Before the Family's Seizure of Property, Let's Do Some Zero-Yuan Purchases First

**Rating: 7.85/10** **Genre: Ancient Times - Feudal Era, Fantasy Dynasty, Exile, Portable Space, Martial Arts, Spiritual Spring - Golden Finger** If you’ve ever indulged in those short drama series that follow a certain repetitive formula, then this novel will feel very familiar to you. It closely mirrors the basic premise that many of these dramas utilize: the female lead (FL) possesses an extraordinary “golden finger,” enabling her to navigate the treacherous waters of her new world with a significant advantage. In this narrative, the FL faces various tribulations—exile, famine, and other forms of misfortune—but instead of enduring genuine suffering, she seems to thrive beyond the limits of her peers, thanks to her foresight and her unique abilities. Surrounding her are the obligatory low-IQ cannon fodder characters who never seem to think ahead, repeatedly causing problems without any forethought or learning from past encounters. While I understand that some level of cannon fodder can be tolerable within the narrative—a necessary evil, if you will—it becomes tedious in this story when these characters never learn from their blunders. They consistently target the FL for reasons that remain unclear, and rather than evolving or adapting, they persist in their futile attempts, which quickly turns aggravating for the reader. I found myself continuing to read primarily because I had run out of other options; it transformed into more of a background noise sort of tale. If you're in search of something akin to that experience, then I could recommend giving it a try. The story, while following a well-trodden formula, is not inherently bad. The characters, though lacking a certain depth, manage to be amusing enough to keep the reader engaged. The author does make efforts to spice up the external conflicts, which is commendable. However, if you're hoping for nuanced or insightful character conflicts, you might want to temper your expectations. I would even suggest bypassing the segments featuring cannon fodder characters—otherwise, you may find your enthusiasm waning rapidly! --- **SUMMARY:** The story revolves around a female lead from centuries ahead of our present timeline, who unexpectedly finds herself transported into a fantasy feudal dynasty. Here, she is cast in the role of the "real daughter," a pawn in a plot devised by the original heroine, destined to marry a crippled man exiled by the emperor. Armed with knowledge of the future, the FL is fully equipped for the impending raid on her household. She not only manages to save her new ‘cheap’ husband from a final betrayal orchestrated by the emperor but also cunningly schemes to have her disloyal family—who turned their backs on her—exiled as well. Utilizing her portable space, she also takes advantage of her stay in the capital to indulge in some zero-yuan purchases, which translates to her stealing an array of valuable items—not just from the emperor’s domain, but also from her own maternal family and her husband’s household. And thus, she embarks on her journey into exile, her portable space brimming with wealth and endowed with supernatural powers for protection. However, the path ahead is fraught with challenges; myriad cannon fodder characters seem to be conspiring against her at every turn. To further complicate matters, natural disasters obstruct her path, transforming what could be a smooth transition into a drawn-out ordeal. Even after making significant headway—one-fifth into the narrative—the protagonists have yet to reach their destination, which illustrates the slow pacing and sets a humorous backdrop for the reader. All in all, this tale presents a unique blend of adventure, fantasy, and comedic frustrations, making it a light yet engaging read for those seeking to immerse themselves in a world of feudal intrigue and martial escapades.

In Chapter 41, the female protagonist chooses a rather unconventional method to deal with one of the early antagonists: she administers a drug that leaves him unable to achieve an erection while simultaneously heightening his sexual desire. This strategy sparks her musings about how if this antagonist were to engage in sexual acts with men, it would greatly shake the societal norms and expectations surrounding him, particularly considering the implications of being on the receiving end, often referred to as "being a bottom." While I can somewhat appreciate the layers of strategy involved in incapacitating an antagonist through such means—after all, utilizing drugs as a plot device is a well-trodden path in fiction—I find myself uncomfortable with the underlying message that being a bottom is presented as a disgraceful punishment. A narrative that equates sexual orientation or preference with shame is problematic, to say the least. Rather than subjecting him to such humiliation, the protagonist could have simply rendered him impotent; this action would have effectively disqualified him from the race for heir since, as far as I remember, he doesn’t have any children to carry on his legacy. After reaching this chapter, I've found myself hesitant to continue reading the story. I fear that subsequent events may delve even deeper into uncomfortable themes and leave me feeling even more unsettled. It’s a shame, really, because the plot had potential to explore so many other intriguing dynamics without resorting to these contentious notions. In conclusion, I think the portrayal of relationships and sexual dynamics should be handled with care, ensuring that they do not perpetuate negative stereotypes or notions of shame.

Overall, this is a fantastic start to what looks like an incredibly addictive binge-read. The writing quality is high, the plot is compelling and fast-paced, the characters are immediately likeable or hatable. I am completely hooked. The way she looked at the bare ground in the imperial garden, the way she held the silver needle to trick the prince... I am so ready for her and Wei Chengyi to take on the world together.

The emotional beats hit hard. The sadness of the original owner. The first kindness from Zhao Yuping. The unexpected promise of protection. The satisfaction of the revenge. The author balances the grimness of the setting with a lot of fun and catharsis. It makes the dark moments hit harder and the happy moments feel earned. I was laughing and fuming and feeling all the emotions.

I am a little worried about the huge cast of side characters like the mother, the siblings, the soldiers. I hope they all get distinct personalities and don't just become background noise. So far, the small interactions with the MC differentiating herself to each of them (ignoring the brother, being polite to the mother) suggests the author has a plan for them, but I'll be keeping an eye on it.

The author knows their audience perfectly. This story is packed with the tropes that the die-hard transmigration novel fan loves. Transmigration into a villain's story? Check. Powerful space ability? Check. Husband who is a powerful sickly prince? Check. Stealing from the Emperor? Check. It is a cozy, comfortable read that hits all the right notes.