Originally, he had intended to wait until the court turmoil was over before discussing it with Xu Jiang, but she hadn't mentioned the marriage first. This made him ecstatic but also deeply guilty. He had made Xu Jiang wait too long and shouldn't have let her speak first.
Xu Jiang had no idea his mind was so far away. Her heart was pounding with anxiety, but she spoke softly, "Is it worth it to trade my bookshop for a promotion?"
To be promoted to a higher rank or official position, one would have to wait at least three years without any meritorious service, and in some cases, six or nine years. He would exchange it so easily for her humble bookshop. If others told others about it, he would probably be called crazy.
"Even if I have to trade my official career for it, it's worth it." He had no ambition to be an official. Over the years, he studied, took the imperial examinations, entered the officialdom, and was promoted, all in accordance with his father's teachings. Although he did not hate it, he did not feel happy either. He only regarded it as a responsibility that he had to bear.
It is the responsibility of a son and the responsibility of a minister.
For him, a career in politics was never a pursuit, but rather the expectation of his father and the family.
Moreover, neither he nor his father aspired to a higher position. They both knew that the higher the status, the more intense the struggle for power. It was common to be promoted one day and demoted the next. It was just like the Jiang family, which was destroyed in one day and brought disaster to five generations.
His and his father's official positions are just right now, neither high nor low, neither too high nor too low. They hold real power, have the ability to protect themselves, and will not become the first to stand out.
And for Lou Yunchun, living a peaceful life with Xu Jiang for a long time was what he truly desired and what he wanted to achieve. So he had already begun making plans for their future. No matter which path Xu Jiang took, he would accompany her to the end, and would not let external things stop them.
It turned out that he had planned everything long ago.
Xu Jiang felt a mixture of joy and sadness. Only her master had ever made such thorough and careful plans for her. Now, with her master gone, she had Zhaoyue. He saw her concerns and worries and took them to heart.
When he went to the Lou residence to attend Mrs. Lou's birthday party, he did the same thing, following her wishes in every way and avoiding her taboos, making sure she was completely satisfied.
The two had known each other until now, and the Lou family had never looked down on her, nor had they ever neglected her because she didn't follow conventional etiquette. Madam Lou was kind and gentle to her, and Lou Jing treated her normally. This was not only because the Lou couple were broad-minded and not bound by moral norms, but also because Lou Yunchun was involved and constantly admonished her.
She thought that this was enough, but she didn't expect that he had planned their future as well. How could she not get deeper and deeper into trouble, and how could she get out of it?
She touched Lou Yunchun's face and smiled tearfully, "As expected of a Junior Official of the Dali Temple, you've planned things so meticulously. I'm afraid all the thoughts that Lord Lou has put into the case are directed at me."
She thought it was a fleeting romance, but he deliberately lured her into his net, tightening it unconsciously, making it impossible for her to escape.
Xu Jiang recalled watching the water god sacrifice during the Lower Lantern Festival. He said that if he were a Ba person, he would also row a boat and brave the rapids. It turned out that he was not just talking.
Lou Yunchun rubbed her palm and said sincerely, "Yes, I put in a lot of effort and thought."
Xu Jiang chuckled, then took advantage of the situation and pinched his face, pulling it apart. She feigned anger and said, "You seem quite right." Then she sighed, "It's my fault for being so lustful that I fell for your trick."
Lou Yunchun let her rub him, and the smile in his eyes grew deeper and deeper.
After she had rubbed him enough and let go, he straightened her up and asked solemnly with a slightly red face, "A Jiang, are you willing to marry me and live together until we grow old together?"
Xu Jiang stared at him for a long time, taking in his unconcealed affection. Then she leaned over and pressed a promise on his lips, saying softly, "Silly boy, didn't you just agree?"
Lou Yunchun took a deep breath and held her tightly to prevent her from leaving. The two figures leaned against each other under the lamp, like entangled wicks in a fire.
When Xu Jiang returned to her room, she lay down in bed with a silly smile on her face and came to her senses just before she fell asleep.
Oh, weren't you supposed to explain the reasons to him, reach a consensus, and not talk about marriage for the time being? Why did you send yourself away in a daze?
Xu Jiang hit his head, then covered himself with the quilt, trying to suffocate himself.
The next day, Liang Mo came to the bookstore and saw Xu Jiang and Lou Yunchun editing the board in the backyard.
He was about to go over to help but was stopped by Xu Jiang.
"I'll do this set of books myself."
Liang Mo hadn't seen Xu Jiang stamp the seal yet, so he stood aside and watched.
After finalizing the blocks, Xu Jiang began applying ink and covering the paper, while Lou Yunchun helped her sort and organize the pages. Seeing her deft technique, Liang Mo knew she was an experienced hand, and seeing Lou Yunchun's seamless collaboration, he suddenly felt fortunate to have signed a three-year contract; otherwise, he would have been in danger of losing his job.
It seems that he will have to work harder and learn more skills to help his boss share the burden, otherwise he will be unworthy of the 5,000 yuan salary his boss paid him.
Twenty sets of books, seven volumes per set, the two of them were busy from morning to night.
After peeling off the last page of paper, Xu Jiang and Lou Yunchun's hands and faces were covered in ink. In the end, they looked at each other and laughed so hard that they couldn't straighten their backs.
Liang Mo took care of the aftermath. Xu Jiang and Lou Yunchun washed their hands and faces, rested for two cups of tea, and then reluctantly parted ways.
Lou Yunchun had to go back to pay his respects to his parents. He had been busy for so long, and his parents couldn't help but worry about him.
When they returned to the Lou residence, Lou Jing smelled the strong smell of ink on him and said sourly, "You are like a piece of wood before you become smart. After you become smart, you run to other people's yards, dig a hole and bury yourself. Come, let Dad see whether you have blossomed or produced fruit."
Madam Lou looked at him expressionlessly, and he immediately fell silent, saying to her with a smile, "It's good for it to blossom and bear fruit on its own. From now on, no one will disturb our peace and give us any trouble."
"Nonsense." A hint of smile appeared in Mrs. Lou's eyes, and she said to her son, "Your father personally prepared the meal tonight. You're back just in time, why don't you share some?"
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