Yu Ziyou and Zhong Wan served different masters.... more>>

They had once been the closest of souls, and were the bitterest of enemies.

After losing the fight for the throne, Zhong Wan brought his two young masters with him far toward the borders for the sake of survival. He relied on the little friendship that existed between him and Yu Ziyou when they were young. He borrowed some of his personal belongings while also dropping various hints around which made everyone think that there was something intimate going on between them.

Given the Yu Clan’s powerful authoritative presence in the imperial court, this appearance of a close tie allowed Zhong Wan to live a much better life than before. As such, the stories he cooked up began to carry more and more weight.

As rumors of their lovely romance spread a thousand miles into the horizon, Yu Ziyou, who was located in the distant capital city, eventually caught wind of his deeply moving and epic love affair. In a trance, Yu Ziyou, who had been completely brainwashed for seven years, believed in them. He guessed something special really did happen between them back in those years… <<less

Tang Shishi was the number one beauty in the court. She was arrogant, domineering and aggressive. She accidentally picked up a book and learned that she was just a vicious female second lead in a palace struggle. Later, she would fight for favor with the female lead, and eventually she was ruined and died miserably. ... more>>

Now, they have just entered the fief of Jing Wang, and the first meeting of the male and female leads has not happened yet. There are two paths before Tang Shishi. The first is to hold the heroine's thighs tightly and join the female lead camp early; the second is to please the male lead and steal the favor of the female lead.

Tang Shishi chooses the third way.

Tang Shishi knew that the male lead's adoptive father Jing Wang seemed to be low profile, but in fact he was overly ambitious. In the near future, he will invade the capital and proclaim the emperor before the imperial court, but it is a pity that he passed away before passing the throne to the male lead.

This year, Jing Wang is twenty-four years old, still young, and has yet to marry a wife.
Anyway, she already in the Forbidden City. Instead of being the concubine of the male lead, it is better to be his adopted mother, the empress dowager in one step.

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Zhao Chengjun had no intention to get married, so he adopted his subordinate son as his heir. He thought he would be with his army in his whole life.

Later, the imperial family sent a team of beauties to Prince Jing, and the leader was named Tang Shishi.

His young, adopted son and his subordinates also persuaded: Your Highness, this is a beauty trap.
Jing Wang: I know.

The so-called beauty trap was merely a bait for those who wish. <<less

Qin Mian opened his eyes and found himself lying in a leaky thatched room. The problem was that he was still in his family’s villa beforehand! What’s more, another man was lying next to his leg in the quilt!... more>>

“You, you, who are you?”

The man sat up quietly, his upper body exposed as looked at Qin Mian for a moment before he carried a worn-out bowl with a cracked corner from the low table at the head of the bed. The man said in a muffled voice, “Wife, drink water.”

Qin Mian’s eyes rolled backward and he passed out.

—

Title explanation: 勉为其男 [miǎn wéi qí nán] have the same sound as 勉为其难 [miǎn wéi qí nán] which means to do something reluctantly. 勉 [miǎn] is also part of MC's name: Qin Mian. Also, 其[qí ] sounds the same as 妻 [qi] means wife. So, there are words plays. Basically, Qin Mian reluctantly becomes someone's man [wife] after he transmigrated. <<less

“The first person to dig ziliujin fuel out of the ground could never have predicted that what they dug out was the beginning of a dog-eat-dog age.... more>>

Our entire life was but an ugly confidence game of greed; this is something everyone knows, but that they could not bring to light.

From where did this con begin? Maybe from atop the first clean white canvas sails of a foreign ship that sailed across the ocean, or from beneath the great wing of a Giant Kite as it rose unsteadily into the skies — or from a time even before that: as the spreading ziliujin, like an ink stain upon the earth, turned the great plains of the wild north into a sea of flames.

Or maybe it was when We… when I met Gu Yun in a world all covered in ice and snow.” <<less

"If it's a barbarian you want, then it's a barbarian you'll get!"... more>>

Reclaimed by her noble family after being swapped at birth, Qin Yining is bestowed a hellish family instead. Just as she turns her situation around and gains acceptance, her country is plunged into danger instead.

