What do you think?
公府佳媳
靖国公府嫡长孙赵桓熙，身份金贵貌美如花，囿于内院不求上进，除了一张脸一无是处。
十六岁时，他娶了已故五经博士之女徐念安。
徐念安精明强干，一朝高嫁，与恶毒伯母撕破脸。
恶毒伯母恼羞成怒大放厥词：“公爹偏心，婆母强势，要不是那赵桓熙娇气无用，轮得到你？以为高嫁便是大造化？别是个大笑话吧！”
徐念安看着她乖巧听话人美心甜的小夫君，微笑回之：“那也总比低嫁还是笑话的好。”
婚后三年。
小夫君勤奋上进，文能入仕武能上阵，一副好皮囊招蜂引蝶冠绝京城，却独爱她一个。
婆母把她当女儿养，什么香的好的都少不了她的。
至于偏心庶房宠妾灭妻的公爹，不好意思，让祖父一脚踹到十万八千里外去了。
旁人都以为徐念安是歪打正着走了狗屎运才嫁得这么好，只有她婆母殷夫人心里门儿清：换个人，你试试。
食用说明：
1、成亲时男主16岁，女主18岁，先婚后爱姐弟恋，男女双c，养成系，不喜勿入。
2、男主没有喜欢过女配，开头拒婚另有原因，请不要脑补始乱终弃变心之类的情节。
3、主要描写少年夫妻的婚后日常，都是家长里短细水长流，没什么大风大浪，不喜勿入。
4、架空勿考据。
十六岁时，他娶了已故五经博士之女徐念安。
徐念安精明强干，一朝高嫁，与恶毒伯母撕破脸。
恶毒伯母恼羞成怒大放厥词：“公爹偏心，婆母强势，要不是那赵桓熙娇气无用，轮得到你？以为高嫁便是大造化？别是个大笑话吧！”
徐念安看着她乖巧听话人美心甜的小夫君，微笑回之：“那也总比低嫁还是笑话的好。”
婚后三年。
小夫君勤奋上进，文能入仕武能上阵，一副好皮囊招蜂引蝶冠绝京城，却独爱她一个。
婆母把她当女儿养，什么香的好的都少不了她的。
至于偏心庶房宠妾灭妻的公爹，不好意思，让祖父一脚踹到十万八千里外去了。
旁人都以为徐念安是歪打正着走了狗屎运才嫁得这么好，只有她婆母殷夫人心里门儿清：换个人，你试试。
食用说明：
1、成亲时男主16岁，女主18岁，先婚后爱姐弟恋，男女双c，养成系，不喜勿入。
2、男主没有喜欢过女配，开头拒婚另有原因，请不要脑补始乱终弃变心之类的情节。
3、主要描写少年夫妻的婚后日常，都是家长里短细水长流，没什么大风大浪，不喜勿入。
4、架空勿考据。
Unknown Binding
Published January 1, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
December 18, 2025
Title: The Duke House’s Ideal Daughter-in-law
This novel stands out mainly because of its two leads and the way they grow over time.
Xu Nian’an is eloquent, sharp, and thoughtful, her maturity shaped by suffering and the need to grow up far too early. Zhao Huanxi, in contrast, begins the story sheltered and naive, with a timid nature. What makes him endearing, though, is his willingness to change. Circumstances push him to mature faster than expected, and his growth feels natural rather than forced.
Their relationship is very compatible and develops in a way that makes sense. One wants to teach, the other genuinely wants to learn, allowing their bond to grow steadily. It’s easy to understand why they fall for each other—both are consistently kind and considerate toward the other. Because of their age difference, with Xu Nian’an being older and Zhao Huanxi younger and more childish, their dynamic can feel amusingly reversed. Her relentless teasing, which she clearly enjoys, adds a lot of charm to their interactions.
One of the strongest aspects of their relationship is how open they are with each other. They talk about everything, and the communication feels honest and healthy.
The writing style is straightforward and doesn’t drag, keeping the plot moving at a steady pace. The cast of characters is complex and flawed—no one is perfect. Some are more likable than others, while some are outright unpleasant, which adds to the story’s realism. In the end, good does prevail over evil.
The novel introduces a large number of characters, and aside from the most prominent ones, it can be difficult at times to keep track of who belongs where. This can feel a little overwhelming, but even so, it’s still an enjoyable read.
Overall, the story delivers a satisfying experience, topped off with a well-earned happy ending.
This novel stands out mainly because of its two leads and the way they grow over time.
Xu Nian’an is eloquent, sharp, and thoughtful, her maturity shaped by suffering and the need to grow up far too early. Zhao Huanxi, in contrast, begins the story sheltered and naive, with a timid nature. What makes him endearing, though, is his willingness to change. Circumstances push him to mature faster than expected, and his growth feels natural rather than forced.
Their relationship is very compatible and develops in a way that makes sense. One wants to teach, the other genuinely wants to learn, allowing their bond to grow steadily. It’s easy to understand why they fall for each other—both are consistently kind and considerate toward the other. Because of their age difference, with Xu Nian’an being older and Zhao Huanxi younger and more childish, their dynamic can feel amusingly reversed. Her relentless teasing, which she clearly enjoys, adds a lot of charm to their interactions.
One of the strongest aspects of their relationship is how open they are with each other. They talk about everything, and the communication feels honest and healthy.
