touch. He couldn't keep this hard-earned money for himself; he had to inform his parents first.

As the Lunar New Year approaches, it is the busiest time for the women in the family. They not only have to prepare for the New Year, but also handle the social obligations between each family, receiving and giving gifts. They cannot be stingy with even a penny.

Li Chen then flipped through books in the study, waiting for his father, Li Chong, to come down from his official post.

"Chen'er, is something the matter?"

Li Chong took off his felt hat, hung up his long robe, and warmed his hands in front of the charcoal brazier.

Li Chen placed two taels of silver in front of his father and said, "Father, Mr. Xing has returned to his hometown. He's involved in this big case, and I'm afraid someone might try to harm him. It'll be safer for him to leave the capital before things become public."

"Was it your idea again?"

Li Chen nodded noncommittally, "This is the tuition fee left by the teacher. He only said that he hadn't taught for more than a few days and didn't want to take the whole fee."

Li Chong picked up the silver, weighed it in his palm, and sighed, "The character of people is truly as different as clouds and mud. Do you know that Mr. Han, who abandoned you back then, is now teaching at the Wang family's clan school?"

"Is this the residence of Minister Wang, the Vice Minister of Revenue?"

Li Chong nodded.

Father and son remained silent.

Many thoughts flashed through Li Chen's mind, but the most important one was to visit the Rongguo Mansion before the end of the year.

Counting the days, the time for the body-changing ceremony was only five days away, which would be just the right time for Lin Daiyu to watch a grand performance. He had been preparing for this for a long time.

"Father, the Xue family has contributed a lot this time. Shall we pay them a visit before the New Year?"

Li Chongwei frowned. "A merchant family, is such formality necessary? Especially since, as far as I know, the Xue family still resides at the Rongguo Mansion. Wouldn't that mean the Rongguo Mansion would also have to pay a visit? I'm afraid that His Majesty has just entrusted us with an important task, and we're already trying to cultivate relationships with powerful figures..."

Li Chen shook his head repeatedly, "Father, just let me go. It's just a normal visit between juniors."

"You go?"

"Yes, Father, don't worry. I'll prepare some small gifts and go in seven days."

"Why seven days later?"

"Timing."

(End of this chapter)