Although he only cast a glance, Jiang Li could tell that the items Old Wu had brought were of exceptional quality.
Just one of those brushes, ink, paper, or inkstones, if sold, could cover his expenses for several years.
However, he had no interest in using them.
The less he took from the Duke's residence, the smaller the price he would have to pay when he left someday.
Jiang Li stood up and used an iron rod to poke at the charcoal in the brazier, hoping to make the dying embers burn a little brighter.
But no matter how much he stirred, the charcoal, already burned out, stubbornly refused to reignite.
"Looks like I'll have to buy more coal," he sighed softly as he glanced at the small pile of charcoal in the corner.
He wrapped the stack of copied books on the table in a cloth bundle and then took a worn, faded cloak from the cabinet, draping it around his shoulders.
He picked up the bundle and left the courtyard.
Although his Zhiqiu Courtyard was somewhat isolated, it was conveniently located near the back gate, so he reached it with just a few steps. This was a blessing for someone with a weak body like his, who was out of breath after walking just a few steps!
As soon as he stepped out of the residence, a cold wind blew, making him cough a few times involuntarily.
There was no snowfall today, but the thin snow from yesterday had begun to melt under the cold wind, making the air feel even colder than the day before.
Jiang Li tightened the cloak around him and then lifted his foot, heading towards the West City market.
After nearly half an hour's walk, he finally arrived at the Qingfeng Study.
"Master Jiang has arrived! Didn't you just bring those books back a few days ago?" As soon as Jiang Li stepped inside, the sharp-eyed Shopkeeper Tong immediately recognized him, smiling as he approached. Tong Youwei, who was nearly forty, was short, stout, and had a face full of good fortune.
"I've been working quickly these past few days, so I brought them over ahead of schedule!" Jiang Li, in stark contrast to his usual cold demeanor at the residence, smiled as he handed over the bundle of books.
"That's wonderful! Just a while ago, a few scholars came looking for your copied books! Unfortunately, I ran out of stock. You've saved me from a real dilemma!" Shopkeeper Tong said with obvious delight.
The main reason for his happiness was that the books Jiang Li copied were not like those of other students. In addition to the transcriptions, Jiang Li would always include personal annotations, adding a unique touch to each manuscript.
At first, Jiang Li had added the annotations to the books without any particular intention, but after Shopkeeper Tong noticed how quickly the scholars snatched up those books with annotations at high prices, his sharp mind immediately recognized the business opportunity.
After getting Jiang Li's consent, he insisted that the books Jiang Li transcribed from then on should include annotations. Combined with Jiang Li's excellent handwriting, the books were sold at quite a high price!
"Come, have a cup of ginger tea to warm up!" Shopkeeper Tong handed him a cup of hot tea.
"Thank you, Shopkeeper Tong!" Jiang Li felt a warmth in his heart. Though their relationship was one of business, he was grateful for the support Shopkeeper Tong had given him in the beginning. It was thanks to him that Jiang Li had managed to get through those tough times. He was one of the few people who had brought warmth into his life.
"Shopkeeper Tong, I came today to let you know that before the spring exams next year, I'm afraid I won't have time to help with copying books," Jiang Li said, his tone much more relaxed when speaking to Shopkeeper Tong.
Shopkeeper Tong paused for a moment, then smiled in understanding.
"That's to be expected. The spring exams are no small matter; you should focus on your preparations. And with your health, you really need to take good care of yourself. We can't have a repeat of what happened three years ago, where your condition worsened and caused you to miss the imperial exams!"
"I'll be careful," Jiang Li replied, nodding in acknowledgment. He knew that Shopkeeper Tong's words came from genuine concern for him.
Indeed, three years ago, Jiang Li should have participated in the exams, but his frail health had caused him to miss that opportunity.
Five years ago, he had been a well-known young scholar in the capital, celebrated for his talent.
At that time, his rise had caused quite a stir. However, later on, he deliberately kept a low profile, gradually fading from the public eye.
In the past two years, thanks to his work copying books for Qingfeng Study and Shopkeeper Tong's deliberate promotion, people had started to recognize that the scholar helping with the books was none other than the young genius from five years ago.
