I didn't like that the novel's final enemy turned out to be the last survivor's of an exterminated nation. Although their actions paint them as the villains, the whole thing left a bad taste in my mouth. This plot was just there as a backdrop to the main leads' relationship, so it's easy enough to ignore, but... ultimately, I didn't like the Emperor very much.

I was also kind of bummed they went down the route of "curing" MTC's disability, but it does get points for not simply making him suddenly be able to speak and having that be the end of it. The fact that he has to take time learning to speak from scratch, and the fact that his voice still isn't quite the same as someone who didn't grow up mute, felt like a more realistic portrayal of the realities of learning to speak for the first time as an adult.

Li Yu starting up a women's support network for the widows. Even though this plot did kind of come out of nowhere, I liked the way they went about it. A lot of stories which feature a modern person trying to impart modern feminist ideas onto women in the past feel a bit... sanctimonious, like the only reason these women are in their predicament is because they don't try hard enough to change it. It's a saviour complex. However, this story didn't go down that route. Li Yu gets an idea to help a woman in need, and puts forth his idea to do so. It's another woman who suggests to him that simply helping her at an individual level won't really change her situation because she'll still be socially ostracised and will have given up the safety and security of her widow status. Li Yu takes this on board and finds out what Liang-shi actually wants. When she turns down his help, he trusts that she knows her situation better than he does and doesn't judge her for her refusal - however, he still resolves to change society for the better and set up a support network for other women like her, and once he's used his position of privilege to do this, he allows it to be run by other women of this era who understand their individual needs better than he does. Overall, this plot felt a little on-the-nose, but I still really enjoyed it.

I don't like how MC tries so hard to hide his disguise. It's boring, annoying and their interactions in the mission makes me read with a poker face. It's basic.

ML is meh. This dude can mol*st a human demon fish but dude can't also say he knows that fish is li-gongzi?? Not really a fan, maybe I might bang my head into my phone, maybe I might Reincarnate as wang-gonggong and be a matchmaker for this two idiots.

And the MISUNDERSTANDING is sooooo frustrating, a little funny but also miserable for me. I believe I'm going to turn into a masochist just by reading this book....

MC is dense

ML is possessive.

Gonna continue reading... in agony.

he's mute for most of the novel, however later on it's revealed that his mutism was actually because of a poison administered when he was still a fetus and gets healed later on

I only shed tears for Chu YanYu in this novel. He is the only one who suffered very much here. He is a villain but there's a clear reason and the author just used him to make the MC feel better. Though all throughout the story he makes mistakes and was punished reasonably. But in Chapter 100+, the punishment he received was really too much. I got uncomfortable when MC even finds it funny while I was feeling really bad for Chu YanYu. He just wants to reveal the truth that MC is a fish (which is the truth) but got punished heavily by ML Crown Prince. Then, he was sent to the Cold Palace where he suffered greatly. I even thought MC would help him a little but no. He even wants to laugh. Anyways. Just read the whole novel and you'll understand how I felt. I almost dropped this because of it. MC is kind but for Chu Yanyu, who didn't even hurt him or make trouble to MC that much, was punished harder than the others. I really sympathized with Chu YanYu who only wants a happy life.

I love their four sons. But Bao#2 and #3 were not mentioned very much. MC said he would not allow favoritism in his children. But it feels like he like Bao #1 and #4 more than Bao#2 and Bao #3. This novel really has many plot holes.

He was not caught at first, but ML is too perceptive. It was so funny how MC desperately hides that he is the MLs pet fish not knowing that ML already knows and is helping him hide it to others. It is also a bit irritating. Like there are so many loopholes in everything but he failed to realize it. But, oh well, it is good in the end.

Chapter 65 is when they got together and chapter 81 is their first.. you know.... but this is shounen ai so its.. ftb

I also like how some people started as a villain or is in the villain side but helped the ML and MC in the later part of the story like the mother of the 2nd prince and her cat, Liang, Qin-shi.

MC first birthed with a quadruplets, all boys, as a fish (so it is more easier than when human) then he gave birth next to a little girl in human form. MC gave all of them a nickname which were bao1, 2, 3, 4 and the girl is snow bao. I really love how they dote their kids. Specially ML who never dreamt of having a family. He was so happy when MC gave birth to the 4 fish eggs and even helped with the process. Also when MC was having labor with snow bao, he immediately rushed to their home even when he is still at work