TTLJDFL Chapter 48

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After finishing their meal, Chen Xiran asked Li Jin a few more questions before heading home.

Li Jin never considered himself a teacher—he and Chen Xiran were progressing at the same pace. If Chen Xiran had questions, he usually had the same ones.

But Li Jin would first think it through on his own. If he couldn’t figure it out, he could always check the annotations in Mr. Song’s study.

Chen Xiran, however, disliked looking up answers in books and preferred to ask Li Jin directly.

Whenever Mr. Song scolded him, Chen Xiran would become temporarily motivated and ask more questions.

But once Mr. Song wasn’t watching, he would shamelessly slack off again.

At first, when Chen Xiran saw Li Jin improving, he felt inspired and determined to work just as hard.

But over time… Li Jin improved little by little every day. After several months, the gap had widened so much that Chen Xiran gradually accepted the fact that he couldn’t catch up.

After Chen Xiran left, Zhou Gui noticed there were no patients at the moment.

He washed the dishes, then came over to help Li Jin and casually remarked, “Doctor Li, you’re really good at studying too.”

Even that young master had questions he didn’t know and had to ask Doctor Li!

Li Jin, while organizing medicinal prescriptions, raised an eyebrow and replied, “I’m just a little more diligent than Brother Chen.”

In the bright clinic hall, with the slightly dimmer, deep red medicine cabinets in the background, a young man stood dressed in a dark blue robe. His hair was tied up simply with a matching silk ribbon—his attire was modest, but it couldn’t hide the striking sharpness in his features.

He was seen weighing medicine with a steelyard while raising an eyebrow and speaking to the apprentice beside him.

It was clearly an ordinary scene, yet the visitor found it impossible to look away.

The first patient to arrive that afternoon was surnamed Huang—Huang Yiling. He was a student of Scholar Huang and a member of his clan, preparing to take the children's exam in February next year.

Now that August had already passed its midpoint, Scholar Huang reminded him to visit the medical clinic for a check-up and to get some tonic prescriptions to strengthen his body.

Although Huang Yiling was from a farming family, he had been intelligent since childhood and had two older brothers. As a result, he had never done farm work.

His physique was somewhat weak.

Next year’s county examination happened to be in February. While it wasn’t the coldest time of the year, it wasn’t far from it either.

One must know that, to prevent cheating, examinees were only allowed to wear a single thinly padded jacket during the exam—how could that possibly keep them warm?

Thus, Scholar Huang had him visit the clinic early to fortify his health.

After checking his pulse, Li Jin said, “Your body is not in serious trouble.”

Huang Yiling, who was around the same age as Li Jin, smiled bitterly at these words. “My elders at home were worried and asked me to seek medical advice.”

Hearing this, Li Jin replied, “Medicine is three parts poison. Your constitution is only slightly weak. More exercise would be far more effective than taking a few doses of decoction.”

Upon hearing this, Huang Yiling couldn’t help but feel a bit more fondness for the young doctor.

Every winter, his family would urge him to buy medicine, and the doctors would prescribe various tonics, but they never had much effect.

He thought this time would be the same—just bringing home another batch of ineffective medicine.

After all, it was mostly for peace of mind, both for his family and himself.

Unexpectedly, this young doctor directly told him he didn’t need medicine, only exercise.

Huang Yiling blinked. “I understand your reasoning, doctor. But taking medicine is just to reassure my elders.”

Li Jin was a little helpless but still picked up a brush and wrote a prescription, adding one more ingredient—Isatis root.

(T/N: Isatis root-a traditional Chinese medicine ingredient derived from the Isatis plant, which is also used to make indigo dye. )

The season was changing, and the temperature fluctuated. He figured it could help prevent colds.

Zhou Gui wrapped up the herbs and handed them to Huang Yiling.

“Here’s your medicine. Take care.”

Huang Yiling lived in the side room of Scholar Huang’s house.

Scholar Huang, to him, could be considered either a distant uncle or a direct one, as he was his father’s younger brother.

Back then, Scholar Huang was able to study because his elder brother had taken on all the farm work alone.

Even now, Scholar Huang still frequently mentioned how his elder brother had taken care of him when he went to the county to take the imperial exam—he was a deeply sentimental person.

Because of this, when he noticed Huang Yiling’s talent for studying, he took him under his wing and personally taught him.

Huang Yiling carried the herbal medicine home, recalling what the young doctor had said about medicine being three parts poison. He set it on the table without taking it.

That evening, Scholar Huang brought up the matter again.

“Yiling, have you taken your medicine?”

Huang Yiling quickly admitted his fault. “I’ll go decoct it now.”

Scholar Huang said, “You’ve had a weak constitution since childhood. You must take care of yourself.”

In ancient times, people instinctively believed that weakness meant taking medicine. As for exercise? Sorry, there was no time for that.

Children from prestigious families might receive more attention regarding their physical well-being, but for poor scholars, they wished they had more time in a day to study.

Not daring to refute his teacher, Huang Yiling went ahead and prepared the medicine. He continued drinking it for several days.

Coincidentally, right after the Mid-Autumn Festival, the temperature dropped sharply, and several of Scholar Huang’s students caught colds due to inadequate clothing.

In past years, if someone caught a cold, Huang Yiling would inevitably get sick too.

But this year, while most students in the house had fallen ill, only Huang Yiling and a few physically strong ones remained unaffected.

Scholar Huang was amazed by this and inquired about the doctor’s clinic, planning to visit when he had time.

Huang Yiling himself was stunned—the young doctor never said this medicine could strengthen the body!

