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Art Thou Ailing? #1
Art Thou Ailing? Vol. 1
In the empire of Great Xia, civility is a mask, courtesy a weapon—and love, perhaps, the most dangerous of all.
Chu Mingyun, Grand Commandant and master of his own ambition, rules half the capital with a fan in hand and a smirk that rarely fades. Known for his cunning, feared for his temper, and trailed by shadows both loyal and lethal, he moves through the imperial court like a chessmaster plotting his endgame.
Su Shiyu, Grand Secretary and paragon of virtue, is his equal in every way—measured, refined, and maddeningly unreadable. His name alone is enough to silence a room, and his smile, courteous though it may be, conceals more than it reveals.
A minister’s suicide. A cryptic message. A rumour that shakes the court to its foundations. As secrets brew beneath silken robes and ceremonial smiles, Chu launches a quiet campaign of subterfuge… and seduction. But behind Su’s mild gaze may lie a sharper mind than anyone has dared to suspect.
Every glance is a gambit, every compliment a calculated move—and in the end, only one question remains:
Who’s playing whom?
Chu Mingyun, Grand Commandant and master of his own ambition, rules half the capital with a fan in hand and a smirk that rarely fades. Known for his cunning, feared for his temper, and trailed by shadows both loyal and lethal, he moves through the imperial court like a chessmaster plotting his endgame.
Su Shiyu, Grand Secretary and paragon of virtue, is his equal in every way—measured, refined, and maddeningly unreadable. His name alone is enough to silence a room, and his smile, courteous though it may be, conceals more than it reveals.
A minister’s suicide. A cryptic message. A rumour that shakes the court to its foundations. As secrets brew beneath silken robes and ceremonial smiles, Chu launches a quiet campaign of subterfuge… and seduction. But behind Su’s mild gaze may lie a sharper mind than anyone has dared to suspect.
Every glance is a gambit, every compliment a calculated move—and in the end, only one question remains:
Who’s playing whom?
386 pages, Paperback
Published January 5, 2026
About the author
Ru Shi Wo Wen
5 books8 followersAssociated Names:
* 如似我闻 (Chinese)
* Ru Shi Wo Wen (English)
* หรูซื่อหว่อเหวิน (Thai)
* 如似我闻 (Chinese)
* Ru Shi Wo Wen (English)
* หรูซื่อหว่อเหวิน (Thai)
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
February 6, 2026
Disclaimer: I absolutely adore this book and admit I’m completely biased/blind to any critiques lol. I’m also okay with people finding something I love boring. Rosmei did a fantastic job
but
I really miss all the footnotes we get from FTLs. This volume ends at chapter 50 of the novel (halfway). My review of the FTL is no different than the official TL with the exception of having to learn new terms/titles and no footnotes.
This is what I imagine as a true “enemies to lovers/rivals to allies” novel. Seems a lot of people didn’t really like the characters, but that was my favorite part of this novel 🥰. The overall plot wasn’t really anything unique but there was enough court intrigue and murder mystery solving to keep me invested. The MC and ML are both in very powerful and politically opposing positions and serve an inept Emperor who would rather be a carpenter/artist. I read a beautiful translation that included lots of official art from the audio drama and Weibo and also some incredible fan art.
Characters
MC Su Shiyu: Court censor, devoted to the throne/country and in turn the Emperor who he grew up with, quiet, calm, appears gentle “most eligible bachelor “, helplessly speechless and exasperated when it comes to the ML. The Emperor adores him and would marry him if he was a woman
ML Chu Mingyun: military gong, chatty, teasing, shameless , appears carefree, has a very loyal military following but not popular in court, (reminds me a little of Xiao Chiye). The Emperor fears him but also needs him.
What I loved:
🩷The banter, flirting, and bickering- reminds me a little of Peerless
🩷A nice mix of comedy, angst, conspiracy, and intimacy
🩷Watching them fall in love but one in denial and the other unaware how hard he’s fallen already
🩷Multiple couples (four!) but they don’t get enough time so don’t get too excited
🩷 Both are scheming and smart
🩷I know you can protect yourself but let me protect you energy from the ML
🩷Fairly short at 89 chapters/2 extras. The story felt linear and tight with an easy to follow plot and cast of characters
🩷Two fujoshis
Spoilers below!
If I had some complaints…
-Too many side characters that I really liked died
-It did get a tiny bit slow at times
-Side couples could have used more time/development
-Someone tried to murder them in a house at a party? Unbothered. It felt weird that some things would be a huge deal and others they wouldn’t even let anyone know
-The ending was crescendoing but then it felt rushed?
