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

Jia Rong was taken aback.

"Didn't you need it? What happened?"

Jiao Si scratched his head "embarrassed" and continued in that "honest man" tone.

"Reporting to Master Rong, I'm at the market, trying to figure out what kind of hairpin to buy."

"As a result, I met a kind lady."

"She saw that the little man looked worried and asked him what was wrong."

"I dared not tell the truth, so I gave a few vague answers."

"Who knew that the lady was so kind-hearted, knowing that I was from the Ningguo Mansion and wanted to give my future mother-in-law a gift, she directly gave me a hairpin."

She said the hairpin was her own old item, which made it more meaningful, and that the servant could use it without spending any money.

"So I haven't been able to use this banknote, and I must return it to you."

He spoke haltingly, and his logic wasn't very coherent, but the gist was that "a kind person gave him a hairpin for free."

Jia Rong frowned as she listened.

Did I meet a kind lady who gave me a hairpin for free?

This... isn't this too much of a coincidence?

A flicker of doubt crossed his mind.

But looking at Jiao Si's "honest and simple" and "incapable of lying" appearance, and then at the perfectly intact, recovered one hundred tael silver note...

Money is always real.

One hundred taels!

Although he doesn't lack the money, it's always good to get it back.

As for that hairpin... it doesn't matter whether it was bought or given as a gift, as long as it's in Qin Keqing's hands and was given to her by Jiao Si, that's fine!

Perhaps, the old hairpin given by someone else is even more ambiguous and hard to explain!

Thinking of this, Jia Rong's doubts lessened slightly.

He reached out and took the banknote, tucked it into his pocket, and a smile returned to his face.

"Alright, it's even better that it didn't cost any money, saving me the trouble."

"You handled this matter... well, you were quite clever."

He paused, then changed the subject, his tone becoming more "solemn" and "trustworthy".

"Jiao Si, you did a good job this time. I am very satisfied."

"So, I have an even more important and 'secret' task for you to handle."

Jiao Si's "spirit lifted" and he quickly bowed.

"Please give your orders, Master Rong! I will do my utmost!"

Jia Rong cleared his throat, lowered his voice, and pretended to be mysterious.

"In a couple of days, there will be a temple fair at Qingxu Temple outside the city. It's going to be quite lively."

"I was thinking... Miss Qin must be feeling quite bored living in seclusion for so long."

"So, I'd like to invite her out for a walk to clear her head and see what's going on."

He observed Jiao Si's reaction.

"However, this young master's facial injury hasn't fully healed yet, so it's inconvenient for me to personally go and invite him."

"Furthermore, posting a message directly would seem too deliberate."

"so......"

He stared at Jiao Si and said, word by word.

"I want you to go to the Qin residence again."

"Just say that I am here on your orders to invite Miss Qin to meet me at the 'Moon Gazing Pavilion' on Plum Blossom Mountain at 9:00 AM two days from now."

"Remember, tell Miss Qin 'privately,' don't let Lord Qin Ye know."

"Just say it's a small token of my appreciation, a surprise for her."

"This also needs to be kept secret. You can't tell anyone, understand?"

Jiao Si listened, a cold smile playing on his lips.

Plum Blossom Mountain?

Moon-Viewing Pavilion?

Is this an attempt to create a "secret meeting" setting so that they can "catch them in the act"?

Before deciding on a location, didn't you even bother to find out where you, Uncle Jiao Si, came from?

What kind of place is Wangyue Pavilion?

This is the place where your Uncle Jiao Si killed the Japanese pirates!

I'm thinking of playing a trick on you, Uncle Jiao Si, here... hehe...

He, however, wore an expression of being flattered and surprised.

"Well...Uncle Rong, will Miss Qin agree? And isn't it against etiquette to arrange a private meeting?"

Jia Rong waved his hand impatiently.

"Just go when I tell you to! Stop talking nonsense!"

"As for Miss Qin... just tell her that I sincerely invited her to discuss important matters concerning our married life. She will naturally understand."

"As for formalities, she and I are about to get married, what's the big deal about meeting?"

"Just pass on the message, make sure you get her out!"

"It's done! I'll reward you handsomely!"

Jiao Si hesitated for a moment, then finally nodded through gritted teeth.

"Yes! I understand!"

"I will certainly convey your message and do my best to invite Miss Qin to the appointment!"

Jia Rong nodded in satisfaction.

"Alright, go ahead. Do your job well, I have high hopes for you."

After Jiao Si left, Lai Er emerged from behind the screen.

Jia Rong and Lai Er exchanged a knowing smile, quite pleased with themselves.

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

After leaving Jia Rong's room, Jiao Si did not head towards the Qin residence, but instead turned and walked towards the inner courtyard.

Before long, they "coincidentally" arrived near the corridor that Yu usually passed by.

He slowed his pace, composed himself, and a sense of relief, as if he had just completed his task, appeared on his face.

When Madam You appeared, he quickly stepped forward and bowed.

"Mrs."

When Lady You saw him, she stopped and looked at him.

"It's you, Jiao Si. The errand... is finished?"

Jiao Si nodded, a sincere smile on his face.

"Yes, thanks to your wife, the mission went very smoothly."

He paused, his tone carrying just the right amount of gratitude and the perfect sense of "thinking of the master."

"Miss Qin... has received the hairpin."

"She liked it very much and even had the servant express her gratitude to the person who gave her the hairpin, saying that the hairpin was exquisite, unique, and of great significance, and that it was clear that someone had put thought into it."

He cleverly omitted the detail of Qin Keqing asking who gave her the hairpin, only emphasizing "like" and "gratitude for the gift".

Upon hearing this, a hint of satisfaction and barely perceptible pleasure flashed in Madam You's eyes.

It feels quite nice to have your hairpin cherished by your future daughter-in-law.

Jiao Si, observing the expressions on the other's face, continued.

"Miss Qin also said that the weather has been fine these past two days, and the autumn scenery at the top of Plum Blossom Mountain must be quite beautiful. I was thinking of inviting you, my future mother-in-law, to the Moon-Viewing Pavilion at the top of the mountain around 9:00 AM two days from now to enjoy the mountain view. It would be good... to get to know each other better in advance."

He deliberately spoke vaguely, as if it were Qin Keqing's own request to "invite her future mother-in-law" to be close, which seemed perfectly reasonable.

Upon hearing this, Madam You raised an eyebrow, feeling even more gratified.

Qin Keqing is quite sensible; she knows to take the initiative to invite her future mother-in-law to get closer to her.

She was just wondering how to further her relationship with Jia Rong and Qin Keqing, and this was a good opportunity.

A gentle smile appeared on Madam You's face, her voice carrying the poise and agreement of a matriarch.

"Miss Qin, you are very kind."

"Go back and tell her that I will be at the Moon Gazing Pavilion at 9:00 AM two days from now."

Jiao Si bowed quickly: "Yes, I will certainly convey your words to Madam."

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

Qin Mansion.

Jiao Si did not go to Qin Keqing's courtyard again, but went directly to see Qin Ye.

Qin Ye remained as rigid and strict as ever.

"What brings Steward Jiao here today?"

Jiao Si cupped his hands in a respectful gesture.

"Reporting to Lord Qin, I have come on the orders of Madam You of the Ningguo Mansion."

Mrs. You said that two days later at 9:00 AM, she would like to invite Miss Qin to the Moon-Viewing Pavilion on the top of Plum Blossom Mountain to enjoy the autumn mountain scenery.

Mrs. You said that with the wedding date approaching, she wanted to meet and talk to Miss Qin in advance, as a gesture of goodwill from an elder.

Qin Ye listened, stroked his beard, and pondered for a moment.

He looked down on Jia Rong, who was good-for-nothing.

But Yu is different.

She was the mistress of the Ningguo Mansion, Jia Zhen's second wife, and Jia Rong's stepmother.

We really have to give them that face.

It is proper etiquette for elders to take the initiative to invite younger generations, and it is also a sign of goodwill.

Qin Ye nodded, his tone softening.

"Mrs. You are very kind."

"Since it is an invitation from an elder, I will certainly accept."

He thought for a moment, then said again.

"However, as Mrs. You is an elder, it is only proper for our Qin family to arrange the trip, so as to show the utmost courtesy."

"Go back and tell Mrs. You that all the tea, snacks, and sightseeing arrangements at the top of Plum Blossom Mountain will be provided by my Qin family. Please ask her to do us the honor of visiting and not to bother with anything else."

Jiao Si bowed again.

"Yes, I will certainly pass on the message."

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

Two days later, at 9:00 AM.

At the top of Plum Blossom Mountain, at the Moon-Viewing Pavilion.

The autumn sky is high and clear, the air is crisp and refreshing.

The area around the pavilion had already been neatly and elegantly arranged by the servants of the Qin family.

A bustling atmosphere, ready to welcome distinguished guests.

A mountain breeze swept by, carrying the coolness of autumn, and also stirred the wind chimes hanging from the corner of the pavilion, making them ring out crisply.

It's as if they're waiting for an upcoming "grand event".