This is a slow paced, political-heavy book with an indescribably melancholic atmosphere.

Starting with an unforgettable first chapter, the story is very well written till the very end.

It is filled with some multi-faceted, grey characters and moral dilemmas. It is thought provoking and manages to portray realistically the complexity of human beings, dealing with different themes like greed, love, justice, lust, devotion, ethics etc.

Even though the book definitely has some cons, like the romance development that I personally found a bit sudden, it is definitely a rewarding read that deserves a... more>> chance.

P.S. A big thank you to Huang ''Chichi'' Zhifeng for the fantastic fanmade translation that definitely made me enjoy the book to the fullest. <<less

Finished Qi Ye and Idk it kinda makes me think that maybe this slow burn love, subtle touch between MC and ML is way better than reading smut hshshsh.

I read this straight away after finished TYK and think doesnt matter if you choose which one to read first.

This novel is plot-focused and heavy on the political intrigue. It focuses on a fight for the throne between 3 brothers. I enjoyed the politics and thought it wasn't overly difficult to understand. The literary references are lost on me, but the translator does a great job explaining them. The exploration of morality in court and in running a country was enjoyable. I will say that the plot slows down at points. The skipping around between perspectives and timeframes was a bit confusing as well.

The characters are complex and interesting. There is a lot of grey morality in this novel, but you come to sympathize with the characters and understand their motives. The side characters aren't neglected and even have some of my favorite parts in this novel.

The romance isn't my favorite. I felt that the MC Jing Beiyuan didnt seem to be interested in the ML Wu Xi until suddenly he was. It happened out of nowhere. Additionally, there's quite a big age gap (happens when you've lived 7 lifetimes) and there was never a point where I felt he saw Wu Xi as anything other than a kid. Which, to be fair, he is in comparison to old man Jing Beiyuan. This novel was a good read. The plot and interesting characters made up for where the romance was lacking. If you like political intrigue and morally grey characters give this one a go!

Very intriguing read, but with pretty much non-existent romance. Like, it's there, but it's not even secondary plot, more like tertiary. The main focus of this novel is the political intrigue and the character development of the MC where he moves on from the past to create a new future for himself. A very good take on the "past lover" trope, where the MC doesn't just blindly love someone who severely hurt him and abused him in the past for no discernable reason.

As a danmei this book doesn't really deliver,... more>> but as just an overall interesting book, this was a very pleasant read. <<less

This novel feels like a classic. It is well written.

I have so many questions after reading it, about how the main character's life could have been different it he had chosen to pursue his original love interest during his rebirth. But also I respect his decision to use his rebirth as a chance to explore different opportunities. And the male lead and main character did feel like they were made for each other.

My only complaint while reading is that at some times it felt like time was passing really slowly.... more>> Like I feel like I aged along with the characters and there were times where I really wished certain things in the story were hurried up. But that could also be considered a talent of the writing--making the reader feel a difference in the passage of time. This is a really beautiful novel. Full of both victories and tragedies. I wish the main couple a lifetime of happiness. <<less

I read this novel like in 3 days. It’s refreshing and new for me, cause every novel I had read till this moment its about “rebirth and slap in the face to all my enemys” but not here.
All the characters are enjoyable and even if you dont like them you will be able to sympathize or understand their point of views. Also, there’s nothing like a big “villain” here, no one it’s completely good or completely bad, and the thing I like the most its that all the characters are smart, or at less not a s*upid cannon fodder.

My only problem was that it was difficult for me to understand the sayings, poems or what the characters were trying to say, I never felt so s*upid trying to decipher the meaning of words hahah.

This novel has a lot of political content, I dare to say that almost 80% of this novel is political, if not more, and the rest is a little love from ML to our MC. Practically at the end is when we can see them together but not even that long.

this is my very first priest novel and can I just say that the story is pretty interesting but it's most likely will be a hit or miss for some people.

i can't say that I like this novel nor can I say that I hated it. But im just very grateful for the translators (chichilations group). They're my favourite translators especially for novels that deals with too much metaphors involving poems and other literary works in Chinese.

1. 3.5 stars, and giving an extra 0.5 for the translation. This was my first novel by priest and I really enjoyed reading (ended in 3 or 4 days). It was a easy reading compared with novels as erha and the political plot wasn't that deep or complicated.
   MC and ML relationship it's a really slow burn, so the entire plot is basically about politics. I really like political novels but felt that on this one things happen to easy, so it was a bit disappointing. Even though the lack of romance, along the chapters it has a lot of comic relief, not letting things go super heavy.
   MC and ML are such a cute couple, and they have a happy ending.
   A good read.

