Princess Shou'an curiously leaned over to look at the account book, and her eyes were immediately drawn to the fox head painting. She pointed at the painting and said in surprise, "Isn't this the flying fox that Sister Su painted? It's holding a copper coin in its tail!"
Jiang Yan took the opportunity to straighten himself up, feigning composure as he began to sort through his account books. The traces of red medicine that had once lingered on his sleeves had long since faded, vanishing without a trace. He bowed slightly, a look of nervousness and respect on his face, and said, "Your Majesty... Your Majesty, for your diligent study at the bookstore, deserves a generous reward."
The Empress Dowager gently covered her mouth with a handkerchief, a smile on her face. The jade hairpin on her temples swayed gently with her movements, gleaming with a warm luster. "Look, this bookstore is much better than the upper study in the palace. Shou'an, from now on, follow your sister Su and learn how to write storybooks and mix rouge. It's a hundred times better than following an old scholar to study the Analects!" As the Empress Dowager spoke, she picked up a piece of pea yellow and gently put it into Shou'an's mouth. Then, she gave Su Jinli a meaningful look and said, "The pea yellow in this food box is specially made by the imperial kitchen according to your favorite taste."
Su Jinli took the food box with both hands, and her fingertips touched the wisps of warmth at the bottom of the box, and an indescribable feeling of emotion welled up in her heart. In an instant, her thoughts involuntarily drifted back to her previous life, when she was alone on the sickbed, and no one had ever cared for her so attentively. At this moment, the warm sunlight passed through the window lattice and gently sprinkled on the side of Jiang Yan's face as he pretended to count. The red on the tip of his ear had not completely faded, and the abacus beads on his fingertips plucked out a silent rhythm, as if telling a secret story. Princess Shou'an tugged at her sleeve tightly, like a spoiled child, clamoring to hear the next part of the story of the oil seller meeting the courtesan. Her eager look made people laugh. Su Qingyao was concentrating on mixing a new "Empress Dowager color" rouge, muttering that she would give it to the Empress Dowager as a thank-you gift. The air was filled with the fragrance of rouge, intertwined with the sweet scent of ink and pea yellow, creating a warm and sweet atmosphere.
Inside the bookstore, the Empress Dowager's hearty laughter and Princess Shou'an's crisp, noisy voices blended together, a sound more beautiful than any magnificent palace music, like a harmonious symphony, playing out the beauty and happiness of life. Su Jinli quietly observed this joyful scene before her, and suddenly her mind was enlightened. She suddenly understood that the Empress Dowager's incognito visit was no accident—she hadn't come simply to listen to stories; she had clearly come specifically to observe the children's playful activities and, by the way, to bring them a box full of warmth and care.
Across the counting house, Jiang Yan winked at her furtively, his eyes filled with tenderness and tacit understanding. His fingertips quietly dialed the words "Honey Fills the House" on the abacus. Su Jinli lowered her head slightly, a happy smile unconsciously playing on the corners of her mouth. The sunlight fell on the pearls in her hair, reflecting tiny golden glints, just like the joy and sweetness that filled her heart at the moment. This play of playing against the enemy's will was another sweet gift from the empress dowager. In this bookstore filled with the atmosphere of urban life, she once again truly tasted the sweetness of being cared for by her elders. This feeling, like a gurgling stream, nourished her heart, making her feel cherished and warmed.
As time slowly passed, the stories in the bookshop continued. The Empress Dowager would often quietly visit Jinyun Bookshop during her free time, immersing herself in the world of stories with the others. She would listen with great interest to Su Jinli's recounting of her brilliant storytelling works, sometimes marveling at the twists and turns of the plot, sometimes moved by the ups and downs of the characters' fates. She would also watch Princess Shou'an happily learning to write storybooks and mix rouge in the bookshop, her eyes filled with satisfaction and love.
Princess Shou'an made rapid progress under the attentive guidance of Su Jinli and Su Qingyao. Her storytelling skills improved, and her stories, imbued with childlike playfulness and imagination, often garnered widespread praise. Her rouge blending skills also became increasingly refined. Her "Princess Fragrance" rouge, not only had a unique aroma and a delightful color, but it quietly circulated among the capital's aristocratic circles, becoming a fashion icon.
Jiang Yan continued to work busily at the bookstore. Not only was he responsible for the bookstore's financial accounts, he also had to assist Su Jinli with various other matters. The rapport between him and Su Jinli grew stronger, a glance, a gesture, a tacit understanding. His feigned illness became a frequently recounted, joyous memory, always bringing laughter to the room.
Su Qingyao, with her unique insights and exquisite craftsmanship, continuously launched new rouge products. Her interactions with the Empress Dowager also grew. The Empress Dowager praised her rouge blends and frequently invited her to the palace to teach the concubines how to blend them. Su Qingyao's reputation within the palace grew, and she became a highly regarded rouge master in the capital.
Su Jinli watched as everything in the bookstore progressed toward a better direction, feeling deeply moved and grateful. She knew all this was inseparable from the care and support of the Empress Dowager. Her arrival not only brought the bookstore royal glory and attention, but also imbued it with the warmth of home.
On a beautiful day, the Empress Dowager once again visited Jinyun Bookstore. This time, she brought with her some rare and valuable ancient books from the palace collection as a token of support and encouragement. "These books are treasures of the palace. I hope they will bring glory to your bookstore," the Empress Dowager said with a smile, her eyes full of hope.
Su Jinli and the others quickly knelt to express their gratitude, their gratitude to the Empress Dowager growing even deeper. They meticulously displayed these precious ancient books in a prominent location within the bookstore for everyone to admire and read. The arrival of these ancient books attracted even more scholars and writers to Jinyun Bookstore, further enriching its cultural atmosphere.
Under the Empress Dowager's care, Jinyun Bookstore gradually became a key venue for cultural exchange in the capital. Various cultural activities, such as poetry gatherings and calligraphy and painting exhibitions, were frequently held here. Here, people shared knowledge, exchanged ideas, and collectively experienced the charm of culture.
In this story-filled bookstore, everyone is writing their own fascinating chapter. Su Jinli and Jiang Yan run the bookstore together, using their wisdom and hard work to create a bright future. Princess Shou'an grows happily here, pursuing her dreams. Su Qingyao blossoms in the world of lipid-lowering. And the Queen Mother quietly supports all of this behind the scenes, like a guardian angel, bringing warmth and hope to everyone.
The bookstore filled with the fragrance of ink, powder and sweet pea yellow has also become a unique landscape in the capital, witnessing people's laughter and growth, inheriting the fire of culture, and continuing this warm and sweet story. It shines brightly in the long river of time and never ends.
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