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I'm Only A Substitute Consort, but the Emperor Won't Let Me Leave Vol. 1

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"Shuran... You will go to the inner palace instead." The daughter of a wealthy merchant, Sai Reiran, was chosen to become His Majesty the emperor's newest consort, however, on the trip to the Imperial Capital, she runs away with the son of another merchant! In order to fulfill the emperor's orders, and keep their heads, the family orders Reiran's cousin, Shuran, to take her place instead! They tell her to just pretend to be Reiran, while they search for the real one, however that's easier said than done! Shuran struggles to keep her real identity a secret and ends up being caught up in all sorts of trouble! Not to mention the intrigues and plots that go on daily in the inner palace... How will Shuran survive...?!

159 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 15, 2023

94 people are currently reading
41 people want to read

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Somari Oribe

4 books1 follower

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5 stars
132 (45%)
4 stars
100 (34%)
3 stars
49 (16%)
2 stars
7 (2%)
1 star
1 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
Profile Image for Jen.
3,503 reviews27 followers
November 25, 2023
I really enjoyed this one. I believe the next volume is available and I will be picking it up toot sweet.

I’m just a sucker for genuinely nice MC h characters.

4, yeah I’m hooked, stars.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for scarlettraces.
3,139 reviews20 followers
February 5, 2024
What can I say, I have a huge weakness for the Oh no I have to marry the Emperor! genre

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Series comments [it's not really a "review"]

This does what it says on the tin so if you like Inner Court ... stuff ... hard to call it intrigue when it's so low-stakes ... and fluffy romance with all the characters wearing Chang'an costuming - AND I DO - then this is a pleasant read. 3 vols so doesn't have time to develop a lot of breadth. (I don't think it was ever going for depth.)

Style-wise it reminds me of Koukyuu Days - Shichi Kuni Monogatari (Harem Days - the Seven-starred Country which in turn harks back to Saiunkoku Monogatari). Though that one has more reach, more characters, and a more interesting plot so I guess if that's your jam and you haven't read it, check it out?
Profile Image for Nazish Ahmed (Nazish Reads).
967 reviews38 followers
November 17, 2025
I'm in an ancient China/fantasy ancient China and ancient Japan mood lately. Although, I'm still going to read a few other books as well.

I really liked this one. It's only 3 volumes long, so I should finish the series either this month or next month. I could read them back to back, but I have already planned which books I want to finish next (novels I've been reading for a while), so vol. 2 and 3 will have to wait until later this month.
I wish it was available physically😞 I would definitely buy it, the art style is nice and I like the story so far. I already read the next chapter because I couldn't wait.

It's been a while since I read a manga series that isn't available as physical volumes, the last time it was Hate Me, but Let Me Stay a while before the North American license was announced (can't remember what year that was).


Blog: nazreads.ca
Twitter: Naz_readsanime
Instagram: nazreads01, nazcosplay, nradesigns, charmedanimegirl01
Profile Image for J-Lynn.
1,424 reviews4 followers
April 4, 2024
Read all three volumes, so this is for the whole series.

Title doesn’t really make sense and it made me believe that she would actively be trying to find a way out of the palace. On the other hand, the way the story progressed was nice if a little rushed feeling at times. Overall, I’m not mad that I got this series, but it is not one that I would want to read again.
Profile Image for Sarah.
230 reviews38 followers
December 13, 2023
Great Start

Great start to new manga series. Love the characters as the art is lovely! I’m looking forward to how this story develops.
Profile Image for Mariána  K.
971 reviews1 follower
August 9, 2024
Surprisingly charming

I wasn't 100% sure what to expect but I was pleasantly surprised. I like the characters in the story is moving along at a reasonable pace. There's nothing particularly outstanding about it, but for some reason it's just a pleasant read.
Profile Image for Kailey Fry.
56 reviews2 followers
December 26, 2024
Didn't really enjoy reading of this... it was a lot of nothing(?)
Profile Image for Jina.
371 reviews7 followers
April 8, 2025
It's cute story so far, although I'm not too fond of the art style.
Profile Image for Linda.
1,592 reviews1 follower
October 16, 2025
Interesting and predictable (for those who read/watch this genre) but i still enjoyed it
Profile Image for Eponine821.
167 reviews
December 31, 2025
Fun read

The translation wasn’t the best and there were times I couldn’t tell who was speaking, but overall, it was a fun read.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews

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