The snow stopped, and Xu Jiang hurried to print the last dozen or so sets of poetry collections.
The rattan paper used in the first edition of "New Collection of Elementary Education" was used to supply the Imperial College, so the binding was as simple and elegant as possible. The cost would be higher, but it can be used for collection.
After this edition was sold out, they would print it again on bamboo paper and simply bind it, reducing costs and lowering the price. This way, even those financially strapped private schools and poor scholars could afford it.
She and Lin Hongchu sorted the printing paper into order. Once they had purchased the paper for the book jacket, they could begin binding. Binding was a tedious task, even more time-consuming and labor-intensive than printing. Xu Jiang rubbed her aching back, thinking that she would need to eat, drink, and sleep well these days to have the energy to work.
After this collection was published, she would also have to revise the county annals. The thought of the annals made her eyes darken. It was an arduous task, and no one else could do it for her. She pounded her chest, angrily going into the kitchen and making a large bowl of soup noodles for herself and Lin Hongchu. She ate them both, and only then did she feel relieved.
When Lou Yunchun arrived, Xu Jiang had just put down her bowl. Having not seen her for two days, he missed her so much that he finished his official duties early and headed to the bookstore. Seeing her well-fed and well-drinking, with a heartless look, a mixture of joy and resentment, he kept a sullen face, expressionless.
Although he didn't have much expression in the past.
Xu Jiang was delighted to see him, but when she saw that he was silent and depressed, she knew that he was feeling awkward, so she smiled and went over to hook his hand.
His eyes suddenly brightened up again and he caught her in his hands.
Lin Hongchu accidentally saw it and quickly turned his back and fanned his face to cool down.
"Is the government office busy these past two days?"
"The heavy snow collapsed many houses in the suburbs. The county government was short-staffed, so they asked the Dali Temple for help. That's why they didn't come."
He must have come this way as soon as he finished his work. Xu Jiang quickly pulled him into the restaurant, made him some sugar water, brought him some snacks, and let him rest for a while.
Lou Yunchun enjoyed it very much and stared at her lovingly.
Lin Hongchu packed up his things, said hello to the two of them and ran away.
The two sat side by side and chatted.
Xu Jiang sighed, "They say auspicious snow means a good harvest, but this good harvest hasn't even arrived yet, and now we've been hit by a disaster. The people are truly suffering."
Lou Yunchun said, "The imperial court will allocate funds for disaster relief, but for the people whose houses have collapsed, it will only be a drop in the bucket."
Rebuilding a home is not easy.
Xu Jiang held his hand tightly and soothed him, "Every little bit counts. Sometimes even a little bit can save a life. Life will always push people forward. No matter how difficult it is, it will pass. Houses will be rebuilt, and people will be reunited."
After saying that, she stuffed the sugar water into his hand. After drinking the sugar water, his anxiety was soothed and his expression calmed down.
"I have to go to a wedding banquet tomorrow, so I guess I'll be back late. You've been tired these past two days, so there's no need to come over. Go back and get some rest."
Lou Yunchun shook his head, his eyes full of nostalgia. "I'll wait for you in the restaurant."
Nowhere else could he feel more relaxed and comfortable than here.
Xu Jiang's heart softened, and she said softly, "Alright, I'll bring you some auspicious fruit." The two of them sat in silence for a long time before Xu Jiang continued, "The fish is finished."
"I'll bring it to you tomorrow." After a moment's thought, he added, "I'll also bring you pears and lotus root starch."
Thinking of the big, sweet pear, Xu Jiang swallowed and stared at him eagerly, "I want to eat it now."
Lou Yunchun stood up and was about to leave, but Xu Jiang stopped him and said with a smile, "I'm just kidding. I'll send it back tomorrow." After thinking for a moment, he said, "Let's make canned pears together."
"Canned pears?"
"Well, it's ready. We can eat it until the beginning of spring." However, according to Lou Yunchun's sweet tooth, it's not certain. He asked him again: "Have you eaten the lotus root powder?"
“It’s delicious. I like it.”
"Just enjoy it, it's worth the effort."
Lou Yunchun was stunned for a moment, "Did it for me?"
Xu Jiang narrowed his eyes and smiled, "What else?"
Lou Yunchun couldn't help but hugged her in his arms.
The fifth day of the mid-winter month is a good time to get married and meet relatives and friends.
As soon as the gate opened, Xu Jiang rode on her donkey, carrying a lantern, and leisurely headed for Shoukangfang. The stubborn donkey had droopy eyelids and looked lazy. It hadn't been out so early in a long time and was a little uncomfortable.
Xu Jiang had coaxed it out of bed this morning with good horse feed, otherwise it wouldn't have been able to leave the house. Along the way, she couldn't help but nag it, but the donkey was thick-skinned now, and Xu Jiang's words were like the buzzing of a mosquito, which disappeared into the sky with a twitch of its ears.
It was not until it entered Cao's alley that it became energetic and ran straight to Cao Dali who was standing at the door to greet guests.
"Ouch, you stupid ass!"
Xu Jiang's lantern was almost thrown away. As soon as it landed on the ground, she slapped him several times before greeting Cao Dali.
Cao Dali smiled innocently and invited her into the yard, then led the donkey to the stable. Zhuang and Uncle Cao were busy in the yard, setting up the house, and when they saw her, they greeted her with bright smiles.
"Great joy, great joy." Xu Jiang handed the gift to Uncle Cao, and seeing Zhuang tying the red silk, she went over to help.
Zhuang smiled and said, "Master, you've come so early."
The two of them worked together to tie this one and then went to hang the other one.
"This is my first wedding banquet in the capital, and it's being held at your house, so I have to come early to help." Xu Jiang looked up and said, "It's crooked. Straighten it to the left."
"What about now?"
"alright."
After hanging the red silk, Zhuang took Xu Jiang into the house, stuffed her with a handful of malt sugar, and then took her to see the bride. When they entered the bridal chamber, they saw that in addition to Aunt Cao, there were two other women and a silver-haired nanny.
Several people surrounded Wang Chan, preparing her face and dressing her up.
To open the face, you first need to apply rose powder on the face, and then use cotton thread to twist out the fuzz on the face and the loose hair on the forehead. Xu Jiang saw Wang Chan grimacing because of the twisting, and she felt pain too.
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