What do you think?
Rate this book
The Little First Grand Secretary in My House
When Xue Tingxiang, a great traitor, returned to his youth, the Xue family was still destitute. His family was wrung to death just to find him a place to study, and the woman was still his own child bride. In this life, he decided to change his way of life.
The first task was to treat her well, and then have a few more children.
Zhao’er was the child bride of the Xue family. She knew that she would marry the little man and sleep with him when he was old enough. However, the little man had always disliked and hated her.
However, just overnight, the little man suddenly changed a lot. Not only was kind to her, but he also always kissed and hugged her. This, this…
#The way to raise wife for the treacherous Senior Grand Secretary#
Who raised who? How shameful!
The first task was to treat her well, and then have a few more children.
Zhao’er was the child bride of the Xue family. She knew that she would marry the little man and sleep with him when he was old enough. However, the little man had always disliked and hated her.
However, just overnight, the little man suddenly changed a lot. Not only was kind to her, but he also always kissed and hugged her. This, this…
#The way to raise wife for the treacherous Senior Grand Secretary#
Who raised who? How shameful!
Unknown Binding
First published January 1, 2019
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
May 16, 2021
3.5 stars
There are so few translated male protagonists romance or political drama stories. I’m happy to have found another high quality one.
This is a much more of a (political?) drama with a romance subplot than a comedy. Although I liked what I’ve read thus far, because of the slow and structured pacing, I feel like most of what I’ve read has been a long introduction. I think this could be a 4-5 star story, but most of the story elements are still in the foundational stage.
The characters are multifaceted and well developed. I especially enjoy how the villains are still human and the female lead isn’t bogged down in misogyny. Moreover, female lead is an independent person with her own separate values from the protagonist.
The translation quality of first 34 chapters are subpar. I still found them pretty readable, so I would recommend struggling through them until you get to the much higher quality translation.
-Incomplete Ch 65.2
There are so few translated male protagonists romance or political drama stories. I’m happy to have found another high quality one.
This is a much more of a (political?) drama with a romance subplot than a comedy. Although I liked what I’ve read thus far, because of the slow and structured pacing, I feel like most of what I’ve read has been a long introduction. I think this could be a 4-5 star story, but most of the story elements are still in the foundational stage.
The characters are multifaceted and well developed. I especially enjoy how the villains are still human and the female lead isn’t bogged down in misogyny. Moreover, female lead is an independent person with her own separate values from the protagonist.
The translation quality of first 34 chapters are subpar. I still found them pretty readable, so I would recommend struggling through them until you get to the much higher quality translation.
-Incomplete Ch 65.2
May 9, 2022
In historical genre, among all the Chinese web novels, this novel is one of the best. Just reading it (even with mtl version) you can see the author did ample amount of research. I don't know if it's historically accurate or not. But I can say that the setting and world-building of this novel is pretty good. But unfortunately the mtl didn't do justice to this novel. I think that many aspects of this novel could have been more enjoyable if it was translated accurately.
Now for the plot, there are many twists and turns. I rated it as Slice of Life cause in the first half, the MC lived a rural life with FL, constantly enriching their lifestyle, trying to make their lives better. Later, the MC went to capital and received a few setbacks but got his way around it with his knowledge and wit. Honestly, I prefer this MC than many other MLs I have read. He is kind and ruthless at the same time. He loves FL wholeheartedly (though he was quite the bastard himself in his last life, you can't really blame him either in his situation). He is not arrogant. He knows his shortcomings and acts cute towards FL which I find a good quality.
The FL is a strong woman. She didn't have her past life experiences but she still built her own business empire. She may be a slow but overall this FL wins a pretty good FL card from me.
The political turmoil looked pretty hard to me, and the way Author solved it through MC didn't seem overly dramatic but witty.
The misunderstanding between MC-ML and FL was inevitable at some point. Of course their lack of communication and self-esteem also was the reason. But external factors also played a major role in their past life.
If you like historical genre, then go for it. I guarantee, you won't regret it.
P.S:
One of the things I like the most about this novel, is that instead of the FL, the ML got rebirth. I mean I like the whole transmigration and rebirth trope. I enjoy it a lot. But let's be honest, most of the time either the FL becomes a Mary-sue OP or she struggles through various crisis with the burden of remembering her past experiences. And even if the ML get transmigrated he becomes self-conceited and opens up a harem. So ML as an MC is good for a change where he rectified his past mistake and improves his relationship with FL, takes care of her and does what he didn't or couldn't do in his past life.
P.S:2
If you want to read it, I would advise you to be a bit more patient with the MTL. Some things may be a bit unclear. But overall you'd get the picture.
