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Series Group
The Grand Secretary’s Pampered Wife
Type
Web Novel (CN)
Genre
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Rating(4.4 / 5.0, 186 votes)
5    68% (126 votes)
4    14% (26 votes)
3    10% (19 votes)
2    3% (6 votes)
1    5% (9 votes)
Language
Support Book (#ad)
Author(s)
One entry per line
Artist(s)
One entry per line
N/A
Year
Example: 2012
2021
Status in COO
Status in Country of Origin. One entry per line
1009 Chapters (Completed)
Licensed
Yes
Completely Translated
No
Original Publisher
One entry per line
English Publisher
One entry per line
Release Frequency
Every 0.8 Day(s)
Activity Stats
[Graph]
Weekly Rank: #660
Monthly Rank: #381
All Time Rank: #661
Reading List
[Graph]
On 4341 Reading Lists
Monthly Rank: #650
All Time Rank: #1937

Description

Links are NOT allowed. Format your description nicely so people can easily read them. Please use proper spacing and paragraphs.

She was originally the young miss of the Marquis Estate, but became a peasant girl due to a mixed-up at birth.

With great difficulty, she grew up into a delicate beauty, but no one wanted to marry her.

Rumors said she was ugly and was born a fool, and that she was a star of disaster that brought about the tragedy of her parents.

However, the husband she picked up midway was the future Grand Secretary.

The little monk she adopted from up the mountain was the future Godly General of the six states.

Even the elderly woman she saved in passing turned out to be the Empress Dowager.

A certain man said viciously, “Wife, who dares to bully you? This husband will end them for you!”

The Godly General said, “Big sister, no matter where you want to go in the territory of the six states, I’ll clear the path for you!”

The Empress Dowager said, “Did the Emperor bully Jiao Jiao? Wait here! Aijia will go dispose of him!”

[A tyrannical beautiful Female Lead who can rely on luck but insists on using strength] & [A Male Lead with broken wings who hides himself deeply]
Associated Names
One entry per line
Chief Minister's Wife (Official Manhua)
First Lady of the Crown Prince
GSPW
The Pampered Concubine Gu Jiao Niang
The Prime Minister’s Darling (Official Webnovel)
首辅娇娘
Related Series
The Return of the Noble Abandoned Consort (Same Franchise)
Recommendations
Abandoned Peasant Woman: Farming With a Cute Baby (1)
Concubine’s Stunning Daughter: Ghost Emperor Please Be Lenient! (1)
Godly Farmer Doctor: Arrogant Husband, Can’t Afford to Offend! (1)
Consort of a Thousand Faces (1)
Cool Goddess Special Agent (1)
The Empress’ Livestream (1)
Recommendation Lists
  1. CHINESE HISTORICAL ROMANCE
  2. TBR Books
  3. Cool Female leads
  4. Uzak D. Tarih Romanlar
  5. Best Read

Latest Release

Date Group Release
07/13/21 Xiao Rong Translations c5
08/29/21 FoxTeller c4
07/13/21 Xiao Rong Translations c4
08/29/21 FoxTeller c3
07/08/21 Xiao Rong Translations c3
08/29/21 FoxTeller c2
07/04/21 Xiao Rong Translations c2
08/29/21 FoxTeller c1
07/03/21 Xiao Rong Translations c1
1…99100101
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45 Reviews sorted by


mercipourleslivres
mercipourleslivres rated it
December 20, 2021
Status: c291
I'm enjoying this so far. It's very slice of life but not super detailed like other farming/cooking/medical novels I've read which keeps the plot (?) going. The best part of the novel is the found family aspect. Not too much face slapping but when it happens it's super satisfying.

I also like how the FL just beats the crap out of everyone lol.
3 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
MajorGPuff
MajorGPuff rated it
October 17, 2021
Status: c43
So far I love this, even though there are some OPness that reminded me of another novel...

Spoiler

divine doctor that transmigrated with their medical medicines, & those came w self restocking capability? Mmmm~ is that you feng yu heng?

[collapse]

... But I guess those premises are nothing exclusive to one novel, right? After all, there's nothing new under the sun, right?

