I find myself echoing the sentiments expressed by the previous reviewer regarding this novel. After a considerable effort, I've decided to drop it primarily due to the protagonist's frustratingly naïve behavior. It's truly disheartening to witness her resorting to throwing water balloons at a group of armed villains, naively believing that such a misguided action would somehow deter them from harming her unconscious companions. This portrayal of the female lead is less of a strong character and more reminiscent of someone who is mentally incapacitated. The author attempts to use zombification as an excuse for her diminished intellect, but it quickly becomes apparent that this is merely a narrative device to justify her actions, which oscillate between "dumb but endearing" and outright self-obsession. Throughout the story, she consistently lavishes praise on her own looks and continuously seeks validation from others, yearning for compliments and the proverbial pat on the head for her every minor achievement. In one particularly exasperating scene, a friend encourages her to train her water manipulation abilities to alleviate the burden of having to rescue her repeatedly. What does she do? She runs in circles in the yard, clearly panicked and calling out to her friend for help while being chased by the bad guys. Her attempts to wield her water powers manifest as futile throws of water balloons that serve no purpose other than to momentarily soak her adversaries. Even when she has the realization that she could potentially cover the villains in water and drown them, she ironically forgets this strategy during her next confrontation, once again reverting to her ineffective balloon-throwing antics. It’s simply impossible to root for a character who exhibits such a lack of common sense and fails to demonstrate growth throughout the narrative. If the protagonist continues on this path of naivety, I’m afraid my investment in her journey will remain unfulfilled.
The moment she realized the unconscious man might be Zhang Qiling and decided to intervene was the turning point for me. It's where the story shifted from a generic survival tale to a specific, plot-driven adventure. I'm invested in seeing how she interacts with the canon characters.
The sachet having belonged to Ya Ya’s mother adds an emotional weight. Every time she holds it, she’s connected to her mom. That’s a lovely detail that explains why the sachet responds to her thoughts of home. I wonder if the mother had similar powers or if it’s just a keepsake.
Chen Chengduo seems like the competent leader type, but what really stood out to me is the moment he briefly spots Shu Xiaohui and thinks “that small mouse looked familiar.” That tiny line planted a seed in my head. Is there a previous connection? A past life? Or just good instincts? I almost screamed when he turned away without investigating. The author knows how to hold back information to keep you reading.
I’m a little annoyed at how quickly Qianlong accepts the ‘Old Buddha’ title change. He's supposed to be a shrewd emperor, concerned about propriety. I realize the author wants to move things along, but a small conflict or suspicion would have added realism. Even a tiny scene of him discussing it with a eunuch would have helped. Instead, he immediately agrees, which makes him seem like a pushover. That could be intentional—maybe this is a softer version of Qianlong for the story’s sake—but it loses some dramatic credibility. The Empress’s quick agreement to adopt Lan Xin also lacked friction. I’m used to slow-burn negotiations in palace dramas. However, this isn’t a serious palace drama; it’s a comedy. I might be overanalyzing. Still, a bit more pushback might have made the victories tastier. Overall, the no-opposition approach keeps the pace fast but might undermine the ‘brain-dead’ label Lin Xiaoxiao gives other characters. If she’s surrounded by people who bow to her every whim, there’s no conflict.