Ji Hong could not possibly let it end peacefully. Yu Jinnian read a letter from the capital at camp. It was thick and heavy in his hands. The wet nurse and her husband had taken the children back to Jinyouting; the letter reported the journey back to the capital had been peaceful, with soldiers patrolling… Continue reading NWAFAM 169: Fried Flour

Who was beautiful was up to whoever said so That day, Wei He knelt for a whole day and night, and finally collapsed. The moment his body touched the ground, he was carried away by men that Yu Jinnian had ordered long ago, stripped, examined for injuries, and cleaned up all in one go. Min… Continue reading NWAFAM 168: Calming Wine

“You people, did you really take me for a miracle doctor?!” Grass withers in late years, fierce winds split the high ridges. The Summer Capital had long since donned its winter coat; even the usually lively Yu Jinnian could not help but add another robe. Ji Hong’s room, meanwhile, was stoked so warm by Yu… Continue reading NWAFAM 167: Jade Ball Soup

A hundred flavors melted in the small cauldron. As soon as the weather turned cold, Ji Hong began to struggle again. He had a cold constitution, the result of childhood exposure to the cold. During warm days, Yu Jinnian’s medicinal meals helped him recover, and it was rarely noticeable. But in recent months, as he… Continue reading NWAFAM 166: Aged Perilla Wine

Ji Hong: None of your busines, I’m going to kill someone. Before the rebel army from Yue could even cross Ju River, news of a decisive victory arrived from the north. Heluo’a’s so-called two hundred thousand-strong force turned out to be nothing but a bluff. Of course, if a small northern Di tribe could somehow… Continue reading NWAFAM 165: Hibiscus Blossom Soup

Did you see our family's young master or not? Once war broke out, all kinds of people started to stir, trying to take advantage amidst the chaos. On the mountain roads, there were highway bandits robbing travellers, on the rivers were pirates stopping boats, and from time to time, groups of ruthless thieves would raid… Continue reading NWAFAM 164: Yuyan Cake

“I beg you, when we return, you could punish me however you like.” The Heir of the Duke Li had someone in his home. This was something that many trusted subordinates had heard about, yet aside from a few people who often moved about in the capital, there were hardly any who knew exactly what… Continue reading NWAFAM 162: Eight Treasure Tea

“If you missed me, then don’t hold back. Let them call me; no matter how busy I was, I would have come to see you.” “Ah?” Yu Jinnian was momentarily dazed. He then turned uncertain, not knowing if he felt surprise or fear. “You woke up?” “You planned to become a monk?” Ji Hong moved… Continue reading NWAFAM 161: Poria Millet Cake

It’s just a beauty—why is everyone acting like they’ve never seen one before? Given Ji Hong’s current condition, the breach of Beiyan Pass by the Northern Di—while not directly their responsibility—still required certain preparations. Naturally, Min Xuefei dared not leave such matters to him. He instructed his men not to inform Ji Hong yet and… Continue reading NWAFAM 160: Eight Immortals Cake

The two of them could truly be called inseparable. Yu Jinnian held the bowl, blowing on each spoonful to cool it before feeding it to the man seated at the desk. Inside was the Three Delicacies Congee he’d had prepared the night before but hadn’t managed to serve. The congee was made with finely minced… Continue reading NWAFAM 159: Mood-Soothing Rabbit Buns