- #1
The story had a good start if you can forgive the ableism (but that's a common theme in chinese novels). Reminding me of a episodic, slap stick tvshow the novel ran with its comedy and it worked with its clueless but uber powerful MC, seemingly taciturn but shy male lead and the petty family drama that comes with ancient China. I didn't even mind the constant call backs to Qingyu, a concubine who really didn't deserve the screen time she recieved. However, around about chapter 70 the books jokes started falling flat. The novel seemed incapable of letting go of that one punchline and as more and more 'love interests' are introduced, you can really begin to feel the author beating the dead horse.Another aspect I wanted to draw on, it was obvious from the first chapter that the novel was setting up for MC to become the empress, with the constant callbacks to the characters supposed future, and the comparisons to the inept emperor. However, the MC really doesn't seem that much better, from what the readers can tell thus far the extent of the MCs political knowledge and strategy is beating of bad guy, get love interest number one million and seventy two to fall for her and Gu clan saves the day by appeasing the emperor in the end. What the infinite number of male suitors she has sees in her is beyond me? Let alone her lack of emotional intelligence in how callously she treats anyone with good intentions towards her. Her mama, who is wondered because MC might be bullied by in laws, bloated. Love interest number 3 who waited to meet her all night and day, just looking for a fight from her husband. Her husband asking for privacy to get changed, shy. I understand that characters can be dense but her hurtful and fickle nature truly frustrated me to no end.TLDR read the first few chapters, they will make you cackle out loud. But as soon as it starts to drag drop it, there really isn't any redemption for it later on.