Whats with the locked chapters?! I've been avidly following this series and I'm happy to watch an ad to see the latest chapter, but its up to something like 12 chapters now that you can only use spirit stones on. The novel is good, but make it too inconvenient to read and we'll all easily lose interest
Let's talk about stakes, because this chapter is a masterclass in layered conflict. On the surface, it's a political drama: flood control policy, disaster relief funding, Spring Examination reform. The ministers are arguing about money and procedure, and the emperor is playing them all like instruments. Standard court intrigue stuff. But underneath that, there's this MUCH more personal conflict that the author keeps building toward. Xie Chengze is sick. He's genuinely, seriously ill. And everyone around him is noticing—but they're interpreting it through the lens of their own politics. Xie Jinyu sees his rival suddenly yielding power and thinks: Is he giving up? Is he planning to sabotage me? Or is he actually dying? The anxiety in Xie Jinyu's reactions is palpable. He's losing control of the narrative, and that terrifies him more than any political defeat would. Xie Zimiao is worried about his brother's health—genuine, sibling concern cutting through all the political maneuvering. The officials are interpreting everything through their own self-interest. When Xie Chengze coughs and stumbles out, they don't think "he's dying." They think "he's turning over a new leaf" or "he's near his end." Their political frameworks blind them to the human reality. And the emperor? He's watching. Always watching. That final glance toward Xie Chengze when the treasury issue arises—it's not just political calculation. There's something else there. Something tender. The conflict that's killing me is the dramatic irony. We (the readers) know Xie Chengze is genuinely ill. We see the tear stains, the coughing, the weakness. But every character around him is filtering this through their own agendas. The tragedy is building in real time. The stakes keep escalating too. First it's about flood policy. Then it's about who donates the least. Then it's about Censor Chen's integrity being defended. Then it's about Xie Chengze's health. Each scene raises the emotional temperature while also deepening the mystery. By the time Eunuch Zhao notices the Second Prince being polite for the first time in nearly a decade, I was absolutely wrecked.
Love the book.
Good story, liked the characters
Absolutely love this book, it's so well written and has you on the edge of your seat waiting for more, I will be sad when it's finished, have loved every minute of reading it ...️...️
OMG!!!! What an amazing book! I plan on reading it again and hoping for a sequel. I really hope this book is published so I can purchase it for my private library
Nice story, Jin and Yiran forever!!!
Come on with the next chapters
I disagree with the author rambling. I think the amount of detail really immerses you into that world. it is absolutely amazing.
Good book, but it’s becoming boring and too long. Just let Simon and Sharon be together and get on with the story and ending. Make Penelope mute.
please update on regular basis and be consistence
love this author