I was worried that you’d offend the royal relatives, but who knew the two of you were conspiring together!
Yu Jinnian woke up groggily, suffering the effects of a hangover. The taste of the lingering alcohol from last night made his mouth dry and parched, and his lips felt like they were about to crack. He reached out for the teapot on the table, but his movements were a bit too large, which woke up Third Young Master Min, who was sleeping on the other side.
Min Mao also woke up in a daze and saw someone in front of him holding a teapot and guzzling water straight from the spout. The sound of gulping was rather satisfying, and suddenly Min Mao felt thirsty too. He reached out and said, “Save some for me! I want to drink too.”
“Go get your own from the back,” Yu Jinnian withdrew the teapot.
“Hey, you’re not playing fair!” Min Mao jumped up to grab it, but tripped over something at his feet. When he looked down, he saw it was Jiang Bingren, who was lying at his feet. Min Mao almost stepped on him, but managed to pull his foot back just in time. By then, Yu Jinnian had already drunk all the water, and Min Mao had no choice but to accept defeat. He stepped over the “drunken corpses” scattered across the floor and headed to the kitchen to get some water himself.
With all this commotion, everyone gradually woke up. The first to shout out was Jiang Bingren, who sat up straight, wide-eyed like he had seen a ghost, and asked, “What time is it?”
Yu Jinnian peeked outside at the sun, unsure. “It’s probably the hour of the Dragon (7-9 a.m.)?”
“Damn! We’re in trouble!” Jiang Bingren kicked Shi Xing, “Big Rock! Wake up, we’re going to get scolded soon!”
Shi Xing, who had been serving tea and water for the young master all night, was dead tired and had just collapsed into sleep. He was reluctantly dragged to his feet, his face full of unwillingness, but he forced his eyes open. “What’s wrong now?”
Jiang Bingren grabbed him and rushed out, saying, “We overslept! We need to go back and greet our parents!”
Before Yu Jinnian could even invite them to stay for breakfast, the two of them had already bolted out like their pants were on fire.
On the morning of the first day of the New Year, the food was usually leftover dumplings from the night before. Yu Jinnian made some sober-up soup and began boiling the dumplings.
One by one, the others got up, washed their faces to wake up, and started helping with the cleanup. The place had been a mess from the night before. It wasn’t until Yu Jinnian finished cooking the dumplings, plated a couple of dishes of pickled garlic, and cracked some duck eggs that the table was finally cleaned up. The faint scent of lamb’s wine still lingered in the front hall.
Yu Jinnian ran outside to set off the first firecracker of the New Year. After lighting the fuse, he quickly ran back inside. Ji Hong covered his ears for him, and the two of them huddled together, listening to the crackling sounds outside.
Min Mao stuffed a dumpling into his mouth and spoke unclearly as he ate, “Do you guys know what I dreamed of last night?”
Min Xuefei didn’t even acknowledge him, elegantly sipping the sobering soup Yu Jinnian had made. Though he was the only one who hadn’t touched a drop of alcohol last night, he still appreciated the icy sweetness of the steamed grapefruit with rock sugar, which was refreshing and rejuvenating.
Ji Hong returned with Yu Jinnian from the wind, just in time to hear Min Mao laughing heartily. “I dreamed that Brother Nian said he was getting married! I asked him which girl he was marrying, and guess what he said? Hahaha, he said he was marrying Brother Ji, and he even grabbed Brother Ji and kissed him! Hahaha…” He laughed until his stomach hurt, then patted his chest and said, “Thank goodness it wasn’t real!”
Min Xuefei: “…”
Yu Jinnian, who was in the back, blushed furiously. If he had known he would say such nonsense when drunk, he would never have had those extra drinks! Now, he had made a fool of himself for everyone to laugh at.
When Min Mao noticed his brother’s unusual expression, he turned his head and saw Yu Jinnian’s face turning as red as a monkey’s bottom. Ji Hong stood next to him, smiling and gently cooling Yu Jinnian down with his hand. Min Mao blinked awkwardly and forced out a laugh. “Wait…could it be real…?”
Min Xuefei said calmly, “I think when we return to the capital, you need to do a blood test with Father.”
Min Mao looked at him in confusion. “Why?”
Min Xuefei replied coolly, “Because the Min family doesn’t have such a foolish son.”