Shades of gray color the world. No side is completely good, and no side is completely evil. Refusing to be a trophy won by men, Qin Yining carves her own path instead. In this absolutely riveting and spellbinding tale, what does our MC do when an entire dynasty is at stake? <<less

In her previous life, she treated her mother-in-law like her own mother, treated her husband with respect and affection, devoted herself to her stepson and stepdaughter, and looking back at herself, Guan Suyi had a clear conscience. But in the end, she was ruined, exiled, and died alone. When she was about to die, Guan Suyi summed up her tragedy with one phrase: doing too much and saying too little.... more>>

After rebirth, she decided to say nothing, put on the hypocritical face of a good wife and mother, strive for the reputation of a gentle and virtuous character, bury all the enemies in the pit, and ask them to be grateful and remember her as their benefactor for the rest of their lives. <<less

Only after dying did Fu Zhiyu realise that the world he lived in turned out to be a novel.... more>>

No wonder he devoted all his life to loving Xie Ke but Xie Ke didn’t even like him. After all, the protagonist’s journey was to the sea of stars, while he was an indigenous cannon fodder who bit the dust halfway, just blindly delaying the protagonist’s career path.

Fu Zhiyu, who woke up: What is love? What is power? The world in the novel is all fake, I don’t know what they are fighting for there (disillusioned_and_opting_out_of_the_rat_race.jpg)

He deeply reflected and regretted his previous life that was really baffling. After being reborn, he immediately decided to let go and become Buddha-like calm, not bothering with anything and living his life as a happy cannon fodder, the farther away from Xie Ke and the main plot, the better. But he didn’t expect that he was not the only one who had changed in this life.

…It seems the protagonist became strange too.

Fu Zhiyu: General Xie, please follow the script. Now let go of me, I’m tired and want to go back and lie down.

Xie Ke [gentle smile]: I will accompany you.

Fu Zhiyu: …? <<less

On the Third-Year of Kaihuang, as the Great Sui unfolds its curtains to welcome the glorious Tang Dynasty in succession to the Northern Dynasty, Yang Jian established a secret agency, the Jiejian Bureau in preparation to unify the world.... more>>

In a stormy night filled with snow, a convoy of tribute sent by the Kingdom of Khotan was ambushed and massacred with not a living soul left behind. The Second Commander of the Jiejian Bureau, Feng Xiao came forth to investigate the case under Imperial Orders.

A gathering of storms would soon take place in a little city which sat on the frontier, called the City of Six Crafts, where all the top martial powers across the lands would meet.

The ever successful Second Commander Feng meets a dead end when he ran into a Master Daoist with ailing health.

All would be unknown if they had never crossed paths, but once their paths crossed, Second Commander Feng realized this ailing man had more secrets than himself. <<less

Life is unpredictable. Her husband loved her stepsister, deposed her as Empress and even forced her son to death. In that Cold Palace, she was forced to drink poisonous wine. So in the next lifetime, she made a promise to never do good deeds and help others, to never step into the palace and to never become the Empress!... more>>

At the Prime Minister’s estate, the mistress’ daughter is reborn into a she-devil.

An evil stepmother? I will make sure you go to Hell!

A two-faced, hypocritical older stepsister? I will rip apart that beautiful façade!

A scheming younger stepsister? I will throw you into the grave!

You guys didn’t let me live peacefully so you should also expect the same!

Initially she wanted to stay away from disaster as far as possible; however, a man’s heart is like a needle in the sea—impossible to search for, impossible to understand.

The man who once swore to abandon her became someone who can’t live without her.

The enemy from the past lifetime suddenly confesses his feelings for her.

Even worse, she is bothered by a handsome man with a thick-skin who doesn’t know how to give up! <<less

The wife is first, the country is second, and the husband is of lesser importance.... more>>

All of his life was spent riding a war horse and accomplishing meritorious military services. But what was the result? In the end, he was cast aside once he had served his purpose.

