Chapter 18: A Hairpin of Love, Tears Flowing, a Plea for Marriage Made, a Tender Heart Promises This Body.
The flickering candlelight bathed the crimson curtains in a warm orange glow. The two girls nestled shoulder to shoulder, as if sheltering themselves in this small bed, could temporarily escape all the storms and snow of the world.
Lan Shexiang finally let down her guard, opened her heart, and slowly recounted her past.
She was originally the second daughter of the Lan family, a fourth-rank official in the capital. As a child, she was physically weak, so her family asked a fortune teller to give her guidance and then sent her to the Yuzhen Temple outside the city to be raised by a Taoist nun, where she also learned traditional Chinese medicine.
The Taoist nun treated her like her own daughter, caring for her day and night and teaching her diligently. Lan Shexiang had long since recognized her as her adoptive mother, and originally thought that she would spend her life peacefully in Guanzhong, accompanied by the sounds of morning bells and evening drums, the fragrance of medicine and books. Unexpectedly, half a year ago, the Lan family suddenly sent someone to summon her back to the mansion. The reason for this was that they had already arranged a marriage for her.
Su Jinxiu frowned slightly upon hearing this, stopped embroidering, and hurriedly asked, "Is that so? Which family is the betrothal? Do you know anything about the other party's character?"
Lan Shexiang's voice lowered even further: "He is the son of the Minister of Agriculture, a third-rank official. The Minister of Agriculture is in charge of agriculture, sericulture, granaries, and land reclamation throughout the land. My father said it's a lucrative and substantive post. But I've never even seen his face. I only heard a servant mention that the young master has always been frail..."
"Actually, I also know that the person I marry may not be a wolf in sheep's clothing, and the marriage will not necessarily lead to chaos."
"But I resist so much..."
Seeing her hesitant expression, Su Jinxiu's eyes lit up with a curious smile. She casually placed the embroidered blue satin boots on the low table beside the couch and gently squeezed her shoulder: "Oh? There's something hidden in your words... Could it be that you already have someone you like and secretly harbor feelings for?"
The pinch and the question made Lan Shexiang's face turn as red as a ripe cherry, and she said in a soft voice, "It is...it is a gentleman I met once before."
"What are your appearance and character like? What is your family background?" Su Jinxiu leaned even closer, and even the candlelight seemed to shine brighter because of her warmth. "If I get to see you another day, you can point them out to me, and I'll help you decide whether you're a good match for our beautiful and kind-hearted Shexiang."
Lan Shexiang bit her lip, her fingertips lightly tracing the brocade quilt, and slowly said, "I don't know which noble family he comes from... but he looks very upright and dignified. Last month, I encountered a entanglement at the clinic, and fortunately he came to my aid. Afterwards, he even wrote a short poem as a gift. His handwriting is just like his personality, elegant and gentle..."
"Such an elegant affair!"
Su Jinxiu had always loved hearing anecdotes, and now that Lan Shexiang was recounting the whole story, her gossipy heart was instantly ignited like a fire fueled by fuel.
"If that's the case, tell me what time you last met him? Go to that place every day at that time, and you're bound to meet him again!"
Lan Shexiang blushed at her decisive manner and quickly reached out to tug at her sleeve: "What kind of young lady is so proactive in scheming? Wouldn't it be embarrassing if word got out?"
"Why not? It's always better to act when the time is right than to miss out on a good opportunity." Su Jinxiu raised an eyebrow, speaking with righteous indignation. "If it really doesn't work out, I'll have Aqin find a sack and just bring the person back to you, saving you all this trouble!"
As soon as the words were spoken, the two of them couldn't help but laugh out loud, but they only took it as a joke between young ladies and didn't take it seriously at all.
But before the smile could fade, a sharp, piercing pain suddenly shot through Su Jinxiu's abdomen. She frowned and her face instantly lost its rosy hue, as if being pricked by fine needles. The pain made her curl up and shrink back into the inner part of the bed.
Seeing this, Lan Shexiang quickly leaned over and reached out to take her pulse: "You were full of energy just now, how come you suddenly look like this?"
