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妃嫔媵嬙 The Promotional Record of a Male Consort
The journey of a generation’s male empress started because of four words.
“Send a dowry escort.”
During the 19th year of the Yuanqing Era, Qi Yunruo boarded a carriage and entered through a corner door of the second prince’s estate. Then, across the watery corridor, he gazed at the prince from afar.
———
The promotional record of a young teen married off as part of his legitimate sister’s dowry.
From two people who never met before to two people who could understand each other’s thoughts by just a glance.
There’s a type of happiness sparked when the most suitable people meet in the most suitable place.
Notes:
In order for aristocratic women in imperial China to marry into a family part of the upper nobility, they must be of the legitimate line and must also have a dowry escort that married into that family. That escort would be a “ying” (媵) and could be considered a concubine.
“Send a dowry escort.”
During the 19th year of the Yuanqing Era, Qi Yunruo boarded a carriage and entered through a corner door of the second prince’s estate. Then, across the watery corridor, he gazed at the prince from afar.
———
The promotional record of a young teen married off as part of his legitimate sister’s dowry.
From two people who never met before to two people who could understand each other’s thoughts by just a glance.
There’s a type of happiness sparked when the most suitable people meet in the most suitable place.
Notes:
In order for aristocratic women in imperial China to marry into a family part of the upper nobility, they must be of the legitimate line and must also have a dowry escort that married into that family. That escort would be a “ying” (媵) and could be considered a concubine.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
dnf
May 5, 2025DNF ch 10 / 76 ch + 1 extra
I'm finding it too uncomfortable with the fact that the Qi Yunrou (MC) is 15 yrs old and the love interest is going to Prince Li Chen who is 20 and has married his biological half-sister at the start of the story.
I'm finding it too uncomfortable with the fact that the Qi Yunrou (MC) is 15 yrs old and the love interest is going to Prince Li Chen who is 20 and has married his biological half-sister at the start of the story.
July 8, 2021
This novel is pretty short at only 70+ chapters, but it was a well-woven world. Though the ending seems unrealistic, the author is probably the first danmei writer I've encountered who seems to know Ancient China's LGBTQ history, which I really appreciate. (Many BL writers forget that homophobia is a Western concept, and Ancient East Asians actually used to have cultures of shudo/wonchung/chajewhi/斷袖之癖/分桃 etc.) The politics in this book is riveting, though it seems like the royal consorts and concubines, whose schemes are out of whack, have the mental capacity of 3-year-olds. Thank goodness that the slaves, the First Royal Princess, and the Grand Empress Dowager are intelligent, or I'd start to think that the author hates women. The best part of this is the protagonist's character development. Qi Yunruo started out timid, but develops a backbone that grows stronger with each ordeal. His relationship with Prince Li Chen is also quite healthy, as they show solid partnership even when they fight individual battles. This would have been an excellent drama, but with that ending, I suppose it could only be accurately picked up by Japan and South Korea.
June 4, 2021
Overall rating: 3.5 stars
I think this novel was quite well-written despite its shortcomings and my favourite part about it is how the author wrote Qi Yunruo (MC) and his character development throughout the story. The MC started out as a 15-year-old boy that was timid, socially awkward and weak as a result of him being neglected by his "family". QYR was never somebody that no one expected to achieve great things and the people around him felt that it was better if he didn't exist at all.
After his birth mother's death, he was unloved and felt a deep-boned loneliness that plagued him. But then the universe conspired so that he could meet Li Chen (ML). And this meeting was serendipitous for the both of them, but moreso for QYR because by knowing LC, he was able to see worth in himself and he could find the confidence to bloom into someone amazing, someone who the ML could rely on.
Even though at first I was kind of hesitant to accept the ML because he had a full harem and even had children, but as QYR and LC interacted more and more, it was apparent that LC liked QYR more than the rest and even loved him, always taking care of him and being protective of him rather than those in his harem. I really did quite like how their relationship progressed because they had mutual respect for each other and although LC was a prince, he always made an exception for QYR and did things that other people usually wouldn't do.
Now, I have to say that everything that happened in this story seemed a little too convenient and that's not necessarily a bad thing but it meant that it the story was a little flat at times. The harem members were also stupid as heck, which helped a lot in pushing QYR and LC together.
And that ending! What a satisfying read. If I were to rate this novel just by its ending, I would give it 5 stars. Everyone got what they deserved and I won't spoil anything but just know that it's a happy ending.
I think this novel was quite well-written despite its shortcomings and my favourite part about it is how the author wrote Qi Yunruo (MC) and his character development throughout the story. The MC started out as a 15-year-old boy that was timid, socially awkward and weak as a result of him being neglected by his "family". QYR was never somebody that no one expected to achieve great things and the people around him felt that it was better if he didn't exist at all.
