he Emperor spoke in a deep voice, "Enough."

The three of them fell silent, their eyes all turning to him.

The Emperor felt as if he was seeing the scene from their childhood again, where they would look at him with bewildered eyes after a fight, waiting for him to provide a solution. He hadn't expected to feel the same exasperation after so many years.

What is beautiful in this story is that, you know that if the MC had not been a [redacted], everything would not have worked. This is one of the rare stories that it actually truly matters that the MC had a bigger worldview and was not tempted by power.

I love the the MC's faith in his brother is not in vain.

"Salted fish" is homonym for "idler" or "good-for-nothing" and that is MC's goal in life. Yes he was born to "power" you could say, but the entire point of this story is that "power" illusory and doesn't prevent other people with "power" (or less "power") from screwing you over.

Unlike those other "invent stuff and make ancient times better" novel stereotypes, this one takes a more realistic route. Those other novels write it simple & easy to come up with insane recipes (eg. saltpeter for ice) or soap or mechanical engineering for improving farming, as if their MCs had Google in their heads. Well, say this MC did those things. He would have stood out as a genius and been the first one to be taken out in the fight for the throne.

Plus, it's written in the story that the MC didn't know much science. The author wrote that he wanted to but didn't even know how to make "ice" for himself. The MC in this story is truly like a regular person - who probably didn't remember their high school science experiments, who probably only remembers the big picture like - modern ethics and appreciation for a monogamous life.

Is the MC selfish? yes 100%. But that's why we have this story instead the 500 other "invent stuff and make ancient times better" novel copycats.

Xiao Shan transmigrated at such a young age after his ancient self almost got drowned in a pond, therefore he had time to adapt and live with the culture but his modern experiences affected him in such subtle but impactful ways, like how he views all genders equally and not wanting to take romantic/s*xual relationship merely as a transaction by taking concubines etc.

they are steadfast in their trust for each other, even when their mothers had seemingly started to waver and get suspicious of the other party.

When the truth of how they were swapped as newborns and how Consort Lan had done many silly things purposefully to hold back and harm Xiao Shan, the Empress' biological son, and push Xiao Jin as a crown prince is so... infuriating. Like Xiao Shan was so patient towards her and genuinely cared about Consort Lan, but even at the end I think she never regretted anything she'd done and didn't really hold any affection for him.

The Empress herself was not much better. I love how Xiao Shan repeated multiple times that while he could see where the Empress came from, him almost being the victim of her suspicions was a fact and he wouldn't wrong himself by forcing himself to be close to the Empress.

Xiao Jin who were unknowingly loved by 2 moms and was the beneficiary of their evil deeds got left in a very uncomfortable position, and felt kinda guilty (very valid) but although their brotherly relationship was fine, I can say that he paid his due by living a lonely live as an emperor later.

I would say MC's father, Emperor Xiao Sheng, was actually one of the rare good father emperor out there. He just genuinely cared for the princes both as a father and a ruler, even though he had his favorites. I could say he never really wronged any of his kids and he deserved the peaceful end of life in the extra chapters.

MC described that he won't and doesn't need to interact to people who had harm or tried to harm him.

And that's why he still Interact, Close, and Genuinely Care about his Second Brother and Imperial Father. Because both of them NEVER harm or even tried to.

People tried to sow discord between him and Xiao Jin so many times, but they both chose to trust each other. Not blindly of course, they still tries to Investigate the problem and trust their own eyes and belief.

On the Imperial Father side, the summary even the start of the story as if shows how the Emperor hate his foolish son aka MC. But read it more apparently Emperor most favorite would shows obviously that it was Xiao Shan aka our MC. And even when people tried to spoke I'll about MC or the possiblity of fight between MC and his Second brother aka the Crown Prince, the Emperor actually hoping they won't fight and chose to observe. But even he himself also know MC and even with how annoyed he is, MC is the one who can make him amused and even laugh.

Emperor adore MC who can being blunt and honest in front of him. And also act freely. And even when there's moment of doubt, it was dismissed so fast when he just remember or interact with MC just to face it again what kind of character this 'foolish' son of his.

And put aside those two who adore MC, I will mentioned someone who (I'm SOOOO happy) surprisingly not turned out to be Villain. But also dislike MC to the bone. Lol. The Eldest Brother aka Xiao Rong.

The one who most reader would feel suspicious in the beginning, but end up being the one who don't do any harmful thing whatsoever but still dislike MC so much and would avoid him as much as he can. Lol

But also because of this, our MC has no problem when interact with Xiao Rong. He's indifferent toward Xiao Rong, but also can Interact finely and even try to fish XR's emotion. They both interact so silly.

Another thing that I love in this one is the father is alive. No rebel killed the king, no sudden ilness, just being old

baby🥰, so cute~

I know some people don't like him for being crass most of the time and a little willful but I do believe that for someone who remembers a past life of living in the modern world he might have a different mindset for ancient people and adapt a leisurely behavior as he was from a time where there is little to no conflicts in his everyday life. Given that in this life he was a Prince who can do whatever he wants. Of course this is just my perspective.

MC and ML are forced to marry by imperial decree. But MC doesn't resent the marriage cause he considers ML a hero and wants to protect ML. MC had always thought that he'd never marry and would be childless. In the end, MC was happy for the marriage cause they came to love each other.

SPOILER...

...

The intrigue is that MC and his second brother (the crown prince) are super close. Their mothers are first cousins and got along well. MC is lazy and doesn't pursue the throne but supports his brother's ascension. So he steps forward to do what must be done to protect his brother.

Later it is revealed that MC is actually the son of the empress. The babies (MC and his second brother) were swapped when they were just born. That's why MC's "mother" had always pushed for him to support his brother.

In the end, MC refused the position of the legitimate son (crown prince/emperor) and lived happily with ML in his own fief. Even after his brother became the emperor, MC maintained a special place in his brother's heart.

Of note: MC and his bro's relationship are tight, with no room for anyone to cause dissension. It was a nice and rare dynamic within an imperial background that made this novel special.