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Raven of the Inner Palace Light Novel #4
Raven of the Inner Palace (Light Novel) Vol. 4
MISSING OBJECTS, HIDDEN TRUTHS
A number of things are disappearing around the imperial estate—several prized silkworm cocoons are missing from the Hakkaku Palace, and Kajo gets pulled into a search for another mysteriously lost object. As these happenings occur, Jusetsu and Koshun continue their investigation into what truly happened in the past. Might a nameless ghost hold the key, or does the truth lie elsewhere?
A number of things are disappearing around the imperial estate—several prized silkworm cocoons are missing from the Hakkaku Palace, and Kajo gets pulled into a search for another mysteriously lost object. As these happenings occur, Jusetsu and Koshun continue their investigation into what truly happened in the past. Might a nameless ghost hold the key, or does the truth lie elsewhere?
288 pages, Paperback
First published April 17, 2020
23 people are currently reading
297 people want to read
About the author
Kouko Shirakawa
45 books28 followersEnglish：Kouko Shirakawa
Japanese：白川 紺子
Traditional Chinese：白川紺子
Japanese：白川 紺子
Traditional Chinese：白川紺子
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
February 4, 2024
I am unreasonably upset by the reveal that Banka is pregnant, because all it means is that Koshun is doing what he's supposed to do as the emperor, but...well, I'm unreasonably upset. The rest of the book is excellent, though, and the ever-deepening mythology about Uren Niang-Niang and the Winter Sovereign will keep me reading through any number of fits of pique.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 25, 2024
*We should carry on playing even when we're both elderly*
اوضاع عجیب غریب شد و خب نوید یک ماجرای خیلی بزرگتر مثل یک انقلاب رو میده.
این جلد تاریخ و افسانه خدایانش زیاد بود.
و پایانش یکم ناراحت و نگرانم کرد. خصوصا خلاصه جلد بعد رو خوندم قلبم گرفت🥲 حس میکنم دیگه کیوت و معمایی نباشه، دیگه اون ملاقاتها و دیالوگهای بامزه و قشنگ صورت نگیرن، و برن توی فاز این هدفی که در پیش گرفتن... تلخ بشه...
و الان میفهمم چقدر اون درخواست ها و معماهای هر داستانش که توی هر جلد ۴تا بودن رو دوست داشتم.
جوستسو مواظب خودت باش😔❤️
اوضاع عجیب غریب شد و خب نوید یک ماجرای خیلی بزرگتر مثل یک انقلاب رو میده.
این جلد تاریخ و افسانه خدایانش زیاد بود.
و پایانش یکم ناراحت و نگرانم کرد. خصوصا خلاصه جلد بعد رو خوندم قلبم گرفت🥲 حس میکنم دیگه کیوت و معمایی نباشه، دیگه اون ملاقاتها و دیالوگهای بامزه و قشنگ صورت نگیرن، و برن توی فاز این هدفی که در پیش گرفتن... تلخ بشه...
و الان میفهمم چقدر اون درخواست ها و معماهای هر داستانش که توی هر جلد ۴تا بودن رو دوست داشتم.
جوستسو مواظب خودت باش😔❤️
January 16, 2024
Following the build-up from the previous book, this 4th volume delivers the result of Jusetsu's deliberate choice to not live in isolation. There had been so many warnings and foreshadowing that disaster may occur if the Raven Consort doesn't keep to herself, and while it's been hinted in vol. 3 that some people were starting to worship Jusetsu, it gains a lot more fervor in this one and develops into the very pandemonium they've been trying to avoid all this time.
This book contains a lot of character development, and what I like the most about it is that it doesn't always lead to good results. Since the beginning of the series, Jusetsu has grown a lot as a character. By opening up to others, she's revealed herself as a kind person who's always eager to help others. As she admits it herself, it makes her feel good to be needed and that's why she keeps trying to solve the problems of others. While it might normally be a good thing, this actually does nothing to stop others from worshiping her, and it certainly doesn't help that a certain party has been discreetly fueling this too. In the end, it leads to a disastrous riot and Jusetsu now has to reflect on her actions.
Aside from Jusetsu, Banka also receives plenty of interesting scenes. Her father, Saname Choyo, is now in the palace along with two of her brothers, not even bothering to mask his hostility towards Jusetsu. Torn between her growing affection for Jusetsu and the desire to earn Choyo's approval, Banka also has to decide on what to do since standing back and doing nothing obviously wouldn't work in her situation. Plus, Banka has a secret of her own. We also get to see just how far Kajo is willing to go to protect Jusetsu, a really nice way to show their bond which we didn't get too see much of before.
There's less focus on individual episodes this time, as each of them has a LOT to add to the main plot. In this volume, Jusetsu deals with silkworm theft in the cocoonery, her new eunuch Tankai getting accused of murder, a ghost of a copyist looking for his works, and a direct confrontation with Hakurai. All of these chapters contain crucial information regarding the ancient gods, eventually leading them to the conclusion that they must get Jusetsu out of the inner palace and retrieve something important. The build-up is so well-executed, and the intrigue keeps me excited for how the story will go from here on out.
