Everyone was whispering among themselves and noticed the notice inside the store, which clearly stated that loud talking was prohibited inside, students reading should not be disturbed, books should be treated with care, and any needs could be met by asking the store staff. All books in the store were free to read, and if you needed tea or snacks, you could ask the store staff for help.
Everyone quickly found the books they wanted to read, found seats and sat down to read. No one dared to cause trouble or disregard the shop's rules. After all, this bookstore was opened by Princess Qingyun, and it was indeed inexpensive, with the option to browse and copy books inside.
Not only that, the shop's signboard was bestowed by the Emperor himself, and it is said that the Emperor wrote it personally and ordered the Ministry of Works to make it and send it over. Right in the center behind the cashier, there is a piece of jade presented by the current first-rank Right Chancellor. Almost all the civil and military officials in the court have sent congratulatory gifts. Who would be so foolish as to cause trouble? They are too busy reading quietly.
Qin Qianlu sat downstairs for a while, and after confirming that no one would cause trouble, she nodded in satisfaction and went upstairs to her private room. She nestled on the sofa, took out snacks such as milk candy and nuts, and placed them on the tea table.
She got up again, opened a cabinet on one side, and took out various nuts, as well as her favorite potato chips, duck wings, chicken feet, chocolate and other snacks. She also took out various teas and drinks, and soon the cabinet was full. She closed the cabinet door with satisfaction.
She opened the other cabinet door and took out her usual Huizhou ink, Huizhou inkstone, and Chengni inkstone from the space, placing them neatly. Then she took out Xuan paper, categorizing it into raw Xuan paper, sized Xuan paper, and semi-sized Xuan paper, and neatly stacked them in the cabinet. Looking at the cabinet full, she nodded in satisfaction. This way, she could directly take things from the cabinet when she was in the private room, and even if there were other people around, she wouldn't have to worry about exposing the space.
After closing the cabinet door, I went to the table and took out some of each of the three types of Xuan paper, arranging them neatly on the side of the table for easy use when writing and painting. I also took out a set of Huizhou ink and inkstone and placed them next to the brush holder where the brushes were hanging. The brushes were all ones that I was used to using. The Chengni inkstone was one that I used to use when painting, so I didn't put it on the table. It wouldn't be troublesome to take it out when I needed it.
After glancing at the table and thinking for a moment, I took out my usual Hetian jade paperweight and sandalwood paperweight. After careful consideration, I decided that the sandalwood one needed maintenance and was more demanding in terms of environment, so I would use the Hetian jade one, as long as I was careful not to drop it on the ground.
After everything was in place, Qin Qianluo unfolded a sheet of fine Xuan paper, ready to practice her calligraphy. She ground the ink, picked up the brush, and slowly began to write. In no time, a beautiful piece of small regular script was finished. Qin Qianluo nodded in satisfaction, indicating that she had not become rusty. After signing her name, she affixed her personal seal and sat in a chair waiting for the ink to dry completely.
Qin Qianluo picked up one of the paperweights and stroked it lovingly. This pair of Hetian jade paperweights was custom-made by her. They were made of the finest mutton fat white jade, which was warm to the touch and had a delicate texture. The front was carved with bamboo and a panda, as well as a simple character "Luo". In her previous life, she loved this pair of paperweights very much, and now she was able to get them again thanks to 001.
Just as she was playing with the paperweight in her hand, there was a knock on the door of the private room. Qin Qianlu put down the paperweight, said "Come in," and the door was pushed open. Su Jinyun walked in with a smile. Qin Qianlu quickly got up to greet her. She didn't expect it to be Su Jinyun. She thought it was the scholar from the shop who came to see her.
She strode over, took Su Jinyun's hand, and said with a gentle smile, "Sister Su, have you finished court?"
Su Jinyun smiled and shook Qin Qianluo's hand in return, nodding and saying, "Yes, I'll come to see you as soon as I get off court. Knowing that you're opening today, I'll definitely come to this bookstore."
Qin Qianlu smiled and led Su Jinyun to sit down on the sofa. She made her a cup of tea, pushed it in front of her, and said with a smile, "I came here secretly. Sister Su, you can't complain to the Emperor, or I'll be summoned to court and won't be able to shirk my duties anymore."
Su Jinyun smiled and tapped Qin Qianluo's forehead, picked up her teacup, blew on it, took a sip, and said, "Then we'll see how Qianluo tries to win me over, since this is 'deceiving the emperor.'"
Qin Qianluo pouted, feigning distress, and said softly, "Sister Su doesn't care about Qianluo anymore, and is actually scaring me like this. If Sister Su takes a fancy to anything in my room, just say so."
Su Jinyun looked at Qin Qianluo teasingly. Seeing her pouting, she felt a surge of warmth in her heart: "How could I bear to scare Qianluo? But since Qianluo has spoken, I won't be polite. After all, who in the capital doesn't know that Princess Qingyun has the most good things? I'm really lucky today."
Qin Qianlu smiled and her eyes narrowed upon hearing this: "Sister Su always teases Qianlu. No matter how many good things Qianlu has, can she have more good things than Sister Su?"
Su Jinyun gently rubbed Qin Qianluo's head and said with a smile, "You, your little mouth really doesn't hold back! Is your neck feeling better? Does it still hurt?"
Qin Qianluo replied with a smile, "Don't worry, Sister Su, I'm much better now. It doesn't hurt anymore. My mother was worried about scarring, so she had me apply scar-reducing ointment."
Su Jinyun nodded in agreement: "That's how it should be. We need to be careful to avoid leaving scars. It would be such a pity to leave a scar on Qianluo's beautiful neck."
Qin Qianluo didn't refute, but smiled sweetly, a warm feeling flowing through her heart. She was very content to have such a friend who genuinely cared about her.
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