Golden Terrace (Novel) Vol. 1

Golden Terrace #1

by Cang Wu Bin Bai, Me.Mimo (Illustrator)

Two nemeses must put aside their differences and enter a political marriage arranged by the emperor. Will their burning hatred for one another become something even stronger? The beloved danmei (Boys' Love) novel returns with an all-new translation and illustrations!Fu Shen, the renowned general of the Northern Yan Army, has long served as Great Zhou's shield against foreign enemies. When he suffers grievous injuries during an ambush, his days of glory come to an abrupt end. The emperor, long wary of his general's influence, seizes the opportunity to recall him to the capital.
Yan Xiaohan, the imperial inspector of the Feilong Guard, is a court flatterer as famous for his ruthlessness as his bitter feud with Fu Shen. So when the emperor grants the pair a marriage intended to strip Fu Shen of his power and bind him to the emperor's lackey, the court braces for catastrophe. Yet there is more to Fu Shen and Yan Xiaohan's animosity than meets the eye--a secret history known to them alone.
As the two rivals confront the idea of their forced union, conspiracies swirl beneath the surface. Someone orchestrated the attack on Fu Shen--and their game is far from over.

Genres: Romance, Historical Fiction, Historical, LGBT, Fantasy, Queer, Fiction

443 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 2, 2026

About the author

Associated Names:
Cang Wu Bin Bai
苍梧宾白 (Simplified Chinese)
蒼梧賓白 (Traditional Chinese)

Reviews

[Dilushani Jayalath · Rating 4 out of 5]

One look at you interferes with the rest of my life

I want someone to remind me why I gave this book anything less than 4 stars? This book is one of breathtaking writing. Word flow out of the book undisturbed, one can’t help but be caught in its currents and be dragged far away. It has been a while since I felt the true effects of falling for the writing alone. That is not true. The merits of this book do not lie solely on its writing but all other factors surrounding it. Starting from its characters, its plot, its settings to even the smallest detail of descriptions of the wind blowing, this book understands its ability to hook in a reader.

First and foremost, praise should be given to the vastly talented E. Danglars. PeachBlossoms really hit the jackpot when they managed to get her to translate for them. I have been a fan of hers for so long. She really knows how to grab the essence of the original language and to transfer it to paper for us poor non-traditional speaker. It’s almost reverent the manner in which she translates whilst putting her heart and soul into it.

Second to PeachBlossoms. Thank you, thank you and thank you so much for choosing such a beautiful novel to translate. I have read two of their novels out of the five they’ve published and both have been beyond amazing. I am waiting for the new print of In The Dark to release in June and I will be devouring that too. Also while we’re on the topic, let me take a moment to appreciate the simply gorgeous covers they re designing now?? Chef’s kiss.

Third and it’s ironically funny that I left her as the third, it’s our infinitely talented author Cang Wu Bin Bai. My gratitude for you for bringing such a masterpiece to my doorsteps (and some their screens) cannot be expressed by words.

I will continue with my remark from my previous review i had written the first time I read it, this book is vastly different from MXTX. This has layer upon layer of political intrigue and court games. If it’s a romance novel which will make you laugh till you pee a bit is what you’re searching for, this is not it. I will not say that there’s angst in this but the undercurrents of sorrow lingers. The only consolation is that these moments or recollections are done during the times that are two leads are happy. We won’t have time to linger on it too much. I am not the biggest fan of angst so this was perfect for me.

Now let me dive deep into the last and second volume while mentally berating myself for such scantily written up review from last time witch such mediocre thoughts. Here is one of my favourite quotes of the book to round up this rather lengthy review.

From head to foot, all the place I’ve touched, all the places I haven’t touched- I like it all.

[ana · Rating 4 out of 5]

you guys remember when yan xiaohan betrayed fu shen🤦🏼‍♀️😂👎🏻

[Vi Van · Rating 5 out of 5]

Did I spend way too much money on this danmei political arranged marriage duology? Yes.

Was it worth it? Fuck yes.

Managed to read to near the end of vol 1 online before it got taken down, and decided I NEED to get my hands on this story, exchange rate and international shipping be damned.

Very well translated, prose was smooth and the story easy to follow. I appreciate the footnotes for the literary references, and appreciate how lovely the cover and the box set is.

I also cannot stop screaming about how soft this story is! Outwardly antagonistic but privately theyre so soft and fucking flirty!! Such tension behind their long history, that duality of wanting someone to know and understand your worldview but yet also unwilling to shatter their own worldview. A physically disabled protagonist! Who is a righteous general, but will straight up torture and kill a bitch. A scheming and conniving court lackey who is is really just the BIGGEST SIMP. I also appreciate how much they talk to each other and respect each other! By far one of the healtier couples Ive seen in literature lol.

First part is a lot of set up, lots of names thrown about, but its a fun challenge to keep up with who is who. Im excited to dig more into the politics in vol 2.

[Brigi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This instantly became one of my favourite books ever! It has one of the best romantic relationships I've ever come across and it is so beautifully written.

Fu Shen, commander of the Beiyan Cavalry in the north border, becomes injured - so much so that he cannot use his legs anymore. He travels back to the capital where the Emperor issues a decree whereby he has to marry another man, Yan Xiaohan, the emperor's investigator.

The two men have known each other since they were teenagers, but their rivalry is notorious everywhere. However, despite the strange circumstances surrounding their marriage, the two actually have an incredible relationship in private, and work together to find out who caused Fu Shen's injuries, as well as the other strange events happening in the capital and around the country.

The romance!!! Just blew me away. Yan Xiaohan seems to always have had a soft spot for Fu Shen despite the misunderstand they had as teenagers (in truth this turns out to be completely different from what we first find out). The way they fall for each other with every day and night they spend together, their actual marriage ceremonies, and later on when Fu Shen discovers that Yan Xiaohan actually never did the thing Fu Shen accused him of, and never even wanted to reveal it and brag about it... fuck. The way they discuss everything, even at the beginning of their relationship! Fu Shen is also in a wheelchair and the way Yan Xiaohan cares for him is just everything!

On top of that, the writing is just absolutely gorgeous. The descriptions, the way emotions are somehow juxtaposed with nature images! It has such a powerful impact! Everything is just so genuine, and I mean even the more sentimental lines and confessions just go straight to your heart.

If you have the opportunity, please read this novel. There's court intrigue, arranged marriage that actually turns out to be the most romantic relationship ever, and just great writing!