Now for the plot, there are many twists and turns. I rated it as Slice of Life cause in the first half, the MC lived a rural life with FL, constantly enriching their lifestyle, trying to make their lives better. Later, the MC went to capital and received a few setbacks but got his way around it with his knowledge and wit. Honestly, I prefer this MC than many other MLs I have read. He is kind and ruthless at the same time. He loves FL wholeheartedly (though he was quite the bastard himself in his last life, you can't really blame him either in his situation). He is not arrogant. He knows his shortcomings and acts cute towards FL which I find a good quality.
The FL is a strong woman. She didn't have her past life experiences but she still built her own business empire. She may be a slow but overall this FL wins a pretty good FL card from me.
The political turmoil looked pretty hard to me, and the way Author solved it through MC didn't seem overly dramatic but witty.
The misunderstanding between MC-ML and FL was inevitable at some point. Of course their lack of communication and self-esteem also was the reason. But external factors also played a major role in their past life.
If you like historical genre, then go for it. I guarantee, you won't regret it.
P.S:
One of the things I like the most about this novel, is that instead of the FL, the ML got rebirth. I mean I like the whole transmigration and rebirth trope. I enjoy it a lot. But let's be honest, most of the time either the FL becomes a Mary-sue OP or she struggles through various crisis with the burden of remembering her past experiences. And even if the ML get transmigrated he becomes self-conceited and opens up a harem. So ML as an MC is good for a change where he rectified his past mistake and improves his relationship with FL, takes care of her and does what he didn't or couldn't do in his past life.
P.S:2
If you want to read it, I would advise you to be a bit more patient with the MTL. Some things may be a bit unclear. But overall you'd get the picture.
November 24, 2025
The book can be divided into three parts: the first is slice-of-life, the second leans more political, and the final part blends the two.
I really loved the first half. The day-to-day life, the personal growth, and especially the care and effort the male lead, Xue Tingrang, puts into the relationship were all so satisfying to read. He owns up to his past mistakes and genuinely tries to change the path he took in his previous life. Although he keeps his sharp mind and sharp tongue for the court, the way he looks at Wang Zhao’er is completely transformed. Instead of suppressing her like he once did, he pushes her forward, supports her from behind, and works hard to make sure she’s happy—and in turn, he’s happier as well. It really feels like both of them earn their happily-ever-after.
The second part wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t my favorite. It becomes more political and loses some of that slice-of-life charm. I found myself reading more out of commitment than enjoyment—too invested to stop, but not as engaged as I wanted to be.
The final section is a mix of both tones, which made it more interesting. It was nice to see the domestic and political threads move forward together, creating a more balanced and satisfying conclusion.
Overall, the story was a satisfying read, and the character growth and relationship development made the journey feel worthwhile in the end.
I really loved the first half. The day-to-day life, the personal growth, and especially the care and effort the male lead, Xue Tingrang, puts into the relationship were all so satisfying to read. He owns up to his past mistakes and genuinely tries to change the path he took in his previous life. Although he keeps his sharp mind and sharp tongue for the court, the way he looks at Wang Zhao’er is completely transformed. Instead of suppressing her like he once did, he pushes her forward, supports her from behind, and works hard to make sure she’s happy—and in turn, he’s happier as well. It really feels like both of them earn their happily-ever-after.
The second part wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t my favorite. It becomes more political and loses some of that slice-of-life charm. I found myself reading more out of commitment than enjoyment—too invested to stop, but not as engaged as I wanted to be.
The final section is a mix of both tones, which made it more interesting. It was nice to see the domestic and political threads move forward together, creating a more balanced and satisfying conclusion.
Overall, the story was a satisfying read, and the character growth and relationship development made the journey feel worthwhile in the end.
March 11, 2026
Xue Tingyan died as the lonely First Grand Secretary, vowing that if he could another chance, he would treat his lost wife and son better. When he wakes up, he does just that.
I really enjoyed that this was a male-lead Rebirth. I’m so used to female lead ones that just happened to give the male lead some POV moments. The only thing that takes away from this novel is that no one has a good complete translation. So you’re kind of all over the place to finish, and you really come to respect human translators in comparison to Machine Translations.
If you like Rebirth, nation-building, and resourceful young women, the this is for you.
I really enjoyed that this was a male-lead Rebirth. I’m so used to female lead ones that just happened to give the male lead some POV moments. The only thing that takes away from this novel is that no one has a good complete translation. So you’re kind of all over the place to finish, and you really come to respect human translators in comparison to Machine Translations.
If you like Rebirth, nation-building, and resourceful young women, the this is for you.
April 12, 2026
interesting
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews