Eight Treasures Trousseau

Description

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Everyone in the City of Jing thinks that bestowment of marriage between Xian Junwang and the daughter of the Yi’an Marquis House is to insert a fresh flower into manure.

Xian Junwang was that fresh flower and the di daughter of Yi’an Marquis House was that manure that was not liked.

It is said that what is heard is false, seeing is believing. Who knows what the truth really is?

Associated Names
One entry per line
Bát bảo trang
Bā bǎo zhuāng
ETT
The Eight Treasure Dowry
ซ่อนรักวิวาห์ลวง
八宝妆
Related Series
N/A
Recommendations
To Be A Virtuous Wife (34)
Chongfei Manual (9)
Chu Wang Fei (8)
Heavenly Divine Doctor: Abandoned Concubine (7)
Legend of Concubine’s Daughter Minglan (7)
The Rebirth of the Malicious Empress of Military Lineage (7)
Recommendation Lists
  1. Binge worthy Ancient China (BG)
  2. Imperial theme [BG]
  3. BG novels
  4. Medium-Length Good Reads
  5. Best Female Protagonists

Latest Release

Date Group Release
12/19/17 Dreams of Jianghu c108 (end)
12/12/17 Dreams of Jianghu c107
12/12/17 Dreams of Jianghu c106
12/12/17 Dreams of Jianghu c105
12/05/17 Dreams of Jianghu c104
12/05/17 Dreams of Jianghu c103
12/05/17 Dreams of Jianghu c102
11/28/17 Dreams of Jianghu c101
11/28/17 Dreams of Jianghu c100
11/28/17 Dreams of Jianghu c99
11/21/17 Dreams of Jianghu c98
11/21/17 Dreams of Jianghu c97
11/21/17 Dreams of Jianghu c96
11/14/17 Dreams of Jianghu c95
11/14/17 Dreams of Jianghu c94
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242 Reviews sorted by


ussagi25
ussagi25
May 7, 2022
Status: c45
I think this is for intelligent people. I tried very hard to read and try to understand the characters and what they really mean when they say something.

I may have been impatient since I only got through chapter 45 and then I gave up on it. I may come again and give this novel another chance.

I’m still giving it 5 star though. I appreciate the effort of the author and the translator.
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nightintale
nightintale rated it
November 19, 2021
Status: Completed
Even many comments said that the MC is too lazy, for me personally I like her style, she's a unique protagonist if I may say. I like ruthless and OP female protagonists, but she has more the right balance I think, ruthless, indifferent, clever and has power to protect herself yet caring and has benevolence, especially the open-mindedness when dealing with another women, I adore this part so much. She has enough care and love for the ML but also not losing herself in the process. She care more about... more>> her family than ML
Spoiler

and I'm so thankful and glad that MC's family for once in this typical historical story is a good one, yes there's still some drama and one or two unfavorable family members, but it's still a decent family.
Even the ending with HLY, the bittersweet development of their relationship somehow seems very realistic and touching.
I also like the two most trusted servant girls of MC, BX & HX, they are very reliable, especially that one time when they have to act together with MC.

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I think this is one of many stories that giving the female side characters a real characteristics and not a flat one where they are only exists to enhance the dramas or to be a crazy and mad villainess.

The story has enough sweet friendship and sisterhood in it,
Spoiler

like with HCY and Crown Princess.
My heart hurt for the Crown Princess's story. Her words when she said that she will be glad to befriend MC if she's not married to the imperial family is endearing, recalled that usually it is rarely happened in another story with this genre.

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What I really like from the author's work as her work has a theme of transmigration of modern women, the MC has enough conscience to not make it hard for another women when it's not necessary.

Spoiler

Evenmore in ETT, when usually it's time to be ruthless to the other villain female characters, if can be avoided, our MC won't harm them that bad and choose a better way to handle them with clear and calm mind.

