After becoming a widow, I became the apple of a rough man's eye.

There was still warm water on the stove.

Lin Qingqing rolled up her sleeves, revealing a section of her forearm that looked like a lotus root: "I'll teach you. Blanch the wheat bran in boiling water, then chop some wild vegetables and mix them in. Don't add the licorice."

Jiang He leaned against the door frame, watching Lin Qingqing skillfully chop wild vegetables and mix seasonings.

The morning light shone through the cracks in the window, illuminating her profile and making the fine downy hairs clearly visible.

She lowered her head, her expression focused, a few strands of hair hanging down beside her ears, swaying gently with her movements.

As Jiang He watched, his throat grew dry.

He tucked the book "The Science of Pig Farming" into his pocket, leaned closer, and rested his chin on Lin Qingqing's shoulder from behind.

"elder sister."

"Hmm?" Lin Qingqing's hands didn't stop; she was stirring the scalded wheat bran.

"You're so sweet." Jiang He nuzzled against her neck. "I want to marry you."

Lin Qingqing's hand trembled, and the spoon hit the rim of the bowl with a crisp sound.

"Don't talk nonsense." Her face was a little hot, and she nudged him with her elbow. "Go, bring that bucket over here."

Jiang He hunched over as the object was pushed against him, then instinctively wrapped his arms around her waist, hanging on her back like a koala.

"I'm not lying." He breathed into her ear, "Your eldest brother is six or seven years older than you, your second brother is too rough, your third brother is too cunning, and your fourth brother is too promiscuous. Only I am young, strong, and obedient. Sister, will you consider me?"

These words left Lin Qingqing speechless, and her face instantly turned red to the roots of her ears.

"Jiang He!"

A cold shout suddenly came from the doorway.

Jiang He froze, and before he could let go, someone grabbed him by the back of his collar.

Gu Qiangying arrived at some point, a gentle smile on her face that sent chills down one's spine.

"Why are you bothering your sister so early in the morning instead of feeding the pigs?"

Gu Qiangying applied slight force and tore Jiang He off Lin Qingqing's back.

"I'm learning!" Jiang He straightened his collar, feeling a little guilty but still stubborn. "My sister is teaching me how to mix pig feed. Third Brother, what's written in your book is completely wrong."

"Really?" Gu Qiangying pushed up his glasses, his gaze passing over Jiang He and landing on Lin Qingqing's rosy cheeks. "It seems Qingqing has a lot of talent."

Lin Qingqing quickly shoved the bucket of mixed pig feed into Jiang He's hands: "It's ready! Go feed the pigs!"

After saying that, she lowered her head and tried to slip away.

"Wait a minute," Gu Qiangying called out to her.

Lin Qingqing paused, forced to stop, and turned around: "Third...Third Brother."

Gu Qiangying walked over and handed her the white porcelain teacup in her hand.

"Drink this."

Lin Qingqing looked down and saw that it was dark medicine soup again. Although it was a little lighter in color than the bowl last night, the bitterness still hit her nose.

"This is a morning remedy; it's not bitter because it contains licorice," Gu Qiangying said, looking at her. "Drink it while it's hot."

Licorice...

Lin Qingqing made a face and took a small sip of tea.

It wasn't as bitter as last night; it even had a slightly sweet aftertaste.

"Come find me in the east room after you finish drinking." Gu Qiangying said, and without waiting for her reaction, turned and left. "Since your elder brother has agreed, from today onwards, you will follow me to learn medicine."

Jiang He stood to the side carrying a bucket of pig feed, watching Gu Qiangying's back, and curled his lip.

"I give up," he muttered under his breath, then turned to Lin Qingqing and winked, "Sister, if Third Brother yells at you, just call me. I'll unleash a pig to bite him!"

Lin Qingqing was amused by him, finished her medicine in a few gulps, washed the teacup clean, and walked towards the east room.

