The Times Spent in Pretense

Description

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The Hua family, through generations, values loyalty and righteousness. Regardless of gender, everyone prioritizes defending their home and country. The harmony between ruler and subjects, sharing all kinds of emotions, all stem from the sense of righteousness in their hearts.

As the weather turns cooler, has the favored crown prince been dethroned by His Majesty?

No.

As the weather turns hotter, has the loyal and brave Marquis Hua Residence been disposed of after its use?

No.

Not only that, but the Crown Prince has also married Hua Liuli, the daughter of Marquis Hua.

Associated Names
One entry per line
Royal Rumours
Zao Zuo Shi Guang [Drama]
ช่วงเวลาดีๆ ที่มีแต่รัก
造作时光
Related Series
N/A
Recommendations
Like Pearl and Jade (5)
To Be A Virtuous Wife (5)
A Precious Pearl in the Imperial City (5)
Eight Treasures Trousseau (4)
Chongfei Manual (4)
Ascending, Do Not Disturb (4)
Recommendation Lists
  1. Imperial Family
  2. What is Love (BG)
  3. Lazy, carefree, confident MC
  4. Chinese romance
  5. Ungatekeeping the Girl Bosses

Latest Release

Date Group Release
01/23/25 Whimsical Reads c145 (end)
01/21/25 Whimsical Reads c144
01/20/25 Whimsical Reads c143
01/20/25 Whimsical Reads c142
01/20/25 Whimsical Reads c141
01/17/25 Whimsical Reads c140
01/17/25 Whimsical Reads c139
01/17/25 Whimsical Reads c138
01/17/25 Whimsical Reads c137
01/13/25 Whimsical Reads c136
01/10/25 Whimsical Reads c135
01/10/25 Whimsical Reads c134
01/10/25 Whimsical Reads c133
01/10/25 Whimsical Reads c132
01/08/25 Whimsical Reads c131
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71 Reviews sorted by


Silkscreen
Silkscreen rated it
August 16, 2023
Status: extra 2
The novel has so many funny sections and I like the way the FL became a lucky star. I recommend the novel for light-hearted reading. The translator Krish728 did a good justice in translating the novel.
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Totorohug
Totorohug rated it
August 10, 2023
Status: Completed
4.5 stars

BG romance, historical, palace intrigue, comedy, slice of life

I love this author’s historical novels. This one isn’t my favorite out of her extensive library, but it has the author’s signature unique characters, wit, and light-hearted drama. It focuses more on the intrigue and FL’s luck and ends with the marriage. There is not as much depth to the romance and characters which is probably why it took me several starts and stops to finish. However, it’s definitely a fun read if you love ancient China stories like I do.
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Gabi94
Gabi94 rated it
October 23, 2022
Status: C51
The MC: She's definitely a white lotus, but she's a good one. In the first few caps, it may seem like she is arrogant, but you will see that after these first 3 or 4, the direction of the character changes a lot. She doesn't mind lying and manipulating, but she's not someone who belittles others because of their status, she was mean to one specific person because that person spoke ill of her father.

I saw several reviews that were probably made very early on the translation, so I think... more>> they misunderstood the ML character due to first impressions. ML is not a prince as lazy or indifferent as he seems first, he just has no intention/reasons to maintain a "scholarly" appearance and that's why he is direct and kinda rude sometimes. But that's only when someone is annoying.

Comedy is Good as in most of this author's novel. Romance is cuute and the characters are all very endearing. I like this one a lot. <<less
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Nelle
Nelle rated it
February 26, 2022
Status: Completed
4.5 stars

The ending part is so underwhelming and short. It feels like the story was cut abruptly. However, I think it would be unfair to rate this lower just for the ending.

The story is beautifully written. The character that supported the whole plot in my opinion is the Emperor. He doesn't act according to what his enemies expect him to do, time and time again. I also like the relationships between the people in the palace. The love between MC and ML could have been fleshed out more, so I... more>> find the romance a bit bland. The Hua family are great characters, but the author just mentions them in passing. We were not really given the opportunity to understand the Hua family more, especially with MC's two older brothers who were just mentioned one or two times. A lot could have been improved in the story if this novel is a bit longer. A lot of characters were not given time to be explored. <<less
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MegaGarchomp
MegaGarchomp rated it
July 20, 2021
Status: Completed
What makes a novel good? Is it thrilling mystery, heart rendering romance, heroic adventure? Maybe, but what matters the most is that you have fun reading it and it does not feel like an assignment and this novel makes you laugh.

