After transmigrating, I became a stepmother.

"Don't worry, there are so many people in the family, what could possibly happen? Look, I've been running this restaurant for so long, has anything ever happened?" Lin Hao puffed out his cheeks, looking very confident.

"You are not afraid?"

"What's there to be afraid of? You're not afraid I'll ruin the restaurant, so what do I have to be afraid of?" Lin Hao said with a grin, looking relaxed and not at all worried or scared!

Seeing her like this, Gu Liunian felt much less pressure in his heart. At worst, he would have to wait another three years. He was actually less insightful than a young lady a few years younger than him!

He shook his head slightly. Indeed, one should never underestimate anyone around them!

"By the way, how much longer until your exam?" Lin Hao really didn't know the details of the imperial examination. All she knew was that the top three were the top scholar, the second-ranked scholar, and the third-ranked scholar, and there was an additional factor compared to the college entrance examination: looks!

"The imperial examination will be held next August."

"That means we only have one year left!" Lin Hao immediately became nervous.

"Ah."

"No, you need to go study. Don't worry about the academy, I'll take care of things at home!" With that, she pushed Gu Liunian toward the study.

Gu Liunian was both amused and exasperated by her hurried manner, but he didn't want to disappoint her, so he went to the study.

After seeing Gu Liunian off, Lin Hao was indeed tired and soon fell asleep.

When she woke up again, all her fatigue had disappeared.

Thinking about Gu Liunian's words before going to sleep, Lin Hao called Fu Cui over.

Do you know anything about medicinal cuisine?

"This servant only knows a little bit and is not an expert. Is Madam making medicinal cuisine?" Fu Cui told the truth and did not exaggerate her medical skills.

"That's the plan."

“If Madam only wants to do it occasionally, this servant can handle it. But if Madam wants to do it for a long time, this servant can recommend someone.” Fu Cui was serving Lin Hao at noon when they were talking. She had guessed Lin Hao’s thoughts and that’s why she said this.

"Oh, who is it?"

“The wife of Doctor Hua from Huichuntang in the north of the city.” Seeing Lin Hao’s puzzled expression, Fu Cui explained, “This Doctor Hua is an orphan. He was fortunate to be adopted by Madam Hua’s father when he was young, which is why he took the surname Hua and learned medical skills.”

"Madam Hua and Doctor Hua grew up together as childhood sweethearts and had a very good relationship. Later, Madam Hua's fiancé died of illness, and people insisted that Madam Hua was the jinx, which made no one dare to marry her. Finally, Doctor Hua stepped forward, and the two of them formed a happy marriage."

"Madam Hua has been learning medicine from her father since childhood, but due to her status as a woman, it is inconvenient for her to practice medicine. Therefore, she specializes in medicinal cuisine. So, if you want to find someone to teach you how to make medicinal cuisine, Madam Hua is the best choice!"

"How do you know all these things so clearly?" Lin Hao couldn't help but ask curiously.

"Because my father's medical skills were also taught by Doctor Hua. At that time, Doctor Hua saw that my father was eager to learn, so when he was teaching medical skills, he let him watch from the side and never drove him away. However, my father was poor and busy making a living, so he could not always stay by Doctor Hua's side, and his learning was limited!"

Lin Hao understood. This Doctor Hua was also Fu Cui's advisor, no wonder she knew so much about it.

"Alright, then please invite this Madam Hua! Since you two have such a connection, you may go and invite her!"

"Yes." Fu Cui turned and left.

Lin Hao then summoned the kitchen manager.

"Manager, I've called you here today because there are some things I need to tell you."

"Yes, Madam, please give your orders!" the steward replied respectfully.

"As you've probably heard, the master is preparing to continue his studies. We can't help with his studies, but we can do something about his daily diet."

Knowing the implied meaning from the song, the steward bowed to Lin Hao and said, "I will do my best to fulfill your orders, Madam!"

“Okay, that’s exactly what I wanted to hear from the steward. So, the daily meals must be a balanced mix of meat and vegetables, and not too oily. Also, add a nourishing soup for the master and madam.” Lin Hao shared her ideas.

The steward replied, "Does Madam have a list? I'd like to have someone prepare it accordingly."

"No rush. Once the doctor I've invited arrives, you and the cook can discuss it together and come up with a treatment plan. Make sure there are no mistakes!"

Upon hearing this, the steward understood that the lady was preparing a medicinal meal, and there were many intricacies involved. He quickly agreed.

Before long, Fu Cui led in a woman who looked to be in her early thirties. If Fu Cui hadn't mentioned it, she would have found it hard to believe that this Madam Hua was already over forty!

It seems her medicinal cuisine skills are truly excellent! She has a knack for maintaining her youthful appearance!

"Greetings, Madam!" The woman was neither humble nor arrogant, possessing a calm demeanor, and one could faintly smell the fragrance of medicine.

"Please sit down, Madam Hua. I invited you here today to ask you for some advice." Lin Hao's tone was gentle. She felt that if she didn't act composed in front of such a woman, she would appear presumptuous.

"Please ask, Madam, but there is one thing I must say first."

"You say!"

"Fu Cui just told me your thoughts. Firstly, I won't charge less money because of Fu Cui. Secondly, if you ask me for a medicinal diet recipe, then it must be the same price as a house call, and there's no room for bargaining!" Madam Hua's expression remained unchanged, but her tone suddenly became sharper!

"Of course. Sending Fu Cui there was just to let her see an old friend; there were no other intentions. As for the price, it will be according to your rules!"

Seeing that she did not change her expression because of her attitude, Madam Hua's expression softened and her tone became much gentler.

"What are your requirements, Madam?"

“My main concern is that my husband is studying for exams and I'm worried about his health, so I'd like some remedies to calm his mind, refresh his spirit, and strengthen his body. Also, my mother-in-law is getting older, so I'd like to see if she can take some supplements.”

Her request was quite reasonable, and Madam Hua was satisfied.

She had also met many ladies who talked about all sorts of difficult and complicated diseases, as if medicinal cuisine was more effective than decoctions, which was simply absurd!

This Mrs. Gu, despite her young age, is quite adept at handling interpersonal relationships!

"What you say is not a big problem, but we still need to choose a suitable prescription based on your constitutions. It would be best if we were familiar with your pulse diagnosis."

Lin Hao understood. "I'll trouble Madam Hua and me to go to my mother-in-law's courtyard to take her pulse."

"Of course!" Seeing that she was sensible, Madam Hua was naturally pleased.

Lin Hao led Madam Hua to Rongshou Hall, and did not forget to instruct Liu Dan to go to the study to inform Gu Liunian.

When the old lady heard the announcement that Lin Hao had arrived, she was still wondering why he was here again. Could it be that something had happened?