The Chronicle of the Oriole Island

Description

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The Oriole Island belonged to the famous and notable Murong family. The current island owner was a young girl Murong Qiang. Because of her father’s death, she was surrounded by lots of ambitious people in the capital. Then she went back to the Oriole Island with her widowed mother and young sister. Murong Qiang’s sister, Murong Wei, a gorgeous beauty was engaged with the nobleman Ren Shiqiong, but she eloped with the famous painter Xu Zihui. So Murong Qiang married Ren Shiqiong instead of her sister.

The mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind. But sometimes, it is hard to find out who is the oriole and who is the cicada.

Seven people said the same story, but the whole story was not clear until the end, and the story was always reversed back and forth.

Maybe in the end you were going to ask me, was this the original story?

I don’t know either.

Associated Names
One entry per line
黄雀纪事
Related Series
N/A
Recommendations
Our Second Master (1)
My Daughter is the Family Head (1)
Recommendation Lists
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  5. Novels That made me Sleepless every night!

Latest Release

Date Group Release
01/13/20 littlemonster c7 (end)
01/11/20 littlemonster c6
01/10/20 littlemonster c5
01/09/20 littlemonster c4
01/08/20 littlemonster c3
01/07/20 littlemonster c2
01/06/20 littlemonster c1
Review
33 Reviews


earlgreyt
earlgreyt
Jan 18, 2020
Status: Completed
I wasn't sure about this story at first because every chapter is a long narrative in the form of a different character's POV. (Long narratives can get pretty boring if not done well.)

But this is a very beautiful and thought-provoking short story (๑→‿←๑).

It's like an onion.

... more>> Starting at the outer layer, each person's perspective digs deeper and deeper into these two connected large events in the family, and eventually unveils new intentions behind the actions of the main characters.

In the end, it's up to the reader to decide: Who manipulated whom? Who gained the most?

I thought this would be a simple story of an elopement and then eventual happy fluffy marriage. I was totally wrong.

So I recommend putting aside your preconceptions and giving this a try.

I'm sure I'll come back to reread this in the future.

-

Kudos to the translators, I thought it was done very well. <<less
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potatosince1992
potatosince1
Apr 19, 2020
Status: Completed
The only grief I have is that it's too short! I need one more chapter as closure ?

It's such a good read though. Interesting to see the events unfold on various perspectives.

I don't know why, but I feel a little sorry for the guys. They are operating purely on feelings and then there are the girls ?

Lol, that's a first.
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Kei-Em03
Kei-Em03
May 04, 2020
Status: Completed
I really dont know how to feel about it. Its very interesting to read however I really feel bad for her.

... more>>
Spoiler

I really hated the mother. She was very unreliable and I really hate how she was with MC.

I especially hate the selfish sister. Her plot and schemes will be her doom. I would imagine that they would all somehow meet in the capital. The Xu guy may react in two ways: 1. Either he would find out the schemes of the younger sister and hate her. Or 2. He would honor the promise he made with the MC and take care of the sister (but this is bound to end badly, the Xu guy character is set as a guy who will treat the younger sister in a civilized manner probably like a sister or smthng but because of his love for MC, the selfish sister will end up being frustrated in the future, and will possibly be driven insane by this. This is where they end. One way or another they wont end up happily together.

The Xu guy really frustrates me. She obviously kinda like him too. But love was never her focus. So he shouldve made a move. Its just a wasted love story.

I feel bad for MC. So much that I almost put this down and not continue to read. I feel lonely for her, I feel tired, I feel angry and sad. There was never a point were the story lean into her happiness.

But I love how smart she is. How easily she can adapt to things. How her mind works so fast that she will analyze everything and figure out which way is the best for her family and how she can achieve her goal.

ML. I dont think he deserves her. Just because you cant be an upfront guy or that you can talk properly with the girl you like, this doesnt give you the right to be rude or talk badly to her.

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The novel was well written and it was written in a unique way. I like how it showcase different facets of human nature. <<less
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DOHere
DOHere
Mar 03, 2020
Status: Completed
I really loved it, you can call it a masterpiece. And there's a well thought moral, in correlation with the title derived from a well known Chinese saying.