This book contains a lot of character development, and what I like the most about it is that it doesn't always lead to good results. Since the beginning of the series, Jusetsu has grown a lot as a character. By opening up to others, she's revealed herself as a kind person who's always eager to help others. As she admits it herself, it makes her feel good to be needed and that's why she keeps trying to solve the problems of others. While it might normally be a good thing, this actually does nothing to stop others from worshiping her, and it certainly doesn't help that a certain party has been discreetly fueling this too. In the end, it leads to a disastrous riot and Jusetsu now has to reflect on her actions.
Aside from Jusetsu, Banka also receives plenty of interesting scenes. Her father, Saname Choyo, is now in the palace along with two of her brothers, not even bothering to mask his hostility towards Jusetsu. Torn between her growing affection for Jusetsu and the desire to earn Choyo's approval, Banka also has to decide on what to do since standing back and doing nothing obviously wouldn't work in her situation. Plus, Banka has a secret of her own. We also get to see just how far Kajo is willing to go to protect Jusetsu, a really nice way to show their bond which we didn't get too see much of before.
There's less focus on individual episodes this time, as each of them has a LOT to add to the main plot. In this volume, Jusetsu deals with silkworm theft in the cocoonery, her new eunuch Tankai getting accused of murder, a ghost of a copyist looking for his works, and a direct confrontation with Hakurai. All of these chapters contain crucial information regarding the ancient gods, eventually leading them to the conclusion that they must get Jusetsu out of the inner palace and retrieve something important. The build-up is so well-executed, and the intrigue keeps me excited for how the story will go from here on out.
April 26, 2024
Things keep amping up and the world expands ever larger. The amount of gods and reincarnation of gods introduced can be a bit confusing at times, but it is really interesting how their past actions intertwine with the present. The confrontation between Jusetsu and another certain character in the palace was such a heart-stopping moment, and though the ghost mystery in the records room was a little too easy to see through, I liked how it concluded and what it's expanding into. I can't wait to see how Banka's bombshell at the end plays out, and I hope the wedge driven between Koshun and Jusetsu doesn't last for too long.
September 28, 2025
This one was sooooo good until the end where it feels like Koshun completely misses the mark and his own part in all of this. I love the complexity of the world and the way we're learning more about the characters and the subtle build up of what makes the Raven dangerous. But the end, just the last few pages, man that ruined the mood for me.
November 19, 2023
More like 3.5
I'm still puzzled as to how Seven Sea keeps letting that many typos and errors through.
Liked this one better than the previous ones, as it was less "monster of the week". There's more development for the overarching plot as well. Things are also getting more complicated and higher stakes are at play.
I'm still puzzled as to how Seven Sea keeps letting that many typos and errors through.
Liked this one better than the previous ones, as it was less "monster of the week". There's more development for the overarching plot as well. Things are also getting more complicated and higher stakes are at play.
April 19, 2022
This series is so, so good. That said, this was definitely the most difficult book yet, in terms of language.
For one, silk worms and their care / producing silk played a big role in this book. Now, I don't know a lot about silk worms in the first place. Even less so when it's in Japanese. (Well, before reading this at least.) So that meant it took me a bit longer to read this, though I also learned a bunch of new words. I'm not sure how much the average Japanese person knows about silk worms, but at the very least I know it's not a common topic, and the kanji aren't very common either (For example; Silk moth 蚕 is commonly written in katakana instead of the kanji) So it's not just me.
There was another term that I asked my colleague when I was reading during my work break, because I literally could not find it when I googled it, and my 100% Japanese, never left Japan, only speaks Japanese colleague had no idea, and took a long time trying to find ways to google the answer. So again, it's not just me, this book is actually more difficult.
This book focused more on Banka and her family. I loved the growth we saw in Banka, and her family is a weird one, so it was interesting to learn more about it. The book still has smaller cases leading up to a bigger one focusing more on the Uhi, but all the cases were clearly connected, and the smaller cases are getting smaller and smaller in comparison to the main plot.
Besides Banka and her family, we also learned more about Tankai, which actually improved my opinion of him, despite still finding him annoying at times. We got more backstory on Hakurai, as well as Jusetsu and the mythology of the world. I still love Onkei so much. I love how varied and complex all the characters are.
The worldbuilding is sublime. The more we learn throughout this series, the more I want to know. The world, the countries and different people, the mythology and the magic, it's all so interesting. While there's obviously a lot of inspiration taken from Chinese and Japanese mythology/history, it is very unique in terms of execution, imo.
This book just got better and better the more I read, and the last chapter was absolutely amazing. So many things happened and we learned so much in this volume, and I just can't wait to keep reading this series. It's so good.
For one, silk worms and their care / producing silk played a big role in this book. Now, I don't know a lot about silk worms in the first place. Even less so when it's in Japanese. (Well, before reading this at least.) So that meant it took me a bit longer to read this, though I also learned a bunch of new words. I'm not sure how much the average Japanese person knows about silk worms, but at the very least I know it's not a common topic, and the kanji aren't very common either (For example; Silk moth 蚕 is commonly written in katakana instead of the kanji) So it's not just me.
There was another term that I asked my colleague when I was reading during my work break, because I literally could not find it when I googled it, and my 100% Japanese, never left Japan, only speaks Japanese colleague had no idea, and took a long time trying to find ways to google the answer. So again, it's not just me, this book is actually more difficult.
This book focused more on Banka and her family. I loved the growth we saw in Banka, and her family is a weird one, so it was interesting to learn more about it. The book still has smaller cases leading up to a bigger one focusing more on the Uhi, but all the cases were clearly connected, and the smaller cases are getting smaller and smaller in comparison to the main plot.
Besides Banka and her family, we also learned more about Tankai, which actually improved my opinion of him, despite still finding him annoying at times. We got more backstory on Hakurai, as well as Jusetsu and the mythology of the world. I still love Onkei so much. I love how varied and complex all the characters are.
The worldbuilding is sublime. The more we learn throughout this series, the more I want to know. The world, the countries and different people, the mythology and the magic, it's all so interesting. While there's obviously a lot of inspiration taken from Chinese and Japanese mythology/history, it is very unique in terms of execution, imo.
This book just got better and better the more I read, and the last chapter was absolutely amazing. So many things happened and we learned so much in this volume, and I just can't wait to keep reading this series. It's so good.
June 27, 2025
Beh, beh, qui le cose si fanno interessanti. In questo quarto volume, le rivelazioni abbondano - sulla figura di Uren, sulla sua lotta con altre divinità, su eventi accaduti in un passato molto lontano. Ma al centro di tutto c'è sempre la figura della Consorte Corvo: nel mezzo di tutti i colpi di scena, ci si dimentica che Jusetsu ha solo 16 anni, ha passato gran parte della sua vita rinchiusa in un palazzo in completa solitudine, costretta ad accettare un ruolo che le è stato imposto. Ma ora questa povera ragazza si è creata un piccolo seguito di persone fidate che le vogliono bene e che lei vuole proteggere. Senza dimenticare che Jusetsu non riesce mai a dire di no a quanti vanno da lei chiedendo aiuto: ergo, il gruppo di simpatizzanti diventa sempre più grande. Cosa che dà fastidio ad alcuni personaggi: la Consorte Corvo è il sovrano dell'inverno, l'altra metà del potere dell'imperatore, e, cosa non banale, Jusetsu è una discendente della precedente dinastia imperiale. Dal punto di vista di qualcuno, la ragazza è una minaccia, potenzialmente potrebbe raccogliere intorno a sé un seguito talmente ampio da ribaltare l'equilibrio del potere (certo, Jusetsu ha zero ambizioni di potere, ma questo si guardano bene dal dirlo). Insomma, la vita di Jusetsu è minacciata da più parti, sia per motivazioni di tipo politico che di natura religiosa. Resta da vedere se il piano di Koshun per salvare la ragazza avrà successo - spezzare la barriera che impedisce alla Consorte Corvo di uscire dalla Corte Interna, trovare l'altra metà del corpo di Uren (in modo da restituirle la sua vera forza), e infine rompere il legame tra la dea e la Consorte. Di fatto, l'obiettivo finale di Koshun è quello di liberare Jusetsu, di spezzare le catene che tengono prigioniera.
Altra cosa che sono curiosa di vedere è l'evoluzione del rapporto tra Koshun e Jusetsu, che va oltre la semplice amicizia e che non può essere ridotto a una semplice relazione di tipo romantico. Molto interessante anche il percorso di crescita della nostra protagonista, che piano piano sta iniziando a interagire con altri, sta imparando a conoscere meglio se stessa, e sta facendo nuove esperienze (positive e negative). Spero che ci sarà una seconda stagione dell'anime, perché mi piacerebbe vedere animate alcune scene presenti in questo volume.
Altra cosa che sono curiosa di vedere è l'evoluzione del rapporto tra Koshun e Jusetsu, che va oltre la semplice amicizia e che non può essere ridotto a una semplice relazione di tipo romantico. Molto interessante anche il percorso di crescita della nostra protagonista, che piano piano sta iniziando a interagire con altri, sta imparando a conoscere meglio se stessa, e sta facendo nuove esperienze (positive e negative). Spero che ci sarà una seconda stagione dell'anime, perché mi piacerebbe vedere animate alcune scene presenti in questo volume.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 2, 2024
One of the most interesting volumes of this series.
I like the author's emphasis that Jusetsu's decisions about taking more people in does not necessarily mean that they are right or wrong, that they are her decisions in the end and it matters that she made them and that she will follow through with them. It's a huge part of what plagued Jusetsu as a person, thinking about Reijo and how Reijo always told Jusetsu to maintain her distance, to make sure that the Raven Consort remains to be a solitary being. Jusetsu went against the current that her mentor had taught her, and saw the repercussions and what it could mean.
One of the things I loved the most about the series is Jusetsu's growth as a person and how she's slowly starting to lean against other people too. She survived on her own for ages until Reijo took her in and yet she's still learning how to accept the help of other people. It's nice to see her finally accepting that there are people who will follow her through the end. Although it is a double-edged sword on her part especially since she is the Winter Sovereign. One wrong move could tip the scales and then it'd be war all over again.
Another character whose complexity stood out to me is Banka's, though I can't really say that I like her just yet. She warned Jusetsu about her father, yet tried to see her father in a different light. She tried to see why her father is hurting, and why he's going through such lengths just for the betterment of the Saname Clan. The consistency in which she goes against what she thinks she should do just for the sake of her father continuously intrigues and baffles me. I still don't think Banka is a character that I'll grow to love, but she's definitely an interesting one to read about.
Can't wait to read the next volume and see what happens next (and if Banka's brother really did fall in love with Jusetsu at first sight lol).
