The Dreamer in the Spring Boudoir

Description

Links are NOT allowed. Format your description nicely so people can easily read them. Please use proper spacing and paragraphs.

“I can’t accept this! I can’t! Even as a ghost, I’m going to spend eternity cursing that your relationship will shatter like glass! Break apart like a pair of mandarin ducks that fly away from each other!” With such a persisting obsession, it would be difficult for the vengeful departed spirit to move on.
 
Ji Man had only read a light novel to pass the time, but she was unexpectedly pulled into a very strange dream. She had become the novel’s most vicious villainess.
 
The novel rewinds to the beginning. The villainess who had been ordered to commit su*cide reappears on stage and begins to follow the plot as she walks toward the novel’s ending once again, to a courtyard deep inside the marquis’ residence. A female lead that’s like the Holy Mother. Countless cannon fodders. The imperial family’s favor…

Associated Names
One entry per line
DSB
Romance of a Twin Flower (drama)
春闺梦里人
Related Series
N/A
Recommendations
Rebirth of an Abandoned Woman (7)
Heavenly Divine Doctor: Abandoned Concubine (6)
To Be A Virtuous Wife (6)
His Transmigrated Cannon Fodder Fiancé (6)
Doomed to be Cannon Fodder (5)
Eight Treasures Trousseau (4)
Recommendation Lists
  1. My absolute faves
  2. books i enjoyed
  3. (GXB) Villain, cannon fodder or similar situations
  4. Historical/ Fantasy BG
  5. Ancient China Novels

Latest Release

Date Group Release
11/01/19 Fuyu Neko c510 (end)
11/01/19 Fuyu Neko c509
11/01/19 Fuyu Neko c508
11/01/19 Fuyu Neko c507
11/01/19 Fuyu Neko c506
11/01/19 Fuyu Neko c505
10/31/19 Fuyu Neko c504
10/31/19 Fuyu Neko c503
10/30/19 Fuyu Neko c502
10/30/19 Fuyu Neko c501
10/29/19 Fuyu Neko c500
10/29/19 Fuyu Neko c499
10/24/19 Fuyu Neko c498
10/24/19 Fuyu Neko c497
10/24/19 Fuyu Neko c496
Go to Page...
Go to Page...
Write a Review
268 Reviews sorted by


cheonSY
cheonSY
October 10, 2021
Status: c256
this novel is so f*ckedup that I feel like cleansing my eyes with light modern novel

the ML basically no longer has any consience.
Spoiler

he decides whether his women are allowed to be pregnant or miscarriage. He would kill his own child to justify his position on court factions. When the MC knows about this, she worked hard to conceal her pregnancy from the ML until when her maternal family’s power was stronger only then she told the ML about the baby. And still, until giving birth ML would place many work and didnt have the conciense of letting MC rest. During the delivering, for the sake of his political stance, he stayed at the study room and left the MC within numerous poisonous concubines, I mean literally your wife is giving birth and you let them alone to be killed. Then someone switch the baby with a cat. YES, a cat. And spread rumours like the MC is a demoness that give birth to a monster. She have a minor breakdown. But the ML never visits her during this time. Instead he look for the baby and put the baby in a temple. Later he brought the baby back but with another woman as the status of the child’s mother. WTF I know his position is hard and complicated but can you not be this LOW?! Did he not consider if the baby were to grow up and for the sake to defend his “mother” will he or put hands on MC who is his biological mother?!?

