#chinese web novels

[dyinggirldied]

Making a meme about these two recent favorites of mine

[danmeiblr]

Finally, a Danmei Blog for Lesser-Known Danmei, Some of Which Are Not Even Translated Yet

Hello, hello, I’m Miya, a voracious danmei reader that gobbles novels every night like it’s her daily sustenance. I’ve been reading danmei since late 2018, and like most people in English danmei spaces, I was introduced to it through MXTX’s Mo Dao Zu Shi / Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation. Since then, I’ve read many other danmei, like all the other popular ones—Little Mushroom, The Husky and His White Cat Shizun, Devil Venerable Also Wants to Know, etc.

Anyways, I have read almost all of the novels the English fandoms are currently obsessed with. Because of this, I often can’t relate to the excitement you guys still have over them because those novels feel like ages ago to me. I’ve long moved on from them and found other novels I love more. (I also read the bulk of those popular novels during my depression era, and I don’t wanna bring up memories of that)

So yeah, I sometimes feel like an outsider in English danmei spaces because nobody wants to talk about the novels I wanna talk about because nobody even knows about them 😭😭😭

Thus, this blog was born.

Mainly, I will be liveblogging the danmei I’m reading. I used to post them on my main @miyamiwu, but I’ve recently transferred my liveblogs from there to here. Just a fair warning: my liveblogs won’t be spoiler-free. I also don’t use spoiler tags because, well, nobody even knows the novels I’m blogging about so nobody would care if it’s a “spoiler” 😭😭😭

Aside from this, I will also post:

reviews of some of the great novels I come across

recommendation lists (you can also ask me for recs!)

rough English translations of the scenes I’m reacting to (otherwise, I won’t make sense)

general thoughts on danmei genres and tropes

translation ramblings

Basically, anything and everything about danmei.

Some stuff about me:

I run the @lizonkanovels website and used to post MTLations

I am studying Mandarin, but I’m nowhere near fluent in it. (I’ve also been too busy with college that my studies have been put on-hold.)

I loooove talking about the intricacies of translation and even took a class on translation theory before. You will see this reflected in some of my posts.

My favorite genres/tropes: whodunit, unlimited flow, horror, broken mirror, and 甜宠 (lit. sweet love/pampering, fluffy novels basically).

Current favorite danmei: Fourth Perspective by Mo Chen Huan

Also a fan of the 188男团 series by Shui Qian Cheng. My favorites in the series are Years of Intoxication and Blazing Armor

Well, that’s pretty much it. If you’re interested in discovering new danmei to read or just learning more about danmei, feel free to follow me~

You can also check out what novels I’ve posted about on my Danmei Directory:

https://danmeiblr.tumblr.com/directory

(If you’re on the mobile app and can’t access the link above, just copy it and paste it directly on your browser.)

[miyamiwu]

Essential Elements of an Unlimited/Infinite Flow Story

As someone attempting to write my own Unli Flow, I thought I’d take note of the different elements so I can have a guide I can always refer back to.

I’ve explained what Unli Flow means many times before, but in case you missed it: Unlimited/Infinite Flow is a genre in Chinese web novels that feature characters entering multiple “instances” where they have to complete a challenge and/or solve a mystery. Failure in doing so would lead to consequences, most often death.

There’s also this definition by AshuraYami from the NovelUpdates Forum:

Unlimited Flow/Infinite Flow is a genre originating from the CN novel Terror Infinity. The genre mainly revolves on world hopping involving fictional works (anime, comics, movies, games and novels) and/or original worlds created by the author. Infinite Flow, as it’s ‘infinite’ namesake suggests, can accommodate all other genres, be it fantasy, sci-fi, horror, romance, etc. Representative works are Terror Infinity (origin of genre), Reincarnation Paradise (most chapters and word count), The Ultimate Evolution (promoter of data flow, an infinite flow derivative that is more game-like litRPG) and Thriller Paradise (most famous horror infinite flow).

With the definition out of the way, let’s goooo

[This post will also serve as a rec list of sorts, since I’ll be giving examples of each element from different danmei novels.]

----------

1. The Authority

The entity/system in charge of the Unlimited Flow system as a whole. Most stories just chalk it up to the Unli Flow being some kind of otherworldly being/extremely advanced AI that just likes to mess with people.

Examples of The Authority

(based on what I remember, at least… Also, beware of spoilers)

The Earth is Online: The Universe

Mist: I forgot what it’s called, but that high tech system in charge of all the Time Traveling stuff...

High Energy QR Code: That black and white cube thing

Surprise! The Supposed Talent Show was Actually—?!: … The TV station...

From left to right: Tang Mo from The Earth is Online and Wu Jin and Wei Shi from Surprise! The Supposed Talent Show was Actually—?!

[Spoilers End]

From having read numerous Unli Flow stories, I conclude that crucial to a great, not just good, Unli Flow story is a well-defined Authority. The explanation behind the Authority’s existence and motives is the foundation to the entire story.

You can have a very fancy building (cool instances, well-developed characters, an exciting enemies to lovers couple, etc.), but if the foundation is flimsy, the building’s value would plummet in your eyes. You can still appreciate the building, of course, but you will never be content with it.

