One of the masterpiece you'll ever read in Chinese web novel historical genre. If you want to read something investing your time and emotions on it, then I recommend you this one.
This is not the stereotypical reborn novel where the MC-FL is an omnipotent Mary Sue or the ML is the ultimate cold and indifferent powerful man pampering FL to the sky. Our ML (Wang Qilang) and FL (Chen Rong) is quite 3D, they have their own advantages and flaws.
Let's talk about our FL- Chen Rong, she is not OP despite being reborn. She doesn't have any cheat or golden finger to boot. There are very few FLs that earn my respect in web novels (I mean...you know...right...?). But I admire her so much! She earned my respect. She knows what she wants. She would rather marry a poor scholar or become a nun (I mean..literally!) than become a concubine of ML. She knows self-respect (which is unfortunately rare in various romance novels). She also has her fair share of inferiority complex and lack of sense of security issues, but that doesn't stop her from going against *societal* norms to achieve her inner peace. With or without a man. I just wish that she could've had her happiness without the various struggles that she had to go through. I pity her (though she doesn't need it). I have sympathy for her bad luck in men though.
Now, it's our ML's turn. Wang Qilang or Wang Hong (whatever you can call) is our actual ML. And YES, he IS the ML. I couldn't even figure out who the heck does the FL ends up with for half the novel. Once I thought it was Ran Min ( he's scum, though it might've been easier for FL then), then of course I thought it was Wang Qilang (I'll talk about him later) and Sun Yan was also a potential candidate ( I still think he's the best man in the whole novel). I even thought of Huan Jiulang one time ( now don't ask me why, I had an embarrassing reason there +_+). Anyway, it's not a reverse harem so let's discuss Wang Hong here. Honestly, he gives me scummy vibes. But the masochistic maniac that I am, there were moments where I thought he displayed that he had what it took to be the ML. I'm pretty sure, you'll also feel complicated towards him. Though the times when he claims FL and shows the obsessive and paranoid side of his character, it's freaking HOT (don't judge me there, and no, it's not the *fifty shades fucked up shit*). Though I would've to say-
Do I like Wang Qilang? From third pov? Yes. I do.
Do I ship him with Chen Rong? Unfortunately, yes. Mainly because I don't want to suffer from second male lead syndrome.
If I have the chance, would I date him? Oh hell, NO! Not even in my dreams. I don't have that big of an appetite.
Of course, he has quite the flaw with all that godly looks and abilities. Despite all that judgement rant, his character is written beautifully.
There are plenty of character developments in the novel. You'll get that a lot. The side characters have enough space to maneuver and catch your attention. They are not there just for the sake of it. They have their own stories and difficulties (like the emperor, the ninth princess etc.).
And of course, there are bugs. But it is truly negligible in my opinion.
And heck, I almost thought, it was tragedy. But thank God, it's not!
P.S:
This novel content is quite heavy. The drama and emotions portrayed here are quite laborious. When you read this, you'll get the feeling you are reading some historical true story. If you're a fan of historical and drama genre, then you'll definitely love it! ^_^