The Flower Festival, the Garden Bureau... I promised to take you back. The rain was the fine drizzle of early spring, pattering incessantly. The biting cold wind slipped into sleeves and slid down pant legs, stealing the last bit of warmth from one's body. Mist shrouded the imperial city, and the smooth green stone bricks… Continue reading NWAFAM 139: Dragon Beard Candy

Here Comes the Squeak The weather was pleasant today. The daylight stretched longer, and even as dusk approached, the slanted sky remained bright with clear clouds. The glazed tiles on the palace walls glimmered with layers of golden light, casting soft arcs of shadows on the stone-paved ground as people hurried by. Min Xuefei strode… Continue reading NWAFAM 138: Honeycomb Cake, Part 2

Fragrant and Sweet In the private room, a faint fragrance lingered, and the fresh wine carried a light aroma. Lu Wei scooped a few spoonfuls of broth from the lamb offal stew with a small porcelain cup, soaked some torn soft flatbread, and handed it to the obedient three-year-old child sitting beside him. Although the… Continue reading NWAFAM 137: Honeycomb Cake, Part 1

"How dare you still come to the South City!" The heat came unusually early this year. May had just begun, and Xiajing was already abnormally warm. The scorching sun drove people to shed their heavy clothes day by day. However, as the heat gradually intensified, the street markets grew richer with seasonal fruits and vegetables.… Continue reading NWAFAM 136: Steamed Delight

Little Young Master Yu Yu Jinnian squatted down, took out a small handkerchief to wipe Sui Sui's tears, and gently coaxed her, asking what was wrong. She sobbed, unable to speak, while Ah Chun, who had run up behind, gestured and said, “We were playing in the garden, and Sui Sui lost her pendant! We… Continue reading NWAFAM 135: Five-Flavored Plum Syrup, Part 2

Can you see it? Do you need me to write it down for you? Before long, Duan Ming led in a boy about the same height as Yu Jinnian. As soon as the boy entered the hall, before anyone could get a clear look at him, he thudded to his knees and crawled up to… Continue reading NWAFAM 134: Five-Flavored Plum Syrup, Part 1

Copper Bell Physician Yu Jinnian walked downstairs and saw a burly man leading a group of servants carefully carrying a stretcher inside. On the stretcher lay a young man with a flushed face. Judging by his clothes, he appeared to be the son of a wealthy family, but now he was disheveled, his complexion waxy… Continue reading NWAFAM 133: Distilled Spirits

Are you here to eat or to cause trouble? Yu Jinnian curled up in his blanket, leaving only his head and feet exposed. Outside the door, there were faint footsteps and soft knocking sounds. He didn’t bother opening his eyes and instead turned around, burying his head into the blanket, leaving only a handful of… Continue reading NWAFAM 132: Jasmine Vitality Tea

Why didn’t King Yue come? Min Xuefei needed to rest and heal, and that drainage tube couldn’t be removed any time soon. The emperor, as the ruler of a nation, couldn’t neglect state affairs for the sake of a subject. The next day, the emperor personally visited Siqi Courtyard to check on Min Ji. Although… Continue reading NWAFAM 131: Milk Tea

Crispy and fragrant, with a fiery red skin—how delicious! Because of the change of location, Yu Jinnian didn’t sleep well. In the middle of the night, he couldn’t help but worry about Min Xuefei, checking on him every hour. He tossed and turned until the latter half of the night, only settling down when he… Continue reading NWAFAM 130: Clove Crispy Duck