On the day of the Beginning of Autumn, a gentle breeze, laden with wisps of moisture, caressed the Yangzhou Riverbank. The wildflowers on the embankment swayed gracefully in the gentle breeze, like ripples on the waves, as if telling the story of the city's rebirth after suffering. Su Jinli sat quietly on the newly built embankment, the hem of her moon-white dress brushing against the dew-soaked dandelions. The downy seeds, as if carrying hope, trembled slightly in the breeze. The abacus beads in her hand, caught in the sunlight, shimmered with a warm and soft light, like pearls, gleaming with the luster of time.
Su Jinli concentrated on counting the straw sandal workshop's account book. On the last page, written prominently in cinnabar ink, "Profit of 37,000 taels" was written in strong, bold handwriting. Next to it was a drawing of a overflowing granary, upon which crouched a lifelike fox clutching a copper coin. The lively brushstrokes were unmistakable Jiang Yan's. The fox seemed to carry the story of their journey together, and every stroke held a hope for a bright future.
"Madam," Jiang Yan sat gently beside her, his expression focused, his fingertips deftly weaving a straw ring. The fresh water grass shuttled through his hands, and the green juice that seeped out quietly dyed his nails green, just like the unique mark given to him by nature. "The express horse from the palace arrived this morning. The emperor wants to confer the title of 'Dajing Virtuous Lady' on you. The golden book and jade seal have been carefully prepared." He paused slightly, his eyes full of love, and gently put the half-woven ring on Su Jinli's ring finger. The gentle movement seemed to be performing the most sacred ceremony. "The emperor also said that he would carve a monument at the Vermillion Bird Gate to remember your merit in teaching the people to weave straw sandals."
Su Jinli gently shook her hand, adorned with a straw ring, and the abacus beads clattered, as if keeping time for her response. "No." She gently poked Jiang Yan's shoulder with the end of the abacus, her gesture both intimate and playful. "I just want this month's dividend from Jinyun Bookstore, enough to open our tenth branch in Yangzhou." A gentle breeze blew her hair across her forehead, revealing her honey-tanned cheeks. These were the unique marks left by half a month of tireless work weaving straw sandals in the dilapidated temple, a testament to the sweat and hard work she had dedicated to the people.
At this moment, a burst of rapid and powerful "thump thump" footsteps came from a distance. Young Marquis Su rushed over like a cheerful little whirlwind, carrying a silk banner. The silk banner had a red background and gold characters, with the four big characters "The King of Husband and Wife Team" inscribed on it. Although the font was a little childish, it revealed a vigorous and energetic spirit. The edge of the silk banner was embroidered with a crooked abacus and straw sandals. Every stitch and every thread was filled with the young man's admiration and love for his sister and brother-in-law. "Sister! Brother Jiang Yan!" The young man's mink hat was tilted to one side, which made him look a little funny. He was still holding half a piece of uneaten rice cake tightly in his hand, with cake crumbs on the corner of his mouth, and he looked very cute. "My eldest sister said that the rouge for 'River Bank Red' is ready, and asked me to send it over quickly!"
Su Qingyao followed behind with graceful steps, gently tossing a mother-of-pearl brocade box in her hand. The brocade box was exquisite, and when the lid was opened, the bright color of the paste, like cinnabar, was revealed. Under the sunlight, it looked like a solidified flame, exuding a unique charm. "Here," she gently put the brocade box into Su Jinli's hand, and the silver hairpin swayed at her temples, reflecting a fine and brilliant light. "It's made with cinnabar left over from disaster relief. It goes well with your tanned face now, so that Jiang Yan won't say you look like a charcoal seller." Su Qingyao's words were a little teasing, but full of concern for her sister.
Jiang Yan took the brocade box with a smile, examining it carefully. He saw that the cream was ingeniously blended with fine gold foil. As the light shone on it, the gold foil shimmered with a captivating luster, as if incorporating the magnificent scenery of the setting sun over the riverbank. "Sister, this rouge... is like the color of the setting sun over the riverbank," Jiang Yan exclaimed, his eyes filled with admiration.
"You have good taste." Su Qingyao raised her eyebrows slightly, a hint of pride in her eyes. Suddenly, she raised her hand and pointed to the distant grass beach, her tone filled with joy. "Princess Shou'an brought the palace embroiderers here, saying that she wants to embroider the straw sandal pattern on the screen."
Before she could finish her words, Princess Shou'an came running over, clutching a ball of brocade like a cheerful fawn. She was dressed in a servant's uniform, her gold-thread headband crooked to the tip of her nose, but she didn't mind at all, her face beaming with excitement. "Sister Su! I've embroidered the story of 'Flying Fox Weaving Straw Sandals' on this brocade!" she exclaimed, eagerly unrolling the fabric. The fox, embroidered with lifelike detail, was wearing straw sandals, its tail playfully curled around a string of copper coins, as if telling a story filled with love and warmth.
From the distant grassy slopes, the storyteller Old Li's evocative voice drifted on the wind: "Ladies and Gentlemen! Miss Su's deft hands weave straw sandals, and Jiang Zhuangyuan's two hoes repair the riverbank. Together, they've transformed Yangzhou's floodwaters into honey..." His voice, like an invisible bond, captivated the crowds. Old Li was surrounded by thousands of people, clutching newly harvested rice ears. Their faces, though stained with mud, were radiant smiles, as warm as the sun, dispelling the gloom brought by the flood.
The granary beneath the riverbank stood open, its doors swirling with golden rice, emitting waves of enticing fragrance. The old man guarding the granary was busy measuring rice for each resident. The wrinkles beneath his bamboo hat were filled with a smile, reflecting the joy of a good harvest and a longing for a better future.
"Madam," Jiang Yan gently took her hand, his fingertips tenderly touching the calluses on her palm from weaving straw sandals. The rough touch felt like a medal of their shared struggle. "What do you want to do in the future?" He looked at her tanned cheeks affectionately, at the light in her eyes that shone brighter than the sun, and his thoughts drifted back to the time they first met, when she squatted on the street, grabbing sugar paintings. Back then, her eyes were filled with love and perseverance for life.
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