I like the author's emphasis that Jusetsu's decisions about taking more people in does not necessarily mean that they are right or wrong, that they are her decisions in the end and it matters that she made them and that she will follow through with them. It's a huge part of what plagued Jusetsu as a person, thinking about Reijo and how Reijo always told Jusetsu to maintain her distance, to make sure that the Raven Consort remains to be a solitary being. Jusetsu went against the current that her mentor had taught her, and saw the repercussions and what it could mean.
One of the things I loved the most about the series is Jusetsu's growth as a person and how she's slowly starting to lean against other people too. She survived on her own for ages until Reijo took her in and yet she's still learning how to accept the help of other people. It's nice to see her finally accepting that there are people who will follow her through the end. Although it is a double-edged sword on her part especially since she is the Winter Sovereign. One wrong move could tip the scales and then it'd be war all over again.
Another character whose complexity stood out to me is Banka's, though I can't really say that I like her just yet. She warned Jusetsu about her father, yet tried to see her father in a different light. She tried to see why her father is hurting, and why he's going through such lengths just for the betterment of the Saname Clan. The consistency in which she goes against what she thinks she should do just for the sake of her father continuously intrigues and baffles me. I still don't think Banka is a character that I'll grow to love, but she's definitely an interesting one to read about.
Can't wait to read the next volume and see what happens next (and if Banka's brother really did fall in love with Jusetsu at first sight lol).
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 12, 2024
Menudo desarrollo de la historia en este volumen. Me ha atrapado completamente. Estoy deseando ver cómo continúa, cada vez está más interesante.
Cada vez la relación entre Koshun y Jusetsu va haciéndose más cercana. 😍 Tengo la intuición de que Choyo Saname está siendo controlado por el dios Ao o algo así porque si no no entiendo la fijación que tiene con Jusetsu.
Adoré ver a Eisei protegiendo a su hermana Jusetsu de ser herida, cada vez puede ocultarlo menos. Xd
¡¿Banka está embarazada del emperador?! Me niego a creer que sea de Koshun.
Y adoré los momentos de reunión de Koshun y Jusetsu con Ho y Senri en los que se han descubierto más cosas sobre la historia de Uren Niangniang y Reijo. Ojalá puedan liberar a Jusetsu.
Cada vez la relación entre Koshun y Jusetsu va haciéndose más cercana. 😍 Tengo la intuición de que Choyo Saname está siendo controlado por el dios Ao o algo así porque si no no entiendo la fijación que tiene con Jusetsu.
Adoré ver a Eisei protegiendo a su hermana Jusetsu de ser herida, cada vez puede ocultarlo menos. Xd
¡¿Banka está embarazada del emperador?! Me niego a creer que sea de Koshun.
Y adoré los momentos de reunión de Koshun y Jusetsu con Ho y Senri en los que se han descubierto más cosas sobre la historia de Uren Niangniang y Reijo. Ojalá puedan liberar a Jusetsu.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 3, 2023
As before, this book continues expanding on the myth of Uren Niangniang. The plot slowly turns from episodic stories to one continuous story as the book lays important groundwork to resolve the main question: Just who is the Raven consort?
This book was a bit slower read than ones before it, though each chapter was important to establish the next arc of the story. Thoroughly enjoyed the book and especially the varied and vivid characters!
As for the translation - some typos here and there but much improved from previous entries. So kudos to the translators and proofreaders.
This book was a bit slower read than ones before it, though each chapter was important to establish the next arc of the story. Thoroughly enjoyed the book and especially the varied and vivid characters!
As for the translation - some typos here and there but much improved from previous entries. So kudos to the translators and proofreaders.
May 27, 2024
They say that there should be a separation of the church and state. In this vol you can see the big role of religion and the state. Though the previous dynasties tries to eradicate the shamans and the gods, still they keep coming back…
The mysterious history of uren niangniang (the Raven), the owl and ao God is coming to light, so is hi and ran dynasty, the summer and winter king..
Can’t wait for to read vol 5.
The mysterious history of uren niangniang (the Raven), the owl and ao God is coming to light, so is hi and ran dynasty, the summer and winter king..
Can’t wait for to read vol 5.
February 26, 2024
this volume is so cruel for finally exploring koshun’s feelings for jusetsu only to end up taking it all away at the end:,>>>> I JUST WANT SOME FLUFF
((im also unfairly upset that banka’s pregnant…. for a second there i almost forgot that koshun’s an actual emperor who goes at it nightly with his consorts))
((im also unfairly upset that banka’s pregnant…. for a second there i almost forgot that koshun’s an actual emperor who goes at it nightly with his consorts))
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 28, 2024
By far the best in the series so far - the translation has really found its stride, the character development is ramping up (particularly among side characters, which is a real treat), and the overall narrative is easy to follow while still making these serial side-quests interesting.
May 22, 2024
Well that ending concerning Banka was unexpected and made me a bit unhappy.......
Loved the book otherwise. I like how its less episodic and more coming together as a story. A lot of character development have been done!
Loved the book otherwise. I like how its less episodic and more coming together as a story. A lot of character development have been done!
July 20, 2025
Todo empieza a complicarse para la Jusetsu
Ver como se van cumpliendo todas las advertencias que daban, sobre lo peligroso que era que la Consorte Cuervo se involucrara con las personas, simplemente siento la culpa que debe sentir Jusetsu.