The writing style is straightforward and doesn’t drag, keeping the plot moving at a steady pace. The cast of characters is complex and flawed—no one is perfect. Some are more likable than others, while some are outright unpleasant, which adds to the story’s realism. In the end, good does prevail over evil.
The novel introduces a large number of characters, and aside from the most prominent ones, it can be difficult at times to keep track of who belongs where. This can feel a little overwhelming, but even so, it’s still an enjoyable read.
Overall, the story delivers a satisfying experience, topped off with a well-earned happy ending.
April 22, 2025
The Duke House’s Ideal Daughter-In-Law
(English Translated Title)
It's one of those novels that I'm still struggling to put my thoughts into words. It was just that good! It may not be considered as "masterpiece" but it was right up my alley and I enjoyed it immensely.
Xu Nian'an is the eldest daughter and the piller of her family especially after her father's death. As per the elders' agreement, she gets married to the two years younger notorious good-for-nothing Grand Duke's eldest legitimate grandson, Zhao Huanxi. The twist is that because of certain circumstances both decide to divorce amicably three years later.
The FL enters the vast Duke's estate and has to deal with all the schemes and quarrels of the numerous Zhao family members. On top of that, the ML was quite unreliable, well, at first anyway.
However, Zhao Huanxi redeems himself soon. For him I can only say that he is a golden retriever through and through. I loved him! His backstory and the reasons behind his actions truly spoke to me. Hell, every character had their reasons behind their actions.
But the last third really made me cry though. Thank God, it ended in happy ending!
Would absolutely recommend! Especially if you're a fan of Chinese historical fiction (don't expect much political schemes tho). I even pulled an all-nighter for it!
Fluff: 🌸🌸🌸🌸/5
(English Translated Title)
It's one of those novels that I'm still struggling to put my thoughts into words. It was just that good! It may not be considered as "masterpiece" but it was right up my alley and I enjoyed it immensely.
Xu Nian'an is the eldest daughter and the piller of her family especially after her father's death. As per the elders' agreement, she gets married to the two years younger notorious good-for-nothing Grand Duke's eldest legitimate grandson, Zhao Huanxi. The twist is that because of certain circumstances both decide to divorce amicably three years later.
The FL enters the vast Duke's estate and has to deal with all the schemes and quarrels of the numerous Zhao family members. On top of that, the ML was quite unreliable, well, at first anyway.
However, Zhao Huanxi redeems himself soon. For him I can only say that he is a golden retriever through and through. I loved him! His backstory and the reasons behind his actions truly spoke to me. Hell, every character had their reasons behind their actions.
But the last third really made me cry though. Thank God, it ended in happy ending!
Would absolutely recommend! Especially if you're a fan of Chinese historical fiction (don't expect much political schemes tho). I even pulled an all-nighter for it!
Fluff: 🌸🌸🌸🌸/5
March 18, 2025
I *definitely* hope more of the author's works get translated. In fact I just checked her jjwxc page and literally said "wah! so many!" lol - but am so sad there's as of now only the one in NU. 😿
It's also interesting. This might be ... the best ML ever - the sweetest, kindest, most upright, loyal, fastest growth ... and yet he's so puppy. Nothing exciting, nothing !!!
Not standout like XJX or some of the others ... but gosh.
A girl would be lucky/use the luck of ten lifetimes to get a guy like him.
I LOVED FL. So freaking smart! And shoutout to the author too - she has to be smart to get up those situations and come backs. (So satisfying after reading mid books - lol the difference is ... stark.)
I did get a little frustrated with the scheming shit BUT ALSO get like ... that's ... 😅 kinda the point of these books/these people. *sigh*
And excellent cast of characters, so much growth. I laughed, I cried. Enjoyed the redemption and retribution arcs.
Liked how ML was ... awesome but also VERY HAPPY to be very basic. Just live a good, simple life. He's a good person, realizes he's very privileged, and happy to have what he has, no need to reach and grab for more. (At the very end I did a tiny bit side eye how his son disdains him - HOW DID HE NOT KNOW HIS DAD KILLED THE GENERAL!? Which kinda goes in with my earlier comment though like ... man ML was NOT rewarded enough for it AYFKM he close to single handedly ended the war. I mean AT LEAST 25% effort goes to him. And his 100 man crew....)
Anyway I can definitely see myself re-reading this book.
[lol AND ok - the first NU comments [as of when I started the book] did get MAJOR side eye and "grr" from me] - but then I started reading the book and was like "... ok yes this is annoying as shit." *sigh* the translator adds in WAY too much commentary. Especially throughout - explaining "" unnecessary things. At times she literally says exactly what the text does and girl WHAT ARE YOU DOING. Also the bold of almost all the pinyin is just the same as italicizing it and annoying AF.
Aside from that though with some typos ... it's a pretty good translation/at least not like your usual MTL slog.]
I did almost DNF it when I first started though. Glad I powered through.
A-
~*~*~*~
The Duke House’s Ideal Daughter-in-law
1 FL Xu Nian'an
… 😅☠️ GIRL. ❤️💯 “A weak and foolish young master like him, marrying me, why should you worry about me? Shouldn't it be Yin Furen worrying about her son instead?"
4 … Zhao Huanxi truly is a stupid 16 yo (… and so FL is now 18?)