[collapse]

i don't know. This is super tiring and I just wish the MC would just die or run with the second ML and the story ends like that.
5 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
Nonameschemer
Nonameschemer rated it
September 5, 2021
Status: --
Let’s start off with saying just because you don’t like the romance here or think their relationship is toxic doesn’t take away from the fact this is well written. Love in the novel is seen as foolish and illogical. The main character is definitely foolish for falling in love and not returning to her own world. The romance could definitely have been written better towards the end because it seemed like the character was suffering from a form of irrationalism. At the same time it still is realistic, she fell... more>> in love because she couldn’t pretend that she didn’t care about this place anymore. Imagine having a child, friends and family in a world and seeing unspeakable amounts of tragedy and just leaving ? It would ruin her for the rest of her life, and it’s not like she wouldn’t be set for life in her current world. The ML by all means is kinda an a**hole, but at the same time people are going over board with calling him a f*ck boy. He only ever fell in love once before the MC. Some random women saves your life and treats you better than you get treated at home, most people would definitely have a serious lapse in judgment. He only sleeps with women given to him from powerful families, which in reality he doesn’t have a choice to completely reject them. I don’t understand why everyone wants a stainless cold CEO virg*n type when you’re reading a historical novel. ML and MC have a relationship that really shows how events can shape someone’s views on love. I definitely didn’t find it a great romance, their relationship definitely left a horrible taste in my mouth but everyone should read this novel to understand just how terrible transmigration can really be <<less
5 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
calypsoxin
calypsoxin rated it
May 18, 2021
Status: --
Dropped this a long time ago, forgot which chapter I stopped at (probably 140+).

This novel is disgusting, and so are its main characters and readers who think it's actually good. It's not even about a difference of opinion anymore. People in the comments only talk about how horrid the ML is (which is true, he's really less of a male lead and more of the usual cannon fodder material in xianxia novels), but conveniently decides to gloss over the fact that the MC literally drugged her own brother with aphrodisiac... more>> (c143) because his relationship with his wife (he married her, albeit reluctantly but not reluctant enough to downright refuse the marriage) /her best friend wasn't going anywhere. I don't see anyone pointing out mentions of r*pe caused by the MC, yet they're quick to praise the MC and cry injustice for her whenever the ML is involved, when the MC isn't any better. Seems like plot armour is even able to extend its influence to dim-witted readers.

Needless to say, the MC is someone who is prone to playing god, and this is further emphasised by how casually she's able to gain favour and elevate her situation just by, wait for it, simply not being the original host of the body. She disdains the other characters because *insert modern mindsets and values* while allowing herself to stoop lower than them (see paragraph above), but it's always justified with some righteous excuse because woah, main character.

I cannot stress this enough when I say it was an utter waste of my time. For god's sake, using r*pe as a plot device is acceptable in the eyes of the author and a majority of its readers? I was prepared for it to not live up to my expectations (as good-quality novels are rare), but this managed to reach the lowest point possible while going the extra mile and digging down towards the earth, and the readers aren't helping too. <<less
5 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
Gushishi
Gushishi rated it
November 2, 2020
Status: c510
Sad

So many undisclosed important information to their significant others. Totally bad.

The fact that ML is a total scum, and the author trying to whitewash him is so bad. I do believe FL can find her own happiness IF the author let FL free from ML earlier.

... more>> The fact that author said.... She can't let a BE, but uniting FL and ML by torturing FL for the past many years....... I don't have this feeling and logic.

Sadly, I only give one rating......

The flow is flawless...

The translation is superb....

... But, all those beautiful reasons can not stop me giving a bad review thanks the immoral acts of ML. I truly dispised him and many other MLs in this story. <<less
5 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
ReadBhell
ReadBhell rated it
August 7, 2020
Status: c510
I would have loved to give it 5 stars, but I will leave it at 4 although 3 would not be bad either. This is why I would have loved a happy ending, I found the ending a bit sad, all the characters were well worked, I grew fond of everyone, especially with the couple of Nie Quinyu and Errong, also Qing yinchung and Zhu Yuran couples of The most charming, as for our protagonists, it is hard to see that Hao hao is separated from his mother and in... more>> the end they only meet again to later separate, another thing that left a bad taste in my mouth was that they named Xu'er as the heir to the marqueado, I would have loved that the third son of them kept the title, after all it was Xu'er's mother who caused Hao hao to leave, a pity. I feel like the author didn't care much for all of Ji man's suffering but instead focused on how Xian Tian Yu and Ji man loved each other to the end. If you want to get stressed and anxious, this novel has it all, but if you are someone who thinks that love and good things only happen in books and movies or on TV, then you had better turn around and find something else. To read, because this story will show you that there is joy in suffering and that not everything is pink, but a path of thorns where if you are with your loved one nothing else matters <<less
5 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
Riverlia
Riverlia rated it
July 10, 2020
Status: --
Miscl**ked the star rating, it's 3. 1 is too low but I can't re-rate. So err.