Out of selfishness, he had favored his consort and neglected his wife. Ultimately, the one who stood by his side was the wife that he had neglected for 10 years…

After being reborn, Jing Shao decided to repent and turn over a new leaf…

Standing outside the door while holding a pillow, Jing Shao gazed at the sky. He must first mend his relationship with his wife. Jing Shao formed a fist and knocked on the door, “Jun Qing, I know I was wrong, let me in!” <<less

The pessimistic and negative daughter of a concubine living in the ancient times thought – since life is so difficult, why should one invest serious effort in struggling to live?... more>>

The life of an ancient noble woman is often determined and controlled by her family. Moreover, one’s actions often implicate one’s entire family – thus, it is fairly common to see an unexpected calamity result in suffering borne by one’s whole family. Managing to live a good and successful life while retaining one’s dignity is simply too difficult to achieve.

Ah, living in the ancient times is simply too dangerous – we should all just sleep till we die. <<less

Waking up again in his seventh reincarnation, Prince Jing Beiyuan found himself back in time, when everything had yet to be set in motion. Having... more>> been given a second chance, Beiyuan has to survive court and decide whether it was finally time for him to let go of his feelings or not, all while trying to handle the youthful, innocent force of nature that had suddenly barged into his already complicated life. <<less

One leap from the city tower thus fulfills the Marquis of Chang Ye’s triumph in conquering the world, establishing a new era. Yet she only turns into a lonely wisp, accompanying him day and night.... more>>

Note: the title shares the same name as the female lead – Sang Ge 桑歌 meaning mulberry song <<less

After burning herself to death, Chen Rong finds herself waking up in her 14-years old self in the past. ... more>>

Set in the Eastern Jin era when bureaucrats and their lofty yet equally hypocritical and oppressive ideas once ruled the empire, Chen Rong is made to use her past life’s experience to survive and hopefully find happiness this time around. <<less

After traversing to the end of the Yuan dynasty but just before the start of the Ming dynasty, Lin Yuan originally prepared to follow in the footsteps of his time travelling seniors. Invent tanks, cannons, and steam engines while gaining underlings and dominating the world.... more>>

However, before he realized it, Lin Yuan’s followed by a crowd of impoverished and destitute people——

“Follow after Boss! There will be food to eat!”

“Follow after Boss! No more starvation!”

The goal is to dominate the world, the tragic reality however is more about building and farming.

This is a story about a straight(?) Gary Stue protagonist ‘forced’ into becoming a male living Buddha. <<less

Shen Huai was abandoned by all his artists and took over the one no one was optimistic about, the unpopular newcomer Ye Cang.... more>>

Ye Cang caught fire all over the country. Everyone thought it was due to Shen Huai’s influence. Only Shen Huai knew that his artist was a reborn rockstar.

Later, Shen Huai also signed the reborn “Legendary Film Queen,” the unsurpassed “Golden Supporting Role,” the “Queen of All Love Songs,” and the “Greatest Superstar in the Past Hundred Years.” Thus, he breathed a sigh of relief; he didn’t have to return to inherit billions of dollars. <<less

The six prefectures of Zhongbo were offered to foreign enemies on a silver platter, and Shen Zechuan was taken into custody in the capital, reduced to a drowning dog* loathed and condemned by all. Xiao Chiye followed the scent of the furor and made his way over. But instead of setting others on him, he kicked Shen Zechuan with his very own leg, rendering the latter an invalid. Who would expect this invalid to turn around and bite him in a counterattack until he was all drenched in blood? That was the start of an epic feud between both men who tore at each other every time they come face-to-face with one another.... more>>

“Fate wants to bind me here for life, but this is not the path I choose. The yellow dust submerged my brothers deep under. I have no wish to bow in submission to an illusory fate. The imperial edict can’t save my troops, and the imperial court can’t fill the stomachs of my mounts. I’m no longer willing to lay down my life for this purpose. I want to surmount that mountain. I am going to fight for myself.”

Note : a 'drowning dog' is someone who is down and out, having lost favor or power. <<less

Someone said: “My bed, it’s not your first time sleeping here. Why aren’t you coming over?”... more>>

Me: “Your majesty, this wanted fugitive is not a concubine in your palace. I’m not obligated to sleep with you!”

… Makes no sense the concubines are left idle, instead wanting a criminal awaiting execution like me to waste energy both mentally and physically.

Someone said: “Really? – – An Yi is surprisingly very righteous!”

Not lightly nor heavily, he lets out a decree: “If you don’t want to sleep with me, then off with your head!” <<less

According to popular legend, the war god of Da Liang Huo Wujiu was once captured by the enemy country. His meridians were severed and both his legs broken before he was thrown into prison. In order to humiliate him, that dissolute ruler even gifted him to his cutsleeve brother as a concubine.... more>>

General Huo suffered a great deal of humiliation and insult. He bided his time for three years before the cicada shed his skin and he escaped back to Da Jing. After treating his crippled legs, he led his army in three months to storm the enemy’s capital, slaughter its emperor, raze its capital, and finally beheaded that garbage cutsleeve, hanging his head on the city walls for three whole years.

Since then, the world has been united.

——

Jiang Suizhou, a history department graduate advisor at a certain university, received a dissertation which used these unofficial histories of Huo Wujiu as their basis, and criticized the student to no end.

When he opened his eyes again, he had transmigrated into that cutsleeve prince from the stories.

There were lanterns and colorful decorations everywhere. A servant came, sending word that the disabled general of the enemy state had already entered the prince's manor in his wedding sedan.

Facing down General Huo, who had been tortured to the verge of death, dressed in red wedding clothes, glaring balefully, Jiang Suizhou only then knew - these wild stories could also come true.

And cause him to be beheaded for public display, his head hung on the city walls for three years.

Jiang Suizhou’s only option was to provide for General Huo well.

The overt and covert attacks of the imperial court, the witless ruler's every possible humiliations -- he grit his teeth and absorbed it all, all in the hopes that in three years time, he could but keep this head of his.

Of course, he didn’t dare to even dream of asking this 9 ci* tall “concubine” to actually serve him.

However, before the three years was up, General Huo’s legs actually healed on their own.

Not only did he slaughter the useless ruler and unified the country, but he also forcefully blocked him in the room and insisted on fulfilling his duty as "concubine."

----------------------------------------------------------
*approx 6ft 10in in today's measures <<less

She, the prime minister’s daughter, was timid and cowardly. Because her engagement fell through, and her reputation was ruined, she was pressured to spill her own blood in the palace hall! Once again opening her eyes, the cowardice had vanished, replaced by coldness, causing others to be intimidated at first glance. Yet no one realized, she was not her.... more>>

He, the current dynasty’s Chu Wang, served the country and brought peace and stability. Peerless and magnificent, all the girls under the Heavens eagerly pursued him! He helped her break off her engagement in the palace hall, but she avoided him at a great distance. He set his mind to pursue her, but she didn’t intend to love him.

At home, the turbulent currents of government affairs surged violently, disputes from every country continued to spring up everywhere. The stunning her who had been reborn, and how she didn’t bat an eyelid to resolve that terrifying carnage; her name had shaken the whole world!

When the dust had settled, and the song and dance had ceased, who could hold hands with her and look upon this thousand-year golden age, this flourishing ten thousand miles? Nowadays in this land under the Heavens, everyone spoke of how Chu Wang was cunning and two-faced, he desired the whole world, and was someone they seriously could not provoke. Yet the one they could not provoke even more was his Wang Fei – Yun Qian Meng! Anyone who provoked Chu Wang Fei, must surely be prepared to lose their necks!

A breathtaking rebirth, a thrilling marriage, in the blink of an eye the once weak woman had become the honorable Chu Wang Fei!

Wang Fei: In the palace chambers, between the feasts, smiles are hiding daggers, with layers and layers of plots and machinations; those who hurt my flesh and blood will have to pay the price.