The doctor had outright claimed medicine wouldn’t work!

But this was something he would never dare say to Scholar Huang. All he could do was smile awkwardly and say, “That doctor is truly skilled.”

A few more days passed, and even the two robust students couldn’t hold out any longer. They took leave to go home and take medicine.

Huang Yiling became the only student still attending classes.

At this point, he had no choice but to be convinced—

That young doctor was practically a miracle doctor!

Thinking back to the first time he saw the doctor, he remembered the young man holding a steelyard, standing tall with a refined and steady demeanor. Yet, with a mere lift of his brow, he exuded youthful vitality.

Inspired, he picked up his brush and created a painting.

If he ever had the chance to meet the doctor again, he would give this painting as a token of gratitude.

Unlike most farm-born scholars, Huang Yiling had an uncle guiding him, allowing him to start learning early and gain broad exposure.

He knew how to paint, write poetry, play pitch-pot, and even kickball—activities that refined scholars used to pass the time.

So, his painting far surpassed Li Jin’s simple sketches in quality.

——

Li Jin had no idea about any of this. When he prescribed the medicine, it was simply because he sensed the seasonal transition and, from past experience, preferred to be prepared.

That was why he added an extra herb.

When he got home, he found a basket of cotton placed beneath his windowsill.

A young boy stood by the bed, measuring a piece of blue-gray fabric with his fingers.

His eyebrows were filled with joy, and then, as if he had thought of something, a happy curve appeared at the corner of his lips.

Li Jin deliberately lightened his footsteps, and only then did the boy suddenly turn around, his smile still lingering.

“Ah Jin! The fabric that Sister-in-law Daniu dyed is ready. The color looks great.”

Li Jin nodded and took a step forward, ruffling his hair.

Qin Muwen said, “I want to sew clothes for you.”

These past days, Li Jin felt his physical training was sufficient. He didn’t need to develop thick, powerful muscles.

But as a man who takes pride in his physique, abs and chest muscles are essential, and the streamlined muscles on his arms are gradually taking shape.

Li Jin closed the door and said, "Shall we measure now?"

Qin Muwen exchanged a glance with Li Jin, then took the initiative to step forward and help untie the complex layers of Li Jin's waist belt.

Li Jin stood still, only slightly spreading his arms, as if surrendering control of his body to the young man.

He originally disliked troubling others with dressing and grooming, but when it was the young man doing it, he felt quite happy.

The belt was pulled away and hung on the bedpost, followed by the intricate frog buttons. When Li Jin first transmigrated, he found these fastenings quite inconvenient, but now he had become adept at wearing them.

The young man’s movements were gentle, but when he undid the buttons at the collar, his hands inevitably brushed against Li Jin’s jaw and neck.

The warmth of his hand skimmed over Li Jin’s Adam’s apple, making the young man flinch slightly. His fingertips trembled, but he still managed to remove the outer robe.

Undressing the inner garments was much simpler—they were just tied with ribbons, and a single pull was enough to undo them.

Li Jin remained silent, standing there and watching as the young man carefully undressed him.

His gaze darkened slightly, restraining the rising desire within him, maintaining the composure of a gentleman as he let the young man proceed.

Once the inner garments were removed, Li Jin’s well-toned upper body was revealed, showing the results of his training.

The young man’s slightly upturned almond eyes widened for a moment, but he tried his best to remain calm.

It had been a long time since Qin Muwen last saw Li Jin bare-chested in front of him. The once-thin chest with visible ribs had transformed into a firm, muscular torso, with the faint outline of abs on his abdomen.

Qin Muwen took off his shoes and stood on the bed, reaching out to measure Li Jin’s shoulders with his hands.

Next came his arms, waist, body length, and leg length.

After recording the final measurement, Li Jin pulled him into his arms. After a lingering kiss, he put on his robe and left the room.

Qin Muwen sat on the edge of the bed, his eyes tinged with red and his legs trembling slightly.

Hearing the sound of water outside, he figured Li Jin was taking a bath.

He wasn’t inexperienced—when Li Jin held him just now, he could clearly feel the reaction against him. If… if Li Jin wanted it, he was certainly willing.

But Li Jin didn’t push any further. In fact, before leaving, he had even tidied up Qin Muwen’s collar and patted his cheek.

After bathing, Li Jin went to the vegetable garden to pick some cucumbers and water the plants before returning to the house.

The young man had already prepared dinner and fed their child.

When Li Jin sat at the table, Qin Muwen served him rice first, acting as if nothing had changed, but the redness at the tips of his ears betrayed his emotions.

After dinner, Li Jin held back for a while, but in the end, he couldn’t resist.

So, he said, "Want to bathe together?"

He had just taken a cold shower, but washing again wouldn’t hurt.

Qin Muwen’s eyes widened, his breath hitching in shock, utterly dumbfounded.

That night, Li Jin uncharacteristically skipped his studies. However, he made sure to wake up early the next morning to make up for the calligraphy practice he had missed.

He also prepared breakfast. Before leaving, he noticed the marks on the young man’s shoulder and kissed his lips, his fingertips pressing lightly over the marks.

Qin Muwen, still sensitive after childbirth, trembled under his touch, tears welling up in his eyes.

Li Jin stood up. "I won’t tease you anymore. Rest well today."

Qin Muwen obediently responded, "Mm."

Li Jin then asked, "Can you still walk? Should I ask Xiao An to look after you?"

Qin Muwen quickly shook his head. How could he possibly let someone else find out about this?!

"I’m fine."

T/N: Thank you for the support lulu❤️❤️❤️

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