Legend of Concubine’s Daughter Minglan

Description

Links are NOT allowed. Format your description nicely so people can easily read them. Please use proper spacing and paragraphs.

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?

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.

Associated Names
One entry per line
The Story of Ming lan (drama)
Zhī fǒu? Zhī fǒu? Yīng shì lǜ féi hóng shòu
หมิงหลัน บุปผาเคียงใจ
庶女· 明兰传
海棠依旧
海棠依舊
知否?知否?应是绿肥红瘦
Related Series
N/A
Recommendations
Eight Treasures Trousseau (10)
Chongfei Manual (9)
Heavenly Divine Doctor: Abandoned Concubine (7)
To Be A Virtuous Wife (7)
The General’s Little Peasant Wife (5)
Chu Wang Fei (4)
Recommendation Lists
  1. Most Popular Historical BG
  2. want read
  3. My roman empire
  4. My favorite 10/10
  5. Favorite stories

Latest Release

Date Group Release
12/03/23 Lady Kelpi Translations c33
11/12/23 Lady Kelpi Translations c32
11/10/23 Lady Kelpi Translations c31
11/07/23 Lady Kelpi Translations c30
11/06/23 Lady Kelpi Translations c29
11/03/23 Lady Kelpi Translations c28
10/31/23 Lady Kelpi Translations c27
10/29/23 Lady Kelpi Translations c26
10/26/23 Lady Kelpi Translations c25
10/24/23 Lady Kelpi Translations c24
10/23/23 Lady Kelpi Translations c23
10/19/23 Lady Kelpi Translations c22
10/17/23 Lady Kelpi Translations c21
10/15/23 Lady Kelpi Translations c20
10/12/23 Lady Kelpi Translations c19
Go to Page...
Go to Page...
Write a Review
98 Reviews sorted by


wonyoung
wonyoung rated it
May 15, 2019
Status: c86
I really like it, honestly this is exactly what I want on a LN. I'm not sure if at the start I enjoyed it this much but it surely grew on me. I'm someone that can't read very heavy novels, too much can make me stressed and especially as a student I can't let these novels affect me too bad. If you want a beautiful plot without loopholes, deep characters, a cunning MC, etc. This might not be what you're searching for.

This is really refreshing honestly, at least for me,... more>> as the tag says, this is a Slice of Life novel, I was tired of novels that just added drama for the sake of adding more plots, this is nice. The MC isn't black-bellied as other main characters, there aren't big courtyard fights with family members that just care about making the others' life difficult, this seems kind of more realistic. You don't need to add a lot of unnecessary drama to make an interesting novel, enough interesting things happen. I love it so much I can't decide between patiently waiting for new chapters or watching the drama, which is way ahead of this and full of spoilers. <<less
4 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
Iassi-iassi
Iassi-iassi rated it
April 12, 2019
Status: Completed
one of the best novel I've ever read. The pace is just right characters are likeable. The setting is not Repetitive you will enjoy the the rollercoaster ride of the story. FL is very realistic all throughout of the story she didn't dwell on the love interest too much either.
Spoiler

If Qiheng show a bit more perseverance in pursuing her regardless of interest she might have given in. (Not enough effort). While Gutingye plotted and conspire to get her (it's alright she's not entirely against him either, they are just match a sly fox x raccoon)

[collapse]

I read a lot of novel with different genres I rarely give full stars and reviews.

I like this so much that I just have to say something.

Give it a try you won't regret it.
4 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
Aytise
Aytise rated it
March 8, 2019
Status: c48
This is a great slice of life in ancient times story, I love the latest translator who gives us chapters every few days almost everyday! The story is very slow paced but very cute and emotional as you colpleteky understand her situation and feel like living in her shoes and understanding her choices. Worth a rrzd!
4 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
xairs
xairs rated it
October 29, 2017
Status: Completed
Edit: reread it again now that the drama's on air. Still 5/5

5/5 This is a cut above the rest of its genre--so far, I've only read a few.

... more>>
Spoiler

Superb character building. The author didn't let anyone off. Practically all the casts had their own little histories and backstories. We get to peek into the what, the whys and the hows of their worlds.

