"Fei’Er, how are you doing? Can you manage?" A cup of hot ginger black tea was handed to Ji Fei’Er, accompanied by a concerned inquiry.

"I’m fine, much better now than before..." Ji Fei’Er reached out to take the black tea and drank it in one gulp, then smiled slightly.

It really was like that.

In the past, the pain was unbearable, otherwise, she wouldn’t have been so determined to seek treatment. Now the pain was much milder.

And it only lasted for a short while, unlike before when it felt like a knife twisting.

"I’ll get a hand warmer for you." Although Yue Mei’Er didn’t have these issues, she still knew some remedies.

Women experience a lot of discomfort when it’s that time of the month, she used to as well, but it’s much better now.

"Thank you."

The warm copper heater was taken over, wrapped in a towel, and placed below the abdomen. Ji Fei’Er immediately felt much better upon feeling the heat.

"Fei’Er, get some rest, call me if you need anything." Yue Mei’Er said, getting up.

"Okay." Ji Fei’Er nodded.

...

Lin Miao came out of Shanglin Temple and discovered hawthorn fruit for sale inside, which reminded him of a certain delicacy.

The delicacy needed white sugar or rock sugar to make. As crystal sugar was so expensive, who would use it for making food?

Therefore, hawthorn snacks like this didn’t exist in this world.

Crystal sugar, unlike home shortages, was now available, alongside wild hawthorn fruit from a picking trip. He bought one and tasted it; its acidity was just right.

Because of its sourness, not many people liked it, so it wasn’t too expensive. Lin Miao ended up buying a large bag in one go.

He planned to go home and make candied hawthorn for his sisters to enjoy. Later, it could become a special snack sold at Furong Garden.

This hawthorn opened the appetite, with the sour fruit coated in sweet syrup, making it a delightful treat for both adults and children.

Crystal sugar was quite expensive, and not many could afford it.

Right now, Lin Miao wasn’t thinking of profiteering. He just wanted to make it for himself, after all, he wasn’t short of crystal sugar.

Making candied hawthorn was actually simple. In the past world, it was common to see candied hawthorn sellers in marketplaces, calling for customers alongside candy blowers—both attractive exploits for children.

Craftsmen relied on this to support their families.

The hawthorn fruit was washed and dried, strung using bamboo sticks, ready for use. For crystal sugar, the ratio to water was one to two, while with rock sugar, it was one to one.

A sand pot was found, with a small flame for the syrup. Depending on the quantity, more time was needed for larger amounts, while small quantities required only half an incense stick duration.

The strung hawthorn was quickly moved through the syrup and briefly cooled in cold water, creating a sweet and crispy taste. Alternatively, cooling could be omitted; as it was so cold, the syrup-covered fruit quickly cooled by itself post-cooking.

This batch of candied hawthorn came out vivid red, covered in a glistening layer of syrup, looking incredibly tempting.

"Yuzhu, make sure everyone in the residence gets to taste this new snack I made, called candied hawthorn," Lin Miao instructed.

"Thank you, sir," Yuzhu responded with joy.

"Xiaolian, did you learn the technique?" Lin Miao asked again, addressing Xiaolian, his assistant.

"Yes, sir, Xiaolian has learned it," Xiaolian replied with excited nods.

"Alright, henceforth, you’ll be responsible for candied hawthorn creation. Teach Furong Garden sisters this method, encouraging them to try making it for sale as a new product, priced at their discretion—just avoid losses."

"Yes, sir."

Lin Miao removed his apron, grasping four candied hawthorn sticks in one hand, while holding one in his mouth as he exited the kitchen, heading toward his study.

By now, his senior sister should be there transcribing medical books.

His sister didn’t have many hobbies, aside from medical book transcription and herb research; despite her beauty, combined with occasional brilliance, finding a match would be challenging otherwise.

"Liansuo!" In the yard, Liansuo was practicing swordsmanship when she turned around to see a red object flying toward her. She caught the bamboo stick’s end with a swift motion.

Lin Miao bit into a piece, giving her a demonstration.

"Delicious."

Liansuo’s eyebrows gleefully curved as she mimicked, biting into a sour hawthorn that quickly filled her mouth with sweet and sour tastes.

She’d never experienced such a flavor, yet it was definitely tasty.

Upon entering, Lianxin was seated on the couch, with elbows propped on the desk, and the charcoal basin burning brightly, warming the room like spring.

This was a shared space.

Lianxin was outside, while Lin Miao’s study was within.

However, during Lin Miao’s absence, Sun Youwei usually used the study; it was shared exclusively between them.

No others were allowed, even if Lianxin only gained entry upon Lin Miao’s approval.

"For you, tanghulu." Lin Miao handed Lianxin a stick of tanghulu, showed him how to eat it, and then stepped inside.

"What are you painting?" Sun Youwei was deeply concentrated on her painting when Lin Miao suddenly appeared behind her. The unexpected arrival startled her, causing the brush in her hand to tremble, nearly spilling ink onto the paper.

"Junior Brother, you came in without a sound..." Sun Youwei set down the brush, scolding lightly.

"You were too focused. I came in and spoke to Lianxin, but you didn’t hear a thing."

"I was negligent."

"Is this the scene of Ruan Qingsi performing on stage that day?" Lin Miao asked, surprised to see Ruan Qingsi captured in Sun Youwei’s painting.