Su Jinxiu bit her lip, paused for a moment before waving her hand and trying to sound relaxed: "It's nothing, it's nothing. I just remembered that my period is coming soon, it's an old problem, I'll be fine after a short rest."
Although she tried to remain calm, cold sweat had already beaded on her forehead, and her face was ashen.
Seeing her like this, Lan Shexiang immediately lifted the quilt and got up, saying, "I'll go to the stove to cook you a bowl of ginger, jujube, and brown sugar drink, and steam a pot of angelica and mutton soup. You can't tough it out." She hurriedly steadied herself with the tips of her shoes and walked quickly. Just as she pushed open the door, a figure suddenly appeared in front of her.
Xiu Wei stood tall and imposing, his dark eyes deep and unfathomable. His moon-white robe was damp with the night dew, and no one knew how long he had been standing quietly under the eaves.
When Wen Shiqin saw her come out, he first nodded in greeting, then picked up the ebony food box in his left hand. Warm steam wafted out from the gap in the lid, carrying a sweet and nourishing aroma, while his right hand held a hot water bottle wrapped in brocade.
He handed the items over, his voice gentle and deep: "Thank you for your help, Miss Lan."
Lan Shexiang understood and quickly reached out to take it. Feeling the warmth of the food box's outer wall, she lifted a corner to take a look.
Inside, there were carefully placed ginger, jujubes, brown sugar, angelica honey paste, and a bowl of warm milk and bird's nest, all of which are the most suitable nourishing things for a woman when her menstrual period is approaching.
He was so meticulous that he remembered his sister's menstrual cycle perfectly, even more so than his close friend.
Wen Shiqin glanced into the room again, his eyes filled with worry, but he did not enter. He only said, "I will not disturb your private conversation."
After he left, Lan Shexiang handed Su Jinxiu a bowl of ginger, jujube, and brown sugar water. She then gently placed a hot water bottle wrapped in brocade on Su Jinxiu's lower abdomen. Seeing Su Jinxiu sipping the sugar water and her face finally regaining some color, Lan Shexiang felt a little relieved.
Lan Shexiang finally couldn't hold back any longer and asked softly, "What exactly has been going on between you two lately? I really don't understand."
Su Jinxiu paused abruptly as she sipped the sugar water, her eyes lowered as she stared at the shimmering brown sugar flakes in the bowl. Her voice was muffled: "Nothing... just some trivial matters."
Lan Shexiang sighed and took the bowl from her hand, placing it on the low table beside the bed. She then gently pushed her further into the bed, saying, "You're always so straightforward with others, why are you so hesitant when it comes to yourself?"
Su Jinxiu abruptly pulled the quilt over herself, leaving only her eyes exposed, looking like a startled turtle hiding its head, refusing to say another word.
"I have something to say on a different topic, about the friendship you've shared along the way..."
Before she could finish speaking, Su Jinxiu lightly touched her lips with her finger and whispered, "Be careful what you say."
Seeing her overly anxious state, Lan Shexiang smiled knowingly and said, "I was just mentioning the friendship between the two of you, and I didn't involve anything else. Why are you so anxious? It's clearly because you're worried."
Upon hearing this, Su Jinxiu realized that she had fallen into her trap. Her ears instantly turned slightly red. She quickly turned around, pretending to be annoyed, and picked up the notebook from beside her pillow. She held the pages between her fingers but did not actually read it. She just pretended to be focused, trying to hide her awkwardness.
Lan Shexiang leaned back on the couch, propping his elbow on his hand as he looked at her trying to cover up her misunderstanding. His voice softened, carrying a hint of earnestness from a close friend: "Qiaoniang, you and he are not blood siblings, but more like childhood sweethearts living next door. Even I, an outsider, can see it clearly. As someone involved, can you really not see through his thoughts?"
Upon hearing this, Su Jinxiu hesitated in surprise. Her fingertips accidentally touched a newly engraved page in the Embroidery Alley Miscellany.
