Thus, up to ch337, the FL is still not pregnant. Well, that's part of the reason and also because she doesn't want to get pregnant at a young age. Speaking of, the FL is sometimes shtty. Lol. Like she kind of doesn't respect the ML sometimes.

I have to say the 1 I really like to see is the progress of Princess HuYang that was so annoying at beginning. She look s*upid, greedy, shallow, having messy criminal lives. After the death of her husband and destruction of his clan, she moved on by hopping from 1 man to another. But hidden underneath she know her limitations and short end as bad mother. She later face it up about hating her ex husband and her children, and know she is hated by her own children while pretending it's nothing. She know her brother killed her son, she fight her brother, yet she cannot bring herself to really hate her brother. Until at last, betting her own life to see her "beloved" for the last time. And even later after she died, the mystery of (maybe) her hidden son. She deserve a story of her own (maybe will be full of smut lol).

Or the 2nd emperor of the story (ML's father), who start as hiding his edges under the facade of unreliable shameless, prodigal prince to be shameless, stingy emperor but patient to clean up his courtier, and trying his best to lead the country to better condition. He is not best father figure, but he tried to warn his children to know the limit while fight each other because he understand it cannot be avoided. Yet keep sinking to the vicious cycle of emperor hating his own sons for growing up and maybe threatening his position. And later realizing his own health limitation, put his best son as crown prince while make sure his other sons will not even trying to rebel to ensure they could live by showing his father side for the last time to 1 of them (the others pretty much abandoned by him). All while, the only side that was steady from beginning to end is he actually very good brother who trying his best (according to him) for his sister.

just like other novels

the outside I mean was the the characters which was created didn't seem connect.. But the essence still there.

The ML is not a steady person, he's always irritable and has a bad temper, that will pretty much last till the end. He is a good husband, an ok father I guess. He's not overly smart nor he has superb abilities, still he is the best option among his sibling because... oh well his sibling were all pretty s*upid but the s*upidity and ineptitude of the princes is a consequence of how they were raised and it makes sense. The ML is a good fighter and broad-minded when it comes to FL's cleverness (he's genuinely happy she's so capable). I personally belive that the ML's personality was somewhat lacking but it is not a major flaw

the crown prince Renxuan son of Empress Cui, I felt pity for him, he is indeed mediocre, unable to manage his people, too soft and indecisive, a coward with many flaws but he was not a bad man, he cared about his family, he knew his shortcomings he was treated badly by everyone... the biggest misfortune for him was to be born in the imperial family not all people have the vocation of being a leader and he was ruined by his parents.

Princess Huyan.. well she was a mess, spoiled rotten, selfish, lustful, bad mother, bad daughter, bad sister.. she only lived for herself. I didn't like her character at all. The only thing she has is self awareness but that's about it

Emperor wende (former Prince Ning, ML's father) he was a good monarc for the common people, as a father he was bad but not aa bad as his predecessor, it was clear that hia favorite son is the ML but at the same time he envy him, was wary of him and resented him.. even though they went through thick and thin together, even when they relied on each other.. (this point was even acknowledged by him later on) to be honest I was quite socked reading that nonsense of hating the crown prince and all your sons.. I don't know as a western myself I guess it's hard to understand. Monarchs in my view most of the time are not against every single one of their children that is absurd. They are not immortals... I have to add, that this is the first novel that is too radical with this thing abour heirs and sons being despised. I'll stop here.. otherwise I'll keep ranting..

Old Marter Gu (FL's grandfather), he was a mysterious old man who was introduced like a troublemaker, with no sense of shame, s*upid, old and unbearable.. However, his back story is heartbreaking, the more the story progreso the more yo know how remarkable he was and how is talent was ultimately what caused his demise. The only one that felt for him was the FL, they had a beautiful bond later on. It was sad when he died and how he died.. *sigh*

Additionally, I felt the death of the elderly.. like the Ancestor, the old Mariquis and his old wife... it was sad. They died of old age and I understand it is part of life but still was sad in my view.

Master Gu (gu zi li FL's father) : at the beginning he is portrayed as a typical ancient man.. he doesn't care about the children of the first wife but doesn't hate them. He is mostly indifferent. His second wife Xie shi was a concubine and of course he doted on her and neglected his children. It all seem to improved when FL took over and he seemed rather steady. However, the more the story progresses you can see his true nature... he killed FL's mom, he is selfish and not cut for officialdom in the capital, he overestimate himself and believes he can hold a high ranking position but later you can see he is mediocre, he got caught in a case that nearly cost his life, he never repented. He treated all his grown children badly because in his mind they must follow his lead and please him in everything otherwise he won't be happy. I guess this horrible trait is not apparent in the beginning because all his children were young thus naturally they will listen but later it became a horrible mess. His dead was also... utterly selfish.

it was ok, 5/10 I think it was not well executed.. it is not that ia not credible it is most that is not properly shown. There are too few sweet moments in a sense.. don't get me wrong they love each other and rely on each other but most of the time we dont get to see those moments.. In my opinion, the romance could have been handled better and shown more in different ways. I don't know how to explain but I can only say It did not stirred my heart like other novel's romantic parts do