Rep: Chinese characters and queernorm setting, mlm disabled main character, gay main character

[Stacie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Historical/political danmei drama involving an
arranged marriage (enemies to lovers) who eventually turn into a power couple. While this book is not a strictly a romance, their relationship is central to the story/plot.
The loyalty, absolute devotion, teasing, flirting, and even slight possessiveness/jealousy is what I love about this couple.
The writing/prose is amazing IMO. I haven’t finished this duology but Yan Xiaohan
and Fu Shen (YanFu) are now one of my favorite couples in the danmei I’ve read ❤️

“One look at you interfered with the rest of my life.”

This book took me a little longer to read because it’s only available as a physical book. I usually prefer to also get the ebook versions of Asian translated books so I can easily look up/highlight names, locations, etc that are more challenging for me to keep up with. Recommend keeping a notebook nearby for tracking names/locations!

[Monique · Rating 4.75 out of 5]

4,5 'Arranged marriage' stars



This book was such a delight to read. The story is amazing and I'm so happy that I got Peach Blossom House edition, so I could read it in gorgeous translation by E. Danglars. She has wonderfull way with words, especially her translations of historical conversations truly transport you back to ancient times. The premise of this book is also very interesting. Our main characters are two individuals, who are both quite close to the emperor. A little too close, maybe, and a little bit too powerfull, so the emperor decides to arrange a marriage between them. That way they will be unable to form connections with some other influencial families through marrige and also denied legitimate heirs. And since they are known to be on extremly unfriendly terms, it means they will be constantlly at each other's throats instead of doing political schemes. Unless, their animosity is false news...



I had a hard time deciding with whom to start because I think I love them both equally. But let's Fu Shen be the first because that's what Yan Xiaohan would have wanted too 😊 Fu Shen reminds me a lot of Gu Yun and Song Mo from Blossom - he also became a general at a young age, gained too much influence among soldiers and was deemed dangerous for having too much power for emperor's liking. I'd really like to know what these emperors are thinking when they dispose of the only capable general they have and are then 'Oh dear, now we're gonna get invaded!' Yeah, no shit, it's your own fault. Anyway, back to Fu Shen - also like Gu Yun, he's very flirty, very carefree and laid-back on the outside, very 'I can do everything by myself', but he's also extremly loyal and caring even when he doesn't always show it. There's one another similarity he shares with Gu Yun - a failed attempt at his life left him with broken legs but his disabilty is not stopping him from his military position, no matter how much the emperor would want otherwise.



And then we have Yan Xiaohan, who is the opposite of Fu Shen. Despite difficulties that Fu Shen went through in his life; being sent to defend the border at such young age, he still came from the priviliged background being born into aristocratic family and having money and status since birth. Yan Xiaohan was a nobody orphan, and by sheer luck he was adopted by one of the courts eunuchs. He started with nothing, and then worked hard to get to the position of the Imperial investigator but probably because of his background, he's seen as the emperor's dog, willing to do anything for money and power. I might had fallen for Fu Shen first but I definitely fell for Yan Xiaohan harder. It was when he rearranged his entire house to make it accessible for a wheelchair before he even knew if Fu Shen would be willing to stay with him. If that's not love ❤️



As I said earlier, what if they are not truly enemies... I went into this book expecting enemies-to-lovers but it's more complicated than that. I mean, there's definitley multiple feelings involved but they are enemies more like for appereance's sake only. They actually met as teenagers and there were already sparks flying back then. Well, no surprise there; they found themselves in the middle of a life or death situation alone with the person that is kind of annoying (but in a cute way) and that certainly gets blood pumping 😆

[...] "Come, sit in my lap... curl in your legs."
Fu Shen was muddle headed, doing whatever he was told, incredibly pliant. Yan Xiaohan put on his half-dried inner robe and made Fu Shen curl up in his arms, wrapped him firmly in the two outer robes, and used his own body heat to warm him.
Yan Xiaohan held his waist with open hand and his shoulders with the other, keeping him from falling. Fu Shen put his arms around his waist and pillowed his cheek against the hollow of his shoulder, finding himself a comfortable position, then finally settle down.

Since this is not childhood sweethearts-to-lovers kind of story, things didn't progress lovey dovey back then. There was lots of drama happening, spiced up with some politics (and not every couple enjoys politics as a foreplay *cough* cezhou *cough*), so instead of getting hea, these two went straight to divorce couple without even being together. And when some years later, the emperor presented them with the marriage edict, one of them said 'I don't have any other choice' kind of yes, and the other went kneeling in the rain as a sign of protest (I believe Fu Shen and Gu Yun would totally be best friends in some crossover AU).

"[...] For whose benefit do you kneel here?"
The rain fell harder and harder. Yan Xiaohan bent down and leaned close to Fu Shen, so close that he was even pressed against his cheek, ice-cold from the rain. The man's hoarse roar was kept low in his throat, drowned amid the swelling sounds of the rain, so faint that it didn't dare to to enter anyone's ear, yet Fu Shen still heard it clearly.
"You are the mighty Beiyan Commander. Why stay here and put up with this persecution? Why don't you rebel?!"

Yan Xiaohan reached out, planning to help him up, he couldn't stay here in the pouring rain. But before his hand had touched Fu Shen, without any warning Fu Shen suddenly collapsed forward. Fortunately, Yan Xiaohan was quick of eye and deft of hand. He reached out and made a grab, and Fu Shen fell right into his arms.
"Fu Shen!"
***
"Fu Shen!"
An indistinct cry sounded in his ears. He was still conscious. It was only that his body had lost all sensation. The sound of the rain clung to him like shadow. Someone bent down and lifted him in his arms. There seemed to be something familiar about the feel of those arms.
He was reminded of the warm embrace he had been pulled into when he had fallen on the ground a few days ago, and of the gentle hands that had patted his back long ago.

As much as I love angst, I really liked how these two quickly (kind of) resolved their issues with each other, and decided that it would benefit both of them, if they are on the same side. Also, that flame of teenage crush never really died, and it was such a pleasure to read how they were getting soft for one another again.

Red robes and an untamed horse, a ferocious approach - he didn't seem to be coming to be married so much as coming to kidnap a bride.
- That was Fu Shen.
- Only this could be Fu Shen.

Yan Xiaohan's eyelids were lowered, watching him tenderly. It was as if at another word from Fu Shen, he could immediately leap to his feet and pluck the stars and moon for him.
[...]
"The sun and moon are the highest yet the brightes, husband and wife are the closest yet most distant. If you will promise, henceforth you will be my sole close kin." [...]
This wish was practically tantamount to "may we be together to a ripe old age" - how could Yan Xiaohan refuse him?
He took the wine cup from Fu Shen's hand, put it aside, and clasped both of his hands.

