Jiang Yan and Young Marquis Su sat outside the carriage, chatting with the driver. Jiang Yan would occasionally turn his head to look inside, his eyes filled with concern and love for Su Jinli. Young Marquis Su, on the other hand, looked curiously at the scenery along the way, asking a lot of questions, full of anticipation for his upcoming trip to Jiangnan.
After several days of travel, they finally arrived in Jiangnan. As soon as Su Jinli stepped off the carriage, she was immediately struck by the unique atmosphere of Jiangnan. The moist air was filled with the delicate fragrance of flowers. In the distance, rolling hills, shrouded in mist, resembled a fairyland. The gurgling river reflected the weeping willows and whitewashed buildings along the banks, creating a poetic scene.
They first arrived at an ancient town in the south of the Yangtze River. Its winding bluestone streets were lined with a dazzling array of shops. Su Jinli and her group entered an antique teahouse, ready to rest for a while and inquire about the local stories.
The teahouse was packed with people, sipping tea and chatting about family matters. Su Jinli explained her purpose to the teahouse owner, who, instantly intrigued, enthusiastically recounted a love story about a small-town embroidery girl and a schoolteacher. In the story, the embroidery girl was ingenious, her embroidery of flowers, birds, fish, and insects coming to life, while the schoolteacher was brilliantly talented. Their chance encounter led to a romantic bond.
Su Jinli was deeply moved as she listened to this story. She felt that although these stories of ordinary people did not have earth-shattering plots, they were full of the truth and beauty of life, which was exactly what Jinyun Bookstore needed.
Over the next few days, they traveled through the streets and alleys of Jiangnan, interacting with local people and collecting many fascinating stories. There were legends about a fisherman and the Dragon King, a scholar's fantastical encounter with a fox spirit in an ancient temple, and heartwarming stories about ordinary mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law... Each story shone like a dazzling pearl, emitting a unique radiance.
While collecting stories, they also experienced the beauty of Jiangnan. They strolled along West Lake, watching the shimmering waters and the sight of pleasure boats plying. The distant Leifeng Pagoda, shimmering in the setting sun, loomed particularly mysterious. They also visited Jiangnan gardens, where the delicate rockery, limpid ponds, and elegant pavilions embodied the unique charm of Jiangnan gardens.
However, their time in Jiangnan wasn't all smooth sailing. On one occasion, while collecting stories in a remote village, they encountered some difficulties. The local villagers were skeptical of their purpose and reluctant to communicate. Su Jinli didn't give up. With sincerity and patience, she explained their purpose to the villagers and shared the story of Jinyun Bookstore and the wonderful works it had published. Gradually, the villagers were moved by her sincerity and began to share their own stories.
As she collected more and more stories, Su Jinli's heart was filled with joy. She seemed to see Jinyun Bookstore becoming more prosperous in the future. These stories from Jiangnan would inject new vitality into the bookstore.
Time in Jiangnan flew by like a fleeting horse, and before they knew it, it was time to return. Su Jinli and her group embarked on their journey home, laden with a wealth of harvest. Along the way, they reminisced about their time in Jiangnan, their hearts filled with emotion.
After returning to the capital, Su Jinli immediately devoted herself to organizing and writing stories. Together with the editors of the bookstore, she carefully screened and polished the collected stories, striving to present each story to readers in the most perfect form.
At court, Jiang Yan leveraged his connections and influence to rally support for Jinyun Bookstore's development. He recounted to the emperor his experiences in Jiangnan and Jinyun Bookstore's efforts to promote culture. The emperor expressed his appreciation for Jinyun Bookstore's development and pledged to provide assistance.
Su Qingyao and Young Marquis Su were also busy. Su Qingyao, with her talent, designed a series of exquisite covers and illustrations for the bookstore, adding a touch of color to the books. Young Marquis Su, on the other hand, was busy helping to organize the books and greet guests.
Over time, Jinyun Bookstore launched a series of books themed around Jiangnan stories. These books were immediately popular with readers. The people of Beijing couldn't put these stories, imbued with Jiangnan charm, and Jinyun Bookstore's reputation grew even more resounding, attracting more readers and booksellers to collaborate with them.
Throughout this journey, Su Jinli and Jiang Yan's bond deepens. They support and encourage each other, facing life's joys and sorrows together. Whenever they encounter difficulties, they always recall their good times in Jiangnan and the moments they've walked hand in hand, which strengthens their resolve to move forward hand in hand.
Su Jinli often recalls the accountant under the setting sun, the gentle embrace of Jiang Yan, the innocence of Young Marquis Su, and the caring gaze of Su Qingyao. She knows that this bustling atmosphere, this life filled with love and warmth, is what she truly desires. Their story, like a melodious movement, slowly plays out through the long river of time, never pausing, continuing to write their own sweet and legendary story.
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