-I needed more of their happily every after 💔
"He is my baobei, just so you know.” 🥰
This is what I imagine as a true “enemies to lovers/rivals to allies” novel. Seems a lot of people didn’t really like the characters, but that was my favorite part of this novel 🥰. The overall plot wasn’t really anything unique but there was enough court intrigue and murder mystery solving to keep me invested. The MC and ML are both in very powerful and politically opposing positions and serve an inept Emperor who would rather be a carpenter/artist. I read a beautiful translation that included lots of official art from the audio drama and Weibo and also some incredible fan art.
Characters
MC Su Shiyu: Court censor, devoted to the throne/country and in turn the Emperor who he grew up with, quiet, calm, appears gentle “most eligible bachelor “, helplessly speechless and exasperated when it comes to the ML. The Emperor adores him and would marry him if he was a woman
ML Chu Mingyun: military gong, chatty, teasing, shameless , appears carefree, has a very loyal military following but not popular in court, (reminds me a little of Xiao Chiye). The Emperor fears him but also needs him.
What I loved:
🩷The banter, flirting, and bickering- reminds me a little of Peerless
🩷A nice mix of comedy, angst, conspiracy, and intimacy
🩷Watching them fall in love but one in denial and the other unaware how hard he’s fallen already
🩷Multiple couples (four!) but they don’t get enough time so don’t get too excited
🩷 Both are scheming and smart
🩷I know you can protect yourself but let me protect you energy from the ML
🩷Fairly short at 89 chapters/2 extras. The story felt linear and tight with an easy to follow plot and cast of characters
🩷Two fujoshis
Spoilers below!
If I had some complaints…
-Too many side characters that I really liked died
-It did get a tiny bit slow at times
-Side couples could have used more time/development
-Someone tried to murder them in a house at a party? Unbothered. It felt weird that some things would be a huge deal and others they wouldn’t even let anyone know
-The ending was crescendoing but then it felt rushed?
-I needed more of their happily every after 💔
"He is my baobei, just so you know.” 🥰
February 15, 2026
Originally, I DNF’d the FTL due to finding it boring.
But on pay day weekend, I decided to impulsively buy the officially translated version because the cover is so god damn pretty.
And I don’t regret it.
Here are a few of many random thoughts while reading this:
- Chu Mingyun (MC) and Su Shiyu (ML) should kiss already.
- Finally they kissed (near the end).
- Qin Zhao (MC's BFF) and Du Yue (ML cousin) are precious. These cinnamon rolls better get a HEA and confess their feelings to each other.
- Thank god the one bed trope is alive and well. Long may it reign.
- RIP Princess. You may have been a black widow but you deserved the world.
It seemed VERY convenient how our MC’s uncovered the villains and then they ended up dead more or less straight away. I think there is more reveals to come and I’m looking forward to see how everything progresses in vol 2.
But on pay day weekend, I decided to impulsively buy the officially translated version because the cover is so god damn pretty.
And I don’t regret it.
Here are a few of many random thoughts while reading this:
- Chu Mingyun (MC) and Su Shiyu (ML) should kiss already.
- Finally they kissed (near the end).
- Qin Zhao (MC's BFF) and Du Yue (ML cousin) are precious. These cinnamon rolls better get a HEA and confess their feelings to each other.
- Thank god the one bed trope is alive and well. Long may it reign.
- RIP Princess. You may have been a black widow but you deserved the world.
It seemed VERY convenient how our MC’s uncovered the villains and then they ended up dead more or less straight away. I think there is more reveals to come and I’m looking forward to see how everything progresses in vol 2.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 22, 2026
"I don't know too, but in our language, we have a saying: when you love a person, scorpions and spiders crawl over your heart. Your heart will jump and beat very quickly. It'll hurt very much. You feel scared, but you also feel very happy."
I picked this up feeling excited because historical danmei and mystery are two of my favorite things. I struggled more than I expected, especially in the beginning. I had to put it down a couple of times before I hit the middle and felt more settled into the story. The faded ink on some pages in my copy didn’t help at all. A few sections were hard to read, and it broke my focus. I also kept getting tripped up by the number of mysterious characters who are not clearly named. I know the confusion is intentional, but I kept doubting myself. I’d flip back a few pages thinking I missed something, only to realize I hadn’t. It genuinely made me question if I was half asleep while reading.
The story opens with a suspicious death and slowly widens into political schemes, falsified confessions, secret ledgers, bronze tokens, underground gambling rings, burned estates, and foreign tension simmering in the background. Everything connects in a way that makes sense, and I could see the careful planning behind it. I just never felt fully pulled into the mystery. I wasn’t trying to solve it in my head or feeling shocked by the reveals. One storyline that felt especially sad gets brushed aside pretty quickly, and that part really stuck with me. It had emotional weight, and I wanted more time with it before the story moved on.
Chu Mingyun walks into every room with playful charm and a kind of calculated confidence. He pushes buttons on purpose, flirts when it benefits him, and always seems one step ahead. Then there are small moments where that composure slips, and you see hints of jealousy or quiet vulnerability. Su Shiyu carries himself with discipline and restraint. He’s serious about justice, observant, and careful with his trust, but there’s a deep loyalty under that calm exterior. Their connection builds through shared danger, political maneuvering, and long silences that feel loaded with meaning. There’s one especially cute scene between them that made me giggle. I liked the tension between them and the way their relationship unfolds in subtle, charged moments, even when I wished the mystery itself had pulled me in more.
Date Read: 2026.02.16
I picked this up feeling excited because historical danmei and mystery are two of my favorite things. I struggled more than I expected, especially in the beginning. I had to put it down a couple of times before I hit the middle and felt more settled into the story. The faded ink on some pages in my copy didn’t help at all. A few sections were hard to read, and it broke my focus. I also kept getting tripped up by the number of mysterious characters who are not clearly named. I know the confusion is intentional, but I kept doubting myself. I’d flip back a few pages thinking I missed something, only to realize I hadn’t. It genuinely made me question if I was half asleep while reading.
The story opens with a suspicious death and slowly widens into political schemes, falsified confessions, secret ledgers, bronze tokens, underground gambling rings, burned estates, and foreign tension simmering in the background. Everything connects in a way that makes sense, and I could see the careful planning behind it. I just never felt fully pulled into the mystery. I wasn’t trying to solve it in my head or feeling shocked by the reveals. One storyline that felt especially sad gets brushed aside pretty quickly, and that part really stuck with me. It had emotional weight, and I wanted more time with it before the story moved on.
Chu Mingyun walks into every room with playful charm and a kind of calculated confidence. He pushes buttons on purpose, flirts when it benefits him, and always seems one step ahead. Then there are small moments where that composure slips, and you see hints of jealousy or quiet vulnerability. Su Shiyu carries himself with discipline and restraint. He’s serious about justice, observant, and careful with his trust, but there’s a deep loyalty under that calm exterior. Their connection builds through shared danger, political maneuvering, and long silences that feel loaded with meaning. There’s one especially cute scene between them that made me giggle. I liked the tension between them and the way their relationship unfolds in subtle, charged moments, even when I wished the mystery itself had pulled me in more.
Date Read: 2026.02.16
January 30, 2026
4.25 ★
February 7, 2026
This book seems to start in the middle of a story and we're left trying to work out what's going on and keep up. This had a slow start and I struggled to get in to it but I persevered and it really paid off.
The political intrigue is interesting once you're up to speed. The developing friendship/relationship between the two main characters is very well written and builds naturally throughout. What starts as a subterfuge develops in to a real love which I enjoyed. Love the banker and bickering. Looking forward to seeing how this continues.
Can't wait to read the next volume.
The political intrigue is interesting once you're up to speed. The developing friendship/relationship between the two main characters is very well written and builds naturally throughout. What starts as a subterfuge develops in to a real love which I enjoyed. Love the banker and bickering. Looking forward to seeing how this continues.
Can't wait to read the next volume.
May 5, 2026
Su Shiyu and Chu Mingyun are certainly a pair that can be called a power couple without a second of hesitation, even though they are still only awkwardly dancing around each other. This was a perfect mix of comedy, action and drama and I enjoyed every bit of it. Seeing someone pretend to love someone only for it to spectacularly backfire at him was always a favourite and it was just as delightful here. The court intrigues and all that plotting and scheming had the little gremlin in me cackle and rub his hands, it was engaging and has me curious what all will be thrown in these two's path in the next book.
February 9, 2026
★★★★★ - 4.5/5 stars
January 28, 2026
Politics! Schemes! Faking love but accidentally falling for real! This has so much fun stuff going on in it. The dynamic between the two leads is a stellar push and pull that has me shaking my head as to who I'll side with when shit inevitably hits the fan. If you like danmei with a lot of subterfuge and politics (like Peerless, Ballad of Sword and Wine, or Joyful Reunion) this is the bok for you!