"With nothing else to do, I wanted to capture the most captivating moment of Ruan Qingsi’s performance on stage," Sun Youwei said. "Junior Brother, how do you think I did?"

"Not bad, very lifelike. This is that ruined princess meeting the scholar for the first time, right?" Lin Miao took a closer look and recognized it.

"Yes, I thought Princess Anhui was too pitiful. From a young age, she wandered from place to place. She finally grew up, only to meet someone like Song Sheng, a heartless man. In the end, she was forced to jump into the river and take her life. So tragic," Sun Youwei said.

"Once a woman becomes deeply affectionate, the chances of meeting a good match are slim. Since ancient times, beauty often leads to a tragic fate," Lin Miao sighed.

"Since ancient times, beauty often leads to a tragic fate. Junior Brother, you put it well."

"Don’t worry, Senior Sister, although I have a wandering heart, I am not a heartless person. I will certainly treat you well." Lin Miao placed the tanghulu into her hand. "Senior Sister, have some tanghulu. I just made it."

"Tanghulu, what is it?"

"These are hawthorns, very sour. I don’t eat them..."

"Try it. This preparation of hawthorn is surely delicious," Lin Miao pleaded.

"Really?" Sun Youwei couldn’t resist Lin Miao’s gaze, so she took a small bite. Initially sweet, followed by sour, the taste blended together in her mouth, much like her current mood.

"Junior Brother, what gave you the idea to make this?"

"It was a sudden inspiration. How is it? Delicious, right? If this were sold, do you think anyone would buy it?" Lin Miao chuckled.

"Someone would probably buy it. Kids might like it."

"Senior Sister, I plan to set out for Li Hen City tomorrow. Pack up tonight." Having conveyed what needed to be said, it was time to make a trip to Li Hen City. Si Miaoxue had already urged several times.

The silk house’s selection of a suitor had yet to be announced. Although Baili Bingyun stated that Baili Yuyao’s husband would be chosen from Zhuang Cheng, Shen An, and Lin Bei (Si Miaoxue),

the delay in results had caused Zhuang Rong and the Green Blade Sect to grow impatient. Only Lin Bei, disguised as Si Miaoxue, remained unperturbed.

Zhuang Rong’s son, Zhuang Cheng, and the Green Blade Sect leader’s son, Shen An, occupied first and second positions in the martial arts competition, competing fiercely.

If Lin Bei had been announced as the chosen one from the outset, it wouldn’t have been a big issue, resulting in only minor discord within the silk house.

But now, with Zhuang Cheng and Shen An fiercely targeting each other, Lin Bei’s elusive third position would likely cause considerable unrest if Baili Bingyun indeed announced the choice of Lin Bei.

Once the suitor selection is announced, the next step is engagement.

In terms of engagement, Si Miaoxue cannot substitute Lin Miao. The silk house requires proof of identity, and Si Miaoxue’s female identity won’t pass muster.

If Lin Miao doesn’t go over, the play can’t conclude.

"Leaving tomorrow?" Sun Youwei asked, surprised.

"What’s the matter, is there a problem?"

"Xu An, Mr. Xu came today. You weren’t home, but he spoke to me about Qixi." Sun Youwei remarked.

"Xu Qixi, what did Mr. Xu say?"

"Naturally, it’s about Qixi’s marriage. Mr. Xu mentioned that if you’re not interested, you should tell Xu Jiaming. The Xu Family will ensure Qixi doesn’t get too close to you. Qixi will eventually marry, and if her reputation suffers, how will she find a good match in the future?"

"What did you say, Senior Sister?"

"I told him I haven’t married you yet, so it’s not my place to decide. But I do like having Qixi as a younger sister. I didn’t say much more." Sun Youwei explained. If she and Lin Miao were married, if she was truly a matron in the Lin Family, she could say more. But as it stands, she couldn’t and shouldn’t say much.

"If I truly took Xu Qixi as a concubine, would the Xu Family accept it?" Lin Miao pondered this issue. After all, the Xu Family wasn’t a small household, and Xu Qixi wasn’t some side branch. She was the legitimate daughter of the Xu Family’s patriarch. Who would give their legitimate daughter as someone else’s concubine?

Except in dire circumstances, any family doing so invites ridicule from outsiders.

"If you were your former self, the Xu Family probably wouldn’t consider it. But now that you’re a sixth-rank official appointed by the court and hold the position of Deputy Registrar at the Dongshan Prefecture Medical Bureau, who knows what heights you might achieve in the future? While some may look down on you now, in the future, it might change, leaving others envious!" Sun Youwei chuckled.

"Senior Sister, you’ve changed too."

"Junior Brother, Senior Sister knows that any woman appearing by your side ultimately won’t be able to escape." Sun Youwei remarked.

"Nonsense, not just any woman can enter our family. Without Senior Sister’s approval, I wouldn’t randomly let anyone in."

"What if I oppose Xu Qixi entering?" Sun Youwei suddenly looked up at Lin Miao and asked.

"Then tell Xu Jiaming that Xu Qixi is not allowed to even set foot through our door, and she needn’t come to Anning Hall to assist either." Lin Miao replied without hesitation.

"Junior Brother, you really are ruthless!"

"Better to cut to the chase than drag it out. If Senior Sister doesn’t like it, I’d never make her unhappy."