A Hairpin of Snow

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There is a little-known secret in the Ji family of the Imperial Academy: the eldest daughter of the Ji family, unloved by her parents due to an inauspicious birth date, has a twin sister who has been lost and living elsewhere.

The two sisters, living vastly different lives, have developed contrasting personalities.

The elder sister is weak and easily bullied, simple and unsophisticated; the younger sister is vengeful, ruthless, and kills without blinking.

In the political turmoil of the court, disaster strikes the innocent.

The elder sister is schemed into marrying her father’s archenemy—Huo Xian, the infamous Commandant who recognized a traitor as his father.

Huo Xian is notorious for his ruthless methods and association with eunuchs, despised by many. He is also infatuated with beauty, with a harem filled with countless concubines, each as cunning as the next.

While everyone was mourning for the elder sister’s fate, little did they know that the one sitting in the bridal sedan heading to Huo household was no longer a meek and easily bullied innocent.

On the wedding night, facing her notorious husband, Ji Yuluo pretended to be frightened, trembling so much she fainted from fear.

Huo Xian found it boring and didn’t visit the inner courtyard for several days.

One day, by chance, he returned home and saw one of his beloved concubines struggling for help in the water while his timid new bride sat nearby, casually applying nail polish, and said nonchalantly, “What’s the rush? She won’t die.”

The other concubines knelt nearby, trembling as if they had seen a ghost.

Huo Xian watched with interest.

Later, he stared at the sparkling water droplets on the beauty’s neck, his gaze dark and unreadable—

“Tsk. She truly is an ancestor, my ancestor.”

Huo Xian, despised by everyone, walked a path of betrayal and isolation until he met someone who, in the face of extreme danger, handed him a blade to cut through the waves.

– Even if my name is forgotten in history, I will stand by him.

Mad (Loyal) Dog Villain × Scheming Beauty

Reading tips:

The male lead is physically and emotionally clean; the harem mentioned in the synopsis is just a setup.

Associated Names
One entry per line
一簪雪
Related Series
N/A
Recommendations
Tyrannical Wang’s Beloved Wife (1)
Recommendation Lists
  1. Completely translated novels 15 (higher ratings)
  2. Have Read-list
  3. Balancing My Base Instincts
  4. i just found these in 2025
  5. Strong female lead with actual brains novels

Latest Release

Date Group Release
05/27/25 All Things Fluff extra 7
05/27/25 All Things Fluff extra 6 part2
05/27/25 All Things Fluff extra 6 part1
05/27/25 All Things Fluff extra 5 part2
05/23/25 All Things Fluff extra 5 part1
05/21/25 All Things Fluff extra 4
05/19/25 All Things Fluff extra 3 part3
05/16/25 All Things Fluff extra 3 part2
05/16/25 All Things Fluff extra 3 part1
05/16/25 All Things Fluff extra 2
05/16/25 All Things Fluff extra 1
05/14/25 All Things Fluff c128
05/12/25 All Things Fluff c127
05/09/25 All Things Fluff c126
05/07/25 All Things Fluff c125
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Review
4 Reviews


Allthingsfluff
Allthingsflu
Dec 28, 2024
Status: --
Review from the translator:

If you're looking for a novel that combines familial betrayal, court intrigue, and a marriage of convenience between two people who may or may not want to mu*der each other (spoiler: they kind of do but also kind of don't), this novel might just be your new obsession.

Imagine growing up in a household where you are mistreated. Then you're forced to marry the court's most notorious villain, Huo Xian, a man with a 'harem', a bad temper, and a reputation so dark even assassins give him... more>> a pass. But wait, you're not even the meek eldest daughter anymore you're the ruthless, vengeful twin in disguise. Intrigued?

Plot Analysis:

The court politics are deliciously tense, the family dynamics are brimming with resentment, and the marriage between Ji Yuluo and Huo Xian is a masterclass in slow-burn tension.

The pacing hits all the right notes early on, though the middle dips slightly as the intrigue gets a bit too tangled. But by the final act, it's clear that every plot twist

no matter how small

was meticulously planted to create a satisfying resolution.

Character Analysis

    • Ji Yuluo: As the scheming beauty, she's equal parts terrifying and compelling. Her ability to manipulate her surroundings while maintaining the fa ade of a demure, inauspicious wife is nothing short of mesmerizing.
    • Huo Xian: The "mad dog villain" lives up to his reputation, but there's more to him than cruelty and cunning. His grudging respect and eventual fascination with his "meek" wife are some of the best parts of the story.
    • The secondary characters, while less fleshed out, serve their roles well. Some concubines and court officials could've used a bit more depth, but they do their part to push the plot forward.
Themes:

At its heart, the novel explores identity, survival, and the lengths people will go to protect what they love

or destroy what they hate. The juxtaposition between the weak and the strong, the legitimate and illegitimate, and the past versus the present adds layers of complexity to the narrative.