In the east wing was Gu Qiangying's simple little pharmacy.

Along the wall was a row of dark brown medicine cabinets, covered with dense labels. The air was filled with a pleasant herbal scent, mixed with a faint smell of ink.

Gu Qiangying was sitting at the table, holding a pen and writing something on a piece of paper.

He rolled up his sleeves to his elbows, revealing his well-defined forearms. Sunlight bathed him, giving him a golden glow, making him look clean and refined.

If you don't think about how he was last night, Gu Qiangying now really does look like a good doctor who is dedicated to saving lives.

"Come here." Gu Qiangying put down her pen. "Close the door."

Lin Qingqing moved over, sat down, and placed her hands properly on her knees.

"If you're going to learn, you have to follow the rules." Gu Qiangying turned to the side, scrutinizing her closely. "I don't take on slow learners, nor do I take on those who give up halfway. Although I will teach you, you can't be afraid of hardship or fatigue."

"I'm not afraid." Lin Qingqing raised her head to meet his gaze. "As long as Third Brother is willing to teach, I'm willing to learn."

Gu Qiangying stared at her for a while, then suddenly smiled, took out a thread-bound book from the drawer, and handed it to Lin Qingqing.

"I have three days to memorize this book, 'The Book of Soup Ingredients'."

Lin Qingqing took the book, opened it, and looked at it. It was full of obscure and difficult-to-understand formulas.

"What? You think it's too difficult?" Gu Qiangying raised an eyebrow.

"I don't mind." Lin Qingqing hugged the book to her arms. "I'll memorize it."

"Okay." Gu Qiangying stood up, walked to the medicine cabinet, pulled open a small drawer, grabbed a handful of dried grass roots, and placed them on the table. "What's this?"

Lin Qingqing leaned closer to take a look, then shook her head: "I don't recognize it."

"This is Bupleurum chinense." Gu Qiangying picked up a root and handed it to her. "Smell it."

Lin Qingqing took it and brought it to her nose to smell it.

It has a faint earthy smell and a slightly bitter taste.

"Remember, Bupleurum soothes the liver, relieves depression, and raises Yang energy." Gu Qiangying gently tapped the back of her hand with her finger. "Your body is burdened by emotional distress, so you should use this herb more often."

His fingertips were slightly cool, and the moment she touched them, Lin Qingqing instinctively wanted to pull her hand away.

Gu Qiangying, however, grabbed her wrist with his own.

"Why are you running?" He lowered his voice and leaned forward slightly. "Taking the pulse is a basic skill. Your pulse is thin and weak, a typical sign of deficiency of both qi and blood. Feel it yourself."

As he spoke, he took Lin Qingqing's hand and pressed it against her wrist to feel her pulse.

His fingers overlapped hers, guiding her to find the pulsating point.

"Can you feel it?"

Lin Qingqing couldn't feel her pulse at all; she could only hear her own heart pounding like thunder.

"Third...Third Brother, that's a bit fast," she stammered.

"What's a little fast?" Gu Qiang asked knowingly, a smile playing on his lips. "Is it your pulse, or your heartbeat?"

"Focus your attention; the worst thing you can do when studying medicine is to be impatient and restless."

Just then, a loud crash suddenly came from the courtyard, followed by Jiang He's furious roar:

"Li Laosi! Are you blind?! That's my pig feed bucket! You knocked it over!"

Then came Li Dongye's nonchalant voice: "Oh, sorry, sorry, I just got back and didn't see clearly. Hey Xiao Wu, what's that smell coming from all over the yard? Did we turn our house into a pig farm?"

Gu Qiangying frowned slightly and released Lin Qingqing's hand.

He straightened up, straightened his cuffs, and said, "Dongye is back. You go study first, I'll go check on things."

……

Out!

I'll be keeping things quiet for the next few days, so it might be a bit plain, but I'll still appreciate your continued updates. Thank you, my darlings!

I'll figure out a solution later.