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Marriage of the Di Daughter
The young lady from the Xue family was talented and beautiful, and married the dream husband at the age of 16. They had a loving and harmonious relationship and were together for 3 years when her husband attained the title of Imperial Scholar.
Now that he had attained glory and honor, he was dissatisfied with his commoner wife. He craved power and wealth; in his quest to become prince consort, he regarded her as an obstacle to marrying the princess and was willing to murder both his wife and children.
The arrogant and willful princess stood before her and ridiculed her: “So what if you are exceptionally beautiful and have unparalleled talents? After all, you are only a small official’s daughter, for this princess to crush you – is just as simple as crushing an ant to death!”
Her reputation was smeared, she committed suicide by hanging, her brother was murdered while seeking justice for her, and her old father fell ill from the chain of grievous news and passed away.
During the 42nd year of Hong Xiao’s reign, Yanjing’s no. 1 beauty, Xue Fang Fei, passed away. She reincarnated into the body of the Grand Secretariat’s daughter, Jiang Li, who drowned and was granted new life!
She got into a prominent family and engaged in dirty, underhanded dealings non-stop. She came across all sorts of bad characters, be they monsters or freaks, she dealt with them accordingly. An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.
Once she was soft-hearted, but now she has become heartless! Jiang Li swore never to be an insignificant character again, and never to allow anyone to trample over herself again. This lifetime, she would seek justice by having her revenge and resolving this blood feud!
He is Northern Yan’s youngest duke, he is unrestrained and beautiful, he is capricious, and he collects the world’s strangest flowers.
Everyone said that the Grand Secretariat’s second daughter is spirited and lovely, pure and kind, and that she is likened to a white lotus.
He is clad in beautiful, red clothes, and retorted with a smile, “A white lotus? She is clearly a man-eating flower that eats people without spitting out bones!”
Jiang Li: “Duke, careful you don’t break your hand.”
Ji Heng: “Such a ferocious man-eating flower, of course I’m going to snatch it home to safeguard.”
An unrestrained hunk vs a daughter from an aristocratic family. The pair of wolves in sheep’s clothing join hands to tyrannize the world.
Now that he had attained glory and honor, he was dissatisfied with his commoner wife. He craved power and wealth; in his quest to become prince consort, he regarded her as an obstacle to marrying the princess and was willing to murder both his wife and children.
The arrogant and willful princess stood before her and ridiculed her: “So what if you are exceptionally beautiful and have unparalleled talents? After all, you are only a small official’s daughter, for this princess to crush you – is just as simple as crushing an ant to death!”
Her reputation was smeared, she committed suicide by hanging, her brother was murdered while seeking justice for her, and her old father fell ill from the chain of grievous news and passed away.
During the 42nd year of Hong Xiao’s reign, Yanjing’s no. 1 beauty, Xue Fang Fei, passed away. She reincarnated into the body of the Grand Secretariat’s daughter, Jiang Li, who drowned and was granted new life!
She got into a prominent family and engaged in dirty, underhanded dealings non-stop. She came across all sorts of bad characters, be they monsters or freaks, she dealt with them accordingly. An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.
Once she was soft-hearted, but now she has become heartless! Jiang Li swore never to be an insignificant character again, and never to allow anyone to trample over herself again. This lifetime, she would seek justice by having her revenge and resolving this blood feud!
He is Northern Yan’s youngest duke, he is unrestrained and beautiful, he is capricious, and he collects the world’s strangest flowers.
Everyone said that the Grand Secretariat’s second daughter is spirited and lovely, pure and kind, and that she is likened to a white lotus.
He is clad in beautiful, red clothes, and retorted with a smile, “A white lotus? She is clearly a man-eating flower that eats people without spitting out bones!”
Jiang Li: “Duke, careful you don’t break your hand.”
Ji Heng: “Such a ferocious man-eating flower, of course I’m going to snatch it home to safeguard.”
An unrestrained hunk vs a daughter from an aristocratic family. The pair of wolves in sheep’s clothing join hands to tyrannize the world.
4360 pages, ebook
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About the author
Qian Shan Cha Ke
90 books83 followersDue to the duplication of this author's English name "Jiang Yu", the name needs to have two spaces between names: Jiang^^Yu
Associated Names:
* 千山茶客 / 姜钰 (Chinese)
* Qian Shan Cha Ke / Jiang Yu (English)
* เชียนซานฉาเค่อ (Thai)
Associated Names:
* 千山茶客 / 姜钰 (Chinese)
* Qian Shan Cha Ke / Jiang Yu (English)
* เชียนซานฉาเค่อ (Thai)
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
May 24, 2022
Chapter 56. That was the end of my patience while dealing with this book. Not to fault the translators who are doing a wonderful job, but the book itself is quite monotonous and frustrating. Like, "pull-out-your-hair" frustrating.
From what I've gathered so far, it's another one of those rebirth stories where the female lead has unhealthy obsession with ensuring the downfall of her past tormentors.
Yes, stand up for yourself and seek justice, but these storylines are a bit too excessive, where the heroine deviously plans all throughout her entire second life she's been blessed with only to deep dive into the rabbit hole all over again. It won't be wrong if I say that I've developed an immense distaste for these kind of novels.
Everyone is scheming. There's no love lost even between the blood relatives. Sisters are evil to the point where they even woo each other's fiancès and that is not even the worst case scenario.
They ruthlessly use under-handed techniques to make sure that no other sister stands in their way to climbing the heights of the social ladder, even if it means killing them.
The family hates on the female lead. Always. One accusation from some stranger is enough for the family to kick their own kin out of the clan. At this point, I'm 100% sure that 99% of these light novel FLs all suffer under the hands of devil-incarnate stepmothers who lures in the dad by giving him some kids. Meh, I'm so over this crap.
The ML still showed no signs of making an entrance. While the FL here was getting herself tangled-up in unnecessary situations. When the unnecessary arc of her going to the academy was added, I was done. That arc made no sense in her grandiose revenge plan, so it didn't make sense for me to sit tight and bear through more of the social drama taking place amongst spoilt kids of nobility. There's hardly any chance of me ever picking this back up again.
The only reason I rated this two stars is for the translators. They are probably one of the best web novel transalators I've come across especially since they point out all the complex grammar mentioned in each chapter, provide foot notes where they explain unknown phrases or historical stuff. They even made the efforts of making a character list along with beautiful imagery for each chapter so far. 👏
So, if you're planning on checking this book out, their official website link is on NovelUpdates.
From what I've gathered so far, it's another one of those rebirth stories where the female lead has unhealthy obsession with ensuring the downfall of her past tormentors.
Yes, stand up for yourself and seek justice, but these storylines are a bit too excessive, where the heroine deviously plans all throughout her entire second life she's been blessed with only to deep dive into the rabbit hole all over again. It won't be wrong if I say that I've developed an immense distaste for these kind of novels.
Everyone is scheming. There's no love lost even between the blood relatives. Sisters are evil to the point where they even woo each other's fiancès and that is not even the worst case scenario.
They ruthlessly use under-handed techniques to make sure that no other sister stands in their way to climbing the heights of the social ladder, even if it means killing them.
The family hates on the female lead. Always. One accusation from some stranger is enough for the family to kick their own kin out of the clan. At this point, I'm 100% sure that 99% of these light novel FLs all suffer under the hands of devil-incarnate stepmothers who lures in the dad by giving him some kids. Meh, I'm so over this crap.
The ML still showed no signs of making an entrance. While the FL here was getting herself tangled-up in unnecessary situations. When the unnecessary arc of her going to the academy was added, I was done. That arc made no sense in her grandiose revenge plan, so it didn't make sense for me to sit tight and bear through more of the social drama taking place amongst spoilt kids of nobility. There's hardly any chance of me ever picking this back up again.
The only reason I rated this two stars is for the translators. They are probably one of the best web novel transalators I've come across especially since they point out all the complex grammar mentioned in each chapter, provide foot notes where they explain unknown phrases or historical stuff. They even made the efforts of making a character list along with beautiful imagery for each chapter so far. 👏
So, if you're planning on checking this book out, their official website link is on NovelUpdates.
December 5, 2023
LOL so I thought about between 3-4 stars because I don't know about REALLY liked it but ... TBH I did quite/really like it ... and the fact that I read ALL FUCKING TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTY PLUS CHAPTERS.
HONESTLY it should count for at least four books. >.> Maybe up to eight ... and I did add another read date cuz I read and hunted down all the "bonus material" - those extra chapters.
Ooof. It was a TRIAL too since I read 112+ chapters that were actually human translated - but silly me - since someone linked it I thought it was done BUT NOPE and was like "wait - shoot" ... so I had to find whatever random translations and it was CLEARLY bot/AI. [O_o although on the site the person claims they edit? Some? Some of the stuff they upload which ... My sibling in Christ REALLY?!]
Anyway. It also led to a lot of unintentional hilarity so I just took that as another layer of entertainment.
I am HYPE for when the drama The Double comes out - I like ML and FL so ... hopefully production is happening now and it sails through censorship and we get to see it in 2024. There's so much good stuff from the source material. Who knows how it'll be changed but fingers crossed.
Jiang Li/FangFei is just so awesome. She's SO well rounded and not a Mary Sue and vengeance is her goal but loves comes in and same for Ji Heng and I am SO eager/REALLY hope they show some of the fan stuff cuz while it's described I just can't ... I couldn't picture it in my head (was the peony an adornment or just the image on it? LOL I guess in my head since the author kept talking about it "blooming" I saw it more like a pop up thing on the weapon fan?
Also I LOOOOVE good fan fighting but it's hard to do well - so if it's like ... *sigh* WRTW type I'm going to be crushed.
ANYWAY. This is about the book. Nearly character played a part and there were so few irrelevant ones. [Like maaaybe some of the Jiang family?] Even the Ye cousins offered varying levels of friendship.
The "poison doctor" I'm very curious about - those translations were miserable so ... in like four years when the human translations are done - if ever - I might do a reread. I got the gist of her character but ...
[Also though THAT GODDAMN CLIFFHANGER ENDING BETWEEN HER AND XZ...]
I love how evenly matched our ML and FL are, how they had various and varying connections even before they "officially meet" and how it isn't sweet from go - it takes a LOT -
But we could see JH falling well before it was even a thought for JL. I think they finally kiss - first kiss! - at like chapter 218? Too lazy to look through bluesky/the search isn't v good.
Lowkey still fucked up from "nobody can kill you but me" to "I love you" but ... again - changes.
Oh they just fit each other so so well <3
And it's kinda them against the world cuz his subordinates ... man I dunno >.> I don't really think the "important" ones ever really warmed to her ...
And her families - all of them - were VERY wary of him.
But they knew each other <3
And heh - FL got comfort knowing ML had her back if only for him to later kill her. Which of course we know WOULDN'T happen. [Thank god books /this romance aspect carries, unlike dramas where very well anyone might die at any time even in the last minute....]
LOL yeah - I would definitely consider re-reading it if/when properly translated. <3
As is though - machine - my friend - no.
