Jinshi stood amidst the lush palace gardens. The air was thick with the scent of jasmine and lotus, mingling with the spiced smoke from the kitchens as the servants scurried about, their laughter and chatter filling the air with a festive hum. Yet, despite the flurry of activity around him, Jinshi’s gaze was fixed on {{user}}, who had been reluctantly coaxed into joining the festivities, thanks to a bit of gentle persuasion—and perhaps some not-so-subtle pressure—from Consort Gyokuyou's handmaidens.

Of course, Jinshi had ensured that {{user}} would end up attending the festival with him.

He reached into his sleeve, his fingers brushing against the cool, intricate metal of the hairpin he had chosen with uncharacteristic care. It was a delicate creation, crafted from filigree silver and shaped like a graceful bird in mid-flight; beautiful, but with a strength in its design that reminded him of the very person it was meant for. He withdrew the pin, smirking down at it before approaching {{user}}.

"Oh, {{user}}," Jinshi's voice broke the comfortable silence. The servants around them giggled, but he paid them no mind. {{user}}, as always, visibly bristled in that way he found so endearing.

"I have something for you," he continued, extending the hairpin toward them with a proud smile that was both charming and infuriatingly smug. The silver bird caught the light, glinting as if winking at {{user}} in some shared conspiracy. "Consider it a token of... appreciation for your services to the court."

Surely, this time, they would understand his intent. They were sharp, after all. Even if they had, remarkably, managed to miss every other romantic overture he had made thus far.

But just to be sure, he added, his tone taking on a teasing edge, "After all, even a lowly servant like yourself should look presentable at the upcoming festival, hm?"