Translated stories I like enough to recommend. I review them so expect some spoilers (I try not to spoil major events.)
(Please read the novels on the original translator's site which can be found on novelupdates!)
Li Rong used Pei Wenxuan's family background to avoid disaster, and Pei Wenxuan used Li Rong's identity as Princess to establish himself.
They married for political reasons, without the slightest bit of affection.
Later on, she lost herself in the midst of wine, song and dance. As for him, he had a home yet did not bother coming home because he already had someone in his heart...
Husband and wife for 30 years, yet nothing between them but power.
In the end, it was hardly surprising that someone turned them against each other, leading them to die under each other's schemes.
However, when they woke up, they had actually returned to the year when they were 18 years old, returning to the most difficult time in their lives.
So Pei Wenxuan went to look for Li Rong.
"Does Your Highness feel that we should go through this marriage again?"
"Let's do it..."
"Then this humble one must get rid of your 'Guest Official' first."
"Do you think I'll let your sweetheart off?!"
After a long wordless silence, Pei Wenxuan spoke again: "How about we bear with one another for the time being? In two years, when we each have power in our hands, you and I will divorce. From then on, if there are grievances, settle those grievances, if there are grudges, settle those grudges. What does the Princess think?"
Li Rong hesitated for a moment, and then said: "Fine, go ahead with it first..."
Later, Pei Wenxuan and Li Rong secured the power to control the Imperial Court. Seeing Li Rong write up the divorce letter at home, Pei Wenxuan looked left and right, considering the situation from all angles, then finally walked into the study. "The children are already this old, how about we keep living like this for a while?"
Thoughts:
A complicated novel. Enemies to lovers woo!
This novel has a lot of double meanings hidden in the sentences. It has unreliable narration at times and would often mismatch actions and thoughts (intentional.) You should not read it at face value.
ML and FL are both complex people. They have their flaws, makes mistakes and all that shit that makes them human. And the side characters actually have personalities, which is good!
Both the leads are to blame with what happened during the first life. Both also had their wrongs to why it didn't work.
I think you could probably relate more to ML since what he is dealing with was his insecurities. FL's feelings are not as forthright as his (which may portray her as insensitive and cold) as her problems more or less revolve around imperial stuff. She is also the more overbearing of the two while he is more passive, a product of their environment.
With what's happened in her life, it is no suprise how distant she is with her emotions. Heck, the last life was sad for everyone. Like literally no one was happy.
I cried when the plot twist was revealed lol.
The romance is subtle but it's there. I love the fact that they don't automatically think that, "hey rebirth! You too? Then let's forgive and love each other forever!" It took quite a while actually, even so I loved the two's dynamic!
Tbh the romance part, mostly on the FL's side, was rather frustrating, however it was still understandable and it didn't make me dislike her (especially since ML kinda encouraged her as well.)
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This is a more serious novel so I appreciated the mini theater at the end of the chapter. There were also some lighthearted moments, but politics was still predominant.
Anyways try it. I personally think that it would be better to read the translated version because the already subtle romance hides in MTL, but it would be very hypocritical of me to stop you. Just know the MTL very confusing.
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There is also a drama adaptation with the same name! I saw a clip from tiktok and it looked nice. I am excited to try it as well:>>
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