... more>>
Spoiler

I loved how she actually planned more or less everything.
If one thing didn't fall into her calculations, is that both of those men fell in love with her, not with her sister! At first I felt it was quite funny and thought she was a bit dense in this aspect. But after thinking about it... her future husband was always rude to her or ignored her while treating her sister fondly.
And the painter was nice to both of them and didn't give any clear cut indication of his love for her. Although, there were some hints she didn't catch - like the fact he was always stealing glances as her and that all of his paintings were of her.
Actually, she should've noticed something with the painter at least at the end - and I think she did. But as it was mentioned she didn't want to delve more into it.
That was one of the heartbreaking facts. I was really happy she wasn't exactly the selfless hardworking idiot she seemed to be, and was actually clear-headed and calculated. But the truth is, she never even wanted to dig into her feelings for the painter. She dedicated herself to getting her family's heritage back and decided feelings were something she didn't need, and instead weighted each relationship for its usefulness.
Maybe, if her mother, as she realised later, would've shared some of mc's burdens, at least emotionally, MC could've been more honest with herself. It seems she did care for her family, but in a way never expected anything from them. It actually never crossed her mind that anyone might care for her.
Nevertheless, it can be considered she got a happy ending. However, I wish we could've seen what happened to them after the end - I hope the painter broke up with that selfish younger sister and hope MC got her family's possessions back and found out her husband's feelings for her.

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chinadollxx
chinadollxx
Jan 31, 2020
Status: c7
I've been a silent reader all these years and this is the first time I felt compelled to write a review. Initially I was a little hesitant in reading it since the description sounds like your everyday "sis steals man from other sis" plotline.

Boy am I thankful I gave it a chance. I was blown away at the originality and how the author presented this story to the readers. I promise you, even if these 7 chapters aren't your cup of tea, you will feel refreshed by such creative unraveling... more>> of the tale.

Thank you translator for picking this gem up! <<less
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onelovestorie
onelovestori
Jan 21, 2020
Status: --
I wholeheartedly agree with the previous reviewer about this novel being like an onion. You dig deeper and deeper as each chapter tells the story from another perspective. Every chapter I had a new understanding of the main characters. Even up until the last chapter I did not expect the ending to turn around and make me so pleasantly surprised. I loved the FL in this novel to bits. The ML is so not the star of this show as it usually happens in so many novels where ML is... more>> s*upidly smart and has all the advantages. <<less
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Syeniaw
Syeniaw
May 01, 2020
Status: Completed
Didn't expect how the story end. This story is different from other but thats what make it special. I really love how it turns out in the end. But I think it just need one more chapter for a closure.
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aovel
aovel
Feb 16, 2020
Status: c7
I can't believe I almost skipped reading this!!! This was amazing! Genius more like it!

The different POVs was very clever. It's a fresh take on things. And although there's only 7 chapters I felt like there's a lot of backstory and there was no moment when I felt like anything was lacking.

When I read the last chapter I laughed out loud wondering what the ML would think if he knew. But seriously, among all of them, the MC hides the deepest. Brilliantly done!",)
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dee_ism
dee_ism
Mar 14, 2021
Status: --
Such an unique and interesting story. I thought it would be another cliché, but it turns out good! I'm pleasantly surprised.

I love the POV changes on each chapter. The plot twist, WOW!

I love our MC. Hopefully she and ML can live happily, as they should be.
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Eclat123
Eclat123
Dec 10, 2020
Status: Completed
This is an extremely intriguing and well-written story. The author used an uncommon approach by introducing each chapter through different characters' narratives. The narrators' thoughts and emotions were conveyed clearly through the chapters, making each of them extremely vivid and built up the intricate plotline that was mainly focused on their unconveyed thoughts.

The basic idea was pretty simple: a bethroted girl ran away from home with another guy, and the sister had to marry the fiance as a compensation. But here's the twist, each of the character has a mind... more>> and agenda of their own while each chapter was limited to the current narrator's perspective, making the story all the more realistic with all these differing unreliable short-sighted narrations.

