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The Wife Comes First: Qi Wei Shang (Novel) #2

The Wife Comes First: Qi Wei Shang (Novel) Vol. 2

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JING SHAO IS GOING TO WAR AGAIN—BUT THIS TIME, HE’S BRINGING HIS WIFE.

Sent to suppress a rebellion against the great Chen Empire, the third prince, Jing Shao, rides out once more as marshal of an army a hundred thousand strong. At his side is Mu Hanzhang—his “gentleman wife”—in the guise of a sage strategist.

As corruption and treachery in the imperial court begin to shape the battles ahead, Jing Shao uses the knowledge of his past life to alter the fate that once led to his downfall. Along the way, supported by Mu Hanzhang’s cunning, Jing Shao uses his regression foreknowledge to take advantage of the things that once slipped him by—including the spoils of war, the flames of vengeance, and the arms of his wife.

As conspiracies deepen and long-buried truths come to light, the bond between Jing Shao and Mu Hanzhang grows ever stronger—on the battlefield and within the royal tent.

332 pages, Paperback

Published March 10, 2026

62 people are currently reading
290 people want to read

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Lv Ye Qian He

9 books21 followers

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5 stars
97 (42%)
4 stars
86 (37%)
3 stars
39 (17%)
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6 (2%)
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
Profile Image for Nel.
360 reviews56 followers
April 11, 2026
there is literally no reason to drag this mediocre story over 3 vols. so im peacing out. cool covers though.
Profile Image for V~.
121 reviews14 followers
Review of advance copy
January 15, 2026
4.5/5 🌟

Vol 2 is one that sets up the remaining rest of the plot and how it’s going to affect the couple in their pursuit to peaceful lives. While living the most gushy and sweet couple life ever!

“I wonder what good fortune I managed to accumulate in my last life that led you to me.” When Jing Shao looked at him, there was no trace of teasing in his eyes. He was seriously thinking about what he had done in his last life, and how he had never expected the heavens to treat him so magnanimously and let him live again.
Mu Hanzhang looked at his serious eyes, and his lips slowly turned up. “To be able to have a husband like you, it is I who am blessed with great fortune.”
        They gazed deeply at each other. The great importance and love they shared was clearly reflected in their eyes, and they couldn’t help but slowly drift closer to gently kiss each other’s lips.”


We get to meet new characters that have so much personality including Xiao Huang! GOSH I FREAKING LOVE HIM! Such a cute little playful fur ball. His and Jingshao’s rivalry is just too hilarious! It makes MHZ happy and it makes me so happy!

⚠️Spoilers from here down⚠️
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One thing I’m glad about this story is that battle aren’t too draggy. But since there was a lot of them, it made a big portion of the plot kind of longer and predictable.
However, the only unpredictable moments was how MHZ was able to solve things and earn the respect of the army and now trusted soldiers. He really was able to shine and show his great intelligence and mind!

The thing I really like that this author has done is how she shapes each and every character. Though some scenes can be cut out, I think overall it helps give those side characters depth.

There’s so much more but I think the volume will end when the couple makes it back to the capital. Enter the era of future Marquis Hanzhang! GO WANG FEI!!

Look forward to more of Wang Ye spoiling his Wang Fei rotten!

Read 12/28/2025
Profile Image for Kate♡.
1,503 reviews2,140 followers
March 27, 2026
3.5/5stars

I really loved the first volume and was very excited for this second one, but unfortunately it fell a bit flat. I think it really suffered from "middle book syndrome" where this volume just felt like 300 pages of set up for the finale. It felt like the author didn't really know what to do with the space in between the beginning where the main couple really develop their relationship, to the ending. We took away the stakes of them getting together because they are fully established and loving in this volume (which I love!! they are SO cute together!!) but also the war/politics don't feel incredibly important. Also, the author seemed to just need to fill space because the scenes were SO short and choppy - some of them were barely 2 paragraphs before there was a break in the page and moving onto a completely new scene.