So I don't mind those little things and just enjoy the story, and until ch 43, it is enjoyable.
3 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
Kishikishikishi
Kishikishikishi rated it
August 31, 2021
Status: c927
First, the most important to me is how much I enjoy the story, and this novel is something I really enjoyed reading. I even read this using MTL.

It's not that this novel didn't have flaws, for example her strength is kinda questionable especially at the beginning (though I don't mind it that much). Later, it was hinted she'd been training. Also, it may feel draggy sometime, but compared to other novels, not really, moreover this is a slow burn story so don't expect for things to happen in a rush.... more>> XD

Also, I just can't help but feel the author hates the other girl, I mean the girl that took MC's place as the young miss of the the marquis family. Sure she did some hateful things, but compared to such characters from other novels, she was actually okay, well at least in my opinion. I actually find the Mc's biological father more hateful. (Oh, this girl actually got irritating in recent chapters, but I still hate the biological father more.)

Anyway, somethings I like in this novel are:

-Not every enemy will forever be enemy.

-the bond and interaction between their family.

-the little monk. Hahahaha

-the romance between the FL & ML

-the MC isn't unbeatable.

I'm sure there's more (both pros and cons), but that's it for now!

Also the new translation is good. <<less
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Drenlith
Drenlith rated it
July 23, 2021
Status: c95
The story is about a modern woman transmigrating into ancient times. It's not a "transmigration into a novel" so MC does not know any of the plot so it leaves the reader with some mystery.

There are inconsistencies such as her prowess as a former agent in her past life that a small girl of 14 from a remote village shouldn't possess. (Combat abilities and trained sensory hearing etc.)

As the summary had mentioned, she's immensely lucky, picking up all these big wigs and raising some while she was at it.... more>> But she had to face serious dangers along these risks of saving people so it's formidable unlike many easy come - easy win protagonists.

MC's hacks:

Spoiler

Super agent abilities from her former life + a magical refill medicine box and premonition dreams of big events.

[collapse]

While reading I had issues with one thing about the whole swapped baby deal:

Spoiler

The author paints the picked up village daughter really black. She had some virtues like not throwing fits is already a blessing in my book (or it's me who's too acclimated to F tier novels with bratty cannon fodders/ antagonist). The entire set up from the get go is to make her a villain, imagine being suddenly outed as a village kid who was accidentally picked up while being raised as a spoiled rich child you wouldn't want to go back to your origins either, f*ck no. The twin brother hates her guts, the mother only loves her superficially and only a dumb father eats from her hands but that's another different problem. There's be more misunderstandings and accidents where MC would put her indirectly in a humiliating situation that was off-putting for me. The marquis father is an as*hole through and through, she'd be better off with none or a dead one imo. He often would wrong her but never admits to his fault for being the one in the wrongs and wants face. He also nearly killed her, if she wasn't a former agent the real child would've died under his hands.

[collapse]

I'm reading this with MTL so no comments on translation on NU. <<less
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chrissssssstine
chrissssssstine
December 13, 2023
Status: c965
I know if says 1006 chapters total, but by around ch 950 the main story is pretty much completed and, as how all these types of stories end,

... more>>
Spoiler

the MC has her kids.

[collapse]

I was trying to finish but a certain trend inn this story repeated and really got on my nerves

Spoiler

princess winyang (ML's mother) had s*x w the marquis twice and got pregnant both times. What was infuriating was that this happened both due to her accidentally ingesting aphrodiacs. The trend where the women gets drugged as a device to make her get with the marquis was annoying, bc they had no interest in each other before it. In fact, even after the ML's brother was born, there was no relationship. Only with the second child, we see the child used as a device for their relationship to develop.

I tried to keep reading until it happened again in the epilogue with the MC big brother (changging) and grand secretary yuan's granddaughter during their wedding night. Bro, relationships don't have to always develop. Stop using drugs as an excuse for them to get together, its giving me the ick.