Anyway, the writing style was good, translation was good, many characters were developed well, at least to the part I read. But the story beat and the ML was just... Ughh.

Basically it's a somewhat realistic view into how shitty Chinese medieval life was and how women, even a modern woman, can be Stockholm syndrome into loving an as*hole because there's no way out.

... more>> But you see, somewhat realistic does not equal enjoyable.

I can't stomach the as*hole that the story shoves into ML position and reading a story in which I only want to strangle the main love interest every chapter is not healthy, so I gave up. <<less
5 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
froppyoonie
froppyoonie rated it
June 6, 2020
Status: c348
tw: s*xual assault

everyone in the comments section is right: the male lead is absolutely eyeroll-worthy. I guess polyamory is ok but his loyalty safeguards the safety of his wives lol like if he doesn't like them, they could potentially d*e because of it.

as for the FL, I liked her a lot at the beginning and still find her compelling even if she occasionally makes the wrong decisions.

BUT I went to review because there's something I find very triggering and wanted to point it out because??? it's rly not cool how... more>> the narrative seems to forgive it:

Spoiler

FL has condoned / encouraged / plotted s*xual ASSAULT multiple times??? like in the current arc I'm reading she's supporting zhu yurun who was initially straight up a r/pist YIKES. I know it's a common trope in this kind of novel, but I was hoping the author would be more enlightened bc of the quality of her work. guess not la.

EDIT: oh my god the truth is even worse the guy got drugged.... grr I hate this subplot

[collapse]

overall translator did an amazing job with this. it's compelling enough for me to want to keep reading, despite my disappointment. <<less
5 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
carollsc
carollsc rated it
February 24, 2020
Status: c296
Honestly I thought about dropping this so many times but I invested so much time that I just kept reading but I’m finally at my limit and cannot read it anymore. I just don’t like any of the characters and the story is just frustrating to me. Although I feel like some people might like this type of story it’s not my cup of tea. I don’t like the plot either. I like reading stories that are satisfying and this is not one of them. There are zero good things... more>> about her current life and I hate that nothing truly good ever happens. Just frustration after frustration.
Spoiler

her son was kidnapped and after a year she still doesn’t have him. The only person that somewhat cared about her (the old madam) died, her servant died, her husband is a total a**hole, she is just thoughtless and completely selfish, she doesn’t make any true friendships or truly cares about anyone around her. It’s utterly frustrating how this story is going

[collapse]
Anyway sorry for the rant but I hated this and I can’t be bothered to finish it. <<less
5 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
whitespade
whitespade rated it
January 27, 2020
Status: c92
I think im going to drop this just because im not in the mood to read about women being abused. Sure its 'realism' but I don't find it fun to read about plastics in the ocean just because its real.
5 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
sushi roll
sushi roll rated it
January 10, 2020
Status: Completed
If you are looking for romance then this might not be for you. I'll be honest, the male lead here is probably the ML I disliked the most out of all ML's I've seen. Even at the latter parts where he has some sort of 'redeeming' it just didn't make me feel anything. I would've dropped reading this around 100+ chapters but the translation is so good and I guess it intrigued me how things would progress with such a sucky ML. Tbh with how rational and the way the... more>> FL thinks (modern woman) I highly doubted she'd won't end up with ML, it really felt out of place and surprising when she realized she "loved" him

Spoiler

it honestly disappointed me when she frantically went back to the ancient era for him when she already came back from the modern world. It didn't make sense because all these times she expressed she didn't really want stay (plus she's got her family & life left behind), the "moments" they shared isn't really that moving and lacked impact for me to make me feel/understand how she could change her decision for him especially when she's already back home. Idk if it was just cuz I've read so much romance or just I'm a bit of a romantic myself but her decision was really out of her character, I could've accepted it better if ML swept her off her feet and romanced her withour reservations but no... it was just bland.... or maybe its just me? Idk.

