In the second-floor accounting office of Jinyun Bookstore, quiet and filled with the faint scent of ink, sunlight filtered through the carved window lattices, casting dappled shadows and illuminating everything within. Jiang Yan, dressed in a moon-white robe, sat facing the quaint abacus, his brows slightly furrowed, his expression focused yet slightly troubled.

Su Jinli sat nearby, her brush gently nibbled between her teeth, watching Jiang Yan with fascination. Unconsciously, ink stained the corners of her mouth, like a small, inky flower quietly blooming. She tilted her head, a sly glint in her eyes as she teased, "Hey, a top scholar, how could you even get three times seven wrong?"

Hearing this, Jiang Yan raised his head helplessly. Looking at Su Jinli's playful expression, he smiled wryly and said, "Madam, you don't know, the accounts of this bookstore are very complicated. Thirty percent of your royalties must be given to the authors of the storybooks." As he spoke, his slender fingers gently fiddled with the beads, making a crisp sound. "In addition, you have to pay Boss Wang for the printing costs. All these various payments add up to a real headache."

"Stop!" Su Jinli glared, then reached out and snatched the abacus from Jiang Yan's hand with a quick and decisive move. She feigned anger and said, "I've decided. Considering your accounting skills, I'll give you a monthly salary of one or two taels of silver. Humph, don't think it's too little."

"It's too little." Jiang Yan's eyes flashed with a smile. He suddenly reached out and gently held Su Jinli's hand. The warm touch instantly spread throughout her body. He leaned closer, his eyes full of affection and teasing, and whispered, "How about a kiss to pay it off?"

"You rascal!" Su Jinli's cheeks instantly flushed, as delicate and charming as a peach blossom in full bloom in spring. Embarrassed and annoyed, she pushed Jiang Yan away. However, at this moment, a sudden loud noise from downstairs broke the warm and slightly charming atmosphere in the accounting office.

The two looked at each other, both with puzzled expressions, and quickly stood up and hurried downstairs to check the situation.

When they arrived downstairs, they were surprised to find that the emperor was dressed in plain casual clothes, holding a newly purchased copy of "The Legend of the Flying Fox" in his hand. With a happy smile on his face, he said loudly, "Lord Jiang! I'm here to give you a bonus!"

Behind the emperor, the empress dowager was walking with dignity. She raised her head slightly, pointed at Su Jinli, and said with a kind smile, "I want to pre-order the illustrated version of 'The Number One Scholar and the Fox'. The illustrations drawn by this girl Jinli are so vivid and interesting. I have been looking forward to it for a long time."

Princess Shou'an came in, like a cheerful little bird, holding up an exquisite sugar painting. She said loudly, "Sister Su, Grandpa Zhang said he wants to draw a sign for your bookstore. He's the best sugar painter in the capital, and it's going to be really beautiful!"

Seeing this, Su Jinli and Jiang Yan hurried forward to pay their respects. Su Jinli bowed and said, "Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager, and the Princess Royal are so honored to have you here. It's just that..." Her eyes were filled with surprise and confusion. She hadn't expected these distinguished people to suddenly appear in the bookstore.

The emperor smiled and waved his hand, saying, "Today, the Empress Dowager, the Princess and I went out of the palace incognito and took a stroll. I heard that the Jinyun Bookstore is very famous in the capital, so I couldn't help but come and take a look. It really lives up to its reputation. There are many kinds of books in this bookstore, and there are such interesting storybooks." As he spoke, he raised the "Legend of the Flying Fox" in his hand.

The Queen Mother smiled and nodded, saying, "Jinli, your bookstore is really well run. I usually love reading storybooks. The stories in your bookstore are novel and the illustrations are unique. I can't put them down."

Princess Shou'an took Su Jinli's hand and said excitedly, "Sister Su, the books in this bookstore are so interesting. I just read for a long time. And, Grandpa Zhang said he would paint the sign as beautiful as a sugar painting. Then the bookstore will definitely be even more lively!"

Su Jinli smiled and said, "Thank you for your praise, Your Majesty, the Queen Mother, and Her Royal Highness the Princess. Jinyun Bookstore is what it is today thanks to your support. But... what is the bonus that the Emperor mentioned?"

The emperor laughed heartily and said, "I just saw from downstairs that your bookstore is doing so well. This bonus is a reward for you and Lord Jiang. Lord Jiang has helped me at court, and Madam Jiang has enriched the capital's culture with her bookstore. Naturally, I want to express my gratitude."

Jiang Yan quickly bowed and said, "Your Majesty, your kindness is immense. Your Majesty, I and your wife are deeply grateful. I will do my utmost to help you and serve the court."

Su Jinli also said: "Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty. Jinli will run the bookstore with all her heart and live up to the expectations of the Emperor and the Empress Dowager."

At this moment, the guests in the bookshop recognized the emperor, the empress dowager, and the princess, and they all knelt and saluted. The emperor saw this and said, "Today, we are traveling incognito. There is no need for formalities. Just proceed as usual." Everyone stood up, and the atmosphere in the bookshop became even more lively.

The Emperor paced the bookstore, flipping through the books on the shelves with great interest. He nodded in approval, and occasionally exchanged his thoughts on the books with Jiang Yan and Su Jinli. The Empress Dowager chatted with Su Jinli about writing vernacular novels, praising her talent endlessly. Princess Shou'an, on the other hand, ran around the bookstore, glancing at this and that book, incredibly excited.

After a while, the emperor stopped and looked at Jiang Yan and Su Jinli. He said, "Lord Jiang, Madam Jiang, I have an idea. Now that Jinyun Bookstore has become a cultural landmark in the capital, I hope you can expand its influence, not only to benefit the people of the capital, but also to allow people in more places to read these good books."

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