Empieza mi sufrimiento leyendo esta historia
Ver como se van cumpliendo todas las advertencias que daban, sobre lo peligroso que era que la Consorte Cuervo se involucrara con las personas, simplemente siento la culpa que debe sentir Jusetsu.
Empieza mi sufrimiento leyendo esta historia
January 16, 2024
Gad, I loved this volume!
February 13, 2024
Spoilers: How can you hint at a tender romance…. And then break my heart by not going through w it?? Too emotional rn, I can’t….
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 4, 2024
My friend Rebecca's thoughts mirror mine exactly: her review
June 3, 2024
hard to swallow, I like how Jusetsu is growing but why is it so painful 😖
can't wait for the next ones
can't wait for the next ones
November 15, 2024
Getting very exciting
February 15, 2025
Deeper lore in this book. Excited to see where it goes next
February 14, 2023
大概是出於從本集開始，不少角色慢慢培養出抗衡外在威脅的能力，比起無止無境的困在無法對抗、心裡始終意難平的沉悶裡，這種狀態好多了。《後宮之烏4：咒縛之結》因此讀起來沒這麼憂鬱，讓我感到特別難過的是第二個故事〈金杯〉吧。沒想到也一股腦兒傾倒出淡海的過往和深藏在淡海豪爽態度下的無解心結，原本氣焰囂張、頗有中型反派架式的勒房子長官漆雕坤結局如此淒涼，也讓人忍不住為他所做所為背後的原因以及可能經歷過的內心掙扎感到心酸。漆雕坤這名角色應該算是安排給壽雪的借鏡，讓她看見偏袒自己人到無視是非這條路走下去，會有什麼樣的可能路線，藉由漆雕坤的最終抉擇反思自己若想要兼顧愛惜身邊宦官侍��且不會讓彼此走上歪路，該怎麼處理才能兩全其美，不違背內心的道。
淡海的經歷十分心酸且充滿血腥殘酷，難以想像親睹堂姊慘狀為他留下多少陰影，不過〈金杯〉也有讓我覺得很溫暖的描述，像是壽雪對溫螢表示「不只淡海，你若有事藏匿於夜明宮，我也一定護你到底。」的態度，溫螢聽到感到詫異，隨即恭謹真摯地回應「就算娘娘惹禍上身，我一定陪在娘娘的身邊。」（頁九十）這段兩人之間的信任和情感，讀來有股暖意潺潺流淌在內心。我也很喜歡淡海在洗刷冤屈後的心理活動，原本仍保留一席之地給自己的淡海，經此一事後似乎願意多挪出一些位置，壽雪在他心裡開始有了更多特別的意義，因此願意付出更多心力支持她。溫螢、淡海一靜一動的性格能力可以截長補短，周全保護壽雪安危。
宦官從進宮前到進宮後的遭遇，都讓我清晰地感覺出霄國目前是個清苦的國家，經濟並不富庶，因此許多人從原生家庭就深陷貧困，為求生計不得不淨身入宮謀生，這一點也顯示出霄國的產業可能也不夠豐富，不足以讓流離失所的少年有機緣習得一技之長在民間討生活，只能在賣身和入宮二選一。社會政治制度不夠周全，因此有很多人見縫插針鑽營好處或者仗勢欺人傷害比自己更弱勢的孩童，宮廷宦官死後也未必能好好被埋葬，而是任由他們遺體曝屍河岸（不過，我覺得這部份有點奇怪就是了。宮廷怎麼說都是皇帝、高官、後宮女眷會走動生活的地方，不管逝世者是因何而死，不該有遺體閒置在皇室成員的住所吧。）也欠缺足夠的道德觀念約束自己的外在行為，因此會有無辜的海上民族遭到內陸居民欺騙屠殺的血腥慘案發生。
相較於〈金杯〉的哀傷悲涼，〈蠶神〉就顯得明亮活潑許多，真的很難得見到是一名清平且絲毫不帶怨毒氣息的幽鬼。〈蠶神〉的作用偏向帶出鶴妃晚霞和自家宮廷人員們的關係，進一步理解背後操控鶴妃和身邊侍女宦官們的沙那賣朝陽，這一部份我覺得可以跟〈禁色〉一起看，晚霞對身邊的侍女們沒有足夠的掌控權，她們的主子並非身為鶴妃的晚霞，而是沙那賣家主朝陽，晚霞感覺自己就像是生活在父親掌握的牢籠裡面，雖然保障住自己的安全，她卻得屢次眼睜睜地看著其他人因為朝陽保全家族的計策而犧牲生命。她無計可施，也不知道怎麼樣才能改善這樣的家族生存之道，只覺得自己在不間斷的痛苦中枯萎腐朽。在歷經驚覺自己向父親暴露了壽雪的秘密與吉鹿女之死後，晚霞終於決意做出改變，沙那賣家和父親會變成今天這副模樣必定有其原因，她要瞭解那份原因，才能找到改變家風和父親的關鍵所在。
