What does Jia Baoyu mean by giving Lin Daiyu an old handkerchief?

After Baoyu was beaten, when Lin Daiyu came to see him, her eyes were swollen like peaches. After Daiyu left, Baoyu felt uneasy, so he sent Aroma away and told Qingwen to go to Miss Lin to see what she was doing. "She wants to ask me, just say that I am fine." Qingwen said, "White-browed and blind, what are you going to do? After all, a word is like one thing." Baoyu thought for a moment, took two old handkerchiefs and left them with Qingwen, asking Qingwen to take them to Daiyu. Qingwen said, "This is strange again. She wants these two handkerchiefs, which are half new and not old. She will be annoyed again and say that you are teasing her!" Jia Baoyu smiled with confidence: "Don't worry, she naturally knows."

Qingwen, a silly girl, walked all the way to figure out what Jia Baoyu really meant. When Daiyu saw the handkerchief, she was puzzled at first. She really searched carefully and thought for a moment before she realized it. As for what the profound meaning of Baoyu was realized by Daiyu, the author used a long paragraph of ambiguous but somewhat thrilling words to describe it:

Baoyu's painstaking efforts can understand my bitterness and make me happy; What I mean, I don't know what the future will be, and it makes me sad; Suddenly, I sent two old handkerchiefs well. If it wasn't for my profound meaning, it would make me ridiculous to look at this handkerchief alone. If I want to be passed on to me in private, I will be afraid; I often cry myself, but it's boring to think about it, which makes me feel ashamed!

The author said such a long paragraph of gratifying, sad, ridiculous, frightening and shameful words, but after all, he didn't tell us what kind of profound meaning Jia Baoyu's old handkerchief contained. Some readers think that this is because handkerchiefs in ancient times were mostly made of silk, so handkerchiefs have the meaning of "horizontal and vertical silk", expressing Baoyu's yearning for Daiyu; Some readers think that handkerchiefs are used to wipe tears. Baoyu gave Daiyu a handkerchief to persuade her to shed less tears.

in the first sense, as soon as Daiyu came back from Baoyu, Baoyu immediately sent someone out to express his thoughts, which seemed a little melodramatic. After all, they can't be equated with the young lovers who are in love now. They just went home separately here, and the text message came after them again ―― I miss you ―― and so on. If it is the second meaning, it is a little shallow. Moreover, even if Daiyu wipes her tears, she can send a good new handkerchief. There is no need to get two old ones.

So, what exactly do these two old curtains mean? In fact, in A Dream of Red Mansions, the author has already given us a hint.

In the thirty-second time, Jia Baoyu got a unicorn just like Shi Xiangyun. Lin Daiyu knew that Xiangyun was here, and she had to talk about the unicorn. Therefore, I thought to myself: Recently, most of the talented people and beautiful women who were spread abroad in unofficial history by Baoyu were matched by small toys, such as mandarin ducks, phoenixes, Yu Pei with golden rings, or cicadas, all of which were made of small things for life. I was afraid that there would be a gap, and I made those affairs with Shi Xiangyun, so I came quietly and acted according to circumstances.

In this passage, there is a special mention of "Mopa Luan Taenia", and Mopa is a handkerchief. Handkerchiefs are often taken as personal belongings of men and women for life in the "Biography of unofficial history" that Jia Baoyu got. Jia Baoyu knows this; Lin Daiyu, who "reads the West Chamber" with Jia Baoyu, also knows. Moreover, this is a little secret in the hearts of two people.

Therefore, the handkerchief that Jia Baoyu gave to Lin Daiyu actually implied the profound meaning of private life with Daiyu. The thing that is privately set for life must be something that both men and women are using to see the truth. Therefore, Jia Baoyu sent Lin Daiyu two handkerchiefs that were neither old nor new. Therefore, when Lin Daiyu realized the profound meaning of Jia Baoyu, she would be happy, sad, ridiculous, fearful and ashamed.

fortunately, she and Baoyu finally have the same mind; Sad people, it is not recognized to set a life for themselves, and they have to be approved by their elders. I wonder if their elders will satisfy their wishes? Ridiculous, if you can't understand Jia Baoyu's meaning, these two handkerchiefs will become a joke; To be feared, it was a serious violation of the social system to privately commit life in that era. Once they were discovered, both of them would be ruined. Those who can be ashamed, they didn't understand Baoyu's affection in the past, and often misunderstood Baoyu because of the "golden jade theory" and Baoyu's small temper.

Although Dai-yu is happy, sad, ridiculous, fearful and shameful when facing these two old handkerchief, her feelings are ever changing, but since then, she has never played a small temper with Baoyu.