Chaos Of Beauty

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She has been drawn into the life of the phoenix, such fate – “The Emperor Swallow”, but few days later she married the Prime Minister; she possesses beauty that overthrows cities and ruins states but also has a talented and virtuous mind, yet her husband is deeply in love with the Emperor’s doted consort. On their wedding night, his face filled with guilt, says to her: Apart from love, I can give you anything……

Though deep in nobility, her life is not monotonous, to pick up the new number one scholar from within the imperial palace, to rescue the Nu clan’s prince in the back alleys, and with the young general falling off the cliff, with the Emperor engaging in a battle of wits over the inner palace…….

Many men were unable to conquer her beauty and wisdom, yet when trying to win the beauty, they cannot let go of their plundering desires in lust for power. Within the imperial court, there is an underlying turbulence of disputing fronts. On the battlefield, there is the slaughtering of armoured cavalry……the tender grace of a beauty, hearts fuelled with lust for power, which is it that is the burial of such heroes?

Troubled times since the war, they survive in this strife, fighting to dominate this world, seizing the beauty that overthrows cities and ruin states……

The world, because of this beauty, is in chaos; but who is it that this beauty charmingly smiles at?

Associated Names
One entry per line
红颜乱
Related Series
N/A
Recommendations
To Be A Virtuous Wife (4)
Mei Gongqing (2)
Mulberry Song (2)
Song in the Clouds (1)
A Mistaken Marriage Match: A Generation of Military Counselor (1)
A Mistaken Marriage Match: Mysteries in the Imperial Harem (1)
Recommendation Lists
  1. UNDER 4 RATED HISTORICAL NOVEL
  2. Enjoyable C-Novels
  3. heavy romance
  4. Novels I'd recommend to friends
  5. SATISFYINGNOVELS: TRAGEDY/HEARTBREAKING

Latest Release

Date Group Release
12/06/15 xia0xiao1mei lin rui en special
12/04/15 xia0xiao1mei ending snippet
12/03/15 xia0xiao1mei epilogue
12/02/15 xia0xiao1mei c34
11/30/15 xia0xiao1mei c33
11/28/15 xia0xiao1mei c32
11/27/15 xia0xiao1mei c31
11/24/15 xia0xiao1mei c30
11/21/15 xia0xiao1mei c30
11/15/15 xia0xiao1mei c29
11/08/15 xia0xiao1mei c28
11/02/15 xia0xiao1mei c28
10/25/15 xia0xiao1mei c27
10/19/15 xia0xiao1mei c26
10/11/15 xia0xiao1mei c26
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55 Reviews sorted by


typicalbookworm
typicalbookworm rated it
January 1, 2018
Status: Completed
I give it a 5 star. Although, I admit. It would've been better in its romatic aspect if she didn't end up with the ML.

... more>>
Spoiler

Some people would argue that the ending was sh*t but I disagree. I actually like the ending and hoped that another novel (To Be a Virtuous Wife) also ended in a similar fashion.

Okay, so the story ended with the ML and FL surviving (implicitly stated, of course) where they as the 'swallows of the former noble families' have now become those of the common people.

During ancient times, power and status weighed heavily to everyone especially the common folk who, in their entire lives, grasp at any opportunity to be better- in looks, talents, skills, political and monetary status.

For the ML to discard his noble status as the Prime Minister is something I view as his expression of love towards the FL. I rememever reading a manhua called Qishi HuanXiang Ye where the 'villian' called Duarte gave the female lead Lin a pill that restores her youth in exchange for something. When she asked him what he gave up, he said, 'my ambitions'. That line was what struck my heart the most because Duarte was a very ambitious man who had a lot of aspirations. He wanted to conquer the world for f*ck's sake. Although the ML in Chaos of Beauty isn't as ambitious as Duarte, but the mere fact that he gave up all of those material things (money and power) was a huge factor in my decision to love the book and give it a rating of 5 stars.

However, I didn't 100% like the romantic aspect of the story. In my opinion, she should've ended up with the general. Like come on people! We all could see that Gui Wan has a soft spot for the cutie general. But sadly, the author had to pair her up with the ML. She could also have ended up with the Emperor. Even I could see that her chemistry with the Emperor was way better than with the ML who sisterzoned her for the majority of the story whilst the tree (he) was leaning over the garden wall. (≪- to have an affair)

If the author could write spin-offs of the story about an alternate universe where she ends up with a different guy. I want to see what the ending would be. If she ended up with the general, would the general give up his duty for his country for the woman he loves? If she ended up with the Emperor, would he give up the power to control the country for her?

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The story is still good regardless of what I wanted for things to have happened. In a way, I feel conflicted about Chaos of Beauty. I love it but then not love it at the same time. It's confusing but well, that's my standpoint. And, my review ends here. :P <<less
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Yanay
Yanay rated it
July 3, 2022
Status: Completed
Spoiler
  • i actually dont mind that the FL chose the ML for end, but dont mind is one thing and dont like is another.. so yeahh, the ML was very unlikable
  • The FL is portrayed to be a smart women but in my opinion other than her looks none of her smartness is utilized.. that even the intelligence centre she started conveyed the news which were already known by everyone, atleast everyone of the important persons.
  • Secondly, I dont know why people are even saying that the FL should have ended up with the emperor, yes the story is of ancient times and it was common practice for sisterz to marry a common husband (and of course emperors are free to do anything) but the sheer concept of her marrying her sister's husband makes me feel weird, also the emperor was not someone who is considered a romantic interest when he is bound by many mannny things.. (also he kind of forced her so yeah, sorry not sorry)
  • Guan xiu wen's character was added just to enhance or emphasize the beauty/character of FL.
  • Also I actually really really pity yao ying (she is kind of annoying too), she was just used as a pawn by both the emperor and the ML. Also nothing about her was mentioned after the ML gave her (and in actuallity) GAVE her to prince duan (it was actually mentioned but just once when the ML in the end days went to duan state and ask him about her then prince duan says that she is ok just has morning sickness or something), so it was never mentioned whether she was willing to be left with Prince Duan when she was crazily in love with the ML.
  • General Lin's persona was like Xiang Lu of lost you forever.. above everyone else, in another words no one was deserving to stand with him (even the FL) and his sister, both were extraordinary people. And im very saddened by the fact that the Lin's family tree would end because both of the siblings ended up being sacrificed.
  • I dont really understand why the imperial court was not informed about the war ongoing on the borders with Nu tribe. This was actually a very careless attitude which ended up with the death of a great commander.
  • And people are blaming
    the FL for not stopping the power struggle which in my opinion is very ridiculous. because in those times females were not supposed to participate in official matters. So she did just

    what she could to try to distract her husband by indulging him, but it was a futile effort because the ML was a power hungry person

  • Really respect the FL for being dead set on just one person, the ML........ Because in many c-novels the FL's are shown very gentle and crybabies and often end up giving false hopes to 2nd/3rd ML's. When here in this novel the FL admired the general, feared the emperor, was disgusted by the Nu prince and not at all involved with the scholar. she was just interested in her husband either emotionally or romantically
  • And at the end the ML was not likable.. not at all likable
  • All in all I just feel that all of the beautiful writing of this novel was wasted.. and I was disappointed at the end
  • Great translation btw by the translator. good work
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Fulminata
Fulminata rated it
June 28, 2020
Status: lin rui en special
Rated 5 stars cause this story deserve at least a 4.

This story was told like a reminiscene. Perhaps a bard or a songstress, hundreds of years down the timeline will recounts the tragic ballad of two woman whose beauty can topple nations, and this is how they will do it, complete with their embellishment.

There's a poetic distance in the words that gave off the feeling of gazing at a pressed flower; beautiful, but its time has passed. If you're looking for burning raw feelings of modernity, lovey-docey doting love, or... more>> the brutal honesty of war and death, you will not find it here. This is essensially a josei, romantic historical-fic melodrama with a hint of court intrigue, not Game of Thrones (duh) . Everything is told in a muted way, like gazing at a ruin while holding a tourist guide that tells the story of behind its destruction. Some might finds it to be tedious and boring. I find it charming.

The characters are well-written, placed properly in the midst of a complicated web of politics and intrigue. Their choices aren't always perfect, and despite the embellishment, they still retain a tinge of realism. The situations presented here are complex, with ambiguous morality that left no clear distinction between right or wrong. There's a lot of wistfulness with a bittersweet aftertaste, like how tragedy works, partly because of the plot, partly because of how the story is told.

