+ Relationships: 9/10, a point is deducted because things get complicated, but in general, everything made sense, nothing made me furious to the point of wanting to drop the story, the cannon fodders' relationship with the FL and ML didn't piss me off too much, and the main couple made me coo and laugh.

Both the ML and FL had good communication, large IQ *AND* EQ, and basically worked together while also not working together

example: FL unknowingly tr*shing ML's plans to marry her when she keeps trying to run off and find her own husband (bc she didn't think of him as a marriage candidate at that time) 🤣

+ Characters: 10/10, while everyone is not as developed or likable as the FL or ML, everyone was still relatively enjoyable and I never had the urge to drop the story. The FL and ML are also both really enjoyable and I liked how scheming and pragmatic they are. The both of them are realistic without being unreal.

+ Story: 10/10, what a ride! I had fun the entire time and the story was very interesting!

+ Revenge: 10/10 😈 some of them get their lives ruined and others go insane or die. Overall, I was very satisfied.

— FL's personality at the beginning of the novel: I WANT TO SAY THIS FIRST: THE FL IS A SERIOUSLY ENJOYABLE AND BADASS CHARACTER *BUT* SHE THINKS OF HERSELF AND OTHERS AS TOOLS. Her thinking can often be uncomfortable, due to how manipulative and almost hypocritical she can be, but I personally really enjoyed it bc such a selfish but hardworking character is so unique. She works hard for her reputation and her future, and she doesn't care who's in her way. She'll lick the boots of anyone if it meant that she would survive, and ultimately, she is here for her own satisfaction and happiness. I respect that and I love it, but it can make you really uncomfortable at times :/

+ Too little extras : (

+ The website that the novel is hosted on is kinda weird? Idk if it's just me, but for some reason, it takes a long time for the page to load, even when I have good wifi. Idk, just a warning.

+ There is a running plot line where both the ML and FL are considered niece and uncle by the public, but they are BOTH aware that they are not related and both of them know that the other knows, so I wouldn't consider it in*est, but I do believe it could be a con.

Both of these stories are somewhat similar in that 1) the FLs are scheming, selfish, protective of their interests, and do not trust men, 2) there is a favored prince and a somewhat corrupt king, 3) there is a love interest that ultimately fails to get with the FL but instead, is in a relationship with the FL's sister, 4) both the FL and ML scheme to get the ML onto the throne, 5) the ML spoils the FL and loves her whole-heartedly.

HOWEVER. I think "Greetings, Ninth Uncle" is a lot better story than "To Be A Virtuous Wife" (no offense, I do love it) bc of a few points. 1) the FL actually admits that she loves the ML (although I liked the FL's realism in TBAVW, it was very frustrating to not have a confirmation of feelings of what the FL felt towards the ML. It just felt kinda ridiculous how she wouldn't admit it at all. Even until they died, we still don't know if she actually loved him, since we have to guess and I dislike that imo), 2) the 2nd love interest does not linger around the FL like a disgusting bug and get pitied by people (I really hate that crown prince character in TBAVW), 3) the ML has no other concubines/consorts :).

So if you like "To Be A Virtuous Wife, " or any other similar stories, then I highly recommend "Greetings, Ninth Uncle."

currently, at ch 99 part 1, I feel like she doesnt even love ML that much. even ML commented that she adapts to situations quickly, and it felt more that she adapted to that situation rather than happily accepting it. she would rather be calculative of her relationship with ML and not let her heart decide, whether she was in love or not and with who didnt matter as long as her future was set well. I'm not complaining btw, because FL's whole character is about adapting and finding a way to survive, so I want to see which way this will go. Will FL just adapt and live, or can ML make her open up more? With the way this is going, I doubt so, but I'll give him the benefit of the doubt🤷‍♀️ (READ EDIT!!)

maybe its cause of the age gap (hes 20 shes FIFTEEN, , , , brother eugh) and my ethics screaming at me, but the wedding wasnt satisfying at all, especially after the long wait for it. and the way he just pounced at her as well as the way the scene was described by ML.... ick. he isnt as bad as a lot of other chinese novels, but still, , , after the wedding, the ML's subtly changed, and not to my liking tbh.

, , , , I'm sorry, I was waiting for more 'first night' nervousness and teasing😔 things that would make me giggle, like it did in the first chapters. wrong.

things definitely went downhill after he saved her from that drowning situation, since that was when FL raised her guard. I want her actual, easily-angered at the ML, self to come back. ughhhhh. also FL being easily flustered and then quick to s*upid-kinda-anger after being flirted to by ML is slowly being increasingly annoying. Like, , , if this was my girl from before the drowning incident, she would've made a snarky (yet graceful) remark and make it into a funny situation. I get ur trying to turn their relationship into a romantic one, but it doesnt mean u just drain all the previous factors of the relationship. especially when u do it in such a boring, typical way of 'ugh hesflirtingandimjustgonnabe-speechlessands*upideachtimeeventhohedoesthesamethingeverytime!!!' add a little flavour, will you?? I MISS MY MANIPULATIVE GIRL WHO WOULD FAKECRY IN FRONT OF HIM FOR HIS SYMPATHY‼️

["Am I the first to give you New Year's greeting?"

"Yes." There was a deep smile in Li Chengjing's voice, "I wish that you will always be the first every year."

At this moment, Cheng Yujin didn't avoid his question, nor did she analyze the probability rationally. Instead, she hugged Li Chengjing back and said: "I will."]

SOBBINGGGGG MY BBY, , , , , I was right abt ML knowing that FL was just adapting to everything and not even truly loving him. they even had a conversation abt it (communication>>>>). and as you read, even if it wasnt said with words, you can literally see the way FL slowly lowers her guard, I especially like the scene I pasted above as an example; cute.).

1st Life

Chen Yujin and her entourage saved Marquis Jingyong, who was recuperating inside a cave. They got married. But, Chen Yumo, her younger sister, told Marquis Jingyong, that she was the person who saved him first. She left him in the cave to go and look for help when Chen Yujin found him. Marquis Jingyong accepted Chen Yumo in his family and wanted to make her his second wife. Heartbroken, Chen Yujin died after she gave birth. Her son was also dead after being neglected by the family.

Li Chengjing as the Crown Prince and then the Emperor, never married. A Taoist Master told him that he only had one life partner and she was already dead. Li Chengjing then started to have vivid dreams a.k.a. The 2nd Life. He found out about Chen Yujin and how Marquis Jingyong and his family treated her which led to her death. He retaliated against Marquis Jingyong even though he only met Chen Yujin in his dream.

2nd Life

Both Chen Yujin and Chen Yumo were reborn. Chen Yujin was already engaged to be married to Marquis Jingyong but, Chen Yumo told him early on that she was his savior. Marquis Jingyong decided to break his engagement with Chen Yujin and chose Chen Yumo as his wife. Chen Yujin then met her Ninth Uncle and both of them were given a task to prepare a gift for the Emperor. She also met with Ninth Uncle's friends. She decided to find her own husband and came to the conclusion that Ninth Uncle's friends were the best candidates. Little did she know that Ninth Uncle wasn't blood-related to her and was also interested in her. He was her biggest obstacle in finding a husband. After some ups and downs, Chen Yujin married her Ninth Uncle, who was Li Chengjing, the Crown Prince. Her desire to one-up Chen Yumo finally paid off.

3rd Life

Li Chengjing was reborn (from the 1st life) days before he returned to Chen's Mansion. With the knowledge from his 1st and 2nd (dream) life, he decided to make his dream life come true.

Around chapter 80ish the ML tells the MC he wants to marry her but she misunderstood that he wants her as a concubine and rejects him. The ML goes to the king aka his father and asks him to bestow a marriage decree for him and the MC as his legal wife. They get married. MC starts liking him. They have a pair of twins (boy and girl). In the end the ML becomes the king.

one thing I did not like was the emperor, I was ok with him at first cos he obviously love ML but towards the end he’s just dumb af?! I was kinda hoping his relationship gap with ML would be resolved (especially since it was mentioned that he felt sad that ML has never called him father) I guess author had to kill him off somehow so that ML can ascend the throne? Idk.