Also this is completely a me thing but I haaaaaaate when characters in books have animals/pets because I think it's just honestly really annoying/boring/irritating. Like WHY do they have a pet tiger now? I know a lot of people think its cute but I found it so pointless.

overall, I am liking this series - the couple is great, their smut is great, but the story is lacking a bit - and I'm excited for the last volume!
Profile Image for Queens Love Books.
493 reviews11 followers
April 1, 2026
“What’s really valuable is often something that you can’t take with you.”

I liked this volume, but I didn’t love it the same way I loved the first one. Something about the earlier part of the story just pulled me in more. It had this balance that kept me hooked without feeling too heavy. I was really into both the manhua and the novel up until the point where they had to leave for war. After that, my interest started to dip a bit. I usually enjoy war stories, especially something like QJJ, so I was a little surprised that this didn’t land the same way for me. It’s not bad at all, it just didn’t hit as strongly on a personal level.

I still really enjoyed the characters, though. Mu Hanzhang is the kind of character I naturally gravitate toward. He’s calm, observant, and always seems to be thinking a few steps ahead without making a show of it. I like how his care comes through in small, intentional actions, and when he reaches his limit, he doesn’t hesitate. Jing Shao feels like his complete opposite in the best way. He’s intense, affectionate, and very open with how he feels, even when it’s messy or impulsive. There’s something really genuine about him that makes his actions easy to understand. Watching the two of them adjust to each other is still one of my favorite parts. Their relationship builds in quiet ways, through little moments that slowly add up, and I found that more meaningful than anything dramatic.

What stood out to me in this volume is how everything is connected. The relationship, the investigation, and the military planning all move together, and you can feel how one thing affects the next. The wolfsbane poisoning thread kept my attention because it unfolds through small clues, and I liked seeing how it all came together. At the same time, I did feel a bit lost here and there. Some information is revealed slowly, which made certain parts harder for me to fully follow in the moment. The shifts between softer scenes and sudden violence also caught me off guard a few times. I can see why others would really enjoy this kind of structure, especially if they like detailed planning and buildup. For me, it just didn’t feel as immersive as the first part, even though I still had a good time reading it.

Date Read: 2026.03.31
320 reviews3 followers
April 14, 2026
Third prince Jing Shao has set off to to quell a rebellion in the Xinan Fiefdom, taking his beloved princely consort, Mu Hanzhang, along with him in the guise of a master strategist. Jing Shao remembers this war from his previous life, and although it's occurring several years ahead of schedule, his intel is still pretty useful, and so he launches his plan to avoid the disaster of the past. Luckily, he has his wife him, who proves to be especially adept at playing the strategist. Each day brings a new challenge, but even in the midst of life-threatening conflict, Jing Shao and Mu Hanzhang grow closer and increasingly depend on one another. However, the couple will have to put their heads together to face not only the anticipated battles in Xinan and back at court but also unexpected treachery within their own camp.

There's nothing like seeing a loving, utterly devoted husband put his deserving and highly capable wife on a pedestal. Jing Shao and Mu Hanzhang are an awesome yet adorable power couple, and that alone made me enjoy this second installment in the series. Although the former is formidable on the battlefield, scheming machinations prove to be the latter's forte, and reading how the two complement (and compliment) each other kept me fed. I'm also happy to report there were no obnoxious miscommunications that caused a spat between the two; in such a dangerous setting, there was no room for anything other than absolute trust in one another. The author balanced these more serious interactions with a mix of romantic and funny scenes, both between the male leads (mostly the former) and with their subordinates (always the latter), and I chuckled especially at the Right Guardian and two of the generals, Hao Dadao and Zhao Meng. The introduction of the pet tiger, Li'l Sunbeam, was also a cute addition.

Those moments of levity were also important to offset the tense action that dominated this book, as the entirety of the plot centered on the war with the king of Xinan (and Dongnan in the latter half). Because, even though Jing Shao had a pretty good idea of what would happen and could plan for it, not everything stayed the same, and things got dicey more than once. On top of that, he and Mu Hanzhang had to root out a traitor and solidify their position at the Chen court from afar. But these obstacles only made their bond stronger, and I finished the book feeling very satisfied with where the two ended up. This is a lighter danmei novel that doesn't skimp on emotional development or plot line, nor rely on annoying tropes to create drama, making for an easy and enjoyable read.
Profile Image for Sleepy Zirka.
49 reviews
March 29, 2026
✧˖°.˗ˏˋ THE WIFE COMES FIRST ˊ˗˖°.✧
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All of the devotion and love he felt in such a tender gesture had filled his heart to bursting. At this moment, only one thought was left in his mind; he wanted him, wanted to be one with him completely.

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Characters: ★★★☆☆
World Building: ★★☆☆☆
Plot: ★★★☆☆
Tension: ★★★☆☆
Writing style: ★★☆☆☆
Entertainment: ★★☆☆☆
Romance/Smut: ★★☆☆☆

Overall Score: ★ 2.5/5.0 ★ 5/10 ★

The wife chaser is back in business and now with the action on the field! Personally i wish not to speak about about this read through, as it was lackluster and monotone in its nature. The politics and warfare fell flat for me and some decisions rather unexplainable... yet i pushed through the last 50% to see how it ends... Will i read the last volume? Yes because im so close on ending this and from what i heard it seems to be more wife pampering, which isnt too bad, just not my flavour.
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- Series ☆ 2.7/5 ☆ -

The Wife Comes First Qi Wei Shang (Novel) Vol. 1 by Lv Ye Qian He [ The Wife Comes First Vol. 1 ] ★ 2.8/5.0 ★ 6/10 ★
The Wife Comes First Qi Wei Shang (Novel) Vol. 2 by Lv Ye Qian He [ The Wife Comes First Vol. 2 ] ★ 2.5/5.0 ★ 5/10 ★
The Wife Comes First Qi Wei Shang (Novel) Vol. 3 by Lv Ye Qian He [ The Wife Comes First Vol. 3 ] ★ 0/5.0 ★ 0/10 ★
Profile Image for Shaun "AceFireFox".
312 reviews3 followers
March 10, 2026
The relationship between these two characters is everything. They love and respect each other so much, even if Jing Shao does get jealous and possessive quite easily even over the little tiger. Jing Shao is so mean to the little cub! Give the cub some respect, he's adorable!
54 reviews
March 31, 2026
4.0. I absolutely love the dynamic of these two, and how they develop trust and make everyone around them a little weirded out will never not make me laugh. They're so sweet it makes my teeth rot and that's perfect for the pallete cleanser I was hoping this series would be.
Profile Image for Paula (lovebookscl).
422 reviews179 followers
March 17, 2026
Relectura con la traducción oficial

Este tomo ya está de lleno en la trama de campaña militar-guerra, y a diferencia de en su vida pasada Jing Shao está acompañado de Mu Hanzhang. Pero eso no es lo único diferente, la campaña ocurre mucho antes de lo esperado y aunque Jing Shao tiene una idea de las personas que serán esenciales (como aliadas o enemigas), nada está escrito en piedra y de igual forma tendrá que estar sumamente atento a cualquier cambio que ocurra.

Para su suerte tiene a Mu Hanzhang a su lado como un estratega.

Aunque el libro se enfoca en planes de guerra y batallas, es sumamente divertido. Hay nuevos personajes que entregan humor a esta parte del plot, además de que todos los soldados son medios chismosos y se preguntan quién es realmente Mu Hanzhang ¿es el amante secreto del príncipe? ¿Es realmente un estratega profesional?

Mu Hanzhang por su parte está disfrutando poner todo su conocimiento y astucia en práctica. Además quiere demostrar que merece el puesto que tiene en el campamento y de esta forma se gana el cariño, confianza y lealtad de todos. Al punto en que muchos ven a Jing Shao como un sirvenguenza que trata a Mu Hanzhang como un amante sabiendo que tiene una esposa-hombre en casa (un tremendo malentendido porque Mu Hanzhang es la esposa en cuestión jajaja)



“He had long since given up on the throne and the empire; they weren’t what he wanted anymore. All he wanted from this lifetime was to spend it next to Junwing. If he lost this man, what was even the point of reliving this life again?”
Profile Image for Miryam Drakon.
462 reviews
March 30, 2026
3.5 ⭐️

I loved Volume 1, so I guess I went into Volume 2 with pretty high expectations... but unfortunately, it didn’t live up to its prequel.