This is a cute, fluffy heartwarming story of a girl who despite being ... more>>
Spoiler

strong

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wants to go down in history as a sickly beauty. Her family really cares for her and spoils her.

ML is a prince who is close to his father.
Spoiler

When other princes give the Emperor gifts which can be regarded as grand by the courtiers, he doesn't care about it and gives his father what he likes

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From this small interaction, we can see that he really loves his father.

The more palace drama CNs you've read the more you'll find this funny.

Spoiler

Of the few concubines the emperor has most of the concubines want their son to be the next emperor but they (except one) do this by lifting up their own sons instead of poisoning or sabotaging other princes because they don't want to cause chaos and harm to the people. Near the end Concubine Xian's antics even feel..... cute

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Overall its a cute, captivating story that lifts your mood and makes your day more colorfull. <<less
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ak4hoshi
ak4hoshi rated it
July 15, 2021
Status: Completed
Well well well, another Yue Xia Die Ying's work, and of course, it's good!

At the beginning of the story I felt kinda meh, about the ML and FL, however, as the story goes a lot of things are made clear. It's cute, their relationship is smooth, the characters are loveable and there's an Emperor Chanlong, omg I love him very much. He's certainly one of the best emperors I've seen, not cruel, jealous and suspicious of his officials, he's not overbearing with the concubines nor disrespectful. And if there's a... more>> novel about Wei Mingyue and Hua Yingting, I would definitely read!! Also, Jiamin made me laugh the entire time lol

This is a light read, with heartwarming episodes, cute characters and hilarious scenes.

And I think my couple became a couple at the end, so I'm happy about this, but upset as they didn't have not even a few lines about them.
Spoiler

(Jiamin and Changkong)

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<<less
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pimni
pimni rated it
June 9, 2021
Status: c145
Please add this book to your booklist if you love black-bellied heroes and heroines. Both of them are great as individuals and together, they make the perfect pair! I loved loved loved the heroine whose only dream was to be a frail beauty. She fooled everyone quite well and even at the end of the novel, except the ML and her BFF, and the villains, I don't think many knew of her true character.

Coming to the characters, each of them is well written. Even someone as small as an assassin... more>> gets to have hilarious closing lines! My favorite was the interaction between the ML and the fifth prince who was a bad painter but thought highly of his skills.

So, if you want to read a novel that is a laugh riot every chapter, well-written character and plot, then this is your book.

And the translator is doing a fantastic job. <<less
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Gushishi
Gushishi rated it
November 4, 2020
Status: Completed
04/11/2020, ch 9

Whoa, this is so good. FL/She really is living on pretense. Weak but smart. Fragile yet strong. She can be whatever she wants to be on every situation. She can overturn the table. She is living on pretense..

08/11/2020, ch 145

Still good.

Light read. HE

I don't know, cuz I was in MTL, as far as I know, the FL and ML didn't have any kids? But in the last chapter, ch 145, the 4th prince had a youngest grandson that can recite poems.......
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kamewi
kamewi rated it
January 21, 2025
Status: Completed
Finally finished this one! Usually, when finding new novels to read, I never choose anything ongoing in translation. However, this one was an exception. This novel was incredibly funny and I found myself liking every single character. The princes were absolutely hilarious and I loved the little side stories.

The only thing I was mildly disappointed by was the lack of romance. Don’t get me wrong, the leads were very romantic and sweet with one another. However, there just weren’t enough moments to express their relationship. This novel is huge on... more>> political drama and the romance seemed to take a bit of a backseat as it solely progressed behind-the-scenes.

Spoiler

For instance, in the last few chapters, I was hoping to see their cute wedding and maybe some kids in the extra chapters. There was none of that. Their wedding was about two sentences and children were never mentioned. I was really curious about this considering FLs “sickliness”. Did they have kids or not?