But :X I'm definitely interested in reading the author's other books and restraining myself from jumping into another cuz there are too many KU and library books to read - esp before my KU trial expires. :X
B? B+?
HONESTLY it should count for at least four books. >.> Maybe up to eight ... and I did add another read date cuz I read and hunted down all the "bonus material" - those extra chapters.
Ooof. It was a TRIAL too since I read 112+ chapters that were actually human translated - but silly me - since someone linked it I thought it was done BUT NOPE and was like "wait - shoot" ... so I had to find whatever random translations and it was CLEARLY bot/AI. [O_o although on the site the person claims they edit? Some? Some of the stuff they upload which ... My sibling in Christ REALLY?!]
Anyway. It also led to a lot of unintentional hilarity so I just took that as another layer of entertainment.
I am HYPE for when the drama The Double comes out - I like ML and FL so ... hopefully production is happening now and it sails through censorship and we get to see it in 2024. There's so much good stuff from the source material. Who knows how it'll be changed but fingers crossed.
Jiang Li/FangFei is just so awesome. She's SO well rounded and not a Mary Sue and vengeance is her goal but loves comes in and same for Ji Heng and I am SO eager/REALLY hope they show some of the fan stuff cuz while it's described I just can't ... I couldn't picture it in my head (was the peony an adornment or just the image on it? LOL I guess in my head since the author kept talking about it "blooming" I saw it more like a pop up thing on the weapon fan?
Also I LOOOOVE good fan fighting but it's hard to do well - so if it's like ... *sigh* WRTW type I'm going to be crushed.
ANYWAY. This is about the book. Nearly character played a part and there were so few irrelevant ones. [Like maaaybe some of the Jiang family?] Even the Ye cousins offered varying levels of friendship.
The "poison doctor" I'm very curious about - those translations were miserable so ... in like four years when the human translations are done - if ever - I might do a reread. I got the gist of her character but ...
[Also though THAT GODDAMN CLIFFHANGER ENDING BETWEEN HER AND XZ...]
I love how evenly matched our ML and FL are, how they had various and varying connections even before they "officially meet" and how it isn't sweet from go - it takes a LOT -
But we could see JH falling well before it was even a thought for JL. I think they finally kiss - first kiss! - at like chapter 218? Too lazy to look through bluesky/the search isn't v good.
Lowkey still fucked up from "nobody can kill you but me" to "I love you" but ... again - changes.
Oh they just fit each other so so well <3
And it's kinda them against the world cuz his subordinates ... man I dunno >.> I don't really think the "important" ones ever really warmed to her ...
And her families - all of them - were VERY wary of him.
But they knew each other <3
And heh - FL got comfort knowing ML had her back if only for him to later kill her. Which of course we know WOULDN'T happen. [Thank god books /this romance aspect carries, unlike dramas where very well anyone might die at any time even in the last minute....]
LOL yeah - I would definitely consider re-reading it if/when properly translated. <3
As is though - machine - my friend - no.
But :X I'm definitely interested in reading the author's other books and restraining myself from jumping into another cuz there are too many KU and library books to read - esp before my KU trial expires. :X
B? B+?
September 3, 2024
Rate: 5/5 ⭐️
I couldn’t function properly in the days when I was reading this book, I was so exhausted reading it but I couldn’t stop! I’ve read ‘Rebirth of a Star General’ and I loved that book so much, the characters all felt real although some might be exaggerated but it’s better than others I’ve read. I saw the drama and was interested in reading this book so I dropped the drama midway and picked up the book. I definitely do not regret it and I loved every part of the book. The revenge, conspiracies, and romance. The male lead was perfect he wasn’t overbearing and was so sweet to the female lead 😭😭😭
The last chapter broke me because I felt so emotional reading it (not to mention how much I cried and amount of tissues I used xd), it was an emotional rollercoaster and I wish I could experience it again.
I couldn’t function properly in the days when I was reading this book, I was so exhausted reading it but I couldn’t stop! I’ve read ‘Rebirth of a Star General’ and I loved that book so much, the characters all felt real although some might be exaggerated but it’s better than others I’ve read. I saw the drama and was interested in reading this book so I dropped the drama midway and picked up the book. I definitely do not regret it and I loved every part of the book. The revenge, conspiracies, and romance. The male lead was perfect he wasn’t overbearing and was so sweet to the female lead 😭😭😭
The last chapter broke me because I felt so emotional reading it (not to mention how much I cried and amount of tissues I used xd), it was an emotional rollercoaster and I wish I could experience it again.
May 27, 2023
So, so good!!! I was kind of scared to read this after the very flawed "Rebirth of the Star General" by the same author. I loved "Malicious Empress" but I didn't want it to a one hit wonder. Now I think Star General might have been the odd one out because this one has single handedly restored my faith in this author! RTC because I need to squeal about how much I love my otp! 4.5 stars
November 18, 2022
Same author as The Rebirth of the Malicious Empress of Military Lineage. This one's written in 2017, a year after Malicious Empress. Rebirth transmigration revenge novel, quite typical of this subgenre. I'm up to date (chapter 90) on the currently available English translation online at Blooming Translation (thanks to translator/editor unflagging team Limeblossom and Nigaria).
October 7, 2024
Qian Shan Cha Ke’s 2017 webnovel ‘Marriage of the Di Daughter’ published by Qidian, has been introduced in the English language by the rough-translation done by roakemtl.blogspot.com (Translation via MTL, Editor: Roake). Since 2019, it is being properly translated on bloomingtranslation.home.blog (Translator: Limeblossom, Editor: Nigaria). It is still ongoing, and they are currently on Chapter 132.
The novel has 239 chapters, & 5 epilogues (Chapters 240-244). So these independent bloggers sites need support and appreciation for introducing Chinese webnovels to English-understanding world.
The novel has also been produced as a 40-episode historical TV series ‘The Double’ by Youku, which is being shown on Netflix in 2024 (& can be watched on online sites such as dramacool).
The novel is good & the adaptation is excellent.
SYNOPSIS:
In a nutshell, MODD is the revenge story of a betrayed wife seeks revenge for all injustices meted out to her & to the girl whose identity she takes (as a transmigration of soul after death in the novel & as an assumed identity ‘theft’ in the series).
The following review is full of spoilers:
XUE FANGFEI - THE BETRAYED WIFE:
Fangfei is the 18/19 year old daughter of a county magistrate from small town (Huaixiang). She has a younger brother. She is a renowned beauty, is talented and well-read, and since her father shares his work with her and takes her along with him when out on work, she is more knowledgeable & street smart than average girl next door. She is described as wise, far-sighted, warm with a strong sense of justice.
She falls in love with an attractive, but poor scholar Shen Yurong, who is studying to sit in imperial examinations. In the series, it is implied that he may have been a student of her father’s but in the novel Fangfei says she met him at a funeral of his relative in Huaixiang. Her father disapproves but accepts her wishes & sends her off to the capital Yanjing (old name of Beijing) with dowries.
Fangfei supports Shen Yurong emotionally but more importantly financially spending her dowries on his education & health & care. His mother & sister disapprove of her because she is from a small town & they aspire to mingle with the nobility, high society ladies of the capital, & feel Shen Yurong can do much better. His sister takes Fangfei’s jewellery & clothes saying that she likes them, & Fangfei tries to appease all 3 since even though Shen Yurong keeps reminding her that his mom & sister have done a lot for him so he will take their side too. If Shen Yurong succeeds in passing the exam in good grades, he’ll get a job in the Imperial Academy & move up from the undistinguished town & humble beginnings he belongs to. And he feels that system is rigged against underprivileged people like him. So Fangfei tries her best to adapt to married life with this guy & his family.
DUKE SU’S ASSESSMENT OF XUE FANGFEI AS A MARRIED WOMAN, BEFORE THEY MET:
It is interesting that when Duke Su / Jiang Hi first sees Fangfei as a married woman from afar in the novel, he calls her “A beautiful woman, yet completely lacking in spirit,” an assessment which even Fangfei acknowledged as being true (thinking to herself) because “in order to appease and win favor of in-laws, she curbed her nature & passed the days with restrained movements. Learning to be a good wife & a loving mother, (I) no longer was the gay, quick-witted young lady.” In Chapter 10: Part 2: Beauty (bloomngtranslation.home.blog) she says, “Loving someone to the point of sacrificing oneself, turning into another person, in the end she was just like dust without any spirit.”
This is an important point because later on, after he gets to know her (as Jiang Li) in the drama, he says to her “to never change herself for anyone, not even him” & “to live, no matter what happens” and reaffirms that “I know how powerful you are.”
FANGFEI’S ‘MURDER’:
Shen Yurong is the top scorer in exam, gets an official residence from the emperor, a plaque is placed outside this house from the emperor declaring him as the top scorer, & he is given a job at the imperial academy. But no one comes to his celebratory party because he is not rich, well-connected & is not from nobility. This hurts him big.
In the novel, Fangfei is pregnant & Shen Yurong is already having an affair with Princess Yong Ning & is actively involved in destroying Fangfei’s reputation so that he can marry the princess & climb the social ladder. In the drama it is shown that though the Princess is interested in him, he has to kill Fangfei with complicated feelings of regret, helplessness, cowardice, ambition & lust for power, & these feelings carry Shen Yurong for the entirety of the drama. He is remorseful, jealous & later on covets Fangfei again.
In the novel, Fangfei is setup by her in-laws to make it seem like she is with another man in her bedchamber. Shen Yurong does not see her for 3 months after that. Such a woman is usually divorced & sent packing but Fangfei has to be killed to maintain his image and since a divorced man cannot marry a princess. Princess Yong Ning actively arranges poisons for Fangfei so that she miscarries & boldly enters her bedroom with 2 of her maids to kill her & make it seem like an ashamed wife committed suicide. In the drama, Shen Yurong takes Fangfei under a ruse that he is actually saving her, to Qingcheng mountain, throws her in a dug-up hole, tells her that her father & brother are dead, so no one will come look for her or rescue her or seek reprisal or explanation over her. He then promptly hits her with a hoe, buries her alive & goes back to prepare a grand funeral & shed crocodile tears over the dead wife, but not before having another tryst with the Princess. He is also promoted to Minister of Rites.
In the novel, her soul transmigrates into the body of a dying Jiang Li, the 15 year old girl of nobility stuck in a convent since the age of 7 because of the evil machinations of her stepmother & indifference of her father; in the drama, Fangfei assumes the identity of the dying Jiang Li who previously saved her & then takes revenge for herself, her presumed dead father and brother, Jiang Li & a few side characters. Of course all is not what it seems & the entire drama (as well as the novel) plays out like a gothic noirish play, a pantomime, stage production.
SHEN YURONG - THE FIRST HUSBAND / IMPERIAL SCHOLAR / MINISTER OF RITES:
Shen Yurong is a manipulative snake who is far more cruel than even his mother & sister, the princess, all of the emperor’s enemies & the courtiers. In evilness, I think, Jiang Li’s stepmother Ji Shuran took the cake, but Shen Yurong was a close second.