I found myself needing to take breaks while reading, and at one point I even considered DNF’ing it. In the end, though, I pushed through because I just wanted to finish it.

That said, I still loved the dynamic between them. It carried over from the first volume, which was something I really enjoyed. And the new tiger cub? Absolutely adorable, welcome to the family.

Overall, though, this volume felt quite slow compared to the first. I’m hoping Volume 3 picks things up again, otherwise I’m not sure if I’ll continue with the series.
Profile Image for Cassie Renais.
726 reviews3 followers
March 16, 2026
This was an excellent second instalment, very in line with the first, where there's a nice balance between romance/fluff and an actual plot. The introduction of a few new characters in the military/army was a very necessary addition, but also nothing super mind-bending; the overarching plot is pretty simple, so the read stays easy without getting boring.

The smut leans a little too heavily into the "oh no, don't!"/acting coy thing for my liking, but mostly manages to still make it feel consensual and loving. And there are more instances of obvious consent than dubious, so a minor annoyance rather than a feature of the relationship/writing.

Overall, this was a sweet, easy read, with two likeable main characters who have good chemistry and interesting dynamics and interactions. Now I'm just unhappily waiting for the third volume to come out so I can keep reading it.
Profile Image for Cole.
154 reviews1 follower
April 19, 2026
I liked this volume too better than volume one because we did see more actual events happening versus just being told that they had happened and I think some of the side characters that were introduced to are kind of entertaining Even though they're maybe not as large of a part of the story as you might expect them to be. All in all entertaining and I still think the main couple is cute and silly and that's why I'm here
Profile Image for Ceilidhchaos.
Author 13 books39 followers
March 27, 2026
Another installment of a great story

This time travel fix it is so so good. I can not wait for the next volume to come out. Jing Shao and Junqing's devotion to one another is so apparent. And nothing is more fun than Prince Cheng getting jealous and possessive over his gebtlenan wife.
Profile Image for Kaikai❤️.
39 reviews
March 12, 2026
MY DIVAS ARE BACKKK!! Im surprised im keeping up with the political side of things. THEY GOT A BBY TIGER CUB!! And I Fweakin called it that he was gonna take him along to the battle. I love how everyone’s like “THATS OUR STRATEGIST DINT TOUCH HIM!!”
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for akira.
143 reviews
March 22, 2026
unfortunately, I don't have much to say about vol.2 of the wife comes first, other than that it was okay. there is not a lot of anything here really, but the relationship between the two main characters are very sweet and they are cute, if not repetitive.
Profile Image for ˗ˏˋ maddie ˊˎ˗.
1,623 reviews11 followers
April 22, 2026
I definitely love the dynamic between our main protagonists and all the political intrigue, also, never a bad time when a baby tiger shows up, y'know? It does sometimes feel a little thin but I'm still enjoying it! More Left and Right Guardian in volume 3!
32 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Otros
December 19, 2025
I read it in Spanish and it's definitely a book I highly recommend.
Profile Image for Heather.
392 reviews15 followers
March 13, 2026
Volume 1 was more arranged marriage court politics, which is more my preference. This one was more military, travel, and battle with a side of hidden relationship. Still good, but a different vibe.
Profile Image for Alex Drzewiecki.
514 reviews15 followers
March 15, 2026
Rating 3.5/5 stars

They're sweet, but the story feels like it's not really doing anything and it's making my interest slip.
43 reviews
March 29, 2026
Solid 3.5 - series gets stronger with each book. I really like their relationship dynamics
455 reviews1 follower
March 29, 2026
Missing a lot of the politics of the first that I enjoyed, this one did have a lot more focus and clear plot than the first with the military campaign.
Profile Image for mihaela.
214 reviews1 follower
April 10, 2026
[2.75] a 'meh' volume.
the plot is lacking a bit for me, mostly bc of how everything was so convenient again
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews