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Golden Terrace #1
Golden Terrace, Vol. 1
It is year twenty-five of the Yuantai Era of the Great Zhou Empire. The renowned Marquis of Jingning, commander of the Beiyan Cavalry, Fu Shen is injured on the battlefield at the northern border. Returning with a broken leg to the capital, Fu Shen learns that the emperor has conferred a marriage for him—with another man. To make matters worse, Fu Shen’s spouse is his political nemesis: the famed Imperial Investigator of the Feilong Guard, Yan Xiaohan.
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.
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.
414 pages, Paperback
Published November 15, 2022
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5121 people want to read
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October 6, 2023
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.
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.
September 9, 2024
you guys remember when yan xiaohan betrayed fu shen🤦🏼♀️😂👎🏻
January 15, 2023
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.
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.
March 9, 2023
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
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
May 5, 2024
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.
April 5, 2025
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 up -> 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.
(rated 4.5; rounded up -> 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.
March 31, 2024
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
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
March 9, 2025
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.
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.
August 3, 2025
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.
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.
March 7, 2025
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
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.
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
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.
February 1, 2025
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...
January 24, 2023
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.
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.
April 13, 2024
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.
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.
March 22, 2025
“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 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.
FIY, the fan translation has two more extra stories at the end that the official translation didn’t include.
January 22, 2023
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.
April 24, 2025
”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.
November 2, 2024
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!
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!
August 13, 2023
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!
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!
May 7, 2023
I knew I would love this when I heard Golden Terrace’s plot is as full of court intrigues as was Sha Po Lang. Here there’s no steampunk but instead you get an intriguing murder mystery.
Also, both MCs are just so lovable and I adore them (Fu Shen and Yan Xiaohan) equally. I usually have a favourite so this is a first. I love the writing style and how brilliantly the translator did their job. The language is rich and part one has been a joy to read. I’m happy to be able to just dive into part two.
After 小蘑菇 this book (黄金台）is my second duology by Peach Flower House and I love the authors they have picked. Yes, the books aren’t the sturdiest and could also be published digitally, but the content is of great quality. Let’s hope I’ll be able to buy more of them (even in Europe).
Also, both MCs are just so lovable and I adore them (Fu Shen and Yan Xiaohan) equally. I usually have a favourite so this is a first. I love the writing style and how brilliantly the translator did their job. The language is rich and part one has been a joy to read. I’m happy to be able to just dive into part two.
After 小蘑菇 this book (黄金台）is my second duology by Peach Flower House and I love the authors they have picked. Yes, the books aren’t the sturdiest and could also be published digitally, but the content is of great quality. Let’s hope I’ll be able to buy more of them (even in Europe).
January 23, 2023
wow i would die for fu shen
June 9, 2024
An arranged marriage between men in imperial China is the trope that opens the first volume of “Golden Terrace”. On the surface this is an enemies-to-lovers story where two adversarial characters are yoked together in a marriage at the behest of an unreasonable Emperor. However, beneath the surface Cang Wu Bin Bai weaves a tale of two young men who despite their relative youth have a long and complex history with each other.
Fu Shen is from an aristocratic family who has served the Emperor Yuantai as military men on the northern border for generations. His family and his abilities are both a threat at court so his step-mother spreads a rumour that he is a cut-sleeve i.e. prefers men, which prompts the Emperor to have the bright idea of arranging a marriage between him and Yan Xiaohan, the Feilong Guard’s Imperial Investigator. This marriage is decreed without consulting any of them, because it will prevent Fu Shen from having children. Emperor wants that, “The Marquis of Jingning could on no account have issue. Who knew whether a son of his would be as accomplished as his father in the future?” (p. 110).
The irony is that although both of them fight this decree, they end up falling for each other. The Emperor directly threatens Yan Xiaohan by saying, “Either you accept the decree and marry Fu Shen, or you kill Fu Shen for Us” (p. 75). Even so they fall into a familiarity that grows into fondness. Actually, Yan Xiaohan has loved Fu Shen since they first met seven years ago, “One look at you interfered with the rest of my life” (p. 402) and declares that, “In my heart, you are above all others. There is no one to compare with you (p. 309).
It is, however, a long journey before they declare their love for each other, but Yan Xiaohan’s nurturing nature creates a domestic situation in which Fu Shen slowly begins to trust him and then falls in love with his former enemy. They have a rift in their backstory, because they had been close years before, but that had ended badly when Yan Xiaohan had chosen duty over love although he ultimately did not exercise the cruelty of which Fu Shen believed him capable. The fate of Caiyue and the Jin child is revealed later on, which allows the knot between them to be undone.
Most of the plot is full of palace intrigue and betrayal. Fu Shen is unable to walk after having been lured into an ambush at Qingsha Gap and this disability is what allows the Emperor to force the marriage. But it is also this disability that allows the tenderness between Yan Xiaohan and Fu Shen to grow, because there is a level of trust and domesticity to their relationship from the very beginning. As a general, Fu Shen has been used to being in control, but under Yan Xiaohan’s care he learns to depend on others. “Fu Shen was immune to force but susceptible to softness. When a normally tough person revealed an occasional sliver of weakness, his heart’s defenses were especially easy to puncture (p. 129).
The main couple is beautifully balanced. They bicker and flirt while never losing their separate identities. Fu Shen is dependent on Yan Xiaohan, physically, while Yan Xiaohan’s identity is tied to his need to protect Fu Shen and shows his love for him through caring for him. The disability allows both of them to be who they really are in private and so their relationship slowly but surely grows into mutual love. There are plenty of episodes of humour, where small incidents of jealousy nudge their love forward and develops into an intimate relationship.
Their wedding at the Golden Terrace palace in chapter 25 is particularly touching, because they had been separated for a while and so their emotions are very raw. Fu Shen had planned their wedding as a private ceremony in front of portraits of his family rather than the stilted affair in the capital, whose main purpose had been to humiliate them both because it was a forced marriage between two men. Instead, the ceremony is a heartfelt declaration of love and devotion between two people who care for each other and not a spectacle for the entire capital to gossip about.
The political machinations of the plots at court are very complicated, but the main couple has a surprisingly simple relationship despite their complicated past and the scheming people surrounding them. It will be interesting to see how the rest of the story unfolds in the second volume …
Fu Shen is from an aristocratic family who has served the Emperor Yuantai as military men on the northern border for generations. His family and his abilities are both a threat at court so his step-mother spreads a rumour that he is a cut-sleeve i.e. prefers men, which prompts the Emperor to have the bright idea of arranging a marriage between him and Yan Xiaohan, the Feilong Guard’s Imperial Investigator. This marriage is decreed without consulting any of them, because it will prevent Fu Shen from having children. Emperor wants that, “The Marquis of Jingning could on no account have issue. Who knew whether a son of his would be as accomplished as his father in the future?” (p. 110).
The irony is that although both of them fight this decree, they end up falling for each other. The Emperor directly threatens Yan Xiaohan by saying, “Either you accept the decree and marry Fu Shen, or you kill Fu Shen for Us” (p. 75). Even so they fall into a familiarity that grows into fondness. Actually, Yan Xiaohan has loved Fu Shen since they first met seven years ago, “One look at you interfered with the rest of my life” (p. 402) and declares that, “In my heart, you are above all others. There is no one to compare with you (p. 309).
It is, however, a long journey before they declare their love for each other, but Yan Xiaohan’s nurturing nature creates a domestic situation in which Fu Shen slowly begins to trust him and then falls in love with his former enemy. They have a rift in their backstory, because they had been close years before, but that had ended badly when Yan Xiaohan had chosen duty over love although he ultimately did not exercise the cruelty of which Fu Shen believed him capable. The fate of Caiyue and the Jin child is revealed later on, which allows the knot between them to be undone.
Most of the plot is full of palace intrigue and betrayal. Fu Shen is unable to walk after having been lured into an ambush at Qingsha Gap and this disability is what allows the Emperor to force the marriage. But it is also this disability that allows the tenderness between Yan Xiaohan and Fu Shen to grow, because there is a level of trust and domesticity to their relationship from the very beginning. As a general, Fu Shen has been used to being in control, but under Yan Xiaohan’s care he learns to depend on others. “Fu Shen was immune to force but susceptible to softness. When a normally tough person revealed an occasional sliver of weakness, his heart’s defenses were especially easy to puncture (p. 129).
The main couple is beautifully balanced. They bicker and flirt while never losing their separate identities. Fu Shen is dependent on Yan Xiaohan, physically, while Yan Xiaohan’s identity is tied to his need to protect Fu Shen and shows his love for him through caring for him. The disability allows both of them to be who they really are in private and so their relationship slowly but surely grows into mutual love. There are plenty of episodes of humour, where small incidents of jealousy nudge their love forward and develops into an intimate relationship.
Their wedding at the Golden Terrace palace in chapter 25 is particularly touching, because they had been separated for a while and so their emotions are very raw. Fu Shen had planned their wedding as a private ceremony in front of portraits of his family rather than the stilted affair in the capital, whose main purpose had been to humiliate them both because it was a forced marriage between two men. Instead, the ceremony is a heartfelt declaration of love and devotion between two people who care for each other and not a spectacle for the entire capital to gossip about.
The political machinations of the plots at court are very complicated, but the main couple has a surprisingly simple relationship despite their complicated past and the scheming people surrounding them. It will be interesting to see how the rest of the story unfolds in the second volume …
Read
November 28, 2025"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.
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.
September 7, 2025
DNF 34%
Rzucam to, nie mam czasu na nudne książki
Rzucam to, nie mam czasu na nudne książki
January 27, 2023
guys this is so good
also sorry this review is a little stream of consciousness i basically added stuff i liked/didn’t like whole reading, so there definitely are spoilers
positives:
* i love it when the main couple is on the same side and this book is very much yanfu (the couple ship name—thank u tumblr) against the world
* the communication between the main pairing is amazing
* im not too big of a flashback fan, but the ones in this book were not too long/numerous
* i love flowery writing and i feel like that is sometimes lost in translation but this one absolutely nailed it
* i also love that even though yanfu (their ship name) were forced to be together out of the emperors machinations to take reduce Fu Shen’s influence and basically ensure he can’t have an heir, they didnt focus on any internalized homophobia that the character then has to work through because the author establishes that 1) other gay people exist in this universe 2) they are people who are given respect in court. Im not a big fan of danmei novels where the main couple are the only gay people to ever exist or other gay people are not viewed very highly
* Having his deceased uncle who was a great general and someone Fu Shen really looks up to be in a gay (yet sadly tragic) relationship with the 6th (?) crown prince was honestly such a nice touch
* main characters aren’t perfect— they do some bad shit and I like that they’re multidimensional. NOTE: there are some vague torture references (one of the main leads is “interrogating” someone who tried to assassinate the emperor)
* i love it when they lay in bed in the dark and chit chat
* literally the most amazing wedding/ after wedding procession scenes ever
negatives:
* basically no women who actually speak and fu shen’s step-mom is a evil step mother caricature, but the no women thing makes sense with the setting of the story and the characters positions—like how many women besides his sister is a a military general married to a man in old-timey china with two broken legs and a dead mom going talk to anyway?
* I would have liked the author to say “and then they had sex” or didn’t have sex because I thought they had a fade to black sex scene once but later the character mentions that they haven’t had sex yet, so i guess they just made out and went to bed?
* There is a little bit of unchallenged prejudice against drug addicts but the majority of the prejudice was said by a villain(?) non-main character, so it’s not like the main leads/their allies were saying it
* LOTS of characters mentioned, i ended up finding a character guide that helped me get them all straight (https://chichilations.home.blog/golde...). they aren’t hard to keep track of if reading continuously but i had trouble once i put the book down and came back to it a bit. NOTE: this character chart does have some spoilers!
tldr: amazing novel with captivating plot and great main couple that communicates and aren’t the only gay people in the whole world lol
also sorry this review is a little stream of consciousness i basically added stuff i liked/didn’t like whole reading, so there definitely are spoilers
positives:
* i love it when the main couple is on the same side and this book is very much yanfu (the couple ship name—thank u tumblr) against the world
* the communication between the main pairing is amazing
* im not too big of a flashback fan, but the ones in this book were not too long/numerous
* i love flowery writing and i feel like that is sometimes lost in translation but this one absolutely nailed it
* i also love that even though yanfu (their ship name) were forced to be together out of the emperors machinations to take reduce Fu Shen’s influence and basically ensure he can’t have an heir, they didnt focus on any internalized homophobia that the character then has to work through because the author establishes that 1) other gay people exist in this universe 2) they are people who are given respect in court. Im not a big fan of danmei novels where the main couple are the only gay people to ever exist or other gay people are not viewed very highly
* Having his deceased uncle who was a great general and someone Fu Shen really looks up to be in a gay (yet sadly tragic) relationship with the 6th (?) crown prince was honestly such a nice touch
* main characters aren’t perfect— they do some bad shit and I like that they’re multidimensional. NOTE: there are some vague torture references (one of the main leads is “interrogating” someone who tried to assassinate the emperor)
* i love it when they lay in bed in the dark and chit chat
* literally the most amazing wedding/ after wedding procession scenes ever
negatives:
* basically no women who actually speak and fu shen’s step-mom is a evil step mother caricature, but the no women thing makes sense with the setting of the story and the characters positions—like how many women besides his sister is a a military general married to a man in old-timey china with two broken legs and a dead mom going talk to anyway?