Huh, a good novel.

Not exactly my type: it's a bit too solemn/melancholic.

If you really like this type of novel though, the elegant/solemn/slightly sad type, I think you'd enjoy it greatly.

... more>> The novel was a bit unclear at times, but that was probably me not reading in detail. Great translations.

Also, the way the translator summed up the novel at the end of Extra 3 really accurately describes the novel. I'll say it without the spoilers: melancholic, sacrifice, missed opportunities/wasted time, politics, regret, the trolley problem (look it up if you don't know), and a slowburn romance.

If you're here for romance, maybe reconsider. The author placed more importance on the plot than the romance, although the romance is pretty solid. <<less

Wow!! so deep and slow. One of the most heart-wrenching ancient romance I have ever read. The plot is so good with the plotting and scheming and other dramatic stuffs... it just adds up to the slow-burn romance of JB and WX. I love them so much and they deserve with both good lives.

There were many parts that is just so painful to me like the hero liang... RIP my man. From what I see, this really hits home. There were no innocent people from all of these, even people... more>> do make hard sacrifices for something bigger despite their conscience.

I kind of pity the emperor crown prince helian yi tho. Too bad he was already too late and will be having no chamce of redeeming himself. JB and him just dont fit despite their truest feelings to each other.

Spoiler

Even from their past lives, Helian Yi being a too refined and suspecting person and Beiyuan being both too scheming and clever (ofc w/o anything bad to helian yi), they were just on the verge of falling.

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Im so happy BaiWuChan/ WuXi is there for Beiyuan. Even tho WuXi is also too refined, he lalows himself to be indulged and to change for his beloved. He sacrifices everything for Beiyuan's sake.

I think I cant just forget this novel too soon. Thank you for the great translation. 💜🥺 <<less

Loved it so much. Very well written and binge inducing. The relationship is not the focus which I am down with but some people might not be. The one spicy scene was really great due to the definite affirmation of a seke, which deserves 10stars on it's own. If you don't agree you have 0 taste.

Might come back to write a better review idk I'm sick as hell and bfr that was on my period so I kept delaying the review.

I do gotta mention that some things are not in... more>> line with Faraway wanderers depictions of it extreme spoiler

Spoiler

the shidi's death

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A note for ppl, don't make the same mistake as me, chichi has ALL the ch and not just half of them. The random ch1 in the middle is 1-32 so there's no need to switch thru other translations mid reading. <<less

I got baited by the switch tag, even though I didn't get what I was looking for, it was an interesting read.

The romance is pretty slow, but surprisingly I didn't get bored because the ML (aka little toxin) is just perfect.

Full disclosure, I knew I was going to be a sucker for this one before I even started because I watched the WoH drama and as soon as Jing Beiyuan and Wu Xi showed up I desperately needed their story.

Imagine my DELIGHT in finding out that not only had Priest gifted us this beautiful slow-burn prequel but it was translated by the incomparable Chichi.

Get ready for tons of political machinations, a full cast of morally grey characters, Zhou Zishu's backstory, Beiyuan having the time of his life hamming it up... more>> as an absolute degenerate while sowing the seeds of chaos like it's his only job, and Wu Xi not having any of it. <<less

I just finish reading the novel and I enjoyed it more than I thought I would.

The premise of the novel is poignant and so very sad. I love how morally grey the characters are and how their circumstances shaped the decisions they make.

So this is my 4th novel from priest and I will say I am pretty satisfied with the storyline cause if the MC went back to the prince then that would be toxic as hell cause who goes back to the person who literally killed you 6 times due to there trust issues. I am glad MC chose ML cause ML sure is heads over heel for MC. The only regret I have is that I read Faraway Wanderers before this and can't help hating the prince from the start... more>> lol.
I will definitely recommend. <<less

The political intricacies is a great roller coaster. As for the love aspect, the story is recommended for those who likes their heart chopped, seasoned then put on silver platter. The usual Priest style..

Tbh, in reincarnation story, I usually like it when MC ends up with 1st life ML that wronged him, so ML can atone to his mistakes in some ways. Even till the end of this novel (and going through a lot of spoiler snippets), I still wish Beiyuan end up with Helian Yi or maybe a 3P... more>> with Wu Xi too 😎

Last but not least, I enjoy this novel eventho I wouldn't recommend to binge it bcs oftentimes the pain in each chp is too overwhelming... <<less

Translation:10/10

Plot: 7/10

Wish it were more detailed. Nonetheless, its an impactful novel, making one go thru all sorts of emotions

Beautifully written. Beautiful love story. Thank you so much author, translator.