"Husband and wife bow to each other."
The two of them each leaned down and bowed solemnly. Because they were extremly close, they nearly brushed the tops of each other's heads, but their hands remained clasped throughout.
Dimly, some nameless tie seemed to connect, like the unerring fastening of a buckleat the bottoms of their hearts, letting out a crisp click.
With those three bows, they were married.

It's aparant that Yan Xiaohan fell first AND fell harder, and I was completely mushy reading this because the way he loves Fu Shen... I have no words. Fu Shen has always been the one for him, even back then when Yan Xiaohan had no hope that there could be anything more between them.

Yan Xiaohan was silent for a long time, then at last he seemed to reach a decision. He opened his mouth and spoke with great difficulty. "There was a person. Perhaps I would never be able to stand shoulder to shoulder with him, but I could place him in my heart and watch him from afar, occasionally say a few words to him. That would also be good."

And Fu Shen might be much more reserved when it comes to emotions but it's such a delight to read how he's slowly melting in his feelings toward Yan Xiaohan, despite not always knowing how to express them.

Not very tenderly, he pulled Yan Xiaohan into his arms, but he thought that anything he might say would seem feeble. All his feeling turned into inexpressible heartache. He wished he could return to the past and hug that still young and tender boy like this.
Yan Xiaohan allowed himself to be hugged. Softly, he said, "Don't pity me."
"Right, I'm not pitiying you, I just want to hide you," Fu Shen said. "Since I can't be a princess, then you'll have to behave and be the Marquis of Jingning's lady, all right?"

I know I should probably say a few words about the plot and all the political scheming but these two are so precious together, I have no time for that. Yes, everything is very interesting, and I'm curious what will happen in the next vol, however, here we have a couple, who actually communicates with each other, and solves their relationship problems together! Who cares about the emperor, when we have such a rare delicacy here.

As Yan Xiaohan was about to straighten up and leave, Fu Shen swiftly reached out to hold the back of his neck and pulled him back into his arms.
The two of them embraced, pressed neck to neck.
[...]
As he had kissed him, countless possible reactions Fu Shen might have had flashed through Yan Xiaohan's mind; but the only thing he hadn't expected was the present situation.
He heard Fu Shen's smiling voice against his temple, unspeakably soft and sweet.
"Don't run off. That was a good kiss just now. How about another?"

In my opinion, yanfu have the cutest first kiss <3 Also, they have really amazing chemistry, especially when Fu Shen thinks he has the upper hand, but Yan Xiaohan always manages to surprise him. I know Fu Shen thinks he's this flirty playboy but I'm sure Xiaohan will show him what a pillow princess he truly is, haha.

He had just bathed. His lips were slightly dry from the steam. When kissed, they were warm and soft.
Yan Xiaohan kept himslef under control, hesitantly touching his dry lips, lightly pressing against them, feeling that he was standing at the edge of a cliff, probing, constantly admonishing himself that he must not jump while unable to resist the desire. Ultimately, he couldn't defeat the lure of instinct. The tip of his tongue gently and quickly caught Fu Shen's upper lip-
The hand on the back of his neck instantly clutched him with enough strenght to strangle him to death.
[...]
Once the shock had retreated, Fu Shen sheepishly let go and rubbed the place where his fingers had squeezed red spots. "... Sorry."
Yan Xiaohan gave a soft laugh. "Yes, I can tell."

I just can't shut up about their chemistry. This volume is really not explicit, and I think neither will be the next one but there's no doubt you can feel their attraction from the pages. Also, love me some fighting for top/bottom position (considering wenzhou and channgu outcome, I think I know, who will win, lol).

"How are you planning to...hmph..."
Before he could finish, Yan Xiaohan had leaned down and stopped his mouth.
They were newlyweds and had been forced to part. Now that they had reunited unexpectedly, there were some amassed hidden feelings that couldn't be spoken, which could only be given vent through movement. The kiss was more lingering than the one at their parting, and it came with deliberate force. As if to get revenge for his earlier teasing, Yan Xiaohan bit Fu Shen's mouth roughly.
This bite hurt a little. Fu Shen clutchedhis collar and hissed in a gasp but he didn't scold him. "Touchy. Not so hard, don't leave a mark..."
At his gasp, Yan Xiaohan put his hand on the back of Fu Shen's head and gently sucked a place he had bitten. "Did it hurt?"

He pressed him back against the chair and firmly kissed him.
When the lenghty kiss ended, Fu Shen's head drooped, and he panted for breath. Finally, Yan Xiaohan said in a very soft voice, "Not now, but I want you."
A corner of the gentle and controlled mask seemed to have finally broken off, revealing the bare-fanged, claw-brandishing possessivenss within. This desire wasn't especially pretty, but it was his truest aspect.
Fu Shen's chest undulated constantly. Even seated, he felt that his legs had gone weak. He thought to himself, Want all you like, you inveterate troublemaker. Sooner or later I'll fuck you until you cry and say "No more".
But what he said was, "Fine, whatever you want... Good gege, get up already, you're crushing me.

And it's not just about the chemistry between yanfu, I'm also extra mushy about their relationship in general. It's true they had a little shaky start but they had quickly became a team - such a power couple in the making. I can't wait for them to be finally able to cooperate in public. Considering they are "officially" enemies, they can't really flaunt their relationship status publicly. And, of course, the cherry on top is how these two are in private. I adore the way Yan Xiaohan is gentle with Fu Shen. Neither of them are exectly emotionally expressive but they are getting better in opening up to each other. Well, Fu Shen is in the process, while Yan Xiaohan already embraced the 'doting wife' behavior. He's so gentle with Fu Shen, always taking care that Fu Shen has everything he needs. That scene, when they are sleeping, and Fu Shen is constantly waking up because of his injured legs, and Yan Xiaohan embraces him to keep him warm *Moni mushy and melting*


Gif by kdram-chjh

This is such a yanfu scene!! And some more examples.

[...] he dropped his head to pillow it against Yan Xiaohan's shoulder.
"Tell me, is it that you can't sleep, or that you're brooding about something?" Yan Xiaohan held his waist with one arm and used the other hand to push his messy hair behind his ears. "I heard from the servants that you were in a bad mood this afternoon. Who annoyed you, hm?"

Yan Xiaohan was about to put Fu Shen back on the bed, but unexpectedly the person he was holding all of a sudden quietly turned, reached out his arms, and put them around his waist, resting his head against the hollow of his shoulder, and in this posture, curled up in his arms, closed his eyes and went to sleep.
Yan Xiaohan instantly stilled.
The candle flickered, casting light on the beautiful pair.
There was no need to speak. Both of them were well aware of what this moment meant.
- His heart had been touched.

Just look at them!!! I seriously can't stop fangirling about them. I heard so many amazing things about this book, so I was expecting to love it but I didn't know this couple is truly so precious. I'm almost a little sad there's only one volume left.
And lastly, as usual some sexy times for the end.

(In the progress of choosing quotes for these ilustrations 😄

4,5 'Arranged marriage' stars
tbr

[L Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

For the life of me, I don’t understand why this story doesn’t get more attention. It’s the story of Fu Shen, general of the most powerful military group of the Zhou Empire, and Yan Xiaohan, Imperial Investigator of the Feilong Guard, loathed by both court officials and the common people alike. Fearing Fu Shen’s influence and popularity in the empire, the emperor orders him to return to the capital to convalesce after a surprise attack that almost left him dead.  While there, the emperor forces him to marry his lackey, Yan Xiahoan, known to be Fu Shen’s mortal enemy for reasons that can't entirely be explained by their differences of opinion concerning governmental affairs. He does this expecting Xiaohan to take over his position as commander of the Beiyan Calvary  and to prevent Fu Shen from having children to pass his familial titles to. 

Little does the emperor know that these two men have a complicated history, and though they certainly do not get along, they do not hate each other. Being forced to spend time together, they slowly fall in love. What follows is an epically beautiful story that takes place amid the backdrop of political intrigue involving murder, betrayal, and vengeance. 

The translation of this story is gorgeous, though there were still times that I felt like meaning was lost in translation. There isn’t a list of characters provided so one has to remember who’s who, but thankfully there aren’t as many characters as there are in the more popular series where multiple volumes contain multiple arcs with lengthy flashbacks.  This is one story broken into two volumes. Truly one of the more romantic danmeis I've read. 5 stars

[iayal · Rating 4 out of 5]

yan xiaohan easily said, "one look at you interfered with the rest of my life. what could i do?" the words he hadn't said were all concealed in the gentleness of his regard when he smiled.

(rated 4.5; rounded down-> review for the entire novel )

enjoyed this immensely! the plot was very interesting, i enjoyed how political it was and how it meshed well with the romance. danmei is a lovely genre but, a lot of the writing can be a little juvenile and this book didn’t have that problem! it was extremely well-written and the translation was well-done. also, this book seems to be a very apt historical fiction book; i felt completely immersed in the culture and time.

i wouldn’t say the main characters are people i’m going to lose sleep over but i liked them immensely and am very fond of them. they’re very unique characters and i enjoy them as separate people and when they interact with other people. (fu shen especially! what a badass. they were both very powerful in their own right.)

and the romance in this was amazing! their dynamic was very new and their banter was >>> i loved it so much! (that one scene where fu shen calls yan xiaohan a pufferfish is unbelievably funny.) i also found it so cute when they called each other their wife… the few chapters set in their youth was sooooo good, i loved them so much. the fluff and angst that came out of that were immaculate. in the present-day parts of the book, they were just overall very cute. yan xiaohan treated fu shen so well! off the top of my head, him making his house completely wheelchair-accessible for fu shen, keeping and trying to repair that jade pendant fu shen broke symbolically, him just taking care of fu shen as a whole… so much. one grievance i have is that after how their amicability in their youth ended, i would expect fu shen to be a bit more ruder to yan xiaohan and harbour more negative feelings that he did. i enjoyed their domestic relationship but i wish that progression was done a little better.

here are the moments/quotes i loved the most in this book!

1.
with his free hand, he lifted fu shen's chin and made him look directly at him. "lift your head. you're not even using a form of address. who are you apologizing to? what you said before doesn't count, do it again. what should you call me?"

all he had meant was to make fu shen call him "yan-xiong" and apologize, and then he would have left him alone. instead, fu shen misunderstood him. after a long silence, in a timid attempt, his voice very soft, he said, “…gege?"

yan xiaohan stumbled. this address of "gege" from him instantly made his heart crumble. the hand loosely holding fu shen unconsciously drew back. a cool breeze blew past, spreading the fragrance of orchids everywhere.

"you... i.”

unexpectedly, yan xiaohan was also stammering. he bent down and picked fu shen up off the ground, dusted leaves and mud off him, and, feeling more than he could explain in a few words, said, "let's go."

fu shen hadn't caught up yet. "is it... all right?"

"it's all right, my eldest young master." yan xiaohan looked down at him and, in the depths of his heart, sighed soundlessly. his lip curled slightly, and he turned to say right into his ear, "if you call me that again, i'll even forsake the darkness for the light for your sake."

WHEN IM TELLING YOU THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I GOT THE “GEGE” HYPE… i started dying immediately.

2.
yan xiaohan was silent for a long time, then at last seemed to reach a decision. he opened his mouth and spoke with great difficulty. "there was a person. perhaps i would never be able to stand shoulder to shoulder with him, but i could place him in my heart and watch him from afar, occasionally say a few words to him. that would also be good."

fu shen didn't know what he was going to say next, but as if he had a premonition, his heart began to beat wildly and rapidly.

"but later, he was forced to go to the northern front." fu shen's mind emptied. it seemed to be what he had expected, yet also entirely beyond expectation.

this was soo cute, but i wish it was delved into a little more or fu shen’s reaction was done a little better but i still loved it. so.

3.
“don't let yourself be bound hand and foot by loyalty and righteousness." yan xiaohan bent his head to kiss him. his voice was soft, but every word seemed to slam against fu shen's heart. "dare to love, dare to hate, take pleasure in gratitude and vengeance. jingyuan, no one but you can fetter you."

4.
considered as a friendship, there didn't seem to be any great difference between their relationship and that of ordinary friends. to say that this rupture was a loss of all love would be going too far; one might say that it was a repudiation of brother-hood, but it hadn't altogether been caused by incompatible ideologies. he knew faintly in his heart that he seemed to have lost something frailer and more profound than friendship. shattered all over the ground like that piece of jade was perhaps full and unreserved trust, and a still youthful and confused sincerity.

5.
in my heart, you are above all others. there is no one to compare with you." yan xiaohan drank a mouthful of tea and calmly said, "that's the truth, from the heart. i'm not joking."

6.
yan xiaohan's eyelids were lowered, watching him tenderly. it was as if at another word from fu shen, he could immediately leap to his feet and pluck the stars and moon for him.

[Sofia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Takes a while to get going but once it does, it's fantastic. The romance was absolutely amazing, it's been a while since I was this invested in a fictional couple.

