What do you think?
Rate this book
The Wife Comes First: Qi Wei Shang (Novel) #1
The Wife Comes First: Qi Wei Shang (Novel) Vol. 1
A philandering prince discovers that the prince-consort he neglected in life is the only one by his side in death. Now that he’s got a second chance, can the prince make it up to him?! A heartwarming romance about second chances, palace intrigue, and found family—The Wife Comes First makes its English debut!
As his life flashes before his eyes, self-obsessed Prince Cheng has a moment to reflect on something curious. Despite knocking at death’s door, only one person remains by his side: his all-but-abandoned prince-consort, Mu Hanzhang. Except, rather than celebrate that fact, Prince Cheng can only wonder… Why, after everything, is Mu Hanzhang still with him?
After all, Prince Cheng spent most of his life philandering and mastering political intrigue. Meanwhile, Mu Hanzhang had to discard his dreams of taking the Imperial Examination to become a minister, and was instead coerced to serve as male wife to a cruel prince!
Granted a second chance, Prince Cheng is miraculously reborn, waking up the morning after his wedding. As he does, the prince makes another vow: the wife comes first, the state second, and the husband last.
Where to start? Well first, he must kneel outside Mu Hanzhang’s bedroom door and beg to be let in, of course! Then again, after the sacrifices Mu Hanzhang’s had to make, will he even be willing to forgive his new husband?
396 pages, Paperback
Published December 16, 2025
119 people are currently reading
1080 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 74 reviews
December 29, 2025
2.5 stars.
DNF 50%.
As I read through it again, I was reminded of the reasons why I didn't complete it the first time. Despite my strong desire to see it through on the second attempt, I ultimately found myself unable to do so. The entire novel gradually became more irritating because I found the characters increasingly intolerable.
The plot itself is not particularly original; it follows familiar themes. However, it could have been entertaining, especially if one cares deeply about the characters involved. Essentially, the story revolves around political intrigue(but do not expect it to be great)and the evolving relationship between the main protagonists.
Jing Shao is a character I simply cannot stand. He embodies the archetype of the himbo—everything about him makes me cringe. His actions and behavior drove me crazy. Although he is described as being nineteen at the start of the story, considering that he died in the beginning and then reincarnated into his younger self with all his memories intact, one would expect him to act more maturely. Instead, he behaves like a clown—immature and childlike.
He is both a prince and a general, yet he demonstrates a blatant lack of understanding of the political landscape surrounding him. While I can understand some naivety, his cluelessness seems so profound that I questioned how he could have risen to such a high rank as a general. I disliked him intensely.
On the other hand, Mu Hanzhang was a character I didn't have many complaints about. The only aspect that frustrated me was that he never once questioned why Jing Shao acted so familiar with him from their very first meeting. Instead, he just went along with it, which I found strange. If I were in his place, I would have found it very odd and might have questioned the sudden familiarity, especially since they had just met.
As for their relationship, I found it to be somewhat lacking in chemistry. They quickly moved into a state of being very affectionate and lovey-dovey, which didn't sit well with me. I prefer stories with a slower development of romance, so I was a bit disappointed by how rapidly their relationship progressed.
In summary, I went into this story with certain expectations but ended up reading something that didn't match my mood or preferences at the moment. It left me disappointed and unfulfilled.
DNF 50%.
As I read through it again, I was reminded of the reasons why I didn't complete it the first time. Despite my strong desire to see it through on the second attempt, I ultimately found myself unable to do so. The entire novel gradually became more irritating because I found the characters increasingly intolerable.
The plot itself is not particularly original; it follows familiar themes. However, it could have been entertaining, especially if one cares deeply about the characters involved. Essentially, the story revolves around political intrigue(but do not expect it to be great)and the evolving relationship between the main protagonists.
Jing Shao is a character I simply cannot stand. He embodies the archetype of the himbo—everything about him makes me cringe. His actions and behavior drove me crazy. Although he is described as being nineteen at the start of the story, considering that he died in the beginning and then reincarnated into his younger self with all his memories intact, one would expect him to act more maturely. Instead, he behaves like a clown—immature and childlike.
He is both a prince and a general, yet he demonstrates a blatant lack of understanding of the political landscape surrounding him. While I can understand some naivety, his cluelessness seems so profound that I questioned how he could have risen to such a high rank as a general. I disliked him intensely.
On the other hand, Mu Hanzhang was a character I didn't have many complaints about. The only aspect that frustrated me was that he never once questioned why Jing Shao acted so familiar with him from their very first meeting. Instead, he just went along with it, which I found strange. If I were in his place, I would have found it very odd and might have questioned the sudden familiarity, especially since they had just met.
As for their relationship, I found it to be somewhat lacking in chemistry. They quickly moved into a state of being very affectionate and lovey-dovey, which didn't sit well with me. I prefer stories with a slower development of romance, so I was a bit disappointed by how rapidly their relationship progressed.
In summary, I went into this story with certain expectations but ended up reading something that didn't match my mood or preferences at the moment. It left me disappointed and unfulfilled.
December 24, 2025
5/5. DONT SPOIL FUTURE VOLUMES IN COMMENTS
Review: Why I Loved Volume 1 🍶
I honestly thought I wouldn't like this novel, I'm not even sure why, but I ended up absolutely loving Volume 1! The character development is just incredible. I especially loved the doting, heartfelt, and consensual love between the leads. Please give this novel a read! You get to see Jing Shao truly redeem himself, and how he becomes a better version of himself.
🍶 Spoiler Alert 🍶
The Story of Jing Shao and Mu Hanzhang
Jing Shao is a prince who was forced to marry a man, an act that stripped him of his rightful claim to the throne. For over ten years, he resented the male wife who actually saved him.
