During Grain Rain, the first sign is the emergence of duckweed, the second sign is the singing doves flapping their feathers, and the third sign is the hoopoe descending on the mulberry trees.
Grain Rain is a crucial solar term for the common people, as it is crucial for food security and livelihood. On this day, people perform Grain Rain rituals, offer sacrifices to Cangjie, the founder of literature, bathe to ward off disasters, abstain from killing the five poisonous creatures, and draw Grain Rain stickers to pray for a good harvest and peace.
Green smoke rose from the tiled roof of the bookstore. Xu Jiang lit Huangbai and Chenmu, fumigating the whole room.
After spring comes, the house becomes damp and prone to insects. The shop has to be fumigated from time to time and roasted over charcoal fire to prevent the books from getting moldy or being eaten by insects.
Especially during the Qingming and Guyu periods, when the rain is incessant, there is no time for laziness or fear of trouble. If you fear trouble, trouble will find you, this is her bitter experience.
After fumigating the room, Xu Jiang bathed and changed her clothes, found a portrait of Cangjie and hung it up, offered ancient books, scriptures, and fragrant incense, and then worshiped devoutly as a small sacrifice.
The court's sacrifices were presided over by officials from the Ministry of Rites, who led scholars and literati in the Wenzu Temple. It was a grand ceremony.
In addition to sacrifices, temple fairs will also be held.
Most of the people setting up stalls at the temple fair are scholars. They are not looking for business, but only hope to be favored by the ancestor of literature and have their calligraphy, paintings, poems and essays appreciated by dignitaries.
In addition to the temple fair, there are also poetry and prose gatherings where talented people meet friends through poetry and prose, and compete in poetry and prose, which is very lively.
It’s a pity that Xu Jiang has an appointment today, otherwise I could go and see it for myself.
She found two sets of sheet music, along with Jiang Gu's collection of poems, wrapped them in oil paper and put them in a bag. She waited for Liang Mo and Zeng Zhui to arrive, explained all the matters to them, and then went to Zhong Lu's house and went to Xiaozhuxi with him for the banquet.
She and Lou Yunchun had already sorted out the ingredients bought yesterday, and had copied down the menu and cooking methods one by one, which they would hand over to Zeng Zhui later.
Some of the snacks on the menu need to be prepared today, so I have to trouble him.
Not long after, the two arrived one after the other.
Xu Jiang handed Zeng Zhui the menu and said, "You were supposed to go to worship Wenzu and visit the temple fair today, but you've been delayed here. I'm really sorry for that."
He was a person who loved being in a lively atmosphere, and such a literary gathering would definitely have him at any time. But now she had detained him in the shop to work, and Xu Jiang felt a little guilty.
Zeng Zhui waved his hand and said, "It's okay, it's okay. I went to pay my respects as soon as the gate opened." He raised his finger and said proudly, "First person, first to burn incense."
Xu Jiang clapped her hands and praised, "You are indeed the best in Shu."
Zeng Zhui felt so comfortable with this compliment that he even lifted his tail higher. "Today, I'm number one in the capital too."
Xu Jiang continued to clap, "First, first."
Liang Mo on the side was speechless.
Xu Jiang handed the bookstore and the kitchen to the two men, picked up her bag, took out her hat, and then led the donkey into the drizzle.
Yesterday, Lou Yunchun had offered to send a carriage to take her, but she had declined, feeling it was inappropriate. Firstly, the carriages at the official residences were all of standard design, and since she wasn't a member of the Lou family, riding alone without an escort would inevitably arouse unnecessary speculation. She was also used to traveling with her stubborn donkey, and felt comfortable coming and going. Secondly, she could travel during the Grain Rain season, enjoying the joy of the solar term.
Xu Jiang arrived at Zhong Lu's mansion at short notice and saw a carriage parked in front of the gate.
Zhong Lu came out of the house and saw Xu Jiang. He smiled and said, "I was just going to pick you up at the bookstore, but you got here first." He then took a closer look at her attire and nodded in praise, "Not bad. This outfit suits the scenery well today."
Xu Jiang landed and bowed to him, then said with a smile, "I prepared it especially for this gathering. I can't be too casual with you and embarrass you."
Zhong Lu nodded appreciatively and said, "Let's go, don't miss the time." Then he got into the car with the help of his entourage.
Xu Jiang let him go first and then followed on a donkey.
Xiaozhu Creek is located in Qingmenli, East Suburbs. Exit Yanxing Gate and walk another half an hour to reach it. Formed by the perennial erosion of a tributary of the Wei River into a valley, the stream is teeming with bamboo, creating a tranquil and picturesque setting. Because of its many famous historical sites, it's a favorite destination for scholars and writers, who often hold gatherings here.
The musicians chose today for their gathering because there was a Grain Rain Festival in the city, making the place quiet and free from the noise and chatter. The rustling of bamboo and the dripping of rain provided accompaniment, creating a harmonious harmony between nature and humanity, making the music even more moving.
The carriage left the main road and disappeared into the mountains and forests. As we moved deeper, the green mist curled and the people gradually faded, blowing the bamboos and splashing water on their green clothes. Suddenly, a waterfall slanted down the peak, and the water splashed into the stream with the oars.
As we neared the Bamboo Creek, we could hear the sound of running water. Gazing out into the distance, we saw a silver ribbon cascading down between the distant peaks, creating a cloud of mist. The stream meandered around rocks, then flowed through bamboos and caves before finally converging into a quiet pool at a lower level.
The bamboo huts and waterside pavilions by the pond and the secluded courtyard under the Zhe Bridge seem to have the sound of immortals, which is fascinating.
At this point, the carriage had no way to go, so the attendants helped Zhong Lu out of the carriage and led it to a bamboo shed not far away. There was a horse attendant guarding the bamboo shed. Seeing someone coming, he first bowed to Zhong Lu from a distance, then helped to unsaddle the horse and change the saddle.
After changing the saddle, he led the horse over and helped Zhong Lu mount the horse.
The attendant offered him an umbrella to shield him from the rain, but Zhong Lu refused, saying, "The rain isn't heavy, I won't get wet much." Then he instructed him, "You stay here and look after the carriage. I'll go with Manager Xu."
After saying this, he rode his horse and led Xu Jiang out of the bamboo forest and toward the stream.
The two men went down the stream and chatted on the way. Zhong Lu asked Xu Jiang when he would take the county annals to hand in the work.
Xu Jiang couldn't help feeling ashamed. She had been running around so busy these days that she had neglected this matter.
"All the remaining fragments of the revised and annotated manuscripts have been copied and bound. You can take them back with you when you come to the shop tomorrow."
"Okay." After agreeing, Zhong Lu asked, "Can you tell me more about this book feast? What kind of books are being tasted? I see that Mr. Ji and Mr. Deng are staring at it with their necks almost broken. They are so curious."
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