[Rosa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm afraid to say that I've unlocked a new obsession. I've become addicted to danmei. Lately, I've been struggling to find stories that truly captivate me, even when it's a fantasy setting, which usually doesn't fail for me, but danmei is doing it. I've yet have to read something that I don't like, it's true I haven't read that much, but..., this Golden Terrace was an absolute delight. It's been a long time since I gave a five stars review...
I loved every minute I spent in this world. The two main characters are lovely. I liked them a lot, and I loved that they made the best of a difficult situation. This was full of court intrigues and I loved how Fu Shen and Yan Xiaohan unravels what's happening around them while growing as a couple.
It was interesting how gay marriage is used as a political weapon in this world as a way to punish someone and end their line, so the Emperor could regain that power, lands and titles... It was also interesting that the roles in the marriage are defined by status, so the wife role is taken by the person with less status in court. (Sadly, as always, and this being historical, everything woman related is considered inferior...). But I liked, that despite they referring themselves as husband and wife among them, and in front of others, there's no power unbalance in their relationship. They are equals.
It was also refreshing that Fu Shen and Yan Xiaohan comunicate with each other. All the tension between the couple comes from the volatile situation at court and the delicate position Fu Shen is in. There's no miscomunication and I liked that very much. I'm quite fed up with authors who can't write a good conflict and rely on misunderstandings between the characters to carry on the plot.
I loved this first part, but like every time I read danmei, I think I'm missing a lot because I'm not as familiar with Chinese culture as I'd like. I've learnt some interesting points with this one, though.

[Queens Love Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Dare to love, dare to hate. Be decisive and unafraid in repaying debt and seeking vengeance. No one can hold you back but yourself.”



I love this series so much that I’m probably way too biased to write a review, but I’m doing it anyway. Since this is the second translation I’ve read, I knew I’d end up talking about both versions while reading. Before I even started the novel, I spent a good amount of time admiring the physical book because I love Mimo’s artwork. She’s one of my favorite artists, so I was really excited to see what she did here. The illustrations aren’t bad at all, but I have to admit I felt a little disappointed with both the cover and the interior art. They just didn’t hit me the same way her other illustrations have. It honestly almost felt like they weren’t drawn by Mimo, which is something I never thought I’d say. Anyway… once I got into the story, one thing immediately stood out to me. For some reason, Fu Shen gave me such strong Gu Yun vibes from SPL. I don’t remember feeling that during my previous reads. Maybe it’s because I re-read SPL earlier this year, but I kept noticing how much they have in common. They’re both brilliant Marquises, both spent their lives on the battlefield, and both were left disabled because rulers feared their influence. Even their sharp tongues reminded me of each other. Every time Fu Shen spoke, I found myself grinning because I forgot just how sassy he could be. Then the book ended at the perfect moment. It was so cheesy that I should’ve rolled my eyes, but I completely fell for it and immediately wanted to read the next volume.

Since I don’t speak or read Chinese, I can’t really comment on which translation is more accurate. All I can talk about is my experience reading both versions. Peach Flower House felt more literary to me. The descriptions felt richer, and the narration had a more formal style that I personally enjoy. The Seven Seas version felt much easier to read, and I think a lot of non-native English speakers would probably have an easier time with it. I also loved all the footnotes. I always appreciate books that take the time to explain cultural references or historical details because it makes reading so much more enjoyable for me. Even with that, I still found myself leaning toward PFH because I’ve never been a fan of translated proper nouns. Beiyan Cavalry just sounds so much better to me than Northern Yan Cavalry. If someone could magically combine PFH’s translation with 7S’ footnotes, that would probably be my perfect edition. There were still a few moments where I preferred the 7S version, though. One line that immediately came to mind was “Come. Ruin me back.” I liked it so much more than “Come on. You can interfere back now.” It sounded more natural to me and felt like something someone would actually say. I have plenty of other little thoughts about the translations, but this is supposed to be a short review, so I’ll stop there.

Putting the translations aside, Golden Terrace is still one of my favorite political danmei of all time. The first time I read it, I completely fell in love, and after reading so many danmei since then, it still sits pretty at the top of my favorites. I finished this volume and immediately started craving the next one all over again. Everything about it just works for me. I love that the relationship feels mature from the beginning. The chemistry between Fu Shen and Yan Xiaohan is absolutely incredible, and I never get tired of reading their interactions. The politics are meaningful without making me feel overwhelmed, and I always feel like every conversation has a purpose. One of my favorite things about this story is how it shows every side of the conflict. Nobody has clean hands. Some people are gray, some are much darker, and everyone is willing to make difficult choices for the things they want to protect. Even the people who stand against our main characters don’t feel like villains who exist just to be hated. You get to see the fears that drive them and the reasons behind the decisions they make. I also love reading about Yan Xiaohan again because I remember how much I enjoyed seeing the real him little by little. Every chapter reveals another side of him, and watching that mask slowly disappear was just as satisfying this time around. I honestly wish I could experience this story again for the first time because I still remember how surprised I was by him. If you’re looking for a true enemies-to-lovers romance, though, this probably isn’t the book you’re looking for. I think a lot of people go into it expecting that, and it really isn’t what this story is trying to do. As for me, this series continues to be one of my favorite danmei novels after all these years.

Date Read: 2024.08.15 (PFH Edition)
Re-read: 2025.08.27 (PFH Edition)

Re-read: 2026.07.06

[Linda ~ they got the mustard out! ~ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I started this with the fan translation, which was an exercise in word salad, then switched to the official translation, and what a difference that made! I still found myself going to the fan translation from time to time to see how certain things were translated differently, especially when the official translation seemed off about something, so it was definitely good to have them both on hand.

Boring stuff out of the way, I really enjoyed this. I'm enjoying seeing Fu Shen make a fool of everyone around him, and Yan Xiaohan proves why book boyfriends are so much better than real ones, lol. I was a bit distracted in the early half by how much this reminded me of GMDC/MDZS. Flower ceremony, check. Cave shenanigans, check. MCs apparently at odds with each other, check. The dynamic between Fu Shen and Yan Xiaohan even has faint echoes of WWX/LWJ. But don't be fooled. These are very different characters in a very different story, and their relationship development is quite precious and amusing to watch unfold. I love how they tease each other and joke around, and even when Fu Shen wasn't sure he could trust Yan Xiaohan completely, he still trusted him more than anyone else.

While a few things get resolved in this volume, there is still much to uncover and do in the next volume, so I'm eager to see where the story goes from here.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was phenomenal. I haven't had much time to read lately, but that ended up allowing me to slow down and take my time with this book, to savor it.

It's a romance that has layer upon layer and as these layers are revealed, the connection between Fu Shen and Yan Xiohan becomes ever more romantic and profound, filled with years of longing. I just love them. They are powerful, tender, and even playful.