He does try to change the way candidates get selected for imperial exam by removing recommendations from powerful people & rich people & nobility & making it a merit-based system. That was probably the only good thing he ever did.
DUKE SU - THE SECOND HUSBAND / SPYMASTER:
Duke Su is perfection personified in the novel & in the drama. It’s an over-done trope in films, dramas & literature that a poverty-stricken spirited girl will be loved & saved by the rich guy but here, the main leads circle each other, their paths cross each other’s, even though they have separate agendas. He is a spymaster investigating a corruption case that evolves into a court conspiracy to dethrone the emperor, while she is just trying to take revenge for herself and for Jiang Li.
He is 24, son & grandson of well-respected generals. Duke Su's parents died, he is estranged from his grandfather & is raised in crown court.
Duke Su / Ji Heng is described in the novel as extremely gorgeous & extremely cold, cruel & moody, with a thing for fans (as weapons), operas, flowers, poisons and clothes. He is a spymaster / intelligence officer, & right hand man of the emperor - and that is exactly how he is depicted in the drama. In the novel, he is called a ‘Flower Demon’ because he collects unique and exotic flowers from all over the world, looking for poisons and antidotes (to find a cure for his father’s illness; he is traumatised after a risky antidote actually ends up killing his father).
In the novel, 18/19 year old educated, clever, far-sighted & financially poor Fangfei’s soul transmigrates into the body of 15 year old ill-groomed, ‘rude’ daughter of rich nobility stuck in convent, Jiang Li - Fang fei was a renowned beauty while Jiang Li is plainer - her interactions with Duke Su are layered since there is no earthly reason why Jiang Li would be interested in the Imperial Academy, some county magistrate’s family (Fangfei’s father & brother) & maids she couldn’t possibly know, nor have knowledge or refinement she shouldn’t technically have since she’s been away in a rustic godforsaken place for 8 years. However, in the drama, since Fangfei is impersonating Jiang Li & is not a soul living in another body, Duke Su immediately recognizes her & understands the motivations & actions of this new ‘Jiang Li’ & uses the ensuing chaos to his own advantage. He calls her ‘Ah Li’ - which is not only an endearing way to call Jiang Li but is also Fangfei’s petname / baby name.
THE FIRST TIME DUKE SU & FANGFEI’S ‘JIANG LI’ SEE EACH OTHER:
The first time they lay eyes on each other is at the temple & the moment is described in the novel as follows: “One was quiet and exquisite, yet indifferently standing aloof from worldly affairs. The other gorgeous & flirtatious, attracting people to lose their souls. The distance of three thousand worlds collided. Half-bright & beautiful like the spring days, half dark like the abyss. The bright & beautiful was just a facade while in actuality, the abyss was more of a tempting gift.” (Chap. 7: Part 2: Flower Demon, bloomingtranslation.home.blog)
Of course, he is looking into Jiang Li’s eyes (but the sparks are there because of Fangfei’s soul & intellect within).
In the novel & in the drama, he keeps saying that he is watching a ‘play’ because he senses / sees the underlying lie. He is mostly a bystander in events involving her, & helps her behind the scenes. Their interactions are few & unromantic (even in the drama, the leads have 4 minutes per episode with each other - electric scenes because of their expressions, voice inflections, and some say even the eyeliner. There is zero skinship. Proper kiss is shown in Ep. 40 after marriage). They are just interested & fascinated with each other in a subtle manner.
In the novel he finds out about the true nature of her identity’s conundrum in the end, & accepts her the way she is.
DUKE SU IS PRESUMED DEAD UNTIL HE REAPPEARS:
In the novel, once he is Fangfei/Jiang Li’s fiancé, he goes off to a battlefield & is presumed dead even though his side won. She says “in the life of Jiang Li, there will be no second Jeng Hi.” (Chap. 240, Finale: Part 1, roakemtl.blogspot.com)
“In Jiang Li’s mind, Ji-Heng from the beginning to the present, from bad to gentle, there is one thing in his temper that has never changed. Promise must be fulfilled & promises must be fulfilled. This can be seen from the very beginning when she & Ji-Heng started their first transaction.” (Chap. 240, Finale, Part 1, roakemtl.blogspot.com)
He is actually alive & in hiding to crush emperor's enemies.
She waits in Duke’s house, & tells Jiang Li’s father that she’ll never marry another. However, when her own father tells her to come visit Tongxiang, she goes there, & attends an opera. That’s where a man wearing colorful clothes, with a fan in hand, comes up to her, just as she drops his butterfly pendant, & says “Miss you seem to have found my things”, chuckling and she says, “How will you repay me?” Her eyes fill with smiles, “What about being physically fit?”
(Chap. 240, Finale, Part 1, roakemtl.blogspot.com)
In Chap. 241, Finale, Part 2, after re-emerging, Duke Su prepares Jiang Li’s dowry, they get married, & leave the life of imperial / political intrigue situations & jobs, & travel. In the drama’s Ep. 40.5 (the 5-minute special that aired after the completion of 40 episodes, & is not part of official Netflix catalogue), Duke and Fang fei/Jiang Li are shown as parents of a 5 year old, & she is working in the Imperial Academy as a tutor. He most probably is still the emperor’s right hand man.
Why does Duke Su survive? Because Fang fei deserved a happy ending & Jiang Li deserved that her name lives on in repute and prestige. Otherwise the time period is cruel & the entire cycle of killing & counter-killing was destructive and unfair, especially for the people fighting against the emperor.
PRINCESS YONG NING & LORD CHEN - DOOMED-AT-BIRTH SIBLINGS:
Nowhere is that contrast and unfairness more apparent than in the story arcs on Princess Yong Ning & Lord Chen. These siblings are the products of the late emperor’s least favorite concubine, so her children, boy & girl, are pawns and tools, disposable & dispensable, & can never ascend the throne. In the drama, the emperor’s underage young son accedes it.
Anyways, when the late emperor, was still alive, he sent Lord Chen to defend the Northern border & head the army stationed there. It’s a cold place far away from palace, which is the seat of power, & he hates it. His sister Princess Yong Ning was bartered for peace or captured as a hostage by the Dai Country, rivals of Yanjing’s emperor, & the late emperor never sent anyone to rescue her. She is kept in a shed reserved for sheep, is raped repeatedly, suffers abortions, & is rendered infertile after all this ordeal. No one comes to rescue her & she makes her way back to the palace & kills the late emperor. Lord Cheng unsuccessfully tries to take over & is stopped by Duke Su’s father, the general who is incharge of emperor’s security. Lord Cheng later arranges for this general to be poisoned on the battlefield (in the drama, he dies in a double cross on the battlefield). So after the underage son gets the throne, Lord Chen is conspiring with courtiers to arrange a coup. His sister is helping him.
The name ‘Yong Ning’ means forever peaceful & if there was one person eternally chaotic and batshit crazy, it was the princess. In the drama she’s called Princess Wanning. She is bitter, angry, entitled, arrogant, unhinged, almost serpentine in her movements & outlook on life. Apart from the coup conspiracy, she sets her sights on marrying imperial scholar Shen Yurong.
DEMISE OF THE PRINCESS & SHEN YURONG:
After the coup is crushed, she is relegated to the status of a commoner & is beheaded with Shen Yurong. In the drama, it is an irony beyond ironies that she is betrayed by both her brother & her lover. Lord Chen betrays her for power, to create a viable reason for coup, & Shen Yurong kills her for higher status and power. Lord Chen is killed in battle. Satisfyingly tragic and poetic.
JIANG YOUNBAI - THE MOST CLUELESS PERSON IN THE NOVEL:
Jiang Li’s father is the most clueless character in the whole novel & I hated him more than Shen Yurong. He does not deserve the grace Fangfei/Jiang Li gives him in the end. Ji Shuran was a bad stepmother but if you cannot trust or have faith in your own parent, who can you trust? He never once inquired about her, or her well-being, or when she should be allowed back at home, for 8 years (10 in the drama).
He is senior grand secretary, emperor’s teacher. Jiang Li's mother was his 1st wife, who belonged to a rich merchant family, an arranged marriage. He had 2 ‘tongfangs’ (bed warmers), one of whom produced a daughter. This daughter as well as the first wife are killed by the second wife, Ji Shuran. And then the second wife blames a 7 year old Jiang Li of conspiring to kill her and her unborn child, so she is sent off to a convent at Qing Cheng Mountains to repent her mistake, her reputation in tatters before adulthood. Jiang Younbai loves Ji Shuran, the second wife, and does whatever she says. Ji Shuran’s sister is the young emperor’s favorite concubine so she’s well-connected. Of course, Ji Shuran never lets off the mask of gentle compassion and composure so the evilness is truly hidden.
He does not care & only reclaims Jiang Li when Fangfei engineered it so that he would be maligned if he did not - & the emperor is angry that he abandoned his daughter and hasn’t reclaimed her in 8 years, so Jiang Younbai has to send a grand procession to get her back (but it was Fangfei who returned in Jiang Li’s body / assumed identity). The real Jiang Li was long dead.
He also did not bat an eye on all the suspicious deaths in his family. He had 4 kids with 3 women: (concubine and 2 wives) & never knew what was going on with any of them.
JIANG LI - THE BETRAYED & ABANDONED GIRL WHOSE IDENTITY FANGFEI ASSUMES:
I felt sorry for Jiang Li more than for anyone else. The daughter of highest echleons of nobility and rich merchants died a nameless, faceless death in a cold, dark convent.
Stepmother makes sure that any letter or gift that the paternal grandmother sends Jiang Li is confiscated. She certainly doesn’t inquire about Jiang & neither does the father, Younbai, or his 2 brothers (her uncles). In fact, Jiang Li’s maternal relatives, do not either. No one visits her. It is as if she’s dead & forgotten.
This girl was truly abandoned by everyone. In the novel she kills herself only when she finds out that her marriage to a noble family’s son has been ‘transferred’ to stepmother’s daughter. That’s when she throws herself in the lake, ‘dies’ and wakes up as Fangfei.
In the novel, Jiang Li is remembered & recalled (by her maid) as ill-tempered, rash & rude which I felt was unfair because a 7-year old grew up in a stale nunnery without schooling, tutors, music lessons, art of refinement & grooming that a girl of her stature deserved.
She was trapped in a jail-like environment for no fault of her own with no end in sight & dies at 15 having never escaped that jail. She tells Fangfei in the drama that she’ll never forgive her family. In the novel, she never stood a chance.
All in all a good story.
Review posted on youtube: https://youtu.be/9GTEPKyRACs
The novel has 239 chapters, & 5 epilogues (Chapters 240-244). So these independent bloggers sites need support and appreciation for introducing Chinese webnovels to English-understanding world.
The novel has also been produced as a 40-episode historical TV series ‘The Double’ by Youku, which is being shown on Netflix in 2024 (& can be watched on online sites such as dramacool).