[collapse]
<<less
5 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
dramamonster
dramamonster rated it
November 26, 2019
Status: Completed
The translation is excellent and complete. The second half of the novel (politics, business, lovey-dovey relationship) outshines the first half (bitter harem struggles). As a romance, the novel fails utterly, but as a political scheming novel with a happy ending, it's good.

On the surface of the story, Ji Man is a modern woman who transmigrates into the novel as the evil villainess cannon fodder (who is a crazy-in-love wife who's been demoted to a concubine) and she has to watch her husband Marquis Moyu bring in his new love/new wife/female... more>> lead of the original novel.

Marquis Moyu is the manager of the Six Ministries, whose power is on par with the Prime Minister. He is a very deep schemer and almost everything he does is politically motivated. All of the women on the estate are considered his, and while there is nothing graphic, he "favours" (sleeps with) many, many women in the story. In order to be connected to other Princes/politicians, he accepts concubines and brothel women into his harem (aka inner courtyard).

The first half of the story involves Ji Man trying to survive in the toxic harem of Marquis Moyu. The other women are all scheming, and secretly agents of various Princes vying for the throne. Marquis Moyu controls the women by controlling who gets favoured, who gets pregnant, who miscarries, and who gets to keep their children. So there are some very distasteful parts to the storyline. And the women in the harem are all out for each other. Ji Man has to learn fast how to keep her head down and survive. The harem even gets messier once there are pregnancies and babies in the harem. The women in the harem are all more than they seem.

The second half of the story is much more interesting. The Emperor passes away and there is a huge upheaval in Ji Man's life.
Spoiler

Her death is faked, she leaves Marquis Moyu, and lives independently as a man using her business skills.

[collapse]
Because there is so much political upheaval and deep spy backgrounds, most of the characters have a lot of character growth/change over the course of the story.

Polygamy is a big part of this novel. In the Extras, the other supporting males are shown having multiple women in their harems before settling down with one good female. Ning MingJie was initially the celestially handsome unattainable supporting male role, but somewhere he turned into
Spoiler

the most powerful battlefield General with consecutive wives...

[collapse]
So the Extras offer more backstory, but can be disillusioning. I also found it jarring that the three young men in the novel (Marquis Moyu, his cousin, Ji Man's brother) would be so influential in court over just a few years. Where's everyone else? It's a plot device, but still.

Ji Man has known all along that Marquis Moyu is a terrible male lead.

As Ji Man says with one of the later Emperors, "He's not good. He has a harem. He's merciless and vicious. I can't guess what he's thinking. He's even had children with other women. It's not even a question of what's good about him. He's simply utterly awful."

The corners of Ning Yuxuan's mouth twitched. He turned his head to the side to look at her.

"But, I like him." Ji Man lowered her eyes as she said, "There's nothing good about him, but I like him. I used to say that I wouldn't like disloyal men, who had other women. That I wanted someone who could repair light bulbs and knows how to fix computers. But, after meeting him, all of those conditions became obsolete. Your Majesty, do you understand this feeling?""

One thing I didn't like was that Ji Man didn't actively plot to hurt other women or children unless they tried to hurt her, but she also deliberately
Spoiler

starved the commoners in the capital into rebellion, causing many people to die. The novel really skips over that aspect very lightly and quickly, when it's actually really horrific.

[collapse]
<<less
5 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
potating
potating rated it
July 18, 2019
Status: c402
I literally created an account because I was so upset seeing the translator for this novel getting discouraged by bad reviews on NU and imho this novel is definitely 5 stars at the rate it is going.