April 28, 2026
"Su Shiyu's smile widened. His eyes narrowed slightly as he spoke, again, in a gentle tone. "Are you perchance sick?"
"I am," said Chu Mingyun without skipping a beat. "I'm lovesick."
Chu Mingyun pretending to be in love with his rival and harassing him with corny pick up lines and embarassing declarations of love just to then actually fall in love with him truly was the highlight of my entire week.
I absolutely adored this book. Going in with knowing next to nothing about the plot and characters I was pleasantly surprised by just how hooked I was from the very start. While the plot itself really isn't anything we haven't seen before, this story shines through its characters. Chu Mingyun and Su Shiyu were such complex and wonderfully compelling characters and the development of their relationship even more so.
From years of animosity due to opposing political stances to bickering allies due to circumstance to yearning souls in love – I enjoyed every step of the way. The intense yearning really was one of the main aspects that stood out to me about these two. Besides the fact that I loved how vocal and honest Chu Mingyun was about his feelings I also loved reading about the deep devotion and tender love chusu held for each other (I could write an entire essay about the New Year's chapter alone). Chusu have absolutely stolen my heart and have easily become one of my favourite danmei couples.
"I am," said Chu Mingyun without skipping a beat. "I'm lovesick."
Chu Mingyun pretending to be in love with his rival and harassing him with corny pick up lines and embarassing declarations of love just to then actually fall in love with him truly was the highlight of my entire week.
I absolutely adored this book. Going in with knowing next to nothing about the plot and characters I was pleasantly surprised by just how hooked I was from the very start. While the plot itself really isn't anything we haven't seen before, this story shines through its characters. Chu Mingyun and Su Shiyu were such complex and wonderfully compelling characters and the development of their relationship even more so.
From years of animosity due to opposing political stances to bickering allies due to circumstance to yearning souls in love – I enjoyed every step of the way. The intense yearning really was one of the main aspects that stood out to me about these two. Besides the fact that I loved how vocal and honest Chu Mingyun was about his feelings I also loved reading about the deep devotion and tender love chusu held for each other (I could write an entire essay about the New Year's chapter alone). Chusu have absolutely stolen my heart and have easily become one of my favourite danmei couples.
February 14, 2026
I really love the tension between the 2 main leads ❤️❤️❤️
March 11, 2026
I really enjoyed this first volume! The plot was intriguing and I loved how their relationship grew throughout the novel. I couldn't put the book down. I stayed up late to finish it and I do not regret it at all.
May 6, 2026
This was such a good powercouple, that still is in denial :D and it's so good to watch them slowly (and to the end faster) fall and fall and fall for each other. Also their bickering and scheming is such a delight. Especially the delicate Su is more than the shows.
Generally speaking the whole story will be a lot of scheming and political intrigue, while they both navigate this whole mess - it's interesting, but i do need a char with the chars and in which side they belong. And there probably will still be a LOT of drama incoming, especially because we still don't know a lot about the past of both Chu and Su, and everyone is fucking SUS.
Also i love how griim some of the themes are :D none of them is a dainty loveably innocent char (maybe Du Yue), and i love this - they had war with the Huns, and it was gruel, and there was torture and stuff - and i love it, because its realistic. So yeah
I had a lot of fun with this one :3
Generally speaking the whole story will be a lot of scheming and political intrigue, while they both navigate this whole mess - it's interesting, but i do need a char with the chars and in which side they belong. And there probably will still be a LOT of drama incoming, especially because we still don't know a lot about the past of both Chu and Su, and everyone is fucking SUS.
Also i love how griim some of the themes are :D none of them is a dainty loveably innocent char (maybe Du Yue), and i love this - they had war with the Huns, and it was gruel, and there was torture and stuff - and i love it, because its realistic. So yeah
I had a lot of fun with this one :3
May 3, 2026
Bit of a slow start, but I really enjoy the court politics slash courting. Chu Mingyun is a whole menace and I really need to find out both his and Su Shiyun's backstories. I really like characters like Su Shiyun who seemingly care for nothing and let nothing at all show and then they're the first to fall for the other
Read
February 19, 2026yearning galore. I liked the tension between the leads but I don't think the plots (esp around military matters) were the best. couldn't really feel how smart the leads were
君有疾否
君有疾否
May 7, 2026
A beautiful calming read. Just a hint of intrigue , mystery and a fun relationship. I love both the ml and MC and I'm excited for the next one!
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews