Let me just lay out the stakes because they are INSANE and I need everyone to understand what's happening here. Jiang Zhaoying is in a room full of people who want her dead. The Song family has orchestrated her husband's fake death to frame her as a husband-killer. If she stays, she'll be forced to swear eternal servitude as a widow. If she leaves, Madam Song will literally throw herself at a pillar and make it look like Jiang Zhaoying murdered her too. There is no winning move — unless you count the imperial edict arriving at the perfect moment. But here's what makes the stakes even higher: Song Chengyu is supposedly dead, but he's actually faking it. If the imperial physicians discover he's alive, the entire Song family's scheme collapses. And if they're caught plotting against the Emperor's interests... that's not just death, that's extermination. The whole household could be wiped out. Jiang Zhaoying knows none of this though. She's walking into this blind, relying on her father's calculations and her martial brothers' loyalty. When she says "these in-laws are not worth keeping," she's not just being sassy — she's making a survival calculation. She'd rather face an angry mob than spend eternity serving people who want her dead. The fact that she stands there, surrounded, with her two maids at her back, and doesn't flinch — that's the kind of courage that makes you root for her instantly. She has everything to lose and she's still standing. What happens next?? I need to know.
The market trip sequence is honestly one of the most vivid slices-of-life scenes I've read. Let me paint this for you: a tractor ride to town, two cents per person, the dusty truck bed, people sitting on boards because there's no proper seating. The educated youth arriving in silk skirts and Dacron suits complaining about the dirt while the locals just stare. Tang Yue crying because she got dusty—actual tears over dust on clean clothes. And then the dust cloud. "As the car started, a cloud of dust came out from behind, making the two people covered in dust." I could literally feel that dust. The author doesn't need fancy descriptions; the details do the work. The scorching hot truck bed forcing them to sit under a tree. The blue mint candies Qiao Huan hands out. The way everyone piles back on around three o'clock, some still sleepy-faced, and Qiao Huan carrying Jian Ying onto the bed. What I love most is how the setting itself becomes a character. The tractor driver Zhou Zhiqing, the pharmacy boss Uncle Chen, the old lady with triangular eyes who tried to steal—these aren't just background NPCs, they make the world feel lived-in. The state-owned restaurant with its meat buns at one cent each, the butcher who's surprised someone's buying that much meat on a hot day. Every detail grounds you in this time and place without ever feeling like exposition. It's just... life, rendered in full color.
I need to just say it straight: Gu Jingxiu is the worst human being in this entire novel and I love hating him. Let me walk through the absolute CHILL of this man. He grabs Su Jinle's wrist, pins her against a wall, and his first concern is—get this—"think about your father's job before you spout such hypocritical words!" He's literally using her father's employment as a weapon to control her. And then he has the audacity to say "My wife, in this life or the last, is you!" as if that's some romantic declaration instead of a threat. The worst part? The narrative makes it clear this isn't new behavior. In her previous life, when she wanted a divorce, he refused. When they had conflicts, he gave her the silent treatment for an entire month. She had to stutter out an apology just to get him to acknowledge her existence. He never let her into his study, never shared his thoughts with her. He provided money and presented himself as a refined professor to the public, but behind closed doors? She was his possession. The line that absolutely froze my blood was: "To him, Su Jinle was like his possession—he could never allow another man to touch her." POSSESSION. Not partner. Not wife. Property. And the stakes here are SO high because it's not just emotional abuse—it's systemic. Her father's job, her family's survival, all of it hangs in the balance. When Song Shixu steps in and says someone will investigate the cannery through the union, that's the first time the external stakes start shifting in Su Jinle's favor. But Gu Jingxiu's grip on her family is still very real. Every time she says "we should part on good terms," he counters with economic threat. That's not love, that's hostage-taking with a nice suit.
I gave up after chapter 60. If you want slice of life, this is the book for you. But it wasn’t sold as such. And my review reflects that. I feel as if my coins were wasted.
This novel is one of those kinds that you can (in my case) listen to for hours. The pace is steady and the writing is smooth. I miss knowing a little more about the character's feelings (I'm on chap 21), but in the other hand the world-building is great (only sometimes the names for stuff are kinda confusing and get in the way of immersion but it's not often). Long story short, it has a great start and a steady development. Keep it up Author ;)
I'm only on Chapter 3, and, man, let me tell you: this story is exceptionally immersive! Very inspirational from a writer's point of view.
I am so happy that you are back please make more chapters this book is amazing and I hope everything is good in your life and if possible update more maybe
A really fun novel to sit down, relax and enjoy, everything has been paced nicely l.I think this stories strong point ls are more than just good grammar and such but it’s the fact it’s just a fun story that isn’t to slow or to fast. It’s human down to earth.I saw this book being promoted by another Author I follow and I’m glad I gave it a read.It’s like the author is in the characters shoes writing what happens as it’s happening. Really. Keep it up I love it. I’m in a hospital for many hours a day and I love to read and this is become one of my favorite stories.
thank you for the daily updates, its become part of my routine to read 3 chapters of this webnovel. great mc focus and relentless in training, love the story so far
This is my first fantasy book and I’m literally hooked?❤️ It was so hard to even peel my eyes off the book and write this review? I can’t wait for more chapters to be uploaded?
Meh. ! !
Loved it! The historical setup is awesome, while the concept is refreshing and new looking forward to new chapters Kira!