Took me a while to finish reading this. I guess I got a bit too bored with the politics and kinda stopped reading when they finally got together, but it is still a beautifully written and beautifully translated novel.

The love story between the main characters and how they grew to love each other from as early as when they were teenagers and how it develops was wonderfully told. They are so romantic and the story was intriguing, just a bit too political for my mood maybe starting this, but still... more>> a good read.

The extras were actually really cute. ≪3

Over all, 4.6 out of 5. &Lt;3 <<less

I read this so long ago that I already forgot everything, but I have a good impression and memory of it. Nothing "top 10 best ever" but I enjoyed it.

Particularly I like to thread novels where one of the MCs has a disability to see how the author handles it. I was pretty satisfied with this one :3

Ermm.. As for the romance. It's okay. Yeah, I liked it. The marriage scene is good. The angst is good. (I cried when they hurt my baby). Overall.. It's aight. Solid novel.

Also, the... more>> translation quality is very good. <<less

It's very sweet, but I am bored; there is no conflict when it comes to their love life.

I read this novel long ago and liked it. Although it's no longer free to read, I still remember some plot points and the warm feeling the romance of these two exude. There are a lot of complications and schemes that cause the couple headaches but they work together and individually to solve each one. Both MC and ML are intelligent, scheming, and strong... one does not fall behind the other.

Although MC is disabled, ML never looks down on MC and instead shows tender care. They have a happy ending... more>> and the empire does also.

Spoilers can be read in other reviews but this is something that stayed with me...

Spoiler

About the couple switching... maybe in the future but not currently. There are no scenes in which they switch, only a scene where MC mentions it but then changes his mind. Although I do believe that ML would have been agreeable with the change if MC didn't change his mind.

Another spoiler that might be mentioned elsewhere but I haven't seen it. ML is the Emperor's son. His mother was his grandfather's concubine. However, when his grandfather died, his father coveted his mother and slept with her. She became pregnant with ML. His father didn't know.

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This was one of my all-time fav novels and I def recommend to others. One thing I would bring up about this novel though, is the lack of side-characters. Though it may not feel like it for you, but there were a lot of times I had to question myself and ask where the other characters were. The characters overall were adorbs, head over heels for each other and loving in the most romantic way. Their development didn't pop out of nowhere, and they were able to overcome misunderstandings rather than dragging it out for years to go. I enjoyed how the MCs also didn't put their whole diverted attention onto the mysteries, but were able to carry on like regular whilst still searching for clues; other novels will have the MCs face solely on the bigger plot which sometimes makes one wonder about all the other needs such as jobs, etc.. Which seem to be ignored sometimes. It was overall a beautifully written piece and a great read for when bored.

Golden stage has been sitting idly in my reading list before I read them yesterday, within a day I finished this beatiful store. Almost like sipping on sweet wine, this story was strong but its sweetsness makes you want to crave more and moce forward with the story. The romance was really light yet so deep, their history from friendship to enemy to lovers really makes the story much more meaningful. Propa to the translator and author nim for the great work, I will regret myself if I never read... more>> this novel ㅅㅁ ㅅ <<less

What a lovely read this was.

First, standing ovation for the translator who found the perfect balance between localisation and keeping faith to the original literariness and culture. HAving one person work on a whole novel is, as expected, better than several people, but this translator in particular just nailed it. Lovely, smooth reading, perfectly understandeable and with concise, informative, professional footnotes. Excellent translation work, I salute.

The plot was more developed than I previously thought, primarily because it starts to pick up the pace in the second half of the story.... more>> It's nice and well-structured without being so convoluted to need taking notes on the side.

The main CP is just, so good. SO GOOD. Well-balanced, angsty, sweet, communicative, just all-around great main couple. No smut unfortunately.

The side CP broke my heart in a million pieces but also painstakingly put all those pieces back together themselves, so we good.

Other side characters are well-developed in respect to their plot roles, though less present than I was expecting from the set-up. In other words, from the way the story started it gave me the impression that the plot would contain a nice balance between main and side characters, but going forward the author kind of dismissed the side characters to focus on the main couple. Not that I minded, just something that veered off unexpectedly.

