I find it really strange that a lot of readers don't seem to get this story at all. ML did nothing wrong except mourn for MC who didn't wait for him to save her, so it's a star-cross love story of two people who love each other but death came and she waited for him blah blah blah, writes one reader.

I've read other novels of the same writer and most of them are not that simple. The writer makes you think because what is written is the continuation of a... more>> backstory that's actually violent, mu*derous and cankerous.

The first time I read this story, I only have one question: why didn't the marquis take his wife with him when he rebelled against the emperor? Turns out, that is the right question to ask because then you get at the backstory which is not at all pretty and ladidah to read.

The gist of the backstory is this: an aloof aristocrat marries a songstress. She is an orphan without any family. Again, an aristocrat marries a backgroundless nobody. According to the account of the wife, she knew that he didn't love her, even neglected her most of the time because he was busy plotting against the emperor.

Yet, the first thing he did when marrying was to spread out the rumor that he and she were in love and that they were the perfect couple. Then he left to do his thing and she was left to the mercy of the emperor who took her hostage after the husband rebelled.

Again, why didn't he take her with him? Why would he? She was to be his pawn, his hostage to appease the emperor's wrath so he won't take out his anger on members of his family. Isn't that the usual thing a monarch would do to avenge himself against a rebel? Line up the rebel's family, descendants whatever then destroy them? But wait a minute. There's the rebel's wife whom the rumors said he loved. They were the perfect couple. So, why not take the wife, torture and r*pe her so that the rebel would truly feel the emperor's wrath. More fun than the one-time death of his entire family, right?

The girl is a nobody, even if the marquis threw her out into the wild, have her carcass eaten by dogs or have her hanged and quartered, who will say no to that? No one will demand justice, no one will cry, no one will look for her, no one will care.

A penniless, powerless songstress doesn't count in the overall scheme of things anyway, especially if you're gunning for the top spot in the imperial totem pole. What is a songstress in the ancient times? It's not like Taylor Swift who earns millions. This songstress probably sings in a brothel or a tea house. Really small fry, waiting to be ab*sed and manipulated by a dirty aristocrat with imperial ambitions.

The second time I read this story my second question was: did the wife know?

The third time I did so, I finally got the answer: She knew. That's why she threw out this observation the last time she saw her husband on the ramparts of the castle: he married her then spread the rumors of their love and devotion to each other. She was actually saying it with derision, implying that the marquis wanted to protect his reputation before he commits regicide. He wanted to depose the emperor but he still cared enough for his reputation when the time comes and he takes over.

Alas for the marquis. In the battle of wits with the more seasoned emperor, he really lost big time. Everytime his forces digs a win, the emperor goes to the wife, tortures and r*pes her, then sends out the news for the husband to hear. One year of this and the husband is almost psychologically whittled to a mental state. I mean, your wife is your wife. Love her or hate her, there is really no honor in her prostituting herself for your ambitions, right?

The wife is even puzzled why she stayed with the husband until the priest tells him you must really let go of your attachment to your wife. Otherwise, she'll become a bitter soul and roam the world later as a ghoul. It is implied that the emperor later committed su*cide to prevent that. After the ab*se he heaped on her, he finally realized that it was his guilt that prevented her from leaving him.

Is this a love story? More about a guy coming to terms with his guilt, his remorse and his regrets. And we see from the wife's point of view how his final triumph didn't really give him any satisfaction. It took him years to finally visit the room where the bastard emperor kept his wife for his imperial brand of r*pe and torture.

It takes an out and out bastard to seize a throne and accept without blinking the demeaning and inhumane sacrifices that go with it. The marquis thought himself hardened but he was only a husband who in the end wanted to cherish a wife he longed abandoned for his ambition. <<less

What if the deceased could see the mourning of her beloved? Told from the deceased perspective who watches over her husband; we get read the obsession and longing of the widower, the most powerful man of the land. A man who became emperor after the selfless sacrifice of the female protagonist, and yet remains a husband without his beloved wife. Unable to move on, grieving for his lateness in returning to save her, forever burdened by guilt and loss. A short bittersweet story.

The type of story that's not one word wasted, the scenes, the characters and their feelings vividly depicted.

What had me the most however is not the beautiful, bittersweet love story, but the MC's personality.

She told the story in a nonchalant manner, sometimes included flashbacks, occasionally express her emotional takes on what she saw while being next to him, yet we can clearly see how deep the Emperor's love was. Not only so, through her matter-of-factly narration, it was her character that shined even more. Strong-willed yet tender and understanding, having... more>> to suffer severely yet never giving up, always patiently waiting but don't think of it as a big deal.

One of the best story I've read, and never have I seen such a cute, adoring and awe inspiring female lead. One of those that you wouldn't forget. <<less

Nenuphar's review made me rethink how I viewed this story, because they're right: even tho, the idea and execution of the story are really well done.... the story is just basically rather superficial. Or... like it glorifies a woman's sacrifice and loyalty towards a man who did her extremely dirty. Idk, I hadn't really thought deeply about Sang Ge's life as a hostage, maybe I even ignored it, but as nenuphar said, she was most probably tortured and even r*ped. A lot.

