The Prince Regent of the Zong Dynasty, Lin Bozhou, looked noble and benevolent on the outside but disgustingly filthy on the inside.
This traitorous minister, whom everyone had condemned.
One day, Meng Huan, who just transmigrated into a book, arrived into the bedroom in a sedan chair after he was forcefully sold as a male concubine to the Prince Regent.
How to keep himself safe in the face of this treacherous minister? Meng Huan was prepared to act like the original host, that was, being an aloof and cold man who would rather die than obey the Prince Regent. He would despise this man, while showing off his intelligence and wisdom, and occasionally, engaged in a game of wits with the Prince Regent.
Only this way would the Prince Regent love and respect him.
He could also be like the original host, winning the man’s favor but choosing to ignore it, making his escape in style, and forcing the calm Prince Regent glow in red anger.
—
However, when he tried to recall the incoming part to play as the original host, Meng Huan suddenly froze.
Meng—Low IQ— Huan: What were the crafty plots and machinations?
Meng—Low IQ—Huan: What were the words the original host used to scold the man?
Meng—Low IQ—Huan: Oh no, I am finished, I am done for. I am toast QAQ
—
The male concubine he bought were said to possess determined character, and very likely going to commit su*cide by bitting off his own tongue, or viciously shout foul words at him.
Always calm and collected, Lin Bozhou, who was not one to force himself on another or witness bloodshed, was ready to free this man.
Yet, when he entered the door, he saw a dazed beauty, looking at a loss while saying in a very soft voice, “Hus-husband?”
The beauty looked to be racking his brain as if his life depended on it.
Then, after a few seconds of stupefaction, he appeared to have given up. “I would better serve you in bed.”
Lin Bozhou: “…?”
The absolute wise minister and his dumb wife : )
This story is also known as The Waste Who Transmigrated into a Political Fiction
*A powerful and smart minister gong vs dumb and delicate beauty shou
This development is deeply disturbing and feels unnecessary, especially considering the positive aspects of the story up until this point.
The beginning was promising, with the MC causing mischief and pretending to adore ML, which I enjoyed. Unfortunately, after that, the pace slowed down, and it became repetitive. The part where ML struggled with his disability and the MC's unconscious support was the only part that slightly interested me. But then it returned to the same pattern of sex and the MC's shy nature, which didn't appeal to me. I prefer stories with more chase and character development, and since they were already married and intimate, it felt like an established relationship plot, which isn't my preference.
While this might be appealing to many, it definitely didn't resonate with me.
The Marquis of Zheng comes across as particularly frustrating, responsible for causing harm and suffering. The young emperor, Xuanhe, stands out as the most despised character due to his foolishness and obsession with power. His lack of ability to govern and prioritize the well-being of the nation is infuriating, leading to the deserved consequences in the story.
Despite the main couple's initial confusion about the situation, they eventually accept the reality, which is a decent plot development. The protagonist's genuine efforts to support the male lead contribute to the ship's progress, even without being extraordinary.
While I'd personally enjoy a modern-day adaptation, the current storyline has its own charm. Overall, the author seems to convey a strong dislike for certain characters and a longing for a different setting.
The relationship between the main characters in the original source material is described as a toxic mix of love and hate, involving elements of rape and the character overcoming that trauma. However, there isn't any explicit sexual content; rather, it outlines key events without graphic details. In the translated version, there's only one significant instance of dubious consent, where the male lead takes advantage of the female lead (who is drunk or under an aphrodisiac's influence) during their first encounter. She doesn't recall the event and feels taken advantage of, but the male lead's apology is half-hearted and somewhat victim-blaming. Eventually, she recollects that she initiated the situation, which leads to an awkward moment.
Despite the dark aspects, I genuinely enjoyed the novel, particularly the charming and pampered nature of the protagonist. The dynamic between the main characters shifts occasionally, adding an interesting twist to their interactions. While there's a political backdrop, it's not the central focus, and any inconsistencies in the political plot didn't significantly impact the story or my reading experience.