Examples of some novels that are good in almost everything else except The Authority (in my opinion): [spoilery]

Supernatural Movie Actor App: It was too profound with not enough groundwork laid for it, resulting in The Authority feeling detached from the main story.

I Upended Yet Another Campus Urban Legend: The Authority was not exactly bad; it was just inadequate. The justification of the Unli Flow existing became unconvincing because of this.

Escape the Infinite Chamber: THE AUTHORITY IS SO FUCKING RIDICULOUS THAT IT’S ABYSMAL. And the entire thing was explained in just one scene and from one extra??? SO MUCH PAIN AND SUFFERING AND THAT’S THE ONLY EXPLANATION WE GET??? HORRENDOUS!

[Spoilers End]

From left to right: Book covers of I Upended Yet Another Campus Urban Legend and Supernatural Movie Actor App

2. Instances

Also known as “copy.” The other world/dimension where players have to face the different challenges.

The Authority may be the foundation, but the Instances are the defining aspect of the Unlimited Flow.

A lot of novels, however, are quite perfunctory when it comes to instances, just using it to further the main couple or as a mere stepping stone to the overarching plot. Or, if they’re not being perfunctory, then the Instances are just plain boring.

The first instance, especially, tend to be the most boring. Authors often use this to dump all the information about how their unli flow works. This usually gets better by the time the 2nd or 3rd instance comes around....

Upon successful completion of an Instance, players will then be rewarded with either points, special abilities, magic items, etc.

Examples of novels with GREAT instances (based on logic, thrill, horror, etc. Again, all in my own opinion):

I Became a God in a Horror Game: The horror is present all throughout. I can still remember the fear I felt while reading about the statues in the first Instance. Each instance/arc also emotionally impacts you, an effect that most Unli Flow writers don’t really aim for or just generally tend to fail at. (This is also my favorite unli flow novel at the moment~)

The Earth is Online: (same author as Fourth Perspective, which I’ve posted a lot about before) What I love about Mo Chen Huan, the author, is how they write intelligent MC’s but without making them seem too OP. And this is because she actually shows us the MC’s thought process, inviting us to think along with them and figure out how to solve the challenge, and not just make her characters say “aha!” This is what makes the Instances in TEIO great and memorable.

High Energy QR Code: The story could make use of more showing than telling, but I actually love the Instances in this novel. You know how good stories are often described as a well-made tapestry in that every little thread contributes to the big beautiful picture? That’s how each Instance reads in this novel. (Absolutely love the Instance about the town where everybody lies.)

Fu Wendou, the male lead of The Earth is Online

3. NPCs

A gaming term which stands for “Non-Player Character.” Refers to characters who live within Instances and act in such ways that further the plot or challenge presented by the Instance. They may go against players or assist them. May or may not have a will of their own.

Examples of NPCs:

Xu Beijin, the protagonist of Being an Extra Actor in an Escape Game

Lu Chu, the protagonist of Insider.

The iconic Mosaic from The Earth is Online

The male leads from Escape the Infinite Chamber, I Became a God in a Horror Game, Killing God with Junk Cards, etc. (Most danmei ML are special!NPCs 😩)

From left to right: Book covers of Being an Extra Actor in an Escape Game and Killing God with Junk Cards

4. Player Hall

A space outside of instances where different players can gather and exchange information. Most of the time, this is in a space still separate from the real world. Players are often prohibited from using their powers in this space.

In some novels, Players have no choice but to live here, completely cutting them off from the real world. In this case, accommodation quality will depend on the Player’s level or points.

5. Personal System

The Personal System issues challenges to the player and keeps track of their current attributes, physical and mental states, etc.. It also calculates rewards and punishments for the player. First and foremost in service to The Authority. (If they aren’t, then they’re most likely the Love Interest in disguise. If not, the Player had somehow swayed it to their side).

6. System Store

The points earned from the different Instances serve as the Players’ currency, and they can use it to buy things from the System Store. The Store may sell weapons, medicine, magical items, or even special abilities. Basically, any item that can help the Player during Instances. Of course, it may also sell non-magical items, like food and everyday items, at a much lower price than special items.

7. Player’s Goal/Wish

In some novels, the Goal is simply to clear all the Instances and leave the Unli Flow for good. But in others, the Unli Flow allows Players to exchange their points for a Wish. The more difficult the Wish, the more points are needed, and the more Instances are needed to be cleared.

Examples of a Goal/Wish:

Supernatural Movie Actor App: Xie Chi wants to give his second personality a body of his own.

I Became a God in a Horror Game: If I’m remembering it correctly… Bai Liu just wants to have lots of money.

I Upended Yet Another Campus Urban Legend: Lin Yi wants to learn the truth about his parents.

Thriller Tour Group: Wei Xun wants to find the truth about his family’s disappearance… and his Wish is to uhh… feel pain?

After the Little Crybaby Enters the Nightmare Cycle: Chi Nan’s Wish is to regain his vision, stop crying and get his memories back.

Death Spiral: To uhh… figure out what the voice in the Elevator is trying to tell them? To regain their memories? [The actual Wish is a big spoiler, so I won’t mention it here.]

