I Couldn’t Ask

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The man I saved destroyed my country with his own hands.

I still remembered the day when I was given the title “Consort Yu” and my husband was kneeling outside of the palace for the night.

It happened to be New Year’s Eve that day, and there was a heavy snowfall.

Xu Tangan told me that he would treat me better than anyone else.

I could seek his power and status, but I must not seek his love.

Associated Names
One entry per line
求不得
Related Series
N/A
Recommendations
Shattered Glass (2)
Ballad of Ten Thousand Gu (2)
Second Marriage (2)
You Must Pity Me (1)
Daybreak (1)
Don’t Be a Favored Concubine (1)
Recommendation Lists
  1. historical chinese novels
  2. Novelettes
  3. Chine female protagonict 2
  4. my tears ricochet
  5. Rawr Rawr Novels

Latest Release

Date Group Release
04/18/21 Foxaholic extra 2
04/18/21 Foxaholic extra 1
04/13/21 Foxaholic c13
04/13/21 Foxaholic c13
04/12/21 Foxaholic c12
04/11/21 Foxaholic c11
04/10/21 Foxaholic c10
04/10/21 Foxaholic c9
04/07/21 Foxaholic c8
04/07/21 Foxaholic c7
04/06/21 Foxaholic c6
04/03/21 Foxaholic c5
04/02/21 Foxaholic c4
04/01/21 Foxaholic c3
03/31/21 Foxaholic c2
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22 Reviews sorted by


honingzoet
honingzoet rated it
May 16, 2021
Status: --
im gonna be honest this was nothing special. The main characters weren't likable in the slightest so you couldn’t really feel sorry for them when bad things happened.

... more>>
Spoiler

why did the MC start acting like she loved the emperor? Why didn’t she think of ending her life before? Why is she such a f*cking idiot that does the dumbest shit?

how did the ml, the man obsessed with the MC, have children with other women when it’s shown that he’s obsessed with only the mc? How did the ML think anything he did was smart?

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see, causing readers to feel sadness and heartache only works when you feel sorry for the characters, and these characters just don’t deserve anything. He’s sooooo unapologetic for all the sh*t he’s done it’s CRAZY. At least the mf villain of “beauty to ashes” felt bad and had a reason for his actions.

what even was the point of “extra 1”? To make the readers feel bad for the ml? Newsflash, any sane person would hate that f*ckhead 😐 he literally had the mc’s sister r-worded, I don’t wanna hear it. The first extra was so confusing too PLEASE I thought it was about the mc’s dad but when I was nearly done reading it it turned out to be about the piece of shit, ratass ML 😮‍💨 3000 girls in his harem and he claimed to love the mc? Ok pal. Talk to the wall.

i guess you could feel bad the for mc? But she had so many chances to get out of her situation and oddly enough wanted to live until she was old (????) just doesn’t add up. The only person I felt bad for was the mc’s dead husband 🙁 poor guy had to marry a brainless b*tch

do I recommend this? Hell no. If you want good angst go read beauty to ashes <<less
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Moonaholic0
Moonaholic0 rated it
April 4, 2021
Status: Completed
If you love to hurt yourself with pain of tragedy, this is the best novel for you.

Spoiler

She dies

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Btw I didn't read after the 5th chapter. I read the last last three chapters to know what happened. My poor heart can't handle details.
26 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
ike_00000
ike_00000 rated it
June 14, 2021
Status: Completed
I mean what should I say? It's exactly the type of story I expected!

Honestly, I didn't wanna read this because I didnt wanna feel feelz, but there were no spoilers so my curiousity drove me to read it. To save future viewers, I will have the spoilers.

... more>>
Spoiler

And fine, I kinda get ML; it seems like MC's father was a bad emperor, so maybe civil unrest led to coup. However, he was neighbouring country's prince, so idk. Honestly, I would've been down for an extra from his perspective so I can sympathize, and that's only because he killed that General Sun. But it also shows ML knew what that Sun scum did and only later punished him, so clearly he puts himself first anyway.

I genuinely wonder whether or not he loved her, or it was more obsession mixed with guilt. It's definitely a bit of both, but I wonder which was most? I would've been inclined to think it was really only obsession, except that he was happiest seeing the child on the horse as she was.

I just wished she committed su*cide herself, instead of what ended up happening. Like maybe another night after they were all gone, he was drunk and she had the silver hairpin, she thought about killing him since she had no more ties but then thinks of the country and kills herself instead. I bet that next morning would be a day to remember for him. Also, I wish she requested him to kill that Sun scum smh.

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Here's the full story, but honestly I think you should just read it. It's pretty short and it's not quite as cutting as other ones (like The Blind Concubine), probably because the pace moves fast enough that it wasn't so slow burn. Warning, after reading spoiler you probably won't read story, but it's not actually that bad.

Spoiler

MC, daughter of the Emperor (who wasn't a great ruler), once helped the prince of the neighboring country when he was running for his life, saving him (against the urges of her family). Years later he returned leading an army and taking over her country. Although he didn't directly kill the family, he basically takes them hostage to get her to behave. He also sends her scholarly (ex-) husband, who gave up his status to marry her, to the battlefield as general (where he dies). In the process of the conquest, her model older sister was r*ped by ML's general Sun scum in front of her husband, and she shares this news right before killing herself in front of MC.