The novel is good & the adaptation is excellent.
SYNOPSIS:
In a nutshell, MODD is the revenge story of a betrayed wife seeks revenge for all injustices meted out to her & to the girl whose identity she takes (as a transmigration of soul after death in the novel & as an assumed identity ‘theft’ in the series).
The following review is full of spoilers:
XUE FANGFEI - THE BETRAYED WIFE:
Fangfei is the 18/19 year old daughter of a county magistrate from small town (Huaixiang). She has a younger brother. She is a renowned beauty, is talented and well-read, and since her father shares his work with her and takes her along with him when out on work, she is more knowledgeable & street smart than average girl next door. She is described as wise, far-sighted, warm with a strong sense of justice.
She falls in love with an attractive, but poor scholar Shen Yurong, who is studying to sit in imperial examinations. In the series, it is implied that he may have been a student of her father’s but in the novel Fangfei says she met him at a funeral of his relative in Huaixiang. Her father disapproves but accepts her wishes & sends her off to the capital Yanjing (old name of Beijing) with dowries.
Fangfei supports Shen Yurong emotionally but more importantly financially spending her dowries on his education & health & care. His mother & sister disapprove of her because she is from a small town & they aspire to mingle with the nobility, high society ladies of the capital, & feel Shen Yurong can do much better. His sister takes Fangfei’s jewellery & clothes saying that she likes them, & Fangfei tries to appease all 3 since even though Shen Yurong keeps reminding her that his mom & sister have done a lot for him so he will take their side too. If Shen Yurong succeeds in passing the exam in good grades, he’ll get a job in the Imperial Academy & move up from the undistinguished town & humble beginnings he belongs to. And he feels that system is rigged against underprivileged people like him. So Fangfei tries her best to adapt to married life with this guy & his family.
DUKE SU’S ASSESSMENT OF XUE FANGFEI AS A MARRIED WOMAN, BEFORE THEY MET:
It is interesting that when Duke Su / Jiang Hi first sees Fangfei as a married woman from afar in the novel, he calls her “A beautiful woman, yet completely lacking in spirit,” an assessment which even Fangfei acknowledged as being true (thinking to herself) because “in order to appease and win favor of in-laws, she curbed her nature & passed the days with restrained movements. Learning to be a good wife & a loving mother, (I) no longer was the gay, quick-witted young lady.” In Chapter 10: Part 2: Beauty (bloomngtranslation.home.blog) she says, “Loving someone to the point of sacrificing oneself, turning into another person, in the end she was just like dust without any spirit.”
This is an important point because later on, after he gets to know her (as Jiang Li) in the drama, he says to her “to never change herself for anyone, not even him” & “to live, no matter what happens” and reaffirms that “I know how powerful you are.”
FANGFEI’S ‘MURDER’:
Shen Yurong is the top scorer in exam, gets an official residence from the emperor, a plaque is placed outside this house from the emperor declaring him as the top scorer, & he is given a job at the imperial academy. But no one comes to his celebratory party because he is not rich, well-connected & is not from nobility. This hurts him big.
In the novel, Fangfei is pregnant & Shen Yurong is already having an affair with Princess Yong Ning & is actively involved in destroying Fangfei’s reputation so that he can marry the princess & climb the social ladder. In the drama it is shown that though the Princess is interested in him, he has to kill Fangfei with complicated feelings of regret, helplessness, cowardice, ambition & lust for power, & these feelings carry Shen Yurong for the entirety of the drama. He is remorseful, jealous & later on covets Fangfei again.
In the novel, Fangfei is setup by her in-laws to make it seem like she is with another man in her bedchamber. Shen Yurong does not see her for 3 months after that. Such a woman is usually divorced & sent packing but Fangfei has to be killed to maintain his image and since a divorced man cannot marry a princess. Princess Yong Ning actively arranges poisons for Fangfei so that she miscarries & boldly enters her bedroom with 2 of her maids to kill her & make it seem like an ashamed wife committed suicide. In the drama, Shen Yurong takes Fangfei under a ruse that he is actually saving her, to Qingcheng mountain, throws her in a dug-up hole, tells her that her father & brother are dead, so no one will come look for her or rescue her or seek reprisal or explanation over her. He then promptly hits her with a hoe, buries her alive & goes back to prepare a grand funeral & shed crocodile tears over the dead wife, but not before having another tryst with the Princess. He is also promoted to Minister of Rites.
In the novel, her soul transmigrates into the body of a dying Jiang Li, the 15 year old girl of nobility stuck in a convent since the age of 7 because of the evil machinations of her stepmother & indifference of her father; in the drama, Fangfei assumes the identity of the dying Jiang Li who previously saved her & then takes revenge for herself, her presumed dead father and brother, Jiang Li & a few side characters. Of course all is not what it seems & the entire drama (as well as the novel) plays out like a gothic noirish play, a pantomime, stage production.
SHEN YURONG - THE FIRST HUSBAND / IMPERIAL SCHOLAR / MINISTER OF RITES:
Shen Yurong is a manipulative snake who is far more cruel than even his mother & sister, the princess, all of the emperor’s enemies & the courtiers. In evilness, I think, Jiang Li’s stepmother Ji Shuran took the cake, but Shen Yurong was a close second.
He does try to change the way candidates get selected for imperial exam by removing recommendations from powerful people & rich people & nobility & making it a merit-based system. That was probably the only good thing he ever did.
DUKE SU - THE SECOND HUSBAND / SPYMASTER:
Duke Su is perfection personified in the novel & in the drama. It’s an over-done trope in films, dramas & literature that a poverty-stricken spirited girl will be loved & saved by the rich guy but here, the main leads circle each other, their paths cross each other’s, even though they have separate agendas. He is a spymaster investigating a corruption case that evolves into a court conspiracy to dethrone the emperor, while she is just trying to take revenge for herself and for Jiang Li.
He is 24, son & grandson of well-respected generals. Duke Su's parents died, he is estranged from his grandfather & is raised in crown court.
Duke Su / Ji Heng is described in the novel as extremely gorgeous & extremely cold, cruel & moody, with a thing for fans (as weapons), operas, flowers, poisons and clothes. He is a spymaster / intelligence officer, & right hand man of the emperor - and that is exactly how he is depicted in the drama. In the novel, he is called a ‘Flower Demon’ because he collects unique and exotic flowers from all over the world, looking for poisons and antidotes (to find a cure for his father’s illness; he is traumatised after a risky antidote actually ends up killing his father).
In the novel, 18/19 year old educated, clever, far-sighted & financially poor Fangfei’s soul transmigrates into the body of 15 year old ill-groomed, ‘rude’ daughter of rich nobility stuck in convent, Jiang Li - Fang fei was a renowned beauty while Jiang Li is plainer - her interactions with Duke Su are layered since there is no earthly reason why Jiang Li would be interested in the Imperial Academy, some county magistrate’s family (Fangfei’s father & brother) & maids she couldn’t possibly know, nor have knowledge or refinement she shouldn’t technically have since she’s been away in a rustic godforsaken place for 8 years. However, in the drama, since Fangfei is impersonating Jiang Li & is not a soul living in another body, Duke Su immediately recognizes her & understands the motivations & actions of this new ‘Jiang Li’ & uses the ensuing chaos to his own advantage. He calls her ‘Ah Li’ - which is not only an endearing way to call Jiang Li but is also Fangfei’s petname / baby name.
THE FIRST TIME DUKE SU & FANGFEI’S ‘JIANG LI’ SEE EACH OTHER:
The first time they lay eyes on each other is at the temple & the moment is described in the novel as follows: “One was quiet and exquisite, yet indifferently standing aloof from worldly affairs. The other gorgeous & flirtatious, attracting people to lose their souls. The distance of three thousand worlds collided. Half-bright & beautiful like the spring days, half dark like the abyss. The bright & beautiful was just a facade while in actuality, the abyss was more of a tempting gift.” (Chap. 7: Part 2: Flower Demon, bloomingtranslation.home.blog)
Of course, he is looking into Jiang Li’s eyes (but the sparks are there because of Fangfei’s soul & intellect within).
In the novel & in the drama, he keeps saying that he is watching a ‘play’ because he senses / sees the underlying lie. He is mostly a bystander in events involving her, & helps her behind the scenes. Their interactions are few & unromantic (even in the drama, the leads have 4 minutes per episode with each other - electric scenes because of their expressions, voice inflections, and some say even the eyeliner. There is zero skinship. Proper kiss is shown in Ep. 40 after marriage). They are just interested & fascinated with each other in a subtle manner.
In the novel he finds out about the true nature of her identity’s conundrum in the end, & accepts her the way she is.
DUKE SU IS PRESUMED DEAD UNTIL HE REAPPEARS:
In the novel, once he is Fangfei/Jiang Li’s fiancé, he goes off to a battlefield & is presumed dead even though his side won. She says “in the life of Jiang Li, there will be no second Jeng Hi.” (Chap. 240, Finale: Part 1, roakemtl.blogspot.com)
“In Jiang Li’s mind, Ji-Heng from the beginning to the present, from bad to gentle, there is one thing in his temper that has never changed. Promise must be fulfilled & promises must be fulfilled. This can be seen from the very beginning when she & Ji-Heng started their first transaction.” (Chap. 240, Finale, Part 1, roakemtl.blogspot.com)
He is actually alive & in hiding to crush emperor's enemies.
She waits in Duke’s house, & tells Jiang Li’s father that she’ll never marry another. However, when her own father tells her to come visit Tongxiang, she goes there, & attends an opera. That’s where a man wearing colorful clothes, with a fan in hand, comes up to her, just as she drops his butterfly pendant, & says “Miss you seem to have found my things”, chuckling and she says, “How will you repay me?” Her eyes fill with smiles, “What about being physically fit?”
(Chap. 240, Finale, Part 1, roakemtl.blogspot.com)
In Chap. 241, Finale, Part 2, after re-emerging, Duke Su prepares Jiang Li’s dowry, they get married, & leave the life of imperial / political intrigue situations & jobs, & travel. In the drama’s Ep. 40.5 (the 5-minute special that aired after the completion of 40 episodes, & is not part of official Netflix catalogue), Duke and Fang fei/Jiang Li are shown as parents of a 5 year old, & she is working in the Imperial Academy as a tutor. He most probably is still the emperor’s right hand man.
Why does Duke Su survive? Because Fang fei deserved a happy ending & Jiang Li deserved that her name lives on in repute and prestige. Otherwise the time period is cruel & the entire cycle of killing & counter-killing was destructive and unfair, especially for the people fighting against the emperor.
PRINCESS YONG NING & LORD CHEN - DOOMED-AT-BIRTH SIBLINGS:
Nowhere is that contrast and unfairness more apparent than in the story arcs on Princess Yong Ning & Lord Chen. These siblings are the products of the late emperor’s least favorite concubine, so her children, boy & girl, are pawns and tools, disposable & dispensable, & can never ascend the throne. In the drama, the emperor’s underage young son accedes it.