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Despite that, this was an amazing read! The leads were so likable and the side characters added so much to the story. I, honestly, would love a side story on the princes! <<less
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Peerless43
Peerless43 rated it
August 20, 2024
Status: --
It took me 1 year to read this novel cuz the description did not trigger me enough to read it right away... But god I love it so much!

all the misunderstandings in this novel are really... refreshing! It does feels frustrating at all and brings sometimes some humor to the story, I love it!

Indeed, novels with smart people are the best! Muddle-headed emperors in novel always make me feels frustrated but now I'm feeling refreshed!

Extras were not too emotional but made my heart itch in a good way.
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elliepot
elliepot rated it
April 8, 2024
Status: extra 2
I love the FL, she's the type that can truly stand on her own and I love how committed she is to acting like a weak beauty. She stands by her principles from beginning to end, I found it enjoyable to read as well how her family is supportive of her antics. Admittedly, I also appreciate the fact that no transmigration, reincarnation or some type of system is involve, it's solely just the FL with her charming personality and acquired skills.

I like the ML as well and his relationship with... more>> the emperor, he's the one who did the pursuing. The way he courted her was very cute. But in the end it was really the FL who made me enjoy the novel.

Overall a short and enjoyable read! <<less
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Arimathea
Arimathea
March 24, 2024
Status: c76
This is my second time reading this and so far, this is my favorite aside from the TBAVF. I didn't like it at first because I don't like fl's who are pretentious but as I read through this for the second time around, this novel made me giggling and laughing to the point of loving its comedy part rather than its romance. I tell you, it's more of a comedy than romance as far as I know since I didn't bother to finish it because for me, I've read enough,... more>> the thrilling part is over.

This novel has its pros and cons, the pros outweigh the cons that's why I like this novel. It is balanced and d <<less
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hphunter
hphunter rated it
March 9, 2024
Status: Completed
Very good story. It is a bit slow at times but I like how it doesn't handhold you into every part of the plot while still giving you enough to surmise each character's reason for their actions.
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Frantangilor
Frantangilor rated it
January 6, 2024
Status: --
Honestly SO good! All the characters were well depicted, nobody made nonsensical decisions just to carry the story, the villains and hero’s all believable. This was actually such a refreshing read, it’s palace intrigue but having read a lot of palace intrigue type books, I have never read one like this and I can’t recommend it highly enough. Also translated particularly well!
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AppyFizz
AppyFizz rated it
December 29, 2023
Status: Completed
It was a Great read......

My favorite characters were The Emperor🥰 & Consort Xian🤩 (poor her, she always becomes the scapegoat 😂😂😂😂😂)

And what I say about the Princes, all are extraordinary 😅😆😆

First 30-35 chapters, you'll feel like dragging, but after that each chapter is amazing.....
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nuzubu0303
nuzubu0303 rated it
December 5, 2023
Status: Completed
The novel has so many funny sections and I like the way the FL became a lucky star. I recommend the novel for light-hearted reading. The translator Krish728 did a good justice in translating the novel.
1 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
girlwithabrokensmile
girlwithabrokensmile rated it
November 10, 2023
Status: Extra 2
I deleted my previous comment. This novel actually grew on me and I ended up super liking it. Not as much as I loved To Be. A Virtuous Wife but still I really liked this novel. I was laughing so much and the mystery of the main villain actually kept me curious until the end as well. Major love for this one!
Spoiler
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111208k
111208k rated it
September 28, 2023
Status: c121
I've read few books of the author before this. I'd say I was quite excited during the first half of the story because I thought I found the best couple of his works. Well, the book is one of the best in terms of the main characters chemistry. The only thing is, it's too long winded and it gets boring on the second half of the story.
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jae028
jae028
August 24, 2023
Status: Completed
I have no other words, some of the other comments already said what I wanted to say. 5/5 for me. The story and the translations are top notch you guys.
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mercipourleslivres
mercipourleslivres rated it
August 21, 2023
Status: extra 2
This is excellent. I loved how different and refreshing it was! A power couple that slays together --verbally. I've never had so much fun reading a novel where basically the whole plot is just the main characters pissing various people off. So satisfying!
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