This is a beautifully written book that I love first for its love story, but also greatly enjoyed as a political drama. The suspense and stakes feel real, and I am glad there's another volume to see where everything leads.

[Anne-Marie Archer · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars. This is so good. Well written. Strong, character-driven narrative. Well-rounded setting. A little more introspective than action-packed, but I didn't mind it because I liked both protagonists so much. Really hope part 2 is just as strong...

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Disclaimer:

I'm a hardcore fan of this story. The romance is my favourite part. Yanfu ❤️

This review is mostly about comparing PBH and the 7 seas version.

Obviously the PBH translation is superior so no surprises there but the 7seas version is fine.

Kinda gutted that they changed the name of Beiyan Cavalry to Northern Yan Army. It doesn't sound as cool. But hey at least they kept Feilong Guard and the characters names the same 🤷🏻‍♀️.

7seas illustrations are a nice touch and they picked the best scenes. Fair play to them for that.

I wished 7 seas released deluxe hardback editions though.

[vaishnavi ☆ﾟ⁠.⁠* · Rating 4 out of 5]

more politics-heavy than i'd usually enjoy reading but surprisingly, the political side of this story was engaging! i loved the explanation for why marriage between two men was allowed in the kingdom. it was a clever detail, and didn't feel too forced or unrealistic.

main couple were adorable together, and i'm giving it an extra star just for the fact that there was zero miscommunication 🤭💖

── .✦ pre-read 𖹭.ᐟ
I saw ONE (1) pin say this had the cutest couple in all of danmei and now i'm here <3

[Ray · Rating 5 out of 5]

be gay, do schemes. loved this one

[Sahitya · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fun reread. I remember reading the fan translation of this book more than a year ago and it was an instant addiction to my best of the year lists. So when I realized it was getting an official English translation published, I had to preorder it. And they are just such gorgeous copies.

This translation is really done well. There are so many beautiful and poetic lines which I wanted to highlight but I haven’t been feeling well, so didn’t have the energy to annotate. But it’s been months since I’ve actually picked up a book or kindle (without an audiobook), so even the fact that I picked this book and read it in 2 days despite not feeling not too well health wise shows how much I love this story and the YanFu couple.

This first volume is mostly about us getting to know the characters and them getting married and falling in love, and it’s all very very romantic and beautiful and it’s easy for us readers to just not want to stop reading about them. The political machinations haven’t really started in full gear yet but we see the setup going on and I’m frankly dreading reading the second volume despite this being a reread. It’s gonna be full on political maneuvering and I just hate my favorite characters facing hardships. But I’ll probably read it next because I don’t think I am yet prepared to tackle new fantasy worlds.

[hiba · Rating 3 out of 5]

i read the fan translation of golden terrace years ago and remember really loving it - now, years later, rereading with this new translation, i still like the story but i definitely have more qualms than i did before.

the romance is as solid as i remember - i enjoyed all the sweet, domestic moments between yan xiaohan and fu shen, their fun flirty banter, the forced proximity of the arranged marriage, the fact that everyone thought they hated each other while they were growing ever closer, their shared painful past - all great stuff. i do wish though that the transition from being antagonistic towards each other to loving each other was done a bit better. the plot was okay - i love a good political drama (like qiang jin jiu is officially one of my favorite novels of all time), but the political plot in this one is a bit meh.

also, i'm honestly done with letting even minor misogynistic moments slide in danmei/bls. not a fan of that scene with the empress and how she was basically treated as collateral damage for revenge against the emperor. just so off-putting.

[annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

10/10 so good
i read it back in Stone Age, translated by Chichi and now reading it again translated by E. Danglars (translator of Mo Du, so good omg go and read it!). I love it, i love it, i love it but i also feel painfully single lololol (please).

the plot is really well paced, i can describe it as a relaxing read if you want something historical and romantic. also is the main couple enemies to lovers or something else? ehe

i'm zooming to read volume 2 now, ciao.

[mara - hyrulevalkyrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

EDIT 2: the 7s translation delivered and I’m so pleased to be back with my fave scheming husbands 🙂‍↕️
EDIT: GUYS THIS WAS MY 1,000th BOOK 🤯
“One look at you interfered with the rest of my life”
I am so mad at myself for 1) waiting so long to read this and 2) not buying my own copies before PFH went under 😭 at least the 7s translations are coming out in June!

[Rae · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an incredible read. It's been almost 4 years since I read this book and boy did I not remember a thing about it. So it was completely fresh to me. It was also really nice to read it again after having read so many other danmei series. I'm much more at home in ancient China now as a setting so it was a much smoother read compared to the past. On to the book. I love a historical political story. Court intrigue, a bit of mystery, and a bit of military tactics is right up my alley. I loved Fu Shen and Yan Xiaohan's relationship so much. It was vey interesting that it was told in the reunion, then the original meeting, and now the present love. It made for a very deep and rich story that gave them both perfect characterization and really fleshed out their relationship. The romance and sex scenes in this book are very subtle and have to be looked for with a keen eye so if you like on page smut you need to look elsewhere, but if you love a smoldering and tender love then look no further than this couple. I loved their dynamic so much and I can't wait to jump into book 2 finally and see how this story ends.

[Natalya Voronina · Rating 5 out of 5]

People weren't lying. This is a book for me.
It's not really plot heavy, but the plot that is there is solid, no cheese, and helps the character development. But the focus is definitely on the characters and their relationship. It got me how their angles snagged on one another from the very beginning, forming them as who they are "today". And today they are fire.
I was planning a very poetic review just several chapters ago, but damn it sparks flew in the end. Their tension got me 🤣 Yay for the healthy sex rep.

[readeternaldanmei · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.9/5

🌸Possible spoiler warning! If you want to go into this novel blind, don't read past the first paragraph!🌸

Coming back to Golden Terrace after a few years was a revelation. While I was initially unsure about it, diving back in now—with a deeper appreciation for political danmei—has made me completely fall in love. With the news of the Seven Seas re-license, I wanted to revisit the original translation, and I am so glad I did. E. Dangler’s work is breathtaking; they capture the cultural nuances and the poetic soul of the prose beautifully.

A "One-Sided" Rivalry
While many call this "rivals-to-lovers," I’d argue it’s actually a one-sided rivalry to lovers. From the very beginning, it is clear just how deeply Yan Xiaohan loves Fu Shen. The care he shows Fu Shen after they arrive home is enough to move you to tears. It’s a transparent, protective love that is right in front of Fu Shen’s face, even if their complicated past and Yan Xiaohan's reputation as the "Emperor's Lackey" make it hard for Fu Shen to see him as anything other than an adversary at first.

