"You guessed right," Draco said with a light laugh.
"Didn't you just become fluent in Chinese not long ago? Perfect timing, I suddenly had an idea and found this book for you."
So you won't get tired of looking at it.
Hermione was already used to his magical methods, but each time, a warm feeling would well up inside her.
Because this guy always cares so much about me!
"You can conjure up all sorts of strange and wonderful things; Young Master Malfoy's magic bag truly lives up to its name."
"Of course," Draco said smugly. "To have met you, Young Master Malfoy, is the greatest blessing you could ever have."
"You're so shameless... Who would want to be blessed like that?" Hermione's face flushed, but a sweet smile bloomed on it.
As she spoke, she picked up " Dream of the Red Chamber " from the round table, carefully cradling it in her arms as if it were a precious gift.
The warm yellow light fell on the cover of " Dream of the Red Chamber." Hermione pointed to the three square Chinese characters, pondered for a moment, and then looked at Draco, who was lounging lazily on the sofa.
"I roughly understand the word 'dream,' but what does 'Red Mansion' mean? A red building? Does it specifically refer to a certain type of building?"
"Hmm... it's probably the residence of ancient Eastern nobles, especially the wealthy and powerful aristocratic families." Draco adjusted his posture to make himself more comfortable on the sofa.
As he spoke, he began to disassemble it.
"The red here isn't just any red; it's vermilion, a very bright and luxurious lacquer color."
"In ancient Eastern times, this color was a symbol of status and rank. Only the houses of royalty, nobles, and wealthy families were permitted to use this color to decorate their doors, windows, beams, and pillars. Ordinary people were not allowed to use it, nor could they afford it."
Seeing Hermione's focused expression, Draco continued:
"The building wasn't the typical, simple kind of building."
"This refers to an exquisitely crafted, typically two-story pavilion, with carved beams and painted rafters, flying eaves and brackets, built with great care."
"Together, 'Red Mansion' refers to a magnificent and exquisite pavilion decorated with vermilion lacquer. Such places were often the 'boudoirs' or 'embroidered chambers' of unmarried young ladies or women of noble status from aristocratic families."
"I see..." Hermione seemed to understand, pondering his words carefully, a clear light gradually appearing in her eyes.
Then, following Draco's speculation, "So, if we put it in the title of this book, 'The Red Chamber' doesn't just refer to a specific building; it's more like a... symbol?"
"Of course not," Draco affirmed.
"This book tells the story of a group of noble young women of different backgrounds and talents, living in grand mansions and leading seemingly idyllic and poetic lives to outsiders."
"But..."
"This seemingly glamorous and carefree Red Mansion is more like a magnificent and exquisite cage, trapping them inside and isolating them from the outside world. Their joys and sorrows, their fates and futures, are often not in their own hands."
Upon hearing this, Hermione suddenly understood and sighed softly:
"Therefore, the 'Dream of the Red Chamber' in the book's title is both the boudoir of wealthy women and the shackles that lock away their youth and freedom. Coupled with the word 'dream,' it immediately reveals the truth."
"No matter how great the wealth or how beautiful the youth, in the end it's all just an illusion, a fleeting dream, and will eventually come to nothing."
After saying that, Hermione lowered her head and looked at the book in her hands.
At this moment, she was already captivated by the profound meaning hidden in the name, and she couldn't wait to turn to the first page.
"That's probably what it means," Draco concluded, looking at her eager expression.
Having understood the meaning behind the title, Hermione carefully held " Dream of the Red Chamber " in her hands, gripping the edges of the pages, intending to turn to the first page and explore that world—
" Miss Granger," Draco suddenly spoke.
"Hmm?" Hermione paused.
"I have a question for you."
What's the problem?
"If you marry into the Malfoy Manor, wouldn't that be like living in the Red Mansion?" Draco leaned forward, elbows on his knees, looking at her with a half-smile.
"Snap." Hermione's fingers trembled, and she closed the book.
"What nonsense are you talking about..." Her face turned red again.
Marrying into... Malfoy Manor?
This reminded Hermione of how Lucius and Narcissa had always treated her and her parents with gentle politeness.
" Malfoy Manor is not a place that confines people."
"No matter how magnificent the Red Chamber is, it is still a high wall that confines women, leaving them powerless and unable to even choose their own hearts."
"But Malfoy Manor... is not a cage."
"I am not a caged Canary; I am myself. Whether I want to leave, stay, do what, study what, or go where... it's all up to me."
"You and your family have never treated me like a decoration that must follow the rules, or an appendage that needs to be 'locked up'. You have respected me and treated me well."
Hermione's voice softened at this point, carrying a hint of anticipation and trust in the future:
"A dream called the Red Chamber, but what I want is a home with you, not a Red Chamber that traps me."
"You're right." Draco nodded seriously.
But then he started acting frivolous again, "Even if Malfoy Manor really is a cage, Miss Granger will... will she willingly move in?"
"Hmph, that's not necessarily true," Hermione retorted, but her cheeks flushed red from Draco's provocative words. "If it really becomes a cage like in the book, I'll definitely find a way to get out."
"I'm not the kind of person who's trapped in the Red Chamber, waiting for fate to decide their destiny. I am Hermione Granger."
Draco chuckled at her expression, which suggested he was ready to escape at any moment. He confidently stretched out his hand, fingers spread, and made a grasping motion in front of Hermione.
"Even if you manage to squeeze out, you can't escape my Five Fingers Mountain."
" Five Fingers Mountain? What Five Fingers Mountain?" Hermione paused, not understanding the unfamiliar metaphor. She looked at Draco's hand, then at him, and asked, puzzled, "You mean... your hands are very big and strong, enough to grab me?"
This understanding made Draco laugh even harder. He deliberately didn't explain, just grinned mischievously, then suddenly reached out and grabbed Hermione by the back of her neck, saying, "Like this."
" Draco, let go..." This sudden movement startled Hermione, causing her to shrink back like a kitten whose nape was being gently pressed. She tried to pry his hand away.
"This is a public place! A library!"
"Want to know what Five Fingers Mountain means? If you want to understand what I'm talking about, you'll have to read another... Chinese classic." Draco released her hand, but his smile didn't fade; instead, he was even more pleased to see her startled expression.