From left to right: Book covers of After the Little Crybaby Enters the Nightmare Cycle, Thriller Tour Group, and Death Spiral

Aaaand there you have it! I was hoping to list 10 elements, but I can only think up to 7 😔

Although I said this post is a rec list of sorts, the quality of the novels I mentioned actually varies. I’m just listing whatever novel would be good as an example (and also what I can remember and have more or less completed, since many of the Unli Flow novels I’m reading are currently on-hold).

[thatbookscent]

When reading a Chinese web novel:

OH it's a quick and easy read! It's only 156 chapters with footnotes.

People who don't understand:

[persefone88]

Chinese Web Novel Recommendations Hour

Shareing some of the web novels I have enjoyed.

She is a moving corpse, with no heartbeat, no breathing, no pulse, and no body temperature. Every day, she is thinking about how to prevent corrosion, moisturize, rejuvenate, whiten, and maintain the vitality of her body.

Doing sauna, soaking in hot springs to activate blood circulation, drinking angelica red date chicken soup to replenish qi, eating vegetables and fruits to replenish water, exercising daily to prevent osteoporosis, using her mind at all times to prevent rigid thinking, she is determined to be a good corpse that is healthy, environmentally friendly and pollution-free.

[save-the-data]

Blue Canvas of Youthful Days | S01E01

Chinese Drama - 2024, 12 episodes

Native Title: #路过我年少时光的蓝色

Genres: #LGBTQ+

Tags: #Web Series #Deaf Supporting Character #Adapted from a Novel

Cast: #Guo Jia Le #Zhang Xuan Yu #Xiao Zi Zhuo #Yao Xing Hao #Hu Ze Ming

[duhdumb89]

A Forbidden Happiness | Chapter 48

The food spread over Shen huang gui fei's dining table was rank. There were plates of fatty, slimy meat, a bowl of strange fried noodles, greasy barbecue, and stinky mutton and camel dishes. The servants had to open every window and door so the sour smells didn't linger in her palace.

"Huabao," Shen huang gui fei said, cringing as her daughter slurped down a cup of sour yak milk, "Wouldn't you like something else to eat? His Majesty and I had lunch yesterday, and the food was so lovely. Should I send for some?"

Shaking her head, Huabao said, "Maybe later. This is all I've wanted since I returned! Ah! Thankfully, Royal Grandmother let me borrow her chef. A-niang, you don't want to try?"

Huabao placed a piece of slimy mystery meat on Shen huang gui fei's plate, a bright smile on her face.

Shen huang gui fei turned away from the sight with a strained laugh, "What about birds nest's soup? Jingse will make a fresh batch for you,"

Huabao wrinkled her nose before turning to the handmaid she'd dragged back to the palace, Tuya. Tuya was short, squat, and dark. In any other circumstance, Shen huang gui fei would have never let her set foot in Zhongcuigong.

"Are there any more of the sweet milk curds?"

"No, First Princess," replied Tuya.

"I'll just have Royal Grandmother's chef make more," said Huabao, returning to her meal.

Who was this girl sitting across from her? This wild thing? This stranger who nodded her head quietly as The Empress Dowager promised her a crop of maids to bring with her into her new household?

As the days passed, the distance between Shen huang gui fei and her child grew. Gone was the daughter who clutched her skirts and hung on her every word. Now, there was a woman who often stank of the stables and didn't care to even look at the portrait of her future husband. Huabao barely cared a lick about her marriage at all. Whenever Shen huang gui fei tried to guide Huabao about running her new household, the girl found an excuse to run away. Not to mention that her attitude during any of the pre-marriage ceremonies bordered on apathy. Huabao turned her nose up at the embroidery and calligraphy they had so much fun with, instead opting to run off, race horses, and shoot arrows with her brothers.

With each wall Huabao was determined to put up between them, Shen huang gui fei grew angrier. Her daughter would have never ended up like this if it wasn't for The Empress. Her daughter would still be her little girl and His Majesty's precious pearl if The Empress hadn't sunk her claws into her. Shen huang gui fei was sure that the bitch had something up her sleeve for Huabao's wedding. Why wouldn't she? Her maternal cousins were married to His Majesty's favored brother, she had two sons, and soon, she would have a direct connection to the Fuca clan.

If The Empress struck now, everything Shen huang gui fei had worked so hard for would go up in flames. Shen huang gui fei wasn't going to wait around and let that happen.

✺

Shen huang gui fei had never paid much attention to to Bai gonggong. He had been Fung gonggong's deputy eunuch for as long as she had been in the Forbidden City. Fung gonggong had always been the bigger fish, but he was, unfortunately, unswayable. As old as he was, he had no family to support or possibly hold hostage. He was an eunuch in all senses of the word, so a beautiful woman was as good as dirt to him, and he worshipped no one but the man under whom he rose to power: The Late Emperor. His Majesty was a close second, but the eunuch did everything in his old master's name. No concubine could push him to one side or the other, as he would defer to The Empress or The Empress Dowager as the rules permitted. Trying to bother with him was a waste of time and energy.