Give it a try while keep these things in mind <<less
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gukguk
gukguk rated it
April 7, 2020
Status: c20
I hesitated for a long time to read this title because of the mixed review and honestly tragedy wasn't really my cup of tea (i was brought here by looking for similar book to General and I and the number of chapter was "only" 39)

When finally starting the book, I was captivated by the beauty from the first 10+ chapter. But then several new character introduced midway and the previous character was hardly seen, I might be wrong because I stop reading at chapter 20 and decided to jump... more>> on the last 2 chapter (I'm sorry!), I suddenly get too tired of the plot that although different but it keep on taste like repetition.

It still a really nice book, I definitely will be back to read on where I left. For the ending, the author definitely could have gives reader more but there's beauty in itself to leave it just that. <<less
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dramamonster
dramamonster rated it
April 14, 2019
Status: Completed
Very good translation, extremely poetic and romantic descriptions. However, this is more of a political scheming story than a romance novel. There is no fluff.

2 devastating beauties, Gui Wan (FL) and Yan Ying, were divined to have amazing, bright, "Emperor Swallow" destinies. Yan Ying did not marry the man she loved, Prime Minister Lou (ML). Instead, she became the Emperor's favoured Consort Ying. Feeling sorry for Prime Minister Lou, she arranged for him to marry the other great beauty, Gui Wan. On their wedding night, Prime Minister Lou tells Gui... more>> Wan he will dote and pamper her and he can give her everything but his love. She is fine with that. She is cool and detached.

The language is extremely poetic, to the point that some events are hard to understand, and it seems that some reviewers misunderstood some of the events.

Spoiler

Prime Minster Lou is very good to Gui Wan. He is always warm and gentle with her. But he is ruthless in his scheming against the Emperor, and he promised Consort Ying he would support her in the palace. However, Gui Wan secretly gathers her own resources to oppose him, as she supports her secret half-sister the Empress in the palace.

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Eventually, although Consort Ying continues to cling to him, Prime Minister Lou falls in love with his wife.

Misunderstandings from other reviews (MAJOR SPOILERS) :
Spoiler
    • Prime Minister Lou never sleeps with Consort Ying. He didn't cheat on Gui Wan. The scene where Gui Wan saw Consort Ying express her love for Prime Minister Lou, there was nothing physical: "... he takes out a handkerchief from his sleeve, and very gently wipes away the tears of Yao Ying who had already become like a child flooded in tears.
      As his breathing came closer, her heart felt as ease. Yao Ying gently leans onto his shoulders, noticing that he had wanted to back away, she reaches out to hold onto his waist, softly saying: "Don't leave me, I will no longer be bothered by other women by your side anymore, just as long as you don't leave me."

      Hearing her words, Lou Che doesn't say anything, but also doesn't push her away... Gui Wan could no longer hold back, taking a little peep from behind the fake rockery, she didn't think that, what she will be seeing is the beautiful scene of Consort Ying gently resting on Lou Che"