* I would have liked the author to say “and then they had sex” or didn’t have sex because I thought they had a fade to black sex scene once but later the character mentions that they haven’t had sex yet, so i guess they just made out and went to bed?
* There is a little bit of unchallenged prejudice against drug addicts but the majority of the prejudice was said by a villain(?) non-main character, so it’s not like the main leads/their allies were saying it
* LOTS of characters mentioned, i ended up finding a character guide that helped me get them all straight (https://chichilations.home.blog/golde...). they aren’t hard to keep track of if reading continuously but i had trouble once i put the book down and came back to it a bit. NOTE: this character chart does have some spoilers!
tldr: amazing novel with captivating plot and great main couple that communicates and aren’t the only gay people in the whole world lol
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 19, 2023
Another edit: I have been thinking about this duology a lot and honestly I’ve got to raise my rating to 5 stars (from 4) I think Peach Flower House did a really excellent job of translating it and the story is simultaneously epic and very intimate.
If you aren’t well versed in Chinese history and culture the beginning of the book takes a little time to settle into but I think it is really worth it.
Edit:The more I think about this book the more I love it.
Gosh I really am a sucker for an epic, sweeping, heart-wrenching, yearning romance. Although I was a little lost with all the plot threads in the beginning I eventually found myself swept along by the prose and the story of Golden Terrace, but especially the candor and love between Fu Shen and Yan Xiaohan.
on to part two! THIS BETTER HAVE A HAPPY ENDING
If you aren’t well versed in Chinese history and culture the beginning of the book takes a little time to settle into but I think it is really worth it.
Edit:The more I think about this book the more I love it.
Gosh I really am a sucker for an epic, sweeping, heart-wrenching, yearning romance. Although I was a little lost with all the plot threads in the beginning I eventually found myself swept along by the prose and the story of Golden Terrace, but especially the candor and love between Fu Shen and Yan Xiaohan.
on to part two! THIS BETTER HAVE A HAPPY ENDING
May 3, 2024
“I’m really sorry for having interfered with the rest of your life….Come on, you can interfere back now.”
Usually, for these novels-split-into-volumes for English translations, I hold off on reviewing until I’ve read all the volumes, but I’m making an exception here, this being the first of two volumes.
How can I even put into words how much I love this story so far? From the first scene with Fu Shen and Yan Xiaohan together, I was captivated. I’m not sure that I’ve ever read any romance, danmei or otherwise, that feels so vivid to me. This is in part because the individual characters are so well-written and complex. But also the author takes the time to make sure every progression between the two of them feels natural and not rushed. The reveal of their past together was also so well done.
I lied awake last night thinking a long time about this book so far, and I’ll just share some of the scenes that struck me as special.
The first time we meet Yan Xiaohan, when he shows up in the middle of the night upon Fu Shen’s return to the capital with a doctor. Everything we need to know is told in his reaction to hearing a body hit the floor in the next room. It’s so obvious even from their first interactions how delicate and complicated their relationship is.
In the flashback, when they walk through the valley together and they’re just two boys being carefree and affectionate because they’re alone and just have this palpable affinity for each other.
Their very first encounter at the gates, when Yan Xiaohan tosses the twin lotus back to Fu Shen and it lands in his lapel. The image is just etched into my brain.
I could go on FOR HOURS about the wedding in its entirety, but my favorite part was when Fu Shen arrives on a horse at the Golden Terrace, and he throws the red silk to Yan Xiaohan and “fishes” him over.
Literally every conversation they have lying in the dark. I don’t even know. This book is masterfully written. Assuming volume 2 doesn’t disappoint, this is the height of historical danmei.
I have so many thoughts on this book that they’re overlapping and it’s impossible for me to break them into pieces and write anything more coherent here. I have to wait a little bit for volume 2 to come in, so maybe I’ll add some things in to this review later.
Usually, for these novels-split-into-volumes for English translations, I hold off on reviewing until I’ve read all the volumes, but I’m making an exception here, this being the first of two volumes.
How can I even put into words how much I love this story so far? From the first scene with Fu Shen and Yan Xiaohan together, I was captivated. I’m not sure that I’ve ever read any romance, danmei or otherwise, that feels so vivid to me. This is in part because the individual characters are so well-written and complex. But also the author takes the time to make sure every progression between the two of them feels natural and not rushed. The reveal of their past together was also so well done.
I lied awake last night thinking a long time about this book so far, and I’ll just share some of the scenes that struck me as special.
The first time we meet Yan Xiaohan, when he shows up in the middle of the night upon Fu Shen’s return to the capital with a doctor. Everything we need to know is told in his reaction to hearing a body hit the floor in the next room. It’s so obvious even from their first interactions how delicate and complicated their relationship is.
In the flashback, when they walk through the valley together and they’re just two boys being carefree and affectionate because they’re alone and just have this palpable affinity for each other.
Their very first encounter at the gates, when Yan Xiaohan tosses the twin lotus back to Fu Shen and it lands in his lapel. The image is just etched into my brain.
I could go on FOR HOURS about the wedding in its entirety, but my favorite part was when Fu Shen arrives on a horse at the Golden Terrace, and he throws the red silk to Yan Xiaohan and “fishes” him over.
Literally every conversation they have lying in the dark. I don’t even know. This book is masterfully written. Assuming volume 2 doesn’t disappoint, this is the height of historical danmei.
I have so many thoughts on this book that they’re overlapping and it’s impossible for me to break them into pieces and write anything more coherent here. I have to wait a little bit for volume 2 to come in, so maybe I’ll add some things in to this review later.
April 7, 2024
This book was a balm to my soul. I have a new favorite danmei and I still have another volume to go! But I truly loved Yan Xiaohan and Fu Shen's story, their history, the arranged marriage and how they make it work, when they finally start letting walls down and building trust... EEE! I loved it!! And the ongoing plot is very interesting despite being heavily political (which I don't always like, especially in historical novels), there's an underlying mystery/intrigue where we know bad things are happening and have happened but aren't clear on where the issues are coming from. Even by the end of the first volume, the direction I thought it was going was wrong and I'm left anxious to continue.
Circling back to the two main characters, I love that I didn't have to wait ages for their romance to start unfolding. The way the author neatly tucks in little things here and there, the banter (10/10 teasing and banter), the flirting, the tension! Ah, its all so very good. But the part that really makes this books for me is that this is not inspop0rn, its a really tender romance that involves two very strong, very respected men and while one is disabled, the other doesn't treat him like he's incapable or lesser. There are moments where Yan Xiaohan makes considerations that made my chest ache with longing for someone to treat me even half as kindly. 🥲
I could say so much more but I don’t want to give away too much because if you're here reading this trying to decide to read it I want you to read it and enjoy it fully unspoiled. Even though its only available for purchase in physical form, its worth every damn penny. The translation is top tier, the writing is sophisticated, and the story is just incredible. I can't wait to read more and I'll be sad when its over!
Circling back to the two main characters, I love that I didn't have to wait ages for their romance to start unfolding. The way the author neatly tucks in little things here and there, the banter (10/10 teasing and banter), the flirting, the tension! Ah, its all so very good. But the part that really makes this books for me is that this is not inspop0rn, its a really tender romance that involves two very strong, very respected men and while one is disabled, the other doesn't treat him like he's incapable or lesser. There are moments where Yan Xiaohan makes considerations that made my chest ache with longing for someone to treat me even half as kindly. 🥲
I could say so much more but I don’t want to give away too much because if you're here reading this trying to decide to read it I want you to read it and enjoy it fully unspoiled. Even though its only available for purchase in physical form, its worth every damn penny. The translation is top tier, the writing is sophisticated, and the story is just incredible. I can't wait to read more and I'll be sad when its over!
November 5, 2022
“One look at you interfered with the rest of my life.”
I’m taken aback as to how good this was. It took me a few chapters to really get into it, but it became a new favourite.
There is a good deal of info-dumping, especially in the beginning, but the important things to know are spelled out pretty well. Some of the reveals went over my head since a lot of names and places get thrown at you, but it didn’t dampen my enjoyment of the story.
I don’t think I’ve ever read a book with a physically disabled protagonist before- except if you count a few chapters of Out Of My Mind I read in 6th grade. Fu Shen is a commanding and intimidating person, despite being bound to a wheelchair. He’s very serious, but when he’s with Yan Xiaohan, he let’s loose a bit. Lord Yan is considerate and thoughtful (and according to Fu Shen- fussy); he’s the perfect husband for Fu Shen. I love a good arranged marriage trope, especially between two people who are supposedly public enemies. You can tell how in love Lord Yan is with Fu Shen from the first chapter we meet him.
I’m obsessed with these two: they’re friends, but they have a lot of underlying tension (both good and bad tension), have a rich history, are outwardly opposed, but flirt like nobody’s business. I smile every time they joke with each other and poke fun at each other. Both of them are trying to convince the other that they are the top (let’s be real here- Fu Shen is the bottom). When Yan Xiaohan said that Fu Shen’s “3rd leg” is the only one that still works I GASPED. Their dynamic is so fun. I also like how they take the romance slow- despite already being married.
As soon as my first paycheck comes in, I’m buying volume 2!
I’m taken aback as to how good this was. It took me a few chapters to really get into it, but it became a new favourite.
There is a good deal of info-dumping, especially in the beginning, but the important things to know are spelled out pretty well. Some of the reveals went over my head since a lot of names and places get thrown at you, but it didn’t dampen my enjoyment of the story.
I don’t think I’ve ever read a book with a physically disabled protagonist before- except if you count a few chapters of Out Of My Mind I read in 6th grade. Fu Shen is a commanding and intimidating person, despite being bound to a wheelchair. He’s very serious, but when he’s with Yan Xiaohan, he let’s loose a bit. Lord Yan is considerate and thoughtful (and according to Fu Shen- fussy); he’s the perfect husband for Fu Shen. I love a good arranged marriage trope, especially between two people who are supposedly public enemies. You can tell how in love Lord Yan is with Fu Shen from the first chapter we meet him.
I’m obsessed with these two: they’re friends, but they have a lot of underlying tension (both good and bad tension), have a rich history, are outwardly opposed, but flirt like nobody’s business. I smile every time they joke with each other and poke fun at each other. Both of them are trying to convince the other that they are the top (let’s be real here- Fu Shen is the bottom). When Yan Xiaohan said that Fu Shen’s “3rd leg” is the only one that still works I GASPED. Their dynamic is so fun. I also like how they take the romance slow- despite already being married.
As soon as my first paycheck comes in, I’m buying volume 2!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 13, 2025
Wonderfully developed world and characters and I appreciated how marriage between men was incorporated into the history and politics. This was a book of maneuvers — on the battlefield, in the court, in seemingly insignificant actions between individuals. Everyone has their mask and their private self, some more skillfully than others. I enjoyed the details of the world and the references to history and poetry (and grateful to have these references pointed out and explained in footnotes for the ignorant Western reader).
I confess when I first started this book, I was thrown off my expectations of something faster paced with cutting banter between enemies forced into an alliance. But this story takes time to build its world and characters, and there are many layers to these characters and their previous interactions. I put it aside and then started again taking in the story on its own terms, without preconceived ideas inspired by the blurb — and then I really enjoyed it and the journey the writer took me on (is still taking me on — going to read the second volume as soon as I can)! There is banter and humor and flirtation, and I enjoyed the dynamics of the characters and the balance of their relationship.
I confess when I first started this book, I was thrown off my expectations of something faster paced with cutting banter between enemies forced into an alliance. But this story takes time to build its world and characters, and there are many layers to these characters and their previous interactions. I put it aside and then started again taking in the story on its own terms, without preconceived ideas inspired by the blurb — and then I really enjoyed it and the journey the writer took me on (is still taking me on — going to read the second volume as soon as I can)! There is banter and humor and flirtation, and I enjoyed the dynamics of the characters and the balance of their relationship.
July 21, 2024
Absolutely loved this one. The relationship between the two main characters is just so beautifully crafted. Normally, I tend to read more angsty novels which this isn't really, but it was such a refreshing breath of air to see two characters poetically devoted to one another and forming a healthy and loving relationship.
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