I ACCIDENTALLY GAVE THE WRONG RATING!!! IT's 5 STARSSS 😭 I enjoyed this! It's quite similar to the danmei "Earning a Living, Taking Examinations, and Supporting the Family Through the Rural Imperial Examinations System" but I like this one better because of the ML. The author made the ML character development so good! Similarly our MC had a good chara development from a "straight" man to being a bent simp man for his husband (wife ML) 🤣

The story touches a lot of officialdom theme with topics on corruption, what makes... more>> a good official, and the power play between the royal family and it's ministers. I like the MC and the ML relationship so much. It starts off rocky but as the story progress, the deep affection and trust between each other as they navigate the political situation is just so well written (imo).

I also enjoyed the child rearing aspect. I feel like with most mpreg novels they never show the interaction between the MC/ML with the children after they are born or it would usually end after having one child. It's nice to see extras of the main couple's children life.

Spoiler

I want the author to write a sequel for their youngest child who ended up time traveling to the future modern world

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This story, while promising at first glance, quickly falls apart due to numerous glaring issues that make it difficult to enjoy or even finish. One of the most problematic aspects is the relationship between the main characters (MC and ML). At the beginning of the story, their relationship feels toxic and forced, with no real foundation for their supposed bond. The ML initially treats the MC with disdain, disgust, and mockery, leaving me wondering why the MC would tolerate such treatment. Their interactions in the early stages are shallow and... more>> transactional, with the MC only addressing the ML when he needs something. While their relationship does improve later on, the initial lack of emotional connection makes it hard to root for them.

The turning point in their relationship is particularly disturbing. The ML drugs the MC to ensure he gets pregnant, which is unethical and downright appalling. What's worse is that the story glosses over this incident like it's no big deal. Afterward, the MC starts feeling guilty—because he feels he's at fault—and begins treating the ML better. This is framed as progress in their relationship, but it comes off as emotional manipulation and an unhealthy power dynamic. It's baffling that such a serious issue is used as a lazy plot device instead of being given real emotional consequences.

Another significant flaw is the MC's inexplicable abilities. He constantly pulls solutions out of nowhere, like designing terraced farming systems and creating repeating crossbow blueprints with zero background in craftsmanship. It's one thing to write about myths or stories like the Investiture of the Gods, but giving the MC modern technical knowledge with no justification feels absurd. If that wasn't enough, the story suddenly turns him into a brilliant military commander with no prior indication he had such skills. These developments feel completely unearned and stretch the suspension of disbelief past its breaking point.

The pacing of the story compounds these issues. Important events are either rushed through or summarized in a few lines, leaving no room for proper development. This fragmented narrative makes it impossible to feel immersed in the story. Key moments that could have been used to build tension, explore relationships, or expand the world are skipped over, leaving me frustrated and unfulfilled. The lack of detail or depth in these scenes strips them of emotional weight, making it hard to care about the plot or the characters.

Overall, the story's poorly written relationships, contrived plot devices, and rushed pacing make it a frustrating read. What could have been a compelling narrative is undermined by lazy writing and an over-reliance on shortcuts that rob the story of its emotional and narrative impact. <<less

READ READ READ!

SO GOOD I came running hereeee after finishing thw MTL.

I did not expect anything at the beginning I thought it was the same formula as the other books in the genre. But the story telling is top notchhhh... you just have to imagine what the author describes... this is the style I like the mostttt! So I enjoyed the whole storyyyy

The love between the MC and the ML is so sweeeeet. Although their beginning was rocky and was filled with ups and downs they soon adapted to each... more>> other and fell in love!! Its the kind of fulfilling love and I lovedddd reading how they educated their children and how they interactedddd... it was soooo realistic that older middle and yongest child lore was on point hahahahha

The weather in July was hot, and Lin Yixuan made a fortune again by selling ice cubes, fulfilling his long-cherished wish. He counted the money until his hands cramped.

This scene was soo good it was just this scene in the middle of chaos and I looooove how author made the characters stay consistent.

I really want to read the youngest child's storyy

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This was a great story. It was very angsty in the beginning, and you could feel the frustration and alienation of the characters.

The ML and MC are flawed people in less than ideal circumstances. They struggle against each other at first, before coming together through appreciation of the other person.

One having knowledge of upcoming events, and the other having a vast amount of modern knowledge allowed them to affect change wherever they went.

There's face slapping, revenge, and growth for many characters. This read was very satisfying, but... more>> I could have followed their journey even longer. Give it a chance. I think it will surprise you. <<less

What a waste of time, translators should make a better job at putting tags to the works.

Mines for everyone: MC is a time traveler and ML is a reborn concubine.

Which means, none of them are virg*ns, if you are not bothered by it good for you and read the novel, there are more distasteful thing there but you can read the other reviews and make a choice, but for the people who cares why is there the tag "first time interc**rse", I would appreciated a warning before wasting my time,... more>> also, ML is so ughhh, I understand why he's like that after all he went through in his first life but like, thats no the reason to be such a s*um to the MC. <<less

This was an enjoyable novel, but it had great potential to be better if the story was more fleshed out and filled in, walking the readers through the scenes instead of just telling them to us.

After all, almost every part of the novel was full of excitement and I would have loved to be immersed by the writing into the scene.

Either way, this was a good light read, the MC and ML were the definition of: the couple who schemes together, stays together, and they scheme with each other, against... more>> each other, and for each other.

Their three kids’ futures were also fun and I honestly wish we got more of them.

The only thing I’m really devastated about is that the author teased the youngest child’s transmigration into the future at the last extra and yet ten years later we still don’t have it :’) <<less