[collapse]

so I dropped even thou I was so close to finishing, but the last 70 chapters are pretty much not focused on the MC so I wasn't that interested anyway.

the rest of story was solid, but this one point, bc it was repeated so many times, was INFURIATING. Just be a better writer instead of using a shitty literary device; it feels icky and almost r*pey. Still, for a transmigration story like this, the side characters was actually well developed and the plot wasn't repetitive, beyond just what the MC sees. <<less
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Akime yuko
Akime yuko rated it
December 5, 2023
Status: Completed
After 3 weeks of continuous reading I finally finished it and yet I still want more!! I have so many things to say abt this novel but first of all to those who did not even reached 100 chapters and decided to drop it. You guys have no right to say sh*t abt this novel and compared it to other typical transmigration novel that you have read before bc it was more than that! This is not your typical Chinese cliche book (well some of them are but it won't... more>> make u cringed) the FL is lowkey OP but only from the readers perspective like she did not go around flaunting her beauty and skill and makes everyone adored her and attracts some s*upid cannon fodder jealousy for no reason. She was "ugly" yet she managed to win everyone heart slowly with her skills and charisma (she's one of the coolest FL I've known so far and I love her sm!) like at some point I want to be her bc she was so badass and cool!

As a highly skilled secret agent in her previous she did not become strong in short time, it took her a long time to adapt to her new body and her skill was regained after almost dying everytime. She had the best luck but never rely on it,

the ML!!! He is not your typical ML who only have cold face all day long. In fact he's one of weakest character in this novel bc he had no martial art skill (Yes he's the first ML in ancient novel who is not strong) but he's extremely smart and his character is so well fleshed out, he cried when he's sad and touched, he's capable of showing every emotion a human being had which really balanced out with the FL temperament, as the translator said he's a bird with broken wings and it's the FL who give him a new pairs of wings to fly again and also everyone in the family give him the strength to stand up again bravely. Talking about family this novel has the best new found family trope I have ever read so far. I have never love so many characters at the same time, I love little jingkong (He's the Cutest!!) The Gu brothers, Great aunt, great uncle, Marquis Xuanping, princess Xinyang, Long Yi, Shangguan Qing, Liao Chen the list go on, I love them all!!!

The bond between Gu jiao and the Gu brothers made me cry a few times. I especially love her interactions with Gu ChangQing (they're the sweetest duo pls give me a big bro like GCQ😭) and Gu yan (they have the closest bond bc they're twins) and also Gu cheng Feng (the partner in crime literally, also the funniest😂) Gu Xioashun (Their bond is very special, he's the first person who give her warmth) it is also worth mentioning the bond between jiao jiao, little jing Kong and ah heng, Little Jing Kong is literally their eldest child! The child that make their bond stronger and taught them how to love imo.

I still have many thing to say about other's characters bc they're not just random cannon fodders, each had different personalities and characteristics and very OP in their own way even the villains but it would make this review very long as it's already is so I'll stop at here. Last but not least Go and read this novel, you won't regret and the moment you click that one chapter u won't be able to stop.

Coming from someone who usually avoid long novel and hates slow burn Romance this novel is 11/10. I wish I could rate this a 100 star and I would definitely read this again and again <<less
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ntww12
ntww12 rated it
September 9, 2023
Status: Completed
I adore this story so much.

It was a fantastic read from start to finish. As someone who loves reading spoilers for novels, I'm glad I didn't manage to get many spoilers for this one as I really enjoyed the journey.

The novel is long because every arc is written in detail. There are no major timeskips except for the end in the extras. The author really wrote whatever happened on a daily/weekly basis and some major things would've happened in 100 chapters and a lady who was pregnant at the beginning... more>> of the arc is still pregnant at the end of it!!

I will write a detailed review later but just wanted to mention some of my fave parts about the novel:

An OP female lead who has Mary-Sue powers but doesn't act Mary-Sue if you know what I mean. Yes, she has certain things going on for her - people like her, antagonists despise her, she has medical skills and also fighting skills BUT Gu Jiao just handles everything in such a calm way with a nonchalant attitude that makes me love her so much. She is humble and doesn't brag about her abilities like some novels of OP Protags. She does her best for every situation and improves herself along the way. She also has character growth!! She learns to trust and rely on others!! She learns emotions!! She is just the best honestly.

ML Xiao Heng also grew on me and I love how he too had amazing character growth and I love how we gradually uncover his black sesame filling personality.

Their romance is so well written and the way they fall for each other over time, building a solid foundation gives me so much joy.

So many side characters are so fun to read too.

Only thing is, due to the sheer amount of chapters and side characters that appear, some of them are often forgotten in certain arcs.

Antagonists in this story are not always s*upid idiots too. They have their own backstory and personality. I like that not everything is always black and white. I also like that there is no unnecessary violence for revenge like some novels. The bad guys get their just rewards but they don't get r*ped or beheaded and so on so forth like a lot of other novels.

Medical aspects of the novel were also pretty accurate so it wasn't too jarring to read. Of course there are some fantasy elements but it wasn't too over.

Really enjoyed this story and the translation is stellar!! Can't wait to reread when its completed.

<<less
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Shri26
Shri26 rated it
April 13, 2023
Status: Completed
Amazing! I read the raws for the later chapters because I couldn't wait patiently for the next release. I intend to re-read the official translations again once those are released.

All I can say is that this is one of the novels you wouldn't want to miss out on! It keeps you on your toes with its intricate plots and story development. Some if not most novels that are more than 500 chapters long tend to lose that excitement factor in the long run but this one will keep you hooked!... more>> You will connect with each characters and feel melancholic as you see them grow throughout the story. It has now become one of my most favorite novels and I encourage anyone who hasn't tried yet to go ahead and give it a go because you wouldn't regret it!! 😊 <<less
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Zuluhan
Zuluhan rated it
April 8, 2023
Status: Completed
Satisfying

That was the feeling I had when I finished reading that last paragraph in the last sentence.

It felt like I have seen a perfect circle being drawn in my mind or a puzzle piece that just fits so seamlessly that you can't nitpick a corner being not completed.

... more>> I simply adored the heroine. It's like she's OP without feeling like she's OP. How she just falls for her husband, which at the end of the story, it made me say, 'ah, that must be why'

The characters and families surrounding the heroine made this story that much addicting and somehow I was able to finish this long whole over 1000 chapters novel while still hoping for more chapters.

But, I'm also glad the author finished where he ended the story. They finished and also assured the readers there were no loose end with their extra chapters.

I would love to try more of this type of story, or just this author's story.

Overall, I'm satisfied and all the time I spent reading it was worth it. <<less
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JulieWouldLikeToBeAVillainess
JulieWouldLikeToBeAVillainess rated it
February 10, 2023
Status: Completed
I LOVE THIS. I have never written a review, but for one character (even though I love so many) I am writing this review.

I have never cried because of a CN, but in the last couple chapters, Grandaunt made me cry. After 1000+ chapters, I watched my babies grow up and achieve great things, and I feel like I have become another grand aunt. So those last chapters really 🥲🥲🥲 Ah, Jing Kong, you precious child. Liusheng, you precious friend. Grand aunt, oh grand aunt.

For those who are afraid of... more>> the number of chapters, please give this a try. I myself am not a fan of super duper long novel, I even think 250+ and 300 chapters are already long, but even so, in reading this novel, I never skipped a chapter, and I was fully motivated to read until the end. I took some breaks (there was the small matters of sleeping, working, eating, letting my family know I didn't actually die in all those hours spent locked inside my room) but I was always eager to hit the next chapter button. For those who afraid that the MC will be bullied... Ah. I have one thing to say - have you ever felt, while reading a novel, so upset over nasty, white lotus, green tea, scheming characters you wish the MC would just toss their smugly smiling faces into a gunny sack and beat them into a pig's head? Well, my friend, Gu Jiao will be your darling 😌😌😌 so refreshing. Just directly beat them up and swiftly fly away before the authorities arrive! Anyway that's all.

Also, the ML is not one of those annoyingly overbearing ML's our A-he... I mean our Liulang is a topnotch black sesame... I mean, an absolutely outstanding, virtuous, not-at-all scheming (🤥) top scholar and exemplary husband. No messy love triangles between the leads. <<less
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Mytrumpet143
Mytrumpet143 rated it
January 24, 2023
Status: Completed
Yes! I’ve read all 1009 chapters! And it’s amazing!

For me, this novel is all about its characters. Everyone has a back story, has their own struggle and feels very three dimensional (with some exceptions like the villagers in the beginning).

Good plot, good story telling, the theme of the story is about identities is continued on throughout the story. 10/10!

Best part about this book: there are no loose ends! At all! The author spent like 50+ chapters of side stories and prologue after the main story just to give everyone a... more>> closure. To show how every character we met had an ending. And there’s a LOT of characters. I love it!

The book cover is very outdated but don’t let it stop you from trying it out! <<less
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Avrohom
Avrohom rated it
November 7, 2022
Status: c250
It's a good novel, amazing even. It starts slow and unremarkable, very quiet and not exciting. I persisted only because I know this writer, she is very capable and creates stories that feel modern, full of witty, funny people who are strong and honest and feel at ease as they deal with people and circumstances, as they problem solve.

The first time the story sparkled a bit was in ch 30 where the FL dealt with three crooked relatives in one swoop. Then by ch.72 I was already laughing uproariously at... more>> the FL and her biological father antics. The novelist finally started entertaining the readers!

The FL in this novel is quite unique. She is one of several extremely smart characters in this novel, with all her M.D and Ph.D. Degrees and superb medical skills, she is a competent doctor, but she is very down to earth at the same time, working like a cow and a horse as she does laundry for her entire family, repairs the roof, goes for hunting-gathering in the mountains and cooks, and a typical Chinese wife and mom, extremely caring of her own.

Yet there is something so scary in her, like a total lack of traditional values or maybe even manners which people usually care about, that I would never want to be her friend let alone her enemy. Not that she would care (which is precisely my point). I can read about her and her brilliant husband, heart-robbing little brothers, parents, and have fun, feel entertained by the plot, want to know what's next, but there is no attraction to the characters of this novel, especially the FL. <<less
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AriaoftheStars
AriaoftheStars rated it
March 29, 2022
Status: Completed
I got so invested in the story and the characters. I MTL'd from Ch 115 onwards and pulled several all-nighters on accident. I've read quite a few "transmigrating into ancient times with modern knowledge/technology" novels, and this one is definitely in my top 5. My only criticism is that the last arc of the main story felt a bit rushed (but that's because every other arc was so detailed). Otherwise, I enjoyed the journey very much. I plan to re-read once the translations are done.
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Bluestone
Bluestone rated it
March 2, 2022
Status: Completed
The BEST. No fillers at all. Every chapter is a prelude or the foreshadowing of the end. I just love this author, every character has my heart, t it feels like every character got their stage and ending done well. There's no lingering ghost here if there even was one, she was dealt with properly. I love this story just as much as I love Ascending do not disturb but this hits more like home because it was written with feelings especially when some characters aged and had to go.
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Zemmiaphobia
Zemmiaphobia rated it
November 24, 2021
Status: c73
The tropes aren't unique but the plot and characters still manage to be very refreshing! This is the funniest 'reborn as a peasant girl' novel I've read yet. The MC is pretty great, prefers to talk with her fists, and gives no shits. The side characters are all very well developed and no one seems unforgivably s*upid so far. I recommend trying this novel out.
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spicyeggroll
spicyeggroll rated it
December 28, 2024
Status: Completed
**4 "AURA" points**

Because if I had to describe this book, it's basically: who has the most aura? -> Probably our MCs!

Another description taken from a comment on the translation that I liked:

... more>> New character: "I'm here to get revenge/find something/teach you a lesson/on the brink of death*

Gu Jiao (our FL) : "found family goes brr"

And FINALLY, after weeks of on/off reading, I'm done. This 1009-chapter webnovel truly kept me captivated from beginning to end!

TRANSLATIONS

FoxTeller's site does an excellent job with translations and I read up to the latest chapter (around ch 740ish) before heading over to MTL, which is actually pretty decent. If you're impatient like me, the MTL is quite easy to follow, with name/pronoun changes being the most griping thing. FoxTeller's translations has helpful background knowledge added in + footnotes, which makes it a smooth and accessible read. I don't really have any complaints when it comes to typos or syntax errors. Thank you translator for doing an amazing job!

LIKES

  • Variegated plot that truly encompasses a host of genres
    • Honestly this author has a way with storytelling. I found myself engrossed in the complex palace plots they schemed up, as well as the intricate war maneuvers that the characters had to battle through. They have pretty good attention to detail when it comes to the main points of the plot, and while I wouldn't say everything is tightly-written and explained (hard to do for such a huge world that they wrote), enough is expanded upon to make the reading experience enjoyable.
    • The comedy is through the roof!! Literally had me laughing out loud from beginning to end. Again, this author has great storytelling that extends to comedic moments that brought levity to intense and emotional scenes. Honestly I could see those scenes translate really well in a drama.
    • In terms of genres, each arc honestly gives off a different energy that truly showcases readers' favorite parts of historical Chinese stories. Are they cliche? Yes, but the characters are written with such heart that you can't even mind.
      • Zhao arc:
        • Surviving and getting out of the village
        • Getting involved with Zhao palace intrigue
        • War to defend country!!
      • Yan arc:
        • Infiltrating Yan kingdom + crossdressing for clues
        • Getting involved with Yan noble families & emperor + unearthing hidden clans and sects from the Jianghu
        • War to defend country!! Much more intense one too with several past characters making cameos
    • 50-100 chapter epilogue that ties up some loose ends
    • I honestly thought this story would be similar to Genius Doctor: Black Belly Miss where the MCs go around face-slapping everyone while climbing the social hierarchy, but The Grand Secretary's Pampered Wife paints a more detailed and intricate plot. You can definitely get by skimming portions in the former, but definitely not this story.
  • Even minor characters are written with personality and depth
    • This is honestly the first story I've read where I care more about the minor characters than the major ones. Even characters who get a chapter or two's worth of writing pop off the page with personality.
    • From the vicious yet actually lonely grand-aunt/Empress Dowager (Zhao arc) to the foodie Feng Young Master (Yan arc) who literally got like 3 scenes' worth of page time, sooo many of the characters have meaningful characterizations. It really makes them memorable despite their seemingly insignificant roles.
    • Some of my favorites:
      • Taoist Qing Feng and Liaochen's rivalry: those two and their 1:1's crack me up - especially the "misunderstanding" in the epilogue
      • Shangguan Yan and Princess Xinyang both showing different ways motherhood and a woman's strength can emerge. Whether it's through a confident and assertive presence (like the former) or a classy and methodical talent (like the latter), I loved both women's characterizations.
      • Eunuch Qin and his pond of tortoises, hehe.
  • Likeable main characters
    • The ML and FL are likeable enough. Again though, I feel like in this webnovel I truly enjoyed the antics of the side characters more than the main. And at the end of the day those side characters really help our main couple succeed.
    • Gu Jiao (FL) is uncaring, cold, and aloof at first, but gradually warms up as she creates a found family of her own. However, her perpetual calmness and aura of strength may come across as, hmm, almost boring in some aspects? Almost like she was the driver who kept the plot going (as she's there to save the day/person of the day), but the other characters kept the plot interesting (if that makes sense). Nonetheless she's a main character who's cold to strangers but warm to the people around her. Also obviously very OP with her medical kit, military strength, and morally sound decisions.
    • Xiao Liulang (ML) had a wholeee bunch of mysteries around him that were interesting to unfold. I like how his character embodies the strength of a scholar/strategist rather than physical strength (as Gu Jiao is the brawns in their duo). He's still a typical ML at the end of the day, with a tortured past, chip on his shoulder, and intense protectiveness towards the FL. Green flag? Yes. Anything new/unique/exciting? Nope.
    • Their romance...
      • Cute and succinct. The main couple have feelings for each other pretty early on and their relationship is steady from beginning to end. Fair warning they don't consummate their marriage until their second actual, true wedding (lmaoo) so we get a lot of teasers throughout the story. Yup, all the way until the end pretty much.
      • The main couple also works really well together and in tacit agreement. While FL is out there fighting wars or spying, ML is negotiating agreements or helping behind the scenes.
DISLIKES

