Came for the salted fish wife-chasing but ended up enjoying the historical interesting enough but not too intense palace intrigue/politics/country governance. Really enjoyed the random comedic moments from the second half of the novel, made me laugh out loud but I don't know if it was intentional—the puppy-ness of the gong ML.

Usually I'm all for making the ML grovel and beg, etc.

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Spoiler

I really thought it would turnaround when MC shot that arrow at ML, like a direct payback? Then on the cusp of death, MC uses his superpower blood to save ML. But nope.

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The actual background & motivations for the ML's actions are fully explained and understandable, MC's pains & upset is justified, and at the end, side characters and all, everyone has HE. MC gets the entire salted fish—but actually not! Life that he's always wanted.

Really interesting and unique system background with the actors and storytelling and how it played out.

Spoiler

The world consciousness is hilarious. "I love you the most."

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If I had to pick on anything... I feel like the reasons the leads like each other is a bit weak/unjustified. But sometimes I guess it's a matter of fate/circumstances/how a person makes you feel rather than a substantiated bullet point list of reasons.

Would re-read! Cute. <<less

I chose to read this novel randomly and I didn't know I was going to like it as much as I did. Rating this novel 4.8. The only complain I have is that for someone who is a sucker for romance it feels like it takes a while to get to the romance part and when it finally arrived it just feels too short. It doesn't make me like this novel any less but I just wish the romance part was longer and came earlier and not just cramped in... more>> the last 7 chapters. Anyways, the translation is great and overall I really enjoy reading this novel :) <<less

I think this was the best novel I’ve ever read via Novel Updates. Fantastic story, excellent translation.

Mom love is life.

It’s bittersweet (in the middle), but don’t let that deter you! As a certified fluff-preferrer, it was so good. I will definitely be rereading this!

Thank you author and translator!

5stars!

I love this genre the most, and I love this kind of couple the most. The story is not revolving around revenge, but forgiveness and how to live better in peace rather than dwelling yourselves in hatred. I love how MC didn’t forget, didn’t easily accept ML back even though he understood it was all misunderstandings, but later slowly regain his ability to love again. I understand well, how come someone can love again after all the pain he had been through. Not that easy. The story mostly about mild... more>> politics and how MC protect himself and the ppl he loved.

the translation is so good made me cry and wanna kiss the translator. Overall, if u like ancient china, great characters, mild plot (but not that dumb plot), cute ML, just read this one. <<less

Just want to thank the translator for the fast and impeccable translation. Thank you for picking up this novel and sharing it to the world.

10/10

satisfying angst

reconciliation arc 100/100

brought a lot of feels, and the writing is very sensible and well formulated. Realistic characters. Unique world build.

it's sad to see it get a low star review here. 5 stars for me.

Fu Zhiyu and Xie Ke.
Because of misunderstandings, they had a rough start. They didn't have a smooth relationship but I was so relieved they still persisted to a happy end. Especially MC and ML, how they cultivated their feelings and finally got together.
In the beginning I was hating the ML even hoped MC would get together with someone else but having finished the story, I was so glad it turned out the way it did. Even if it was because of misunderstandings or fate, the hurt was real and the pain was real too. But I love how author developed the characters, especially MC. The healing of trauma wasn't written in an unreasonable way. It takes time to be able to love again and I was feeling distressed for both of them towards the end. I was rooting so hard for them to sort out their grievances and make up with each other. When they finally got together, I was so happy.

This novel didn't have much grand plots but how the journey of MC and ML was written and their love, struggles, separation and reunion was portrayed, made this one of my favorites. Translation was also great. Really enjoyed this a lot.

A Definitely Angsty story between MC and ML. This novel is not about Love Story or the pain of it. But it was Feeling of it was Major emotions that mixed with many important scenes.

If expect an MC who will reminisce the past memories and feeling all sad... It's not it. ML though.... *sighed*

It's story of Miscalculation and Misunderstanding.

The Angst though only about the relationship between MC and ML. While the other plot was Non-Angst.

It's pure Miscalculation of Everyone. Things get out of control. A really Fresh Plot!

The author did Great job with how they could achive the HE they deserve to have! I Loved it!

When I started reading this, I had never anticipated that this was what the contents of the book was going to be like, I expected another story like the rest with a quirky protagonist who’s a salted fish— not a determined, bold and equally cold Main character ready to shatter the hearts of many.

He is really an interesting character in comparison to a lot of characters I read about, he’s like what a lot of protagonists in BL novels think they are, stubborn and strong willed, someone who won’t let... more>> anyone get in his way. He loves who he loves, hates who he hates, and forgets who he forgets. Once he makes up his mind, he’s like a stone tower unable to waver which I think is both the best and worst thing about him.

