Dream of the Red Chamber: Lin Daiyu, the Eldest Young Master of the Lin Family

People say that although the Lin family has only one child in each generation and few descendants, every sole heir is exceptionally gifted. In Lin Ruhai's generation, his eldest son Lin Dai is especially outstanding: he can read at three, recite the classics at five, and compose poetry at seven. Just as he's about to sit the imperial examinations at thirteen, the boy runs away from home!

Rumors swirl among the public:

Some say his reputation exceeds his abilities, and he fled when the exams drew near.

Some say an enlightened person guided him to become a monk and wander the world.

And some even spin absurd stories...

No one knows that this young master of the Lin family has simply hidden his identity and gone to the school in his family's old home in Gusu to live as an ordinary student.

*

Lin Daiyu is reborn.

She originally thought that in this life, she would only need to protect her parents and look after her little brother. As long as the family stayed safe and sound, she would ask for nothing more. But when she opens her eyes, the maids and matrons around her are respectfully calling her “Young Master.” Though she has lived a second life, she is no longer a girl as before. She has become the eldest son of the Lin family, born more than ten years earlier than in her previous life.

From now on, she will be the one to uphold the Lin family name.

She is Lin Daiyu.

And also Lin Dai.

*

Lin Daiyu has never given much thought to marriage. The outcome of love in her previous life was plain to see, so there is even less reason to force it in this one. To him, what matters most is studying, taking the imperial exams, and becoming a man like his father: an upright, refined gentleman.

Besides, he is a man, but in his heart...

He cannot be sure of his feelings, but he thinks that if he marries, he will have to take on a husband's responsibilities.

So he figures that as long as the other person's character suits his, the rest can be worked out.

But he never imagined that he would return home after passing the county-level exam as a licentiate, only to find that his family had already received an imperial decree arranging his marriage...

Reader's guide:

1. Main CP: Lin Daiyu (Lin Dai) x Wang Xifeng. Lin Daiyu was born earlier, so this is their first marriage.

2. Although the protagonist is reborn, her gender has changed and her circumstances are very different, so please expect Lin Daiyu to make some minor mistakes at times.

3. Lin Daiyu is not an only child. The story includes multiple characters who are reborn or transmigrate, both good and evil, but no one has a cheat like a System.

4. Wang Xifeng is not reborn, but she will have prophetic dreams. The main focus is on watching the young couple adjust to married life and fall in love after marriage.

5. Wang Xifeng appears infrequently at first. The main story begins after Lin Daiyu passes the licentiate exam and receives the marriage decree.

Theme: Personal growth and resilience