Dream of the Red Chamber: Daiyu and I swapped clothes

Chapter 52: So close
She took off her cotton socks, rolled up her trouser legs, and untied Li Chen's leg bindings one by one. Xiang Ling lowered her head, her jade neck now blushing pink.

With each inch her fingertips touched deeper, feeling the warmth, Xiangling became increasingly disoriented.

This intimate and close service was even greater than during the day.

She felt a pang of sadness as the young master deliberately distanced himself from her.

Now that she has to serve him in everything, a more complex and indescribable feeling arises in her heart.

After washing, wiping, and massaging like this, shouldn't I... stay in bed with her?

On the first night, perhaps the young master was also experiencing that awkward situation for the first time.

But today, the young master's faint smile when he closed his eyes to enjoy the moment clearly showed that he was confident and had her completely under his control. How could this not make her feel flustered?

Xiangling dared not have an affair with the young master first, as Madam had repeatedly warned her.

After a thousand thoughts swirled in my mind, it all culminated in a barely audible sigh.

Just as she used to serve Xue Baochai, Xiangling brought over a small stool to sit on, sprinkled the prepared flower petals into the warm water, and then carefully lifted Li Chen's feet and put them into the water.

"Young master, is the water temperature suitable?"

"It's okay."

With her consent, Xiangling dipped her slender fingers into the water and gently massaged Li Chen's calves.

She doesn't actually do this kind of hard labor very often.

She and Ying'er were both senior maids by Xue Baochai's side, while junior maids would handle the smaller tasks.

However, she was the only one in Li Chen's room, so she couldn't avoid it and had no choice but to serve him wholeheartedly until he was satisfied.

"Young Master, is the force... is it appropriate?" Xiangling asked shyly again.

"good."

After asking twice, Xiangling stopped saying anything flattering.

After silently washing Li Chen, she dried him with a soft cloth. Just as she was about to pick up the wooden tub and escape this unsettling situation, Li Chen spoke again, "Wait. Put the water aside and come and rub my back."

As he spoke, Li Chen took off his outer robe, leaving only his undergarments, and stretched out on the bed.

Xiangling hurriedly looked away, not daring to look at the naked skin any longer, her cheeks flushing even more.

"Hmm? You don't want to?"

Li Chen's voice rose slightly at the end, carrying an unquestionable tone.

"This servant...this servant dares not."

Xiangling's voice was barely audible, but ultimately it was not easy to disobey her.

After removing her embroidered shoes, Xiangling knelt on the couch, her cool fingertips trembling slightly as she gently placed them on Li Chen's back.

As the massage continued, Li Chen's tense body gradually relaxed, while Xiang Ling's heart beat faster and faster.

The heat seemed to scorch her palms, making her extremely cautious with every move she made.

After pressing for a while, Li Chen suddenly spoke again, "Lower the bed curtains."

"what?"

Xiangling's heart skipped a beat.

I'm really afraid of what will happen.

Once the bed curtains were drawn, with only the man and woman alone, where could she possibly leave?

"Master, I..."

Xiangling stammered, too embarrassed to speak.

"What are you afraid of? Can I still eat you?"

Li Chen said calmly, "It's chilly at night, so let's lower the bed curtains to make it warmer."

"Oh……"

Xiangling was too weak to struggle, so she had no choice but to obediently get up and slowly lower the dark brocade curtain.

In an instant, the bed curtains became a small space where the two of them could be alone.

Whether Li Chen did it intentionally or unintentionally, his naturally drooping hand would occasionally touch her, making Xiangling feel as if she had been electrocuted.

An enchanting atmosphere rippled between the two, and Xiangling couldn't help but feel her heart flutter. They massaged her for an unknown amount of time, from head to toe, leaving no spot untouched. Xiangling herself was already drowsy, but Li Chen still showed no sign of stopping.

He even picked up a book and started reading in that very posture, so that Xiangling wouldn't dare to disturb him.

However, the next moment, Li Chen suddenly threw the book aside and rolled over to lie flat without warning, startling Xiangling so much that she gasped and froze on the spot.