    • It's the Emperor who is paranoid and suspicious because he knows Consort Ying loves Prime Minister Lou.
    • Years later, Prime Minister Lou no longer loved Consort Ying. The Emperor only pretended to love Consort Ying, keeping her as a hostage against Prime Minister Lou. So, if the Emperor knows that Prime Minister Lou doesn't love Consort Ying, the Emperor would kill her off, and she didn't like the Emperor anyway (she took the miscarriage medicine on her own). Prime Minister Lou explicitly states in the novel that even if he no longer loves Consort Ying, he promised to support her. ("... how could he possibly abandon Consort Ying, abandoning her, would cause the Emperor to immediately turn the spearhead towards her instead. The love he had for her is no more, with good faith in surviving, he has promised to attend to her safety, thus would not be forsaking her in times of crisis.") So Prime Minister Lou sent her to Prince Duan, who also secretly loved her.
    • Consort Ying later becomes Prince Duan's beloved main wife, ""How is Princess Consort Ying?" "She is very well, just that morning sickness is a little severe." Prince Duan's expression eases with warmth."
    • Prime Minster Lou's schemes are very deep, which is why we also hear him being smeared by others to Gui Wan's case.
    • Prime Minister Lou told Gui Wan to stay, and wait for him in the mushroom garden. Instead, she s*upidly thought it was just as safe to be guarded in the Palace, which was a terrible idea. She was stuck in the Palace evading the Emperor's sticky fingers for half a year. Prime Minister Lou couldn't rescue her because the security around the capital was too tight.
    • Prime Minster Lou was always good to Gui Wan. "Finding that he had already fallen in love with her, and she, is actually still hesitating, even rejecting it, how uncertain and uneasy he felt. So he courted her, pampered her, cherished her like a priceless treasure. He exhausted all mental efforts, for her to fall in love with him, giving her the best the world has to offer, making her grow accustomed to his love, unable to get rid of it. He wants to lure her into sinking deep with him"
    • Prime Minister Lou gave up everything - his plans, his position, his everything - when he heard she was in peril at the frontier. He saved her after she was severely injured by the arrow, and they disappeared into the common folk and founded an intelligence/herbal conglomerate that became a powerful sect 100 years later. Check the ENDING SNIPPET... For such a powerful, ambitious man, he loved her enough to give everything up. Meanwhile, the Emperor died early from illness, still in love with Gui Wan, the Empress became the Empress Dowager and her little son ascended the throne.
    • The Emperor was gross. At one point, she's alone in the palace and he's stripping her and mol*sting her for a long time while she is crying on the floor naked and saying no in humiliation. He pretended to dote on Consort Ying to hold her hostage against Prime Minister Lou. He forced miscarriages in the harem. I'm glad Gui Wan didn't end up with him.
    • General Lin was great, but they had no destiny. He was just a lovely second male lead, and an unfortunate cannon fodder.
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Things I didn't like: I couldn't empathize with Gui Wan. She is peerlessly elegant and incredibly beautiful. Men fall quietly in love with her at first sight, including all the powerful men in the country, which affects their actions. The writing is flowery and superficial and kind of distant. There are few straightforward or heartfelt scenes. Gui Wan has no friends, just male admirers who want to protect her, and maids to serve her, and the Empress.

Gui Wan makes a lot of bad decisions. During the first 2 years of the marriage, Gui Wan sneaks out of the manor and gets into troublesome escapades, causing the great General Lin, enemy prince from Nu country, first-ranked scholar, and even the Emperor to become infatuated with her. Honestly, if she stayed in the inner yard and only went out appropriately, the way she should have as Madame Lou, most of her problems would have been avoided. Instead, she every time she sneaks out of the manor she gets into worse trouble. She tries to set up her own spy agency, but she ends up attracting the attention of the Emperor. I didn't see how anything she did ever did helped her husband. She did help the Empress a few times.

Also, the writing was so poetic, I had trouble figuring out what was happening. Seems like other reviewers had the same problem. There are schemes within schemes so it was very hard to tell what was planned or pretend. Between the distant characters, political scheming, and overly poetic language, I wouldn't recommend this as a romance novel. <<less
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sonbaragi
sonbaragi rated it
January 8, 2019
Status: Completed
The rating doesn't do this novel justice! It was so well-translated. I love every little thing about this novel, its deep, gives you a happy feeling, a bitter one, and even heart-warming.

Spoiler

The ending left me a bit unsatisfied, but that's just because I want to see more of the interactions between leads.

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Chaos of Beauty is not your typical romance and imperial politics novel, if you're looking for something unusual whether on characterisation, plots, or ending, this novel is definitely for you!
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xchronicles
xchronicles rated it
September 10, 2018
Status: epilogue
To all female-oriented romance (ancient times) I've read, this one is my favorite besides To be A Virtous Wife. I was hesitant to read this novel at first due to low scoring but thank God I still read it despite all that.

Like the previews reviews said, don't expect a sweet or doting romance here. It's a choice between power or love in which I think the novel leans more in the former.

I love the atittude of the FL, how her mind works.

I love how the novel is written so beautifully... more>> (and translated, thank you so much). The author lets us see how the characters mind flows.

My fave chapter is... MAJOR SPOILER THAT WILL RUIN YOUR READING EXPERIENCE. OPEN AT RISK.

Spoiler

GENREAL'S DEATH.

