After the beginning of winter, the weather became colder and the bookstores became more deserted. Sometimes no one came in for the whole day.

Lin Hongchu was getting anxious, and she always stood at the door to see if anyone on the street was coming to their shop.

But these days, there are hardly any people on the streets.

Xu Jiang was calm, not only calm but also very comfortable. With a fire, a pot of wine, and a few snacks, she sipped while tying the books.

She already had more than a dozen books piled up beside her. After wrapping the book in her hand, she stretched her back and poured herself a glass of fresh rice wine.

The thank-you gifts sent by Wang Chan and Xu San were very sweet and refreshing.

"Boss, aren't you worried? We haven't sold a single piece of paper in the past two days."

Xu Jiang, intoxicated by the smell of alcohol, narrowed her eyes and said, "What's the point of being anxious? The client won't come to the door just because you're anxious."

Having said that, we can't just wait.

Lin Hongchu couldn't stand it, so he set up a stall at the door, put some storybooks on it, and shouted to the people passing by on the street.

Xu Jiang let her do whatever she wanted.

Being able to and knowing how to make trouble is a good thing, the worst thing is not being able to make trouble.

After drinking half a pot of wine, Xu Jiang continued to bind the books.

Lin Hongchu had been setting up his stall for half a day, but apart from the shopkeeper Wang and the neighbors who came to watch the fun, there was no real customer. Finally, he saw a stranger walking towards him, and it turned out to be a messenger runner.

"Who sent it?"

"An errand boy."

Xu Jiang took the letter and took a look at it. The handwriting was unfamiliar. She opened it and saw that it was an invitation.

"Shiwen Yaji?" Xu Jiang looked at the signature and found it was Jisheng Bookstore.

She hadn't known this when she first arrived, but Lin Hongchu had heard Master Lin mention it. "The Shiwen Yaji (Elegant Gathering of Ten Writers) is a gathering organized by major bookstores, led by the Jisheng Bookstore, to collect poetry and prose. They usually invite renowned scholars and court officials to the banquet. At the banquet, these renowned scholars present their poems and essays. Once selected by a bookstore, their works are published, earning many scholars fame. Besides soliciting poetry and prose, this gathering also serves as a venue for officials to recruit visiting officials and students. Many scholars fight tooth and nail to get in, hoping to gain the favor of these officials. In short, it's the largest gathering of scholars in the capital."

"I see." After Xu Jiang understood, she became suspicious. What was the Jisheng Book Bureau planning? Why would they even think of inviting her?

Lin Hongchu then added, "Father was invited, but he only went once. After that, no matter how much the bookstore invited him, he never went again."

"Why?"

"They wanted my father to take in students and have those students publish poems and essays under his name."

Xu Jiang was furious and slammed the invitation on the table, cursing, "Shameless."

Knowing that Lin Qinnian hated this kind of behavior the most in his life, he still used it to annoy people. No wonder he never went there again.

Lin Hongchu sighed. This was the only taunt his father had endured over the years. Even after being deposed, his enemies hadn't let him off the hook, harassing him both openly and covertly, defaming him everywhere. Initially, his father resisted, then grew numb and silent, finally turning a blind eye.

"Then are you going, boss?"

Xu Jiang hesitated for a moment and said, "Go!"

Since the other party had already invited her, wouldn't it seem she was afraid if she didn't go? Besides, she owned a bookstore, and if she didn't attend such an event, she would be cut off from the capital's tomb-book business. While the banquet wasn't a fancy one, if it could broaden her horizons and give her a feel for the market, even a meal at the top of the list wouldn't be a loss.

After all, if you want to attack, you must know it.

"A-choo!" Lin Hongchu sniffed.

Xu Jiang came back to his senses and said with a smile, "Are you still going to set up your stall?"

Lin Hongchu felt aggrieved, "Who am I doing this for? You are gloating over my misfortune."

The little baby looked pitiful and cute, Xu Jiang grabbed it and rubbed it in his arms. Lin Hongchu struggled hard but could not escape the clutches of the devil.

After a while, Xu Jiang went to pack up the stall and asked her to warm herself in front of the stove. She then took a small clay pot, put tea leaves and ginger slices in it and roasted it on the fire until the tea fragrance came out, then added water to boil it.

"It smells so good, what are you cooking?"

"Cold-repelling tea." Xu Jiang took out another teacup, poured a small cup of potato wine, and when the tea boiled, poured it into the cup while it was hot.

When cold wine and boiling tea meet on a narrow road, they boil over and fill the sky with excitement. In a moment, everything returns to emptiness and tranquility, leaving only the lingering fragrance.

Lin Hongchu stared with wide eyes, licked his lips and said, "Is it for me to drink?"

Xu Jiang placed the teacup in front of her and instructed her, "Drink it all in one gulp."

Lin Hongchu picked up the teacup and sniffed it first. The aroma of tea mixed with the aroma of wine was indescribably alluring. She held her breath and drank the cold-repelling tea in one gulp. When she put the teacup down, tears welled up in her eyes.

“So spicy!”

Soon, the overbearing heat of the cold-relieving tea rushed through her limbs and bones, causing a thin layer of sweat to appear on her forehead.

Xu Jiang quickly took out a handkerchief to dry her, then asked, "Are you still cold?"

Lin Hongchu's face flushed red as she shook her head hesitantly, "I'm not cold, I just feel a little dizzy."

The potato wine was strong and she would definitely feel dizzy. Xu Jiang took a cloak and wrapped it around her, letting her lean back and take a nap. She would feel better after a good sleep.

Just as the people were settled, Lou Yunchun came in.

"What happened to her?"

"She has a slight cold. She just drank some cold-repelling tea. Let her get some sleep."

She reached out her hand to Lou Yunchun, but was hugged tightly. Xu Jiang laughed muffledly: "What's wrong?"

Lou Yunchun didn't answer, but said, "The Dali Temple recently received a case, so we have to keep an eye on it all the time. It's not convenient for us to come here."

Xu Jiang hugged him and noticed that he had lost some weight. This case must be a bit tricky. She patted his back and said, "Don't overwork yourself."

Lou Yunchun squeezed her tighter.

Xu Jiang let him get tired of her.

After holding her for a long time, Lou Yunchun let her go. Seeing the pile of poetry books on the desk, he walked over and picked up one to read.

My dear, there is more to this chapter. Please click on the next page to continue reading. It will be even more exciting later!