The Ultimate Power Couple
The forced marriage trope is executed to perfection here. Fu Shen is a magnificent protagonist—resilient, sharp-witted, and dignified despite the crippling injury that ended his military career. Watching Yan Xiaohan drop his icy exterior to become Fu Shen’s most devoted ally is incredibly satisfying.

Their chemistry isn’t an explosion; it’s a steady, subtle simmer. Every small gesture of care carries immense weight. As the volume progresses, you realize they truly know one another. Their shared history adds a layer of bittersweet longing that makes their current "forced" proximity feel like destiny finally catching up to them.

The story hits the ground running with an Emperor driven by paranoia and a court riddled with corruption. If you enjoy the heavy political maneuvering and high stakes of Qiang Jin Jiu (QJJ), you will feel right at home here. The web of corruption is so tightly woven that I’m still stumped on how it will all end!

If you want a historical romance defined by deep mutual respect, a soft slow-burn, and a "power couple" taking on a corrupt world together, I cannot recommend this enough. I’ll be starting Volume 2 later this May!

P.S. I have one theory about the ending that I can’t shake... but I’m almost afraid to say it out loud in case I'm wrong (or right!). 🤭

SPOILERS FOR VOL 2 IN MY COMMENTS = AUTOMATIC BLOCK!!

[Elena · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Review” for both volumes because it’s more of a book split in two than two books in a series, so the spoiler is mostly for the second volume. The plot had some aspects that could’ve been handled better and I really would’ve loved to see the Emperor (Yuantai) punished more, he got away pretty easily all things considered, and the actual rating is probably closer to 3.5 stars, but I had fun reading this and the MCs are two very adorable idiots, so 4 stars it is.
FIY, the fan translation has two more extra stories at the end that the official translation didn’t include.

[Rae · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whether you read this for the plot or read it for the romance, I guarantee a good time. I loved all of the court intrigue, politics, and twists and turns this novel went on. I was always confused as to what was going on, but I was always having a great time trying to figure it out. Meanwhile, the romance was, in fact, so romantic it made me want to cry. If you're looking for a romance past PG (maybe PG-13 for some of their discussions), then look elsewhere because most of the things Yan Xiaohan and Fu Shen get up to are left as subtext for the imagination. The flirting and utter romance of their story was so nice, and I loved it so much. The two of them are such a power couple I can't wait to see where the story goes in the next book. Again, do I really know the plot of this book? No. But I'm having a great time nonetheless.

[aria ✧]

"One look at you interfered with the rest of my life. What could I do?"

❝By virtue of the Mandate of Heaven, the emperor decrees: the Marquis of Jingning Fu Shen, General, Defender of the Nation, descendant of the Duke of Ying Fu Jian, who as an official for six years has performed many meritorious services, afflicted foreign enemies with dread, and faithfully protected the nation, is looked upon by Us as an aid, with profound favor. Commander of the Left Shenwu Guard and Imperial Investigator of the Feilong Guard Yan Xiaohan, descendant of a noble family of the capital, loyal and upright guardian of the imperial chambers, with evident virtue and benevolence, of heroic bearing and handsome appearance, proficient in literary and military arts alike, is commended highly by Us. These two individuals are a perfect match made by heaven. Today We decree that a marriage between them will be arranged and direct the officials to select an auspicious date to hold the wedding: It is hoped that the two of you will be of one heart and one mind, do greatest honor to this nation, and not disappoint Our intentions. The emperor has spoken.❞

"Golden Terrace" is historical fiction steeped in court intrigue, dangerous politics and an arranged marriage worth rooting for. My first experience with this story was a fan translation I read back in 2022. With all the hype of Seven Seas translating MXTX’s works, I waited patiently for an official translation of the “Golden Stage” to be announced. Sadly, they never did but that was because a smaller company had already bought the rights and I was just unaware. So thank you Peach Flower House for translating one of my favourite stories. [EDIT: Peach Flower House closed but Seven Seas picked up the rights]

In the twenty-fifth of Emperor Yuantai’s reign, returning to the capital after a successful campaign in the north, General Fu Shen is attacked and greatly injured. Now crippled, he must rely on his intelligence and those loyal to him to find the truth behind the assassination attempt. All his plans are thrown into disarray when the Emperor announces his marriage to his political enemy Yan Xiaohan. But not all is as it seems between the two for unknown to others, they share a history of friendship and betrayal.

And as the synopsis says: In spite of the political differences that stand between them in court, Fu Shen and Yan Xiaohan gradually start to accept each other’s presence in their shared home. Yet as they learn to navigate their new life together, it is the calm before the storm. The mystery behind the attack at the northern border begins to unfold, unveiling dangers that threaten the peace of Great Zhou.

I am a great lover of complex political stories. Add a healthy romance where the two communicate and respect each other. You have me completely invested.

[Phylicia ☾♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm glad I decided to pick this one up because Fu Shen and Yan Xiaohan’s journey from enemies to something deeper was the highlight for me. The political aspect was complicated and sometimes tough to follow, but the slow-burning chemistry between them made it all worthwhile. xD ^^
What I loved most was how the story primarily focused on them. Fu Shen’s serious, disciplined vibe pairs perfectly with Yan Xiaohan’s quick wit. Their teasing and flirting kept things very entertaining, lol. Even when they clashed, you could feel the underlying respect and care they have for each other—I appreciate that dynamic.

[Keiko the manga enthusiast ♒︎ · Rating 5 out of 5]

”I’m so sorry for having interfered with the rest of your life. Come on, you can interfere back now.”

I had the book for months now in my shelf and now I wonder had I not randomly picked it on Monday because I’m so stubborn to be busy with other things rather than finishing my concept paper, I would have paid attention to this beauty most probably next year—and delayed this ecstatic feeling I’m experiencing right now. And boy, would that be such a same.

Only 414 pages—yet I had to finish in four long days because I’m juggling anxiety, Summer heat, restlessness, and guilt (for not starting my final paper in Research). I was even wondering if I will ever finish but taking too long made me greatly appreciate this novel. It’s supposed to be romance, mystery, crime, and politics all in one book which is really up my alley. Adding the fact that it was so beautifully written that my book copy is covered with highlights and bookmarks. I just love it so much. How can I not pay attention to it before?

This book carved a permanent smile on my face, the words being fodders to my lonely, lonely heart. Cang Wu Bin Bai is so generous with her words, I’ve never met a writer as generous as Madeline Miller before. Well, now I have, I can now put them side-by-side forever.

exhibit a.

”The pursuit of benefit, picking a tree on which to perch—that is what the path of an official ought to be. Therefore, I’m not on your side, I’m only on the side most advantageous to me, nothing more than that.”