I constantly read stories where the MC says they’re never getting back together with the ML, they say they’ll never waver and probably for the first time, I’ve finally seen a protagonist with absolutely no f*ck’s for the Love interest. It’s just as he says, he’s not important and he truly doesn’t care anymore.

This story is so unexpectedly devastating, when you come to learn the MLs side, everything begins to settle in place and heavy feeling of absolute just pity fills your chest. I almost wish he genuinely was just an a**hole, so that everytime he begs for the Main characters love I can look past it, instead I’m forced to see someone whose been caught up in misunderstandings and completely ruined the first thing they’ve ever cherished without even realizing it.

It hurts more knowing I can’t blame anyone in this situation, because it was all misunderstandings and accidents, nothing was done with bad intentions. The love interest never meant to hurt him and you can genuinely see his love and reason, The protagonist has the right and should be able to move on, which hurts more than anything.

If you like angst and extreme slowburns this is definitely for you, they don’t get together until the very end of the book so you’re gonna have to have as much strong will as a protagonist with this haha <<less

Not a fluff piece. I've read a lot of rebirth/system stories, but this is the one that satisfied my questions by taking a long look at the impact of both. There is lots of palace intrigue as well, which some would find interesting. Bittersweet in places, intractable in others, and ultimately satisfying.

I know some comments already tackled the story outline. But! This is just based from my own perspective.

The story revolves on the long journey of ML's repentance from his mistakes that cost his lover's demise and life. It also involves the slow acceptance and forgiveness of the MC. Yes. It's a bitter sweet story. You must continue to read it till the end before you want to comment and give low rating.

I wanna highlight this in fact. MC didn't forgive ML for the very long time. ML became the knot... more>> to his heart until the very end. I might say this but ML knew what he did wrong and he tried to change. MC sees it as nothing anymore and everyone liked it including me. Realistically speaking, if I was given a chance like the MC to redo my life. I would never forgive ML like MC did for the longest time. The ML's first life is really a red flag and he knows it himself. This changes ML's perspective of love and respect. At this point, MC is indifferent. I love the fact that he sticked to it till the ML truly has changed. Respect, trust, and love are interconnected and if one is broken it cannot maintain a relationship. I do love the way ML's perserverance. It became a green flag that MC eventually realized. MC might have moveon, but he then realized that at some point ML is an existence that is entangled with him creating a knot to his heart. He eventually opened up again and slowly accepted ML openly. MC was right. If ML was still cautious and guilt driven, MC wouldnt be able to be comfortable being with him. Eventually, Mc's knot slowly untangled. But! ML's knot is their first life. He can't moveon into it, especially when MC disappeared. This caused him anxiety that slowly been smoothed by MC. Their journey is truly lovely. It's a green flag story. I wish there's a smut into it to spice it up. But, I truly believe that the story itself is already enough. I might say I thought it's gonna be a tragedy story or a story with an open ending. I agonized most of the time because of how ML became pitiful, (but he deserve it) and this is why I kinda assume of a tragedy ending. And I even thought of this story having a possibility of an open ending as the closure started only at chapter 90. Im glad it's not both tragic and open ending story. Well, I have blab a lot. I just want to say I recommend this with all my heart. I hope all ML follows the footstep of Xie Ke and I hope MC's from other novel becomes Fu Zhiyu. <<less

A good story like this deserves more views. I sincerely wish people read this story which was depicted quite logically, making us look at the progress of emotions in every character. I felt all of the characters growing and becoming a better version of themselves. The tangled ball of red string of fate between the two characters and how they deal with it finding out what happened little by little... It's heartbreaking yet lovely. This story will definitely bring you to tears multiple times but has a bittersweet ending. It'd... more>> be such a shame if a fabulously well done story like this is underrated. <<less

Not for the faint of heart, or for people looking for mindless fluff or face-slapping

this is a long, painful story of falling out of love, losing yourself, finding yourself, accepting yourself, and finally opening your heart again.

there are no shortcuts here, and actions have consequences. Just because someone is sorry they hurt you, does not mean the person who was hurt has an obligation to forgive them or take them back into their life. A very painful lesson for the ML to learn, ~~and for people in real life too~~

it... more>> is still a HE, and I enjoyed the resolution and the journey. MC and ML are happy together and genuinely love each other now. <<less

This is a really good crematorium story!

I dislike the ML a lot and he creeps me out so much. I’m so glad the MC doesn’t give a sht about him anymore.

No matter what, I think the ML deserves to suffer because in the past life —- yes, he had a mission he had to fulfill. Yes, he couldn’t deviate from the mission because he will lose points or get punished by the system. But it’s also a fact that it was never his mission and it was never in the... more>> book plot that he needed to have a romantic relationship with MC.