"All right."

He spoke in a calm tone, as if he had simply accomplished something ordinary.

Xiangling remained kneeling on the spot, her almond-shaped eyes wide open, staring at him blankly.

"Is it ultimately impossible to escape?"

"It's late at night, and if he forces himself on me, what should I do?"

Just as she was feeling confused and lost in thought, Li Chen raised his foot and gave her a light kick to the side of her round buttocks.

"What are you standing there for? Why don't you go back to your room and rest?"

"what?"

Upon hearing this, Xiangling was completely stunned.

However, Li Chen had already tossed her coat over, his tone carrying a hint of dismissal: "Go on, you have things to do tomorrow morning."

Xiangling hugged her clothes and got out of bed in a daze.

Looking back, she saw that Li Chen had already drawn the bed curtains himself, keeping her out.

A strange sense of loss and grievance welled up in her heart, making her feel even worse than the tension she had felt before.

Could it be that the young master has absolutely no romantic feelings for me?
But what about the way he intentionally or unintentionally scratched my fingertips and ankles while I was massaging them?
It turns out I was just being delusional...

Xiangling was both ashamed and embarrassed, and she moved back to her side room in a daze.

Just before entering, she couldn't help but glance back at the tightly closed bed curtains, and a faint hope of being allowed to stay arose in her heart.

Inside the tent, Li Chen stretched comfortably, feeling refreshed all over.

"This little girl is really quick and nimble."

"No rush. Now that you're inside my room, we must take our time."

Ultimately, Xiangling was just a young woman of sixteen, with a very simple mind.

"The book says that Xiangling's character is similar to Qin Keqing's, which means that 'when love meets, lust is inevitable.' Now it seems that this girl is usually naive, but she is extremely sensitive when it comes to matters of love."

"It seems there are still many interesting things to come."

With his mind at ease, Li Chen fell asleep contentedly.

……

Lichunlou
Li Chen prepared at home for several days before arriving at the restaurant that Xue Pan had booked, as agreed.

I had assumed this place was similar to the Drunken Immortal Pavilion from before, a refined and elegant spot.

But as soon as Li Chen stepped into the private room, he saw Xue Pan with two beautifully dressed women on his left and right, urging him to drink.

Li Chen paused, his lips twitching slightly.

"Brother Chen, you've finally arrived! I've been waiting for you for so long!"

When Xue Pan saw him enter, he was overjoyed, as if he had seen a savior. He pushed aside the woman beside him and greeted him warmly, "I've been wanting to find you to relax for a while, but I was afraid of disturbing your studies. When I received your message a few days ago, I was so happy!"

Li Chen ignored the conversation, glanced around the room, and complained, "So the 'good place' Brother Xue mentioned is this brothel?"

Upon hearing this, Xue Pan chuckled and casually put his arm around Li Chen's shoulder, pulling him towards the table. "Good brother, please understand my situation! These past few days at home, my mother has been keeping a close eye on me, and I've been feeling utterly bored!"

Leaning closer, Xue Pan lowered his voice, speaking with a hint of flattery, "Unlike you, I don't have a beautiful woman like Xiangling in your room to keep you company. I didn't even touch her; she was delivered to you innocently!"

Having said all that, what else could Li Chen say?
He had no choice but to make her sit down.

Xue Pan even prevented the two prostitutes from approaching to pour wine, and personally took the pot to fill Li Chen's cup, speaking in a rather considerate tone, "Brother, I know you have lofty aspirations and want to remain chaste, not to philander outside. Therefore, I haven't prepared any other entertainment for you, so please don't blame your brother for being stingy!"

Li Chen waved his hand and said helplessly, "Brother Xue, you're overthinking it. I've come today to discuss something serious with you."

Upon hearing this, Xue Pan immediately sat back down and skillfully reached into the arms of the beauties on either side, eliciting a coquettish sigh.

While kneading his hands, Xue Pan patted his chest, his face full of righteous indignation. "Serious business? Then you've come to the right person. Brother Chen, to tell you the truth, I am the most serious person imaginable!"

(End of this chapter)