Dream of the Red Chamber: Starting with a Chronicle of Tragic Love

Jiao Si's words just now gave her an idea.

Jia Rong wanted to give a hairpin as a token of his affection, but instead had a servant buy a ready-made one. This gesture was rather perfunctory.

if......

Lady You's gaze fell on a hairpin in her hair.

It was a gift from Jia Zhen when she married into the Ningguo Mansion. Although it wasn't extremely valuable, it was exquisite and unique, and its meaning was different.

What if you took out one of your hairpins and had Jiao Si give it to Qin Keqing in the name of "Uncle Rong"?

In this way, the hairpin is no longer a cold, ordinary gold and silver object, but a gift that carries the meaning of "blessings from elders" and "family inheritance".

The meaning suddenly becomes different.

and......

This matter cannot be told to Jia Rong directly yet.

If he were to directly tell Jia Rong, "I'm giving my hairpin to your future wife," it would seem too deliberate, like he was trying to do a favor, which would be a poor choice.

The best solution is to have Jiao Si secretly deliver the hairpin.

Once Qin Keqing accepts and wears it, she might even be recognized by Jia Rong or others on some occasion.

At that time, Jia Rong will naturally know that the hairpin belongs to his "mother" You Shi.

He would then understand that this was Lady You silently supporting him and blessing his marriage.

The surprise and emotion of this "unexpected discovery" are far more profound than being told directly, and are more likely to bring mother and child closer together.

Thinking of this, a resolute glint flashed in Madam You's eyes.

She looked at Jiao Si.

"You're quite thoughtful."

"It is Rong'er's good fortune to have a servant like you who thinks of him."

She paused, raised her hand, and gently took a gold and kingfisher feather butterfly hairpin from her hair.

The hairpin was exquisitely crafted, with butterfly wings as thin as cicada wings, and bright kingfisher feathers that shimmered with a warm luster in the sunlight.

It's obvious at a glance that this is no ordinary item, and it's an old piece that I often wear, which adds to its charm.

"This hairpin was a gift from my master when I married into the Ningguo Mansion."

Lady You handed the hairpin to Jiao Si.

"Take this and tell her it's... a token of Rong'er's affection for Miss Qin."

"There's no need to mention me."

Jiao Si took the hairpin with both hands. It was warm and smooth to the touch, clearly indicating that it was often worn by its owner.

He was secretly delighted, but his face showed fear and gratitude.

"Madam! This...this is unacceptable! This hairpin is so precious, and it was a gift from Master. I...I dare not..."

Yu waved her hand, her tone leaving no room for argument.

"It's alright. It's just a hairpin. If it can fulfill Rong'er's wishes and help you and your master complete this task, then it's worth it."

"Remember, when you send it, just say that it is a token of the Ningguo Mansion's goodwill and that Rong'er values ​​Miss Qin."

"No need to say anything more."

She looked at Jiao Si with a meaningful gaze.

"Do you understand?"

Jiao Si nodded vigorously, carefully put the hairpin away, his face full of gratitude and admiration.

"I understand! Thank you for your kindness, Madam!"

"Madam is so kind and loving, going to so much trouble for Master Rong and Miss Qin. It truly shows the heart of a loving mother, which is truly admirable!"

His words were both a compliment and, coincidentally, they hit the nail on the head regarding what Lady You was thinking.

A faint, satisfied smile appeared on Madam You's face.

"Alright, go ahead. Get the job done."

"Yes! I will certainly live up to your expectations!"

Jiao Si bowed again, then respectfully stepped back a few paces and turned to leave.

His steps were steady, but his mind was clear.

It became.

Jia Rong, are you trying to frame me with this hairpin?

Now this hairpin has become a personal item of your stepmother, Madam You.

I want to see what happens when this hairpin is delivered to Qin Keqing, and what kind of scandal arises from this "secret exchange"...

Is this charge of "seducing the mistress" on me, or... will it burn you?

He touched the gold and kingfisher feather butterfly hairpin in his arms, which still retained the warmth of Lady You's body, and a cold smile curled at the corner of his mouth.

-----------------

Qin Mansion.

Jiao Si followed his memory and headed toward the courtyard where Qin Keqing lived.

Before long, they arrived at the small courtyard.

On that day, Qin Keqing wore a moon-white dress, which made her look even more elegant and refined, but there seemed to be a faint trace of sorrow between her brows.

Upon seeing Jiao Si, a glint flashed in her eyes, but she quickly regained her usual gentle smile.

"Brother Jiao? What brings you here?"

Jiao Si paused for a moment, then took out an exquisite brocade box from his bosom.

"I have something to give to Miss Qin today."

Qin Keqing's gaze fell on the brocade box, and she was slightly taken aback.

My heart skipped a beat.

Could it be that he... gave it to me on his own initiative?

Reason told her that this was absolutely impossible.

Jiao Si's current status is awkward, and he needs to be extremely careful in his actions. Why would he give her a personal gift at this time and place?