  • More sismance please
    • There were strong female characters in this story but Gu Jiao not having actual girl friends was giving "not like the other girl" vibes. I'm totally fine with her half-sister and other random cannon fodders getting jealous/competing with her and losing, but I don't recall a true girl bestie that was on equal footing with her the way the guys around her are. The closest female characters are either the older generation (like ML's moms) or younger (like Princess Xue). I can forgive a Mary Sue but I definitely side-eye an author's decision to not have any women her age become friends.
      • (Okay looking back she actually does have a minor friendship with one of the Zhao Princesses but that's only for a small portion of the story)
    • The brotherhood is amazing. The brotherhood is there. Whether it's the crossdressing arc where FL goes to Hanlin Academy under ML's name and forms her guy clique or the military men who respect and go to battle with her or her actual family of Gu brothers, the author definitely writes her bromances well. As for the female characters? Well, I guess they can only be strong (mentally, physically, etc) as long as they don't compete with our FL. Which is, uhh, no one.
  • Hella deus ex machina
    • Storyline relives heavily on the "saved by the bell" theme where randomly important characters drop out of the sky last minute to change the tides. This happens a lotttt during battles. It's entertaining to an extent but gets tiring when every major conflict or attack gets resolved this way. I don't think it detracts from the story (especially as it keeps the plot going) but it's definitely noticeable as a reader.
Minor spoilery gripes that personally took away enjoyment from the novel:

Spoiler
  • The 180-degree genre change towards the end (explaining the ancient China transmigration via sci-fi elements) wasn't too crazy but definitely had plot holes. I'm glad the author included it and I really liked the explanation about the medical box, but I can't help but ruminate on the origins of the purple poison grass and again how Godfather could predict everything throughout his reincarnations.
  • Plus Gu Jiao's prophetic dreams never get fully explained which could be related (or both plot holes that the author decided not to expand on).
  • Typical weird siscon/huge age gap relationships that older webnovels/manhua/even manga seem to love.
    • Gu Jiao basically being every male character's model for their future spouse
    • Gu Chengfeng (one of my fave characters! Our fruity, acting, thieving lil bro) having a weird ending hinting at his devotion/forbidden love (??) to Gu Jiao
      • I get that the author mentioned not every character coupling up in a footnote near the end but can't you just leave him single without having him mention having someone forbidden in his heart? I feel like the author did him dirty on this end and it came out of left field - unless this was me not understanding his intentions due to MTL
    • All the children being able to talk minor sentences at age 1 LOL. In this story, the abilities of humans are definitely shifted a couple years forward.
    • Personally the side epilogue arc with ML's parents dragged on and those were the only chapters I skimmed in an otherwise super long and engaging webnovel
    • P.S. what happened to destroying the Tang sect? Would have at least appreciated an off-screen mention since this was something Gu Jiao wanted to pursue to keep Gu Xiaoshun's master's fam safe.
    • This is my side-eye to Chinese webnovels in general bc these aren't new plots but ugh the age gap and semi-in*est: 1) FL's 2nd transmigration into the Xuanyuan family as Yinyin technically makes her and ML quasi-related... 2) ML watching the FL grow up in their modern (1st) life before falling in love *side eye* (but I KNOW Chinese authors love writing this stuff so I'll stomach it for the sake of the rest of the story, sigh)
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OVERALL

Honestly this 1009-chapter journey was wild and fun, with a host of side characters who create a colorful world. Despite minor gripes, I definitely recommend it for ancient Chinese historical novel lovers who are looking for an adventure with a mix of: romance, friendship/camaraderie, brotherhood, political intrigue, action, and even military strategy. And obviously, a happy ending! <<less
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lady2024
lady2024 rated it
April 21, 2024
Status: Completed
Rating in my opinion: 1M/10

Honestly the best novel I had read so far! It was to the point of leaving a review here even though I already have read hundreds of novels recommended here in novelupdates. I loved how you can feel the difference between the characters and their development every arc. You could also see every tropes on each couples. One of my favorite character here is the ML. Although he was cold and indifferent, he could also be funny. I would be giggling every midnight just because he... more>> and the other characters were so funny. 😭 My favorite scenes were: (do not read if you don't want to be spoiled)

Spoiler

War arc: when Gu Jiao went to supress Chen country traitors and Yan country traitors.