That's why, no matter how much she loves that... more>> bastard, how can she not feel even an ounce of anger towards him?? And the fact that the ML probably planned all of this from the start.... idk, I feel this story would've been better from a revengeful or spiteful ghost's POV taking delight in her husband's pain and misery, like he caused her. If Sang Ge hadn't suffered so much in her life, okay.... but she did, so I can't understand nor can I condone the message that her basically forgiving the ML is somehow "touching" or something to be admired. Yuck. <<less

The story is beautiful. It is hard to describe the story of four chapters. It is basically about a wife, whose ghost is stuck and can only observe her husband, who feels guilty for her death and therefore lives the rest of his life in grief. So many stories are glorious, so many heroes are victorious. But this story shows the other side that is rarely explored. This story is not happy, it is not light. There is no way to survive it without shedding tears, but in a way,... more>> the ending lifts the heavy feeling a little. Therefore, it was totally worth it! <<less

For me, this is the best chinese romance I've ever read. Every chapter made me cry hard, but, even though it only made me cry, I still love to reread this. I won't elaborate on this story's plot and whatnots. If you're looking for a romance that can really touch the heart then read this. Highly recommended to those with few bags of tissue. If you don't have tissue, it's still fine, just blow your nose on your shirts. XD Jk.

Oh my like the other reviewer said, the MC probably got r*ped and tortured by the ex-emperor. The story doesn't say it outright, but it's highly implied with MC saying how when she was captured, the emperor took it out on her when his plans weren't going well and liked to taunt the ML by describing what he was doing to her. At first, I skimmed the story and didn't really understand the details, but the subtle hints showed MC suffered a lot. I'm surprised that she doesn't want revenge... more>> on that emperor in the afterlife and still loves the ML even though she knew he was using her. I don't even know if the ML truly loves her because it felt like he just felt guilty about what happened to her. He used his wife as a pawn to overthrow the king. If he really liked the MC, why did you throw her in the emperor's arm when he knows fully well how cruel he is? If the MC did survive I wonder if the outcome would be different. I don't know the ML was just confusing and I felt bad for the MC. It's a sad story, but it didn't induce tears. (Maybe I'm cold-hearted) The short story is well written so it's worth to give it try. <<less

Very good story. I was very emotional reading this... but... how to say? I think if we look deeper ML was an as*hole and everything was his fault. Why would he marry a songstress when he is a noble? And he didnt seem to like her at first, being so cold... so when I think about it, maybe he planned the rebellion a long time ago, and he took her as a wife so he could use her, letting her become an hostage to the mad emperor... And he understood... more>> he loved her too late. That's why he is so filled with guilt and is punishing himself after all these years, not able to turn the page. If we now look at him like this, he deserves all the suffering for letting his wife being tortured and r*ped. And at the end, that's why he was so happy she waited for him in her death, because he thought she would never forgive him <<less

If you need something to make you cry, this short story is a perfect choice.

The background of the story is not described well, perhaps because of the low chapter count, thus some holes left unfulfilled till the end. Nevertheless, it excellently portrays the unfortunate life that the main characters have to bear as the price of their ideals. For every future that a country has, there are people bearing the weight; for every ideal that someone want to fight, there are sacrifices that has to be paid. This is the... more>> reality, and Mulberry Song depicts this bitter reality like a poetic love story, albeit a sad one. <<less

"In this life, Sang Ge being able to gain this moment of hesitation from An Zi Wu in exchange.....

Is enough."

This part itself should be enough, Sang ge is smart. She knows her role well. She wouldn't caught the eye of Zi Wu if she's just a simple songstress.

... more>> She knows her worth in the eye of the marquis and she's grateful enough to be able to be his wife.

We have to understand for those who thinks the ML is an a**hole. That there's more to life than love. When you have duty, responsibilities and the only hope of the country, you have to choose and with choices comes with sacrifice. AND SHE IS THAT. She is well aware of that. Yet she loved, and loving is giving, to be able to receive back is not an obligation but a choice. And if the time, place and circumstances aren't like this, he would've love her. He would. Guilt may be present but to be able to be loyal, clinging, faithful and longing, there is definitely love. And he did all that for years. Don't think that guilt itself is enough to withstand time.

So her efforts may cause her life, she might not have a choice how to live, but she atleast made the choice how to die, and she died with dignity forever.

This story is bittersweet. Read this with not only love and hate in your eyes but open your mind too, in reality, especially on that era, a songstress life is not even worth an ant. Ive been rereading this for more than 10x already but is the first time I made a review cause I cant stand people talking shit on this masterpiece.

Atleast know the history in ancient china so you'll know the value of what your reading, if not then stick to fairytales. <<less

If you're a sucker for angst, you're missing a lot it your life if you don't read this.

I cried in every chapter. Every paragraph.

It's either my tears are cheap or the novel is exceptional. It could also be both.

Simply beautifully done but painful.