Very well written! The story had a steady rhythm that pulls you in. I could almost predict what would happen next then plot twist! (No not really, just a different turn of events. Pleasantly so.)

Like MingLan, viewing that era as a modern woman, you get to be cynical and skeptical about everything involving feelings and loyalty between men and women, and even between family and friends. There were times that I found myself sneering at the supposed "husband and wife loving atmosphere" and then the author drops a line or two about the wife managing the concubines and concubine-born children (HuaLan JieJie!).

I really felt for MingLan. She had to fight her way (subtlety and slowly) for her own survival as a concubine-born, motherless and unfavored daughter before getting married then is pulled into the murkier and deadlier Gu household. Even when she's succeeding against the "outside" forces she also had to fight her own convictions and slowly developing feelings. There's a lot of dialogue in this book but every bit was well done.


5/5 10/10 200/100
[collapse]
<<less
4 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
alexfilia
alexfilia rated it
August 10, 2017
Status: c24
This is the story of Concubine’s Daughter Minglan as she tiptoes around her life as she tries to grow up and marry well in order to live.... her position in her father's house is a delicate one since she has no mother and is not of the main wife.... thankfully there is her amazang grandma who spoils her and helps her out <3.... her father may favor his concumbine over his wife but he knows where to drw the line in things.... As for the ML he may not be... more>> the most obvious choise in the beggining but he slowly grows on you as he becomes more of a man <3 <<less
4 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
iriss
iriss rated it
January 16, 2024
Status: Completed
They all love her for their whole lifetime, 3rd ML's love (I think) focuses on the idea of her, 2nd ML's love focuses on his love for her, but the ML's love focuses on the FL.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

This story, I strongly believe, is once in a lifetime masterpiece - in fact, it still gives me goosebumps reading the whole 220 chapters and 8 future extras (especially after finishing the 6th extra chapter that gives us a titanic like ending of the impossible first love between the FL and the 2nd ML... more>> (Qi Heng)).

I do not usually write reviews even for my favorites and there has been a lot of reviews on this already, reason I am still writing this is that I had come across this story and put off reading this masterpiece for a long LONG time due to reading reviews about ra-pe and dislike of the ML choice of the author.

Bottom line: There is no r*pe (if you understand the historical and cultural context) - and I completely wholeheartedly agree with the author's ML choice, 1000000%, even if at the end, the feeling of impossible first love of the 2nd ML had his whole life towards the FL leaves my stomach clenching and eyes tearing like the lost love in Titanic.

ML, 2nd ML and 3rd ML:

Spoiler

This is the author's own explanation in postscripts towards the whole MLs decision -

"The two cannon fodders, He Hongwen and Qi Heng, each have their own helplessness.

The tragedy of He Hongwen is that he has a young widowed mother, who is still weak and helpless, as a considerate and precocious son, his feelings for his mother are not just filial piety, and even have a little guilt and compensation, so that when he knew that the widow's handling of the Cao family was incorrect, and he knew that the widow's behavior would cause harm to himself and the He family, he adopted a tolerant and compromising attitude.

Contrary to He Hongwen's mother who had a wrong idea, Qi Heng's tragedy is that he has a mother whose principles are absolutely correct. The county lord of Pingning clearly recognized her son's shortcomings very early, and carried out targeted remedies, and objectively evaluated that her plan for her son's future can be said to be correct to perfect.

Qi Heng's three wives, even if the first county lord of Jiacheng who received the lunch box early, if it weren't for the political situation, wouldn't it be a great help; The second wife, Shen, successfully helped the Qi father and son establish a promotion ladder in the new dynasty, so that the Qi family quickly transformed from an old nobleman to a loyal and capable minister of the new emperor; The third wife helped Qi Heng establish a relationship with the eldest princess of Qingning, who was very powerful in the royal family of the clan, thus defeating the Qi Mansion Dafang, who was also very powerful, and successfully inherited the title.

Qi Heng's helplessness lies in the fact that I am afraid that even he himself cannot deny his mother's correctness.