Throughout the story, it's hard to tell if ML actually loved her or was just obsessed. The "I could seek his power and status, but I could not seek his love" is a bit misleading since he always appears to her like he loves her. However, I'm pretty sure it's because she knows that in fact after this period passes she'd be nothing to him, thus his love is really quite worthless.

By the way, everyone says she should just kill herself, but her family was held hostage so she really can't???

The ending has her killed through poison wine, fed by her father & mother as a triple su*cide (although she didn't actually know before drinking).

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<<less
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MiAlMo
MiAlMo
August 5, 2021
Status: Completed
This is the first book that angered me enough to reviewing.
I f your searching for a ML to absolutely hate then this is the book for you. He’s the scum of the scum the...... I don’t want to curse but he deserved worse. Aaaaaah if I can see him I would smack him upside down. Surnamed Xu, I wish you the worst. Tuff, may you drown in others spits. Uff, may you despise yourself and don’t you dare let me find you. Okayyyyyy
9 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
zestylemon
zestylemon rated it
April 19, 2021
Status: Completed
it’s sad but it’s not going to make you cry — you just feel sort of empty inside.

Spoiler

she dies but lowkey I feel like that’s what she would have wanted — she was only I've told repent for her sin; and she died to pay for her sins too

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Chizuru
Chizuru rated it
April 22, 2021
Status: Completed
It's sad, ... more>>
Spoiler

so she kills herself. She blames everything on herself and it's sad because in a way it is her fault. From her perspective her mother and father hate her, and maybe they do. In my opinion, I don't believe they did, maybe at the beginning but not at the end. From what I understood, they were all a loving and harmonious family, I think they noticed that their daughter wasn't happy with the situation as well.

The Emperor was an ass, only until his death did he do the only selfless thing, not to be buried next to her so she can rest in peace. But I guess you can say letting her keep the unborn baby from her husband was also selfless, but not really cause she never wanted to be with him from the beginning.

The husband really cared for her, brought some tears when you read his perspective. It's so unfair how they weren't happy together. Honestly, I don't blame her, she was too kind hearted for her own good.

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It was a fast read. I'm a sensitive soul so this made me cry. I was ok at first but when I read the 2nd extra chapter the tears came down. It was a good read though. <<less
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aaeiklm
aaeiklm rated it
December 17, 2021
Status: extra 2
really sad story, I don't have much to say but I'm writing because I just don't get the other reviews hating on the MC, I mean she was a concubine in historical china like, , , they don't have much power??

Spoiler

i just feel like they fail to take into account the trauma she goes through. The only "dumb" thing she did was save that scumbag. The rest of the story details her feelings of helplessness. The scumbag on the other hand deserves all the hate he gets.

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Tang Ning777
Tang Ning777 rated it
May 9, 2022
Status: --
This is another short tragedy story. It shows that historical events were not merely a fairytale.

Our FL, gee, I feel sympathy towards her. For a momentary decision she had to suffer until her death. More than any physical pain, the mental pressure she had, the guilt, remorse, love and hatred might've eaten her from inside. What she did (supposedly her fault) I can't criticize her for that either. She was just raised that way, without knowing the dangers of the world.

Well, Xu Tangan (I still can't decide if he's the... more>> ML or not) is selfish. He always thinks and considers himself first. Just for his so called love or obsession, he tormented FL to death. His character is just written like that, like an overbearing emperor. At least, in his death he knew his place! I am also satisfied that he never got to enjoy true happiness either.

If I was FL, I'll also choose someone like Xu Zunyu over ML anytime. I truly felt sad about his and FL's ending. I hope in parallel universe, these two can meet and have their own happy ending like they deserved.

But I was the most shaken when I read what happened with FL's sister, like I can't even imagine something like that.

Despite being a short story, all the side characters got their own depth and attention. The storyline was really really good.

If you can, you should try it out once! &Gt;_< <<less
6 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
Toungkoo
Toungkoo rated it
November 9, 2021
Status: Completed
This novel is beautifully narrated and translated.

All the characters are just so pitiful.

A sad ending but this is how it should be.. there couldn't have been a happy ending to any of them...
5 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
Hell is boring
Hell is boring rated it
June 7, 2022
Status: Completed
I just can't begin to describe how amazing the characters were. They all stayed loyal to their personalities & even tho they grow & went through changes, their very core didn't change much which is good because they didn't feel like an entirely different person out of nowhere.

They all suffered because of the things they didn't do (except for one particular mother f*cker) & I couldn't help but sympathize with them as they begin to die inside :) I'd cry if it wasn't THIS sad =)

Over all, a sad... more>> sad sad beautiful novel with a very befitting ending.

I cannot help but worship the author & translator. Thank you very much <<less
4 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
kawaii12345
kawaii12345 rated it
April 14, 2022
Status: Completed
5 stars works very well

The story starts with excellent use of language to convey the imagery of the world. You can actually feel that you are looking in on the world and have a gods eye view of the intrigues of the imperial harem.

