CHAPTER 56: CHAPTER 52: LI FAMILY KEEPS THE MEAL

"This is cinnamon, which can induce sweating to relieve muscle tension, warm the meridians and activate the pulse, assist yang energy in transforming into qi, dispel cold, and alleviate pain. Look, its surface is reddish-brown to brown, with vertical striations, fine wrinkles, and small knot-like leaf scars, branch scars, and bud scars, with dot-like lenticels, hard and brittle texture, easy to break. These have been processed for several days, almost ready after another day of drying."

Gu Chengyu was a bit puzzled. The medical books from his previous life clearly stated that cinnamon grew in the south, but since Jingyuan Prefecture belonged to the Northern area, how could cinnamon be abundant here?

Doctor Li continued by pointing to the herb next to it, "This is ephedra, warm in nature, with a pungent, slightly bitter taste, effective in inducing sweating to dispel cold, promoting lung ventilation and relieving asthma, reducing water retention and swelling, treating symptoms like cold-induced common cold, chest congestion, wheezing, and swelling. Next, Doctor Li introduced several more herbs, all commonly used. Although Gu Chengyu recognized them, the illustrations in books were not as accurate as real objects, and ancient paintings focused on artistic conception over realism, making them quite abstract. Listening to Doctor Li’s detailed explanations this time, Gu Chengyu learned a lot."

"Of course, some herbs can be used in combination to effectively treat respective ailments, while others cannot be combined due to antagonistic properties..." Doctor Li saw that Gu Chengyu was listening attentively, asking questions and drawing inferences, which made him teach with more enthusiasm. In this way, one taught carefully, another learned seriously, neither noticed the passage of time until Mrs. Yao came to call for dinner, and they reluctantly stopped.

"Alright, master, the meal is ready, quickly call Xiao Bao to eat! Don’t keep fiddling with your treasures, the child might be hungry long ago." Actually, Mrs. Yao had been watching from the side for a while, rarely seeing Doctor Li in such high spirits, she was pleased but didn’t want to interrupt.

"Look at me, lost track of time, alright, let’s stop here! I see you’re quite interested in herbs. What I just taught you, if forgotten or unclear, you can always ask me. In the future, just come over, I will teach you whenever I’m home. How much can you remember of what I’ve said today?" Doctor Li was momentarily inspired, curious to see how much Gu Chengyu could recall, though he didn’t expect much. After all, a five-year-old child would find pharmacological knowledge rather obscure and difficult to grasp, with many similarities, and still need to remember the interactions and contraindications with other herbs and principles. Although only seven or eight types of herbs were drying there, his explanations also included many not present. But even if not remembered, as long as he listened carefully, Doctor Li’s efforts would not be in vain.

"Uncle Li, I’ve memorized it all. If I want to ask about others in the future, can I still come to you?" Gu Chengyu had already meticulously studied the Herb Atlas regarding these herbs through his memory space, and thanks to his photographic memory skill, he remembered it all clearly. However, the medical books did not list in detail which herbs combined could treat which ailments, nor the detailed explanations of antagonistic herbs, likely discussed in other medical books and prescriptions. After Doctor Li’s detailed teaching, he now remembered it all.

"What? You really memorized it all? Don’t deceive Uncle Li, a child who lies is not a good child." Doctor Li was incredulous, looking at Gu Chengyu with sharp eyes; lying to look good would not bode well for character.

"I really memorized it all, if you don’t believe me, I can recite it for you?" Gu Chengyu thought that since he planned to take the imperial exams later on, with his photographic memory skill, keeping a low profile wouldn’t be feasible, so he might as well be high-profile, perhaps gaining more opportunities in the future.

"Hmm! Since you’re so confident, then recite it for me, in the order I introduced the herbs to you." Doctor Li still couldn’t believe someone could recount so much information in such a short time.

Gu Chengyu pointed to the herbs drying in the courtyard and recited Doctor Li’s words verbatim, including his own understanding and analysis, speaking with clarity and coherence.

Initially, Doctor Li was shocked and surprised, but as he continued listening, he became increasingly satisfied, stroking his beard and nodding. "Hmm! I thought you were just a boastful child, liking to show off, but you really could recite it all; it was wrong of me to doubt you like that, don’t take it to heart." Doctor Li could see that this Gu Family’s fifth child was not like ordinary children, sometimes appearing as stable as an adult, with some tact in dealing with people, though still young and in need of tempering, thus not to be viewed as an ordinary child. More intriguing to Doctor Li was how Gu Chengyu could memorize all the pharmacological knowledge he taught, which included many herbs not commonly used. Could it be that some people are inherently gifted in certain things? Or could it be that he can memorize anything after hearing it once? Doctor Li couldn’t help but admire; this child indeed had talent.

Gu Chengyu appreciated that Doctor Li would even apologize to a child, showcasing his upright character, further solidifying his impression.

"Hmm, you indeed seem to have a knack for herbs. If there’s more you want to know, feel free to come find me. Come on, let’s eat first." Doctor Li suppressed the excitement in his heart and went towards the dining hall separated by the main room first.

The Li Family’s meals didn’t become more sumptuous due to Gu Chengyu’s visit, but it was clear they put thought into them. Only three dishes were on the table, served on coarse ceramic plates, unlike the large porcelain bowls of the Gu Family, which were frequently used for everything, from drinking to eating and serving.

There was a plate of cucumbers, vibrant and mouth-watering; next was stir-fried cabbage with meat, and also braised tofu, with a main dish of mixed grain rice, consisting of whole grains mixed with some beans. Surprisingly, there was a meat dish as well; it’s unclear if they usually ate this way or prepared it specially for his visit. The Gu Family always had black mush and cornmeal buns, with more wheat flour foods and seldom dry grains, let alone whole grains; in his five years there, this was the first time he saw them.

Originally, Gu Chengyu planned to eat once he returned, but when mealtime came, Doctor Li certainly wouldn’t let him leave, appearing impolite. He decided it would be better to stay, and later when honeysuckle was ready, give them more to make up for it. With this decision made, Gu Chengyu stopped hesitating.

"Xiao Bao, don’t be shy at Uncle Li’s house, dig in! Your aunt’s dishes taste quite good, you should try them." The Li Family had no rule against speaking at meals, and Doctor Li, while talking, used his chopsticks to serve Gu Chengyu some meat dish first.

Gu Chengyu quickly thanked him. Mrs. Yao watched him eat for a while, noticing his refined manners, not specifically picking meat dishes, not picky, not eating too slowly nor messily, without loud noises, then smiled and looked away, coincidentally meeting Doctor Li’s gaze. Feeling Mrs. Yao’s attention, Gu Chengyu noticed Mrs. Yao warmed up significantly afterwards. Gu Chengyu’s sweet-talking nature shone as he praised the deliciousness of her cooking, using playful charm and witty remarks, utterly delighting Mrs. Yao, who kept serving Gu Chengyu food.

The meal concluded amid the joyful conversation of all three. Gu Chengyu, full and satisfied, prepared to head back. Having made a remarkable impression, the results were very pleasing; however, everything should be in moderation.