NicholasHill
I really love the contrast between Meru's internal monologue and the squad's actual behavior. She's constantly thinking "these are bandits," but they prove themselves to be disciplined and fair knights. The gap between her perception and reality is the main source of comedy and charm in this first chapter. It's a very effective narrative style.
The birth scene is unrealistic but fun. Mu Yilan just takes a while lying down, and the babies come out smoothly, with Mu Fenghua pinching her brother to hurry up. The smooth delivery contrasts with her preparation for difficult labor, adding comedy. The fact that the brother is bigger than the sister sets up a cute dynamic where the younger brother is physically larger but mentally younger. The naming with the mother’s surname is a nice feminist touch.
The scene with Yan Xiao and the chopped wood knife is incredibly satisfying. Han Cuiyin throws that knife with zero hesitation, and his cowering response is pure comedic relief. The way she completely disregards familial ties with her maternal uncle shows how little she cares about playing nice.