6 🫥 FL’s mom is a weak pig teammate. At least her little brother seems smart ❤️💯
7 … wow dude still wet the bed at 12?!? And needed someone to feed him at 10? Like this … yo. (I know he’s ML but omg guy has a loooooong way to go)
Ugh… welp his parents are not great. Can’t wait for his trash ass dad to be sent away
9 lol a) the end is super fucking gross with this jiejie/didi shit
b) I snort laughed at how FL is emotionally manipulating this stupid boy
(And that Pang cunt needs to go away)
24 ok he’s silly and I still feel like she acquired a child (at best a much younger brother) not a husband, but he is sweet. And urging her to take his golden horses ❤️
25 ok yikes ML was in a lot more danger than I thought as a kid. Also oof his poor sisters. I wonder what will happen to 4 and what is up with 3’s shit husband (why not divorce?!?)
27 he’s definitely catching feelings…
34 😻😻😻 damn FL is so capable. lol I want her to be *my* wife
36 omg I’m still fucking FURIOUS at the shit dad - I hope FL is truly ok after being kicked by her FIL!!!
37 oh poor baby ML 😿 he does see things a little clearly
39 awwww this baby is improving and changing ❤️
45 the comments tbh are 💯 (srsly his mom is a big pig teammate. His dad is just scum. Seems his gpa is ok but also let him be a waste for too long…)
47 damn the truth about the rumors
48 I get it’s realistic but I really hate ML’s family other than his sisters
51 man I wonder when she’ll start to catch feelings…
lol 52 it’s starting! Well at least she realizes she’s slightly/starting to get attached
55 poor ML’s 4th sister married to that awful Wu guy
Wait what? “The next day, Zhao Huanxu went to the Marquis of Wuding's Mansion with his injuries to apologize and beg for forgiveness. It's not known how he pleaded, but he managed to bring Jia Shi back.” Who is this Jia person?
59 Wow. I hate Zhao Shuxian so much. And ugh to “lao tai tai” coming out. Evil hypocritical bitch ass hag
🙄😒 that Qingxiang junzhu is going to be a problem
66 I’m glad he went to his gpa about that bitchass crazy junzhu. And awww him & FL
67 lol their fake sex
But 🤦🏻♀️ him thinking they’re for real now
69 seriously that Zhu Zhifu & Zhao HuanXu both need to die
And 😻😻😻 ML rushing out to protect FL
*sigh* guy way to ruin the moment. lol you f’d up
73 rngh “Thinking of you helps me endure it," Zhao Huanxi said softly, his long eyelashes casting shadows as he looked down.” (And srsly that awful 5th branch needs to be expelled)
😹💯 and I love the chaos muppet cousin Yin LuoChen
😻😻😻 75 open & honest conversation!
78 they’re so cuuuuuuute
83 oh poor baby. He really must’ve been hurt hearing FL would give him up to that unreasonable junzhu
89 glad gpa isn’t giving the shit 5th branch management rights
90 I literally 🙊 … ML’s poor third sister. (Also this might be just like the 2nd time I’ve seen a more major character with a STD. Maybe the first good one too…)
91 😖 ML is sweet (the sweetest!) but he doesn’t get he needs the position of the duke to protect himself and his actual family
92 ahhhh I am SO FUCKING STRESSED for Xu HuaiAn!!!
95 😹❤️ I really like FL’s brother XMX and his friend Lu (lol they conned their teacher so easily)
98 ML really has improved rapidly ❤️
99 Yay! Officially confirmed mutual affection!
Oh interesting wait so she’s only a little more than 10 months older than him? So when he was 16 it’s not that she was 18 but almost 18? 🤷🏻♀️ or is this author error 😅🫠
😩 “Dong'er, I don’t think it’s inappropriate for you to eat roasted lamb; on the contrary, I find it very cute. I blocked you from view because you didn’t want others to see you eating, not because I think it’s unseemly.”
HE’S SO GOOD 😻😻😻
100 yay successful boating trip!
And 😹☠️ to his gpa stealing his calligraphy gift
102 ML really is the most devoted 😹💯 (and srsly too magnanimous- getting attacked but being so chill)
105 lol first wet dream?
106 poor Zhao Shutong & her being stuck with her stupid as shit mom
110 Awww I’m so glad ML has friends like the steady Ge Jingxuan now ❤️💪💯
AND that they have actual meaningful conversations. I like they both apologized & FL asked for a new lamp
Awww the jade pendant he gave her for her birthday and the snow dragon and horses. lol and his family and friends trolling him. (Plus yay new friend!)
Tho why isn’t he willing to be that Ling court official’s student?!?
115 lol his sex countdown. And I def think Zhao sis3 will end up with that (Fu?) - Yin’s cousin - that widower
116 I love how devoted ML is. And hm to Chen Dong.
119 omg 🤦🏻♀️🤦🏻♀️🤦🏻♀️ it’s not that he can’t, it’s that he came WAY too early lol omg
120 JFC the dad & his two older sons are such evil scum
121 ML finally realizes he has to be duke to protect himself & family
Also JFC that evil 5th branch with their cart scheme. LULZ to Xu being the one to suffer ahahaha
Damn FL really is good to Liu Fuyi aka Miaoyin Niangzi. I hope they can reunite soon!
