The moment Gu Qingyan heard the system notification, he was transported into a vast, white space. Before him appeared a man—none other than the old physician from the medical hall.

“To learn medicine, you must first recognize herbs. Today, we’ll start with identifying medicinal ingredients.”

Rows upon rows of herbs appeared in front of Gu Qingyan. The old doctor’s expression was stern, but his explanations were meticulous—he held nothing back.

He picked up the herbs, and they looked exactly like the real thing.

Gu Qingyan bent down to smell them. The sense of touch, smell, and sight—everything was just like real-world herbs.

His heart surged with excitement. Wasn’t this equivalent to having a private classroom, fully equipped, with a teacher who held back nothing?

Having been physically weak since childhood and accustomed to taking medicine, Gu Qingyan had always been interested in medicine.

Now that he had left the Li family, medical treatment would cost money. If he could learn to treat himself, he’d save both money and trouble.

Energized, Gu Qingyan devoted himself to studying under the old doctor.

“That’s all for today. Remember—recognizing herbs is the foundation of medicine. Study hard and practice diligently.”

The old doctor’s figure vanished.

Gu Qingyan exited the system classroom and checked his points, his heart filled with joy.

[Host: Gu Qingyan]
[Age: 15]
[Points: 3]
[Skill: Medicine – Beginner 3%]

He had already spent all his points during the check-in at the medical hall earlier. The 3 new points were a reward for studying medical skills.

The system classroom not only taught skills, but even rewarded points during the learning process. Gu Qingyan was thrilled. He wished he could stay and study until he reached 100% proficiency.

With 100 points, he could sweep through all the check-in locations in Qingzhou Prefecture!

Gu Qingyan felt like he had suddenly struck it rich. He was dizzy with excitement. The Ox-Head and Horse-Face* hadn’t lied to him this time—this check-in system was truly a treasure.

(*Note: Ox-Head and Horse-Face are mythological guardians of the underworld in Chinese folklore.)

“Qingyan? Qing-ge’er?” Mama Liu finally woke up after a long nap.

Gu Qingyan put away his points and quickly walked to the bedside. “Mother, are you feeling better? I’ve finished brewing the medicine. I’ll go get it now.”

Before she could stop him, he dashed out. When he returned, he was carrying a bowl of medicine.

Her young master was clearly not used to doing chores. His fingers were red from the heat, yet he still comforted her, saying it didn’t hurt.

After drinking the medicine, Mama Liu felt much better.

But when she looked around the room, she was stunned. “Qing-ge’er, we should move to another place right away.”

“What’s wrong with this inn?” Gu Qingyan asked in confusion.

He felt it was quite nice. The innkeeper was attentive and even helped with brewing the medicine.

Mama Liu gave him an exasperated look. “My little master, now that we’ve left the Li family, we can’t spend money so freely. A room this spacious must cost at least one or two taels a night. Ordinary families can’t afford that kind of expense.”

“Listen to me—we should find a quieter inn. It’ll still be clean, and most importantly, cheaper. One or two taels can cover ten nights elsewhere.”

Gu Qingyan rubbed his nose. He didn’t dare mention that this room actually cost three taels a night.

Mama Liu realized that her young master had a kind heart but no sense of household management. She couldn’t lie in bed any longer.

She insisted on moving, and Gu Qingyan couldn’t stop her. He had no choice but to gather their belongings and help her out.

Once they stepped outside and saw the area, Mama Liu felt even more justified. In such a prime location, even one or two taels a night might not be enough.

Although she had some savings, they wouldn’t last long at that rate.

Gu Qingyan didn’t mention the system. He just said, “I still have some money hidden on me—around a hundred taels. That’s more than enough for us.”

“Even so, we have to spend wisely,” Mama Liu said with concern. “You still have to marry and start a family one day. You need to save.”

Unable to argue with her, they found a modest inn. It was indeed much cheaper—only 100 copper coins per night.

Aside from being in a less convenient area, with smaller rooms and no bath tub or meals provided, it was clean enough.

Mama Liu was already feeling exhausted again and soon drifted off to sleep.

After instructing the innkeeper, Gu Qingyan left the inn in high spirits.

Now that he knew how to earn points, his first thought was to hit all the check-in spots in Qingzhou Prefecture.

After careful consideration, he made his choice.

[You have checked in at Qingzhou Prefecture’s Pawnshop and received: one white jade pendant.]

Gu Qingyan smiled. Just as expected.

The rewards from check-in points were related to the shop’s business.

The bank gave him silver notes, and the pawnshop gave him an item to pawn.

He took out the jade pendant. Its texture and color were excellent—he figured it could fetch thirty to fifty taels.

Onward!

Gu Qingyan headed for his next target.

[You have checked in at Qingzhou Prefecture’s Cloth Shop and received: one set of winter clothes.]

Gu Qingyan examined the clothes and saw they were perfectly tailored to his size. Even the indigo color was his favorite.

Clearly, the system’s rewards were personalized—just like the gift bundle he received in the underworld, that set of clothing had also been custom-made for him.

He had discovered another pattern in the check-in system.

He had only one point left. His eyes landed on the embroidery workshop next to the clothing store.

[Embroidery Workshop in Qingzhou Prefecture discovered. Spend 3 points to check in?]

Three points?

Gu Qingyan suspected the reward would be a skill—most likely embroidery.

He had heard of Qingzhou Prefecture’s embroidery workshops back when he was in the Li household. Even nobles in the capital praised their work.

Gu Qingyan skipped it. There was no way he was going to learn embroidery.

As he walked and observed, he stopped in front of a pharmacy.

[You have checked in at Qingzhou Prefecture’s Pharmacy and received: one bottle of Ginseng Vitality Pills.]

Gu Qingyan was delighted. Ginseng Vitality Pills were exactly what the doctor had recommended the last time he visited the physician at the Li household.

Though they contained ginseng, the medicine was mild and perfect for someone like him who had always been weak.

The only problem was the cost—each pill, no bigger than a bean, cost a whole tael. Taking one per day meant 300 taels a year.

The doctor had only mentioned it because the Li family was wealthy and had officials in the capital. Nothing ever came of the suggestion afterward.

He opened the bottle. It was palm-sized and contained a hundred pills.

Thinking of how carrying Mama Liu earlier had left him breathless, and how his legs were still sore, Gu Qingyan immediately took one.

Now that he had spent all three points, he stuffed the silver notes into his robe and walked straight into the clothing shop.

After taking the medicine, Mother Liu’s condition improved somewhat, and she didn’t sleep for long before waking up.

When she woke up and didn’t see Gu Qingyan, she couldn’t help but start to worry.

Ever since childhood, the madam had forbidden the young master from going out, saying it was dangerous outside. Now that he had been driven out, where could he possibly go?

She waited and waited but didn’t see him return, almost wanting to force herself up and go look for him.

At that moment, Gu Qingyan returned carrying big and small bundles. Seeing her worried face, he called out repeatedly, “Mother, you should lie down. If you need anything, just tell me.”

Mother Liu relaxed when she saw he was safe and sound, but then her eyes fell on all the bundles, and she began to worry again.

“Qingyan, where did you go? What did you buy?”

Gu Qingyan opened the bundles: “Your clothes are all dirty, so I bought two new sets for you to change into.”

Mother Liu originally wanted to advise him, but when she saw the clothes, she couldn’t find any reason to blame him.

This child cared for her and thought about her; that’s why he went to buy new clothes. How could she bear to blame him?

She thought that once she got better and could go out to earn money, she would definitely be able to support this child.

“I’m old; I don’t need such fine clothes,” Mother Liu said, but a smile was on her face.

Gu Qingyan smiled back, “All the more reason to wear nice clothes when you’re older. Wearing them makes a person look spirited.”

“Mother, you should change into them now.”

The clothes she was wearing were dirty, with some bloodstains on the back.

As for the things taken back to the Liu household, Gu Qingyan didn’t want to argue with that shrewish woman over them.

Mother Liu’s eyes reddened, but she still nodded.

She didn’t ask Gu Qingyan to help and got up to change by herself.

“They fit just right — not too big or small. The young master knows how to buy things. The material is just right, thick and warm, and more practical than silk satin.”

Gu Qingyan took out the remaining silver coins: “Mother, we have money; we won’t go hungry. Please don’t worry.”

He knew what Mother Liu was worried about deep down.

Seeing the money, Mother Liu truly relaxed.

She was afraid the young master, being young and concerned about pride, would spend all the money he had.

“You keep the silver yourself; mother will give you hers too. We’ll live well from now on.”

Mother Liu added, “I know how to do embroidery, and I haven’t lost my skills over the years. I can earn money to support you.”

Gu Qingyan felt both touched and amused: “Mother, I’m already this grown, I don’t need you to support me.”

“Don’t worry, I can earn money and support the family.”

The newly reunited mother and son had a deep bond.

At this moment, Cuihong came in and said right away, “Young master, Mother Liu, you must leave Qingzhou Prefecture immediately.”

Gu Qingyan frowned, “What happened to your face?”

Cuihong’s face was bright red, clearly beaten.

She covered her face and said, “I’m fine; I just accidentally bumped into something.”

Before they could ask further, she hurried on, “Madam’s maid Hongdou secretly came to say that some gossiping woman saw the young master staying at the inn and told madam. Madam suspects you took things from the Li family and said she wants to send people to find you.”

“What!” Mother Liu was frantic with worry.

Both Cuihong and Mother Liu knew Gu Qingyan had some money on him, and that his money came from the Li family.

But they didn’t expect that after fifteen years of mother and son affection, Madam Xu would want to take back even this small amount of silver.

“What should we do?”

Mother Liu was angry and anxious, saying repeatedly, “Maybe we should return the money. There’s still my monthly allowance, madam can’t want that back too.”

“Return the clothes as well; I can just wear what I wore before.”

Cuihong was urgent: “It’s not about the money. Hongdou said the new young master was so angry that he wants madam to teach him a lesson.”

“You two really should leave Qingzhou Prefecture as soon as possible. The farther you go, the better.”

Hearing this, Mother Liu immediately said, “Qingyan, let’s leave right away.”

Gu Qingyan felt a chill in his heart. When he left the Li family, besides the clothes on his back, he brought nothing. Madam Xu saw it with her own eyes.

Others might not know, but Madam Xu knew perfectly what he had and what he took away.

The money he spent had nothing to do with the Li family.

Yet now they wanted to make trouble for him.

After fifteen years, was there really no trace of affection left? Were they going to ruthlessly wipe him out?

“We’ll leave now.”

Gu Qingyan helped Mother Liu up, and the three of them left together.

Before leaving the inn, Gu Qingyan said, “Mother, Cuihong, wait for me a moment.”

Then he turned and went back to the room.

When he came out again, Gu Qingyan had changed into a set of clothes from the Hell King Hall gift pack.

Cotton clothes, similar to Mother Liu’s, but tailored to fit well.

“Young master?” Cuihong was surprised.

Gu Qingyan smiled with relief: “When I left the Li family, I only had these clothes on me. Now I’m giving those back to them.”