Your mind, more specifiacally what you perceive as the 'truth', would be tossed around with each chapter as you read. You would only understand the whole picture when you've finished all the chapters.

This is a very refreshing read in between all the commonly written romance novels with cliched plotlines, cliched settings, and cliched deliveries with either the third person or single first person point-of-view. The author's use of different characters to be in charge of narrating each chapter with their intricate intersecting yet intriguing plot details really deserves a recognition. This truly shows how skilled the author is. <<less
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JLcL
JLcL
Jun 17, 2020
Status: Completed
Well...... 1st I was confused, and suddenly I cried.... Then felt longing..... And after that heartache until in turned to hatred... And then understanding.

This story told me that I should PREPARED BEFOREHAND

Uuhhmm well this is a fantastic plot, story, although it's short but I really felt alot of emotions based on the characters and how it goes well till the end

A famous novel that created 2008 THANK U TRANSLATOR. KUDOS!

THANK U VERY MUCH AUTHOR LOVELOTS~

... more>>
Spoiler

1st POV wet nurse, 2nd maid, 3rd mother, 4th the painter, 5th the sister, 6th the fiance, 7th the heroime

Well u will understand the story when u read it. Its just 7chaptes PLEASE TRRY. U won't regret it. Hoppee soo. But honestly ITS GOOD

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stony27
stony27
Apr 15, 2020
Status: --
Beautiful piece. Who tf gave it 1 star? (Boi if u did that u illiterate and can't read my insults anw) This was a very enjoyable read and conveyed so much meaning using so little words. It made me think of "Wonder" by RJ Palacio but less angsty and with less conflict. All the perspectives felt fleshed out, even the sister's. Her melodrama about carving out her own heart as well as the painter's if he refused her kinda sounded like your regular hormone-filled teen angst to me. Her jealousy... more>> towards her sister is also pretty realistic and embodied the image of a spoiled child's immaturity-- it made sense. There are a lot of people like her who exist in real life.

To people who are hesitant to give this a try: you won't regret it. It's a very short read and well worth the time. MC is smart because of her circumstances slapping her in the face. She's a bit dense when it comes to love, but in a reasonable way because the love interests were very obscure about their feelings too.

Spoiler

In my opinion, I think she liked the painter, even if the feelings were just a little bit. I thought she kept the painter's sketches as part of her ploy to increase her sister's interest in him, but I later found she didn't really care what the sister thought about him. She had no reason to collect the art, but she did so anyway, thus arousing ML's anger and jealousy. When the painter left, she felt a bit melancholic, but she's smart enough to let it go and ignore the things that hinder her biggest interests.

I think she figured out ML's love for her in the end. She found out he was the soldier who washed ashore on her island those years ago, and took the necklace he gave her that year to wear as a bracelet. She said that as long as she wore the bracelet, he would help her achieve her goals (because he loved her and wearing his token was like accepting his feelings). Say what you want about pure intentions, but I kinda like how MC wasn't above taking advantage of people's feelings to further personal agendas that won't harm them.

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nouhr99
nouhr99
Dec 27, 2022
Status: Completed
I gave this a 5-star review but I have to say I have mixed feelings about this novel. On the one hand the multiple POV allows you to slowly piece together the story, form and change your opinion about each characters and leaves you with a longing at the end.
On the other hand, it wasn’t enough for me. I wanted to know what happened after. I feel like this was the prequel to a much bigger plot but no... the story ended like that.

This is the first time I... more>> read a novel like this and I think I love it. It gives room for you to imagine the ending and create endless scenarios. I also think this is the kind of novel you enjoy more as you think back about it and rethink the details of the story you didn’t pay attention to and that could give an insight into what could happened next.

Anyway 10/10... would recommend <<less
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Dayang_Dyan
Dayang_Dyan
Apr 10, 2021
Status: Completed
this novel is very intriguing. The different POVs of the characters can make you feel different emotions, but that last chapter just turned the whole story around.

it was really short, and I was kind of expecting some romance but theres no romance at all!!
1 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
Valentine Jegeg
Valentine Je
Feb 21, 2021
Status: c7
great story. Some might say that it is too short, for me it is perfect the way it is. It highlights the important part. And the POV which is slowly leading us to the real plot is very interesting, because that is what life is about. When there are 7 people involved, there are 7 versions of the story
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Kim Nara
Kim Nara
Jan 26, 2021
Status: Completed
I've been skipping this novel several times because I thought it was just another cliché, but reading reviews from other readers, I forced myself to read it with skepticism.