Chu Wang: In these troubled times, carrying the fire beacon, over thousands of miles of fortresses and mountains, I have traveled to the distance to these border stations; if you dare to hurt my wife I will take your life.

Wang Fei: In another country, in a foreign land, will his thoughts stay pure? The princess of another nation is graceful and beautiful, will “a pair of people for one life” change?

Chu Wang: Returning home, difficult problems arise. As green hills extend into the distance, beautiful flowers and tender feelings grow deeply; dealing with the ruler and his ministers is harder than rising into Heaven.

That night, all the monarchs struggled for power, smoke rising all around; that night, the husband and wife were separated, neither humble nor haughty; that night, the land was in great disorder, lying corpses filled the plains; that night, whose heart was confused, whose family was broken, whose country was lost?

In the chaos of war, during their separation, separated by thousands of miles of unmoving mountains and rivers, the gentleman’s heart and the wife’s heart never changed. In the lonely city without aid, hand in hand as before, they advanced together while chatting lightly about this West Chu country. <<less

The free-spirited and brutally honest Ye Zhen Zhen was unwillingly chosen as Empress to the playboy Emperor Ji Wu Jiu. Their very first wedding night,... more>> she kicked the Emperor down from their bed and he sought out his concubine instead. This completely disastrous start was only the beginning of their eventful life together. <<less

“Ding! Soulbinding has been successfully completed; you will now head to the Heaven Awaken World.” After hearing this, Zhao Fu’s vision darkened as he fell to the ground.... more>>

With bleak prospects in the real world, Zhao Fu’s life is turned around when countless crystals fell from the sky one night, which people could use to enter an alternate, game-like world. After obtaining an ancient Chinese empire’s legacy, Zhao Fu uses his intellect and resourcefulness to develop his own empire from a tiny village. However, with enemies both in the real world and in the Heaven Awaken World, he must make brilliant decisions and use creative schemes to survive. <<less

Li Mo, a senior beautician from the modern era, transmigrated to the ancient period and became a peasant woman sold to a countryside man. ... more>>

Looking at the crumbling thatched house, a husband with a disabled leg, and the bony little bun, Li Mo sighed and realized she must make a fortune. <<less

The first time they met, he was a downtrodden prince everybody bullied whilst she was a small palace maid responsible for washing the clothes of the people in the palace.... more>>

Twenty years of companionship; he is the only one capable of influencing her emotions. For him, she is willing to immerse her hands in the blood of others, to help him rule this world.

Even though she wasn’t the one he loved, and she wasn’t the one he married, she insisted on remaining by his side, aiming to become the one and only woman capable of standing by his side whilst he held court and the one and only woman in his harem – even if doing so would cause her to get insulted by the entire world.

However, that person whom she loved so much, that person for whom she committed all sorts of preposterous acts for – wanted her to die.

He said, “In this lifetime, I don’t wish to see you ever again!”

She returned to him as a spirit, yet he begged for another lifetime together.

“If we have another lifetime together, I want you to love me and respect me from a very young age, and help me clear all the obstacles standing in my way. You would be forced to watch me love one, and marry another – but both of them would not be you. You must love me so crazily and so deeply that everybody knows about it, and yet you would never be able to truly receive my entire love and affection. On innumerable occasions, you would be misunderstood by me, and hurt by me. The only few tears you shed in your entire lifetime would be for me, and ultimately you would have to die for me. Even after you die, you would not be allowed to rest in peace – instead, you would transform into a spirit and return to my side… Only if you do all these, would you be able to compensate me for what I have done in this lifetime.” <<less

Set in early-20th century China, this story takes off in the port city of Tientsin (Tianjin) that is divided into lands called concessions and owned... more>> by several foreign powers. Shen Liangsheng is a charismatic and cunning playboy, a son of a rich businessman, who has profits as his top priority. He meets Ch'in Ching, an average school teacher who appears mild but actually holds a patriotic heart for his home. The two cross paths and sparks fly. But will their love hold strong through the imminent forces that will tear the country apart...? <<less