Ji Yuan looked up at the sunlight in the sky, and then looked at Zao Niang who had been maintaining a salute. Although it was difficult for the plant elves to survive in the sunlight for a period of time during their initial condensation and they were easily burned by the sun's power, the jujube tree itself was a special spiritual root, and the Ju'an Pavilion was also quite special, so Zao Niang had no discomfort facing the sunlight.
At this moment, the small paper crane and a group of small characters in the main house also flew out, dancing around Zao Niang with curiosity and joy. Zao Niang raised her arm, and the small paper crane landed on her arm and looked up at Zao Niang. Even though the jujube tree had begun to condense spirits, it did not make the small paper crane feel strange. Ji Yuan actually felt the same way.
The group of little kids were naturally the most lively, chattering non-stop around Zao Niang.
"The jujube tree has finally turned into a human." "That's not all."
"At least I can talk now." "Yes, I can talk now!"
“Why is the jujube tree a female?”
"Nonsense, if she can bear fruit, how can she be a man?"
"It seems to make sense." "Bullshit, didn't you know whether the jujube tree was male or female before you heard from the master?"
"That's right, do you know more than the master?"
…
These small characters revolved around Zao Niang and the jujube tree, and from time to time, there was a flash of ink light. Ying Ruoli on the side was also amazed. She had known for a long time that there were some strange spirits around Ji Yuan, but the little paper crane had seen them many times, and this was the first time she saw the small characters with her own eyes.
"Mrs. Zao is just beginning to condense her spirit, and she is a girl, so there must be many things she doesn't understand. Ruoli, you can teach her in the next few days. I'm going out for a while and will bring back some books."
"Yes, Uncle Ji, please don't worry." "Master, please don't worry!"
After Ji Yuan nodded, he walked directly to the courtyard gate and left Ju'an Pavilion. After all, Zao Niang had initially condensed her elf body. Although Ji Yuan knew that the jujube tree was quiet but wise, it was inevitable that it would have some confusions about the etiquette of the human world. The book he was going to buy was naturally prepared for Zao Niang.
Compared to the excitement of the little characters, Zao Niang, who was the happiest both in theory and in practice, was more reserved. However, she had a natural doting feeling towards the little paper cranes and the little characters, and she even turned in a circle from time to time to cooperate with the flying and talking little characters.
Even though Ying Ruoli had just recognized the jujube tree, she still felt a sense of familiarity towards Zao Niang.
"Okay, okay, come and sit down, Niang Zao. Although you have only condensed a spirit now, I can give this to you first."
As she spoke, Ying Ruoli blew towards the stone table. A misty wind blew past, and an exquisite red wooden box appeared on it. She went over, took Zao Niang's hand, and sat down at the table together, then opened the wooden box.
Inside the box are a comb, a hairpin, and some simple yet sophisticated accessories, all made of pearls and gemstones from the sea or rare corals. They shine brightly under the sunlight shining through the treetops.
The little paper cranes and a bunch of small characters suddenly gathered around the wooden box.
"Wow, this is really valuable, isn't it?" "Nonsense, it's all gems!"
"It's a gift from Goddess Jiang, so of course it's valuable!"
"It's really beautiful, I like it all." "Yes!"
The little characters commented on it, and Zao Niang also looked delighted, Ying Ruoli smiled and said.
"I don't know what to give you, so I'll just give you something I like, Zao Niang, do you like it?"
Zaoniang likes the things in the wooden box and the wooden box itself very much. It’s not entirely because women like these decorative accessories, but more like the same mentality as the little paper cranes and small characters.
"I like it, thank you, Goddess Jiang!"
"Haha, just call me Ruoli. Not to mention that we hit it off right away, you're also a spiritual root of heaven and earth. By the way, if you like this, I'll send you a few trucks next time!"
The chattering little characters around suddenly became quiet, and the little paper cranes also looked up at the Dragon Girl. It seemed that these little guys realized for the first time that the Dragon Girl was a real rich girl. Even Zao Niang was stunned for a moment.
"Thank you, Madam Ruoli. This one box is enough. We don't need so many..."
"Don't be polite, there are too many to put them anyway!"
…
More than a quarter of an hour later, in a bookstore in Ning'an County, Ji Yuan was personally selecting suitable books. Some of Yin Zhaoxian's works were naturally indispensable, and some classics and even historical texts could also be selected. In the end, he bought nearly a hundred books and stacked them up in several high layers on the counter of the bookstore, which made the bookstore owner's face beam with joy.
As the saying goes, paper is expensive and books are even more expensive. So many books are not cheap. The bookstore owner has no reason to be unhappy. There are not many shops open on the first day of the Lunar New Year. As expected, business is good when he opens his own shop. There are residential houses behind this bookstore, so opening on the first day of the Lunar New Year is just a coincidence.
The last book about musical instruments was placed on the counter by Ji Yuan, and the shopkeeper said to Ji Yuan with a smile.
"This guest is really a studious person. My Ning'an County is the hometown of Yin Gong Yin Wenqu. If you come here to buy books, you will definitely be able to get some of Yin Gong's literary spirit. Hehe, don't worry, the price must be fair!"
The shopkeeper held an abacus and started counting on the counter. Ji Yuan had no intention of making excuses for the fact that the bookstore owner mistook him for a foreigner. He just let it be a misunderstanding.
While Ji Yuan was waiting patiently, he suddenly felt something in his heart. He walked outside the bookstore and glanced at the eastern sky. He could feel dark clouds gathering.
"Boom..."
There was a faint rumble of thunder in the distance, a complete winter thunder.
"Boss, when will the book fee be settled?"
Ji Yuan asked a question outside, but the shopkeeper inside had never heard of it. Seeing that the customer was anxious, he replied quickly without even raising his head.
"Right away, right away. Just a few more copies."
"Crackle, crackle, crackle..."
The shopkeeper put away the abacus, looked up and smiled at Ji Yuan who was standing at the door.
"Well, sir, the total is two taels and three fen of silver. I'll give you a small change, so just give me two taels of silver."
Ji Yuan walked into the bookstore and directly took out two silver ingots weighing one tael each. The shopkeeper hurriedly weighed them, and only after confirming that the silver and money were correct did he speak to Ji Yuan with a smile on his face.
"Sir, do you have a carriage to take so many of them? Otherwise, shall I send someone to take them to the inn where you are staying or to your relatives or friends?"
Ji Yuan smiled and pointed outside the store.
"Look, isn't there a carriage here?"
The shopkeeper took a look and found that there was a carriage next to Ji Yuan, which he seemed not to have seen just now.
"That's great. I'll help you put the books in the car!"
The bookstore owner and Ji Yuan moved the books several times together and finally loaded all the books onto the carriage. Then they watched the carriage leave before returning to the store humming a little tune. The profit from this business was enough to last them several days.
On Ji Yuan's side, there was actually no carriage, and the books were not moved several times as the shopkeeper had expected. They were just put into Ji Yuan's sleeves in the blink of an eye.
When Ji Yuan hurriedly returned home, he pushed open the gate and saw that in addition to Zao Niang and Ying Ruoli, there was also Old Dragon Ying Hong. He should have just arrived and was looking at Zao Niang, while the little paper crane and a group of small characters had all been hidden on the jujube tree.
"Hahahaha, Mr. Ji, long time no see! I didn't even have time to read the Heavenly Book of the Dao of Instruments that covered the wonders of the changes of Yin and Yang and the Five Elements."
Seeing Ji Yuan coming back, Lao Long laughed and took a few steps forward, bowing to Ji Yuan. Ji Yuan did not dare to be negligent and returned the courtesy at the same time.
"It's been a long time since we last met. The Heavenly Book has been at Yunshan Temple. Mr. Ying can go and see it whenever he wants. Are you coming to Ju'an Pavilion to call Ruoli back?"
Lao Long shook his head.
"No, this time I am here to ask Mr. Ji to come out of retirement. I wonder if you are free?"
Ji Yuan restrained his smile, turned around and closed the door of the small courtyard, then walked a few steps closer to Lao Long and asked in a low voice.
"Dragon Corpse Worm?"
“It’s not just that!”
As an old and close friend, it was a rare occasion for Lao Long to come to him for help, so Ji Yuan would certainly not refuse. Besides, he also felt confident that he could help, so he nodded immediately.
"Since I have accepted the invitation from the old gentleman, I will do my best to help you."
"Okay! In that case, let's set off immediately without further delay!"
So urgent? Ji Yuan was slightly stunned, but didn't say much. He just waved his sleeves and more than a hundred books flew out and piled up on the stone table. They were the ones bought from the bookstore. Then more than a dozen books flew out and formed a separate pile.
"Mother Zao, I just bought these books. Reading them can relieve boredom and teach you about the ways of the world. These are the ones I carry with me and read often. You can take a look at them, too. By the way, can you read?"
Zao Niang showed joy on her face, reached out and stroked the books, and answered in a gentle voice.
"My Lord, Zao Niang often watched you write in the courtyard, and she also watched Yin Qing teach Hu Yun how to read. She also saw Ya Ya practicing calligraphy, and she knows the beauty of words."
While Zao Niang was speaking, a group of small characters had already flown into the "Sword Intent Calligraphy" in the main room, and then the calligraphy also flew out by itself, as if they were afraid that Ji Yuan would kill them. Ji Yuan raised his sleeves, and the "Sword Intent Calligraphy" flew into his sleeves by itself, and the little paper crane also flapped its wings and flew into the brocade bag on Ji Yuan's chest.
"Well, that's good. I have something to do and I'm going out with Long Jun. Ruoli probably can't stay here either. Please look after the house."
Ji Yuan laughed in silence and gave Zao Niang another instruction, to which the latter bowed slightly.
"yes!"
"Okay, let's go. Ruoli, come with me and Mr. Ji."
The old dragon flicked his sleeves, and clouds rose in the courtyard of Ju'an Pavilion, dragging Ji Yuan and Ying Ruoli slowly into the air, without stopping for a moment.
It was not until he rose to a hundred feet above the ground that Ji Yuan suddenly thought of something and looked at Lao Long and asked.
"Did Mr. Ying forget to mention something?"
The old dragon turned around, first looked at Ying Ruoli and then at Ji Yuan, grinning.
"What else can I do? Asking for dates for Gongxiu? Humph, hehehe..."
Lao Long sneered and stopped talking. Ji Yuan and Ying Ruoli both understood what he meant.