Eating Melon: The Pampered Princess Wants to Be a Badger in the Melon Field - Reviews

Wait, I just realized the MC’s name is Shen Biluo, and the system called her “Master” but also she’s a princess? The power dynamic is weird but cute. Reminds me of a phone assistant that calls you boss. Also, the system called working overtime as “workhorse” life—too real. It makes the transmigration wish fulfillment very grounded. We’ve all had those days wishing we could just be born into luxury and eat snacks. Very satisfying start.

Overall, this is a great “turn off your brain and have fun” novel. The writing is clear, the humor hits, and the characters, while not super deep, are entertaining. The system mechanic with the secret broadcast is clever enough to carry the prelude. If you’re in the mood for ancient palace setting with no heavy angst and lots of petty drama, this delivers. I’m already imagining what other melons the MC will dig up. Count me in for the long haul.

One thing I found slightly off: the Third Princess is supposed to have been the favorite before Shen Biluo was born, but we never see any flashback or much context of their childhood. Her jealousy is explained verbally, but I would have liked a bit more showing of the shift in fatherly attention. Still, the text establishes enough motivation for the plot to work, so it’s a minor nitpick. The author keeps the focus on the comedy.

The cliffhanger about the MC not knowing her inner voice is public is delicious. I can already imagine the scenarios: she will think something scandalous about a minister and he’ll hear it. Or she’ll accidentally reveal state secrets. The dramatic irony is killing me in a good way. I am definitely going to keep reading to see when she finds out and how she reacts. Will she be mortified? Will she weaponize it? Can’t wait.

The Emperor’s reaction to the Third Princess saying “Why does she get everything?” hits different. He admits that he did become colder after Shen Biluo’s birth, but he also says it was because the Third Princess became spoiled. It shows a parent who maybe wasn’t perfect but isn’t willing to excuse his child’s behavior either. That nuance makes him more complex than a stereotypical doting emperor.

I notice that the servants in the room are all leaning in to hear the gossip. That is such a human detail. The author doesn’t just make them background furniture; they react realistically. Even the Empress’s nurse covering Hu Po’s mouth—show they anticipate trouble. Those small actions elevate the reading experience, making the palace feel populated. It’s not just a stage for the main characters.

The scene where the Third Princess crawls to the Empress for help and the Empress coldly shuts her down is one of my favorites. The Empress shows zero sympathy for someone who tried to kill her biological child. It’s a strong maternal moment. And her reasoning—that forgiving would lose the trust of everyone—makes it also politically sound. She’s both a loving mother and a competent empress. Need more of her.

Plot-wise, the narrative neatly resolves the attempted murder within two chapters. That gives a very satisfying immediate payoff. But I hope the story doesn’t become a series of “someone tries to kill the princess, the system reveals it, the Emperor punishes them” episodes. We already got a hint of that with the court plan, but maybe there will be more intricate webs? I’m crossing my fingers for some layered political scheming.

The author uses quite a few repeated phrases like “Wow~” and “Big melon!” which might annoy some readers looking for more literary prose. But honestly, for a story like this, it adds personality. It feels like reading a chatty friend’s commentary. The system has a clear voice: excited, gossipy, and loyal to the MC. That consistency makes the system feel like a character rather than a tool.

Emotional wise, I felt a little sorry for the fake eunuch Si Yu. Not a lot, because he willingly involved himself with a princess and cheated on someone, but having to kneel and listen to your lover with another man is a cruel punishment. He was essentially a pawn for the Third Princess’s jealousy. His fate—beheading—is harsh but logical in this setting. But the story doesn’t dwell on it, which fits the unserious vibe.

The title of the fake book that the MC suggests— 《About my fake eunuch and palace maid sleeping together, and me catching them in bed!》 —is so meta that I had to read it twice. It sounds like a web novel title itself, which is a fun little joke for readers familiar with the genre. It also shows that the MC still has a modern sense of humor and treats her situation like a show. That keeps the tone light even when death is on the line.

The Empress’s reaction during the whole Xuanji Pavilion arrest is very understated but sharp. She doesn’t say much, but her glance at the Emperor knowing that she doesn’t need to lift a finger is powerful. And she clearly enjoys the fall of the Third Princess because it removes a threat to her daughter. The mother-bear protection instinct is strong but subtle. I hope she gets more POV moments later.