I've been binging on chinese novels for two years now and I think it's fair to say I usually cover a good range of genres from wuxia to stories about scheming and treachery in the imperial palace. This novel falls in the latter category and it's a refreshing turn from all the cliche transmigration... more>> female lead novels I am used to. The story starts on a light-hearted note introducing very stereotypical characters before it slowly reveals how deeply they've hidden themselves.

This novel really reflects the intricacies and complexities in relationships and politics as they should be in real life. The author has done an extremely unique and interesting portrayal of them through the way the female lead perceives them as opposed to the normal narration chinese novels often tend to do. As the usual transmigration story goes, our female lead gets stuck in a novel she has read before. However, the knowledge of the future is not an OP advantage as it is a double edged sword. She is intelligent and bright but she also makes mistakes in her judgement that the author subtly clues you in. The male lead accurately portrays the chauvinism that most males back in the older times would have. There's a lot of hate about how he has a harem and does not blindly favour and even mistreat the female lead in the beginning but honestly it adds dimension to the story and himself as a person. IMO its a welcome change that makes the feelings that develop later even more believable and moving.

This isn't a story about two protagonists charging forward blindly in the name of love and having everything fall into place. If you wanted to read something like DCF, this isn't for you. It's a carefully crafted story on how two very realistic; cynical intellectuals with different motives come together and fall apart all at once and there's so much more substance to the interpersonal relationships in this story which sets it apart from other novels like TPWY or the Malicious Emptess of Military Lineage (both which I greatly enjoy and indulged in). The characters are well thought out and the style of storytelling keeps you guessing about what's going to happen next; I honestly wish there were more novels like this.

TLDR stop hating on this novel just cause there's no fluff because it's waaaay more than that and give it a try x <<less
5 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
Iassi-iassi
Iassi-iassi rated it
April 16, 2019
Status: Completed
A good read. MC is not so annoying with a stubborn sense of justice doing s*upid things. She’s quite smart and protect herself well. ML is ruthless but at the end of day he change himself and truly love the MC.
5 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
jelobelo
jelobelo rated it
April 12, 2019
Status: c317
This is one of those novel that's got me hooked from the first chapter til the latest.
... more>>
Spoiler

I like how the female lead is still independent of the male lead and trying to strive herself. And unlike other typical C-novels, the male is smart enough to know that Ji Man doesn't like him. Things happening in the palace and their household affairs too are really interesting. The translator are doing an exceptional job too. All in All this is definitely a 5/5 stars for me. Be it the story line, character development and writing, it's all really interesting to read and I'll definitely stay until the end!

[collapse]
<<less
5 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
Irene11__
Irene11__ rated it
October 20, 2018
Status: Completed
THIS BOOK frustrated me but hellll its GOOOD

I have mixed feelings about male lead, I hate him also love him ?

The plotline is nice, the thing I like the most is THE CHARACTERS DIDN'T DO SOMETHING EVIL JUST BECAUSE. AND THE CHARACTERS DIDN'T JUST RIDICULOUSLY ALL FELL IN LOVE WITH JIMAN AND YU XUAN BECAUSE OF THEIR LOOKS.

... more>> And another point is the villians gets the karma they deserve without getting r*ped (which is f*ckED UP)

Jiman also not completely Mary Sue. She is not assassin or possess incredible shocking talent.

All in all, the book is good despite the infuriating events later in the novel. Just prepare yourself ?

Spoiler
[collapse]

When I read this novel, I didn't put in mind or focus with the title of the novel. But after I complete reading it, the author mention Jiman is actually just dreaming, she is not transmigrated. So yeah I dunno wht to feel abt tht hahah <<less
5 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
Apples and Oranges
Apples and Oranges rated it
June 16, 2018
Status: --
This a beautiful character novel that showcases characters in their era in a very believable way.