For me, he shouldn’t have given MC the “hope” that the MC’s feelings are reciprocated when the ML never had the intention of going against the book plot. The ML knew that he will marry another person, have concubines, take over the throne etc. But he still made the MC feel that he loves him.

If he really loves the MC, the best way to show his love should have been letting the MC go and not reciprocating his feelings. With the MC’s personality, he wouldn’t persist crazily over ML. <<less

Awesome story, I love how they really drew out the separation between MC and ML. And, the slow revelation of the truth behind their situation was interesting to unravel.

In the beginning I was angry at ML, then I felt sorry for him, even later I got upset with MC. I couldn't believe that so much time had passed and they still hadn't solved the problems and weren't together.

But I still hoped for the best and it turned out to be worth it.

I'm glad I read this story. There were moments when I got a little tired of the MC and his laziness, but at the same time that was his charm.

Thank you very much to the translator 💜.... more>> The translation is very good)) <<less

pretty good, kinda short read. The way the story progressed was interesting and satisfying, but the timeline got compressed and confusing after

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Spoiler

MC became the king of Jiangnan. Like he just turned 21/22 (?) then suddenly 4 years had passed after he became a king. Then ML got older and mc's age/the passage of time isn't mentioned anymore. Just "this and that happened". Wtf????

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ending also got compressed in a few chapters. Good plot but it feels rushed.

There is character development, just at the latter part of the story. It's understandable why the characters turned out the way they did as people. MC and ML were both very insecure and had no reference of a healthy relationship so it's pretty realistic how their relationship blew up. <<less

There's so much to talk about, it's super hard to leave a review of this. Sorry yun!! This is gonna leave a LOT out because I can't focus on what to say.

First, I really enjoyed this and highly recommend it. I wasn't always happy with how it went, but I can't deny that it was written extremely well, and the transition was perfect. I think that the author was very good at communicating the feelings they wanted the readers to experience, and it's clear that years of thought went into... more>> making it.

I've been looking for a satisfying gold-standard rebirth wife-chasing story where the ML is tested very thoroughly, has learned lessons, and really treasures the MC, while MC has trouble forgiving ML and has a lot of inner conflict about what he himself really wants. This comes the closest so far to what I'm looking for.

It did bring several tears to my eye, and then down my face. I don't cry particularly easily.

The worldbuilding is STUNNING, both the historical lower level world and the functions of actors and systems and world creation and plot tasks. Everything has an explanation. I really liked the politics, but also the agricultural and economic development parts lol. Kind of hoped to see less time skipping and more of a lot of the side characters, but the point was MC finding his care for involvement the world and completing the unfinished work he dreamed of before rebirth. So, that's where the focus was.

I also would have liked more of Xie Ke reminiscing about the previous life and explaining the contrast between his actions and feelings, but it was certainly present.

Fu Zhiyu didn't hate the ML, but he didn't want to become what he did in the past life or relive his mother's mistakes, becoming enmeshed and entangled and inextricable no matter what personal conflicts arose. He wanted them to live their own lives separately. Unlike Xie Ke, who had lived many complete lives alone before him, he hadn't had the opportunity to focus on his own time in the world.

I can see why some people wouldn't love this novel, but not enough to downvote it. The story was really well-crafted. That's a fact. It passes the grading rubric comprehensively and with flying colors.

If you want a repentant, suffering gong who isn't stonefaced or constantly erect, this is your man. If you want an independent, calculating shou who repeatedly asserts strong boundaries, this is your man. If you like quick transmigration settings that explore the perspective of characters born from the world, read this. <<less

Q: Is ML supposed to be... not-very-likeable all the way until
A: Yes. He's quite endearing once we get the full story! But before that, he is a jerk. We know it. Our lovely MC knows it.

I'm hesitant of tragedy and angst elements but the author's steady control of the plot and characters made it a smooth, buddha-like, read. All characters acted the way they did (and subsequently made the decisions they did) for a reason, and that includes ML acting like a donkey for the bulk of the novel.

I heeded the translator note on ch1 regarding novel tags, but I had too many tabs and checked the wrong novel lool. Had I seen the right tags, I most likely would have put this off. And I'm very glad I didn't!

I honestly didn't expect to like this book so much. The plot is very slow burn and the ML isn't part of it most of the time, but his influence is.

The author has really portrayed the process of overcoming trauma in such a good way. I cried so much reading this. The relationship was not forced at all.

The story might not be for everyone but I find it very well written with a consistent plot and fleshed out characters. The translation is really well done too.

I honestly recommend if you're... more>> into deeper stories that are more than just a reprieve from boredom ❤️ <<less

Really a good read. The drama and heartbreaking trails both MC and ML gone through really well written. This is not mindless crematorium, the redemption and the healing phase MC gone through really quite realistic. And it’s took a few life time to heal and to love again. Its a really nice read, and the translation is great. Thank you