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I also want to point out our ML, the intelligent and awareness of ML are a breath of fresh air, he is not one that easy to be trapped into some unecessary missunderstanding or fall to other women's tricks. It's great watching MC & ML unspoken understanding and growing trust in each other.

I find some part comedic too when MC repeatedly internally praised all the members of the imperial and noble families for acting sad and grieving whenever something bad happens.

Overall there's something very relaxing about this story for me. I can say it's even on the stage of comforting and a refreshing change from the constant tension and drama you see in other same type stories out there, this one has tension and drama too but moderately. It's a good read if you have time and doesn't mind a slower pace palace story with not too much romance in it. <<less
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Nelle
Nelle
July 12, 2021
Status: c18
Everything is so lazy and calm that I can't help but feel the same thing as well. The story is excruciatingly slow-paced. It does not help that the translation site does not have a dedicated "next" button. I'm usually a very fast reader, but I've been slow when reading this one. As I've said, I feel like the mood of the story influenced my mood as well - just slow, lazy, and calm. I can't say I enjoy it, but I also can't say I hate it.
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Figliapao
Figliapao rated it
May 18, 2021
Status: c108
This the first historical chinese novel that after the the epilogue I feel like I couldn't get enough. I finish reading this just in 2 days, the novel is calm but it was good writing & keep building up until climax like a patiently flower is blooming in spring☺🌼 I enjoyed this with good calm deep instrumental music. So if you want to read this, basically this just a slice of cake to sated one's hunger & pass time it's not the main meal so don't expect too much.. Enjoy.

Anyway... more>> Thanks for the author & the translator & editor. <<less
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bookmunchies
bookmunchies rated it
November 25, 2020
Status: Completed
Spoiler

I really do love how even until the end MC isn't really in love with the ML.

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MC thinks everything is fine so long as she is treated well, and excepts her situation. She doesn't put unconditional trust into ML or any kind of expectation. The fact that she knows martial arts really got me. I loved that. She's not really into having a high position but if it's already happening it's better to accept it.

ML is a literature type, schemes and ink all the way. Little bit of an M.

Translation is great.

Plot wise, as always this author really can write. The reason I gave it a 4 is the amount of punishing girls who try to seduce the ML. I don't really see a particular need to be that cruel to them considering the circumstances.
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hrididi
hrididi rated it
October 13, 2020
Status: c1
People say the plot is kinda similar to To Be A Virtuous Wife. That is true but the whole vibe is different of this one. It is more low-key. Nothing is outright in your face. Dumb me had hard time understanding things. Loved it nonetheless.
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jade21
jade21 rated it
August 22, 2020
Status: Completed
It was a good read. Some people might find it annoying the way the MC always liked to lazy around but try to understand MC's POV she has had worked hard from bottom to middle (she never became top actress) in her previous life and kept being struggling actress. So it is understandable that now being borned in privileged family she just wants to lazy around and just enjoy her life without lifting a finger if possible. I liked both MC and ML interaction after their marriage. Hkw both were... more>> just toeing each others without touching their boundaries but then they slowly grew well as couple. Also the Palace e politics was very funny and interesting to read. It was well written I was just disappointed a little as ending seems a bit rushed nothing much was mentioned after ML becomes the emperor but a quick time leap. That's little unfair to readers.

But still go for it.. <<less
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fauxfox
fauxfox rated it
August 4, 2020
Status: Completed
haha okay, I wasn't originally going to review but I saw some people comparing it negatively with some other novels which I've also read. But this is like comparing Tolkien to Harry Potter. This is a low-fantasy novel in the style of a historical novel, not a high-fantasy novel in the style of a fiction book.

Transmigration aside, this is a very realistic story. The transmigrator wasn't a miracle doctor/assassin in her past life, nor was she reborn. She was a relatively normal person. She's very clever, but not overly clever... more>> - her cleverness generally stems from her having wide horizons due to her previous modern life, so she can see through others much better than your average ancient person who has narrower horizons. Most of the time, she doesn't want to bother with getting involved with schemes or figuring them out, which I think is a type of laziness that we can all relate to. "Ugh, this is too many plot twists, forget it" is basically her attitude. Since her husband wants to scheme for the throne, manipulate public opinion, and confuse all the enemies to fight each other, let him do it, she'll support him when it's appropriate.