No, don't hate me. I cried a ton in that chapter, in daze for few days before I get myself to read the next chap.

The reason why I said I love that chapter is because how intense and beautifully described that war. How heartbreaking and detailed General ling's thought before he died. The regrets he have and the unwillingness to die.

This is the most emotional and tragic chap for me

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Phiex
Phiex
August 18, 2018
Status: Completed
I'm in despair

I should have not read this novel

F**k LC... I never like him from the beginning. This is the first book I find the ML is so infuriating and despicable.

The female lead, don't get me wrong. I don't hate her, she's amazing character but I just wonder

... more>>
Spoiler

what if this FL died tragically in the middle of story. I have this thoughts in the midway of reading this novel and thinks that's a good solution for all those problem that's brewing off from her (caused by her alone). How fitting it would be, when suddenly every male characters here losing their goal. I would like to see their despair, halted their political plans, and then mourning together in front of her burial ground, holding candles and singing praises to her lol

LC wants GW, Emperor wants GW, LRE wants GW, YL wants GW, GXW wants GW

See, the centre of their problem.

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I would not recommend this book to anyone tbh <<less
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Milkywings9
Milkywings9 rated it
March 28, 2018
Status: introduction
Hands down, one of the deepest and interesting novels ever. Usually the two don't go hand in hand, but this had me binge reading all night. From chapter 1, you know it's good! I love the story, 5 stars.
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sleepingjay
sleepingjay rated it
March 27, 2018
Status: --
i have to say this novel is extremely well written. it's melodramatic, but managed to captivate me despite the heartache when reading. this story is not really a light read, it's more of a thematic novel on choices and fate. romance, action, political intrigue etc exists, but only enough to support this theme. I loved the novel because of this, but some may find it unbearable that these aspects of the novel aren't fleshed out enough.

most of the characters are extremely polarising, at times making me feel pity, at times... more>> admiration, other times disgust. this includes the MC and especially the main ML. but in the end, the author manages to give readers an understanding of the characters.

Spoiler

many readers hate ML for his deplorable behaviour and ngl, he is a two faced a**hole. but for me, that made it all the more sweeter when the author brought him to the peak of his political career, the culmination of his effort over more than a decade... and let him give it up, turn his back against his whole life principles for his love and real happiness. I wish the author had expanded on his background better, make him a bit more sympathetic so readers understand him better instead of writing him off as a power hungry bastard. he may be two-faced, ruthless and power hungry, but he was also a product of his environment. when he actually learned what true love and happiness is and how empty its absence is, he was willing to give up his whole life principles and effort. putting myself in his shoes, even I don't know if I would be willing to give up everything I've worked for right when I will succeed. this is one as*hole ML I actually like.

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Spoiler

honorable mention to 2nd ML the general AKA the bright shining, pure light of the novel who truly deserves better than he got. I still need an AU fanfic for him and his family gdi.

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the weakest point of the story is the development of the romance between MC and ML. while a lot of attention is given to the trials they face, the sweeter moments are barely fleshed out, only given glimpses in the narrative and time skips. there's only one chapter (mostly) dedicated to their bonding, which compared to the angst and melodrama of the other 30~ chapters, is really not enough. the story is weakened because it does require some suspension of disbelief and one's own extrapolation to understand why the MC love the ML.

in short, I both hate and love the story, but I definitely am in love with the writing. the author has a poetic way of captivating your interest, and the characters and relationships are mostly complex and well written. even though it's inherently melodramatic, but there's also a surface facade of lightness (also due to mc's personality) that makes the story easier to swallow (I'm not actually a fan of angst and didnt want to read this story at first, but was captivated till the end lol). of course, some things could have been better fleshed out and it's definitely not everyone's cup of tea, but overall I'm satisfied with the story and believe it's worth a read. <<less
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klaxir
klaxir rated it
October 2, 2017
Status: epilogue
If you are wondering if you should give this novel a go, I would say, go for it. The ending is a little disappointing (I hoped for better), but this is a good story and the translation is above average.

This novel has a little bit of everything... drama, politics, romance... the author manages to blend everything together to tell a beautiful story in a very lyrical manner.
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Ivivivi
Ivivivi rated it
September 5, 2017
Status: Completed
The story a bit complicated but it good! And the drama oh My... suit my taste. I read this when I really want reading something serious so maybe thas why I like this.

I like MC she's smart, logical, nice & Wise too. My heart hurt for her in the first part of story

... more>>
Spoiler

when her husband like others

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Actually I wanna give 3.5 but they don't have it so 3. And this 3 have something with the ending. so it'll be depend on who ur ship MC with ya know just like biah belle

Spoiler

If she end up with general I'll give it 5. With the king 4 (though he a bit weird). If she end up with one of them I think the story will have more twist. She end up with her husband.

the husband idk to describe him, maybe a straightforward person? He say he can't treat her with love but will respect her. This is fine I still like him here BUT HE f*ckIG GOES TO THAT OTHER WOMAN. That's a big no no U R MARRIED, well eventho he'll fall for the MC later.

N this other girl I DON'T LIKE HER! ? again idk how to describe her (yes I've a very limited vocab even in my native language) she doesn't really do something bad but is bad uuughhhgggh... just read it n you'll know what I mean ?

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Overall I think the story is very nice if you really into drama. And personally I think this is something that could happened and quite logical.

A very nice read <<less
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Ashress
Ashress rated it
April 21, 2017
Status: Completed
I love it. I binge read through the entire thing from 1AM to 10PM the next day. It would be an exceptional piece of art if the author didn't torture us reader by ... more>>
Spoiler

Picking that husband of hers as the final ML. Why. All the other MLs have their up and downs but they was able to express their love from one way or another. Physical love to Obsessive love. BUT HIM. My god. Beside the title of being her husband and saying "I love you" The author just skim through their love life and make him politic central. It kind of make him lacking compare to other MLs that wanted to give up everything for her. I mean. It wasn't until the last chapters that he finally give up on politic for her. Whereas the other MLs are willingly give up everything just to see her god dann SMILE. I don't know what MC see in him. Beside occasionally yearning, her treatment toward him wasn't any different than to others people. It didn't feel like she love him at all. TBH. There's many part in the story that I don't understand. What's with the politic. The author just jump from one place to another. Giving us this impression of this character like Prince Duan for example: We got shown that he is no longer interested in much of the throne. Then on the next chapter we read the story is gonna kill him off. Like why. Anyway, The ML's student is another ML but we never get to know what happen to him in the end. Or if the military advisor ever got punished. Or... yeah. The general, Prince and the emperor were my top three ship with MC. Because despite their flaws at least they love her dearly and don't risk her getting kill at least 3 times in the story and didn't make her spend her times worried for over half a year. Oh I was wondering why the author show the monk tell the three main characters a story in the beginning but we never get to hear about it or any mention of it at the end. What's the use of it? What about MC forces that she was building? And the bet was just thrown out the window like that? I want to rant more but overall I like the MLs except the husband and the mostly unused ML's student. The MC personality is nice too. Even though I don't get her head. The side character like the Euchun (sp) or the nephew. They are really cute! 4 stars because the writing style fit the story and it was able to expressed the charms of most characters and feelings :)

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cherray21
cherray21 rated it
October 19, 2016
Status: Completed
As much as I want to give this a 5 star, what happened to General is not justifiable. I think it was forced but aside that, I love the story. I love the development of the characters. I've read the previous comments and I understand their disappointment but I love how the author showed Lou Che the true love in the character of Gui Wan.
Spoiler

You might not notice it but if you try rereading it, you'll realize how Lou Che loved Gui Wan. He knows that the love he has for Gui Wan is different from Yao Ying as he acknowledge that Yao Ying is one of his chess piece and originally, Gui Wan is his chess piece too but as they spend time together, he developed feelings for Gui Wan. As you can see, he left everything for Gui Wan. Gui Wan originally asked him if he can leave everything behind and just be an ordinary citizen not bound by power but Lou Che at that moment was not ready to leave yet. Gui Wan mentioned on one of the chapters that if she wasn't able to convince Lou Che then she'll leave him. She gave him an ultimatum without him knowing the actual time she's giving. In the palace, when he's about to put his plans into place and throw the emperor from power, he heard that Gui Wan was trapped. He then chose Gui Wan and concede to the emperor (If he didn't beg the emperor that moment, he won't be able to back down from the power struggle and will be forever trapped in his ambition therefore he resigned from his post and instead chose to become a general that moment to rescue her and create an opportunity to leave). He left everything behind (power, wealth, status) for Gui Wan and that is something he didn't do for YaoYing as from the very start she is a pawn on his chess board. On the snippet, it was mentioned that the both of them disappear during the war that frustrates the emperor. There was also a hint that the business Gui Wan created is where they started their new life.