As a son of a prince who has received an orthodox education since he was a child, and a good son who has been told by his parents since he was a child, he shines on the lintel and is prominent, which is almost the concept of Qi Heng's instinct.

Compared with the two, Qi Heng's tragedy is more sad."

[collapse]

If this is any other quality romantic ancient Chinese stories, I could really see how the concubine born FL (with a dead any-other concubine mother and only surface utilitarian love fondness from the father) would have ended up with Qi Heng the 2nd ML (the most eligible bachelor with flawless look, wealth and background) against all odd and lead a happy and successful life - but this is not one of those stories. The beauty of this story is that it is the web of rawness and realness, multilayered decisions that makes a whole story becomes a legend.

2ns ML,
Spoiler

he said it himself that he would have fight for her if she's given a hint of his love being reciprocated, but the painful truth is that if FL had allowed herself to acknowledge Qi Heng's love for her - there is almost impossible really low chance she would not love him in return, and she might ended up marrying him as a wife against Qi Heng's background of needing politically beneficial marriage to fight for the future for his family which might or might not result in future guilt/resentment when the lack of political marriage connection becomes an issue - or she might ended up having to compromise and become his beloved concubine, which will also kills her who was transmigrated and had to lived her former years as a concubine born daughter and survive by herself with the grace of her non blood-related grandmother who is a step mother of her father, father who really care most about profit. In my opinion, FL sees this, so she didn't even allow herself to acknowledge his love for her.

[collapse]

I stand by the author decision that in this beautiful legend - the ML is the best choice for FL. A lot of people misunderstood his extremely bad reputation as being partially real and didn't continue reading the story when it came to light that he's the one who's going to marry the FL
Spoiler

because in the story, he indeed was misunderstood his whole life due to extremely high-level scheme for almost half of the story and the whole explanation came slowly as the story progress. ML is indeed flawed, but even then, for all the 3 MLs - he is the only who, not only has love for FL, but also commitment to understand her situation and life survival difficulties and made extremely clever plan with flawless execution to get the FL parents (profit focused father and a main wife stepmother with 2 unmarried stepsisters) to agree to have her marry him without any scrouge or drama touching even a hair of her. None of other potential great loves of the FL did that.

[collapse]

My reflection on this is that they all love her for their whole lifetime, 3rd ML's love (I think) focuses on the idea of her, 2nd ML's love focuses on his love for her, but the ML's love focuses on the FL.

The rest of the characters and the storylines are also incredibly well-written, I especially adore FL's relationship with her grandmother and oldest brother - class and backbones the both of them.
Spoiler

Especially the scene where the FL and her eldest brother handle her grandmother's poisoning.

[collapse]
Another caveat is that the FL is extremely smart and know the need for ruthlessness in her (and her family including her children's) survival in this novel but she as a modern paralegal profession s*upidly cannot bring herself to do so, again and again. It's one of the reason the ML is perfect for her as in a way, he's ruthless so she doesn't have to bring herself to be, and for having lived the life of darkness and schemes, he can't help but love the true moral backbone of her, the story depicts perfectly how the FL is his light at the end of the tunnel. This is one of a story where the leads develop their great love together with actions and communication.

Worth re-reading after fully translated. I had to use google translation to read the Chinese version but it's a must read. <<less
3 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
Fuwahfuwa22
Fuwahfuwa22 rated it
November 5, 2021
Status: c152
MingLan's story isnt your typical OP transmigrator where she opens her mouth, applies all her modern knowledge and people would fawn all over the MC.

Every arc in the MC's story shows how she perseveres to survive in ancient times. Although this story is wordy at times but its very well written. Meanings of different problems encountered by the MC are implied (or not) which features the MC's capability to adaptability.

Every character in this story shows great character growth (positively or negatively). Although I was very sceptical about who the... more>> HELL IS THE ML for 100 chapters, that I resorted to spoiling myself to the tons of negativity about the ML.. Well, The introduction of the ML is super justified. His appearance doesnt impact the story negatively rather, its a great impact considering the background of the MC.

i love this story and its one already one of my favorite historical webnovels <<less
3 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
Kunbi
Kunbi rated it
November 3, 2021
Status: --
This book started so well until the main character got married. I find it ridiculous to believe that a modern woman would immediately fall in love with someone who deceived her so he could get married to her, without resenting them at least within the first few weeks of marriage. Its even more ridiculous to believe that she would willingly choose an egotistical liar over someone who made so many sacrifices for her said 'love'.