Mu Hanzhang was the common-born son of a noble house. He dreamed of becoming a scholar and hoped to use the imperial exams to gain freedom from his family. However, those dreams were shattered when he was forced to marry Prince Cheng (Jing Shao) just a year before the exams. Instead of freedom, he found himself confined to the "cage" of the inner harem.
The Turning Point
After being betrayed by his own country, Jing Shao found himself in prison with only Mu Hanzhang for company. During a desperate escape, they were hunted down; Mu Hanzhang was fatally stabbed, and Jing Shao was struck by arrows. Refusing to be captured, Jing Shao jumped off a cliff with his wife in his arms, promising to treat him better if they ever had a next life.
A Second Chance
Waking up on his wedding day a decade younger, Jing Shao is determined not to repeat his mistakes. This time, he wants to cherish Mu Hanzhang. He devotes all his time to him, seeking comfort from him like a child and truly listening to his needs. Most importantly, he waits for consent and treats him with the respect he deserves.
A Moment to Remember
A key plot point involves the mystery of who killed Jing Shao’s mother. During a moment of deep grief in the rain, Mu Hanzhang was the only one there for him when he needed someone most.
Happy Reading!
Review: Why I Loved Volume 1 🍶
I honestly thought I wouldn't like this novel, I'm not even sure why, but I ended up absolutely loving Volume 1! The character development is just incredible. I especially loved the doting, heartfelt, and consensual love between the leads. Please give this novel a read! You get to see Jing Shao truly redeem himself, and how he becomes a better version of himself.
🍶 Spoiler Alert 🍶
The Story of Jing Shao and Mu Hanzhang
Jing Shao is a prince who was forced to marry a man, an act that stripped him of his rightful claim to the throne. For over ten years, he resented the male wife who actually saved him.
Mu Hanzhang was the common-born son of a noble house. He dreamed of becoming a scholar and hoped to use the imperial exams to gain freedom from his family. However, those dreams were shattered when he was forced to marry Prince Cheng (Jing Shao) just a year before the exams. Instead of freedom, he found himself confined to the "cage" of the inner harem.
The Turning Point
After being betrayed by his own country, Jing Shao found himself in prison with only Mu Hanzhang for company. During a desperate escape, they were hunted down; Mu Hanzhang was fatally stabbed, and Jing Shao was struck by arrows. Refusing to be captured, Jing Shao jumped off a cliff with his wife in his arms, promising to treat him better if they ever had a next life.
A Second Chance
Waking up on his wedding day a decade younger, Jing Shao is determined not to repeat his mistakes. This time, he wants to cherish Mu Hanzhang. He devotes all his time to him, seeking comfort from him like a child and truly listening to his needs. Most importantly, he waits for consent and treats him with the respect he deserves.
A Moment to Remember
A key plot point involves the mystery of who killed Jing Shao’s mother. During a moment of deep grief in the rain, Mu Hanzhang was the only one there for him when he needed someone most.
Happy Reading!
January 3, 2026
dnf at %20
it reads like a wattpad fanfic in the worst possible way and the mc is so unlikeable can't stand him(￢_￢)
it reads like a wattpad fanfic in the worst possible way and the mc is so unlikeable can't stand him(￢_￢)
December 30, 2025
5/5 🌟
God! I forgot how much I loved this story! I read the manhua two years ago and loved it so much, if you can, go read it! The scenes make every part where JingShao is being a wifey puppy, when Junqing getting salty or telling his hubby to go away, into the cutest chibbies— ever!
I.e:
And Junqing when he's cute angry!
Anyway! Into my review!
The amount of sweet moments in this volume is insane! ( ˊo̴̶̷̤ ̫ o̴̶̷̤ˋ)
"You won't fall with me here."
"I thought: if I get to spend a lifetime with someone as wonderful as you, that's a pretty good thing. were there other people believe in me doesn't really matter. I promise to protect you from now on, and I won't let you suffer any slight..."
Like.... Who wouldn't fall for this man! He's not only speaking these sweet nothings, but he really following through with them.
(இ﹏இ`｡)
"He slowly close the distance between them and buried his face in his consort's chest, taking a deep breath of subtle fragrance that clung to him then he let himself relax and slowly close his eyes. Since his rebirth, the world seemed full of blood and turmoil; only by this man's side did he feel like he his. He was the one salvation in the heavens he had granted him."
"His arms securely wrapped around the sleeping man... This man finally belonged to him completely; this man, who was to him the warmest and purest existence on earth, was now held firmly in his embrace, and no one could ever take him away."
He literally be treasuring him, for he was the last man on earth who stood by his side in the past life.
( っ´ `)っ(´͈ ᵕ `͈˶)
However, it's not just Jingshao falling hard, Mu Hanzhang also head over heels for his husband.
"Me too. I'm also fond of you."
Hes quite savage, too! He don't let any bitch overstep him or try to one up him! Those concubines deserve what they got! He's so confident and scheming! To protect his hubby and himself, he would do anything. He may not be strong but he knows how to set things straight!
Not only is Mu Hanzhang the only man that was there for Jingshao, but so was his brother. I love how their relationship has developed and there was a line that really got my heart throbbing from how heartwarming it was. (˚ ˃̣̣̥⌓˂̣̣̥ )づ♡ I love when family dynamics are also expressed in danmei, and this one that made me tear up!
"You are my only little brother. Even if I have to give up everything I have, I'm never going to let you die."
Mu Hanzhang also got his opportunity to improve his mother's situation. And I think that's what I love most about this story. I love how small acts that Mu Hanzhang and JingShao (primarily the former) does that changes the story and shapes those decisions of the people around them.
It's almost like RPG games that change based on the decisions you make.
Anyway, this scene was the last scene that made me cry. All the hard work was worth it for Junqing. (˚ ˃̣̣̥⌓˂̣̣̥)
"Mu Hanzhang in case that his mother and her pink finery. so she was no longer a young woman, time had done nothing to erode her charms, and she mistakenly embodied the wisdom and grace of Jangnan woman. 'Mom..' For the first time, Mu Han Zhang was able to call her this in front of others. Lady Qiu's eyes welled up with tears."
Read: 12/26/2025
God! I forgot how much I loved this story! I read the manhua two years ago and loved it so much, if you can, go read it! The scenes make every part where JingShao is being a wifey puppy, when Junqing getting salty or telling his hubby to go away, into the cutest chibbies— ever!
I.e:
And Junqing when he's cute angry! Anyway! Into my review!
The amount of sweet moments in this volume is insane! ( ˊo̴̶̷̤ ̫ o̴̶̷̤ˋ)
"You won't fall with me here."
"I thought: if I get to spend a lifetime with someone as wonderful as you, that's a pretty good thing. were there other people believe in me doesn't really matter. I promise to protect you from now on, and I won't let you suffer any slight..."
Like.... Who wouldn't fall for this man! He's not only speaking these sweet nothings, but he really following through with them.
(இ﹏இ`｡)
"He slowly close the distance between them and buried his face in his consort's chest, taking a deep breath of subtle fragrance that clung to him then he let himself relax and slowly close his eyes. Since his rebirth, the world seemed full of blood and turmoil; only by this man's side did he feel like he his. He was the one salvation in the heavens he had granted him."
"His arms securely wrapped around the sleeping man... This man finally belonged to him completely; this man, who was to him the warmest and purest existence on earth, was now held firmly in his embrace, and no one could ever take him away."
He literally be treasuring him, for he was the last man on earth who stood by his side in the past life.
( っ´ `)っ(´͈ ᵕ `͈˶)
However, it's not just Jingshao falling hard, Mu Hanzhang also head over heels for his husband.
"Me too. I'm also fond of you."
Hes quite savage, too! He don't let any bitch overstep him or try to one up him! Those concubines deserve what they got! He's so confident and scheming! To protect his hubby and himself, he would do anything. He may not be strong but he knows how to set things straight!
Not only is Mu Hanzhang the only man that was there for Jingshao, but so was his brother. I love how their relationship has developed and there was a line that really got my heart throbbing from how heartwarming it was. (˚ ˃̣̣̥⌓˂̣̣̥ )づ♡ I love when family dynamics are also expressed in danmei, and this one that made me tear up!
"You are my only little brother. Even if I have to give up everything I have, I'm never going to let you die."
Mu Hanzhang also got his opportunity to improve his mother's situation. And I think that's what I love most about this story. I love how small acts that Mu Hanzhang and JingShao (primarily the former) does that changes the story and shapes those decisions of the people around them.
It's almost like RPG games that change based on the decisions you make.
Anyway, this scene was the last scene that made me cry. All the hard work was worth it for Junqing. (˚ ˃̣̣̥⌓˂̣̣̥)
"Mu Hanzhang in case that his mother and her pink finery. so she was no longer a young woman, time had done nothing to erode her charms, and she mistakenly embodied the wisdom and grace of Jangnan woman. 'Mom..' For the first time, Mu Han Zhang was able to call her this in front of others. Lady Qiu's eyes welled up with tears."
Read: 12/26/2025
January 5, 2026
ya know those novels where mc is being neglected by ml in the first half, but then ml has a change of heart and starts chasing mc around? well, this novel is like that only we skip the first act and arrive straight at the wife chasing. cue in tons of groveling, kissy kissy and lustful encroachments - so much of that the waifu has to open a lube store to get rid of his stockpiles.
anyway, this novel is good for when ur brain is in the idle mode. there is some politics and court intrigue, but it's pretty surface level.
my main gripe, though, is with mu hanzhang. im so fed up with bottoms like him. a lame mix of victorian spinster and pillow princess. i like bottoms who are proactive in bed, ok. who like a good fuck and are never too shy about that. is this too much to ask???
anyway.
my prediction for the ending: prince cheng is going to become the emperor and crown mu hanzhang as his gentleman empress. please blink twice if im right. :D
anyway, this novel is good for when ur brain is in the idle mode. there is some politics and court intrigue, but it's pretty surface level.
my main gripe, though, is with mu hanzhang. im so fed up with bottoms like him. a lame mix of victorian spinster and pillow princess. i like bottoms who are proactive in bed, ok. who like a good fuck and are never too shy about that. is this too much to ask???
anyway.
my prediction for the ending: prince cheng is going to become the emperor and crown mu hanzhang as his gentleman empress. please blink twice if im right. :D
September 22, 2025
reread :3
-----------------------------------
just found out there's an official translation coming out, so i'm moving my review here!! while i think it's not as good as 君為下 (the mc js can be quite pushy towards mhz sometimes), i really liked the sibling relationship!! and mhz is just so sweet. (and smart!)
p.s. idk why they put prince cheng in the blurb? 1. he's not a prince 2. cheng is his title not his name?? 😭
-----------------------------------
just found out there's an official translation coming out, so i'm moving my review here!! while i think it's not as good as 君為下 (the mc js can be quite pushy towards mhz sometimes), i really liked the sibling relationship!! and mhz is just so sweet. (and smart!)
p.s. idk why they put prince cheng in the blurb? 1. he's not a prince 2. cheng is his title not his name?? 😭
January 7, 2026
this started out great, i love the idea of the mc being reborn into a new life to right all his wrongs. especially when it's all for his wife 😍😫
jing shao spends this whole book cherishing mu hanzhang but the plot lost me. i was just bored and found myself putting the book down constantly. i loved how jing shao was like a big dumb alpha who's obsessed with his man. and mu hanzhang reminded me of chu wanning a bit 🥺 however, i felt like random things just kept happening after another and there was no solid plot. i mean obviously i love the wife chasing and grovelling, but maybe it's just me but the couple didn't have me hooked like i thought they would.
and oh my goddddd the concubines were so annoying! why do they always have to be a bitch! i was so happy when jing shao finally got rid of them but jesus it took long enough, i wish it happened sooner 😭 majorrrr eye rollsssss
also for those who think this might be an angsty book based on the cover or the synopsis, it's the total opposite. it's super fluffy and sweet 🥰 so I appreciated that.
i'm not sure if i'll read the next coming volumes, if it’s anything like this i will be pushing myself through finishing those.
jing shao spends this whole book cherishing mu hanzhang but the plot lost me. i was just bored and found myself putting the book down constantly. i loved how jing shao was like a big dumb alpha who's obsessed with his man. and mu hanzhang reminded me of chu wanning a bit 🥺 however, i felt like random things just kept happening after another and there was no solid plot. i mean obviously i love the wife chasing and grovelling, but maybe it's just me but the couple didn't have me hooked like i thought they would.
and oh my goddddd the concubines were so annoying! why do they always have to be a bitch! i was so happy when jing shao finally got rid of them but jesus it took long enough, i wish it happened sooner 😭 majorrrr eye rollsssss
also for those who think this might be an angsty book based on the cover or the synopsis, it's the total opposite. it's super fluffy and sweet 🥰 so I appreciated that.
i'm not sure if i'll read the next coming volumes, if it’s anything like this i will be pushing myself through finishing those.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Want to read
December 23, 2025
pre-read
જ⁀➴
╰┈➤ Seven Seas has picked it up; I will wait for the official translation to come out, as the fan translation isn't that good at the moment.
edit: oh girllll it's also the wife-chasing genre!!! 😋😋 def will be reading
╰┈➤ Seven Seas has picked it up; I will wait for the official translation to come out, as the fan translation isn't that good at the moment.
edit: oh girllll it's also the wife-chasing genre!!! 😋😋 def will be reading
January 18, 2026
“I thought: If I get to spend a lifetime with someone as wonderful as you, that’s a pretty good thing. Whether other people believe in me doesn’t really matter. I promise to protect you from now on, and I won’t let you suffer any slight…”
I gave this three stars, and I still really enjoyed it. I’ve already read the manhua, and even with my usual frustrations with that format, the story itself has always worked for me. The novel version moves in a very straightforward way. Even with regression elements, it doesn’t try to be clever or keep you guessing. I found myself reading without stopping to analyze much, just letting the story unfold. A lot of the side characters barely register and fade into the background, but that didn’t bother me since the focus stays tight where it matters. The pacing is slow and controlled, which made the book feel steady and intentional, even during stretches where not much seems to happen.
What really stood out to me is how the story treats consequences. The rewind doesn’t soften what already happened, and progress often comes from bad timing, withheld truths, or careful social maneuvering rather than big reveals. I could feel tension building in small domestic moments and formal interactions long before anything openly political appeared. Each solution felt like it solved one problem while quietly narrowing future options. By the time larger conflicts begin to surface, the escalation felt natural instead of sudden. I can easily see some readers struggling with the patience this book asks for.
Jing Shao and Mu Hanzhang are the main reason I stayed invested. They’re written with consistency and emotional restraint, shaped more by trauma than by romance. Jing Shao shows care through action and physical closeness, often before he knows how to communicate it properly. Mu Hanzhang’s affection is quieter and more deliberate, grounded in effort and clarity rather than words. Watching their uneven dynamic slowly shift into trust felt tense and believable. The romance unfolds through regret, restraint, and hard earned understanding, which made their connection feel genuine and thoughtfully built.
Date Read: 2026.01.03
I gave this three stars, and I still really enjoyed it. I’ve already read the manhua, and even with my usual frustrations with that format, the story itself has always worked for me. The novel version moves in a very straightforward way. Even with regression elements, it doesn’t try to be clever or keep you guessing. I found myself reading without stopping to analyze much, just letting the story unfold. A lot of the side characters barely register and fade into the background, but that didn’t bother me since the focus stays tight where it matters. The pacing is slow and controlled, which made the book feel steady and intentional, even during stretches where not much seems to happen.
What really stood out to me is how the story treats consequences. The rewind doesn’t soften what already happened, and progress often comes from bad timing, withheld truths, or careful social maneuvering rather than big reveals. I could feel tension building in small domestic moments and formal interactions long before anything openly political appeared. Each solution felt like it solved one problem while quietly narrowing future options. By the time larger conflicts begin to surface, the escalation felt natural instead of sudden. I can easily see some readers struggling with the patience this book asks for.
Jing Shao and Mu Hanzhang are the main reason I stayed invested. They’re written with consistency and emotional restraint, shaped more by trauma than by romance. Jing Shao shows care through action and physical closeness, often before he knows how to communicate it properly. Mu Hanzhang’s affection is quieter and more deliberate, grounded in effort and clarity rather than words. Watching their uneven dynamic slowly shift into trust felt tense and believable. The romance unfolds through regret, restraint, and hard earned understanding, which made their connection feel genuine and thoughtfully built.
Date Read: 2026.01.03
December 22, 2025
This was SO good, can’t wait for the next volume
January 18, 2026
2.5 ⭐, really.
It definitely won’t be my favorite. It reads like a mid fanfic that you scroll through exactly once and then never find again.
I hated how sex was described here. Even if we read their first time wildly generously and say it was just a miscommunication typical of the period’s power dynamics, it’s still not great (and I don’t).
The face-slapping is meh, in my opinion. The MC didn’t really suffer that much; he just sat in a cell for a bit. He systematically behaved like a dick and got what he deserved in the end. The one who could have had a satisfying payoff is Mu Hanzhang, but he doesn’t even know it. At the very least, a hotter crematorium (pun intended) would have been welcome.
The MC is extremely unlikable. The ML… meh. It’s all such (awful) “rich people problems,” except for the rape, you know - which was swept under the rug.
Women were treated pretty badly in this one. And yes, in the end I did find some misogynistic stuff. Even though it wasn’t said by the narrator, it was said by characters we’re clearly supposed to like. So while it may be realistic… why did it need to be there?
That said, the last couple of chapters had some pretty fun palace politics, so I’m holding on to a bit of hope.
It definitely won’t be my favorite. It reads like a mid fanfic that you scroll through exactly once and then never find again.
I hated how sex was described here. Even if we read their first time wildly generously and say it was just a miscommunication typical of the period’s power dynamics, it’s still not great (and I don’t).
The face-slapping is meh, in my opinion. The MC didn’t really suffer that much; he just sat in a cell for a bit. He systematically behaved like a dick and got what he deserved in the end. The one who could have had a satisfying payoff is Mu Hanzhang, but he doesn’t even know it. At the very least, a hotter crematorium (pun intended) would have been welcome.
The MC is extremely unlikable. The ML… meh. It’s all such (awful) “rich people problems,” except for the rape, you know - which was swept under the rug.
Women were treated pretty badly in this one. And yes, in the end I did find some misogynistic stuff. Even though it wasn’t said by the narrator, it was said by characters we’re clearly supposed to like. So while it may be realistic… why did it need to be there?
That said, the last couple of chapters had some pretty fun palace politics, so I’m holding on to a bit of hope.
January 22, 2026
If I could give this 2.5 stars I would. Unfortunately this danmei did not do it for me. I tried reading slower, highlighting sentences, being open-minded, and taking a step back since I thought my lack of enjoyment was due to a reading slump. No, no, there was nothing I could do to make myself enjoy this book. I’m quite easy to please, as shows in everything I’ve logged on Goodreads so far, so I was very disappointed I didn’t like this book. What I liked about the book was that it gave me something to do on my 20 minute train ride to class.
I’d be willing to give the next volume a read if a day ever comes where I find myself with zero books on my tbr.
I’d be willing to give the next volume a read if a day ever comes where I find myself with zero books on my tbr.
January 8, 2026
love the main couple but the story is just kind of boring
December 22, 2025
A warm feel good historical romance with palace intrigue and military strategies.
Novel: 4⭐
Translation: 3⭐
This is a reread for me. So the rating is for the whole novel not only this volume. This is one of my favourite feel good webnovels. There's also a manhua adaptation that I find quite cute and funny with the chibi graphics every time the characters act childish 😂
So if you're in the mood for a light-hearted, wholesome romance, with conspiracies, satisfying revenge, and overall relaxing vibe, this is the one.
As for the translation, I can't help being a little disappointed:
- There were several long-winded sentences that got me confused and had me reread again.
- The way some characters were addressed was unnecessarily overcomplicated.
- Sometimes, the character names are wrong, which is also confusing. Ex: In a conversation between the 3rd Prince and his consort, the 4th Prince's name is used instead of the 3rd.
Novel: 4⭐
Translation: 3⭐
This is a reread for me. So the rating is for the whole novel not only this volume. This is one of my favourite feel good webnovels. There's also a manhua adaptation that I find quite cute and funny with the chibi graphics every time the characters act childish 😂
So if you're in the mood for a light-hearted, wholesome romance, with conspiracies, satisfying revenge, and overall relaxing vibe, this is the one.
As for the translation, I can't help being a little disappointed:
- There were several long-winded sentences that got me confused and had me reread again.
- The way some characters were addressed was unnecessarily overcomplicated.
- Sometimes, the character names are wrong, which is also confusing. Ex: In a conversation between the 3rd Prince and his consort, the 4th Prince's name is used instead of the 3rd.
January 29, 2026
“Solo cuando lo perdió todo entendió a quién había perdido primero.”
El príncipe Cheng muere convencido de que lo tuvo todo—poder, amantes, prestigio—y solo al final se da cuenta de algo incómodo: la única persona que no lo abandonó fue el esposo al que ignoró toda su vida. No hay épica en ese momento, solo una verdad amarga.
Cuando despierta de nuevo, justo después de su boda con Mu Hanzhang, la novela no intenta vendernos un milagro fácil. El arrepentimiento no borra el daño hecho, y eso es lo que hace que la historia funcione. Cheng sabe que fue un mal esposo, y lo sabe con vergüenza, no con grandilocuencia. Su primer impulso no es conquistar, sino pedir perdón… aunque ni siquiera está seguro de merecerlo.
Tropes
• Second chance / rebirth – morir, arrepentirse y volver atrás con memoria completa.
• Regret arc – protagonista que entiende demasiado tarde el daño que causó.
• Groveling husband
• Neglected spouse
• Wife comes first
• Actions over words
• Slow forgiveness
• Soft but strong shou
• Reformed scum gong
• Political intrigue as background
• Marriage first, love later
• Found family
• Domestic healing
El príncipe Cheng muere convencido de que lo tuvo todo—poder, amantes, prestigio—y solo al final se da cuenta de algo incómodo: la única persona que no lo abandonó fue el esposo al que ignoró toda su vida. No hay épica en ese momento, solo una verdad amarga.
Cuando despierta de nuevo, justo después de su boda con Mu Hanzhang, la novela no intenta vendernos un milagro fácil. El arrepentimiento no borra el daño hecho, y eso es lo que hace que la historia funcione. Cheng sabe que fue un mal esposo, y lo sabe con vergüenza, no con grandilocuencia. Su primer impulso no es conquistar, sino pedir perdón… aunque ni siquiera está seguro de merecerlo.
Tropes
• Second chance / rebirth – morir, arrepentirse y volver atrás con memoria completa.
• Regret arc – protagonista que entiende demasiado tarde el daño que causó.
• Groveling husband
• Neglected spouse
• Wife comes first
• Actions over words
• Slow forgiveness
• Soft but strong shou
• Reformed scum gong
• Political intrigue as background
• Marriage first, love later
• Found family
• Domestic healing
January 16, 2026
Relectura con la traducción oficial por Seven Seas
“If there is a next life, I promise to treat you well, and use my whole life to make it up to you”
Ni en mis sueños más locos pensé que traerían este danmei, pero supongo que era más popular de lo que esperaba.
La primera vez que leí esto me gustó mucho y estoy feliz de ver que la traducción por Seven Seas le hizo justicia. Además es el manuscrito sin censura.
Este danmei trata de un príncipe -que luego de cometer muchos errores- es asesinado junto con el esposo que había abandonado. Ahora Jing Shao tiene una segunda oportunidad, porque ha despertado en su noche de bodas. Y su plan es no morir nuevamente. Y para evitar la tragedia lo primero que debe hacer es cuidar del esposo que maltrató: Mu Hanzhang.
“Id I get to spend a lifetime with someone as wonderful as you, that’s a pretty good thing. Whether other people believe in me doesn’t really matter. I promise to protect you from now on, and I won’t let you suffer any slight.”
Nota: Jing Shao se refiere a su esposo como esposa, y tiene una explicación en base a rangos y títulos. Para que la gente no se confunda y piense que esto es un romance heterosexual, no lo es.
Como dijo la autora: The wife comes first, the state second, and the husband comes last.
Aunque la trama suena muy dramática y trágica, en realidad el libro es cozy y por sobre todo se enfoca en dramas de palacio. Jing Shao sabe todo lo que pasará en los siguientes años de su vida, así que se enfoca en ser estratégico y tener ventajas respecto a guerras y situaciones que pasarán en el palacio. Y ahora que tiene una buena relación con Mu Hanzhang, lo tiene como aliado y eso mejora sus posibilidades de triunfar en esta red de política y milicia.
No esperen drama en el romance o entre los protagonistas, porque se llevan muy bien, especialmente ahora que Jing Shao está corrigiendo sus errores. También es importante mencionar que el POV va cambiando constantemente, lo cuál es algo común en los danmei. Pero es bueno saberlo, porque pueden estar en un parrafo con Jing Shao y al siguiente con Mu Hanzhang. Igual la forma en que fue traducido hace fácil seguir el hilo de este estilo de narración.
El primer vol aborda hasta
Disfruté mucho de la relectura, ya quiero leer la siguiente parte.
“If there is a next life, I promise to treat you well, and use my whole life to make it up to you”
Ni en mis sueños más locos pensé que traerían este danmei, pero supongo que era más popular de lo que esperaba.
La primera vez que leí esto me gustó mucho y estoy feliz de ver que la traducción por Seven Seas le hizo justicia. Además es el manuscrito sin censura.
Este danmei trata de un príncipe -que luego de cometer muchos errores- es asesinado junto con el esposo que había abandonado. Ahora Jing Shao tiene una segunda oportunidad, porque ha despertado en su noche de bodas. Y su plan es no morir nuevamente. Y para evitar la tragedia lo primero que debe hacer es cuidar del esposo que maltrató: Mu Hanzhang.
“Id I get to spend a lifetime with someone as wonderful as you, that’s a pretty good thing. Whether other people believe in me doesn’t really matter. I promise to protect you from now on, and I won’t let you suffer any slight.”
Nota: Jing Shao se refiere a su esposo como esposa, y tiene una explicación en base a rangos y títulos. Para que la gente no se confunda y piense que esto es un romance heterosexual, no lo es.
Como dijo la autora: The wife comes first, the state second, and the husband comes last.
Aunque la trama suena muy dramática y trágica, en realidad el libro es cozy y por sobre todo se enfoca en dramas de palacio. Jing Shao sabe todo lo que pasará en los siguientes años de su vida, así que se enfoca en ser estratégico y tener ventajas respecto a guerras y situaciones que pasarán en el palacio. Y ahora que tiene una buena relación con Mu Hanzhang, lo tiene como aliado y eso mejora sus posibilidades de triunfar en esta red de política y milicia.
No esperen drama en el romance o entre los protagonistas, porque se llevan muy bien, especialmente ahora que Jing Shao está corrigiendo sus errores. También es importante mencionar que el POV va cambiando constantemente, lo cuál es algo común en los danmei. Pero es bueno saberlo, porque pueden estar en un parrafo con Jing Shao y al siguiente con Mu Hanzhang. Igual la forma en que fue traducido hace fácil seguir el hilo de este estilo de narración.
El primer vol aborda hasta
Disfruté mucho de la relectura, ya quiero leer la siguiente parte.
January 1, 2026
4.25/5stars
I really enjoyed this danmei!! It was definitely not what I was expecting considering the cover, description, marketing, and what I've heard others say I thought it was going to be much darker and angstier since I heard a lot of comparisons to erha with it.
