Okay, the whole “Jiliu Jia died instantly in his previous life and got reborn here” premise is wild but handled with such casual brevity that it doesn’t overshadow the plot. I appreciate that the author doesn’t dwell on it too much—it’s just a fact that frames his lack of magic attribute and his outsider status. It makes his frustration feel even more raw, like he’s been dealt a bad hand twice in two lifetimes. That kind of subtle tragedy is the kind of thing that makes me want to keep reading.
The backstory for Zhou Jingyun is perfectly packed into the first chapter: a child prodigy, forced marriage thanks to the duke's shameless begging, widowed young, mourning, then leaving the capital for six years. He's still the most sought-after bachelor even at twenty-seven. That is such a classic but effective setup, and it makes me want to know why this man, who clearly could have anyone, suddenly picks a nobody orphan.
This novel has a decent premise, but it ultimately falls short due to an overwhelming number of frustrating characters. At its core, the story revolves around the main character (MC), a passionate foodie with impressive culinary skills, who finds herself transmigrated from the modern world to ancient China—a place steeped in traditions of polygamy and concubinage. Naturally, coming from a contemporary background, she is quite resistant to the idea of accepting a lifestyle where having multiple wives is the norm, and thus she has no interest in the male lead (ML). However, the ML's persistence is a major source of irritation. He is almost painfully thick-skinned, relentlessly pursuing her for the sake of her cooking. His constant begging for food not only becomes tiresome but also detracts from the overall enjoyment of the story. Instead of developing a more nuanced relationship, it feels like the narrative is bogged down by his incessant demands for a taste of her culinary creations. Adding to the MC's frustrations are her maids, who display an equally irksome lack of loyalty and an unfortunate tendency to undermine her. Rather than supporting their mistress and fulfilling their roles as her servants, they frequently attempt to curry favor with the ML, throwing the MC under the bus in the process. It's disheartening to witness such betrayal from characters who should ideally be her allies. While the concept holds promise and could lead to a unique exploration of cultural contrasts and personal autonomy, the sheer number of thick-skinned and annoying characters has sapped my patience. I was initially intrigued by the potential for humor and conflict, but the continuous barrage of irritating behavior has led me to decide to drop this novel altogether. It's a shame, really—a fascinating setting and premise wasted on poorly crafted character dynamics.
The conversation between Nie Qingshuang and Elder Bing was a fantastic piece of world-building that also raised the stakes. It hints at a much larger geopolitical landscape. The conflict isn't just a personal romance; it's happening against the backdrop of a potential war with the "Demonic Sect" and the "Sea Clan." This immediately elevates the story from a simple romantic drama into a potential epic. The concern that a mortal could be a distraction for Ning Yuyao, who is a key asset in that conflict, puts a huge target on Shen Yun Hao’s back. It’s smart storytelling.
I don't know the title of this book from the excerpt, but it gives strong "The Villainess's Guide to..." or "Observation Log" vibes from Alan's perspective. He keeps testing her, watching her reactions. "You are scheduled to be my fiancée... what do you think?" He's cataloging her behavior.
2 I’m starting to suspect that the Second Uncle might not be missing. The way Lai Fu talked about him bringing women back to the manor, and the way he just disappeared right before the funeral… it feels suspicious. Could he be the one who killed Yun Ruosheng? Or maybe he’s working with the copper coin? I’m getting strong “family member is a traitor” vibes. I hope I’m wrong, but it’s where my head is at.