There were definitely times when I wished she was more proactive, but again - this is a relatively realistic book. Although this 'fake' dynasty is more liberal than the usual dynasties, the MC is still a woman, and women are still expected to stay in the inner courtyard and s*ave away for their husbands and accept him having other wives and concubines. (The novel condemns this setting, but... it's still the setting) It just so happened that she was lucky enough to marry a man who turned into a wife-s*ave once he came to know her and has her in his heart so that when women scheme to get close to him, he squashes those butterflies himself.

This novel is really more about the MC watching her husband scheme for the throne than it is a romance. There isn't any flirting or courting, and no one is there to make friends. The ML definitely falls for the MC, but it's not a passionate pursuit as they're already married!!! he just dotes on her to death to the point where the servants are standing in the corner "ML PLS!!!" hahaha.

The ML is blackbelly to death, but he never schemes against the MC which is.... really so good. I love blackbelly characters, but I hate when they scheme against their love interests?? The MC herself says (in relation to women scheming to get men) that “Emotion as a result of scheming is just an illusion. It can fool others but not your own heart."

I consider this a 'free and easy'/refreshing novel, 1v1 HE. Despite all the scheming, it was a relaxing read, no cliff hangers, very stress free. <<less
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AetherRaid
AetherRaid rated it
June 24, 2020
Status: Completed
The ML/FL romance doesn't quite hit the spot for me. It starts off more like a partnership where they both silently agreed to a "don't ask don't tell" type of relationship and progresses to them slowly learning to communicate and understand each other through body language and silent gestures.

What I would have liked more of was fluff and dialogue. I wanted to see scenes where they teased each other and talked about their goals and intentions.

I felt like there wasn't enough scheming on the FL's part. Although she was smart,... more>> perceptive, and played the role of a virtuous wife perfectly, she didn't actually put in much effort to get to the point of living in comfort and leading a pampered life. She solved her problems on her own without relying on the ML to save her from uncomfortable situations.

Compared to other FL's in transmigration novels who have to fend for their dignities and reputations within their complex family compounds, the FL was well-loved by her parents and did not have to face such adversity. I don't really understand why her laziness and aversion to warm weather plays such a big role in the story, but I wish there were more conflicts with side characters to show off how capable she is.

I wasn't exactly bored reading this, but it fell flat in certain parts. However I definitely was not emotionally stirred and would have appreciated more spice and action overall.

(7.5/10) <<less
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weirdnshort
weirdnshort
June 13, 2020
Status: c9
I just can't get into this novel. They focus so much on their appearance, that I find it quite annoying and shallow. Maybe historically, that is correct - maybe that's what society values in females... The synopsis literally talks about the appearance of the characters.

Maybe if I read more, I'll find that that it's deeper but I think I'll drop this for now.
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ByleeM
ByleeM rated it
May 26, 2020
Status: c108
Ok so I never watch the news, it's always a bad sign when I'd rather watch the stock exchange than read my current novel.

MC is supposed to be unique in her lazy indifferent personality but she just comes of 1D and as boring as staring at a blank wall.

Her personality is supposed to be aloof and going for untouchable but honestly she just comes off as flat.

If she had been any thing other than pretty the story would have really been about planting a flower in manure; considering ML only... more>> likes her face, I wondered if she would have still been so lackadaisical if her husband had gotten 6 concubines and all of them trying to poison and scheme against her at every turn. atleast that would have made this more interesting. I have never so wished for the ML to take a concubine!! That's how bored I was, I was willing to take anything to shake the MCs indifference. To be honest there is not much romance if any so that depicts the reality of marriages for most people in ancient times which is a plus and the translation was superb.... it's the only reason I finished this novel. <<less
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myyinfatuation
myyinfatuation rated it
February 4, 2020
Status: Completed
Plus points: I finished this story, so there wasn't any majorly infurating scenes that would cause a rage quit, and the translation itself was great (if a bit confusing with all the names and titles).

