The first rays of dawn filtered through the delicate lattice of the window, painting intricate patterns of light across Xiaohua's room. She stirred under the silk covers, her heart still buoyed by the memory of Liu Chen's smile. The cool touch of the jade hairpin tucked beneath her pillow was a tangible reminder of the previous evening—a secret she cradled close to her heart.
As she opened her eyes, the weight of reality pressed gently upon her chest. The world outside her dreams awaited her: her duties as the eldest daughter, the expectations of her family, and the shadow of her engagement to General Wang.
Xiaohua sat up, the hairpin sliding into her hand. She studied it in the soft morning light—a simple yet exquisite design, the jade carved into a peony flower, its petals delicately veined. It was beautiful, understated, and somehow seemed to carry the essence of Liu Chen. She wondered, not for the first time, who he truly was.
Her thoughts were interrupted by a light knock at the door.
"Eldest Miss, are you awake?" a maid called softly.
"Yes, come in," Xiaohua replied, tucking the hairpin back under her pillow. She didn't want anyone to see it—not yet.
Two maids entered, one carrying a basin of warm water while the other laid out her morning attire. They exchanged glances, their usual chatter replaced by a curious silence as they worked.
Xiaohua noticed their hesitation. "Is something the matter?" she asked, a small smile playing on her lips.
The younger maid blushed and shook her head quickly. "Oh no, Miss. You just… seem very happy this morning."
"Is that so?" Xiaohua mused, her smile widening. "Perhaps it's because the celebration last night was so lively."
The maids giggled, their curiosity somewhat appeased, and busied themselves with preparing her for the day.
At the dining table, Xiaohua's mother studied her daughter with a sharp, calculating gaze. Madame Lin was a woman of grace and poise, but her intuition was razor-sharp. She noticed the lightness in Xiaohua's demeanor, the faint smile that lingered on her lips even as she sipped her tea.
"You seem well-rested, Xiaohua," Madame Lin remarked, her tone neutral but her eyes probing.
"Yes, Mother," Xiaohua replied, keeping her tone even. "The celebration was invigorating."
Madame Lin nodded but didn't respond, her gaze lingering a moment longer before shifting to her tea. Jingwei, on the other hand, was less subtle.
"Jiejie, you're glowing this morning!" he exclaimed, his jade-green eyes sparkling with mischief. "Did something special happen last night?"
Xiaohua shot him a warning look, but the boy only grinned wider. "Perhaps a certain someone gave you something?" he teased.
Her heart skipped a beat, but she forced a laugh. "Don't be ridiculous, Jingwei. I'm simply in a good mood."
Jingwei shrugged, clearly unconvinced but unwilling to press further under their mother's watchful eye.
Later that morning, as Xiaohua wandered through the estate gardens, her thoughts returned to Liu Chen. She replayed their conversation in her mind, the way his voice had wrapped around her like a warm breeze, the gentle brush of his fingers against her cheek as he tucked her hair behind her ear.
Who was he, truly? He hadn't revealed much about himself, and yet there was an air of familiarity about him, as if their paths were destined to intertwine. She found herself longing for their next meeting, even as guilt gnawed at the edges of her happiness.
Her thoughts were interrupted by Jingwei, who came bounding into the garden. "Jiejie! There you are!"
She turned to him with a smile, but her brother's sharp eyes caught something she had hoped to hide. "What's that in your hand?" he asked, pointing to the jade hairpin she had been absently twirling.
"It's nothing," she said quickly, slipping it into her sleeve.
Jingwei frowned but didn't press further. "Mother's looking for you," he said instead.
In the quiet of her mother's sitting room, Xiaohua felt the weight of Madame Lin's scrutiny. "Xiaohua," her mother began, her voice calm but firm, "you've been… different these past few days. Happier, perhaps, but also distracted."
"I'm not distracted, Mother," Xiaohua replied, forcing herself to meet her mother's gaze.
Madame Lin's eyes narrowed slightly. "I know you, my daughter. Whatever is occupying your thoughts, I hope you remember your duty to this family."
The words stung, though they were spoken without malice. Xiaohua nodded, bowing her head. "Yes, Mother. I understand."
Madame Lin studied her for a moment longer before dismissing her with a wave of her hand.
Meanwhile, in another part of the city, General Wang sat in his study, reviewing the plans for his upcoming engagement. His expression was one of satisfaction, though his thoughts were less pleasant.
"She will be mine," he muttered to himself, a cruel smile tugging at his lips. The jade token in his hand was a promise, a symbol of the contract that bound her to him.
That evening, Xiaohua sat by her window, the jade hairpin in her hand. The moonlight bathed her room in a soft glow, and for a moment, she allowed herself to dream of a life unburdened by duty.
A knock at her door startled her, and one of the maids entered. "Eldest Miss, there's a message for you," the maid said, handing her a folded note.
Xiaohua unfolded the paper, her heart racing as she read Liu Chen's elegant script:
Tomorrow. The old willow by the lake. At dusk.
Her fingers trembled as she clutched the note to her chest. For the first time in a long while, hope blossomed in her heart.