Godfather: Gu jiao's transmigation and reincarnations.

Grandaunt and Granduncle: granduncle's moment of "in another life, I would be your boy~" on grandaunt's last moments

Jingkong and Gu Jiao: how her real kids were jealous of her 'elder child treatment' to Jingkong.

Gu Chengfeng: and his feelings for Gu Jiao

Gu Jiao: the reason why she can't remember things of her past lives and why she lost her ability to feel emotions.

And the most awaited plot twist which surprised me the most: Xiao Liulang's connection to Godfather.

Spoiler

Which shows that he loved Gu Jiao the most since his 1st life. I really want to flip the table when I learned that the reason why Jiaojiao do not know what she really felt for Liulang was because of those damned higher ups!

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Overall, I really love how the author manipulated the story and the plot twists. I stayed up for few nights to finish this because my curiosity be killing me! 😩 PS: I finished the MTL but will be rereading the translations because I will be missing Long Yi and Jingkong and the Alley fam! <<less
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SweetShireen
SweetShireen rated it
October 22, 2023
Status: Completed
I saw this novel in my searches so many times and always hesitated to read it because the synopsis sounded cheesy as hell, with the same boring tropes you find in every typical OP historical cnovel. I am so glad I gave it a chance. This novel is like crack.

This novel does make use of tropes, but not in a frustrating way. It made me laugh out loud multiple times and I can’t remember the last time I did that. The strength of this story lies in its character and... more>> relationship building. The main family are so well developed and honestly their relationships brought me to tears with a lump in my throat at some points.

EX. I especially loved Little Jing Kong and his relationship with ML. You know the usual frustrating trope of “ML gets jealous and annoyed with other kids taking up FL’s care and attention?” They sort of play this trope on the surface, but the truth is that the ML takes care of little Jing Kong more than anyone else. He bathes him and puts him to bed and makes him food and teaches him everything he knows and carries him when he’s tired and protects him when he’s wronged and makes sure he’s safe and well. Jing Kong may call the ML “bad brother in law, ” but in his heart the ML is his father and one of the closest people to him in the world. That’s what I love about this novel: the heart. They really feel like a family, their love feels earned and real, a labour of love through actions shown year by year.

I loved it. Wonderfully done. <<less
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nejeriv rated it
March 9, 2025
Status: c180
It's comedy. The slapstick is slapping. The main character is a precocious three-year-old bald little toddler monk. He's got about 50% of the POV screentime, we know all about what he's thinking and what he's feeling, and most of the comedy comes from how highly educated he is, or how he's flirting with MC (again, he's a three-year-old). The other 50% of POV are various side characters. The actual female MC doesn't get any POV, she has hardly any presence, and most of the stuff with her happens off-screen. No... more>> idea about what's going on through her head or what her goals or motivations are. The way she's written is basically like a typical male character, the cold-faced, barely-speaking one, with a chip on his shoulder, ultra violent Duke of the North. About half of the comedy comes from her beating people up. I quit because I got tired of how many comedy beatings there are, and how unserious it all is. <<less
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wethairdampskin
wethairdampskin rated it
March 3, 2025
Status: Completed
As happy ending as it can get. How can you read 1k-ish chapter wuthout getting bored?? This is one of the story that magically make that possible. I love all the characters here. Most of them are memorable and feels like more than just a 2d personality.

I love Long Yi the most. He's the most badass yet such a cutie. And ofc my fav character is Gu Jiao. She's one of a kind, heroic, lethal, has no shame, funny.

Just read it guyss. Its totally worth all of the chapters.
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