The premise of this story has the potential to be captivating, but unfortunately, it feels as though it is buried under an excessive amount of unnecessary content. It seems that the author has a particular penchant for prolonged narratives, particularly when it comes to the relationship dynamics between the male lead (ML) and the main character (MC). The constant reiteration of the ML's disinterest in the MC can become quite tiresome, detracting from the overall enjoyment of the narrative. Furthermore, the author's tendency to indulge in excessively long dialogues—where characters relentlessly insult the MC—significantly drags down the pacing of the story. It often feels like an endless cycle of "Mean Girl" monologues, stretching for two and a half chapters before finally revealing a single line that renders all that previous dialogue irrelevant, revealing that the characters were mistaken about their assumptions. This trend not only frustrates but also leaves the reader feeling as though their time has been wasted on unnecessary conflict. Initially, I tried to maintain my interest by alternating between reading every second chapter, but I soon realized that I wasn’t missing any major developments in the plot. Gradually, I shifted to skimming every third chapter, and eventually, I found myself just giving up entirely. The promise of an intriguing storyline was overshadowed by the overwhelming bulk of filler content that simply served to prolong the narrative without adding any substantial value. To the author: if you are indeed being compensated based on word count, or if there is some sort of external pressure compelling you to fill pages, then congratulations—you have certainly succeeded in that regard. However, if your true goal is to craft a compelling tale that resonates with readers, it is crucial to cut down on the extraneous material and focus on weaving a tighter, more engaging story. Readers are eager for genuine development and meaningful interactions, not drawn-out exchanges that do little more than detract from the narrative's progression.
The setting—a general’s residence in the capital—is well established. We have the main hall, Zhongsi Hall, Pear Garden, front and back courtyards. It’s easy to visualize. The era is vague but feels like a typical Chinese historical backdrop. I like that we don’t get bogged down with too many place names. Just enough to feel immersive.