But this was actually a very... fluffy isn't the right word, but much sweeter and gentler than I was expecting. I loved their relationship dynamic and how they grew together as individuals and a couple. It kinda sucks that a lot of the plot rides on the SA that happens very early on (and before our mc was thrown back in time so he couldn't change it), but I also LOVE the groveling and redemption arc he goes through.
I bet it's going to be even better in future volumes!!
I really enjoyed this danmei!! It was definitely not what I was expecting considering the cover, description, marketing, and what I've heard others say I thought it was going to be much darker and angstier since I heard a lot of comparisons to erha with it.
But this was actually a very... fluffy isn't the right word, but much sweeter and gentler than I was expecting. I loved their relationship dynamic and how they grew together as individuals and a couple. It kinda sucks that a lot of the plot rides on the SA that happens very early on (and before our mc was thrown back in time so he couldn't change it), but I also LOVE the groveling and redemption arc he goes through.
I bet it's going to be even better in future volumes!!
January 28, 2026
Love the concept of a second chance to do things differently. The main lead is so bby boy. And Junqing is such a diva idc what yall say and he can do no wrong. It’s the first Danmei I’ve kept up consistently with the plot along the way. Why baby boy gotta leave to the war tho :’( Ngl most of the ppl in here besides dudes brother and the restaurant owners pissed me off
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 3, 2026
My first review of the year is a Chinese historical danmei by a new author to me, Lv Ye Qian He, who is very popular in China according to the back copy introduction. And her work turned out to be delightful, so hopefully there will be more books by her translated to English.
Prince Cheng is the third prince, he and the second prince being by the empress, with the first prince being by a maid and the fourth prince by the empress consort. All this leads to a muddy succession and any one of them could become the next emperor. As the empress is dead, the empress consort pulls the strings. And she’s made it so that Prince Cheng has to marry a man to make him ineligible to become the emperor. Having male wives for this reason is very typical in the book’s world.
Prince Cheng rebels violently against this, treating his male wife badly and spending most of his life fighting wars. But the scheming empress consort isn’t satisfied and ten years later, Prince Cheng finds himself facing death, accused of many crimes, some of which are made up. And the only person by his side is his male wife, Mu Hanzhang. Moved by this loyalty by the very person who should hate him, he wishes at his death to make amends to him.
Prince Cheng is granted his wish and he finds himself returned to the morning after his wedding night with Mu Hanzhang. It’s inauspicious, because his anger had made him treat Mu Hanzhang very badly in bed and the wife is now very afraid of him. But he sets out to make things better. Armed with the knowledge of how things turned out, he teams with the second prince, who also had turned out to be more loyal in his first life than he’d realised before death. Together they work to remove the people who schemed against them, and to make sure Mu Hanzhang has a loving and supporting husband by his side.
This was a very well written, mostly plot-driven opening to an interesting story. The tone is fairly light, but not comical, and obstacles are relatively easily dealt with, but not so easily that the reader would lose interest. Both main characters are interesting and easy to root for.
There’s a lot of palace intrigue and scheming, not only against Prince Cheng but Mu Hanzhang too. The latter turns out to be a great asset to the prince, and little by little, Prince Cheng’s need to make amends turns into love. Mu Hanzhang takes more time to warm to him. But a war is inevitable. The volume ends as Prince Cheng prepares to leave, maybe for years. I’ll definitely read more.
Prince Cheng is the third prince, he and the second prince being by the empress, with the first prince being by a maid and the fourth prince by the empress consort. All this leads to a muddy succession and any one of them could become the next emperor. As the empress is dead, the empress consort pulls the strings. And she’s made it so that Prince Cheng has to marry a man to make him ineligible to become the emperor. Having male wives for this reason is very typical in the book’s world.
Prince Cheng rebels violently against this, treating his male wife badly and spending most of his life fighting wars. But the scheming empress consort isn’t satisfied and ten years later, Prince Cheng finds himself facing death, accused of many crimes, some of which are made up. And the only person by his side is his male wife, Mu Hanzhang. Moved by this loyalty by the very person who should hate him, he wishes at his death to make amends to him.
Prince Cheng is granted his wish and he finds himself returned to the morning after his wedding night with Mu Hanzhang. It’s inauspicious, because his anger had made him treat Mu Hanzhang very badly in bed and the wife is now very afraid of him. But he sets out to make things better. Armed with the knowledge of how things turned out, he teams with the second prince, who also had turned out to be more loyal in his first life than he’d realised before death. Together they work to remove the people who schemed against them, and to make sure Mu Hanzhang has a loving and supporting husband by his side.
This was a very well written, mostly plot-driven opening to an interesting story. The tone is fairly light, but not comical, and obstacles are relatively easily dealt with, but not so easily that the reader would lose interest. Both main characters are interesting and easy to root for.
There’s a lot of palace intrigue and scheming, not only against Prince Cheng but Mu Hanzhang too. The latter turns out to be a great asset to the prince, and little by little, Prince Cheng’s need to make amends turns into love. Mu Hanzhang takes more time to warm to him. But a war is inevitable. The volume ends as Prince Cheng prepares to leave, maybe for years. I’ll definitely read more.
December 27, 2025
Jing Shao is the fallen third prince of a powerful empire. However, after years of poor decisions and bad luck, he finds himself escaping prison with his gentleman wife, Mu Hanzhang, the only one who didn't jump from the prince's sinking ship. Having realized he trusted the one wrong people, neglected the ones he should've put his faith in, and lived his life foolishly, Jing Shao dies with regret...only to awaken about a decade in the past on the morning after his drunken wedding night to Mu Hanzhang. This time, though, Jing Shao is determined to avoid his past wrongs, starting with his treatment of his gentleman wife. But after the abuse the latter endured at the hands of the former, the reborn third prince will have his work cut out for him. He also must face his father's cutthroat court of scheming ministers and ruthless nobles -- including the empress consort and his own brothers! But with Mu Hanzhang and his older brother the second prince on his side, Jing Shao plans to turn the tables on the people who brought about his downfall and ensure a happy and prosperous life for gentleman wife.
