just a high schooler, not even 18 yet, when he transmigrated. The way he was so calm about his oncoming death and so upbeat really made me think he was going to be much older, or that this was just one transmigration out of many for him, rather than being his first.

in that regard, the mc/gong has the upper hand — he transmigrated into the novel and knew not only its ending, but the ending of his favorite character as well, the ml/shou. but that advantage lasts as long only as his first life, which isn't at all; he wants nothing but the best for this favorite of his, and so he tells him all about their world.

• mc: ruthless and capable of some kindness to an extent but fundamentally not a good person. and like the ml, I like him this way. alas, I was just a bit dismayed in the extras when he would go off to places with another man and even make more plans without even including the ml... I know that’s just how he is because of the era he’s from and his standing but I wished he were a bit more sensitive to his husband of years. but besides that, his characterization was excellent. he was mature and the changes in him, the way he opened up was so natural and so well done. he’s a bit of a tsundere but he’s not actually unwilling to change and he doesn’t remain s*upidly ridiculous like that. tsunderes are an intolerable trope to me because they always make characters childish but in mc’s case, it was more of just his natural character as someone who wasn’t interested in anyone before and the man he got stuck with claiming to be straight while he also thought of himself straight. but he didn’t shy away from his developing feelings and he didn’t unnecessarily push away our ML at any point. he wasn’t some blushing teen being like “B-BAKA!” basically so be wasn’t frustrating to keep up with and I love that. I feel like character tropes only work if some sort of development takes place beyond it and it was done incredibly here.
• ML is a very kind and free spirited soul. I seriously respect him for not being a vinegar jar. tbf, I like my vinegar jar characters but it’s also refreshing to see a good example of a partner every once in a while haha especially one with an outstanding partner who can catch everyone’s eye no matter where he goes. I only wish he went a little hard on those who would objectify the mc! there’s a difference between admiring good looks and disrespecting someone with their gaze and thoughts, after all. MC seemed to constantly get the latter so he was offended by those too. otherwise he is an excellent partner and very likable as a person. I love his personality as a salted fish who would still do what he has to do and do it well even if it costed his life. excellent moral upstanding and character.

basically political intrigue and imperial drama. it was refreshing to have different villains per arc despite the MC and ML being in the same world, it meshed well with the development of their characters, their relationship, and the story. the author did such a good job with balancing everything. there’s truly nothing bad I can say about the writing. no plotholes, we’ve even been given more than enough extras. the main text ended at a good time too. just very good writing.

they all get retribution. do they die as bad as they deserve? i’d say no, honestly but with how long they have been alive, it’s better they’re dead than not. props to the author for not being afraid to kill off one villain after another, save for the ones in the first arc which is understandable as those ones are just petty family politics.

these two are the silliest and warmest pair I've ever read about. they’re in such a mature and healthy relationship. oh, I can tell how they’ve stayed long together. I know i’m incapable of that at the moment so I find it really noble and admirable of them. they respect each other so much and never fail to express their feelings for each other no matter what stage they’re relationship is in.

ahh, I was devastated every time our ML would die. we all know as readers that our ML would find his way back but our MC would be left behind waiting, uncertain if he’d even come back. I truly love how the author wrote their developing feelings for each other. each arc/transmigration marks a point in the development of their relationship yet our MC and ML hold onto each other from the very beginning, unwilling to part. they have a tacit understanding. my thoughts are so disorganized. I can only describe what they’re like together. if I had to recount the actual romance part of this novel, I would have to write about the entire novel because that’s practically what this is all about besides the overarching plot lol! you’ll have to see for yourself and trust me on this, you won’t be disappointed.

ML is just an ordinary student not even 18 when he first transmigrated. Yet he is proficient in conspiring scheming managing and manipulating people when he wants to. And even when he became the general he performed so well.

At first I even thought that this was some big shot somewhere that transmigrated in to the sickly young master, but nope just a wee baby. It confuses me.

How can someone living in modern day comfort sit well with being suddenly thrown into a bloody battle field? How can someone who is just an ordinary student who knew nothing but studying and fooling aroud be fine with wretched family politics and even witness people killing and being killed yet act so familiar with such tragedy?