Beautifully written short story, there is a part of me that wonders, if this was a full novel, how would it have turned out, would I hate and despise the ML? As we only see a short snippet into their marriage life, so brief that it makes you wonder endlessly, and that is witch it the beauty of this book, we shall forever wonder and be idealistic, constantly dreaming of how this would have become.

4 chapters. That is how long this is. But the amount of feels that I had... And I am someone who doesn't really feel too much about written tragedy.

This is a hauntingly beautiful tragedy. I don't want to call it a love story, for this is not about how they fall in love, or how their love blossoms. This is about how a lover, who has lost his lover and only has her memories and guilt, survives. Survives, a life that he would much rather give up, but cannot for... more>> that would be disrespectful to the ultimate sacrifice that his other half had done.

THIS IS MANGO APPROVED.

I cannot tell you how good the writing is, to make me feel this much in just 4 short chapters. All I can say is, you will never be able to tell with clarity if you are happy or sad with the way the story goes... It just goes, and shows you what it means to truly lose a loved one, and what it means to be able to die with that longing.

I may not have cried, but the emotions are raw enough even for me. The ending... is bittersweet. The story, is tragic. <<less

Since I don't usually read tragedies I decided to give this a try since there were only 4 chapters and also the comments were very positive. I, like most of the other readers, got so angry at the ML for not being with the FL, but I didn't get the real message from the author until I read the comment from neri21. He/she very logically explained the "real" story behind the plot and broke my illusion of a tragic love story. It made me think of a phrase from a... more>> manga I recently read: "He lost her, and then gained everything. Yet, at the same time, he felt that he had lost everything. -Blake "I became the wife of the monstrous crown prince" ch 95. The ML realized that at the end of the day you can't hug a bag of money or his status. He felt lonely for the rest of his life and could never amend for his mistake and that was his karma. The FL knew the truth of the situation but never once rebelled but always respected her husband. She know the truth and accepted it, and thus suffered. And that was also her karma. Maybe the situation would've been different if she chose a different path, but at the end of the day that was her decision, who are we to judge her actions? <<less

A man's anger burns the whole world to the ground and his sadness freezes everything inside. Having everything yet losing the most important in the process of obtaining it means not success but failure. In a bittersweet turn of events, only at the end of their path they could be truly happy. I sincerely recommend this story for everyone, no matter the age or education. Meditate and try to see what little gift could this story give you.

this the best bitter-sweet tragic love story i've ever read.

but the best thing he did for her is he didn't find a replacement just to have someone by his side. He spent his remaining years looking back on their memories. MC on the other hand, unconsciously, stayed true to her promise of waiting for him. Together, they are going to go to the netherworld.

just like the other tragic stories i've read, this displayed true love between two people who loved each other unconditionally.

back to the scene in the tower, I... more>> expected that ML has some plans on rescuing her, though MC thought that he had come so far with his strife to power and she should not be his burden. She died while protecting her husband. On the other hand, if she persevere more or waited for him to rescue her, with a severed arm, she'll still die of blood loss. Either ways, she'll end up dead. <<less

One phrase: Half Olympic Pool?

One advise: Bring a bucket with you. Maybe tissue won't be enough.

This is a really good one!! Just short (honestly very thankful that it's short whew?) but a very emotional novel that puts knives in your hearts... One step, you're already in 3 feet high pool of tears. The more you read the deeper the pool will be until you get completely submerged. Sigh.. Such bittersweet love..

This tells us how we shouldn't be tsun tsun and just straight out tell us how we feel... more>> especially to our fated ones coz we never know how the future moves. One time its on our side, the next sec its already against us. Also, its very ironic.. its coz of love that leads to self-sacrifice but that same self-sacrifice is what leaves the deepest scar coz of love.

Thanks Mulberry Song for forcing me to write my very first review. gimme back my hearto!!! T^T <<less

A man chasing his ambitions and the welfare of his country loses his wife in doing so. Filled with regret, he lives the rest of his life in loneliness while the ghost of his wife watches on. The story is simple but poignant, easily evoking emotions of bitterness and longing. While the length, language and amount of information gave the story depth without diluting the story with too much melodrama. Having read some of the author’s other works, often the experiences of the male leads living on without their love... more>> is glossed over, however unlike Seven Unfortunate Lives and San Sheng, the characters depicted here are mortal, and life and death are permanent. <<less

My goodness, this novel. Beautifully written and well worth the very short time spent reading. We don't need hundreds of chapters to understand and feel the story. In fact, it is what is left to our imaginations that makes this novel such a gem.

This was really beautiful. Short, but the writing delivered the effect of seeing the main leads' feelings develop.

As you read, a melancholy spreads in your stomach and you feel the regret, longing and pain of the ML but its never overdone. It was just right. A few scenes were really beautiful - the river, the ray of sunlight bit, the feast. They were quite powerful in that they completely drove home what the ML's true feelings were... Only, it was too late. The finality really gets you.

As for Sang Ge,... more>> her reactions and thoughts though understated, added to the overall charm of the novel.

I really liked it. <<less