Anyways, when the late emperor, was still alive, he sent Lord Chen to defend the Northern border & head the army stationed there. It’s a cold place far away from palace, which is the seat of power, & he hates it. His sister Princess Yong Ning was bartered for peace or captured as a hostage by the Dai Country, rivals of Yanjing’s emperor, & the late emperor never sent anyone to rescue her. She is kept in a shed reserved for sheep, is raped repeatedly, suffers abortions, & is rendered infertile after all this ordeal. No one comes to rescue her & she makes her way back to the palace & kills the late emperor. Lord Cheng unsuccessfully tries to take over & is stopped by Duke Su’s father, the general who is incharge of emperor’s security. Lord Cheng later arranges for this general to be poisoned on the battlefield (in the drama, he dies in a double cross on the battlefield). So after the underage son gets the throne, Lord Chen is conspiring with courtiers to arrange a coup. His sister is helping him.
The name ‘Yong Ning’ means forever peaceful & if there was one person eternally chaotic and batshit crazy, it was the princess. In the drama she’s called Princess Wanning. She is bitter, angry, entitled, arrogant, unhinged, almost serpentine in her movements & outlook on life. Apart from the coup conspiracy, she sets her sights on marrying imperial scholar Shen Yurong.
DEMISE OF THE PRINCESS & SHEN YURONG:
After the coup is crushed, she is relegated to the status of a commoner & is beheaded with Shen Yurong. In the drama, it is an irony beyond ironies that she is betrayed by both her brother & her lover. Lord Chen betrays her for power, to create a viable reason for coup, & Shen Yurong kills her for higher status and power. Lord Chen is killed in battle. Satisfyingly tragic and poetic.
JIANG YOUNBAI - THE MOST CLUELESS PERSON IN THE NOVEL:
Jiang Li’s father is the most clueless character in the whole novel & I hated him more than Shen Yurong. He does not deserve the grace Fangfei/Jiang Li gives him in the end. Ji Shuran was a bad stepmother but if you cannot trust or have faith in your own parent, who can you trust? He never once inquired about her, or her well-being, or when she should be allowed back at home, for 8 years (10 in the drama).
He is senior grand secretary, emperor’s teacher. Jiang Li's mother was his 1st wife, who belonged to a rich merchant family, an arranged marriage. He had 2 ‘tongfangs’ (bed warmers), one of whom produced a daughter. This daughter as well as the first wife are killed by the second wife, Ji Shuran. And then the second wife blames a 7 year old Jiang Li of conspiring to kill her and her unborn child, so she is sent off to a convent at Qing Cheng Mountains to repent her mistake, her reputation in tatters before adulthood. Jiang Younbai loves Ji Shuran, the second wife, and does whatever she says. Ji Shuran’s sister is the young emperor’s favorite concubine so she’s well-connected. Of course, Ji Shuran never lets off the mask of gentle compassion and composure so the evilness is truly hidden.
He does not care & only reclaims Jiang Li when Fangfei engineered it so that he would be maligned if he did not - & the emperor is angry that he abandoned his daughter and hasn’t reclaimed her in 8 years, so Jiang Younbai has to send a grand procession to get her back (but it was Fangfei who returned in Jiang Li’s body / assumed identity). The real Jiang Li was long dead.
He also did not bat an eye on all the suspicious deaths in his family. He had 4 kids with 3 women: (concubine and 2 wives) & never knew what was going on with any of them.
JIANG LI - THE BETRAYED & ABANDONED GIRL WHOSE IDENTITY FANGFEI ASSUMES:
I felt sorry for Jiang Li more than for anyone else. The daughter of highest echleons of nobility and rich merchants died a nameless, faceless death in a cold, dark convent.
Stepmother makes sure that any letter or gift that the paternal grandmother sends Jiang Li is confiscated. She certainly doesn’t inquire about Jiang & neither does the father, Younbai, or his 2 brothers (her uncles). In fact, Jiang Li’s maternal relatives, do not either. No one visits her. It is as if she’s dead & forgotten.
This girl was truly abandoned by everyone. In the novel she kills herself only when she finds out that her marriage to a noble family’s son has been ‘transferred’ to stepmother’s daughter. That’s when she throws herself in the lake, ‘dies’ and wakes up as Fangfei.
In the novel, Jiang Li is remembered & recalled (by her maid) as ill-tempered, rash & rude which I felt was unfair because a 7-year old grew up in a stale nunnery without schooling, tutors, music lessons, art of refinement & grooming that a girl of her stature deserved.
She was trapped in a jail-like environment for no fault of her own with no end in sight & dies at 15 having never escaped that jail. She tells Fangfei in the drama that she’ll never forgive her family. In the novel, she never stood a chance.
All in all a good story.
Review posted on youtube: https://youtu.be/9GTEPKyRACs
November 12, 2025
3.5 stars
August 5, 2023
เรียกว่าต้องเข็นตัวเองเพื่ออ่านให้มันจบๆ ไปเลยทีเดียว
ช่วง 2/3 แรกของเรื่องก็สนุกดีอยู่ แม้จะดำเนินรอยตามนิยายเล่มอื่นๆ ของผู้เขียน คือพล็อตหลักเป็นนางเอกกลับมาแก้แค้นครอบครัวเดิม พร้อมกับแก้แค้นศัตรูภายนอกไปด้วย คล้ายๆ กับเรื่องผลาญ, นางพญาท้ารบ แต่ก็มีอะไรให้น่าอ่าน น่าติดตาม ลุ้นว่าจะวางแผนยังไง ทำสำเร็จได้ยังไง จัดเป็น page-turner พอสมควร แต่ 1/3 หลังจากนางเอกแก้แค้นสำเร็จ แล้วไปเข้าเรื่องแก้แค้นของพระเอกนี่เข้าขั้นน่าเบื่อ ไม่มีอะไรน่าสนใจ กลายเป็นอยากรีบเลื่อนอ่านผ่านให้มันจบๆ
เรื่องนี้มีจุดต่างจากเรื่องอื่นๆ เล็กน้อย คือ นางเอกไม่ได้ย้อนกลับไปเป็นตัวเอกตอนเด็ก ที่จะรู้เรื่องราวต่อไปว่าจะดำเนินไปยังไง แต่���ปเข้าร่างคุณหนูรอง ลูกพระยานาหมื่นอีกคนหนึ่งแทน และเรื่องราวดำเนินไปข้างหน้าหลังจากนางเอกตาย นางเอกเลยไม่ได้มีข้อได้เปรียบเรื่องรู้เหตุการณ์ล่วงหน้า ต้องคิดวางแผนไปข้างหน้าเรื่อยๆ
การวางแผนของนางเอกในช่วงแรกก็ดูฉลาดดี มีความคิด ใช้สมอง วางหมากไปทีละขั้น จัดการเรื่องในบ้าน จัดการเรื่องตัวเอง ช่วยเหลือครอบครัวตัวเองให้รอดพ้นจากอันตราย ซึ่งก็สำเร็จไปทีละขั้นตามลำดับ โดยมีพระเอกรูปงามที่สุดในใต้หล้า คอยช่วยเหลืออยู่ในจังหวะสำคัญอยู่ตลอด พอสำเร็จลุล่วง ก็เข้าช่วงแก้แค้นปมของ��ระเอก โดยมีนางเอกคอยให้กำลังใจอยู่ห่างๆ (เพราะช่วยอะไรอย่างอื่นไม่ได้)
ปมปัญหาสำคัญต่างๆ ของเรื่อง คือวนเวียนอยู่แต่กับความรัก ทั้งตัวละครเอก ตัวร้าย ตัวประกอบ วนเวียนแต่เรื่องรัก เก่งมาจากไหนก็แพ้หัวใจอย่างเธอ รักเดียวใจเดียวกันมาก ไม่ได้สนใจอำนาจวาสนาชิงบัลลังก์อะไรกันหรอก มีแต่รักเธอเสมอ รักเธอที่สุด แค่นั้นแหละ
สิ่งที่อ่านแล้วรู้สึก 'อิหยังวะ' มีเยอะมาก อ่านแล้วขัดใจหลายอย่าง จนหลังจากนี้น่าจะกลายเป็นการบ่นนิยาย มากกว่าการรีวิวนิยาย
รายละเอียดฝ่ายครอบครัวนางเอกอีรุงตุงนังมาก มีทั้งครอบครัวเดิม ครอบครัวปัจจุบัน ครอบครัวฝั่งแม่ แต่ละบ้านก็มีปัญหาต้องตามแก้ แต่แก้เสร็จแล้วทิ้งไปได้เลย ไม่มีบทบาทอะไรต่อเนื่อง ... ใช้ตัวละครเปลือง ใช้ทิ้งใช้ขว้าง ออกมายืนเป็นตัวประกอบในฉาก ให้ดูมีคนเยอะๆ เฉยๆ ก็มี ขนาดตัวละครที่เป็นเพื่อนนางเอกตอนแรก ยังหายเงียบไปซะอย่างนั้น มีเอาไว้ให้เปรียบเทียบว่านางเอกเก่งกว่าใครแค่นั้นเอง
หลังจากแก้แค้นสำเร็จ เหมือนว่านางเอกถอดสมองทิ้งไปซะเฉยๆ ศัตรูตายหมดแล้วก็อยู่บ้านชิลๆ ทำตัวสบายๆ ไปทุกวัน ไม่ต้องคิดอะไรมาก เหมือนบรรลุเป้าหมายชีวิตคือการแก้แค้นแล้วก็จบกัน ไม่มีเป้าหมายอื่นใดอีกแล้ว รอวันโดนจับแต่งงานอย่างเดียวพอ ...
ส่วนความ Mary Sue ที่สร้างมา มีไว้แค่ถ่ายทำช่วงแรกเท่านั้น โชว์ได้ครั้งเดียวจบ นางเอกเก่งทุกอย่างทั้งโคลงฉันท์กาพย์กลอน เอ๊ย! ไม่ใช่ ... พิณ หมาก ภาพ อักษร ยิงธนู ขี่ม้า ล่าสัตว์ ทำอาหารป่า ทำเป็นหมดแต่ดันไม่เรียนวิทยายุทธ อยากจะเป็นสาวน้อยน่ารักผู้พิทักษ์ความยุติธรรม อ่อนแอ บอบบาง ใสๆ อยู่ในจวน ให้ผู้ชายรอบตัวคอยปกป้อง มันช่างขัดกับความเก่งกล้าสามารถ และความฝันอยากท่องโลกของนางเอกซะเหลือเกิน หรือจริงๆ คือฝันให้ผู้ชายพาไปนั่นแหละ จะเหนื่อยฝึกเองไปทำไม ...
