Dream of the Red Chamber: My Daiyu Has Been Reborn

Seeing Daiyu like this, Gu Jinhong felt even more eager to tease her. Being too aloof wouldn't be good; she needed to be more lively. He didn't want to marry a cold, taciturn woman.

"Sister, what you're saying is true. If I didn't say it this way, would I have to tell you in front of that old lady that I've been really missing you these past two days?"

"You..." Daiyu felt her ears burning hot, her cheeks as if they were covered in thick rouge. She turned and glared at Gu Jinhong. "What nonsense are you spouting?"

Gu Jinhong met her gaze, his eyes open and honest: "How can this be nonsense? Since we are engaged, we are not outsiders. What's so shameful about me caring for my fiancée?"

"Of course, I know that my sister brought up the marriage agreement at Rongqing Hall last time to protect me, and I am naturally happy about that. If my sister regrets it and doesn't want to accept the marriage, I understand. I will explain the reasons to Father and Mother later and will definitely not make things difficult for my sister. In any case, it was just my wishful thinking."

After saying that, Gu Jinhong put on a heartbroken look. In his heart, however, he secretly thought, "This is even more like Lin Daiyu than Lin Daiyu herself. After hearing those words, I feel goosebumps."

Seeing his heartbroken appearance, Daiyu felt a pang of pity: "No...no, I don't deny it..."

"Then call me Brother Jin Hong, and I'll believe you." Gu Jin Hong's expression instantly changed to a smile.

Looking at his amused smile, Daiyu knew she had been tricked. She was both ashamed and angry, her eyes reddened, and she stomped her foot and turned to leave.

Seeing that she was truly angry, Gu Jinhong quickly stepped forward and blocked her path.

"My dear sister, it was my fault. I won't tease you again. Don't let me upset you. Otherwise, if my mother finds out, she'll definitely give you a beating to vent her anger. Wouldn't you be heartbroken then?"

"You still dare to talk back!" Seeing his shamelessness and knowing she couldn't argue with him, Daiyu felt a surge of bitterness and could only spit out a curse. "Who cares about you? I'd rather you be beaten to death."

Gu Jinhong knew the principle of moderation; if he really made her cry, it would be difficult to handle the situation. So he took out a brocade box from his sleeve.

Gu Jinhong's expression turned serious: "Sister, don't be angry. I actually have something I want to give you. It's something I want to give you myself, not something on behalf of Mother."

Seeing that he had stopped his flirtatious talk, Daiyu's embarrassment and annoyance faded somewhat, but she did not take the brocade box: "What is this?"

Gu Jinhong forcefully shoved the brocade box into Daiyu's hands: "Sister, you'll know once you take a look."

The box was small and very light. Daiyu hesitated for a moment before opening it, revealing a peach blossom hairpin made of pure gold and inlaid with rubies. The hairpin was crafted from pure gold, with peach blossoms in full bloom at the tip, and a ruby ​​the size of a bean set at the stamen. The entire hairpin exuded an indescribable freshness and liveliness.

"The magnolia hairpin that you always wear, sister, is very beautiful. But I always feel that a bright and cheerful person like Lin Daiyu should have such a vibrant color. Do you like it, sister?"

Hearing Gu Jinhong's words, Daiyu tightened her grip on the brocade box.

Did he think she was too aloof? In the past, everyone would have praised her as a fairy maiden, but this person in front of her insisted on adding a touch of warmth to her.

Daiyu looked at the blooming peach blossom, its red color so righteous and confident.

She wanted to push the brocade box back, but her hand wouldn't obey her. She secretly cursed herself for being so weak-willed.

Thank you.

"I'm glad you like it, little sister." Gu Jinhong nodded slightly when she accepted it, which saved her from having to refuse again and again. "Granny Li still has to go to other houses to deliver invitations to the flower viewing banquet, so I won't stay any longer, lest the old lady have any objections."

Daiyu composed herself, tucked the brocade box into her sleeve, and bowed to Gu Jinhong, saying, "Take care, Young Master Gu."

Gu Jinhong returned the greeting. He then strode away with Granny Li, showing no trace of his earlier arrogant demeanor.

Daiyu watched Gu Jinhong's figure disappear into the distance, her face no longer showing the girlish demeanor she had just displayed.

Zijuan and Granny Zhou stepped forward: "Miss."

"Let's go back."

Daiyu turned and started walking, recalling Gu Jinhong's shameless behavior just now, a faint smile on her face. She thought to herself: He's truly an unfathomable person.

Back at Pear Fragrance Courtyard, Daiyu sat alone by the window, taking out the peach blossom hairpin to examine it closely. Only then did she notice that there were words engraved on the hairpin. The words were so small that they were easily overlooked without careful observation.

"The peach tree is young and tender, its blossoms are bright and beautiful."

After reading the words clearly, Daiyu muttered under her breath, "You lecherous scoundrel."

This is a line from the poem "Peach Blossom" in the Book of Songs. The full poem should be, "The peach tree is young and tender, its blossoms are bright and beautiful. This maiden is going to her husband's home, she will bring harmony to her family." Gu Jinhong engraved this line on a hairpin and gave it to her, choosing a peach blossom as the design—it's simply...

Daiyu's cheeks flushed a light pink, and a smile played on her lips.

"Miss, the tea is ready."

Zijuan brought in tea and looked up to see her young mistress staring blankly at a hairpin, seemingly lost in thought.

Daiyu came to her senses, calmly wrapped the hairpin, and put it into the jewelry box.

"Just leave it there."

……

After leaving Rongguo Mansion, Granny Li went to Ningguo Mansion to deliver invitations to the flower viewing banquet. Since there were still a few families to deliver to, Gu Jinhong did not continue to follow.

They hadn't gone far when the carriage stopped. Gu Jinhong heard the guards shouting outside, so he lifted the curtain and peeked out. He saw a beggar blocking the front of the carriage, being pushed and shoved by the guards but refusing to move, clutching something in his hand.

Gu Jinhong stopped the guards: "Stop, bring the things over."

"Yes, young master."

The guard took a crumpled piece of paper from the beggar and handed it to Gu Jinhong. Gu Jinhong unfolded the paper; the slip of paper bore Bai Yutang's handwriting.

The beggar remained standing there, waiting for a reward.

Gu Jinhong took out a few loose silver coins and handed them to the guard beside him: "Give them to him."

The guard stepped forward and stuffed the silver into the beggar's hand.

"This is a gift from my young master."

The beggar took the silver, knelt on the ground and kowtowed several times in gratitude, then disappeared into the alley.

"Let's change course and go to Zuixianlou."

Bai Yutang was already waiting in a private room on the third floor of Zuixianlou.

"Speak, what's the matter that's so urgent?"

"It's all because of what you ordered, Second Master. How could the people below dare to neglect it?" Bai Yutang straightened his expression. "You were right, the Qin family is indeed problematic."

Gu Jinhong raised an eyebrow: "What did you discover?"

Bai Yutang lowered his voice: "Last night, Qin Ye met someone in his study and they talked in private for a full half hour before he came out. The person was quite skilled, but he was wearing a black cloak so his face couldn't be seen. His men followed him around several streets, but they still lost him in the end."

Gu Jinhong's expression grew serious, and he tapped his fingers lightly on the table.

Therefore, it seems highly likely that Qin Keqing's identity is questionable.