Says the man who almost spoils the Marquis rotten pampering in his manor. Says the man who’s always on the Marquis’ heels ready to serve him. Says the man who always worry about the health of the alleged cripple. What’s in it for him? There’s no glory in being the Marquis’ servant… especially if you’re the head of the Feilong Guard.

exhibit b.

”If you call me that again, I’ll even forsake the darkness for the light for your sake.”

See, a four-letter word, Gege can make him wag his tail. But it should be spoken by none other than Fu Shen, okay?

exhibit c.

To this day, he could still remember his remorse as he knelt on the ground picking the broken jade up piece by piece, his despair when there had been a handful of fragments lying in his palm.

I already forgave his traitorous move against Fu Shen I found out about this detail that moment Fu Shen broke their *relationship*. I mean, how can you not forgive this adorable cookie?!

exhibit d.

In fact, I didn’t want to wheedle you with something like, ‘You’re better-looking than them,’ because I thought it would be an offense even to discuss those people in the same breath as you.

I swear, if he isn’t a Feilong Guard, he’d be a poet! Your Honor, I love him so dearly.

exhibit e.

One look at you interfered with the rest of my life. What could I do?”

I just want my babies to survive the second volume unscathed. Will that be possible? There’s not much conflict that threatens their relationship in this volume. It’s more of the reestablishment of their fragile past relationship and the blooming of something more than friendship. I’m so in love with this book and I will forever defend this golden terrace I’ve secured for myself.

Was listening to ”Haplos” by Shamrock while reading this book. God forbid a perfectly crafted song for a book, I would be limbless.

They say read a Russian novel and cry trying to remember all the names of one person. They should read a Chinese book for practice too.

exhibit e.a.
Yan Xiaohan
Lord Yan
A-Han
Menggui
Yan Menggui
Imperial Investigator
(And I can’t even settle I think there’s still more I just can’t remember?) it’s all him, the love of my love.

I dare you to give a rate lower than 5, trust me, you can’t.

[thedeadlyscimitar · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5

Golden Terrace is my first foray into danmei novels outside of Mo Xiang Tong Xiu's more popular and mainstream works. It's only the third danmei series I've read, the other two being MDZS and TGCF, respectively. This is also my first historical, politically driven danmei novel. I want to start this review by saying that, while I absolutely adored Golden Terrace, I would not recommend this as a novel for beginners to danmei. For one thing, unlike Seven Sea's translations, Peach Flower House did not include an extensive glossary for those who may be new to the genre. There are many Chinese words and terms used in the book that the translator seems to assume the reader already has foreknowledge of. Given that the included glossary is only about four pages long and includes a mere eight terms in a 403 page book, this could be quite overwhelming for new danmei readers. For someone looking to get into the genre for the first time, I'd recommend something easier to start out with, like MDZS or TGCF. Now, with that out of the way, lets get into the thick of this review and the reasons why I loved this book so much.

I admit, when I first picked up Golden Terrace and the prologue read almost like a history textbook, I was a little concerned that I'd bitten off more than I could chew with this one. Shamefully, I must admit that I know next to nothing about Chinese history, the structure of ancient Chinese society or government. I was a bit worried that my woeful ignorance would make it a difficult prospect for me to get into this story. Luckily, while I do feel that this lack of knowledge on my part hindered me to an extent, Golden Terrace takes place in the fictional Yuantai dynasty rather than an actual historical period in ancient China. The book does throw a considerable amount of character names, locations and government/military factions at you right off the bat that can start to feel a little overwhelming. Thankfully, however, once you get past that initial setup, the book is mostly fairly easy to follow. From what I've been told by those more experienced in the danmei genre than myself, Golden Terrace is fairly light as far as politically driven historical novels go. So, if you pick this up and start feeling overwhelmed initially, just push through for a bit and I promise it will absolutely be worth it!

Easily the best part of this novel is the romance between the Imperial Investigator, Yan Xiaohan, and the Marquis of Jingning, General Fu Shen. Of course, let's be real, we're all here for the romance anyway. Am I right? In that regard, Golden Terrace absolutely does not disappoint. Though I have only read the first novel in the series so far, I absolutely think that this is a romance on par with Wangxian or Hualian. And I was only held back from rating it a solid five out of five by the fact that I didn't find the story outside the romance quite as compelling as either MDZS or TGCF. Purely on the basis of the romance between the two main characters, however, Golden Terrace is absolutely just as good the works of Mo Xiang Tong Xiu.

In particular, I absolutely fell in love with Yan Xiaohan. While both he and Fu Shen are deeply complex characters, I find Yan Xiaohan's unique brand of morally grey to be particularly compelling. I also love love love the fact that he is so thoughtful, sweet and attentive toward the disabled Fu Shen while being cold and ruthless towards pretty much everyone else around him. I know that many people tend to prefer high drama, constant sexual tension, and soap opera-esque misunderstandings in their romance, but personally, I am absolutely someone who prefers mature, loving, healthy, and supportive relationships. I love reading tooth rotting fluff. I want to see the characters actually COMMUNICATE with one another to solve their problems rather than acting like angsty teenagers who run off in a huff at the first sign of trouble.

This is not insta-love or shallow physical attraction disguised as a meaningful relationship. Golden Terrace is a smart, mature romance about complex characters who genuinely have a deep love and profound respect for one another as people. I cannot overstate how incredibly refreshing that is to me, personally. I read a lot of books in the fantasy romance genre outside of danmei, and so many of those books recently seem to be shallow, insta-love romances that revolve entirely around smut. Don't get me wrong, I don't have anything against smut per se. I just like for it to be earned and for the relationship to actually mean something beyond just the purely physical. If you're like me, and this sounds like something that would appeal to you, then I absolutely think that Golden Terrace is well worth the read just based on the romance alone.

As far as the overarching plot that serves as a backdrop for this epic love story, I did occasionally find it somewhat hard to follow. That is the sole reason why I rated the book four and a half stars rather than a full five. To be fair, some of this difficultly may be due to my own ignorance of Chinese history and ancient societal structure. I am also not used to reading novels involving complex court politics. But regardless of the occasional difficulties I had following some of the more intricate details of the story and keeping all of the many minor side characters and factions straight, I found the plot of Golden Terrace deeply compelling. For the most part, it was relatively easy to follow the main story, and many of the more complex details were explicitly explained later on during discussions between the main characters. I am eager to start on the next book to see what happens, find who is truly behind all of these devious plots, and of course to see more heart-melting romance between our main couple. For anyone who loves danmei, I would absolutely recommend Golden Terrace with two enthusiastic thumbs up!