Bai gonggong, however, from what Jingse could gather, was nothing of the sort. He was easy to ignore and, for the right price, could get a servant where they needed to go. None of the concubines paid him notice, but he managed to collect a tidy sum from the other eunuchs and maids to switch departments or to keep secrets secret. It was rumored that the only reason he became Fung gonggong's deputy was because he was the cause of the front runner's violent end with a wild horse.

"Your Highness," he said, gesturing to the painted porcelain pots that his eunuchs held behind him, "I scoured the Storage House to find the finest gift for First Princess's wedding,"

The pots were fine. Certainly, nothing that Shen huang gui fei found to be up to her standards, but that wasn't the real reason she called him here anyway. If her intuition was correct then Bai gonggong wouldn't be opposed to helping Shen huang gui fei with her little problem.

"That one there," she said, pointing to a yellow and blue gourd-shaped pot, "Bring it closer,"

Before the eunuch holding her choice could even lift his head, Bai gonggong snatched it away and brought it to Shen huang gui fei.

Obedient. Good.

"Did you pick this one yourself, gonggong?" She asked, pretending to inspect the craftsmanship.

"Of course, Your Highness,"

A liar as well. Very good.

"You have a very good eye, gonggong,"

"This slave doesn't deserve your praise, Your Highness,"

"I'll take this one," Shen huang gui fei said, handing the pot to A'Fang, before nodding at Jingse, "Give Bai gonggong his reward,"

Bai gonggong's eyes glittered at the sight of the silver tael in Jingse's hand.

"Your Highness is too kind," he said, not hesitating to take the money. He bowed low, "We'll take our leave,"

"Stay a moment, gonggong. There's a task I'd like you to help me with," said Shen huang gui fei.

"I'm only a lowly deputy, Your Highness," Bai gonggong replied, "Perhaps Fung gonggong would be better suited to serve you?"

As deferential as the words were, there was no mistaking the way his grip tightened on the reward in his hands.

"No, you'll do just fine,"

Bai gonggong eagerly shooed the other eunuchs away.

"How may I serve you, Your Highness?"

✺

As the candles burned high and bright, a trickle of sweat slid down An pin's temple and nestled itself in the fabric of her collar. It was the height of summer now and she usually wouldn't subject herself to being steamed like a piece of fish, but she hunkered down in Dafuge for a reason. Cao taiyi had finally become worth An pin's while.

"Your Highness," Weiwei hissed as she hurried back from the courtyard facing windows, "Limei is here,"

Immediately, An pin began to poke at her thighs with a sharp pin to help the tears fall from her eyes. By the time Limei walked through the doors, An pin would have worked herself up into a respectable crying fit.

From what Weiwei could gather, Limei had been Guang pin's dowry maid and her closest confidant. Since Guang pin's death, the girl haunted the Forbidden City like a pale ghost, skulking from her new post at the Ice House to the Dafuge to pray for Guang pin's soul and back again.

The door creaked open.

"Meimei," An pin blubbered, "Meimei, I'm so sorry,"

"Your Highness?"

An pin pretended to be startled and whirled around.

"Your Highness An pin!" Limei said, dropping to her knees to bow.

An pin sniffled and rubbed the tears from her cheeks, "Rise,"

Limei glanced at Guang pin's memorial tablet, "Are you here to speak with my mistress?"

An pin nodded before gazing at the shrine, "Do you come here very often, Limei?"

Limei's eyes opened wide, as if she couldn't believe that An pin knew her name at all before nodding her head, "Yes, Your Highness. We never went a day without seeing each other...before, so it's become a habit,"

An pin sighed, "I came here because my heart is heavy. I was hoping meimei could ease my sorrows,"

"I didn't know that you and Guang pin were close, Your Highness," replied Limei.

Shaking her head, An pin pressed a hand to her heart, "We weren't. But I wish I could back and change things,"

Her voice dropped to a low whisper, "Maybe then I could have protected her,"

Limei reared back as if she had been struck, her pale face somehow going even whiter.

"What?" She croaked out?

An pin shook her head and scrambled to her feet, making a point to stumble even as Weiwei buoyed her.

"Nothing," An pin whispered, "I won't keep you from your conversation,"

An pin began ambling to the door.

"Your Highness, wait!" Limei said, running in front of her, "What did you say just then? What did you mean?"

Limei clawed at An pin's sleeve desperately. An pin snatched her arm away.

Weiwei pushed Limei to the side, "How dare you put your hands on An pin?! Get out of the way!"

An pin squeezed out more tears and brought her handkerchief to her mouth to muffle her sobs. It was a good performance but unfortunately, Limei looked defeated. She stood there quietly, not bothering to come after An pin again. What a waste!

However, just as An pin thought the whole endeavor wasn't worth her while, Limei sprung back to life. She planted herself in front of the door and kneeled.

"Your Highness, I beg you! I beg you! Please tell me! Please tell me so I can honor my mistress!"

Each cry was punctuated with a dull 'clunk' as Limei bashed her head into the ground.

Ah! Finally!

"Weiwei, help her up," said An pin.

Weiwei did as she was told.

Limei lifted her head as a thin stream of blood dribbled down her face. An pin pressed her handkerchief to it.

"You shouldn't hurt yourself like this, Limei,"

Limei shook her head, "This body is nothing. I'm only here to honor Guang pin's name,"

An pin released a theatric sigh, "If I tell you what I meant, do you promise to act sensibly?"

The girl nodded frantically, obviously lying.

Putting on a nervous tick and fiddling with her nail guards, An pin began, "When Wang Rong was alive, she was my dearest friend after we entered the palace together. We grew close for a time, but as His Majesty acquired more and more women and her favor wasn't so everlasting, she grew bitter and angry. Especially at your mistress,"

An pin paused for dramatic effect.

"One night, I thought to drop in and have dinner with Wang Rong. I didn't bother to announce myself because it was so late. She was talking to her maids and I heard her say... I...I didn't do anything about it because I couldn't imagine she would do something so drastic. And I couldn't imagine that Shen huang gui fei would help her,"

Limei's lips wobbled but no sound emerged.

"I didn't think of it again. After meimei's death, so many things happened. But a few months ago, she came to me in a dream and begged me to find the truth. She wanted me to know that it wasn't just the childbed that...that the labor didn't take her,"

"I began asking around," An pin continued, "I even sent a physician around to ask Guang pin's servants about her food and drink,"

"That was you? You sent that doctor?" Limei said before biting her lip, "What...what did he find?"

An pin blinked away a new set of tears, "Do you remember when a gift from Wang Rong came for your mistress? Herbs to keep her beauty?"

Limei, thankfully, caught on quickly to what An pin was implying.

"But, we sent it to the Imperial Hospital," Limei said, her voice shaking, "They said it was safe,"

"Do you know if they tested the entire jar or just the top?" An pin said, pulling a lie out of thin air.

Limei shook her head and pursed her lips, "I-I don't know,"

"That night, Wang Rong told her maids that she knew you sent the medicine for inspection and was glad she listened to Shen huang gui fei about filling the top of herbs with something harmless,"

"It was poison? She poisoned Guang pin?" 

"In a way. Guang pin was taking bu gu zhi. If you and I were to take it, even for years at a time, it wouldn't harm us. But for a pregnant woman, it's fatal,"

Limei crumpled to the ground and stared at An pin, in a dazed silence.

For an uncomfortable stretch of time, the girl sat there, slumped at An pin's feet without a single blink. An pin fought the scowl that was desperate to be on her face. This wasn't the response she expected. She was hoping for righteous anger or woeful tears! Not this corpse.

Instead of slapping her, An pin said softly, "Limei? Are you alright?"

"Why,"

An pin paused.

"Why?"

Limei spoke again, "Why would Shen huang gui fei do this?"

An pin knelt on the ground before grabbing Limei's hand, "The back palace is a glittering slate of beauty that masks the evil of the mind. I thought we were close but after finding out the truth. I don't know what to think,"

"Do you think she did it so she could finally have a prince?" Weiwei asked, skillfully inserting herself into the conversation.

"I," An pin said, her lips quivering, "I can't believe that. Shen huang gui fei couldn't have know that meimei would even give birth to sons,"

"Your Highness, didn't you think it was strange that out of the blue, everyone was banned from visiting Guang pin, except for Shen huang gui fei? Could it be that she wanted Guang pin to think that no one but her cared for her?"

An pin shook her head, "I don't know what to think, Weiwei. I don't want to keep thinking of these things in such a holy place,"

She swayed to the side to make a point.

"Your Highness, you've gone pale. I'll take you back to Chuxiugong,"

An pin nodded, but before she let Weiwei lead her away, she kneeled to grab Limei's hands again.

"Don't lose your head over this Limei. Wang Rong and Shen huang gui fei may have wronged your mistress, but she was only the bottom rung in the ladder of this cruel place. If you truly want to honor Guang pin, you'll live a good, long life with her memory in your heart,"

Limei sagged to the ground as if her shoulders weighed a thousand pounds.

"I will, Your Highness. Thank you for your grace,"

"Your Highness," Weiwei said as they began their trek back to Chuxiugong, "Do you think she'll be able to do anything without your help? What if this was a waste?"

An pin shrugged, "I have faith in her. Though, if it amounts to nothing, I still have plenty of things in store for Shen huang gui fei,"

✺

Jiayi was broke. Absolutely emptied out. She would probably have to sell one of the gifts Xiang pin gave her to be able to send something back to Wei Jiayi's family. As perilous as the situation was, Jiayi didn't feel anything but the outrageous amount of butterflies in her stomach. Before Xiang pin had laid down for her afternoon nap, Jiayi asked permission to drop by the clothing house and pick up some fabric for a dress. It was only half a lie. She did pick out some fabric–a few bundles of rich black silk–but it wasn't for a dress.

It was for Prince Han's gift.

Jiayi had thought long and hard about what she could possibly give to someone like him and the idea finally came to her as she watched Xiang pin 'ooh' and 'ahh' over a brocade pajama set that The Emperor had sent her before declaring that she would sew a set for him as a gift in return. The thought nailed itself to the flesh of Jiayi's brain.

She and Prince Han were together. Those were the sort of gifts people gave to one another, right? Before she could lose her courage, Jiayi had spent the money and bought the fabric. The sight of it folded innocently in the basket on her arm made her heart race. She wouldn't just give Prince Han the pajamas, obviously. That would be too much! She would paint him something with her Hubi. Maybe when she asked Sang'er to give her Prince Han's measurements, she'd ask if Prince Han had any favorite poems or sutras so she could paint something to hang on his wall. Jiayi was so lost in her thoughts that she almost missed the sight of Shen huang gui fei's and First Princess's raised chairs. She moved herself to the side and kneeled as the entourage passed by.

Since First Princess's return, Shen huang gui fei's time revolved entirely around the wedding. While things had been quiet, they all knew better than to count Shen huang gui fei out. They were as vigilant as they could be. Jiayi rose to her feet as the servants passed her by. She paused as a familiar yet unfamiliar face brought up the rear of Shen huang gui fei's line of maids. She had seen the maid's face before, somewhere, but never as a servant of Zhongcuigong. Before she could bring a face to the name, a eunuch stopped in front of her.

"Wei guniang?"

Jiayi clutched her basket tightly. She had never seen this eunuch before, "Yes?"

"Fung gonggong has asked for you,"

Jiayi's throat dried up in an instant. She croaked out a laugh, "I'm sorry gonggong, but I have to return to my mistress–,"

"Her Highness Xiang pin has already been informed," he replied, "This way. Quickly," 

[dyinggirldied]

He is a little mushroom! A little law-abidding mushroom 🍄‍🟫🍄‍🟫🍄‍🟫

[miyamiwu]

My biggest gripe with 80% of novels in the unlimited flow genre is how the story always starts right away with the protagonist just going along with the first instance. Little to no realistic reaction from the main character trying to process the bizarre experience of being pulled into another world and being forced to do tasks lest they suffer a punishment. It’s always like “Oh, I’m in an unlimited flow. Guess I’ll roll with it.”

The genre is so established in China that authors don’t bother anymore on proper story exposition. They just wanna get down and write “that trope” and start on the different instances.

Despite this, the genre is still one of my favorites. But goddamn is it difficult to find a good novel in this genre that I haven’t already read yet. It also takes a lot of patience. I could pick up a novel that doesn’t seem like much from the summary and the exposition, but after hundreds of chapters it finally steps up!

[novelease]

Discovering a New Life Through Ancient Struggles

In a twist of fate, I found myself transformed from a modern-day court clerk named Yao Yiyi into the life of Sheng Minglan, a young girl born into a complicated world filled with intrigue and peril. Initially, my new reality felt like a dreadful imprisonment — an ordinary life abruptly stolen away due to a tragic mudslide that claimed my previous existence. Suddenly, I was a five-year-old girl in an ancient setting, grappling with loss as my mother had just died in childbirth.

At first, despair weighed heavily on my heart. I dreaded becoming like Jia Yingchun from Dream of the Red Chamber, a tragic figure lost in the complexities of family politics, with no maternal guidance to help me navigate the dark waters of the past. I was simply a neglected daughter, unwanted by my father, feeling acutely aware of my precarious position as a concubine’s child.

However, everything changed when my grandmother took notice of me. Bringing me to live with her, she began to nurture and care for me. As I adapted to this new life, I discovered how to mirror the innocence of childhood while strategically leveraging my more mature understanding. This duality endeared me to my grandmother, deepening our bond despite occasional friction with my siblings.

Under her protection, I began to grasp the nuanced “rules” of being a concubine’s daughter in ancient times. The delicate dance within the mansion taught me about not just survival, but about navigating the complex relationships that ruled our lives. I was neither the most favored nor completely shunned, existing in a space of societal ambiguity, where every action had consequences.

In this new life, I learned resilience and wisdom through everyday interactions. Each challenge became an opportunity for growth, sharpening my instincts and understanding of those around me. As I became more adept at reading the intentions of others, I wove myself into the fabric of this historical narrative, seeking to thrive amidst familial conflicts.

I invite you to join me on this journey through the captivating tapestry of ancient life depicted in It Should Be Lush Green And Sparse Red. Experience the highs and lows alongside me as I navigate through the intricate world of traditional values, familial bonds, and the struggle for self-identity.

For more on this engaging story, visit Novelease.

[persefone88]

Chinese Web Novel Recommendations Hour

Where I share some of my favourite chinese web novels.

Warning that not everything is fully translated yet.

[save-the-data]

Blue Canvas of Youthful Days | S01E02

Chinese Drama - 2024, 12 episodes

Native Title: #路过我年少时光的蓝色

Genres: #LGBTQ+

Tags: #Web Series #Deaf Supporting Character #Adapted from a Novel

Cast: #Guo Jia Le #Zhang Xuan Yu #Xiao Zi Zhuo #Yao Xing Hao #Hu Ze Ming

[yandrness]

I love my yanderes insane, feral, cold, murderous, psychotic, apathetic, trigger happy – you name it. The reddest red flag on the field. But the condition to me liking that is that they have this tiny, tiny, TINY little permanent spot for their S/O that absolutely no one is allowed to touch, not even themselves.

I don’t want abusive assholes who claim they love S/O but do nothing but physically assault them. Ew no. I want an insane man who is softly, crazily, utterly obsessed over this significant other and loves them till it makes them physically nauseous. They try in their own way to love their S/O and sometimes they don’t even know it’s love, but they want everything that is their S/O – their tears, their blood, their sadness, their happiness. They will swallow and devour anything they can see. 

And as it turns out, their S/O’s smile and happiness is more intoxicating than anything else (like poison, like fungus, it latches into their insides and consumes them with a need for more more more MORE-).

[duhdumb89]

A Forbidden Happiness | Chapter 41

A powerful ache was taking up residence at the base of The Empress's head. It had sprung into action the moment the eunuch told them the news of Xiang pin's accident, and as the days went on, it only got worse.

Thanks to the combination of her heavy clothes and jewels, Xiang pin had sunk like a stone before her servants could drag her out. Hwang taiyi had the momos nearly beat Xiang pin's back black and blue to force the water from her lungs, and even then, she was still delirious and sick in bed.

Dealing with His Majesty's mood made it even worse. In all honesty, The Empress couldn't tell if Xiang pin's accident was really the source of his ire or if he was using it as an excuse to vent his frustrations from court. Either way, the entire situation was just tiring. She had never seen The Emperor so furious because of one of his women. Not even Mu pin inspired this sort of fury in him.

Would it be better or worse if Xiang pin didn't make it?

No.

There was no point in thinking about that when she had so much to do. The Emperor had ordered her to interrogate each and every one of Xiang pin's servants about what happened. So far, they all told the same story. The temperate weather inspired Xiang pin to picnic by the lake near the Imperial Garden. They were so busy with their tasks that they overlooked how close Xiang pin got to the water until she slipped in.

The Empress knew that The Emperor wouldn't be satisfied with just that. Someone needed to be punished.

"Your Highness," Shiyi said, her soft voice cutting through The Empress' thoughts, "His Majesty has called for you,"

Immediately, the throbbing in her head worsened. Still, she grabbed Shiyi's hand and made her way to her raised chair. Before they departed, she sent a maid to fetch one of the newer girls. Hopefully, they would drop by and distract His Majesty so she could have a chance to slip away and return to her palace. As she stepped through Yanxindian's courtyard, she was accosted by the sound of miserable sobbing. Irritation flared in The Empress's chest. Has she been called here to referee a childish spat with the hundreds of nursemaids that ran the streets here? Or had a pair of concubines behaved so childishly in front of The Emperor that she had to be dragged here?

The Empress took a deep breath and walked inside. Her composed and gentile smile evaporated at the sight of Yihe and Yian kneeling before The Emperor, their faces swollen and red from crying. She barely kept enough composure to greet The Emperor properly.

"Rise," he said, his eyes cold with anger. He gestured to the seat next to him with a lazy wave of his arm, "Sit,"

She did as she was told, "Thank you, Your Majesty,"

The Empress ignored her sons, even though their cries clawed at her heart like wild dogs.

"How may I serve you, Your Majesty?" She asked.

The Emperor closed his eyes and shook his head, "You see those wretches you bore me and still ask me that question?"

A cavernous pit hollowed out The Empress's stomach. The Emperor had never taken that tone with her children. He had never sounded so vengeful.

Smiling brightly, she stroked The Emperor's arm, "Your Majesty, Yian and Yihe are young still. Whatever they did to displease you, surely–"

"Displease me?" The Emperor said, jerking his arm away, "They contempt me!"

So, soft words and empty eyes wouldn't smooth things over this time. She turned to the kneeling boys, her voice steady.

"What have you done?"

Yihe cried heartily, back bowed like a centennial tree, "We didn't mean to! We were only playing!"

Yian was in no better state, screaming his innocence as well.

"Quiet!" The Emperor roared, pelting his teacup at the princes.

The cup shattered, spraying them with glass shards and tea. The Empress jumped to her feet and then dropped to her knees. The casual violence towards Yian and Yihe made her heart race.

"Please dissipate your anger, Your Majesty," she begged, "Think of your health,"

The Emperor called for Wang gugu, "Inform Her Highness of what her good children have done,"

Wang gugu dipped her head, "Last week, 3rd Prince and 7th Prince left the A Ge Sou to play at the Imperial garden,"

Oh no.

"They tasked their eunuchs with overturning the earth for worms to feed the carp. With the weather so mild, the dirt had no chance to harden, so when Xiang pin went to the edge, the ground gave way,"

No.

Swallowing, The Empress bowed even lower, "Your Majesty, I apologize. My carelessness–,"

Her words died off as The Emperor stood and walked past her as if she hadn't opened her mouth in the first place. He ignored Yian and Yihe's groveling, ripping his body away as they clutched his feet for forgiveness. His servants filed out after him, leaving only Wang gugu.

"Your Highness. His Majesty has ordered 3rd Prince and 7th Prince's servants to be flogged 50 times. 3rd Prince and 7th Prince are to stay in their rooms to copy sutras until Xiang pin recovers,"

The decree sent Yian and Yihe into a new round of sobbing. The Empress closed her eyes.

"I thank His Majesty for his grace,"

Wang gugu bowed low before turning around.

The Empress stumbled to her feet, and Yihe threw himself into her arms, "Royal Mother, make Royal Father forgive us! We didn't mean to!"

"Please," Yian begged, "Please!"

Even though Yanxindian was empty, The Empress knew that any show of kindness would stoke the flames of His Majesty's anger. Taking a deep breath, she pried Yihe's arms away from her.

"Men!" She called, "Take them away!"

Yian looked up at her, disbelief in his eyes, as the eunuchs dragged him to his feet. The Empress gazed down at her hands but could still feel his gaze's burn. A tear landed on her fingers, but she quickly wiped it away.

Shiyi came to her side, "Your Highness, are you alright?"

The Empress held back her tears, "Double the guards around Chengqiangong. Send my decree. If Xiang pin dies, every doctor and servant will go with her, "

------

The night before her return to the palace, Jiayi realized, with incredible clarity, that she had gone insane.

For some reason, the idea of going back to the Palace, back to the way things were, made Jiayi ravenous. Not for food, either.

For Prince Han.

Jiayi had never thought of herself as someone starved for affection—the fewer people who paid attention to her back at the palace, the better. Prince Han had made her realize that the affection at the palace was stale and poisoned. Even if she had been starving, she knew better than to do that to herself. Prince Han's affection made her mouth water and her hair stand on the back of her neck. Prince Han made her realize that people could die of a broken heart. She never wanted to look at or, speak to or be near anyone else for the rest of her life. She wanted to crack open his chest and live there for the rest of her life.

And she hadn't even kissed him.

So yes.

Jiayi had gone insane. And it had only taken a few days.

And she certainly wouldn't get any less insane back at the Palace.

"I can hear you thinking,"

Jiayi startled, turning around in her borrowed sheets to squint down at the floor where she assumed Prince Han was lying. The arrangement of her on the bed and him on the floor was fresh, and each brush of the Prince Han-scented sheets on her skin sent lightning flittering up and down her back.

"Why aren't you asleep?" She asked.

"Why aren't you?"

"I'm nervous," she said, "When we get back to the palace, things will be different,"

Jiayi felt the tickle of Prince Han's fingers against her own and held tight in the darkness between them.

"We'll be there together," he said, "That's all that matters,"

"We'll be together," Jiayi echoed, "But not like this. I'll miss you,"

Prince Han sighed, "I'll miss you, too. I don't want to go back there and watch people treat you like a slave. I don't know if my heart can handle it,"

"I don't know if my heart can handle you treating me like just a slave," she said, the confession flowing like water.

A silence of uncertainty stretched between them.

"By God," Prince Han said at last, "We're a mess. What about this? We'll use Xiang pin's dog to pass messages between us,"

"Thunder?" Jiayi said with a quiet snort, "She'd sooner eat the letters than deliver them anywhere,"

"True. Ah! What about Chang Lingxiu? I can put him to work as my errand boy. Make him earn his keep,"

Jiayi was forced to stifle her giggles lest she wake up the entire inn.

"My lord, Chang daren has done nothing but protect you sincerely. Why are you so against him?"

The silence blanketed them again, but it was far heavier this time. Prince Han gripped her fingers tighter.

"He reminds me that The Forbidden City is one big game. No matter how noble or blessed you are, in the end, we're all disposable,"

Thinking of the way Shen huang gui fei tried to use Prince Han infuriated Jiayi.

"I won't let that happen again. I'll protect you,"

"Protect me?" Prince Han said with a smile in his voice, "Shouldn't it be the other way around? I'm still a prince. Leave me with some pride,"

"How about this? We'll protect each other,"

"Deal," he replied, pressing a kiss to her knuckles, "Good night,"

Jiayi wrapped herself ever tighter in the duvet, bringing her just-kissed hand to her face. She brushed her lips against the still-tingling skin.

There.

They had kissed.

Now, it made sense for her to have lost her mind.  

[foxghost]

I'm writing and I'm writing and it never seems to end? And then it occurred to me that I should maybe go check the word count on that outline and

the outline has 8000 words in it

[miyamiwu]

On the You Yao (Are You OK) Novel

Writing propaganda on You Yao really reminded me of how much I love the novel and the donghua adaptation. The donghua is already very good on its own, but I also greatly recommend reading the original novel. The donghua changed a lot of stuff (and they were good, reasonable changes—no complaints about that), so the novel, although still similar in essence, just hits quite differently.

The novel’s prose is simple and direct. Not many descriptions on backgrounds and what the characters are feeling. The author shows it all through dialogues and actions. It’s almost like reading a chat fic, but with longer paragraphs. So when you start reading it, you expect it to be just another fun, light read, but then… while still being as simple and direct, it suddenly drops bombs straight into your heart, and it’s like—oh. oh.

Like, on one hand, you get funny exchanges like this:

“In the past, fighting relied on blades, then it relied on firearms. Do you know what it relies on now?” Lou Zhu straightened up and solemnly said, “What?” Lin Kai said, “Public opinion.”

But then, seemingly out of nowhere, you get lines like this that just makes you pause and think:

“I was not afraid of death at all. I was just afraid of him, afraid that he’s still waiting for me to go back home.”

---

Reading You Yao is an experience, so you should definitely check it out.