ยังไม่นับการ copy-paste ประโยค "นางเอกทำร้ายแม่เลี้ยง และฆ่าน้องชายแท้ๆ" ใส่ในทุกๆ บท เหมือนเป็น keyword ของเรื่อง ถ้าไม่มีประโยคนี้ ตอนนั้นๆ จะไม่สมบูรณ์ (ขนาดคนแปลอังกฤษยังบ่นว่า จะย้ำไปถึงไหน ทุกคนรู้แล้วจ้า) เจอบ่อยเหมือนใส่มาให้ word count มันครบๆ ตามกำหนด
นางเอกโดนคนจับไปบ่อยมาก เอะอะโดนจับ เอะอะโดนจับ ไหนคือความฉลาด ไหนคือการวางแผนหาทางหนีเอาตัวรอด อยู่ๆ เอาตัวไปให้เขาจับเป็นตัวประกันต่อรองง่ายๆ แบบนั้น ถ้าคนแต่ง จัดให้ตัวร้ายมีสติหน่อย คงตายหมดทั้งนางเอก ทั้งครอบครัวนางเอกอ่ะ แต่ไม่ได้ไง นางเอกถอดสมองทิ้ง ตัวร้ายเลยต้องถอดสติทิ้งด้วย ทำอะไรประหลาดๆ เป็นคนดีโดยไม่มีเหตุผล แล้วค่อยกลายเป็นคนเลวโดยไม่มีเหตุผลตอนนางเอกหนีไปได้แล้ว ...
การวางคาแรคเตอร์พระเอก เข้าใจว่าพยายามวางให้เป็นคนที่ฉลาดเป็นกรด วางแผนชักใยอยู่เบื้องหลังทุกอย่างโดยไม่ออกหน้า เย็นชาไม่สนใจใครเพื่อไม่ให้มีจุดอ่อน ร้ายกับทุกคนแต่ดีกับนางเอกคนเดียว แต่การจะบอกว่าตัวละครเราเก่งมาก ฉลาดมากนั้น มันไม่สามารถใช้แค่คำบรรยายว่าเก่งมาก เก่งที่สุด เก่งจริงๆ นะ มันต้องมีสถานการณ์ มีเรื่องราวที่พอรู้เบื้องหลังแล้วคนอ่านต้องว้าว ร้องอู้หู ประหลาดใจ ตกใจกับความซับซ้อนในการวางแผนของพระเอก ซึ่ง ...ไม่มี...
หลักๆ คือใช้กำลัง (เก่งวรยุทธโดยไม่ต้องฝึกฝนอย่างต่อเนื่อง) ใช้อำนาจ (ผู้คนเคารพเกรงกลัวเพราะ "เขาว่ากันว่า" โหดร้ายป่าเถื่อน aka สร้างภาพเก่ง) และใช้วิธีบ้านๆ มาก ในการแก้ปัญหา เช่น ตอนที่บอกว่าจะช่วยจัดการเรื่องให้ตระกูลเสนาบดีฝ่ายขวารู้ความจริงว่านางร้ายท้องกับใคร โดยใช้วิธี ... เอากระดาษเขียนข้อความ แล้วแอบไปวางไว้บนโต๊ะในจวนเขา อ่านแล้ว stunt ไปเลย โอ้ นี่หรือความสามารถอันสูงส่ง แอบเอากระดาษเขียนชื่อไปวางไว้เนี่ยนะ แถมเสนาบดีก็ดันเชื่อสนิท ไม่สงสัยอะไร ไม่หาหลักฐานใดๆ เพิ่มอีก //facepalm
พยายามสร้างตัวละครประกอบ เพื่อนฝูงรอบๆ ตัวพระเอกให้ตลก น่ารัก ปล่อยมุกตลกขบขัน เป็นลิ่วล้อสไตล์น่ารักน่าชัง แต่ยังขาดๆ เกินๆ มีตัวละครเยอะมากเกินไปจนแต่ละคนไม่มีบทบาทสำคัญใดๆ กับเรื่อง เหมือนออกมาให้พระเอกมีคนคุยโต้ตอบด้วย ไม่ต้องพูดคนเดียวเวลานั่งในโรงเตี๊ยมแค่นั้น ไม่ได้มีส่วนช่วยเหลือ วางแผน หรือมีความสำคัญใดๆ กับการดำเนินเรื่อง ตัดออกไปก็ไม่แตกต่าง
ช่วงการแก้แค้นของพระเอก พระเอกมี air time น้อยกว่าตัวร้ายซะอีก มัวแต่หายไป... หายไป.. หายไปไหนกันนักกันหนา จะว่าหายไปวางแผนจัดการคู่แค้นคู่อาฆาตแบบม้วนเดียวจบก็ไม่ใช่ ยังต้องต่อสู้กันยืดเยื้อ ฉากที่เหมือนจะไคลแมกซ์ก็ดันนั่งคุยกันก่อน สู้กันก็ดันมี casualty มีตัวละครอื่นตายอีก พอต้องรบกันครั้งสุดท้าย ไหนล่ะแผนที่วางมาอย่างดี ไหนล่ะการเผด็จศึกโดยเร็ว ไม่เสียเลือดเนื้อ ไหนล่ะกองทัพลับๆ แสนเกรียงไกรที่เคยพูดถึง เป็นการรบที่ดำเนินไปแบบง่อยมาก บรรยายแค่ว่า มีการรบ ตัวร้ายตาย พระเอกชนะ ไม่เน้นฉากสู้กัน ไม่เน้นการวางแผน มีแต่ฉากนางเอกคิด ฟัง กังวล วนไป ...
ด้วยความที่พระเอกนางเอกต้องดูฉลาดกว่าใคร ตัวประกอบอื่นเลยต้องลด IQ จะทำตัวเก่งเกินหน้าเกินตาตัวเอกไม่ได้
- พ่อนางเอกที่เป็นราชครู ตัวตึงประจำราชสำนัก กลายเป็นคนหูเบา เชื่อลูกเชื่อภรรยา เชื่อไปหมดทุกคน ไม่มีความคิดเป็นของตัวเอง มีแต่กังวลว่าจะโดนฮ่องเต้กำจัดทิ้งวันไหน กังวลเฉยๆ นะ ไม่มีการเตรียมตัว หรือวางแผนอนาคตหาทางหนีที่ไล่ใดๆ ไว้ แต่กังวลนะ แต่ไม่ทำอะไร แต่ก็กังวลนะ ...
- เหล่าแก๊งค์ก่อกบฏ เหมือนจะเก่ง วางแผนกันมาอย่างดี สุดท้ายง่อยทุกคน โดนปั่นหัวกันง่ายๆ กองทัพที่เตรียมไว้ก็แพ้แบบง่ายๆ และงงๆ เพราะไม่มีฉากต่อสู้อะไร อยู่ๆ ก็บรรยายว่าแพ้แล้วนะ ...
- ไทเฮา ไท่เฟย กุ้ยเฟย ที่ดูร้ายกาจ แผนการล้ำลึก ก็อ่อนด๋อยไปด้วยกันหมด โดนจับโป๊ะกันง่ายๆ ตลอด
ตอนปลายๆ เรื่อง ใกล้จะจบก็ประหลาด บรรยายความโดดเดี่ยวของนางเอก ความคิดถึงคะนึงหา ความเด็ดเดี่ยวที่จะเฝ้ารอพระเอกตลอดไป บรรยายอยู่หลายบท โดยไม่มีความคืบหน้าอะไรของเนื้อเรื่องเลย เข้าใจว่านักเขียนก็ต้องกินต้องใช้ จะให้จบสรุปอย่างรวดเร็วไปก็ใช่ที่
ตอนจบก็ Happy Ending พระเอกมา surprise นางเอก โดยที่ทุกคนรู้หมดยกเว้นนางเอก ... บทช่วงหลังไม่มีความสมเหตุสมผลเลยแม้แต่น้อย พระเอกตาบอดแล้วออกมาจากป่า มาเมืองหลวงได้ยังไง? เจอฮ่องเต้ได้ยังไง? รักษาตัวยังไงให้มีเวลาไปทำชุดแต่งงาน ทำเครื่องประดับหัวให้นางเอกได้ ตาไม่บอดอีกรอบเหรอ? วรยุทธเก่งกล้าแต่โดนน้องชายนางเอกที่ขาพิการเจอตัวโดยไม่ได้ตั้งใจได้? อิหยังวะจนเชียร์ให้จบๆ ซะทีเถอะ จะทำอะไรก็ทำ เอาที่สบายใจเลย
ตอนพิเศษ ไม่มีความน่ารัก ไม่ช่วยเสริมเนื้อหาของเรื่อง ไม่มีความน่าติดตาม
ส่วนตัวคิดว่าเหมาะกับคนที่มีเวลาว่าง อยากหาอะไรอ่านสบายๆ ไม่เครียด ไม่เน้นสมเหตุสมผล เน้นความรักระหว่างพระนาง ชอบ face slapping แก้แค้นกันไปมา ก็อาจจะชอบนิยายเรื่องนี้
ช่วง 2/3 แรกของเรื่องก็สนุกดีอยู่ แม้จะดำเนินรอยตามนิยายเล่มอื่นๆ ของผู้เขียน คือพล็อตหลักเป็นนางเอกกลับมาแก้แค้นครอบครัวเดิม พร้อมกับแก้แค้นศัตรูภายนอกไปด้วย คล้ายๆ กับเรื่องผลาญ, นางพญาท้ารบ แต่ก็มีอะไรให้น่าอ่าน น่าติดตาม ลุ้นว่าจะวางแผนยังไง ทำสำเร็จได้ยังไง จัดเป็น page-turner พอสมควร แต่ 1/3 หลังจากนางเอกแก้แค้นสำเร็จ แล้วไปเข้าเรื่องแก้แค้นของพระเอกนี่เข้าขั้นน่าเบื่อ ไม่มีอะไรน่าสนใจ กลายเป็นอยากรีบเลื่อนอ่านผ่านให้มันจบๆ
เรื่องนี้มีจุดต่างจากเรื่องอื่นๆ เล็กน้อย คือ นางเอกไม่ได้ย้อนกลับไปเป็นตัวเอกตอนเด็ก ที่จะรู้เรื่องราวต่อไปว่าจะดำเนินไปยังไง แต่���ปเข้าร่างคุณหนูรอง ลูกพระยานาหมื่นอีกคนหนึ่งแทน และเรื่องราวดำเนินไปข้างหน้าหลังจากนางเอกตาย นางเอกเลยไม่ได้มีข้อได้เปรียบเรื่องรู้เหตุการณ์ล่วงหน้า ต้องคิดวางแผนไปข้างหน้าเรื่อยๆ
การวางแผนของนางเอกในช่วงแรกก็ดูฉลาดดี มีความคิด ใช้สมอง วางหมากไปทีละขั้น จัดการเรื่องในบ้าน จัดการเรื่องตัวเอง ช่วยเหลือครอบครัวตัวเองให้รอดพ้นจากอันตราย ซึ่งก็สำเร็จไปทีละขั้นตามลำดับ โดยมีพระเอกรูปงามที่สุดในใต้หล้า คอยช่วยเหลืออยู่ในจังหวะสำคัญอยู่ตลอด พอสำเร็จลุล่วง ก็เข้าช่วงแก้แค้นปมของ��ระเอก โดยมีนางเอกคอยให้กำลังใจอยู่ห่างๆ (เพราะช่วยอะไรอย่างอื่นไม่ได้)
ปมปัญหาสำคัญต่างๆ ของเรื่อง คือวนเวียนอยู่แต่กับความรัก ทั้งตัวละครเอก ตัวร้าย ตัวประกอบ วนเวียนแต่เรื่องรัก เก่งมาจากไหนก็แพ้หัวใจอย่างเธอ รักเดียวใจเดียวกันมาก ไม่ได้สนใจอำนาจวาสนาชิงบัลลังก์อะไรกันหรอก มีแต่รักเธอเสมอ รักเธอที่สุด แค่นั้นแหละ
สิ่งที่อ่านแล้วรู้สึก 'อิหยังวะ' มีเยอะมาก อ่านแล้วขัดใจหลายอย่าง จนหลังจากนี้น่าจะกลายเป็นการบ่นนิยาย มากกว่าการรีวิวนิยาย
รายละเอียดฝ่ายครอบครัวนางเอกอีรุงตุงนังมาก มีทั้งครอบครัวเดิม ครอบครัวปัจจุบัน ครอบครัวฝั่งแม่ แต่ละบ้านก็มีปัญหาต้องตามแก้ แต่แก้เสร็จแล้วทิ้งไปได้เลย ไม่มีบทบาทอะไรต่อเนื่อง ... ใช้ตัวละครเปลือง ใช้ทิ้งใช้ขว้าง ออกมายืนเป็นตัวประกอบในฉาก ให้ดูมีคนเยอะๆ เฉยๆ ก็มี ขนาดตัวละครที่เป็นเพื่อนนางเอกตอนแรก ยังหายเงียบไปซะอย่างนั้น มีเอาไว้ให้เปรียบเทียบว่านางเอกเก่งกว่าใครแค่นั้นเอง
หลังจากแก้แค้นสำเร็จ เหมือนว่านางเอกถอดสมองทิ้งไปซะเฉยๆ ศัตรูตายหมดแล้วก็อยู่บ้านชิลๆ ทำตัวสบายๆ ไปทุกวัน ไม่ต้องคิดอะไรมาก เหมือนบรรลุเป้าหมายชีวิตคือการแก้แค้นแล้วก็จบกัน ไม่มีเป้าหมายอื่นใดอีกแล้ว รอวันโดนจับแต่งงานอย่างเดียวพอ ...