Minus points: So unfortunately I found this story a bit boring. It was cut throat enough to be a palace story, but I never aspect has never really been a draw for me as a reader. Also, some of the things that happened later in the book were just a bit too unbelievable, but again that... more>> didn't detract much from the book. I guess I just wasn't really invested into liking the main characters. There was a romance and I find them a believable couple, but was no heart-skipping moment for me. Like ever.

So I guess this isn't for everyone, for example I prefer stories like Kusuriya no Hitorigoto which is somehow less heavy (gender inequality in the major theme in 8TT but it's not as emphasized in KnoH) but is a longer and more complex story. However I have to emphasize that I actually finished 8TT, and I dnf a lot of these webnovels so thats a total plus point. <<less
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amruta
amruta rated it
December 27, 2019
Status: Completed
Good story. The emperor and crown prince. Ugh. Disgusting.

I liked the author's other work "To be a virtuous wife" much more.
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rainydayromantic
rainydayromantic rated it
December 6, 2019
Status: c93
This will never be my favorite novel and I never particularly liked our MC, but I cannot deny that this novel was particularly well-crafted and the translation was excellent! So this novel gets 5 stars from me, when my personal preferences tell me to give it 4 stars lol. The author managed to weave a compelling story of political intrigue around a character that has almost no part in it (almost everything happens around the MC, only a few events directly involve her). The story was rich in characters and... more>> drama, but every sentence was pertinent to the storyline - there were no unnecessary characters or side plots. Every sentence contains foreshadowing or something that moves the plot forward - it takes a lot of skill as an author to do that.

When I first started reading, I really did not care for the endless innuendo, vague statements, and insincere relationships. The first third of the novel went quite slow for me. However it does pick up after that and I truly enjoyed the novel from there to the end. <<less
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FuwaFuwa
FuwaFuwa rated it
August 15, 2019
Status: c59
Dear fellow readers,

I have to say, that the author did a great job portraying the characters, the female side characters/cannon folders were not unreasonably jealous of the MC, and acted the way they did because of the society at the time and a couple other circumstances. Not the mention most of the MC's family were actually decent people.

... more>>
Spoiler

I say most because, the mother of HYL was just an utter disappointment as a mother. She was willing to let her daughter suffer in an obviously unhappy marriage just so her son could be successful, like what the fluff woman. HYL is your daughter! Your flesh and blood! What happened to the so called motherly love!? And when HXW stepped in to help HYL, she called HXW a wh**e! On the other hand, HXW's mother is just a normal mother that actually cares for all her children and was willing to go to great lengths just to protect them. Fortunately the rest of HYL's family actually loved her, her brother and father wanted HYL to divorce her good for nothing husband as soon as they learned about HYL's tragic situation. And even though HYL, herself, was jealous of HXW, she still recognized the fact that HXW saved her and was grateful.

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Basically, most of the characters were decent for once and even if they weren't, there were reasonable explanations for most of them, as to why they were like that.

Spoiler

I said "most" this time because, honestly, why is the prince such an imbecile?

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Sincerely,

Yours Truly..φ (・ω・`)

Edit: I liked this novel so much that I am currently rereading this novel for the third time. What can I say, this book is to my taste. (Although it may also be due to the fact that I'm stuck at home.) <<less
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Honefuusen
Honefuusen rated it
July 8, 2019
Status: c108
I love this author's novels, so I'm confident to say her works are always a good read.

Can't really not mention the novel To be A Virtuous Wife because it's set in similar universe and the MC both comes from the entertainment circle in modern era. I personally loved TBVW more, but if you ever read VW, you should read this novel as well, or if you like this novel read VW as well.