… is Lu Feng interested in sis3?? I got that sense before…
124 lol this mess of peach blossoms ☠️☠️☠️
126 Nie Guocheng (of the general’s family) is sweet too. TBH he & Xuan are the better pairing
128 oof Zhao Huanrong & YiSu…
Oh no 😿 her poor friend got captured into the palace 😿
Literally went 🙊 again poor Zhao Jiahui her brother(s) want to send her to be the concubine of an EIGHTY THREE year old man?! Who cares if he’s a jun wang omfg I literally shivered
131 ugh stressed and annoyed. ML fell into the trap. I just feel these people … they’re found a lot to protect themselves - sucks it’s never enough
133 *sigh* yeah I’ve fully given up on the gpa, he is not good
136 STRESSED omg. I’ve been read-skimming this. I HATE family scheming shit like WTF is WRONG with you people
Shoutout to Fu Yunjin, though, the real silent hero of the book so far
137 I agree with the comment “my god it never ends”
Also the er taitai Ning shi is poisonous but she dropped a lot of truth bombs there, which I appreciate. Does she really think ML’s mom is good? 🤷🏻♀️ She’s not wrong about all the shit either
139 I’m so fucking pissed the emperor won’t let ML be established as the heir. And same with that shit ass Chen family endlessly causing problems
142 Sex! Finally! And ❤️ to ML swimming in the river (though WTF he just learned uhhh) to try to rescue her
(And lol to whatever c had Liu’s situation in the palace/her dad) - interesting the emperor is 40 … I thought he was like 60s-70s since they call him old
146 honestly getting a bit teary reading gpa’s preparations for war & the family arrangements. He wasn’t a good patriarch but he’s an excellent citizen, official, and general
147 oh shit just doing a sword technique has gpa collapsing
150 *clutches heart* he really has grown up
151 😿😿 I’m glad he’s resolute and the end of the c made me cry. I was just tearing up until I read the comment & another person crying pushed me over
152 oh god can’t stop crying. 1st his dad’s servant. Even the family send off was ok but then his classmates & teachers. Gawd 😭😭😭😭😭
(And he doesn’t want her pregnant while he’s gone!)
Eek 153 pregnant!
🙊 158 wait is general Li sending ML to his death?! Also fuck you “anyone’s death is acceptable even mine” ungrateful bastard at least put ML before you. Like sure anyone can die for peace but you should be willing to die before/for ML 😡
159 oof ML freezing in battle - poor Cao, hopefully he can recover. And at least ML snapped out of it
160 fuck ML only has ~4 guys left? 7? WTF
161 😭😭😭 ML - damn, guy ❤️ BE OKAY. You need to fully recover!!!
163 I wonder how Liu FuYi feels about being pregnant
😿 I hope ML’s L arm can fully recover
❤️ glad they’re reunited
Ugh to how little the emperor rewarded him 😒 like even with ML turning shit down WTAF guy. Stupid emperor
165 Wait what their kid is already 3? O.o
lol to ML passing each exam in last place
I like he chose to be a magistrate in the south (in JiangNan? JingLing? TongLu county)
(lol will Qian Ming really get their daughter for his son?)
166 side story 1, he’s now 23
Their daughter is now 3
167ss2 another 3 yrs later?
ML is such a good dad ❤️ I’m glad they know they need to overcome the distance with their son. (So he’s now 9-10, the girl is 6, and they have a 3 yo son now too)
168ss3 wow jump to Hui ge’er being 17, ML’s gpa passes away - so he was in his 90s?!
Oh! Another son! 2nd one is 11, 3rd is 8.
ML’s mom is now 65. Wow and ❤️ that Hui ge’er wants to take her to travel - at least to JinLing
169ss4 10 yrs since the battle
❤️💯 so glad Zhao Huanrong & YiSu are still good. (Ah and this is when the gpa turned 80)
😹😹☠️ cock blocking 10 yo Hui ge’er - does he torment his mother too?!
Glad also Zhao Huanxu truly had his wake up call back then.
Interesting. How did gpa not find ML’s dad? Cuz clearly he didn’t have house & servants when he died…
Ah Liu FuYi had the 13th prince (who is now 9)
It's also interesting. This might be ... the best ML ever - the sweetest, kindest, most upright, loyal, fastest growth ... and yet he's so puppy. Nothing exciting, nothing !!!
Not standout like XJX or some of the others ... but gosh.
A girl would be lucky/use the luck of ten lifetimes to get a guy like him.
I LOVED FL. So freaking smart! And shoutout to the author too - she has to be smart to get up those situations and come backs. (So satisfying after reading mid books - lol the difference is ... stark.)
I did get a little frustrated with the scheming shit BUT ALSO get like ... that's ... 😅 kinda the point of these books/these people. *sigh*
And excellent cast of characters, so much growth. I laughed, I cried. Enjoyed the redemption and retribution arcs.
Liked how ML was ... awesome but also VERY HAPPY to be very basic. Just live a good, simple life. He's a good person, realizes he's very privileged, and happy to have what he has, no need to reach and grab for more. (At the very end I did a tiny bit side eye how his son disdains him - HOW DID HE NOT KNOW HIS DAD KILLED THE GENERAL!? Which kinda goes in with my earlier comment though like ... man ML was NOT rewarded enough for it AYFKM he close to single handedly ended the war. I mean AT LEAST 25% effort goes to him. And his 100 man crew....)
