Overall, the story's strengths are its protagonist's voice, atmospheric writing, and intriguing mystery. Weaknesses are occasional slow pacing, some clunky prose, and underdeveloped secondary characters. I'd rate the opening chapters 7/10 – definitely continue reading. The potential for a unique xianxia/horror hybrid is there. If the author keeps the tension high and develops the world logically, this could be a gem.
The Du family is absolutely ridiculous and I love them for it. They're so blindly devoted to the original owner that they'll go beat up the Zhu family with wooden sticks over a broken engagement. But when Du Qingyang says "I'm not jumping" they just smile and start asking about her favorite fruits. Zero logic, all heart. That kind of unhinged familial love is rare in these novels—usually the family is either evil or useless. Here they're like a pack of lovable bulldogs. I just know they're going to cause chaos in the best way.
The writing quality overall is decent but sometimes the sentences are a bit clunky. Like the repeated phrasing of "Lin Zi was stunned" and "a flicker of surprise crossed her eyes". Could use more variety.
The pacing from the empress dowager's visit to the bedroom scene is tense. Su Zhiruan being left alone with the emperor after everyone departs? That's a classic moment. Her pouring wine for him is a quiet, intimate gesture. The author builds atmosphere well: "moonlight was thick as water" and "the vast bedroom only two people remain." It shows she can switch from action to mood scenes. The romantic tension is palpable but still appropriate for the genre.