When the ink was ready, Lou Yunchun moistened his brush, took a deep breath, and wrote the first couplet.
"The vermilion spring invitations bring good luck to thousands of doors, and the emerald green willow breezes bring newness to thousands of households." He wrote without hesitation, and completed the work in one go, like flowing clouds and running water.
Xu Jiang praised: "It is very well written."
This was not the first time she saw Lou Yunchun write, but it was the first time she saw him write in large characters. His characters were vigorous and majestic, which made the couplets come alive.
Lou Yunchun felt so excited by the praise that he immediately wrote another one.
"The spring rain moistens everything, and the red plum blossoms embroider the mountains."
"good!"
"As time goes by, people grow older, spring fills the world and blessings fill the house."
"This is also good."
"The phoenix brings good luck and the dragon brings prosperity, while red peaches celebrate the New Year and apricots welcome the spring."
“This one is better.”
"Efforts in farming bring a bountiful harvest, while diligence and thrift bring a prosperous future."
"Oh my, this connection is incredible..."
The water on the stove had been boiling for a while, but Lou Yunchun didn't stop writing. However, Xu Jiang was already dry-mouthed from praising him, so she quickly made a pot of tea for herself and Lou Yunchun.
"Let's take a break."
"I'm not tired."
"I'm tired."
After Lou Yunchun finished writing the couplet in his hand, he put down his pen and walked over to sit next to her.
"This should be enough." Lou Yunchun wrote more than thirty pairs of Spring Festival couplets and scrolls without stopping, enough for her to sell tomorrow.
Lou Yunchun said, "It's still early, I can still write a few more."
Xu Jiang narrowed her eyes, then moved closer to him and said softly, "Do you want me to praise you?"
Lou Yunchun curled his eyes, pursed his lips and said nothing.
"What are you secretly happy about?"
"No."
Xu Jiang chuckled and praised, "The third place winner is exceptionally handsome, unparalleled in beauty, and versed in both writing and painting. He also possesses a sincere heart and clear emotions. He is the best man in the world... Hmm."
Lou Yunchun swallowed the rest of the words and whispered them to his shy heart.
The two of them got tired of it for a while before they cut some paper and drew lanterns. There was no need to find a new frame for the lanterns, as there were already several hanging in the backyard. They just had to tear off the paper and paste it over again.
Lou Yunchun first drew a ginger, which was a thousand times better than the ones drawn by the disciples of Qianjin Hall. He then drew Yue Nu and a donkey, and finally drew a red-sleeved girl based on Xu Jiang's appearance.
Xu Jiang asked with a smile, "Did you draw this for me, or for yourself?"
Lou Yunchun smiled and replied, "This belongs to me. I don't have any lanterns when I go back."
After finishing the painting, Xu Jiang boiled a bowl of paste and asked Lou Yunchun to take down all the lanterns on the donkey shed and paste them again. Naturally, the removed paper went into the donkey's mouth.
The two worked together and quickly made several lanterns. Xu Jiang lit one and took a look. Its simple and elegant aura was so striking that it was no longer recognizable as its ugly predecessor.
Lou Yunchun stared at her soft face illuminated by the light and said softly, "I can't come to New Year's Eve and Yuanzheng."
Xu Jiang smiled at him, "I know."
The Lou family stayed up on New Year's Eve, and besides Lou Jing's family of three, there were also the Lou family's uncles and brothers, so Lou Yunchun naturally couldn't be absent. And the Yuanzheng Palace banquet, in addition to entertaining civil and military officials, also included envoys from various countries, so he couldn't miss it.
"A Jiang, you..." Lou Yunchun wanted to ask her if she wanted to go back to the Lou residence with him, but he knew it was not the right time.
"I can't go to the mansion with you to celebrate the New Year." Xu Jiang's eyes were bright. Seeing his gloomy expression, she smiled and said, "I have already promised Master Lin to spend the New Year at the academy this year. If I run away with you, I won't be able to see the sun on the first day of the new year."
The dark clouds in Lou Yunchun's heart were instantly dispelled, and he then stepped forward and pulled Xu Jiang into his arms, hugging her tightly.
Xu Jiang patted him on the back and said softly, "After the New Year's Eve, the court will be closed for seven days. The donkey shed in our backyard hasn't been repaired yet. You took care of it yourself, so don't try to shirk your responsibility when the time comes."
It turned out that she had already inquired about it and made all the arrangements. Lou Yunchun buried his head in her neck and said greedily, "Okay, then you have to wait for me."
"Well, I'll wait for you and won't go anywhere."
On New Year's Eve, Xu Jiang got up early and cleaned the inside and outside of the bookstore and the backyard. Then she took a bath, burned incense, and pasted up Spring Festival couplets, door gods, and scrolls.
Both the Spring Festival couplets and the couplets were written by Lou Yunchun.
Letter to the emperor: The New Year brings more blessings, and the festival is called Changchun.
After putting up the Spring Festival couplets, he saw Shopkeeper Wang and his son driving a cart with oxen to go out, so he called out, "Brother, where are you going?"
"Go pick up your father-in-law, mother-in-law, and brother-in-law. They're all staying at my house for New Year's Eve this year." Shopkeeper Wang also called out, then asked Xu Jiang, "What about you? Are you going to Master Lin's house, or to the bookstore? If you're at the bookstore, then come to my house. Your sister-in-law is waiting for you."
"I'm going to Master Lin's house."
"Will you come back tomorrow?"
"Come back in the afternoon."
"Remember to come over for dinner tonight."
"good."
The two exchanged shouts for a while, each a little out of breath, and then waved goodbye. Xu Jiang prepared food for the poultry, the stubborn donkey, and the moon slave, changed into new clothes, locked the door, hung up the sign, and took the festival gifts to the Nanshan Academy.
They would greet everyone they met along the way with "wealth and good fortune" or "joy and health". If they met people buying New Year's goods, they would definitely give them a handful of fruits or other snacks, and they would not be able to refuse. They would just wait until they met the next person and give them these too.
Tonight, the streets of the city are open to all, and people can visit each other. Even those who stay up late to celebrate the New Year leave their doors open, burning fires until dawn and drinking all night long. I imagine there will be many more drunks stumbling on the streets tomorrow.
When Xu Jiang arrived at the Nanshan Academy, he saw that a firewood tower had been built at the door, waiting to be lit at night to drive away the evil spirits.
"Little Hoe!" Xu Jiang called out to the courtyard. Lin Hongchu didn't show up, but Zeng Zhui did. She was stunned and asked, "Why are you here?"
Zeng Zhui replied cheerfully, "If you can come, I can come too."
"Mr. Du didn't let you stay at his house for the New Year?"
This chapter is not over yet, please click on the next page to continue reading!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
