Chapter 5: Family Ugly Scenes Over Daily Bread; Stirring Up Trouble Between Relatives Ling Kwai-hing’s ancestral home was in Mude-lisi, but his father’s wealth had allowed them to build a grand mansion in the provincial capital. Kwai-hing spent most of his time in the city under the guise of “studying,” but after the Feng Shui excursion, he stayed behind at the old house, sending…

Chapter 4: Anxiously Awaiting the Results as if Boiling; Casual Talk and Tall Tales About Feng Shui In the year of Bing-wu (1726), the results of the Guangdong provincial examinations were scheduled to be posted on the ninth day of the ninth month. By the eighth day, Ling Kwai-hing was already in a frantic state. He grabbed Zong-kong to plan the menu, arrange the…

Receiving a Letter from the Capital, Lord Chen Sells an “Opening”; Casting Off Mourning Garb, Ling Kwai-hing Sits for the Provincial Exams Ling Kwai-hing left Ma the Semi-Immortal and headed home with his servant. Along the way, he asked repeatedly, “Why is Lord Chen looking for me?” The servant, named Xi-lai, was no longer a child—around fifteen or sixteen years old—and Kwai-hing treated him…

Shareholders of Guangyuan Shop Dissolve Their Partnership; A Fortune-Teller Discusses the Stars on Saddle Street Guangdong has long been known as a region of immense prosperity, a gathering place for merchants where goods flow freely. Before the sea routes were fully opened, those traveling to the northern provinces mostly went through Jiangxi. On the border between Jiangxi and Guangdong stands Mount Nanxiong. This area…

Nine Lives of Unjust Suffering Chapter 1: A Chaotic Outcry, The Bandits Strike First, A Slow Unfolding: The Prologue Begins “Hey! Mates! We’ve reached the spot! Look, the main gate is bolted tight. How do we break in?” “Bah! You fool! It’s just two wooden doors—you think we can’t smash through that? Come, come! Hand me my sledgehammer!” Crash! Boom! “What a racket!” “Success!…

九命奇冤 (Nine Lives of Unjust Suffering) By Wu Jianren (吳趼人) Set in the Guangdong province during the Yongzheng era, the story begins with a horrific crime: the Liang family is brutally murdered when their home is set ablaze. Nine lives are lost in the inferno, but the tragedy doesn’t end there. The local wealthy gentry and corrupt officials conspire to bury the truth, framing…

This savory chicken congee is silky, comforting, and easy — my go-to when I’m under the weather or just craving something warm and simple. Ginger, tender chicken, zero stress. Try it! This post may contain affiliate links. We only recommend products we personally use and love (please see our full affiliate disclosure). If you click through and make a purchase, we may earn a…

Make Avocado Toast with Poached Egg at home—simple steps, smart tips, and brunch-worthy flavor using everyday ingredients. This post may contain affiliate links. We only recommend products we personally use and love (please see our full affiliate disclosure). If you click through and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Your support helps keep this blog…

Easy Cowboy Sliders on Hawaiian Rolls made from leftover taco filling. A quick, fun, family-style slider recipe perfect for busy nights. This post may contain affiliate links. We only recommend products we personally use and love (please see our full affiliate disclosure). If you click through and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Your support…

Easy Air Fryer Lemon Pepper Chicken Breast made juicy with lemon pepper, cayenne, and oregano—perfect for meal prep, sandwiches, and easy dinners.