Unlike VW, the MC in this novel was a hardworking burnt out actress in her previous life in... more>> modern world, so when she transmigrated to this era she vowed to be lazy. It helps because she's beautiful so she's adored by her family and since she is also filial, her family just sorta indulge her. It's a nice change because a lot of ancient china novel like this has MC in a household woth either messy inner courtyard or cutthroat siblings so she has to be scheming left and right from the start. This one isn't. Her family is a nice loving family just with unpleasant relatives I guess.

Her interaction with ML flows smoothly. The progress of their relationship can be seen and no abrupt change of feelings like sudden falling in love. The MC also shows her maturity as an adult woman and didn't transform into a blubbering mess when met with ML.

I like the fact that the MC beauty is a plot device. Like, many novel has overly described beautiful MC but that's just useless description or just ineffectively used. The beauty of the MC in this novel enabled her to take the moves she make or make the decision she take.

While MC's beauty is certainly the hook for ML's interest, but he isn't immediately head over heels. They relates to each other then reached an agreement to form a positive cooperation from which genuine affection comes.

The race for the throne in this novel is quite intense. ML took the means he had to and MC supported him in her own ways.

This novel is pretty bloody. No one is left a white lotus so it's good.

Shout-out to the dreams of jianghu for translating this novel. As always, the translation is smooth and easy to read. <<less
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havisha
havisha rated it
April 21, 2019
Status: c108
I like this novel very much even better than TBAVW. Although the story is slow paced at first half but it makes us understand each character. I like how the main couple is in sync. Both have pretty strong personalities. I like how they doesn't fall for each other at first sight. I like how the ML is having dark side. Even though MC says that she is too lazy to stand up for ML but she always protects him when the time comes. I enjoyed couple interaction and how... more>> they understand each other. Even though MC is very lazy but she stand up for herself and the people she cared about. Pretty much I love this novel very much. This story doesn't have the problem of concubine. <<less
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Bookworm_Sueweetie
Bookworm_Sueweetie rated it
December 29, 2018
Status: Completed
I love this more than the "To Be A Virtuous Wife"... The male lead got darker side and the female lead is lazy one but loyal and can defend her own fu.

Plus, the male lead never had a concubine.
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dramamonster
dramamonster rated it
November 18, 2018
Status: Completed
Hua Xi Wan is the devastatingly beautiful and beloved daughter of the Yi'an Marquis with the long-transmigrated soul of a modern actress. She is lazy and quietly lives her life with her loving family in the Marquis manor, uncaring that she has a reputation for being too ugly to be seen in public.

The Emperor has been looking for a way to suppress his nephew Prince Xian, so he orders Prince Xian to marry the ugly Hua Xi Wan, in hopes that she will be slighted and her noble family will... more>> come to daggers with Prince Xian. (In those times, married couples did not see each other's faces until their wedding night.) So on the wedding night, Hua Xi Wan's true appearance is a total shock. Fortunately, Hua Xi Wan has a lot more to her than a pretty face, as she becomes the Xian Wangfei (Xian Princess Consort).

Both Hua Xi Wan and Prince Xian are very intelligent and practical. Marrying into the Imperial family requires some major and subtle scheming to stay alive. One thing I liked was that even with the unpleasant events that occur in vying for the throne (which takes over most of the latter story), it's all very, very subtle.

Prince Xian grew up in the Imperial family, what kind of women and schemes has he not seen? Seeing him deal with scheming females quickly and trying to get the lazy heroine on board with his ambitions was entertaining. For example, I didn't understand immediately why Prince Xian was angry when a maidservant broke pottery right in front of him, or a maid revealed a red bracelet in front of him, or why Hua Xi Wan looked oddly at his poorly embroidered sleeve. Fortunately both Prince Xian and Hua Xi Wan are very quietly smart people who can maneuver when people scheme against them.

This is by the same author as To Be A Virtuous Wife, both are slice-of-life romances involving Imperial-arranged marriages to princes quietly vying for the throne, but there are major differences. In contrast to To Be A Virtuous Wife, in this novel, Eight Treasures Trousseau; (a) Hua Xi Wan is the only wife, she has no concubines to manage/control; (b) The Emperor has a dirty secret (c) Prince Xian has an unsavoury habit
Spoiler

(prisons)

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; (c) Hua Xi Wan has transmigrated since birth/very young; (d) her family is loving and supportive; and (e) Prince Xian favours her from the start.

I actually liked this novel a lot more after a second reading, because I could better understand the Imperial plotting and the intricate subtleties involves in their manners and protocols. A lot of ideas/ranks are lightly hinted at, rather than outright explained. Fortunately, Hua Xi Wan's modern day acting skills are up to par enough to keep up with the Imperial family.... She is indolent, beautiful, and smart enough to survive. In general, this author writes strong female leads who have self-respect and know how to take care of themselves and live well.

It's a
Spoiler

happy ending, with Prince Xian ascending the throne, and Hua Xi Wan as his only Empress/Consort. They, and her family, live happily ever after.

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acatone
acatone rated it
September 6, 2018
Status: c108
This novel awakened my love for lazy MCs who just want to live a normal and easy life.....

I didn't know I needed this trope until I read this.

The story is definitely quite uncommon and feels detached, which I know not everyone will enjoy, but after spamming the random novels button and getting 2384937 tragedy stories, this was refreshing.

The translation and mood is, definitely, as many others has stated, similar to TBVW, but the core of the story itself, as well as the character, is quite different. The core of the... more>> MC is lazy, to a point where she doesnt want to move, doesn't want to deal with people, and doesn't bother to uncover her husband's secrets (which the ML is thankful for btw, but I see quite a few readers dissatisfied with this). The ML is relatively closed off and the two are like a venn diagram that barely meet in the middle in terms of spheres of influence at first, yet coexist just fine because they don't prod into each other's business unless necessary, which results in little to no misunderstandings between them, before finally developing into mutual understanding and then learning to compromise
Spoiler

ML "spoils" the MC and let her get away with a lot of things quite early on, before she finally reciprocates and gives up her dream of living a peaceful life to be an empress for him.... for a few decades that is....

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. Both the MC and ML are quite secluded and self-assured and are independent enough to handle things themselves, respecting the other's issues and space. This, and the fact that the MC is a modern woman with modern views, I feel that her feelings never quite developed past mutual respect which is a little odd for a novel tagged romance, but fully understandable if you think of the setting.

Yes, I know this is tagged as romance, but there isn't really a lot of actual romance going on considering how the two main characters keep to themselves. However, once you stop seeing this as a romance story and more of a historical intrigue story, You'll find this novel to be quite interesting.

This one also requires you to think, different from a lot of other transmigration novels that tell you what other characters are thinking. Here, you are not looking from omniscient eyes, everything is laid as a normal person would see, and whether or not you get the implication depends on your interpretation and understanding of the common trope. I find that my interpretation when I first read this and when I read it now differ, this also adds to the readability of the novel as a whole, and for someone who likes to nitpick and analyze texts, this was a really fun adventure for me because there's so much to uncover, and so many ways to interpret all of the character's actions.

oh, a little warning:

  • definitely do not read this if you're not too used to reading "historical" romances because unlike many others, the author does not adopt an omniscient 3rd person POV and you will probably have no idea why this leads to another event or why someone is angry and all.
  • definitely do not read this at 1 am when you're struggling to keep your eyes open. You will fall asleep, but not because the story itself is boring, but because the whole thing is so subtle that everything feels peaceful, a little too peaceful, unless you're fully aware of your thoughts you may not notice anything is particularly wrong.....
There are many subtleties you'll miss if you're already thinking about your sweet-sweet bed at home, or you haven't read enough transmigration novels to understand and interpret what the other characters imply by doing this or that so try to read this while being focused and have some understanding of the common tropes and methods of scheming in these kinda novels. <<less
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