Time flowed slowly, like the gurgling of a stream, and before I knew it, the three-day deadline had quietly arrived. That day, sunlight filtered through the window lattices, casting dappled shadows across the ground, casting a warm golden veil over the prime minister's study. A letter, delivered to the prime minister's residence by a swift courier, finally landed in Su Jinli's hands. The letter, written in my grandfather's vigorous and powerful handwriting, seemed to carry a warm and intimate warmth, and was accompanied by a beautifully drawn map of the Jiangnan Grand Canal.
Si Yan walked into the study at that moment and caught a glimpse of the unfolded canal transport map. His eyes lit up instantly, like twinkling stars in the night sky suddenly illuminating. He quickly scrambled to the table, his eyes fixed on the crisscrossing lines and densely packed annotations on the map. He said excitedly, "Mom, look, there's a huge business opportunity in this canal transport! If we manage it properly, we'll definitely make a fortune. Look at this route! It connects many prosperous places in the north and south, with frequent goods exchanges, and the profit margins are enormous." As he spoke, he stretched out his finger and gestured along the canal transport routes on the map, as if he could already see the endless influx of wealth.
Hearing the noise, Nian Li also came running in like a cheerful little bird. She went straight to Jiang Yan's side, reached out and gently tugged at his sleeve, tilted her rosy little face, eyes full of anticipation and longing, and said coquettishly, "Dad, let's go to Jiangnan to see the lotus flowers! I heard that the lotus flowers in Jiangnan are so beautiful, huge patches of them, like a sea of pink flowers, and when the wind blows, they even dance." Her soft voice seemed to carry a kind of magic that no one could refuse.
Su Jinli nodded slightly, her gaze darting through the window toward the gardens of the Xiangfu Mansion. Inside, blossoms blossomed, grasses lush and green. A gentle breeze rustled the branches, as if telling a story of the passage of time. Her thoughts drifted back to three years ago, when, with sheer courage and determination to break free from the constraints of the past, she resolutely embarked on a journey away from home. Back then, the road ahead was uncertain, filled with uncertainty and challenges, yet the flame of her longing for freedom and a new life burned fiercely within her.
Now, three years had quietly passed, and everything had changed. Her father's love for her had grown deeper and deeper, a love that had been honed over the years. Her elder sister was like a solid umbrella, shielding her from the wind and rain, protecting her from all dangers. Her children were well-behaved and clever, like the warm spring sun, constantly warming her heart. Jiang Yan's love for her was even more meticulous, like a gurgling stream, nourishing her life. All the grievances she had suffered in her past life, all the times she had cried alone in the darkness, had become like passing clouds, gradually dissipating in the long river of time, transforming into the sweet honey of her current life.
A hint of determination and courage flashed in Su Jinli's eyes. She slammed the table suddenly, and the crisp sound echoed in the study, like beating a war drum. She said loudly: "Let's go! Let's go to Jiangnan to open a hot pot restaurant! We can enjoy the beautiful scenery of Jiangnan and develop a career at the same time. Why not?" Her voice was full of passion and vitality, as if she had regained the heroic spirit when she embarked on the journey three years ago.
Upon hearing this, Jiang Yan's lips curled up slightly, revealing a doting smile. He silently turned around and began carefully packing Su Jinli's bag. As he did so, he reminded her, "This time, you must bring enough chili oil. Jiangnan people tend to prefer sweet flavors, but our hot pot restaurant needs to maintain its unique characteristics and let Jiangnan diners also taste our hot, spicy and fragrant flavors." His eyes were focused and gentle, and every movement was filled with care for Su Jinli.
Si Yan couldn't wait any longer. He quickly took out his precious abacus and began to fiddle with the beads with his fingers. He muttered to himself, calculating the shipping costs to Jiangnan and the various costs required to open a shop. The crisp sound of the abacus beads colliding seemed to reflect his beautiful vision of his future career.
Nian Li wasn't to be outdone. Like a hardworking little bee, she bustled around the room. She carefully stuffed chili peppers into her bag, mumbling as she did so: "I'm going to Jiangnan, and if I don't have chili peppers, I'm not going to get used to them. I need to bring more of these; maybe I can share them with my new friends." Her earnest expression made everyone laugh.
Su Xiang arrived at the door of the room without knowing when. He coughed lightly, and when he saw everyone's eyes on him, he stepped forward, took out a thick stack of banknotes from his pocket, and quietly put it into Su Jinli's hand. His eyes were full of concern and love, and he whispered, "Son, buy delicious food on the way, don't be wronged. If you don't have enough money, just tell Dad." Su Jinli looked at his father's wrinkled but extremely kind face, and a warm current surged in his heart. His eyes reddened slightly, and he said softly, "Dad, don't worry, we will take good care of ourselves."
Everything was ready, and the carriage slowly rolled out of the prime minister's residence. The wheels rolled, making a gurgling sound, as if telling us that a new journey was about to begin. At this moment, the willow catkins in the capital floated lightly in through the carriage window like white snowflakes. Su Jinli leaned on Jiang Yan's sturdy shoulders, feeling his body warmth and steady heartbeat. Inside the carriage, Si Yan's abacus sounded as clear and pleasant as ever, the rhythm of careful calculations for the future; Nian Li's singing was melodious and gentle, like an oriole in the forest, singing out the anticipation and joy of an unknown journey.
Su Jinli closed her eyes and took a deep breath. The air was filled with the fresh scent of willow catkins and the warmth of her family. She suddenly felt that every step on this life's journey was like savoring sweet honey, filled with happiness and satisfaction. She knew the journey ahead might still be full of challenges, but as long as the family stood together, hand in hand, they would be fearless. The next stop was Jiangnan, a land filled with poetry and charm. It was sure to hold even more beautiful scenery and more exciting stories, like a tempting treasure, quietly waiting for them to explore, savor, and write their own new chapter.
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