Novel Recommendations

A Precious Pearl in the Imperial City

Title: A Precious Pearl in the Imperial City

Type: chinese novel

Author: Yue Xia Die Ying

Chapters: 127 + 2 extras

Description:

There are three treasures in the imperial city: Me, my husband and my mother-in-law.

Su Guifei¹ was favoured and envied by countless Imperial consorts in the harem. Chen Wang² grew up with His Majesty showing favouritism to him. However, anyone, who was more or less educated, would sigh with regret and say that this pair of mother and son were sure to come to a bad end in the future.

Ming Jiuzhu, who was about to marry Chen Wang: Really? I don't believe it.

Chen Wang in Jiuzhu's eyes: a beautiful and kindhearted little fairy boy vs. Chen Wang in the eyes of others: His Majesty's and his favoured consort's hedonistic son.

Jiuzhu often wondered why people always gazed at her and Chen Wang with a 'you are doomed one way or another' look. Could this be the ugly side of jealousy?

Aiyah, the hearts of these people are so dirty.

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¹ Guifei - Noble Consort

² Wang - Title given to adult sons of the Emperor.

Thoughts:

Another cute story!

Compared to the author's other works, this novel is less plot heavy. It's more like a slice of life than political or drama, so if you'd want a historical novel that focuses more on the romance aspect, you're gonna love this.

The leads relationship is so cute! I love how open they are with their affection for each other. They both initiate physical touch and words of affirmation. It's also funny how there's a running gag about people experiencing dogfood because of their interactions (especially when they got married).

They remind me of a good girlxbad boy story in a historical setting. FL is rather gullible and has a simple mind (since she was raised in a temple), however she is perceptive enough to know who's like evil or not.

FL also has a lot of luck on her side, so if you don't like that, I suggest you don't start this. I personally didn't find her annoying. She is a mary-sue female lead done right.

ML, on the other hand, is arrogant and spoiled, but not to the point where you'll hate him (he is just arrogant, not scummy), especially since he does experience character development.  I just love how he willingly (and in a good way) changed himself for FL because he wants her to see him at his best. He's actually hilarious too.

So yeah, they both cute!

Moving on, the relationships between the characters are the best part of this novel. The side characters are not just mob characters, but actual characters (some are well developed). I am a bit disappointed in the antagonists with their schemes and shit, but not enough to ruin my reading experience. FL's luck really has a big factor to why it didn't work out (which may turn you off).

The ending is a bit anticlimatic as well, but it's not bad.

My take on the emperor: he is not the WORST father but is also not the best either (when it comes to his other children). He shows his favoritism very blatantly to the point I felt kind of bad for the other princes. ML's mother on the other hand is a girl boss (i love her).

So yeah, overall I enjoyed this book! I read the MTL and it's okay (not the worst MTL I've read but not the best as well). Check it out!