本以為有篡位野心之嫌的沙那賣朝陽，在本集看來似乎沒有篡位的意願，他們明白以他們異邦人身分要融入霄國已屬不易，要治理國家也不簡單，因此目標是讓賢明君王治理霄國，而沙那賣家族能在日漸上軌道的霄國細水長流的永續經營下去。沙那賣這一段讓我意識到我對「野心」的想像太狹隘了。以前我總認為要登上高位或賺許多錢才會是沙那賣這一類人的野心，高峻察覺到朝陽真正在乎的事物，驚詫失笑的是朝陽嘴上說沒有野心，實則野心很大；我則訝異原來「細水長流，低調卻不衰亡」（頁一四九）竟然也可以被視為野心的一種。
以前並不是沒有想過這樣的生存方式，也覺得這種目標是很值得敬佩的人生態度，但內心總覺得這其中包含著不得不為的無奈：因為自己能力不足以立於高位，享有世人渴求的榮華富貴，才退而求其次選擇保全住自己和親人安寧的生活方式。朝陽和高峻這一橋段提醒我，這種生活方式同樣不易達成，或許不像位高權重的人那樣燦爛耀眼，但自己也能在明君打造出的良好國家體質下為生活打拼，又不用過份犧牲自己和家人就能保障家族安寧，這不啻是一種福氣。過日子還是要看自己能否適應、能否感到舒坦自在，別人家的璀璨未必適合自己。（當然，目前沙那賣家還沒能走到不用犧牲族人也能保護家族的能耐，依然受困在無形的束縛裡）
〈墨告〉對我來說也算是頗清爽的一篇故事，除了劇情裡融合宗教、民俗學對霄國歷史的推論讓我看得很開心以外，身為受害者的幽鬼計衷介懷的焦點也跟一般受害者不太一樣，讓我對他的同情也比較淡吧。不是覺得計衷遭遇不值得為他難過，只是當事人比起個人生死，更在乎生前的工作成果被放到哪裡去，這種非典型的冤屈讓那份哀傷怨恨之情連帶地偏移了幾分。而且計衷在書庫期間，除了自顧自地找尋書稿以外，也未曾刻意驚嚇其他人，單就這一點來看，應該可以跟〈蠶神〉那位記掛著養蠶事宜的宮女相提並論，計衷對書稿的執念讓他跟壽雪的對話有些歇斯底里，但也透露出計衷幽魂的純粹。
第四集的衛青某方面而言令我印象最深刻，自從他察覺壽雪有可能是自己同父異母的妹妹後，心情屢生波瀾，第一三五頁至第一三六頁的短暫內心獨白明明衛青是很嚴肅的煩惱著，我卻覺得莫名地想笑，以下是我的自我流翻譯：「啊。原本以為已無親無故的我竟然有一個妹妹，而且妹妹長得可愛、個性也很善良，內在外表都是無可挑剔的好。啊啊——可是她是對陛下有風險的烏妃，她和陛下繼續親近下去，不知道會帶來什麼後果？怎麼辦？我該怎麼面對她才好？」不過，察覺到壽雪跟自己的關係不尋常後，衛青明面上雖然一如既往地冷淡與怒視，但反而更加體現出傲嬌本色了。分明很擔心壽雪，卻硬是表現出擔心她會給高峻添麻煩才來找她，把自身關懷藏得嚴嚴實實，不讓人瞧見內心真意。這樣表裡不一的衛青，作為次元壁外的讀者，看得挺歡樂的。（說實話，以前衛青對壽雪的態度，我覺得很像是婆婆或小姑找兒媳婦的麻煩，有種自己最喜歡的家人被其他人搶走的忌妒艷羨而找碴的感覺。）
〈禁色〉分離烏漣娘娘和烏妃的具體方法終於有眉目，雖然對壽雪又是一場未知的賭注，但反正烏妃這職務本來就是高風險又容易短命，而且這高風險不試圖從根本改善，還會一路傳承下去造成更多後繼者的痛苦，長痛不如短痛，試著做出改變的話，也許今後包含壽雪在內的所有人也會有不同的可能性。這一篇故事闡述更多烏漣娘娘和鼇神的故事，很有聽上古神話的遙遠神秘氛圍，看得很興奮。但與此同時，白雷也在朝陽的授意下抵達後宮，讓壽雪險些遇害，白雷的童年遭遇很讓人難過，也可以理解他深深憎恨著霄國和烏漣娘娘的理由。
我心裡仍認為遷怒到霄國所有人身上不太理智，但揣懷著道德量尺要求慘遭滅族之災的白雷不去恨，反而顯得傲慢了。時光無法逆流，已經鑄下的罪過無法挽回，儘管不是自己做出那些事，但既然站在霄國人的立場，白雷的族人因本國國民而死，我們就無法推諉卸責說那些事情跟自己無關吧。如果高峻能以霄國皇帝的立場，對白雷真誠地表達歉意，並提供能讓他滿足的賠償，不知是否有機會緩和白雷對烏妃和霄國的憎惡？看他很重視與保護巫女隱娘，應該不會希望讓隱娘變成鼇神的祭品去犧牲才對，或許可以從這一點切入，尋求跟白雷和諧相處並請求他協助解開香薔結界的機緣。話說回來，香薔的執念有夠恐怖，那真的算是愛嗎？還是藏著不可得的怨念呢？