After his birth mother's death, he was unloved and felt a deep-boned loneliness that plagued him. But then the universe conspired so that he could meet Li Chen (ML). And this meeting was serendipitous for the both of them, but moreso for QYR because by knowing LC, he was able to see worth in himself and he could find the confidence to bloom into someone amazing, someone who the ML could rely on.
Even though at first I was kind of hesitant to accept the ML because he had a full harem and even had children, but as QYR and LC interacted more and more, it was apparent that LC liked QYR more than the rest and even loved him, always taking care of him and being protective of him rather than those in his harem. I really did quite like how their relationship progressed because they had mutual respect for each other and although LC was a prince, he always made an exception for QYR and did things that other people usually wouldn't do.
Now, I have to say that everything that happened in this story seemed a little too convenient and that's not necessarily a bad thing but it meant that it the story was a little flat at times. The harem members were also stupid as heck, which helped a lot in pushing QYR and LC together.
And that ending! What a satisfying read. If I were to rate this novel just by its ending, I would give it 5 stars. Everyone got what they deserved and I won't spoil anything but just know that it's a happy ending.
July 2, 2022
I think it's a decent danmei novel albeit some arcs are better than others and overall it's longer than it should be.
March 24, 2023
Great historical fiction with actual understanding of the time period and it's customs. The characters weren't just believable, their growth was natural and great to see.
November 14, 2022
A cute historical novel with plenty of character development from the MC.
The premise is that our MC, Qi Yunruo, is sent by his family to accompany his sister Qi Niqun as a dowry escort in her marriage to the second imperial prince, Li Chen. I've never heard of this concept before, but apparently the dowry escort (who's usually a female maid or someone along those lines) is expected to substitute in for the bride when the bride becomes pregnant to ensure that the husband's attention doesn't wander too far? The twist here is that the dowry escort is the bride's illegitimate younger brother, as her mom racked her brains and couldn't think of a good female to send with her daughter. Pretty sure that's not common in history...
The story is split into three arcs - the first follows QYR as he enters the prince's estate and experiences all of the harem intrigue typical to these types of stories. This arc was my least favorite, as the reader is introduced to the ambitions and pettiness of the wives and consorts in LC's rear courtyard through their bullying of QYR. The second arc is where the story picks up, as LC is sent to the border to fight against the "barbarian's" invasion and brings QYR with him. And of course, the final arc details out LC's fight for the crown prince title.
At the beginning, the MC has been neglected his whole life and thus has a very timid and weak personality. Slowly, as he interacts with the prince and is given more responsibilities, he becomes more confident in himself and in his position in the prince estate. QYR has some very satisfying face slapping moments at the end when he stands up to those who previously bullied him and thwarts their plans to frame the prince of colluding with the enemy and betraying the country.
I had a hard time initially getting into the story because the ML already has a harem and kids when the story starts, not to mention the fact that he's about to marry the MC's sister. It also didn't help that there a lot of names to remember, not just the names of the women in the rear courtyard but also which families they're from, the names and families of the other imperial princes, which ministers or other noble families they're connected with, etc. Luckily once LC starts interacting with QYR, he quickly falls in love with him and his sleeping around greatly decreases.
One of my biggest problems with the novel is that all of the female characters except for the ML's grandmother are all written to be flat characters whose sole ambition is to either have a son or raise their son up to be the next crown prince or emperor. The stupid things they do to achieve their selfish goal is incredibly sad to read. It doesn't seem like a single woman in LC's rear courtyard actually cares about their children but rather sees them as a means to an end. And their schemes aren't even subtle, as they're seen through quickly by either LC or QYR or both. If you're going to do all this plotting, at least be smart about it!
Another issue I had with the novel in the second arc specifically is that QYR somehow managed to accomplish so much despite having zero fighting training or wilderness knowhow. I know I'm reading a fictional story, but it just felt so unrealistic that he was able to get through all of the small skirmishes without any injuries and was able to even kill a fierce and feared barbarian warrior by himself. And then he was able to fend for himself in a foreign country and get back to the prince's side completely on his own.
The premise is that our MC, Qi Yunruo, is sent by his family to accompany his sister Qi Niqun as a dowry escort in her marriage to the second imperial prince, Li Chen. I've never heard of this concept before, but apparently the dowry escort (who's usually a female maid or someone along those lines) is expected to substitute in for the bride when the bride becomes pregnant to ensure that the husband's attention doesn't wander too far? The twist here is that the dowry escort is the bride's illegitimate younger brother, as her mom racked her brains and couldn't think of a good female to send with her daughter. Pretty sure that's not common in history...
The story is split into three arcs - the first follows QYR as he enters the prince's estate and experiences all of the harem intrigue typical to these types of stories. This arc was my least favorite, as the reader is introduced to the ambitions and pettiness of the wives and consorts in LC's rear courtyard through their bullying of QYR. The second arc is where the story picks up, as LC is sent to the border to fight against the "barbarian's" invasion and brings QYR with him. And of course, the final arc details out LC's fight for the crown prince title.
At the beginning, the MC has been neglected his whole life and thus has a very timid and weak personality. Slowly, as he interacts with the prince and is given more responsibilities, he becomes more confident in himself and in his position in the prince estate. QYR has some very satisfying face slapping moments at the end when he stands up to those who previously bullied him and thwarts their plans to frame the prince of colluding with the enemy and betraying the country.
I had a hard time initially getting into the story because the ML already has a harem and kids when the story starts, not to mention the fact that he's about to marry the MC's sister. It also didn't help that there a lot of names to remember, not just the names of the women in the rear courtyard but also which families they're from, the names and families of the other imperial princes, which ministers or other noble families they're connected with, etc. Luckily once LC starts interacting with QYR, he quickly falls in love with him and his sleeping around greatly decreases.
One of my biggest problems with the novel is that all of the female characters except for the ML's grandmother are all written to be flat characters whose sole ambition is to either have a son or raise their son up to be the next crown prince or emperor. The stupid things they do to achieve their selfish goal is incredibly sad to read. It doesn't seem like a single woman in LC's rear courtyard actually cares about their children but rather sees them as a means to an end. And their schemes aren't even subtle, as they're seen through quickly by either LC or QYR or both. If you're going to do all this plotting, at least be smart about it!
Another issue I had with the novel in the second arc specifically is that QYR somehow managed to accomplish so much despite having zero fighting training or wilderness knowhow. I know I'm reading a fictional story, but it just felt so unrealistic that he was able to get through all of the small skirmishes without any injuries and was able to even kill a fierce and feared barbarian warrior by himself. And then he was able to fend for himself in a foreign country and get back to the prince's side completely on his own.
June 1, 2022
4.5
This is one of those historical novels that I would have not minded if it went for 100 chapters more.
Loved the MC's character development!! Qi Yunruo went from an almost invisible, easily frightened and neglected young man who quietly stole Li Chen's heart to becoming his shield and partner and I absolutely enjoyed the journey.
Every time the Li Chen (ML) looked at Little Qi and he just smiled, no words, no convoluted speeches but just smiled, which happened quite often, my heart became mushy.
Quite a hidden gem!!
This is one of those historical novels that I would have not minded if it went for 100 chapters more.
Loved the MC's character development!! Qi Yunruo went from an almost invisible, easily frightened and neglected young man who quietly stole Li Chen's heart to becoming his shield and partner and I absolutely enjoyed the journey.
Every time the Li Chen (ML) looked at Little Qi and he just smiled, no words, no convoluted speeches but just smiled, which happened quite often, my heart became mushy.
Quite a hidden gem!!
May 4, 2023
Rating: 3/5- This was a nice story, but the harem drama was a bit too much for me.
Overall it was enjoyable. The character dynamics were a bit bland and the palace drama was also a little less interesting. I was quite annoyed by such 1D female characters. The harem grew annoying fast.
The leads were not well written overall. It felt a bit unnatural.
It’s not a terrible book, but it’s not remarkable either.
Overall it was enjoyable. The character dynamics were a bit bland and the palace drama was also a little less interesting. I was quite annoyed by such 1D female characters. The harem grew annoying fast.
The leads were not well written overall. It felt a bit unnatural.
It’s not a terrible book, but it’s not remarkable either.
February 12, 2022
The main relationship is sweet and very smooth-sailing and the character development of MC is heartening. But I am not a fan of how the author, by their own admission, wrote ML's consorts to be such stupid, selfish and vapid women just to show how wonderful the main relationship is. Would have liked it better if the novel's female antagonists were more well-written. 3.5/5
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 15, 2025
Honestly, the first danmei novel I've read where the ML already has kids, which added some realism points to it. Ending felt a little rushed with tons of plots hitting at the same time, but I get it. Pretty average otherwise, would consider 3.5, but entertaining enough! for sure enjoyed some arcs more than others.
January 3, 2026
3.94 stars?? I really want to bump this up to 4 stars, but the first like 45% was soo…uncomfortable... that I just can’t bring myself to do it. However, after that, it just kept getting better and better and better, especially as the timeline progressed forwards in months and years. I will say, it felt like the ending was a bit abrupt. 😕 Even so, I still would read like 500 or 700 more pages about them from the point at which this book ended onwards
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews