At the same time, the yellowed medical book in Bai Liuyue's arms fell to the ground at just the right moment.
The two bent down to pick it up simultaneously.
Their fingertips brushed against each other accidentally.
It felt so hot that Gu Qinghuai quickly withdrew his hand, even stumbling back two steps in a panic, pretending to be busy by pushing up his gold-rimmed glasses.
He wanted to say something to ease the awkwardness.
"Um, you also read the Corrected Introduction to Medicine."
"Mhm."
Bai Liuyue picked up the medical book, holding it with both hands in front of her, her clear eyes blinking.
"Are you a doctor?"
Her tone was full of curiosity.
Gu Qinghuai nodded repeatedly. He caught a glimpse of the young woman's beautiful face from the corner of his eye and quickly looked away.
"Yes, and you are...?"
"Oh, I'm Bai Liuyue, Bai Baozhu's cousin."
For some reason, a trace of regret rose in Gu Qinghuai's heart.
Bai Baozhu's cousin.
Wouldn't that mean she would soon be the new young Madam of the Marshal's estate?
"Hello, I am the family doctor of the Marshal's estate, Gu Qinghuai."
Both of them seemed to have introverted personalities.
After introducing their names and backgrounds, they fell into silence.
Bai Liuyue pursed her lips, looking a bit nervous, but still gathered the courage to ask:
"Um... is my cousin alright? She fainted just now."
Gu Qinghuai looked at her blinking eyes, which fluttered like butterfly wings.
They were incredibly beautiful.
He absentmindedly replied, "Yes, she's better."
After saying that, he felt it wasn't very professional and quickly added:
"She is suffering from a deficiency of Qi and blood caused by a psychological burden. I prescribed a few doses of Qi-boosting medicine for her."
"Could I take a look?" Bai Liuyue extended a section of her fair wrist, her fingertips round and pretty.
Tilting her head, she met Gu Qinghuai's probing gaze.
Without the slightest panic, she said:
"I'm studying medical books on my own and have written some prescriptions for myself, but I don't know if the dosages are appropriate... I want to see the difference."
Gu Qinghuai raised his eyes, glanced at her fleetingly, and quickly lowered them.
"I gave the prescription to Nanny Wu, but I can recite it for you."
"Okay." Bai Liuyue withdrew her hand and stared at him with great patience.
Under the young woman's focused and expectant gaze.
Gu Qinghuai's Adam's apple bobbed slightly before he spoke at a steady pace:
"I prescribed the Lichong Decoction from the Records of Heartfelt Medicine Combining Chinese and Western Methods."
"9 grams of raw astragalus, 6 grams of codonopsis, 6 grams of white atractylodes, 15 grams of raw Chinese yam, 12 grams of snakegourd root, 12 grams of anemarrhena, 9 grams of bur-reed tuber, 9 grams of zedoary rhizome, and 9 grams of raw chicken gizzard lining."
"Boil with three cups of water. When it is almost ready, add a little high-quality vinegar, let it come to a rolling boil a few times, and then it is ready to be taken."
(Author's Note: The prescription is sourced from the internet. Please discern carefully. For taking traditional Chinese medicine, you should consult an experienced practitioner. Do not self-medicate.)
Bai Liuyue listened with absolute concentration.
She did not interrupt.
It wasn't until Gu Qinghuai finished that she nodded thoughtfully.
Suddenly she asked, "Doctor Gu, did you check my cousin's pulse?"
This question caught him off guard.
"I did not."
"The young Madam said that men and women should keep their distance, so she wouldn't let me take her pulse."
Bai Liuyue's tone carried a hint of smugness as she said:
"No wonder. If you didn't take her pulse, how dare you prescribe these dosages? Aren't you afraid that her weak body won't be able to handle such strong tonics?"
Gu Qinghuai looked as if he were receiving a lesson.
Bai Liuyue's voice then sounded soft and slow:
"My cousin was born prematurely. She has been frail since childhood, and when she was young, our family used ginseng soup to nourish her."
"It wasn't until she grew older and her bones toughened up that her constitution gradually improved."