Emotional Impact:

This book will make you gasp, laugh, and occasionally rage. The intense moments between Ji Yuluo and Huo Xian will leave you on edge. And the occasional moments of tenderness? Absolute gold.

Final Thoughts:

A Hairpin of Snow is a gripping read that delivers both sharp wit and heartfelt moments. While it's not without its flaws, it's a standout for its complex leads and intricate plotting. Highly recommend for readers who love their historical drama with a dash of ruthlessness and a sprinkle of romance. <<less
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Agreta1
Agreta1
Apr 18, 2025
Status: Completed
Rating: 4.5/5

I picked this up on a whim while hunting for something new, fully expecting it to be another forgettable revenge story. I’ve read most of what’s out there in the genre, and the synopsis didn’t exactly scream original. But wow—I was pleasantly surprised.

This isn’t your typical palace dog-blood drama. Yes, there's betrayal, hidden identities, power struggles, and some very juicy pasts—but it’s all handled with a lot more subtlety and emotional weight than most similar stories.

The female lead (Ji Yuluo) is such a refreshing change. She’s a little distant,... more>> composed, and doesn’t fall into the usual cold-and-overpowered trap. She’s smart, steady, knows her limits, and doesn’t waste time playing the victim. She can be ruthless, but it never feels over the top or out of character. Basically, she’s got a spine and a brain, which is already better than half the genre.

Now, the male lead... mixed feelings. He started off as this cold, calculating imperial officer with a sharp tongue and no patience for BS. At that point, I was all in. But somewhere along the way,
Spoiler

he mellowed a lot, and by the end, he basically turned into a “good husband doing house chores” type.

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Not bad exactly, but I personally found the shift a little underwhelming. I liked the sharp edge, and it got dulled too much for my taste.

What really stands out in this story is the tone. It’s dramatic when it needs to be, but never feels like a soap opera.

The pacing holds up, too—no mid-story slump, no weird drag near the end. And the ending is satisfying. All major plotlines are tied up neatly, and no loose ends are left hanging. You get closure. It’s not one of those endings where you’re left refreshing the author’s page hoping for an epilogue to explain what the heck just happened.

Overall, if you’re into revenge/political romance but tired of the same old faceslapping routines, this is a great pick. It’s clever, balanced, and full of memorable moments—just be prepared for
Spoiler

the male lead to go soft on you.

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3 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
novelbookie
novelbookie
Dec 09, 2024
Status: c80
I have read all the available chapters and MTL all the way to chapter 80. So far I've enjoyed the book immensely. I love the details and the construction of the story. I can almost imagine all the faces of each character.

While reading I can imagine myself into the story. The author does such justice for showing the personality of each characters without spoon feeding it to the readers. That's something I love and wish a lot of author would utilize in their writing.

The ML is definitely one of my... more>> favorite type of ML. He's smart and knows how to fight. AND.... and and and he knows how to lose gracefully. That's important to me. Both main characters have their own battles to fight but ML doesn't always assert his dominance over the FL just because she is a woman. He knows she's smart and knows when to retreat. He enjoys trying to outsmart her because he knows she is on par with him.

There's this part in the beginning, I know some people will pick out to complain about,
Spoiler

he chokes her for like 3 seconds

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but in his defense his life and others are on the line every second. Given his situation I think he was justified in his actions, at least to me.

If you want a good book with two smart MLs, drama and a good time then this is the book for you. <<less
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Clarimel7
Clarimel7
Apr 22, 2025
Status: Completed
Highly recommended for the intrigue and political schemes.

I was glad that there was no romantic angst or even real love rivals.

... more>>
Spoiler

While on Huo Xian's side, there was a large harem, it was all for show. On Ji YuLou's side, she never found out that Xie XuBai fell ij love with her. Perhaps if side characters like him and concubine Sheng had been more direct and open with the main characters, the angst would have been there. But thankfully, this couple was straightforward with their feelings, and hence what others did not say or do, they brazenly dared.

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The tragic past gave room for understanding the personality of each individual.

This is definitely a late romance for me:

Spoiler

Their relationship was born out of desire, a fleeting and uncertain affection. Therefore, the little intimacy they shared felt insufficient.

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Their conflicts in opinion were always a push for the development of their relationship.

Spoiler

Their conversation had been like a bloodless knife fight, where a disagreement would have them parting ways, while agreement opened up endless possibilities.

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I loved how the author made consistent pattern behaviors for each character.

Spoiler

Deep down, Ji YuLou was very insecure. If it was not revenge, love could support her to desire life. So when Huo Xian sacrificed multiple times, he was risking also her desire for life. Even when both of them had children, they decided to put their relationship first before parenthood. I found it hilarious, but also understandable.

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1 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
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