All in all, great novel which lends itself well to re-readings and which I highly recommend if you like political intrigue novels (but not too complicated) and satisfying, healthy main couple dynamics. <<less

Read it!!

Don't think about it just do, golden stage is such a good read.

The yanfu couple actually talking about their problems and being so affectionate towards one another had my heart crying I fear.

The plot might appear very heavy on politics but the interaction between the couple makes up for it overall It was such a good read

It's a light read. It's a good story but I can't consider it a top notch. It has a simple storyline. I didn't get bored reading it since the plot is fast-paced. Some scene is not that detailed, just a summary of what happened. But I did like the interaction between the protagonists.

Also, what happen to the drugs circulated to the towns/cities, there was no follow up about it. Wasn't it too dangerous that with only an inhalation, one gets an addiction and the withdrawal syndrome was too severe and... more>> continuous used will have a plague like ailment? It seems it was all forgotten. Instead, the newly-throned emperor questioned about the southwest not giving a tribute.

The translation was good. It is just that the translator used uncommon english words (e.g. Sept-army? Wikipedia says "sept" means "clan" in irish. I thought sept is short for september :)) and sometimes, the sentences is incomplete in though or doesn't make sense. But overall, it readable. <<less

Great story, if you read Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation or Heavens Officials Blessing and wanted something similar this can definitely scratch that itch. The plot is interesting and doesn't have very obvious plot holes, the characters are well written, the main couple has great chemistry.

3.5*

The main characters are adorable!

The story starts with them hating each other (baceuse some issues in the past) and being forced to marry each other.

First half of the book is more about their relationship development (how they discover the thuth about the past events and fall in love) but in the second half the political plot gets too deep (I must confess I loss the track of that storyline... too complicated for me)

The love between the MC and ML is way too sweet. I'm dying from being stuffed with dogfood!!!

Great plot and romance! Really a 5/5⭐

I love a good historical novel. I absolutely adore the main couple they’re too precious. The way all three emperors INFURIATED me was beyond my expectations. I’m someone who likes being able to get some type of emotion from a story and this GEM did just that

such beautiful and heartwarming couple.... where else could I find such couple who showed there loves from start till the end. T~T

Whenever I read a novel that is base on realistic life like it really happened back in time, I always held a big regret in my heart. I always remember those part where they first met and their bickering before getting good and sweet with each other and by the going of time how they aged and experienced everything with each other.

Yan fu couple were one of those which... more>> experience long separation from each other so many times and that's really break my heart however it becomes bearable when they meat each other again and heal you like how they heal each other. There long distance conceptions during the war (sending letter with goose) it's much sweeter than what we have during these days as only one words means a whole world for them.

About the political plot.... Well there is always some annoying people in between which make me hate them to my core but what can be done except looking away and swear then continue on reading. Anyway for all those who are interested in realistic ancient plot I recommend this after spl as it really show the situation at those times while I don't know if the people in it are real or not, it gave you an understanding about people living hood.❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ <<less

Truly one of the best novels written. The couple have the best relationship of any novel I've read. The love and camaraderie between the two is exceptional. There is never a dull moment. The translation was great. Thank you for the hard work and love that was put into this novel.

As someone who doesn't enjoy and avoid historical setting novels, I have a lot of prejudice against them but this was just wow! I have to admit that this might be even better than a lot of modern BLs i've read too. It was a great read!

But I gotta say it was kind of overhyped as well too... I mean, reading the reviews, my mind had already mapped out some steins gate type of big brain games and some Kira's Just as planned high levelled planning. But surprising there weren't... more>> any major reveals in it, not for me atleast. The story was well balanced, went with the flow, didn't drag and had an above average plot.

But what made me give this a solid 5 was the main couple. Well, in today's BL world I don't think there's any shortage of good couples now that the author have really upped their game! And I seriously have a lot of favourites! But this couple hits different. They felt like such a wholesome, fulfilling couple who made progress slowly and were mutually loving, respectful and understanding of each other! Plus, we STAN versatile couples, yeah! MC (Fu Shen) being totally stronger and badass than the ML. (i wanted this so much! Stronger uke rocks!) and him spoiling the ML by coaxing him and praising his beauty while calling him madam was just uuuu sooooo gooood! And finally an ML who didn't have the useless toxic masculinity like I must top and you shouldn't call me madam or any of that bullshit! He was totally whipped for the MC so much! Like man, I want someone to be whipped for me as much as Yan Xiaohan wad for Fu Shen! I mean that devotion! I want that!

Spoiler

Being in love with him for years to come and choosing a post with struggles and choosing to be hated by the populace just so he could see and help the MC! Ayyy this man here deserves my respect!

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And am so glad that Fu Shen gave him the same love and respect in return and expressed his love clearly with words and actions to stop the ML's self deprecating behaviour!

Tbh, I thought this novel would be filled with headache inducing vicious palace intrigue scheming but it tured out to be so wholesome and fluffy. Its worth reading this! <<less

3.8 Stars

Hmm, what to say, the MC and ML's relationship is fantastic! Healthy respect, love and communication! So rare in this medium haha No s*upid misunderstandings or super denseness in sight. They are mature adults here everyone :D But, the plot is kind of eh. I was pretty hooked in the 1st half ish but slowly my interest dwindled down. Why? Because I don't know what the drive of the story is. If it was the romance, they solved all their issues and really got together by the 70% point... more>> ish alrd (the building up and interactions up to then were so good haha) The plot and the mystery were sufficient instigators for the worldbuilding of ancient China's daily life too. But then, we get the war and the fighting parts and.. This has literally no impact for me. It was all pretty much just glazed over in a few chapters and just made them separate for some chapters. Then, with the snap of a finger, the MC recaptured the capital and they were reunited, yay. But the separation didn't really add anything? Except for the MC's hold the world on his shoulders attitude, which is intelligently challenged by the ML I guess. It doesn't really change anything in his actions though, so I feel like it has no impact. So I kinda got bored haha

My Created Lists (I include my rating and review in the list itself XD)

• All Novels I've Read Sorted By Rating - Where I ranked every single novel I read on novelupdates.
• Heartwarming or Feel Good or Wholesome Stories I Liked - As stated haha

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Gosh I finished this book overnight. I feel so sleepy but happy. This is such a hidden gem. The MC and ML is so sweet after confirming each others feelings. The politics is also well written and keeps me wondering what happens next throughout the whole book. I definitely recommend this book.

I decided to read this novel because someone I follow on twitter wrote these things:

• • You won't regret it

• • Arranged marriage between 'enemies'

• • They love each other so much

• • You will fall for Yanfu (main couple's name) so hard and never get back up (and you know what? THAT'S SO TRUE)

• • Through thick and thin

• • (There was an official image with all of this) Look at them so pretty

And that was more than enough to give it a try.

And I did.

I don't regret not even one second.

.

This novel is a masterpiece.

If you are still not convinced:

• • Arranged marriage between 'enemies'

• • It has audio drama

• • Healthy relationship (consentment is real~)

• • They have communication ladies and gentleman

• • Characters are not white or black

• • They are smart. And when I say this, I mean they are smart, they do not become s*upid/s*upider just because they fell in love

Still not convinced?

This is because you have not read it.

Recommendation: Make yourself a character guide... I didn't and I quite suffered because of it.

PS: Than you Chichi for your wonderful translation!

Romance is good, and VERY happy that they're a switch couple. They want each other so bad, hot damn

But omg, I don't know if it's just me, but throughout reading THE WHOLE BOOK I had the hardest time figuring out from which of the two's point of view (POV) I was supposed to be reading from. Can't say I've had this same issue with other novels I've read recently, either. I would sometimes be 5 paragraphs in and realize from one of the sentences that the POV changed somewhere earlier.... more>> Couldn't push myself to read the last 2 chapters because of it. The book also has the problem of not mentioning characters beforehand even though the novel mentions that the MC or ML knew about those characters prior to them suddenly becoming a main part of the plot. <<less