As the year draws to a close, the festive atmosphere grows stronger. From the imperial court to the common people, large and small sacrifices are constantly being held, and night markets and temple fairs are gradually increasing in number. These days, every house in every district of the two counties has decorated its front door with lanterns, filling the city with a festive atmosphere.
Xu Jiang came back from her house after mounting a book, and on the way she met a peddler selling lanterns. She also bought two red carp lanterns, intending to go back and hang them in front of the bookstore to add some New Year atmosphere to the store.
Passing by Qianjin Hall, the disciples were also hanging lanterns. Their lanterns were very interesting, with various herbs painted on them, tied into long strings and hanging from the eaves, which was very pleasing to the eye.
Looking more closely at each herb, the name, medicinal properties, efficacy, etc. are marked next to each herb, which is like a lantern version of the "Medicine Classic".
Fuzi, who was standing on the stairs, saw Xu Jiang and greeted her, "Shopkeeper Xu, are you back from the street?"
"Yes, you made this lantern yourself? It's really well done."
"Yes, this is a festival custom of our Qianjin Hall. We make it ourselves every year." Fuzi saw the two carp lanterns on the donkey and praised, "These two lanterns that Manager Xu bought are also very nice and festive."
"Yours is also good, it's clear at a glance." One can tell at a glance that this is a clinic.
Doctor Chen had just had a moment's leisure and came out to watch his disciples hanging lanterns. Seeing Xu Jiang standing at the door with a donkey, the donkey carrying two lanterns, he said, "Two lanterns are a bit deserted. I have a few more here. Would you like to take a few, Shopkeeper Xu?"
Hearing this, without waiting for Xu Jiang's reply, Fuzi slid down the wooden ladder and ran to the lobby, shouting, "I'll get it for you."
This guy is enthusiastic.
Xu Jiang smiled and said to Doctor Chen, "Thank you very much, Doctor Chen. I won't be polite then."
"No need to thank me, just don't be disgusted by it later."
"How could I dislike it..." Xu Jiang saw Fu Zi and several other disciples coming out with more than a dozen lanterns, and the smile on his face froze.
This lamp is so ugly!
Not only are the herbs drawn in a weird way, but the handwriting is also ugly!
Master Chen sighed. He had already given away dozens of them since yesterday. Fortunately, Xu Jiang had bought all the remaining ones. Otherwise, if they were left in the yard, one extra glance from him would cost him half a year.
It seems that there is still a long way to go to teach these disciples well.
Fuzi and two of his fellow apprentices expertly tied the lantern to Xu Jiang's donkey. Xu Jiang had already agreed, so she couldn't refuse and had no choice but to let them go.
The donkey didn't mind the ugliness of the lanterns. The ink on the lanterns was made of pine soot, and the smell was very much to its liking. It chewed two of them on the spot.
When the disciples saw this, they hurriedly dragged it out of its mouth, but only a skeleton was left.
Xu Jiang looked at the stubborn donkey with appreciation and said, "Well done."
When he led the donkey covered with ugly lanterns back to Huailiu Lane, he saw Shopkeeper Wang pacing in front of the shop with his hands behind his back, tilting his head to look at the new lanterns hanging under the eaves, and he seemed quite satisfied.
The lanterns at Shopkeeper Wang's house were rather plain, with black writing on a red background, all of which contained auspicious phrases such as "good weather and good harvest." Xu Jiang recognized that they were written by Hu Xu.
"Brother, your lantern is really nice." Xu Jiang said enviously.
"That's right." Shopkeeper Wang turned around and gave her a smug smile. "I asked Zhuchun to write this specifically for me. I have a few more at home." He saw Xu Jiang's lantern and laughed, "Is this a gift from Qianjintang?"
"How do you know?"
"Every year, Qianjintang sends so many lanterns to the neighbors that we're tired of collecting them all."
Xu Jiang sighed, "I'm new here and don't know the market. Remember next year to avoid Qianjin Hall at this time."
"It's no use. I see you're familiar with Doctor Chen, so I'm afraid you can't escape."
Xu Jiang was speechless.
She led the donkey towards the bookstore, but saw many people waiting at the door. She then quickened her pace, tied the donkey under a tree, and went to open the door.
"Shopkeeper Xu, where have you been? I've come several times but haven't seen you. I thought you weren't going to do business today."
"I just came back from helping someone with a jacket. I've been waiting for a long time."
These customers are all neighbors. During the New Year holidays, they come to buy paper and pens to write couplets and scrolls, and some also ask her to write for them.
Xu Jiang first cut paper and found ink for the few people who bought paper and ink, and then asked the remaining two customers to help, setting up a stall in front of the door together and writing couplets and scrolls for them.
After writing it, I asked them if they wanted lanterns. When they saw the pile of money on the donkey, they waved their hands, threw down the money and ran away.
Xu Jiang was at a loss whether to laugh or cry.
She took down the pile of lanterns and looked at them one by one. Seeing that some could be salvaged, she picked up a pen to modify them. Anyway, the ink had been used, so it was an easy thing to do.
After she modified them, she actually gave away quite a few of them. The few that were really not good to look at were left, so she simply hung them in the donkey shed in the backyard. Anyway, the stupid donkey liked them, so she let him look at them as much as he wanted.
When no one came to write couplets in the evening, Xu Jiang closed the stall and sorted out the boards that Wu Qingchuang had sent yesterday.
Xu Jiang had agreed with the two shopkeepers to write the engraving paper herself. Firstly, she wouldn't have to charge for copying, saving a lot of money. Secondly, her engraving would be pleasing to the two shopkeepers, so they didn't want to bother Master Lin again.
He had enough going on at home.
Lou Yunchun wasn't coming today; the Lou family had guests, and he had to accompany them. Xu Jiang locked the door early, cooked a simple bowl of soup and noodles for herself, and stewed a crucian carp for Yue Nu. After everyone and the cat had eaten, she lit the lamp, cut the paper, and began copying the printing paper for the woodblock print.
She usually used engraved characters for copying and printing, which were different from her usual fonts.
Her ordinary calligraphy was inherited from her master, whose style was clear and elegant. Since childhood, she had imitated Mu Huisheng, whose style was upright and unsophisticated. As she grew older, she gradually integrated the styles of both, developing her own unique style.
The carvings she created are simple and elegant, and are consistent with the Collected Works of Wang Zhonggong.
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