The male lead behaves typically and might not appeal to those who believe in the ideal one man one woman romance. His is the POV of the story that appealed to me the most. He is 15 when he gets married and takes multiple concubines for alliances, its really only when he is 21 that he falls in love and the journey of disillusionment with his 'first love' is heartbreaking.

We get to see most of... more>> this depressing, cruel and sometimed hilarious world through the FL's eyes and she's a transmigrated jaded and cynical 20-something.

An interesting character read. Not recommended for those who want a fluffy romance. <<less
5 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
Sunshine515_ rated it
December 15, 2023
Status: --
Hi,

I will rate this only 1 star,

1- very good portrayal of villain

I managed to read the novel to the end, but I skipped the epilogue. The novel features a siad it was intelligent character, but the revenge plot didn't reach a satisfactory conclusion. Her husband wronged the female lead before and after her transmigration, yet she still liked him in the end. Initially, I thought it was plausible if she liked him, but if I were her, experiencing multiple betrayals and disappointments would make it difficult for me... more>> to forgive and forget. Apart from that, the revenge plot seemed quite simple to me. There was no begging or regret of the evil doer was shown. In other novels like 'The Rebirth of the Malicious Empress, ' the female lead usually tortures the villains instead of giving them an easy death and they even regret for plotting her. In this novel, the villains were excessively evil, plotting against her, and at one point, her son was even targeted to the point of death. What was her reaction? And she was also slow when it comes to discover the villain plus after she discover the revenge was also delayed. Truly disappointing. She was even okay with her son being sent to a temple?! This makes me wonder how the novel received top ratings. Well, different people have different opinions. The male lead even allowed the female lead's family to die. There were too many vicious plots, but the revenge was simply unsatisfactory. <<less
4 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
yi_l1an
yi_l1an rated it
November 25, 2023
Status: Completed
I don't usually write reviews, but I feel indebted in writing one after rereading this for the 2nd? 3rd? time already. Ahaha!

I really do love love love this story; like other readers suggest, I don't recommend viewing it as a romance until mayyybe book 2 (halfway through). If you're looking for blithely feel-good transmigration stories, this is not it. On the other hand, if you enjoy court politics, unreliable characters, and many smart people; this is for u.

    • I love the consistency of the characters; I like that there's no immediate cheat code the MC is given, and I like that good relationships with other characters have to be fought to be maintained. A lot of the side characters aren't one-dimensional; they have their own motivations and reasons for liking/disliking someone, outside of the scope of the novel's (and the MC's!!) world. Your actions have consequences. jpg One point I thought was really well thought out was
      Spoiler

      the struggle between MC's modern world beliefs and the beliefs of the time period -- that she had to constantly remind herself what /she/ thought was normal, was not the norm here

      [collapse]

      On the topic of ML being shitty... well.. that's true. But also, I don't feel like it's an unfair leap for her to like him. Also,
      Spoiler

      just as ML is not the best person, she also... isn't? She does plenty of questionable, manipulative things. Just as he uses her in the beginning, she uses him.

      Later on when it does become mutual, she's not being forced to stay, either. She has her own property, backing, and can wrap that coat around his back and *whoosh* back to reality immediately.

      It's such an interesting judge of character that the love interest must be perfect, "unproblematic", etc. when the MC clearly isn't so.

      [collapse]
    • Similarly, plotline: very well thought out and developed. It feels like a cohesive retelling of events, rather than a sketch of a love story. The setting is treated with due gravity, not a convenient backdrop for romance to develop
      Spoiler

      (and also giving rise to soo many AHHHH right person wrong time feelings about some relationships)

      [collapse]
      . They live in a society, I guess....
      • ie:
        Spoiler

        the ML's actions being a product of not just og!Sangyu/MLs personal relationship, but also their relationship as two very powerful clans -- one of which is firmly tied to one side of the power struggle.

        [collapse]
    • Translation quality: 10/10. Translation is super clean and well-deliberated. As a bonus, the translator's notes are really fun additions to the reading experience. Loved the deliberations, predictions, analyses... !! Spoilers are also spoiler-tagged and convenient to reference in the comments (don't do it though !!!!) I also really appreciated the little reminders to callbacks we haven't seen in a while.
4 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
trash_generalist
trash_generalist rated it
January 12, 2023
Status: Completed
Summary: The FL of this novel is a transmigrator called Ji Man. She ends up in the body of a young woman called Nie Sangyu. Nie Sangyu was once the official wife of the Marquis Moyu. However, because she lacked the virtues of a an official wife of that era, she was directly demoted into becoming an ordinary concubine and replaced by the Marquis' new love (who is the heroine of the original novel). The transmigrator enters the play just when she had lost the Marquis' favor. At first, she... more>> has no intention of fighting for the Marquis's favor, but in the end, in order to get back to the modern world, she has to fulfill Nie Sangyu's wish, which she suspects is to earn the love of the Marquis.

This is just the basic premise of the novel. It's the 'start' you can say. But, in truth, this is a very sprawling kind of text. The romance is not the focus, it's more to show the inter-relationship of the people of those times. From the drama in the inner court (the harem), to the political intrigue in the fight to the imperial throne. It's quite deep!

General Thoughts: If you want to read this novel, I suggest that you don't read it with the expectation of a romance XD. It's true, there is eventual development between the FL and the ML (who is the Marquis Moyu, just in case that wasn't clear. I was confused at first when it came to this xD). At first, it seems impossible, but the author does a great job building their relationship in a realistic way despite the fact, which I really appreciate! Of course, my favorite part of this novel are the complex characters. If you like that kind of thing, then this is the story to look for it.

The setting too was pretty interesting. It's not like your typical ancient times drama. Here, the ML is a typical man of the times. He's chauvinistic and constantly thirsting for power. So, of course, the FL doesn't really have free reign. The first arc of the overall plot focuses mainly on harem dynamics, extreme harem dynamics at that. Things get messy, but the author never failed to give the characters a reason for what they do.

As for the TL, it's pretty good! The quality slips a little every now and then. But it's the completely harmless kind --- usually, it's just a couple of misspelled words. I found the little reminder notes very helpful too!

Rating: 4.55/5

At first, I was really hesitant to read this. The summary was too vague and it seemed like it was spelling trouble and tragedy. I expected to this to be a sado-masochistic kind of dog-blood drama and wanted to avoid the pain and frustration. And, well, that expectation wasn't completely wrong. BUT, it ended up more than that. It's hard to explain because so many things happen. JUST, if you like complex novels and you're looking for something a little more than the usual brain-cell consuming fast-food novels, this is definitely one to check out at least once! <<less
4 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
Fujaiya Sumyoshi
Fujaiya Sumyoshi rated it
September 2, 2022
Status: Completed
Took me a long time to write a review... previously, I even to refused to admit that I have ever completed reading this novel, but I did.

Because of the beautiful name, I expected it to be a fluffy historical chinese romantic novel, and boy, was I wrong...! This novel took me to a crazy ride of realistic world where right and wrong becomes blurry and there is clear sign to show good and evil. Everyone rolls in mud at some point of their lives, and even the MC thinking she's... more>> OP because she transmigrated, ends up being one of the characters in the novel she read unconsciously.

The slap of reality, the genuine sufferings of the main characters, the ups and downs were something many people wouldn't like to read in a romantic novel. It's political, it's a story of the boudoir. How politics exists even at the backyard, the intrinsic conspiracies that may change lives is shown here. No single character is actually flat character, even the servants walking past the main ones had their own stories to tell. This novel kept my engaged for really long and infact now normal romantic novels started to feel simply flat. No comparison.

All in all, this novel deserves attention, and doesn't deserve the low-rating. The author is a talent and translator is patient and capable! With proper reader circle, this novel can really win hearts and set fires to people's conscience. <<less
4 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
1 3 4 5 6 7 14
Leave a Review (Guidelines)
You must be logged in to rate and post a review. Register an account to get started.