"Therefore, the bur-reed tuber and zedoary rhizome should be removed from the prescription you just gave, and the chicken gizzard lining should be changed to 12 grams. What do you think, Doctor Gu?"
The young woman had been shy and reserved all along, but when she said this, her eyes shone with a confident and radiant light.
Her almond-shaped eyes tilted up slightly. Her eyes were clearly pure and flawless, yet the upward curve naturally carried a hint of allure that even she herself hadn't noticed.
Gu Qinghuai was slightly dazed, recovering his senses a moment later.
Like a child who had made a mistake, he quickly lowered his head, pondering over her words.
When he raised his head again, he revealed an excited expression.
"Yes, that's it."
"Did you really learn traditional Chinese medicine all by yourself?"
Bai Liuyue hummed in agreement, and then smiled shyly, saying:
"You must have heard of the second branch of our Bai family outside. My mother never allows women to read miscellaneous books, let alone medical books."
"So."
She lowered her voice and leaned in slightly, like a smug little kitten raising its tail.
She said triumphantly:
"I learned it all secretly when she wasn't paying attention."
Her expression seemed to say, Aren't I amazing?
Gu Qinghuai's Adam's apple bobbed. He pushed up his gold-rimmed glasses and praised generously:
"Second Miss Bai is truly impressive."
"I've studied traditional Chinese medicine since childhood, yet I don't have your talent."
"If you're interested, you can come and visit the Gu family pharmacy in the city anytime."
Bai Liuyue had been extremely proud just a moment ago, but upon hearing his earnest praise, her cheeks instantly flushed with shyness, and she covered her face.
Smack. She turned around.
She nearly bumped into the door panel.
Fortunately, a broad hand appeared out of nowhere, blocking her forehead.
Following closely was a sharp gust of wind carrying a faint scent of mint that swept over her nose.
"B-Brother-in-law."
Looking at the man who had suddenly appeared, Bai Liuyue was stunned.
"Mhm." Xie Chengxiao responded, his tone cold.
He looked extremely impatient.
Gu Qinghuai was also startled by the sudden appearance of young Marshal Xie. When did he show up? Could it be that he had been hiding in the shadows while they were talking?
"Young Marshal Xie." Gu Qinghuai nodded slightly.
Only then did Xie Chengxiao spare him a glance, saying:
"Thank you for your hard work, Doctor Gu. You may leave after seeing the patient."
"Little... Second Miss Bai is a guest of our Xie estate. We will entertain her ourselves."
The implication was that he didn't want Bai Liuyue to go to the Gu family pharmacy.
Gu Qinghuai was always a man who knew his boundaries and limits. If he hadn't truly felt that this Second Miss Bai was a talented person, and out of appreciation for her talent, he wouldn't have...
Then he thought of the future relationship between this young Marshal and the Second Miss Bai standing before him.
It made sense.
After all, he was an unrelated man, he couldn't... Gu Qinghuai extinguished the trace of romantic fantasy that had surfaced in his heart.
He nodded slowly and said:
"I was just leaving. The young Madam's prescription has already been given to Nanny Wu. If there's no effect after taking seven doses, you can call me over to take another look."
"Oh, right, please pass on the message, young Marshal, that there is a slight adjustment to the prescription. Remove the bur-reed tuber and zedoary rhizome, and use 12 grams of chicken gizzard lining instead."
After saying this, Gu Qinghuai raised his eyes again and gave Bai Liuyue a gentle and friendly smile.
Bai Liuyue was a little surprised and somewhat delighted.
She even stuttered a bit as she said:
"Doctor Gu, are you r-really going to use my improved version?"
"Yes, this version is excellent." Gu Qinghuai once again did not hold back his praise.
Bai Liuyue's almond eyes curved, sparkling like stars, and the dimples by her lips appeared.
Her radiant smile was almost blinding.
Gu Qinghuai found it hard to look away.
But his line of sight was suddenly blocked by Xie Chengxiao, who took a step forward. He extended a hand towards the staircase and said in a cold, stern tone:
"Thank you for your hard work, Doctor Gu. Have a safe trip back. After you—"
