Ren Haiyan, known by her pen name Tong Hua or Zhang Xiao San, was born in 1982. She is one of the most famous contemporary romance novelists in China.
She graduated from Peking University and came to America in 2005. She currently lives in New York. In 2013, Hua co-wrote the television series Perfect Couple, which is currently in production.
Oh God. What just happened 😳 Tong Hua, you are magic! This book is so so so good. I read the last volume of DMY fully expecting HQB to die but HE DID NOT. Jiu Ye and Yu Jin are the imaginary characters out of Tong Hua's brilliant mind in this otherwise historical fiction. Sure there are a few tweaks here and there to fit the narrative but Tong Hua's love for Huo Qu Bing is evident. I read somewhere that TH created YJ for HQB and sure they were perfect for each other but I was pleasantly surprised to discover my feelings for JY. Jiu Ye's approaching demise is plausible. He was the noble one, who will follow the rules to the point of being annoying and would always put others before him. It makes sense that he would do anything for YJ's happiness (which is evidently being with HQB) and his ultimate sacrifice was the perfect tragedy. This is LYF all over again, damn it. I was fully prepared to hate JY after his realization at the end of book 1. I hated that he decided everything for the two of them without ever considering YJ's feeling in account and when she finally moved on he suddenly wanted her back. But his conduct in the coming volumes and his nobility won my heart. He really did deserve all the happiness not this lingering pain and pending death. The angst in volume 3 is everything; I would definitely reread this book which is rare since I have never done that. Throughout this book HQB shines, his prowess is unparalleled and he is graceful beyond words. He is so so pure hearted but steely when you cross him and is utterly devoted to his loved ones. I liked how he reads YJ's letter and goes to find her and stays with her; if not for that time in the army bases YJ would not have loved him would not have gotten over JY. I liked how he did not miss the chance, how he held on and finally won her over. His unwavering adoration was what YJ needed at the time. I like how YJ chooses to stay with HQB even when JY begs her to leave him. At times I got really mad when YJ made a dumb choice, when she repeatedly kept things from HQB but HQB never questioned her, never had a moment of disbelief and that is the standard. I did not understand how YJ could question HQB's intentions when he did not tell her about JY trying to find her (lady you literally do what you want, lie however you want and keep things from your boyfriend because you thing that is best for him but you question why he kept one thing from you when you literally could have put 2 and 2 together yourself). Anyhoo, she really did end up more sensible and mature so, well done! I ought to read history books to know more about HQB because I think he died at the age of 24 unlike the spin TH created with the poison. But this is TH's world and I like that she went against the history and gave him a happy ending which he soooo deserved. Him being stuck in the highest position at court hurt my heart. Poor him! Poor poor him. A very very very good read. Will definitely re-read this one ❤
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.