Anyway I can definitely see myself re-reading this book.
[lol AND ok - the first NU comments [as of when I started the book] did get MAJOR side eye and "grr" from me] - but then I started reading the book and was like "... ok yes this is annoying as shit." *sigh* the translator adds in WAY too much commentary. Especially throughout - explaining "" unnecessary things. At times she literally says exactly what the text does and girl WHAT ARE YOU DOING. Also the bold of almost all the pinyin is just the same as italicizing it and annoying AF.
Aside from that though with some typos ... it's a pretty good translation/at least not like your usual MTL slog.]
I did almost DNF it when I first started though. Glad I powered through.
A-
~*~*~*~
The Duke House’s Ideal Daughter-in-law
1 FL Xu Nian'an
… 😅☠️ GIRL. ❤️💯 “A weak and foolish young master like him, marrying me, why should you worry about me? Shouldn't it be Yin Furen worrying about her son instead?"
4 … Zhao Huanxi truly is a stupid 16 yo (… and so FL is now 18?)
6 🫥 FL’s mom is a weak pig teammate. At least her little brother seems smart ❤️💯
7 … wow dude still wet the bed at 12?!? And needed someone to feed him at 10? Like this … yo. (I know he’s ML but omg guy has a loooooong way to go)
Ugh… welp his parents are not great. Can’t wait for his trash ass dad to be sent away
9 lol a) the end is super fucking gross with this jiejie/didi shit
b) I snort laughed at how FL is emotionally manipulating this stupid boy
(And that Pang cunt needs to go away)
24 ok he’s silly and I still feel like she acquired a child (at best a much younger brother) not a husband, but he is sweet. And urging her to take his golden horses ❤️
25 ok yikes ML was in a lot more danger than I thought as a kid. Also oof his poor sisters. I wonder what will happen to 4 and what is up with 3’s shit husband (why not divorce?!?)
27 he’s definitely catching feelings…
34 😻😻😻 damn FL is so capable. lol I want her to be *my* wife
36 omg I’m still fucking FURIOUS at the shit dad - I hope FL is truly ok after being kicked by her FIL!!!
37 oh poor baby ML 😿 he does see things a little clearly
39 awwww this baby is improving and changing ❤️
45 the comments tbh are 💯 (srsly his mom is a big pig teammate. His dad is just scum. Seems his gpa is ok but also let him be a waste for too long…)
47 damn the truth about the rumors
48 I get it’s realistic but I really hate ML’s family other than his sisters
51 man I wonder when she’ll start to catch feelings…
lol 52 it’s starting! Well at least she realizes she’s slightly/starting to get attached
55 poor ML’s 4th sister married to that awful Wu guy
Wait what? “The next day, Zhao Huanxu went to the Marquis of Wuding's Mansion with his injuries to apologize and beg for forgiveness. It's not known how he pleaded, but he managed to bring Jia Shi back.” Who is this Jia person?
59 Wow. I hate Zhao Shuxian so much. And ugh to “lao tai tai” coming out. Evil hypocritical bitch ass hag
🙄😒 that Qingxiang junzhu is going to be a problem
66 I’m glad he went to his gpa about that bitchass crazy junzhu. And awww him & FL
67 lol their fake sex
But 🤦🏻♀️ him thinking they’re for real now
69 seriously that Zhu Zhifu & Zhao HuanXu both need to die
And 😻😻😻 ML rushing out to protect FL
*sigh* guy way to ruin the moment. lol you f’d up
73 rngh “Thinking of you helps me endure it," Zhao Huanxi said softly, his long eyelashes casting shadows as he looked down.” (And srsly that awful 5th branch needs to be expelled)
😹💯 and I love the chaos muppet cousin Yin LuoChen
😻😻😻 75 open & honest conversation!
78 they’re so cuuuuuuute
83 oh poor baby. He really must’ve been hurt hearing FL would give him up to that unreasonable junzhu
89 glad gpa isn’t giving the shit 5th branch management rights
90 I literally 🙊 … ML’s poor third sister. (Also this might be just like the 2nd time I’ve seen a more major character with a STD. Maybe the first good one too…)
91 😖 ML is sweet (the sweetest!) but he doesn’t get he needs the position of the duke to protect himself and his actual family
92 ahhhh I am SO FUCKING STRESSED for Xu HuaiAn!!!
95 😹❤️ I really like FL’s brother XMX and his friend Lu (lol they conned their teacher so easily)
98 ML really has improved rapidly ❤️
99 Yay! Officially confirmed mutual affection!
Oh interesting wait so she’s only a little more than 10 months older than him? So when he was 16 it’s not that she was 18 but almost 18? 🤷🏻♀️ or is this author error 😅🫠
😩 “Dong'er, I don’t think it’s inappropriate for you to eat roasted lamb; on the contrary, I find it very cute. I blocked you from view because you didn’t want others to see you eating, not because I think it’s unseemly.”
HE’S SO GOOD 😻😻😻
100 yay successful boating trip!
And 😹☠️ to his gpa stealing his calligraphy gift
102 ML really is the most devoted 😹💯 (and srsly too magnanimous- getting attacked but being so chill)
105 lol first wet dream?