Min Mao: “…”
Last night’s public embrace had shocked everyone, even Ji Hong. Though he was quite pleased with Yu Jinnian’s boldness, he still felt awkward having an audience witness it. Seeing how embarrassed Yu Jinnian was, Ji Hong couldn’t help but chuckle. He whispered in his ear, “Yesterday you shouted about marrying me, but now that you’ve sobered up, you want to back out?”
Yu Jinnian raised his head and shot him a quick glare.
Ji Hong didn’t push the teasing too far. Meanwhile, Min Xuefei was still lecturing Min Mao, so Ji Hong pulled Yu Jinnian back to their room to change clothes. After all, many neighbors would come over to visit for the New Year, and it wouldn’t be proper to greet them smelling of alcohol.
Yu Jinnian’s embarrassment gradually faded. While Ji Hong was changing clothes, Yu Jinnian busied himself cutting red paper, preparing to wrap lucky money envelopes.
Here in the western part of the city, he was considered a junior, so he had to address everyone as uncle or aunt, and it was already a kindness if they didn’t expect him to give them lucky money. However, he still needed to prepare some small envelopes for the kids who might visit, and of course, he would prepare a larger one for Sui Sui. Plus, for someone like Qing Huan, who had no elders, it would be most appropriate for the boss to give them lucky money.
As he calculated who he needed to prepare for, he drew small bowls on the red paper. This way, when people received the envelopes, they would know it came from the noodle shop. During the New Year, all he could think about was promoting his noodle shop. How clever he was! He really was too smart!
While he was indulging in his own thoughts, he suddenly felt a warmth on his back as a chest pressed against him.
Ji Hong leaned over his shoulder, watching him painstakingly draw a bowl on the paper, and said, “Did Su Ting lose the seal last time?”
“Mm.” Yu Jinnian nodded. “I couldn’t find it, so I had to draw it myself.”
“I’ll carve a better one next time,” Ji Hong whispered in his ear, his hands not behaving, reaching exactly where he shouldn’t, disrupting Yu Jinnian to the point where he couldn’t continue drawing. He had to toss his pen aside and angrily grab Ji Hong’s hand. Whether he failed to catch it or didn’t really want to, Yu Jinnian suddenly let out a soft cry, his hands and feet losing strength. In the end, he could only give in to the situation and cooperate with Ji Hong’s mischief.
Yu Jinnian sat on the desk, with a stack of red paper under him.
Because Yu Jinnian had taught him a new trick last time, Ji Hong reciprocated this time, trying out what was real and what wasn’t.
As things intensified, someone outside walked over, a sound of light running, first peeking into the kitchen, then strolling around the small courtyard, puzzled, “Where’s Brother Nian? Hmm, what’s that sound? Is there a cat?”
Hearing the footsteps approaching the room, Yu Jinnian grabbed a pen and bit it between his teeth. He wasn’t sure if the sound was coming from him, but luckily, a plump orange cat jumped down from the roof, distracting Min Mao.
Propping himself up on the desk, Yu Jinnian stared at the ceiling, dazed for a moment, until he finally heard Ji Hong’s voice, “How about it?”
Yu Jinnian spat out the pen from his mouth. The small bamboo pen now had two tooth marks on it. He was somewhat dazed, only coming back to his senses after Ji Hong patted his back, a little embarrassed, “… How could it not be good? You’ve already taught me to apply what I’ve learned.”
He wanted to jump down from the desk, but his legs gave way, and he almost knelt, collapsing into Ji Hong’s arms to rest for a while, hearing Ji Hong chuckling softly. Puzzled, he reached behind him and touched two large red sheets of paper stuck to his behind for an unspeakable reason, ruining the neatly cut red paper on the table. On top of that, the red paper had bled color.
Ji Hong suppressed his laughter and, to avoid the red color staining the curtains, rolled up Yu Jinnian’s clothes and stuffed them into his hands, “Stand for a while, I’ll go get some water.”
The air still had a faint, sweet metallic scent, making Yu Jinnian want to dig a hole and hide.
Still, he obediently found a hidden spot to conceal himself, afraid that if Ji Hong opened the door, someone might peek in and see him standing naked. That would be utterly embarrassing.
Ji Hong closed the door and stepped out, running into Min Mao playing with the cat in the yard.
Min Mao cheerfully said, “This cat is so fat, all plump and soft! Was it hiding in your room just now? I heard a cat meowing inside.”
Ji Hong didn’t answer, instead lowering a bucket into the well.
Min Mao chased after him, asking, “Where’s Brother Nian? My hands are freezing, can he take a look for me?”
Mixing cold water with hot, Ji Hong carried a wooden basin back. “He’s shy, doesn’t dare to come out.”
Min Mao laughed, “What’s he shy about? People who want to marry Third Brother Ji could line up from the Guogong Mansion all the way to the city gates. It’s just a kiss, right? Everyone was drunk, just joking around. Two men kissing doesn’t hurt anyone, it’s not like there’s any real meaning to it…”
Ji Hong glanced at him.
“…” Min Mao stopped laughing, then after a while, his face filled with shock and fear, “Wait… it actually has real meaning?”
Ji Hong shook his head, pushed open the door, and closed it, leaving Min Mao, the third fool of the Min family, outside.
Min Mao was completely shattered this morning, then pulled himself together, only to be completely shattered again by one glance from Ji Hong. He squatted in the small yard, staring into the eyes of the cat for a long time, before gathering his broken self and dragging his collapsed body back to the main hall. His face pale, he asked his brother, “Hey, Second Brother, are those two… really serious?”
Min Xuefei wiped his mouth, calm as ever, and said, “That’s why there’s no room for a fool like you in the Min family.”
Yu Jinnian was seated at the desk, being washed of the red stains by Ji Hong, who couldn’t keep his hands to himself during the process. Afterward, Yu Jinnian crafted little red packets, each adorned with a small bowl and the character for fortune. Once finished, he went out to meet the guests. A group of children came in to offer New Year greetings and ask for red envelopes. Yu Jinnian handed one to each child, along with some sunflower seeds and peanuts. Some older folks also came by, exchanging red envelopes with him.
It wasn’t about profit or loss, but about the lively and festive spirit of the New Year.
Even the Yang and Yan families sent people to offer New Year’s greetings.
After a busy day, Yu Jinnian finally sat down to enjoy some tea. Min Xuefei had already gone back to the inn for a nap, leaving only Min Mao sighing and hugging the cat. Yu Jinnian, unaware of the emotional rollercoaster Min Mao had been through, casually sat down beside him, picking up some sunflower seeds to munch on.
Min Mao glanced at him and sighed, “Sigh…”
“What are you doing?” Yu Jinnian asked, confused. “It’s me who’s embarrassed, not you.”
Min Mao replied, “Third sister-in-law…”
“—Cough, cough, cough!” Yu Jinnian nearly choked on a sunflower seed. He stared at Min Mao, dumbfounded. “What did you just call me?”
“Come on, I was worried you were harassing a member of the royal family, but who knew you two were up to something behind our backs!” Min Mao rolled his eyes. “All my worries were for nothing, and you didn’t even appreciate it. You’re worse than the donkey liver in your pot.” Before Yu Jinnian could speak, Min Mao reached out, trying to get closer. “Third sister-in-law, we’re all family now. Can you take a look at my hand? It’s all cracked. I dipped it in cold water this morning, and it stings so bad!”
Yu Jinnian wasn’t sure whether to praise him for his quick acceptance or scold him for his heartlessness. He pulled Min Mao’s hand over and looked at it briefly. “It’s just chapped. Apply some ointment, and it’ll be fine.”
Feeling sorry for the pitiful Min Mao, Yu Jinnian got up and went to the kitchen, pulling out the sesame oil he had set aside earlier and pouring it into a cleaned pot.
Due to his regular preparation of medicinal meals for Ji Hong, he still had a good stock of herbs. He carefully selected a few. With the oil heated to about fifty percent, he tossed in a large handful of Lithospermum. He wasn’t frying the herb but simmering it, keeping the oil temperature between fifty and seventy percent, to allow the medicinal properties of the herb to infuse into the oil.
Yu Jinnian carefully monitored the heat, as too high a temperature would destroy the medicinal properties of the Lithospermum. Of course, a simpler method would be to cold-soak the herbs in the oil, but that would take over a month. Simmering was much faster.
The sesame oil soon turned a deep purplish-red. He then added other herbs such as angelica, baizhi, fangfeng, frankincense, myrrh, and raw rehmannia, simmering until they became dry and charred before straining the oil.
The medicinal oil was ready for use. If he wanted it to be fragrant, he could have added some plum blossom essence to reduce swelling and redness, giving the ointment a camphor scent. However, since Yu Jinnian didn’t have any on hand and Min Mao would soon be returning to the capital, making it inconvenient to carry the oil, he decided to melt some beeswax into the oil and poured it into small, wide-mouthed jars while still hot.
After cooling, seven or eight small jars of Purple Cloud Ointment were ready. This ointment could reduce inflammation and pain, prevent cracking, and also protect the skin.
Min Mao eagerly applied the ointment to his hands, and after a while, he ran over to report his findings to Yu Jinnian, “It really doesn’t hurt anymore! Brother Nian, you’re like a little miracle doctor! This ointment works so well! You should make more tomorrow, and I’ll take it to the capital to sell. I guarantee the business will be booming!”
Yu Jinnian couldn’t help but laugh at him, “You, a grand third young master of the Min family, always act like you’re in want.”
“A man with ambition looks beyond!” Min Mao explained happily. “My eldest brother has earned his fame, and my second brother is a rising star in court. I have to do something too, right? I think your idea is great. When you come to the capital, we can open a medical clinic together. The first floor can be a restaurant where you can keep cooking, the second floor can be for treating patients, and we can sell ointments and medicines at the counter. With your skills, wouldn’t the customers flock to us?”
Yu Jinnian thought about it. It did seem like a good idea.
As he pondered, Ji Hong suddenly leaned in and asked, “Do you want it?” Startled, Yu Jinnian forgot to respond. Ji Hong repeated slowly, “A medical clinic, I’ll open one for you.”
Yu Jinnian, with great dignity, replied, “No, that would make it seem like you’re keeping me.”
Ji Hong, having quickly grasped the meaning of this new term, shamelessly said, “Fine, then I’ll wait for you, little doctor, to support me.”
“…” Min Mao suddenly felt his eyes hurt.
The first few days of the new year passed with mutual visits for holiday greetings. Everyone was idle, and Min Xuefei had almost fully recovered. He was still taking some recuperative remedies, as intestinal abscesses were no small matter. Misdiagnoses were common at this time, with many confusing it for liver and stomach disharmony, as had been the case with Min Xuefei. In this era, where everyone claimed to have inherited medical knowledge, many patients died from increasingly severe abscesses.
Even in Yu Jinnian’s previous life, this was a condition not to be taken lightly.
Although Min Xuefei’s intestinal abscess had been cured, the treatment wasn’t as straightforward as surgery. It wasn’t a once-and-for-all solution, so Yu Jinnian gave him many precautions to prevent a recurrence.
It was the fourth day of the new year, and shops were gradually reopening. Yu Jinnian couldn’t linger in conversation for too long; he had to return to manage the noodle shop. He left Ji Hong behind to catch up with others while he carried a basket of food back to the shop.
As he entered, Min Mao was being sweet-talked by a traveling merchant into buying a coral bracelet. Yu Jinnian mischievously let him fall for the scam without saying anything, strolling off with a smile to the backyard, where he set up a small clay stove to cook medicinal soup for Ji Hong and Aunt Xu.
Yesterday, Young Master Jiang had visited, and Jiang Bingren, knowing Aunt Xu was seriously ill, had brought a high-quality lingzhi mushroom as a gift. Lingzhi had proven to be effective in treating various cancers. Yu Jinnian broke off a small piece for Ji Hong, grinding the rest into powder at the Shouren Hall for Aunt Xu.
He put huai shan, astragalus, and roasted chicken gizzard with radish seeds into a cloth bag, and simmered them with rice in a clay pot. Astragalus and yam boost vitality, chicken gizzard treats indigestion, and radish seeds relieve bloating and help with nausea.
Yu Jinnian left the medicinal congee to simmer and went out to prepare other ingredients.
As he walked under the eaves, something tripped him. Looking down, he saw a few pieces of broken roof tiles.
When he first came here, Aunt Xu had just had the roof repaired. How could it start leaking after only six months? Yu Jinnian picked up the tiles and looked up at the roof. It wasn’t very high, but with his skills, he’d still need a ladder to climb up and check.
Could Little Dingdang be so heavy that it had dislodged the tiles?
Yu Jinnian was puzzled and was about to fetch a ladder when Duan Ming hurried over from the front hall, lifting the curtain to call, “Young master, Su Ting is here to pay New Year’s respects! Do you want to see him?”
Su Ting?
Yu Jinnian suddenly remembered he had prescribed Bai Haitang’s medicine for five days, and today was the day for a follow-up.
“Yes, yes, I’ll be right there!” Yu Jinnian shouted, putting the ladder aside. Treating patients was more important than fixing roof tiles. Dusting off his fingers, he hurried to the front hall to meet Su Ting.