“The person who succumbed to binge-watching until four in the morning, Su Li Mo, might just be the first.
Upon waking up, she found herself transformed into the Pure Consort of Emperor Qianlong’s harem. Not only was she 32 years old, but she also had an eight-year-old eldest son, a son barely two years old, and, oh, a new-born daughter who hadn’t even reached a month old yet. It’s utterly heart-breaking.
To make matters worse, historically, this Pure Consort only lived to be 47 years old! And her children suffered even more! Her second son passed away at the age of 47, her eldest son at 26, and her youngest daughter at 23…
Save me! Save me!”
“Emperor Qianlong lived to be 87 years old, and there were several concubines in his harem who managed to live past 70, with some even outliving Qianlong by an additional two years.
Upon calming down and carefully considering it, although the harem may be wicked, as long as one earnestly perseveres and takes good care of their health, perhaps one could still live to a ripe old age of 99… as a seasoned old salted fish.”
PS: Genuine Salted Fish Daily Life: What’s the Meaning of Palace Intrigue When Lying Flat and Living Until 99 Sounds so Blissful?
The entire harem is in turmoil, while only the female lead is leisurely lying flat, living a salted fish lifestyle, and eating melons.
As long as we survive, we’ll make it!
The goal: to live a peaceful life until old age, surrounded by descendants!
This novel leans more towards a slice-of-life genre. FL remains steadfast in her resolve not to give her heart away. The palace intrigues are less sinister and complex, lacking the intricate twists and turns one might expect. It seems somewhat unrealistic that many concubines knew how to conduct themselves properly. Perhaps I’m accustomed to stories where the concubines are constantly vying for favor and setting traps for each other.
Spoiler:
We never learn the emperor’s true thoughts about FL at the end, so it can’t be considered a truly happy ending. Instead, settling into a contented life seems more fitting.
The ending felt a bit abrupt, as if it could have continued further—maybe until all her children were married.
That said, it’s a refreshing change of pace from the relentless, tension-filled dramas. However, it might be too slow-paced for some readers.
If you’ve read "The Job of an Imperial Concubine," this book pales in comparison.
Still, it’s worth a read if you’re looking for something light and don’t have anything else on hand.
Additionally, since the story is based on a real historical figure, I find it hard to fully believe in the narrative. Maybe if the author had set it in a parallel universe, it would have been easier to accept. Anyway, I’m not sure if I’ll continue reading or just drop it altogether. 🤷♀️