But the brocade box was right in front of him, and he handed it to him personally...

"This is..." Qin Keqing's voice was softer than usual, "Who sent it?"

She first guessed the most likely and most "legitimate" person.

"Is it...Uncle Rong?"

Jiao Si shook his head.

"no."

Qin Keqing thought for a moment, then said again.

"Is that...Master Zhen? Or...Mrs. You?"

She thought it might be her future in-laws, so she sent them some gifts to show her acceptance.

Jiao Si shook his head again.

"No, not exactly."

Qin Keqing's heart started beating even faster.

Having ruled out all "reasonable" candidates, the remaining possibilities are...

Looking at Jiao Si's calm and expressionless face, a glimmer of light gradually appeared in her eyes, carrying a hint of expectation that she herself was unaware of.

"Then...could it be...?"

She paused, her voice even softer, carrying a girlish mischief and a hint of barely perceptible nervousness.

"Master Jiao, you... gave this to me, didn't you?"

Jiao Si frowned almost imperceptibly.

"Miss Qin, please stop making wild guesses."

He neither admitted it nor denied it outright as he had the previous two times.

This ambiguous attitude, in Qin Keqing's eyes, seemed more like... tacit agreement.

At least, she's more inclined to believe it's a tacit agreement.

A mixture of indescribable joy and bittersweetness welled up in my heart at the same time.

The good news is that it might really be a gift from him.

The bittersweet thing is that even if it was a gift from him, it could only be concealed and vaguely mentioned, and could not be said outright.

She reached out her slender hand and took the brocade box.

Fingertips seemed to have unintentionally brushed against the back of Jiao Si's hand.

A warm sensation swept by.

Both of them were slightly taken aback.

A faint blush rose to Qin Keqing's face, and she quickly lowered her head and opened the brocade box.

Inside, a golden butterfly hairpin inlaid with kingfisher feathers lay quietly.

The butterfly's wings are as thin as cicada wings, and the kingfisher feathers are bright and lustrous, shimmering in the sunlight, making them exquisitely beautiful.

It's obviously an old item, but it's very well preserved, which adds to its antique charm.

"What a beautiful hairpin..." Qin Keqing exclaimed softly, her eyes filled with genuine admiration.

She picked up the hairpin and played with it in her hand, but her gaze kept drifting towards Jiao Si, her eyes filled with inquiry and a hint of emotion that she herself did not fully understand.

"Brother Jiao..."

Her voice was soft, tinged with a tentative tone, and also carried a deeper meaning that only she could understand.

"This hairpin...it must be very meaningful, right?"

"The person who gave me this gift... must have put a lot of thought into it."

Jiao Si met her gaze.

"I'm glad Miss Qin is happy."

"It's just an ordinary gift, a token of my appreciation, no need to overthink it."

"My business is finished, and I cannot stay any longer, so I will take my leave now."

After saying that, he cupped his hands in a respectful gesture, said no more, and turned to leave.

His steps were crisp and decisive, without the slightest hesitation.

Qin Keqing held the warm, smooth hairpin, watching his tall yet resolute departing figure. She opened her mouth, but ultimately did not utter a sound.

The words of entreaty to stay that were on the tip of her tongue, carrying a deeper meaning, were swallowed back down her throat.

Only after his figure disappeared outside the courtyard gate did Qin Keqing turn her gaze away and look down at the hairpin in her hand.

My fingertips gently traced the cool hairpin, my heart filled with mixed emotions.

Anxious...

This is a remarkable man who is both intelligent and brave, calm and decisive.

It's a pity I didn't have the chance to meet him before.

Now that she has realized it and seen it clearly, she has already been betrothed to Jia Rong...

That frivolous, dissolute, and ignorant good-for-nothing.

How ironic is this arrangement of fate?

If only...

If only we could have met sooner...

If there were other options...

The thought had barely crossed her mind when she ruthlessly extinguished it.

The color drained from his face instantly, leaving only a somber expression.

She shook her head violently, as if trying to shake this outrageous and shocking idea out of her mind.

A woman's marriage is arranged by her parents and the matchmaker.

The strictures of etiquette and morality are as imposing as mountains and peaks.

How could I have such a perverse and immoral thought?

Qin Keqing closed her eyes tightly, and when she opened them again, her eyes had regained their usual calm and gentleness, but deep within them, there was still a trace of sadness and loneliness that was hard to erase.

She carefully put the hairpin back into the brocade box, holding it tightly in her hand as if holding a glimmer of illusory warmth.

Then, she turned around and slowly walked back to her room, step by step.

His back view was lonely, carrying a heavy sense of resignation.

-----------------

Ningguo Prefecture.

As soon as Jiao Si entered the side gate, he bumped into Lai Er, who seemed to have been waiting for him.

Lai Er's triangular eyes gleamed with ill intent as he sized up Jiao Si.

"Jiao Si? Where did you come from?"