高峻和壽雪這一集好像情竇初開的少年少女，心裡為了對方的事情煩悶、吃醋，卻不太明瞭自己的心情所為何來，也無法用文字或言語明確表達出自己的焦灼情感，兩人多半是討論正事，但笨拙的互動和心意又顯得惹人憐愛。我很喜歡高峻對壽雪說兩人一起下棋到變成老翁老婦的橋段，乙女腦讓我擅自解讀成是高峻的變相求婚，這兩人無論從個性或身份來看，都不適合談那種燦若煙火卻轉瞬即逝般的戀情，而且也會顧忌過度熱烈的感情變成另一齣夏王與冬王的悲劇，在兩人有共識的情況下就這樣細水長流讓雙方的情份一直延續到晚年，平靜安寧也很不錯。雖然不是發展成伴侶關係，但你／妳在我心裡是非常重要而珍惜的特殊存在。
淡海的經歷十分心酸且充滿血腥殘酷，難以想像親睹堂姊慘狀為他留下多少陰影，不過〈金杯〉也有讓我覺得很溫暖的描述，像是壽雪對溫螢表示「不只淡海，你若有事藏匿於夜明宮，我也一定護你到底。」的態度，溫螢聽到感到詫異，隨即恭謹真摯地回應「就算娘娘惹禍上身，我一定陪在娘娘的身邊。」（頁九十）這段兩人之間的信任和情感，讀來有股暖意潺潺流淌在內心。我也很喜歡淡海在洗刷冤屈後的心理活動，原本仍保留一席之地給自己的淡海，經此一事後似乎願意多挪出一些位置，壽雪在他心裡開始有了更多特別的意義，因此願意付出更多心力支持她。溫螢、淡海一靜一動的性格能力可以截長補短，周全保護壽雪安危。
宦官從進宮前到進宮後的遭遇，都讓我清晰地感覺出霄國目前是個清苦的國家，經濟並不富庶，因此許多人從原生家庭就深陷貧困，為求生計不得不淨身入宮謀生，這一點也顯示出霄國的產業可能也不夠豐富，不足以讓流離失所的少年有機緣習得一技之長在民間討生活，只能在賣身和入宮二選一。社會政治制度不夠周全，因此有很多人見縫插針鑽營好處或者仗勢欺人傷害比自己更弱勢的孩童，宮廷宦官死後也未必能好好被埋葬，而是任由他們遺體曝屍河岸（不過，我覺得這部份有點奇怪就是了。宮廷怎麼說都是皇帝、高官、後宮女眷會走動生活的地方，不管逝世者是因何而死，不該有遺體閒置在皇室成員的住所吧。）也欠缺足夠的道德觀念約束自己的外在行為，因此會有無辜的海上民族遭到內陸居民欺騙屠殺的血腥慘案發生。
相較於〈金杯〉的哀傷悲涼，〈蠶神〉就顯得明亮活潑許多，真的很難得見到是一名清平且絲毫不帶怨毒氣息的幽鬼。〈蠶神〉的作用偏向帶出鶴妃晚霞和自家宮廷人員們的關係，進一步理解背後操控鶴妃和身邊侍女宦官們的沙那賣朝陽，這一部份我覺得可以跟〈禁色〉一起看，晚霞對身邊的侍女們沒有足夠的掌控權，她們的主子並非身為鶴妃的晚霞，而是沙那賣家主朝陽，晚霞感覺自己就像是生活在父親掌握的牢籠裡面，雖然保障住自己的安全，她卻得屢次眼睜睜地看著其他人因為朝陽保全家族的計策而犧牲生命。她無計可施，也不知道怎麼樣才能改善這樣的家族生存之道，只覺得自己在不間斷的痛苦中枯萎腐朽。在歷經驚覺自己向父親暴露了壽雪的秘密與吉鹿女之死後，晚霞終於決意做出改變，沙那賣家和父親會變成今天這副模樣必定有其原因，她要瞭解那份原因，才能找到改變家風和父親的關鍵所在。
本以為有篡位野心之嫌的沙那賣朝陽，在本集看來似乎沒有篡位的意願，他們明白以他們異邦人身分要融入霄國已屬不易，要治理國家也不簡單，因此目標是讓賢明君王治理霄國，而沙那賣家族能在日漸上軌道的霄國細水長流的永續經營下去。沙那賣這一段讓我意識到我對「野心」的想像太狹隘了。以前我總認為要登上高位或賺許多錢才會是沙那賣這一類人的野心，高峻察覺到朝陽真正在乎的事物，驚詫失笑的是朝陽嘴上說沒有野心，實則野心很大；我則訝異原來「細水長流，低調卻不衰亡」（頁一四九）竟然也可以被視為野心的一種。
以前並不是沒有想過這樣的生存方式，也覺得這種目標是很值得敬佩的人生態度，但內心總覺得這其中包含著不得不為的無奈：因為自己能力不足以立於高位，享有世人渴求的榮華富貴，才退而求其次選擇保全住自己和親人安寧的生活方式。朝陽和高峻這一橋段提醒我，這種生活方式同樣不易達成，或許不像位高權重的人那樣燦爛耀眼，但自己也能在明君打造出的良好國家體質下為生活打拼，又不用過份犧牲自己和家人就能保障家族安寧，這不啻是一種福氣。過日子還是要看自己能否適應、能否感到舒坦自在，別人家的璀璨未必適合自己。（當然，目前沙那賣家還沒能走到不用犧牲族人也能保護家族的能耐，依然受困在無形的束縛裡）
〈墨告〉對我來說也算是頗清爽的一篇故事，除了劇情裡融合宗教、民俗學對霄國歷史的推論讓我看得很開心以外，身為受害者的幽鬼計衷介懷的焦點也跟一般受害者不太一樣，讓我對他的同情也比較淡吧。不是覺得計衷遭遇不值得為他難過，只是當事人比起個人生死，更在乎生前的工作成果被放到哪裡去，這種非典型的冤屈讓那份哀傷怨恨之情連帶地偏移了幾分。而且計衷在書庫期間，除了自顧自地找尋書稿以外，也未曾刻意驚嚇其他人，單就這一點來看，應該可以跟〈蠶神〉那位記掛著養蠶事宜的宮女相提並論，計衷對書稿的執念讓他跟壽雪的對話有些歇斯底里，但也透露出計衷幽魂的純粹。