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One more that didn't satisfy me is the ending, I wish the author gave us a more detailed narration of Gui Wan and Lou Che's lives after he left everything behind.
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Rawr
Rawr rated it
March 18, 2016
Status: --
This novel falls right into my ballpark. It has everything I love to read about - political intrigue, schemes, fight for power, romance, a great female MC, etc. But this novel was a little difficult for me to get through. Time and again Lou Che ends up disappointing the MC (and me). And while I know that it falls under the whole scheme/plot for power, it's still hard to get over - forget and forgive. Sigh.
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admira
admira rated it
March 11, 2016
Status: --
Rather than a romance novel, I'd call this a somewhat tragic political drama. The romance seemed to be there in order to motivate the characters outside of (or in addition to) political (monetary, influential, etc.) gains. I felt that the buildup of romantic feelings for the various characters was a bit more realistic than what I see in my usual reads; I actually didn't mind the romantic portion of the story. It wasn't bad, although it was definitely more time-consuming than I thought it would be. I'd sit down to... more>> read a chapter and before I knew it, a half hour had passed. Still, recommended if you like political intrigue. <<less
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Patience Nails
Patience Nails rated it
October 5, 2015
Status: --
A decent story with a bit more sophistication than most you'll find here. The intrigue feels like actual adults scheming, instead of school kids. The girl is independent and capable, but don't expect her to go swinging around a sword. Her weapons are her beauty and her mind, both of which she uses masterfully. The descriptions are poetic and poetry is often quoted. The translation is also quite good, except for the preponderance of run-on sentences. Unfortunately, I haven't really connected with any of the people, even the main character.... more>> Also, there still isn't anything particularly attractive about any of the male leads, which I would have expected by now since this is in the romance genre. <<less
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MajorGPuff
MajorGPuff rated it
December 3, 2022
Status: c29
Do you like reading political section of the newspaper? Like really delve into it and dissect every meaning behind the line? If yes, maybe this novel could delight you.

It has a promising start, everything is not set in stone. As the title implied, it's about a beauty that threw a kingdom into chaos. Our beauty has brain, and this novel focused not on that interesting facet, but on the court intrigues.

It's like reading a newspaper: it is important, no doubt, but the delivery is oh so dry, and by chapter... more>> 27 i've lost interest to plod on.

The thing is, I read a novel to escape from real life, not to test my patience. Thus the low rating. <<less
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silent hobby
silent hobby rated it
November 11, 2020
Status: Completed
Who made a review that said because of a woman that cause the wars and people's suffering. That's mean the reviewer didn't understand the story and even possibly didn't read until the end.

The facts in the novel's plot are the power struggles and potential wars already there without Gui Wan, the MC. She is only making the ambitious men more eager and speeding up the process.

The MC is only make those ambitious men thought they would have another "trophy" if they won.

... more>>
Spoiler

Many of readers ships for MC with the general, but I like the PM more. Most of the men thought if they have greater power, they will get her but only the PM, her husband could put down his great power to be with her. Even the general always hesitate to take a step further.

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otomezone
otomezone rated it
July 11, 2019
Status: Completed
It is beautifully written and wonderfully translated. There's so much poetry involved.

On to the story, at first I was expecting face slap to happen, because the MC is the legal wife and this woman who became a consort keeps hogging her man. But it was actually filled with immense loyalty to husband and wife (for the MCs)

It's about how power can make and destroy so much yet can be lost in a blink of an eye. This is more like a political drama (with lots and lots of worship... more>> to FL), not much romance despite the 5 guys fighting over 1 girl thing. Even the bit about the "infidelity" is important to the plot politically too.

Despite that, one of nicest ones I have read, without over complicated characters (or too many). I know I said there wasn't much romance, but the subtle affection (gentle swooning eyes thrown everywhere) makes it sweet. Definitely a Josei read. Would read again. <<less
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