a cunning, black belly reborn eunuch minister.

From an excellent noble family... paternal grandfather, a famous scholar and minister... maternal grandfather, a heroic and powerful general... both families were framed and executed... as one of the survivors, he swears to revenge his family...

a sweet, naive (and honestly, kind of clueless and dumb) commoner girl... that fell in love with male lead, and it's the sweet and light in his life... and that's all, nothing more... kinda embarrassing, since she didn't add anything to the plot of revenge (how she could add? Barely literate, a poor merchant, dumb and innocent...)

When Ah Li was nine, she met Huo Jue, the mysterious boy who moved in next door. His identity was a puzzle, his past shrouded in secrecy. To her, he was simply a striking young man with sharp brows, a cold demeanor, and an unmatched handsomeness that left her quietly in awe. (´︶`) ♡ She didn't know that he carried the weight of a shattered noble lineage—his family of scholars and generals had been framed and destroyed, leaving him with nothing but vengeance burning in his heart.

At fourteen, Ah Li overheard a heartbreaking rumor: Huo Jue had been abandoned again. Brave in her naivety, she confessed, "If she doesn't want you, I do." Her words were earnest, but they met his ice-cold gaze. Without hesitation, he cast her aside and shut her out. (╥_╥) To him, life was a battlefield, and there was no room for love amidst his thirst for revenge.

But destiny had its own plans. Huo Jue's revenge was successful, but it came at the ultimate cost—Ah Li. She was dead, leaving behind nothing but regrets and the hollow ache of a life that could have been. He pushed her away, never confessed his love to her and live in sorrow and pain.

Then, in an extraordinary twist of fate, Huo Jue was reborn. This time, his priorities were clear. Vengeance could wait. What mattered most was staying by Ah Li's side—to protect her, to love her, and to cherish her in a way he failed to in his first life. Only then, as a distant second, would he consider settling old scores. For Huo Jue, Ah Li was no longer just the girl next door; she was his redemption, his anchor, and the reason he'd fight to rewrite their story. (ง •̀_•́) ง

1. Refreshing Male Rebirth Perspective

Unlike most rebirth novels, it's the male lead, Huo Jue, who is reborn, bringing a unique twist. His memories of his first life drive the story, as he navigates the political currents of the capital while trying to keep Ah Li close. (*≧ω≦)

2. Tender, Emotional Moments

The romance between Huo Jue and Ah Li has its sweet highlights.

The moment Huo Jue softly asked, "Ah Li, do the words you said that you want me still hold true?" and her immediate reply, "Yes, they do, " is heartwarming. (´｡• ᵕ •｡`). Despite his cold exterior, his deep love for her is touching, especially when paired with Ah Li's innocence and devotion.

3. Touching Themes of Devotion

Ah Li's loyalty, even in their first life when Huo Jue became a eunuch for revenge, is moving. (╥﹏╥) She stayed by his side, even saving money to buy his freedom, despite not understanding that he chose this path himself. Her unwavering love prevented Huo Jue from completely "blackening" in his second life.

1. Weak Female Lead

Ah Li's role in the story feels painfully one-dimensional, confined to emotional support and naive devotion. She's painted as "so naive and dumb" that she remains oblivious to the political machinations and lurking dangers around her—a bystander in her own story. (·•᷄‎ࡇ•᷅) She offers no financial help (she's poor), no intellectual insights (she despises studying, despite her late father being a teacher), and no physical strength. Her only contributions are her beauty, her cuteness, and her ability to cook "reasonably well." Admirable qualities, sure, but hardly enough to carry a compelling character arc.

While her unwavering trust and loyalty are heartwarming, it's hard not to feel frustrated by her lack of agency. To put it bluntly, she's written to be the perfect virtuous wife—helpless, unquestioning, and relegated to the sidelines. A disheartening reflection of the typical role of women in a chauvinistic ancient society. (¬_¬")

Yes, emotional support matters and that's what she offers, but when it's her only contribution, it leaves much to be desired, especially for readers like me who crave female leads with some fire—women who can match the court ministers in intellect or rival generals in strength.

Take one scene, for instance: the male lead, Huo Jue, tells Ah Li, "I'm going to war. You stay here and wait for me. Don't worry—I've left people to protect you." Her response? A mix of sweet joke and worry and blind trust: "Okay, but you better come back, or I'll be mad." He smiles and says: "I obey my wife." She doesn't ask why there's a war, why he must go, or how she might help. She simply trusts him and waits, clueless and powerless.

Contrast that with the kind of female lead I admire. In another story, the male lead—an emperor—offers to carry the female lead on his back through a muddy road, determined to shield her. But instead of passively accepting his chivalry, she points out a flaw in his plan: carrying her doubles his burden and risks failure. Instead, she insists they walk together, hand in hand, supporting each other. If one stumbles, the other helps them up. By standing as equals, they both have a better chance of success.

Now compare that to Ah Li, the female lead of this story, who lets Huo Jue carry the weight—figuratively and literally—while she stays behind, ignorant of the stakes. It's a glaring reminder of her passivity and a missed opportunity to make her a partner in the story, rather than just an accessory.

Sure, Ah Li's unwavering trust and love are sweet, but sweetness alone can't sustain a story when the female lead lacks the depth, strength, or agency to rise beyond her limitations. I need heroines who walk through the mud with their heads held high—not ones who wait in the safety of their homes, hoping for their men to return.

2. Overpowered Male Lead

Huo Jue is "super intelligent, " with an eidetic memory, unmatched handsomeness, and strength from his general family background. (－_－) After his rebirth, he's suddenly wealthy and manipulative enough to stir the entire government even when he's only a teenager that doesn't even became a court official. While overpowered characters can be fun, the imbalance between him and Ah Li makes their relationship feel one-sided.

(•́へ•́╬) If the male lead was super powerful and female lead was powerful too, it would be good... but nope, he was super powerful and she was... nothing... just a cute peasant girl...

"Having been a eunuch for nearly twenty years in his past life, he had encountered countless people offering themselves to him—imperial consorts, palace maids, beauties presented by officials seeking favor, and even noblewomen of impeccable purity."

Roll my eyes... the author couldn't stop praising the perfection of male lead... he was so extraordinary, that even after becoming a eunuch, people still threw themselves at him...

3. Missed Opportunities for Growth

Ah Li's innocence and loyalty are sweet, but she doesn't grow as a character. Her role feels static, especially compared to other heroines in historical novels who fight, strategize, or build their own strength alongside the male lead. (눈_눈)

This novel is perfect for readers who enjoy sweet, innocent female leads ฅ^>⩊<^ ฅ and emotionally-driven love stories. If you prefer righteous, heroic heroines who can match the male lead's intelligence or strength, you might find Ah Li frustratingly passive. (･᷄︵･᷅)