第四集的衛青某方面而言令我印象最深刻，自從他察覺壽雪有可能是自己同父異母的妹妹後，心情屢生波瀾，第一三五頁至第一三六頁的短暫內心獨白明明衛青是很嚴肅的煩惱著，我卻覺得莫名地想笑，以下是我的自我流翻譯：「啊。原本以為已無親無故的我竟然有一個妹妹，而且妹妹長得可愛、個性也很善良，內在外表都是無可挑剔的好。啊啊——可是她是對陛下有風險的烏妃，她和陛下繼續親近下去，不知道會帶來什麼後果？怎麼辦？我該怎麼面對她才好？」不過，察覺到壽雪跟自己的關係不尋常後，衛青明面上雖然一如既往地冷淡與怒視，但反而更加體現出傲嬌本色了。分明很擔心壽雪，卻硬是表現出擔心她會給高峻添麻煩才來找她，把自身關懷藏得嚴嚴實實，不讓人瞧見內心真意。這樣表裡不一的衛青，作為次元壁外的讀者，看得挺歡樂的。（說實話，以前衛青對壽雪的態度，我覺得很像是婆婆或小姑找兒媳婦的麻煩，有種自己最喜歡的家人被其他人搶走的忌妒艷羨而找碴的感覺。）
〈禁色〉分離烏漣娘娘和烏妃的具體方法終於有眉目，雖然對壽雪又是一場未知的賭注，但反正烏妃這職務本來就是高風險又容易短命，而且這高風險不試圖從根本改善，還會一路傳承下去造成更多後繼者的痛苦，長痛不如短痛，試著做出改變的話，也許今後包含壽雪在內的所有人也會有不同的可能性。這一篇故事闡述更多烏漣娘娘和鼇神的故事，很有聽上古神話的遙遠神秘氛圍，看得很興奮。但與此同時，白雷也在朝陽的授意下抵達後宮，讓壽雪險些遇害，白雷的童年遭遇很讓人難過，也可以理解他深深憎恨著霄國和烏漣娘娘的理由。
我心裡仍認為遷怒到霄國所有人身上不太理智，但揣懷著道德量尺要求慘遭滅族之災的白雷不去恨，反而顯得傲慢了。時光無法逆流，已經鑄下的罪過無法挽回，儘管不是自己做出那些事，但既然站在霄國人的立場，白雷的族人因本國國民而死，我們就無法推諉卸責說那些事情跟自己無關吧。如果高峻能以霄國皇帝的立場，對白雷真誠地表達歉意，並提供能讓他滿足的賠償，不知是否有機會緩和白雷對烏妃和霄國的憎惡？看他很重視與保護巫女隱娘，應該不會希望讓隱娘變成鼇神的祭品去犧牲才對，或許可以從這一點切入，尋求跟白雷和諧相處並請求他協助解開香薔結界的機緣。話說回來，香薔的執念有夠恐怖，那真的算是愛嗎？還是藏著不可得的怨念呢？
高峻和壽雪這一集好像情竇初開的少年少女，心裡為了對方的事情煩悶、吃醋，卻不太明瞭自己的心情所為何來，也無法用文字或言語明確表達出自己的焦灼情感，兩人多半是討論正事，但笨拙的互動和心意又顯得惹人憐愛。我很喜歡高峻對壽雪說兩人一起下棋到變成老翁老婦的橋段，乙女腦讓我擅自解讀成是高峻的變相求婚，這兩人無論從個性或身份來看，都不適合談那種燦若煙火卻轉瞬即逝般的戀情，而且也會顧忌過度熱烈的感情變成另一齣夏王與冬王的悲劇，在兩人有共識的情況下就這樣細水長流讓雙方的情份一直延續到晚年，平靜安寧也很不錯。雖然不是發展成伴侶關係，但你／妳在我心裡是非常重要而珍惜的特殊存在。
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 28, 2024
Slow start and really didn't enjoy this as much as the 1st 3 volumes. Hopefully book 5 will be better.
January 31, 2025
The volume starts a bit slow, having the Raven Consort deal with a couple of mysteries including a rather abrupt accusation of murder by one her bodyguards. These events set up things for events later on in the book, showing more then telling about the position of the Raven Consort and what lead to the current situation as well as the next step to take. Personally I like the mix of small time mysteries mixed in with the overarching story, the characters (and their development) involved and the world building. A great change of pace compared to the more traditional European-like settings. So, despite the slow start a good read and looking forward to the next book.
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