Despite the suggestive cover, this was actually a cute read with only a little smut. The opening starts with Jing Shao and Mu Hanzhang's demise after breaking out of prison, having been thrown in there due to multiple accusations against the foolhardy third prince. He dies with great remorse over his poor treatment of his male wife, so when he awakens in the past, he's bound and determined to be a good husband to Mu Hanzhang -- starting with earning his trust after a painful wedding night. Mu Hanzhang is rightfully wary of him, but each kind gesture slowly weakens the walls he's built up over the years during his time as the common-born son of a noble household, and he also proves his value by deftly managing his husband's household, helping him navigate court politics, and being the picture-perfect image of a dutiful wife.
The majority of the book focuses on the two male leads' growing relationship, with the political sub-plot featured less prominently but not too overshadowed. Once or twice, I started to feel a little bored due to the lack of any significant developments, but then the story would pick up again with the external conflicts introduced at just the right time, so for me, this book is about as relationship-centric as I'd prefer a danmei novel to be. Nevertheless, I'm a sucker for a power couple that is ruthless with others and dotes on each other, so if that trope interests you, then this book is right up your alley.
Despite the suggestive cover, this was actually a cute read with only a little smut. The opening starts with Jing Shao and Mu Hanzhang's demise after breaking out of prison, having been thrown in there due to multiple accusations against the foolhardy third prince. He dies with great remorse over his poor treatment of his male wife, so when he awakens in the past, he's bound and determined to be a good husband to Mu Hanzhang -- starting with earning his trust after a painful wedding night. Mu Hanzhang is rightfully wary of him, but each kind gesture slowly weakens the walls he's built up over the years during his time as the common-born son of a noble household, and he also proves his value by deftly managing his husband's household, helping him navigate court politics, and being the picture-perfect image of a dutiful wife.
The majority of the book focuses on the two male leads' growing relationship, with the political sub-plot featured less prominently but not too overshadowed. Once or twice, I started to feel a little bored due to the lack of any significant developments, but then the story would pick up again with the external conflicts introduced at just the right time, so for me, this book is about as relationship-centric as I'd prefer a danmei novel to be. Nevertheless, I'm a sucker for a power couple that is ruthless with others and dotes on each other, so if that trope interests you, then this book is right up your alley.
December 21, 2025
I wanted to love this novel so much but I just couldn't. Plot wise nothing interesting was happening, there was no politics, just a bunch of people talking nonsense and that nonsense hadn't even been smooth, a problem was arising and then gone next thing another one began. The first chapter had been my favorite and after that revolution on the mc side i expected some angst but nothing happened worth my while. The characters were ok but i didnt like how the mc just woke up from death and started being lovelydovely with his husband while ignoring and not caring for him in their first life. That aspect really made me not like the book that much. They did have their power couple moments but still nothing that could make me like them more or really vibe with them. Its looking like in the next book the mc is going to war and they will be apart for a while maybe then i would like this more after them both but especially the mc have some character growth and the premise of war might mean that the author is going to make the book with more plot and war politics and battles.
January 17, 2026
Aside from the completely noncon first time at the beginning of the book in his previous life, I still feel like there were one or two scenes in the current time that were a bit dubcon… I mean, it did get better and more consensual towards the end... Although, I wasn’t fond of the manipulation at the end or misleading, I suppose.
So having said all that, how did I manage to rate it this high?! 🤯🤷🏻♀️
I just found the story really interesting and liked both of the MC’s…at least, when Jing Shao wasn’t being a little pushy or misleading…or dubcon-y.
IDK insert Kronk line from the Emperor’s new groove “ by all accounts. It doesn’t make sense.”
Oh! And I happen to like Jing Chen
So having said all that, how did I manage to rate it this high?! 🤯🤷🏻♀️
I just found the story really interesting and liked both of the MC’s…at least, when Jing Shao wasn’t being a little pushy or misleading…or dubcon-y.
IDK insert Kronk line from the Emperor’s new groove “ by all accounts. It doesn’t make sense.”
Oh! And I happen to like Jing Chen
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 24, 2026
(2.5☆) i was unimpressed i fear. tell me why jing shao's entire character arc of realizing he was wrong to treat mu hanzhang the way he did happened....off screen.... BEFORE THE BOOK EVEN STARTED?!?! its not like he has any other character arc actually depicted in the story itself, so hes just flat and uninteresting because he has basically zero internal conflict or growth lol. i simply could not care about him if i tried
Read
March 22, 2025DNF at 11%
im not interested enough in either the story nor the characters to continue reading this, and frankly the fantranslation isnt very good, so
maybe i'll comeback for this in the future, when seven seas publishes it or something idk
im not interested enough in either the story nor the characters to continue reading this, and frankly the fantranslation isnt very good, so
maybe i'll comeback for this in the future, when seven seas publishes it or something idk
January 11, 2026
Wholesome with a simple story line. A danmei which has nothing special to deliver, still it has its own charm. I genuinely liked it!
December 31, 2025
I love a simp.
January 14, 2026
3.5 ⭐
January 15, 2026
Liking the concept of the male wives and how that’s affected society and the different ways that they experience discrimination. Not really settled with characters yet but looking forward the rest of the novels to get to know them!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 74 reviews