The action of Sheng Ze Xi jumping out the window is classic. He came in through the window, he leaves through the window. It's a secret meeting. It adds a tinge of forbidden romance, even though they are technically on track for an arranged date. This secret visit strengthens their bond. It's their little secret. It's romantic.
That cliffhanger at the end—Shen Lian observing Lin Xiaojiu with a cold gaze while smiling—was perfect. It sets up a cat-and-mouse dynamic where both characters are hiding things.
I gotta say, the opening really hooked me with that reality check about transmigration. Most novels just skip the whole "you'd probably die immediately" part, but this one actually addresses how screwed an ordinary person would be. The protagonist's realization that even as a noble he's basically living in third-world conditions hit hard. That bit about the black bread with body odor? Gross but effective worldbuilding.
The transition from classroom to the underworld gave me whiplash. One moment Chu Qiu is half-listening to Xiao Ya, the next he's standing in front of a palace with spider lilies and meeting King Yan. I wasn't sure if he fell asleep and dreamed it, or if this was really happening. The description of the King Yan character – flowing robes, cicada-wing mask, sachets – is very visual, almost like a video game cutscene. And the way Chu Qiu responds in both Chinese and English "just in case" is such a 2020s move.