ส่วนความ Mary Sue ที่สร้างมา มีไว้แค่ถ่ายทำช่วงแรกเท่านั้น โชว์ได้ครั้งเดียวจบ นางเอกเก่งทุกอย่างทั้งโคลงฉันท์กาพย์กลอน เอ๊ย! ไม่ใช่ ... พิณ หมาก ภาพ อักษร ยิงธนู ขี่ม้า ล่าสัตว์ ทำอาหารป่า ทำเป็นหมดแต่ดันไม่เรียนวิทยายุทธ อยากจะเป็นสาวน้อยน่ารักผู้พิทักษ์ความยุติธรรม อ่อนแอ บอบบาง ใสๆ อยู่ในจวน ให้ผู้ชายรอบตัวคอยปกป้อง มันช่างขัดกับความเก่งกล้าสามารถ และความฝันอยากท่องโลกของนางเอกซะเหลือเกิน หรือจริงๆ คือฝันให้ผู้ชายพาไปนั่นแหละ จะเหนื่อยฝึกเองไปทำไม ...
ยังไม่นับการ copy-paste ประโยค "นางเอกทำร้ายแม่เลี้ยง และฆ่าน้องชายแท้ๆ" ใส่ในทุกๆ บท เหมือนเป็น keyword ของเรื่อง ถ้าไม่มีประโยคนี้ ตอนนั้นๆ จะไม่สมบูรณ์ (ขนาดคนแปลอังกฤษยังบ่นว่า จะย้ำไปถึงไหน ทุกคนรู้แล้วจ้า) เจอบ่อยเหมือนใส่มาให้ word count มันครบๆ ตามกำหนด
นางเอกโดนคนจับไปบ่อยมาก เอะอะโดนจับ เอะอะโดนจับ ไหนคือความฉลาด ไหนคือการวางแผนหาทางหนีเอาตัวรอด อยู่ๆ เอาตัวไปให้เขาจับเป็นตัวประกันต่อรองง่ายๆ แบบนั้น ถ้าคนแต่ง จัดให้ตัวร้ายมีสติหน่อย คงตายหมดทั้งนางเอก ทั้งครอบครัวนางเอกอ่ะ แต่ไม่ได้ไง นางเอกถอดสมองทิ้ง ตัวร้ายเลยต้องถอดสติทิ้งด้วย ทำอะไรประหลาดๆ เป็นคนดีโดยไม่มีเหตุผล แล้วค่อยกลายเป็นคนเลวโดยไม่มีเหตุผลตอนนางเอกหนีไปได้แล้ว ...
การวางคาแรคเตอร์พระเอก เข้าใจว่าพยายามวางให้เป็นคนที่ฉลาดเป็นกรด วางแผนชักใยอยู่เบื้องหลังทุกอย่างโดยไม่ออกหน้า เย็นชาไม่สนใจใครเพื่อไม่ให้มีจุดอ่อน ร้ายกับทุกคนแต่ดีกับนางเอกคนเดียว แต่การจะบอกว่าตัวละครเราเก่งมาก ฉลาดมากนั้น มันไม่สามารถใช้แค่คำบรรยายว่าเก่งมาก เก่งที่สุด เก่งจริงๆ นะ มันต้องมีสถานการณ์ มีเรื่องราวที่พอรู้เบื้องหลังแล้วคนอ่านต้องว้าว ร้องอู้หู ประหลาดใจ ตกใจกับความซับซ้อนในการวางแผนของพระเอก ซึ่ง ...ไม่มี...
หลักๆ คือใช้กำลัง (เก่งวรยุทธโดยไม่ต้องฝึกฝนอย่างต่อเนื่อง) ใช้อำนาจ (ผู้คนเคารพเกรงกลัวเพราะ "เขาว่ากันว่า" โหดร้ายป่าเถื่อน aka สร้างภาพเก่ง) และใช้วิธีบ้านๆ มาก ในการแก้ปัญหา เช่น ตอนที่บอกว่าจะช่วยจัดการเรื่องให้ตระกูลเสนาบดีฝ่ายขวารู้ความจริงว่านางร้ายท้องกับใคร โดยใช้วิธี ... เอากระดาษเขียนข้อความ แล้วแอบไปวางไว้บนโต๊ะในจวนเขา อ่านแล้ว stunt ไปเลย โอ้ นี่หรือความสามารถอันสูงส่ง แอบเอากระดาษเขียนชื่อไปวางไว้เนี่ยนะ แถมเสนาบดีก็ดันเชื่อสนิท ไม่สงสัยอะไร ไม่หาหลักฐานใดๆ เพิ่มอีก //facepalm
พยายามสร้างตัวละครประกอบ เพื่อนฝูงรอบๆ ตัวพระเอกให้ตลก น่ารัก ปล่อยมุกตลกขบขัน เป็นลิ่วล้อสไตล์น่ารักน่าชัง แต่ยังขาดๆ เกินๆ มีตัวละครเยอะมากเกินไปจนแต่ละคนไม่มีบทบาทสำคัญใดๆ กับเรื่อง เหมือนออกมาให้พระเอกมีคนคุยโต้ตอบด้วย ไม่ต้องพูดคนเดียวเวลานั่งในโรงเตี๊ยมแค่นั้น ไม่ได้มีส่วนช่วยเหลือ วางแผน หรือมีความสำคัญใดๆ กับการดำเนินเรื่อง ตัดออกไปก็ไม่แตกต่าง
ช่วงการแก้แค้นของพระเอก พระเอกมี air time น้อยกว่าตัวร้ายซะอีก มัวแต่หายไป... หายไป.. หายไปไหนกันนักกันหนา จะว่าหายไปวางแผนจัดการคู่แค้นคู่อาฆาตแบบม้วนเดียวจบก็ไม่ใช่ ยังต้องต่อสู้กันยืดเยื้อ ฉากที่เหมือนจะไคลแมกซ์ก็ดันนั่งคุยกันก่อน สู้กันก็ดันมี casualty มีตัวละครอื่นตายอีก พอต้องรบกันครั้งสุดท้าย ไหนล่ะแผนที่วางมาอย่างดี ไหนล่ะการเผด็จศึกโดยเร็ว ไม่เสียเลือดเนื้อ ไหนล่ะกองทัพลับๆ แสนเกรียงไกรที่เคยพูดถึง เป็นการรบที่ดำเนินไปแบบง่อยมาก บรรยายแค่ว่า มีการรบ ตัวร้ายตาย พระเอกชนะ ไม่เน้นฉากสู้กัน ไม่เน้นการวางแผน มีแต่ฉากนางเอกคิด ฟัง กังวล วนไป ...
ด้วยความที่พระเอกนางเอกต้องดูฉลาดกว่าใคร ตัวประกอบอื่นเลยต้องลด IQ จะทำตัวเก่งเกินหน้าเกินตาตัวเอกไม่ได้
- พ่อนางเอกที่เป็นราชครู ตัวตึงประจำราชสำนัก กลายเป็นคนหูเบา เชื่อลูกเชื่อภรรยา เชื่อไปหมดทุกคน ไม่มีความคิดเป็นของตัวเอง มีแต่กังวลว่าจะโดนฮ่องเต้กำจัดทิ้งวันไหน กังวลเฉยๆ นะ ไม่มีการเตรียมตัว หรือวางแผนอนาคตหาทางหนีที่ไล่ใดๆ ไว้ แต่กังวลนะ แต่ไม่ทำอะไร แต่ก็กังวลนะ ...
- เหล่าแก๊งค์ก่อกบฏ เหมือนจะเก่ง วางแผนกันมาอย่างดี สุดท้ายง่อยทุกคน โดนปั่นหัวกันง่ายๆ กองทัพที่เตรียมไว้ก็แพ้แบบง่ายๆ และงงๆ เพราะไม่มีฉากต่อสู้อะไร อยู่ๆ ก็บรรยายว่าแพ้แล้วนะ ...