She was so smart at first but I found the rest of the story after her... more>> marriage a bore and unnecessarily long.

It had such a great plot with so many wonderful characters.

It could have been better. <<less
3 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
kinati
kinati rated it
July 30, 2021
Status: c335
Absolutely excellent book !

Came here after watching the drama which was also really good.

The story is about a modern woman who gets transmigrated into the body of 9-year old Shen MingLan who is the concubine born daughter of an official. Its a Slice-of-Life kind of genre which deals with her daily life and interactions with the people around her. How she deals with the plots, schemes and problems.

What I liked the most was that all the characters are very 3-dimensional. You understand why they do the things they do and... more>> say the things they say, whether good or bad. No one is shown to be completely good or bad but all the characters are very 'human'. Their wants, desires and problems too are very realistic.

The way MingLan thinks and acts too is not perfect from the beginning. She learns from her mistakes and the advice of those around her. Her relationship with her grandma was probably my favorite part of the book. The first half deals with her life in her maternal family while the second half is post-marriage. A lot of the reviews I saw before reading said that her husband did not deserve her, but I found him to be very caring and he always treated her very well and looked out for her. The story overall is excellent and very engaging. I couldn't stop reading at all. Now waiting for the translation to be completed (only a few more chapters to go!).

Overall excellent read. Don't hesitate to check it out! <<less
3 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
CuterialC916
CuterialC916 rated it
May 25, 2021
Status: c0
In actuality, I haven't read this novel yet but have read the summary and comments about it as well as the TV drama version. I was supposed to click 4 stars to not affect the score too much but cl**ked 5 stars accidentally, sigh.

So why am I here? Because I read someone’s review that explains the meaning of the title of this novel, uhhh, a little bit wrong in my opinion. So I wanted to write my own analysis. Uhm, before seeing this novel here, I've already been singing the... more>> OST of the TV Drama version which is titled 《知否知否》for a few days now (and I absolutely love it which is why I researched the meaning of the lyrics as well as the title of the drama, you guys should check it out, too). The original title of the novel and TV Drama is 《知否?知否?应是绿肥红瘦》which literally translates to: "Don't you know? Don't you know? It should be lush/fertile greens and slender/thin reds".

First of all, let's discuss the origin of these lines. This is from the poem “如梦令” written by Lǐ Qīngzhào (李清照) , known as one of the most talented female writers in Chinese history. And this poem is worthy of such a woman, full of euphemisms and contrasts bringing about many emotions through a minimal number of characters.

This is the translation of the poem that I got from chinesetolearn. Com :

The night of yesterday, the rains were scanty and the wind came suddenly

Dense sleep was not able to disperse the remaining wine

I tried to ask the curtain raiser

Yet, she said that the cherry apple flowers were the same

Don't you know, don't you know

It should be plump green and slender red

What does this mean? First of all, the author supposedly drank wine yesterday night under the cherry apple/begonia tree while it was rainy and windy. Why so? Because it is late spring, and she knows the rain will wither the flowers and only the leaves will be shiny and prosperous. She doesn't like the loss of spring (the menaing of spring can be interpreted with various meaning) which is why she drank to relieve her sadness. She slept deeply but there's still traces of wine inside her body, and she still has not yet moved on from the sorrow of the thought of the passing of spring. She wants to know the condition of the begonia flowers but she can't bear to see the ruined scenery herself. Thus, she asks the curtain raiser about it, but this person only says "Still the same". We can see the inattention and perfunctoriness of this person towards her question and, ultimately, her dilemma. She says "it SHOULD be lush greens and thinning reds." Meaning, her rational thinking knows that the rain must have ravaged the beauty of the flowers. However, it also shows her surprise towards the answer of the one who raises the curtain which corresponds to her wishes (she doesn't want the flowers to wither), as well as her disappointment to reality by using "瘦" meaning thin (with connotation) to describe the reds (flowers).

So, how does this relate to the novel? The novel's MC is a white-collar worker, a person of modern times, who transmigrated into ancient times. My interpretation of this is that, MC, suddenly trapped in a world where she is seen as useless and powerless, doesn't accept this reality. The curtain raiser might represent the ancient world or its people, flowing as it is without regard to her problems, as if everything is alright. Ultimately, the novel is about the MC finally rising up to the challenge and moving forward to a better life albeit with reluctance. Which I think relates well to the poem, wherein the speaker still believes her rational side instead of having wishful thinking, even though she is depressed at this conclusion. <<less
3 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
NinaYuki
NinaYuki
March 21, 2021
Status: c312
Quick and honest: I love this novel, always did, but the drama only made my love as vast as the skies and as firm as the ground.
3 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
Rozabella
Rozabella rated it
November 9, 2020
Status: v4c286
I loved the drama and wanted to read the novel because often there are discrepancies between novels and the for-screen adaptations. As an avid reader, I definitely prefer the novel and applaud the translators for doing an excellent job so far. But I also wanted to point out that the rate of translations is too slow. At the 293rd chapter release currently, there are about 80 chapters left. With one chapter per week rate, it's going to take 1.5 years roughly to finish this novel.
3 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
Bookworm_Sueweetie
Bookworm_Sueweetie rated it
October 31, 2020
Status: c292
This a good read. It may be slow for others but I liked seeing different points of view of ancient women in the society. It got its own uniqueness compared to other historical Chinese novels.

The MC (Sheng Minglan) is smart and reasonable. She didn't try to stand out so much... I liked reading her analogies and how she analyzed every situations.

For the ML, I have so many doubts for him at first. Initially, I felt that Minglan is too good for him and she deserved a better partner. He got... more>> bad past with so many strings attached to him before meeting MC. But later on, he proved that he's a good man and husband. They supported each other and got so many sweet moments (and hot moments LMAO). The development of their relationship was quite admirable.

Some characters were forgettable but most of got their own depth. Not everything is black or white. Some "supposed" evils were purely greedy while some got their own reasons... I also like that some got their own character developments who changed for the better.

The author and translators did good job in explaining some complicated details. I tried to MTL the remaining the remaining chaps but it is really hard tho. <<less
3 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
Erumwhat
Erumwhat rated it
October 16, 2020
Status: v4c286
As many people have said, the story is very good until she gets married. Afterwards, don't bother. I tried to keep trudging through it, but the ML sucks.

... more>>
Spoiler

The ML treats the MC as a sexdoll. This would almost be initially forgiveable if he you know.... was a virg*n or inexperienced. But he's not. He was previously married (I forget if actually married, but has kids from a serious relationship) yet he still acts like a teenager who can't control himself despite the MC's discomfort/pain. It's just too gross.

Worse yet, the first arc after is about dealing with his family issues. What benefit does the MC even get from marrying this guy? Oh right he's rich and has a good title, but I never really got the impression that the MC put much stock in those things. As long as life is comfortable seemed to be her goal, but nope. Dealing with ML's drama from the get go.

[collapse]
<<less
3 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
Rainess09
Rainess09 rated it
September 14, 2020
Status: v4c288
A treasure. Would definitely recommend it. This is not a chill read actually. It's very complex but also very simple as well. It's poetic but also frank. Not your typical FL and ML the realism of the harem and politics is just a whole level better than all the other harem themed novel out there. The author wouldn't overwrite tragedy just for the sake of plot. Or wouldn't write 'romance' just to give the readers sweets. But I gotta say, no matter how otherS describe ml's and fl's romance. I... more>> still feel it was a railroad romance. Both sides, I feel were blindsided by this romance crash. Even though ML plotted to marry FL, That was also because destiny/fate fcked him up. He was also very baffled about Not having a choice about the matter as he caught himself head over heels for ML. You need to understand that this was a world where men don't need to be patient about passion for women. Geez even their mothers will stick them with tons of women during their teen days. Imagine a man, who everything else in his life isn't going right. His father hates him. His brother always discredit him. His mother dead. His stepmother a vile woman. His whole family forsakes him. He has nothing going on with his life. But now he's inlove with a concubine's daughter from an average strength family. So he plots. Plots to get her. It helps that by then he somehow got a whirlwind luck of befriending the newly minted emperor before that emperor rose in power making him a very trusted lackey. Now he has power to do justice For his grievance from his family, and marry the woman who he greatly admires. <<less
3 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
potatosince1992
potatosince1992 rated it
August 28, 2020
Status: --
I LOVE IT!

I simply adore Minglan, even without an ML, I'd read her story. Slice of life done right to the t.

If you want action, and crazy nut job villains, this is not for you.

... more>> This is more of a psychological battle, art of war in the household kinda stuff. Some people might find that boring, but hey, few of us are real assassins, or even OP doctors in real life.

Minglan, although she transmigrated, is not too OP. She retained her modern sense of humour though, and that's where the fun is. Her snarky comments that we can all relate to. Her main source of fun is seeing people show their true colors in a very duplicitous society.

I simply love her. And I love that the author made this story truly about hers, in all aspect, not just romance, but her life and struggle to survive as a modern person in an ancient rule-bound time. <<less
3 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
TaekaixTaekook
TaekaixTaekook
May 17, 2020
Status: c256
It's interesting with some cliché without being cliché.... more>>
Spoiler

a lot of people were disappointed with the ML but for me it made the story a bit more realistic. She didn't change who she is, as a woman in this time period, she was a victim of other people choices and do her best with the card handed to her. She is not in love with the ML after the wedding but act as a virtuous wife bc it's the safest option for her. ML is everything I didn't want for her but he proves how men centered their world is. No matter all the planning MC and her grandma did, they were still stuck in a bad system that as women, they couldn't opt out without grave consequences

[collapse]
Basically, I'm still invested in the story and love the family bond in the story. Hualan was ok, Molan annoying, Rulan insufferable but as they grew my perception of them change, specially Rulan who suffered the most of the schemes of concubine Lin. She is the most genuine person in the story so far, she grow up and even if she lacks maturity is honest with herself. I like her so much and hope that she will live a great life. <<less
3 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
eispurple12
eispurple12 rated it
April 1, 2020
Status: c230
RECOMMENDED?: YES

DNF

I'm going to drop this now even though it's a good novel with great characters, okay story and decent translation. Why? Because it's just sooooo slow. And I'm already bored.

MC was 5 y/o when it started and over the course of 100 chapters, she slowly grew up to a beautiful 15 y/o child. Tbh, I was already losing interest by chapter 50 because she was still a child with no clear male lead but I held on because I wanted to know if my [GTY x SM] ship was... more>> going to sail. And when I found out the result, well, there's just nothing to attract me to the story anymore.

Still, it is a good novel because the characters have depth, the plot is pretty solid and each situation is believable.

I just got so bored. <<less
3 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
lammayama
lammayama rated it
September 23, 2019
Status: v4c146
This Yanyi girl died and transmigrated, so far so basic but... She just is so disappointed, As anyone in her shoes would be, and the history goes like that, no overreactions, no overpower, no tecnology revolution.

Its sutil and realistic the characters are profound and colorful and if you slowly read it and savour every dialogue then they will be more like any other person you know (GTY is especially the case with all the misunderstandings around him).

Anyway if you don't like exaggerated and cringy dialogues this novel is for you,... more>> but if you like sweet and pinky characters, happy and a bit goofy plot, save it maybe Lucia Or Avoid the Protagonist it more likelly work for you.

Pd. Kudos to the translation teams, an amazing job. <<less
3 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
Mermaid on the Moon
Mermaid on the Moon rated it
June 20, 2019
Status: --
It’s my favorite one. What makes this MC my favorite among all the other CN female MCs is her personality. She's just a normal girl who transmigrated into a child's body from ancient times, but she's very adorable and very realistic. It has potential for a great novel and is very detailed, I also really enjoy the characters interactions,need more updates.
3 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
Leave a Review (Guidelines)
You must be logged in to rate and post a review. Register an account to get started.