106 poor Zhao Shutong & her being stuck with her stupid as shit mom
110 Awww I’m so glad ML has friends like the steady Ge Jingxuan now ❤️💪💯
AND that they have actual meaningful conversations. I like they both apologized & FL asked for a new lamp
Awww the jade pendant he gave her for her birthday and the snow dragon and horses. lol and his family and friends trolling him. (Plus yay new friend!)
Tho why isn’t he willing to be that Ling court official’s student?!?
115 lol his sex countdown. And I def think Zhao sis3 will end up with that (Fu?) - Yin’s cousin - that widower
116 I love how devoted ML is. And hm to Chen Dong.
119 omg 🤦🏻♀️🤦🏻♀️🤦🏻♀️ it’s not that he can’t, it’s that he came WAY too early lol omg
120 JFC the dad & his two older sons are such evil scum
121 ML finally realizes he has to be duke to protect himself & family
Also JFC that evil 5th branch with their cart scheme. LULZ to Xu being the one to suffer ahahaha
Damn FL really is good to Liu Fuyi aka Miaoyin Niangzi. I hope they can reunite soon!
… is Lu Feng interested in sis3?? I got that sense before…
124 lol this mess of peach blossoms ☠️☠️☠️
126 Nie Guocheng (of the general’s family) is sweet too. TBH he & Xuan are the better pairing
128 oof Zhao Huanrong & YiSu…
Oh no 😿 her poor friend got captured into the palace 😿
Literally went 🙊 again poor Zhao Jiahui her brother(s) want to send her to be the concubine of an EIGHTY THREE year old man?! Who cares if he’s a jun wang omfg I literally shivered
131 ugh stressed and annoyed. ML fell into the trap. I just feel these people … they’re found a lot to protect themselves - sucks it’s never enough
133 *sigh* yeah I’ve fully given up on the gpa, he is not good
136 STRESSED omg. I’ve been read-skimming this. I HATE family scheming shit like WTF is WRONG with you people
Shoutout to Fu Yunjin, though, the real silent hero of the book so far
137 I agree with the comment “my god it never ends”
Also the er taitai Ning shi is poisonous but she dropped a lot of truth bombs there, which I appreciate. Does she really think ML’s mom is good? 🤷🏻♀️ She’s not wrong about all the shit either
139 I’m so fucking pissed the emperor won’t let ML be established as the heir. And same with that shit ass Chen family endlessly causing problems
142 Sex! Finally! And ❤️ to ML swimming in the river (though WTF he just learned uhhh) to try to rescue her
(And lol to whatever c had Liu’s situation in the palace/her dad) - interesting the emperor is 40 … I thought he was like 60s-70s since they call him old
146 honestly getting a bit teary reading gpa’s preparations for war & the family arrangements. He wasn’t a good patriarch but he’s an excellent citizen, official, and general
147 oh shit just doing a sword technique has gpa collapsing
150 *clutches heart* he really has grown up
151 😿😿 I’m glad he’s resolute and the end of the c made me cry. I was just tearing up until I read the comment & another person crying pushed me over
152 oh god can’t stop crying. 1st his dad’s servant. Even the family send off was ok but then his classmates & teachers. Gawd 😭😭😭😭😭
(And he doesn’t want her pregnant while he’s gone!)
Eek 153 pregnant!
🙊 158 wait is general Li sending ML to his death?! Also fuck you “anyone’s death is acceptable even mine” ungrateful bastard at least put ML before you. Like sure anyone can die for peace but you should be willing to die before/for ML 😡
159 oof ML freezing in battle - poor Cao, hopefully he can recover. And at least ML snapped out of it
160 fuck ML only has ~4 guys left? 7? WTF
161 😭😭😭 ML - damn, guy ❤️ BE OKAY. You need to fully recover!!!
163 I wonder how Liu FuYi feels about being pregnant
😿 I hope ML’s L arm can fully recover
❤️ glad they’re reunited
Ugh to how little the emperor rewarded him 😒 like even with ML turning shit down WTAF guy. Stupid emperor
165 Wait what their kid is already 3? O.o
lol to ML passing each exam in last place
I like he chose to be a magistrate in the south (in JiangNan? JingLing? TongLu county)
(lol will Qian Ming really get their daughter for his son?)
166 side story 1, he’s now 23
Their daughter is now 3
167ss2 another 3 yrs later?
ML is such a good dad ❤️ I’m glad they know they need to overcome the distance with their son. (So he’s now 9-10, the girl is 6, and they have a 3 yo son now too)
168ss3 wow jump to Hui ge’er being 17, ML’s gpa passes away - so he was in his 90s?!
Oh! Another son! 2nd one is 11, 3rd is 8.
ML’s mom is now 65. Wow and ❤️ that Hui ge’er wants to take her to travel - at least to JinLing
169ss4 10 yrs since the battle
❤️💯 so glad Zhao Huanrong & YiSu are still good. (Ah and this is when the gpa turned 80)
😹😹☠️ cock blocking 10 yo Hui ge’er - does he torment his mother too?!
Glad also Zhao Huanxu truly had his wake up call back then.
Interesting. How did gpa not find ML’s dad? Cuz clearly he didn’t have house & servants when he died…
Ah Liu FuYi had the 13th prince (who is now 9)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 29, 2025
English title: The Duke House’s Ideal Daughter-in-law
This was tagged as slice of life, so I was expecting a slow paced story where I may or may not get bored, but surprisingly I ended up really liking this story. While the story does follow the FL's daily life, there's always something going on and the pacing never felt slow like most slice of life stories.
