- #1
I am actually currently reading this novel, so imagine my surprise when I saw that it is now translated!So far I really like this novel. It is too soon to say anything about the plot (look at that chapter count. Just to think: I read the first 30 chapters that were written at that time and decided to wait till it is finished thinking it would be a short novel of 90 chaps max, lol), but there are some hints of big conspiracies.But the main things that draw my interest are MC, ML, and their relationship.MC is living his life a second time. The first time he was heavily involved in everything for the sake of his lover and ruined his health further. This time his plan is to take it easy. The summary makes him look like a frivolous person, but actually, he is very calm and level-headed (though a tease sometimes). In the first time he ruined also his reputation and got his hands dirty, so this time he does not bat an eye at the bloodshed. He also has some people loyal to him who he kept in secret and who spy for him, so he is not just a poot abandoned son this time either.I was initially worried about ML, but he is not your cliche tyrant. He is a man of few words and does not explain his actions, but he is a smart person who only punishes those who broke the law. And I am talking about real law, and not "he said something I don't like so no he is dead". His "tyrant" reputation comes from a) aforementioned not explaining his actions (ppl doesn't know that his "victims" are not lawful citizens) and b) smear campaign by another prince.What I enjoyed most about their relationship is their camaraderie. ML respects MC as a person and respects his knowledge and nearly from the start discusses work with him. So far my fave moment was when ML needed to interrogate a concubine of a previous emperor, so MC orchestrated their meeting and pretended to be a spoilt and jealous concubine and ordered her arrested for trying to seduce ML. There are some other moments when they ply along without discussing anything in advance.In conclusion: so far I feel like this novel deserves 5 stars. I really enjoyed reading it and can recommend it. I will probably rewrite this review later, but not soon (over 200 chapters, this is insane!)