The authors also paints a very vivid picture of the MC. You really come to empathize the with the fallen princess struggling to achieve a best result that no matter what will be very poor. Watching the progression is torturous but beautiful.

Bottom Line: A very good if... more>> depressing read. <<less
4 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
Uchiha_babe
Uchiha_babe
November 18, 2021
Status: --
To be honest FL is an idiot. And ML is even more.

I'm a lover of angst obviously, but this one was not IT for me. I don't know how people are even rating this 5 stars. Bored me to hell tbh.

Spoiler

The entire time the female lead acts like she knows it all and she is doing the right thing? Like WTF girl... and the ML is even worst, he's an obsessed F*cker who's decitions are so unreal and infuriating. I was dying the entire time reading this.

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4 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
pimni
pimni rated it
June 22, 2021
Status: extra 2
Ok if you need to cry for some reason, this is the book to read. Reminded much of Eastern Palace, the same kind of brutal, ambitious, selfish ML. Thank God he doesn't get a HE. Loved it. Thanks to the translator.
4 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
Poopster
Poopster rated it
May 2, 2021
Status: c5
I only made it to chpt. 5.

It's a good story, with good translation. I didn't finish it purely because of how painful it is, as other reviewers have said.

Definitely a ride in the feels, this one.
4 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
SamS
SamS rated it
May 12, 2023
Status: --
Agree with the first comment. This was the most unpalatable and meh angst/tragedy I have read so far. None of the MCs had any depth or arc to go for. The side characters had more emotions and animation than the MCs especially the FL who's floating around life like nothing is going wrong.

***Spoilers ahead***

Oh She just feels guilty and regret but still has infatuation with the king and enjoys day to day life with him. While her whole family, countrymen are suffering she's lounging around the palace like a doll.... more>> What a dumbo! Even when her sister tried to burn some fire of revenge in her and committed su*cide infront of her she still has no reaction except some shock bleeding and fever. When she learns that her husband died her reaction is lukewarm at best. She then goes to lantern festival and enjoys sour candy with the emperor. I was literally in twilight zone what the hell is this woman thinking?

And the emperor ML - the ungrateful debauched s*nofab*tch who has a wife and countless concubines still has the audacity to claim his eternal love for the FL. I mean, is any of these characters right in the head?

I feel sorry for all the secondary characters who suffered because of this s*upid useless couple. Especially the sweet and gentle husband. <<less
3 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
tedy2004
tedy2004 rated it
January 5, 2023
Status: Completed
I don't understand, the high 4.3 rating, the tragedy. It's simply a tr*sh novel depicting the ancient china era in such a bad way. The FL and ML are really a match in "heaven". Felt like I read an over forced narrated dialogue with no logic whatsoever, 1/10 CN drama "tragedy" series rating.

I knew this was a junk novel, from the first chapter, but I wanted to see the ending since it's so bad and has short chapters. Not surprising, it was the worst ending ever imagined from the author's... more>> head in this novel.

FL reaped what she sowed. ML's love is for the FL is equal to a plaything, and to a 1/10 CN drama act.

I don't recommend, only if u want comedy gold of how a tragedy should not be done. <<less
2 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
seemanta
seemanta
September 23, 2022
Status: Completed
How should I say it... It left me with an empty feeling. I feed sad and angry.

There is a main character, who is the FL. But I believe the emperor is not the ML but the antagonist of this story. I never expected there to be any love or feelings between them and there wasn't. At least not from FL's perspective. But I expected FL to take revenge, or at least kill that sonofabitxh General Sun. But she died before that. And I also feel very sad for her husband.... more>> They loved each other, had a happy life but that sonofabitxh emperor had to ruin everything.

I honestly don't understand why people even supported him to usurp the throne. He had no claim, no birthright. And FL's father, the previous emperor, was not a bad one. He was just mediocre but that's normal, no?

I wished for the emperor to have his legs ruined and to be stabbed in the heart. Unfortunately he died normally in old age. He never even loved FL, y'know? He was just obsessed cause he couldn't get her. FL knew, his daughter knew, he fxcking himself knew! I hope he gets a special place in hell for his sins! <<less
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Lamby666
Lamby666 rated it
June 26, 2021
Status: Completed
Many review praise the book but quite mediocre I should say. Potential to plot that wasn't realised. Did not shed a tears too BTW. I way prefer unrepentant.
2 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
bookmunchies
bookmunchies rated it
May 12, 2021
Status: extra 2
It's really great. I loved all parts of it. The reason it's 4* is just that I wasn't touched as one would think, idk why tho. This is the kind of story you read crying but for some reason my emotions were very flat the whole time.

There's nothing much to say about the plot without going meta. I can just tell you that it's a story of withering away due to a madmans obsession.
2 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
Fattypaw
Fattypaw rated it
February 10, 2024
Status: Completed
Well written full-angst story

If you want something cute and happy-ending, this isn't for you

If you want feels and angst-lover like me, this is for you

If this ended with the MC and ML happy-ending I will rated this 2/5

ML deserved to be miserable till the end
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