There's no rebirth, there's no transmigration, we're following along with a normal FL as she marries into the Duke estate and has to teach a completely clueless husband who's 2 years younger than her while dealing with various schemes from the extended family. From a young age, Xu Nian'an has lived a difficult life. While she does belong to a legitimate line in her family, her father passed when she was young and her mother was sick, so she had to fight for resources for herself and her younger siblings. Her marriage to the eldest legitimate grandson of the prestigious Jing Guogong family, Zhao Huanxi, is considered a huge step up for her, even if the guy she is marrying is considered kind of useless and hasn't made anything of himself.
Xu Nian'an was by far my favorite character. She's very grounded and practical and can think quickly on her feet. Because she was forced to grow up early and deal with various schemes in her own family, managing a simple minded guy like the ML is a piece of cake for her. Not only does she convince him to go through with the marriage, but she also gets him to do things he absolutely hates, like practice calligraphy or go back to school. And it's not just the ML that she can convince but everyone around her as well. It was quite impressive how she managed to stand her ground against bullies or elders looking down on her time and time again, all in a very realistic manner. There were so many instances where she subtly veils her insults inside compliments, so that the person she's insulting can't even say anything back. I love me an eloquent FL!!
The ML, Zhao Huanxi, is such a little brat at the beginning. But as the story progresses and he learns how to be more discerning, he really starts to grow on you. You also can't help but feel bad for him after learning more about his upbringing and how he was schemed against and bullied. For example, everyone makes fun of him for being deathly scared of thunder, but when you learn that his irrational panic attacks stem from one of his servants being killed by lightning only a couple steps away from him when he was just a kid, it becomes much easier to empathize with him instead of seeing him as a immature kid who's still afraid of thunder and lightning at 16 years old.
Zhao Huanxi had by far the most character growth out of everyone. Admittedly, he starts from a pretty low point where he throws tantrums constantly and is constantly manipulated by the people around him without being aware, but through Xu Nian'an's guidance, he matures into a young man that's worthy of the heir to the Jing Guogong title. It was a pleasure watching that transformation unfold.
Something else I like about this story is that it's a good ending for more than just the FL and ML. There are many characters around them that have been mistreated, and either directly or indirectly through the FL's actions, they get a happy ending. For example, the ML's mother has suffered for years in the Zhao family since she has to take on the thankless task of managing the household as the wife of the first legitimate son, while she has zero support from the ML's jerk of a dad, and the elders in the family are biased towards the 5th household. But by the end, her efforts are finally recognized by her father-in-law i.e. the head of the household, and she can live a chill life with all her children happily married. The FL also helps rescue one of the ML's sisters from a very miserable marriage, and the sister eventually remarries and is much happier.
The romance was also built up slowly and realistically. Initially the FL has no expectations from this marriage other than to get some stores or properties out of it so she can live independently on her own. But it gets hard for her to ignore the increasingly cuter ML, who reminded me of a puppy at times. He's the one who develops feelings first, and the way he straightforwardly confesses his feelings to her over and over again is super adorbs.
Even for the "bad guys", some of them eventually come around and learn to treat the ML and FL better by the end. It's not the standard story where they get killed in revenge by the ML or FL, which was refreshing.
Probably one of the hardest things about reading this story was keeping track of all the characters, as there are SO many of them and they all have different titles. Just under the Jing Guogong family, there are 5 sons, 2 concubine and three legitimate, and each of them have their own families with the official wife and concubines and their children.... so yeah, that adds up to a lot of people just in one household. It wasn't until at least I was halfway through that I finally remembered the important characters in the Zhao estate alone.
The only part of the story I didn't like was the end, when the ML went to war briefly. I skimmed through most of this last arc as war scenes aren't my thing.
This was tagged as slice of life, so I was expecting a slow paced story where I may or may not get bored, but surprisingly I ended up really liking this story. While the story does follow the FL's daily life, there's always something going on and the pacing never felt slow like most slice of life stories.
There's no rebirth, there's no transmigration, we're following along with a normal FL as she marries into the Duke estate and has to teach a completely clueless husband who's 2 years younger than her while dealing with various schemes from the extended family. From a young age, Xu Nian'an has lived a difficult life. While she does belong to a legitimate line in her family, her father passed when she was young and her mother was sick, so she had to fight for resources for herself and her younger siblings. Her marriage to the eldest legitimate grandson of the prestigious Jing Guogong family, Zhao Huanxi, is considered a huge step up for her, even if the guy she is marrying is considered kind of useless and hasn't made anything of himself.
Xu Nian'an was by far my favorite character. She's very grounded and practical and can think quickly on her feet. Because she was forced to grow up early and deal with various schemes in her own family, managing a simple minded guy like the ML is a piece of cake for her. Not only does she convince him to go through with the marriage, but she also gets him to do things he absolutely hates, like practice calligraphy or go back to school. And it's not just the ML that she can convince but everyone around her as well. It was quite impressive how she managed to stand her ground against bullies or elders looking down on her time and time again, all in a very realistic manner. There were so many instances where she subtly veils her insults inside compliments, so that the person she's insulting can't even say anything back. I love me an eloquent FL!!
