In late spring, Beijing's canals meander like a ethereal ribbon through the bustling city. Willow catkins, like delicate snowflakes, drift gracefully across the canal's surface, casting a dreamlike veil over the slowly advancing fleet. The reflections of the departing ships, caressed by the catkins, seem to be shaped into tiny shimmering gold foil by invisible hands, shimmering enchantingly on the shimmering waters.
Su Jinli stood gracefully at the bow of the Jinyun, her moon-white skirt fluttering in the breeze. The tassels on her hem were gently lifted by the river breeze, like dancing elves, gently sweeping across the carved railings of the ship's side. She stood there quietly, her eyes tenderly gazing toward the shore. As the boat slowly moved forward, the figures on the shore gradually shrank. Jiang Yan, dressed in a stone-blue brocade robe, stood out against the emerald green of the willow trees. He was still adjusting the collar of Young Marquis Su, his eyes filled with concern and instructions.
"Take good care of your sister," Jiang Yan's voice was carried by the wind, and it seemed to have a subtle hoarseness in it. "The humidity in Jiangnan is high. Let her soak her feet with mugwort every night."
Young Marquis Su carried his toy sword, the red silk tassel playfully tangled around the boat's rope. He nodded vigorously and shouted, "I know, Brother Jiang Yan! I watch her drink ginseng soup every day!" Suddenly, as if remembering something, the young man lowered his voice mysteriously, "Actually, I know you're not sick. My elder sister said you can't bear to leave her..."
"Nonsense!" Jiang Yan smiled fondly and patted his head gently. With that pat, an oil-paper package accidentally fell out of his sleeve pocket and rolled to the feet of Young Marquis Su. It was Su Jinli's favorite sweet osmanthus cake, presumably prepared by Jiang Yan specifically for her. The edges had been crushed, showing how carefully and cherished he had carried it all the way.
Su Jinli looked at this scene, and her thoughts could not help but drift back to the days when she pretended to be sick. At that time, Jiang Yan was secretly hiding in the accounting office, eating the snacks she had hidden, and was caught by Princess Shou'an. That embarrassing and funny look seemed to be right in front of her. The canal water gently slapped the bottom of the boat, making a rhythmic sound, startling a pair of egrets perched on the shore. They flapped their wings and flew into the blue sky. Su Jinli subconsciously raised her hand to press down her wind-blown hair, and her fingertips touched the jade hairpin that Jiang Yan had given her. The jade hairpin was carefully selected and purchased by Jiang Yan with his first salary. There was a crooked fox carved on the head of the hairpin. Although it was not exquisite, it was full of his deep love. Every time she touched it, she seemed to feel his joy and expectation at that time.
"Brother Jiang Yan, aren't you coming with us?" Princess Shou'an asked eagerly, clinging to the side of the boat. Her servant's uniform was removed, and her golden headband gleamed in the sunlight, dazzling the eyes. "There are so many sugar painting masters in Jiangnan!" Her eyes sparkled with excitement, as if Jiangnan's sugar paintings held an endless allure.
Jiang Yan smiled, shook his head slightly, and pulled a letter from his sleeve pocket. The wax seal on the letter was emblazoned with a small, adorable fox, a unique symbol between them. "The Queen Mother told me to 'rest' at home, and I'll write to you to let you know I'm safe." He paused slightly, looking across the crowd at Su Jinli affectionately, his eyes filled with attachment and concern. "Please keep an eye on the bookstore's accounts for me, and don't let your sister miscalculate the profits again."
Su Qingyao, who was inside the cabin, rolled her eyes upon hearing this. The rouge box in her hand snapped open, revealing the delicate fragrance of the delicate rouge inside. "Don't worry, my 'Waiting for Husband' color is selling faster than the account books, enough to earn you a concubine." Despite her words, a smile played on her face, her teasing filled with well wishes for them.
The boatmen's horns rang out in unison, and as the ropes were slowly untied, Su Jinli clearly saw Jiang Yan take a few steps forward, the hem of his brocade robe brushing the moss on the shore, splashing a small amount of water. She hurriedly unfolded the letter. The mulberry paper was written in Jiang Yan's usual neat small regular script, the handwriting strong and powerful yet elegant, each stroke seeming to express his longing. At the end, there was a picture of a fox holding a copper coin, and next to it was a crooked handwriting: "Madam, I successfully pretended to be sick. Can I give you a hug as a reward?"
The wind from the river whistled past, making the letter rustle, as if it was also moved by the affectionate words. Su Jinli pressed the letter tightly against her chest, where the warmth from the stove that Jiang Yan had secretly stuffed in last night remained, as if his love had never left. She looked up at the shore, where Jiang Yan was vigorously waving his sleeve pockets, which were bulging with so many of her favorite sweets and cakes. The sun gently fell on his hair, dyeing a few strands of hair golden. He smiled like a child who had stolen some honey, his smile pure and bright, without any of the usual reserve and steadiness of the top scholar.
"Here." Su Qingyao gently handed over a mother-of-pearl dressing box. The box was beautifully crafted, with the mother-of-pearl inlays intricately crafted, shimmering with a myriad of colors in the sunlight. Opening the box, the rouge inside was delicate and smooth, reflecting the shimmering water light, like a fine work of art. "I've mixed this color ten times, and it's perfect for your flushed face now." She paused slightly, pointing a finger at the servant chasing the boat in the distance. "That girl Shou'an stole all the glass cups in the palace, saying she wanted to exchange them for your fox painting."
Princess Shou'an, indeed, came running breathlessly, clutching a brocade box. The pearl hairpin in her hair wobbled precariously as she ran, nearly falling. "Sister Su! When you get to Jiangnan, send me a painting of a fox! I want one that can catch ingots!" Her voice was clear and loud, filled with anticipation, as if she had already seen the intriguing painting.
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