His selfless actions had only further endeared him to the scholars of the capital.
If Jiang Li ever wanted to pursue a career in the officialdom, staying anonymous wouldn't be ideal. So, he didn't mind Shopkeeper Tong's efforts to spread his name. Sometimes, he even made sure his best works circulated, just to maintain his reputation.
What no one knew, however, was that this"Jiang Xiucai" was actually the Fifth Young Master of the Anguo Duke's residence!
After chatting for a few more moments and receiving his payment, Jiang Li left.
When he arrived at the coal merchant, he realized he had been a step too late. The price of coal had more than doubled compared to a few days ago.
With the price increase, the money he had originally set aside for the purchase no longer seemed quite as sufficient.
He gritted his teeth and used most of the money to buy coal, then also purchased some basic food supplies.
He temporarily stored these items in the back of Qingfeng Study. Seeing that it was still early, he bought some incense, candles, and offerings, planning to pay a visit to the outskirts where Luo Lengyan's grave lay, to offer his respects.
She had been buried on the hillside behind a country villa owned by the Anguo Duke's residence.
After stopping to rest several times, it took him over two hours to finally reach his destination.
Luo Lengyan's grave, unlike others, had no visitors—just him. Although it hadn't been long since his last visit, the grass had already grown quite a bit on the mound.
Jiang Li carefully cleaned the grave site for his mother, sweeping away the weeds and wiping the dust off the tombstone with a damp cloth.
Once he had finished, he set up the incense, candles, and offerings in front of the grave, then quietly sat down on the ground.
As usual, he silently absorbed the surroundings.
A gentle breeze blew over the hill, bringing a refreshing coolness. The occasional chirping of insects could be heard from the grass, and in the distance, birds joyfully sang their songs.
Everything around him seemed so peaceful, as if time itself had slowed down.
It wasn't until the sun began to set behind the mountains that Jiang Li realized he had stayed longer than he had intended.
"Mother, I'll come again next time. Please bear with it a little longer. Don't worry, I won't make you wait too long," he said softly, before tidying up a little and preparing to head down the mountain.
"Ah, young master, are you leaving already?" Just as Jiang Li took a couple of steps, a clear, melodious female voice suddenly rang out from the woods.
Jiang Li looked around, but he couldn't spot anyone suspicious.
"Who's hiding there, playing tricks? Come out!" He swiftly drew a dagger from his belt, his senses heightened as he prepared for a potential threat.
But there was no response.
By now, the sun had completely set, and the cold wind howled through the trees, creating a haunting wail that echoed in the air.
It seemed as though someone was quietly crying, or perhaps some wild beast was howling in the distance.
Paired with the shadowy figures of the trees swaying in the wind, the atmosphere became even more eerie.
Jiang Li was certain that what he had heard just now was not a figment of his imagination.
After waiting for a moment and still seeing no one, Jiang Li couldn't be bothered to linger any longer. He lifted his foot and continued forward.
"How boring. Why isn't this young master like the others, screaming and running away in fear?" The voice came again, this time with a teasing lilt.
Jiang Li immediately pinpointed the direction from where the voice had come. He looked up.
Not far ahead, leaning against the trunk of a large tree, sat a woman dressed in black.
She didn't look at him, instead, she was idly playing with her long, sharp, bright red nails.
Jiang Li furrowed his brows. When did this person appear?
Due to the obstruction of the tree leaves, Jiang Li couldn't clearly make out the woman's appearance.
However, based on the thinness of her black attire, it seemed she was likely a cultivator.
"I didn't realize someone was here. Apologies for disturbing your rest, senior. Please forgive me," Jiang Li said politely, always preferring to err on the side of courtesy when unsure of someone's intentions.
The black-clad woman stood up, her toes barely touching the ground as she gracefully landed.
Before Jiang Li could get a good look at her, she moved with astonishing speed, closing the distance between them in a few blinks.
This time, Jiang Li clearly saw the woman's face. She appeared to be a young woman in her twenties, with striking features that seemed to embody both beauty and coldness.