The ML, Zhao Huanxi, is such a little brat at the beginning. But as the story progresses and he learns how to be more discerning, he really starts to grow on you. You also can't help but feel bad for him after learning more about his upbringing and how he was schemed against and bullied. For example, everyone makes fun of him for being deathly scared of thunder, but when you learn that his irrational panic attacks stem from one of his servants being killed by lightning only a couple steps away from him when he was just a kid, it becomes much easier to empathize with him instead of seeing him as a immature kid who's still afraid of thunder and lightning at 16 years old.
Zhao Huanxi had by far the most character growth out of everyone. Admittedly, he starts from a pretty low point where he throws tantrums constantly and is constantly manipulated by the people around him without being aware, but through Xu Nian'an's guidance, he matures into a young man that's worthy of the heir to the Jing Guogong title. It was a pleasure watching that transformation unfold.
Something else I like about this story is that it's a good ending for more than just the FL and ML. There are many characters around them that have been mistreated, and either directly or indirectly through the FL's actions, they get a happy ending. For example, the ML's mother has suffered for years in the Zhao family since she has to take on the thankless task of managing the household as the wife of the first legitimate son, while she has zero support from the ML's jerk of a dad, and the elders in the family are biased towards the 5th household. But by the end, her efforts are finally recognized by her father-in-law i.e. the head of the household, and she can live a chill life with all her children happily married. The FL also helps rescue one of the ML's sisters from a very miserable marriage, and the sister eventually remarries and is much happier.
The romance was also built up slowly and realistically. Initially the FL has no expectations from this marriage other than to get some stores or properties out of it so she can live independently on her own. But it gets hard for her to ignore the increasingly cuter ML, who reminded me of a puppy at times. He's the one who develops feelings first, and the way he straightforwardly confesses his feelings to her over and over again is super adorbs.
Even for the "bad guys", some of them eventually come around and learn to treat the ML and FL better by the end. It's not the standard story where they get killed in revenge by the ML or FL, which was refreshing.
Probably one of the hardest things about reading this story was keeping track of all the characters, as there are SO many of them and they all have different titles. Just under the Jing Guogong family, there are 5 sons, 2 concubine and three legitimate, and each of them have their own families with the official wife and concubines and their children.... so yeah, that adds up to a lot of people just in one household. It wasn't until at least I was halfway through that I finally remembered the important characters in the Zhao estate alone.
The only part of the story I didn't like was the end, when the ML went to war briefly. I skimmed through most of this last arc as war scenes aren't my thing.
November 20, 2025
I loved this one, the characters, especially the male lead, were so refreshing!
He is not aiming for the top and has his own flaws. In many points the FL is so much more competent than him (he is the nicer/better person though...) but they complement each other nicely. Their relationship and the dynamic is very believable and gradual. Seeing the ML, and not lose who he is, was such a joy. The FL is likable, she does not have any kind of golden finger or foreknowledge. She is just a girl who had to grow up to fast and eventually finds herself overwhelmed by sincerity. Remarkably she also has flaws and while she is not such an unusual character, she is a good one.
The story, despite focusing on daily life, doesn't really drag on, nor does it use unrealistic / inhumane punishments for people who cross the main characters. Not everyone is nice or on the main characters side all the time, but they are all wonderfully flawed and human.
The downside is the translation, not because its not good. The translator does a great job translating the character interactions and has great additional comments, however, there are many terms (not just titles) that aren't translated which is a big downside if you haven't read many stories with these titles. I generally don't mind if some titles aren't translated, but this is without a doubt too much of a good thing. Not translating the "fangs" or branches and numbers just.... makes it way to complicated. Even some titles that don't lose meaning could have done with a translation. I didn't think I would agree with that when I saw the complain on NU, but I do. There is also no list with all the terms and you have to hope that the translator adds footnotes for that term (again). They often do... but well. It is tedious and I totally get why it would turn people away from this novel.
He is not aiming for the top and has his own flaws. In many points the FL is so much more competent than him (he is the nicer/better person though...) but they complement each other nicely. Their relationship and the dynamic is very believable and gradual. Seeing the ML, and not lose who he is, was such a joy. The FL is likable, she does not have any kind of golden finger or foreknowledge. She is just a girl who had to grow up to fast and eventually finds herself overwhelmed by sincerity. Remarkably she also has flaws and while she is not such an unusual character, she is a good one.
The story, despite focusing on daily life, doesn't really drag on, nor does it use unrealistic / inhumane punishments for people who cross the main characters. Not everyone is nice or on the main characters side all the time, but they are all wonderfully flawed and human.
The downside is the translation, not because its not good. The translator does a great job translating the character interactions and has great additional comments, however, there are many terms (not just titles) that aren't translated which is a big downside if you haven't read many stories with these titles. I generally don't mind if some titles aren't translated, but this is without a doubt too much of a good thing. Not translating the "fangs" or branches and numbers just.... makes it way to complicated. Even some titles that don't lose meaning could have done with a translation. I didn't think I would agree with that when I saw the complain on NU, but I do. There is also no list with all the terms and you have to hope that the translator adds footnotes for that term (again). They often do... but well. It is tedious and I totally get why it would turn people away from this novel.
August 23, 2025
浪漫是甜蜜的，过了一段时间就会变得平淡。
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