The book reads: "I heard that when Shi Qin arrived at Jinming Pond, he was playing polo with the sons of nobles. Suddenly, his horse sprang into a frenzy, and the Empress's younger brother, Mu Hualin, and Princess Qingping, Cen Wanying, were both in danger. Without thinking, Shi Qin leaped onto his horse to save them, and the two were saved. They were deeply grateful for his kindness and trusted him even more."
Saving lives is a good deed and carries a positive connotation.
While she was pleased, she also noticed the character "楹".
The "楹" on the hairpin that fell out of his bag that day was a symbol of affection.
So, in those four days, he fell in love at first sight with Princess Qingping after saving her, and later they were mutually in love, and he accepted the hairpin that symbolized his feelings?
He has always been arrogant and haughty, and even the most beautiful young ladies would hardly catch his eye. But now he cherishes this hairpin, which he keeps hidden deep in his bag, keeping it close to him day and night.
Princess Qingping, who gave him this gift, must be an exceptionally lovely girl.
The secret joy and timid speculation were always her own affair.
Lan Shexiang saw that she was deep in thought for a long time, and her breathing was light and soft, so she assumed that she was carefully considering her words.
Unexpectedly, she slowly closed the book, her voice so calm it was devoid of any emotion: "My relationship with him has always been that of siblings."
Seeing her sudden change in demeanor, Lan Shexiang knew she needed to add more pressure. She looked around, her gaze suddenly falling on the newly embroidered blue satin boots on the table. The stitches were fine and dense, with subtle phoenix patterns, clearly showing the immense effort put into them. She knew that Su Jinxiu never did her work at Huayun Pavilion in her private quarters; the only person who could make her concentrate on embroidery while she was talking to someone was Wen Shiqin.
Lan Shexiang then pointed to the boots and deliberately reminded him, "Have you forgotten? Yesterday, Uncle He from the neighborhood asked Shi Qin to go to the East Market early tomorrow morning to buy some thick hemp rope to help him build a grape trellis in his backyard. I noticed that his old boots have long been torn. If we don't deliver these new boots tonight, are we going to let him walk in these torn boots tomorrow, covered in street dust?"
Su Jinxiu was taken aback upon hearing this, her brows furrowing slightly: "How come I didn't know about this?"
But then she realized that there were many things she didn't know.
After pondering for a moment, he finally sighed and said, "Fine, since I have to give it to him anyway, I'll send it over now."
Lan Shexiang watched her leave and nodded in satisfaction.
Su Jinxiu, holding a pair of blue satin cloud-patterned shoes, took a deep breath before gently knocking on the door.
The candlelight inside bathed the window paper in a warm glow, and as soon as the knock was made, the door opened gently.
When Wen Shiqin saw that it was her, a look of surprise flashed across his eyes, but then his brows furrowed and his tone was full of worry: "It's late at night, why did you come over, sister? Is your stomachache acting up again and you can't bear it anymore?"
Su Jinxiu was taken aback by the question, and her ears turned slightly red. She quickly looked away and changed the subject: "No, I saw that your old boots were almost worn through, so I embroidered a new pair and sent them over. You can try them on and see if they fit."
Wen Shiqin's eyes lit up instantly, and he quickly stepped aside to welcome her in. He solemnly took the boots with both hands and examined them closely under the lamp.
The cloud pattern embroidered on the boot is graceful and lively, and the silver thread outlining adds to its exquisiteness. The stitches are so fine that not a single unevenness can be found, which shows that countless efforts have been made.
"Sister's hands are so skillful! These boots are even more exquisite than the ones displayed in the shop." Wen Shiqin was overjoyed and wanted to sweep away all the scattered paper, pens, and bundles on the table so that he could place the new boots steadily on the table to admire them carefully. However, in his haste, his elbow accidentally bumped into something.
With a crisp sound, the hairpin, symbolizing affection, fell onto the brick.
The hairpin fell onto the table, so in the dim light of the lamp just now, he had been stroking the hairpin for a long time in front of the table, thinking of that Qingping County Princess, longing for her every night as the night wore on.
Su Jinxiu bent down to pick it up, then asked calmly, "Whose hairpin is this?"
After considering for a while, Wen Shiqin finally changed his words, trying to keep his tone as ordinary as possible: "She is the daughter of the martial arts instructor. She came to my place a few days ago."
Su Jinxiu gave a faint smile, gently placed the hairpin on the table, and said softly, "Her hands are truly skillful."
"Sister, you're truly a master!" he exclaimed, praising her repeatedly.
"The hairpin with the sentiment is a girl's heartfelt gift. If you accept it, you should treat her well in the future."
A casual reply made him feel as if he had fallen into the dead of winter.
He had thought he could brush it off with a few vague words, but he hadn't expected her to misunderstand to this extent. He hurriedly waved his hands and explained, "No, no, no!"
He then quickly grabbed her shoulders and, with a little force, made her face him.
"Sister, please don't misunderstand. I will find someone to return it to you first thing tomorrow morning. I have absolutely no intention of keeping it!" He became more and more anxious as he spoke, and his voice even cracked a little. "As I just said, this hairpin was lost, and I did not take it on my own initiative!"
Upon hearing this, Su Jinxiu raised her eyes, her gaze lingering on his face, as if trying to see through the panic in his eyes and discern the truth or falsehood in his words.
This silent scrutiny made Wen Shiqin's heart tremble. He assumed she still didn't believe him and became so anxious that he stammered, "I'll find a flint and steel right now and burn this hairpin!"
Having said that, he turned to head for the door. Su Jinxiu quickly grabbed his wrist, about to speak to comfort him, but he interrupted her. Wen Shiqin gripped her hand tightly, his tone tinged with childlike stubbornness: "I only want your boots, your things, I don't want anything else! Sister, will you make me a love charm hairpin? Just engrave your name on it... I don't care for other people's hairpins, I only want yours, I only want yours!"
The urgency and burning intensity surging in his eyes seemed to transform into bright flames, scalding people until they had nowhere to hide.
But the hairpin, meant to express affection, was a private gift from a young woman to her beloved. How could she accept it so easily? Her lips trembled, and she hesitated for a long time before finally managing not to utter the word "okay."
This moment of hesitation, however, gave rise to a different kind of speculation in Wen Shiqin's eyes.
Is it because she's unwilling to do it for herself that she's already thinking of doing it for someone else? Or has she already done it for someone else?
As Su Jinxiu was pondering how to politely refuse him, she suddenly heard soft sobbing above her head.
She was puzzled, and when she looked up, she saw that Wen Shiqin's eyes were already red. His eyes were naturally bright and affectionate, and now they were misty, like a shattered moon. His eyebrows were slightly furrowed, and his high nose was tinged with red from grievance. His lips were moving slightly. He had the appearance of a sword-like eyebrow and starry eyes, but now he looked like an abandoned puppy, pitiful and endearing, which made people's hearts soften.
"Why are you crying again?" Su Jinxiu asked helplessly, "Just because I won't make you a hairpin?"
"yes!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Wen Shiqin took a half-step forward with a sob in his voice, grabbed her arm with his palm, and pulled her closer to him with a little force.
Unable to break free, she wanted to scold him, "Stop crying!" but when she looked at his excessively handsome face, which was full of grievance, she swallowed the words that were on the tip of her tongue.
He began to question pitifully, as if he had suffered a great injustice: "Sister, if you don't want to do it for me, then who do you want to do it for? Xie Hongying? Or Yi Ruxu? Or some playboy?"
"Sister, don't you want me anymore? Do you despise me? Are you going to elope with someone else tomorrow?"
here we go again.
Su Jinxiu was overwhelmed by his barrage of questions. It was just a hairpin, how did it escalate to this point? She frowned and made up her mind that she would not be swayed by his feigned crying this time.
“Wen Shiqin,” she said in a deep voice.
"Um."
He deserved the injustice. As soon as he finished speaking, two more tears rolled down his cheeks. He then reached out and hugged her, burying his face in her neck and sobbing. His warm breath mixed with soft whimpers gently brushed against her skin.
"Don't leave me..."
Su Jinxiu closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and finally gave in.
"Okay, I'll make it for you tomorrow."
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