It turned out to be quite interesting, even though the initial chapter was confusing to me. I hate some character and feel sorry for the others, but I don't feel like there's really villain here, there were only characters with their feelings and desires and no one was really hurt.

The final chapter will have you rethinking the thoughts of each character mentioned... more>> before, and it is possible that your feelings for them will change. For me, I don't really like everyone, especially MC, she is too calculating even though I know she has a reason for that.

This is a good story, one that asks us to conclude the whole thing ourselves. The author only narrates the feelings of each character and that's it.

You think for yourself which character is correct, which character deserves your sympathy, what this novel really means, etc. Also, it's not about romance huh, and no fluffy here. <<less
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sangmaharani
sangmaharani
Dec 18, 2020
Status: Completed
No wonder the translator said it's still popular even after 12 years of release. This story is simply diamond!

The mystery is quite light, only about Hyouka's level of mystery, but narrated in a way you won't stop reading until it's over. It also gives me a bit of Agatha Christie's vibe, particularly on how it plays with narrative and deals with subtle mannerism.

The most unique thing in this story is that the FL doesn't serve as the detective, but as the biggest mystery that readers need to figured out bit... more>> by bit from various supporting character's point of view. Such a refreshing writing style.

I'd honestly love to have more dramatic closure as well as epilogue, but for 7-chapters length, this is already undisputably amazing. <<less
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BillionJellyfish
BillionJelly
Dec 07, 2020
Status: Completed
This is an extraordinary written work! The different points of view is done very well, with many twists and turns!

There are several important characters in the story, so I will provide a brief introduction to each.

Murong Qiang: the elder sister, owner of Oriole island, a great strategist and tactician

... more>> Murong Wei: the younger sister, a typical spoiled brat

Xu Tong: a famous, frivolous Western painter

Ren ShiQiong: a Navy soldier, a typical CEO-like ML that lacks communication, cold, taciturn, etc.

personally, I think Ren ShiQiong was the least fleshed out character and his personality is too cliche for my liking.

Overall:

This story can totally have been over a hundred chapters long with all the drama provided by the author. Even though this is a short story, all the elements of a good plot is here. There are political intrigues, romance, and historical events all rolled up into a delicious and fragrant spring roll. I really hope there is a sequel to this story because there is just so much more that can be told. Words can not describe how impressed I am with this short story. <<less
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divinelove
divinelove
Dec 05, 2020
Status: Completed
Wow this one is a gem! I've guessed everything right about everything except the real Murong Qian's heart! She is one hilarious and quite manipulative girl. I don't mean that she was manipulative in a bad or unkind way, she is nice and kind and everything and never intending to hurt others. She is just unpredictably dense but a shrewd business woman! She's kind of very pure and innocent in certain way 🤣

I love the ending. I hope the author wrote another extra chapter. But this is as good as... more>> we get. It's perfect just the way it was. This one can become a legend. <<less
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IrisBay
IrisBay
Sep 28, 2020
Status: Completed
I really wonder what happened to her young sis and that coward xu after the runaway. Are they got end together or separated in the end? What an open ending....

Xu guy was really and idiot, seriously.. What a waste, if you really love the MC, go for it! Keeping for yourself alone, have a s*upid reasons and listen to other said, will not make any spark in your lovelife... Really an IDIOT!!! So he think that the way he said he elope with her sis will MC think of him..... more>> Of course not, MC will forgot him.. Just think of it, you had a guy that you like then got a gf, so just forget that got and move on.

Ren guy, some commented that they don't like this guy because of his attitude for MC. Well... we can't blame this another idiot.., he like MC but also hated her.. Because of thinking that he can't love him back, MC match her with her young sis, jealous to Xu guy... Acting like a kid. For the MC to notice her, he talk and act harsh... Well in the end, he planned and he got what he wish for. <<less
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