- ไทเฮา ไท่เฟย กุ้ยเฟย ที่ดูร้ายกาจ แผนการล้ำลึก ก็อ่อนด๋อยไปด้วยกันหมด โดนจับโป๊ะกันง่ายๆ ตลอด
ตอนปลายๆ เรื่อง ใกล้จะจบก็ประหลาด บรรยายความโดดเดี่ยวของนางเอก ความคิดถึงคะนึงหา ความเด็ดเดี่ยวที่จะเฝ้ารอพระเอกตลอดไป บรรยายอยู่หลายบท โดยไม่มีความคืบหน้าอะไรของเนื้อเรื่องเลย เข้าใจว่านักเขียนก็ต้องกินต้องใช้ จะให้จบสรุปอย่างรวดเร็วไปก็ใช่ที่
ตอนจบก็ Happy Ending พระเอกมา surprise นางเอก โดยที่ทุกคนรู้หมดยกเว้นนางเอก ... บทช่วงหลังไม่มีความสมเหตุสมผลเลยแม้แต่น้อย พระเอกตาบอดแล้วออกมาจากป่า มาเมืองหลวงได้ยังไง? เจอฮ่องเต้ได้ยังไง? รักษาตัวยังไงให้มีเวลาไปทำชุดแต่งงาน ทำเครื่องประดับหัวให้นางเอกได้ ตาไม่บอดอีกรอบเหรอ? วรยุทธเก่งกล้าแต่โดนน้องชายนางเอกที่ขาพิการเจอตัวโดยไม่ได้ตั้งใจได้? อิหยังวะจนเชียร์ให้จบๆ ซะทีเถอะ จะทำอะไรก็ทำ เอาที่สบายใจเลย
ตอนพิเศษ ไม่มีความน่ารัก ไม่ช่วยเสริมเนื้อหาของเรื่อง ไม่มีความน่าติดตาม
ส่วนตัวคิดว่าเหมาะกับคนที่มีเวลาว่าง อยากหาอะไรอ่านสบายๆ ไม่เครียด ไม่เน้นสมเหตุสมผล เน้นความรักระหว่างพระนาง ชอบ face slapping แก้แค้นกันไปมา ก็อาจจะชอบนิยายเรื่องนี้
June 17, 2024
优酷不错，但这本小说更好¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Youku, you will never take this from me no matter what you do to my faves!
Youku, you will never take this from me no matter what you do to my faves!
August 22, 2024
I will never forget how amazing Ah'Lî and Duke Su are, I just can't get out of their story. The slowburn is SLOWBURNING✨💞 I completely loved the revenge and how each one of that mfs got what they deserved, not a single one of them was left unpunished. And STOP, the best point of this book is that I could listen to all kinds of Taylor Swift songs and feel them SO MUCH. In moments of tension between Ah'Lî and Ji Heng, revenge for all those bastards, the incredible fights, the family moments, the confessions at the Duke's house and the fun meetings in the FangFei courtyard😩💞💞the goodbyes (I still can't get over Ah'Lî and Ji Heng's farewell😭) and the beautiful reunions. And DON'T MAKE ME TALK ABOUT THE JADE NECKLACES, they are a central point for me. One of my favorite chapters was the day of the dinner at the palace, after winning first place in the exam and the bet😭 Jiang Li stood the whole group of rats and said"you against me and I'm winning" 😭😭😭 and then proceeded to watch her incredible show with Ji Heng✨💞💞💞 then when she discovered Duke Su's entire plan and GAVE HIM HER LIFE, from there Ji Heng was SOO down bad for our Miss Ah'Lî🤍 I'm currently re-reading it and I can assure you that it is my new favorite book🫶🏼
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 8, 2025
In Marriage of the Di Daughter, Xue Fangfei is murdered by her husband's mistress, but wakes up as the Chief Minister's abandoned second daughter, Jiang Li. Given a second chance at life, A'Li sets out to get revenge not only for her first life, but her current one. Along the way she catches the eye of the ruthless Duke Su, Ji Heng.
This is the novelization of The Double, and, while I'm usually sad that the dramas don't use the more eccentric plot points from the novels, I totally understand why Xue Fangfei survives in the show instead of transmigrating like in the book.
I found the overall story to be pretty good. Qian Shan Cha Ke tends to write from the same starting point in the case of the five books I've read so far. Rebirth of the Ill-Fated Consort, The Reborn Noble Girl is Hard to Find, and Marriage of the Di Daughter could all be considered the same novel, if you don't account for the level of angst and the parental choices, but you can see the author's growth as a writer in their differences.
If you like Revenge, Transmigration, and Tragedy of Empire making an absolute mess of things, then this book is for you.
This is the novelization of The Double, and, while I'm usually sad that the dramas don't use the more eccentric plot points from the novels, I totally understand why Xue Fangfei survives in the show instead of transmigrating like in the book.
I found the overall story to be pretty good. Qian Shan Cha Ke tends to write from the same starting point in the case of the five books I've read so far. Rebirth of the Ill-Fated Consort, The Reborn Noble Girl is Hard to Find, and Marriage of the Di Daughter could all be considered the same novel, if you don't account for the level of angst and the parental choices, but you can see the author's growth as a writer in their differences.
If you like Revenge, Transmigration, and Tragedy of Empire making an absolute mess of things, then this book is for you.
January 18, 2024
This is written by one of my fav authors, but it's not as good as Malicious Empress and Rebirth of the female General. For one, there is a lot of fluff. Tons of comments from the public, or from her indignant servants, that could have been trimmed and made the work better. We don't really need to hear the thoughts of her servants who are angry on her behalf, if done well we are already indignant for her already.
I also feel conflicted on the main revenge on her husband from her last life and his lover. I felt like it was too easy for her to get them, and they didn't really put up too much of a resistance or warning out to her at all despite being powerful (one is a princess and the other an official).
I also feel conflicted on the main revenge on her husband from her last life and his lover. I felt like it was too easy for her to get them, and they didn't really put up too much of a resistance or warning out to her at all despite being powerful (one is a princess and the other an official).
July 29, 2023
The first arc was better than the second. It was more intriguing. The second arc devolved into the standard palace drama with old grudges passed down to burden the younger generations who are mostly clueless on why they must risk their lives to complete their parent’s revenge. It was comical near the end to see the secondary characters reluctant and teary as they move towards their final battles. They were raised as noble pillars of society to protect the people only to find out they must ignore the lives of the innocent as they trample on them to complete their parent’s grudges. It all felt futile.
September 18, 2023
It is a good novel, but a star less because the mind always goes to compare this with author's previous novel "Rebirth of Malicious empress from Military Lineage". Characterization / Conversation could have been stronger between the leads and the dialogues could have been more powerful.. The first half was amazing and fast paced, but the second half hit us with regular palace dramas with a dull pace. Other than these points, this novel hold up to your expectations.
August 11, 2025
ji heng and jiang li are easily the best couple by the author. While this started slower, it also had the best ending arc out of all the books written by the author. It kept me hooked until the end.
Xu Fangfei you will always be famous
Xu Fangfei you will always be famous
November 8, 2025
balas dendam nya smooth dan satisfying. Menurutku lebih bagus dr drama nya ( THE DOUBLE ). Ji Heng/Duke Su yg ada di pikiran gw lebih ke arah Leo Yun xi yg glamor (maaf Wang xing Yue 🙏😅). just my opinion.
December 20, 2021
3.5 romanticismo inesistente e un po’ troppo lungo!!
February 20, 2022
Even better than Malicious Empress!
June 4, 2024
The drama convinced me 👍👍 tho it has different plot
July 24, 2024
Interesting story.
August 22, 2024
Marriage of the Di Daughter (The Double) 嫡嫁千金 ( 墨雨云间) by 千山茶客 Qian Shan Cha Ke (HE)
Read
June 17, 2025Marriage of the Di Daughter (The Double) 嫡嫁千金 ( 墨雨云间) by 千山茶客 Qian Shan Cha Ke (HE)
July 11, 2025
Đích gả thiên kim
June 29, 2024
Enjoyment: 5/5
Writing style: 3/5
Storyline: 4.5/5
ML: 4.5/5
FL: 4.5/5
Secondary characters: 3.5/5
Chemistry: 4/5
Romance: 4/5
Angst: 4/5
Darkness level: 4/5
Humor: 2/5
Writing style: 3/5
Storyline: 4.5/5
ML: 4.5/5
FL: 4.5/5
Secondary characters: 3.5/5
Chemistry: 4/5
Romance: 4/5
Angst: 4/5
Darkness level: 4/5
Humor: 2/5
July 8, 2024
You won't regret reading this multi level, revenge is a slow burn , strong female with many vile people to take down. Nobel famlies, royal families.. an attempt to usurp the throne. Highlight women don't need trauma to be filled with machinations and cruelty. Meeting Ji Heng and XFF is truly remarkable.
August 5, 2024
Thoroughly enjoyed this. I ended up having to cobble together an English translation for the second half, so I could finish reading this in English. But I will continue to read the Blooming translation as it comes out. My raw translation + Chat GPT assist is almost 300,000 words for only half the novel. This means this novel has over 600,000 words. For reference Lord of the Rings plus the Hobbit is 576,459 words, so this should count for at least 4 books right?
July 2, 2024
Picked this novel up because the drama has good reviews but the drama deviates from the novel quite a bit (didn't watch the drama though).
I appreciate that the FL is mainly pre-occupied by getting revenge; the romance starts a lot later. At the same time, I felt that there could have been more romance and the plot of the ML could've been fuller. The FL isn't a 傻白甜 and the ML isn't mainly a 恋爱脑。Quite typical that both of them are the most intelligent of the entire cast and the ML also has the brawns, so the FL has to rely on the ML for her plans to go well. The antagonists and side characters aren't very complex characters though; they're all clearly in the good or evil camp. At least I don't find any of them interesting enough.
(Side note: while reading this I watched the Thai movie, How To Make Millions Before Grandma Dies (2024), and all character writing pale in comparison, so I'm not sure if that movie greatly affected how I feel about the character writing in this novel.)
It's a 爽文 as things mostly go according to plan, it's a HE, and it's a succinct enough novel. You can check it out if you're into novels where the MC reincarnates and takes revenge on those who haved wronged her, reaches new heights in life, gets a new romance, while completing side quests such as navigating her new life after reincarnating and defeating the antagonists in her reincarnated family's harem and social circle.
I appreciate that the FL is mainly pre-occupied by getting revenge; the romance starts a lot later. At the same time, I felt that there could have been more romance and the plot of the ML could've been fuller. The FL isn't a 傻白甜 and the ML isn't mainly a 恋爱脑。Quite typical that both of them are the most intelligent of the entire cast and the ML also has the brawns, so the FL has to rely on the ML for her plans to go well. The antagonists and side characters aren't very complex characters though; they're all clearly in the good or evil camp. At least I don't find any of them interesting enough.
(Side note: while reading this I watched the Thai movie, How To Make Millions Before Grandma Dies (2024), and all character writing pale in comparison, so I'm not sure if that movie greatly affected how I feel about the character writing in this novel.)
It's a 爽文 as things mostly go according to plan, it's a HE, and it's a succinct enough novel. You can check it out if you're into novels where the MC reincarnates and takes revenge on those who haved wronged her, reaches new heights in life, gets a new romance, while completing side quests such as navigating her new life after reincarnating and defeating the antagonists in her reincarnated family's harem and social circle.
June 10, 2024
i like this
July 24, 2024
Phim và truyện hoàn thành cùng một lúc dù phần dịch truyện cực khó chịu nhưng vẫn lết được
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