English Title: Empress with no Virtue
Original Title: 皇后无德
Author: Jiu Xiao Qi
Status: 98 chapters + 4 extras completed
Translator: plainlybored, sanguniang
Link: https://plainlybored.wordpress.com/2015/02/25/empress-with-no-virtue-chapter-1/
Translation status: completed
Story:
Ye Zhen Zhen, grand daughter of the kingdom's minister chosen to be the Empress for the Emperor Ji Wu Jiu. Both sides unwillingly married for political reasons. Ye Zhen Zhen doens't have good image of Ji Wu Jiu likewise Ji Wu Jiu doesn't have good impression of her. Their wedding night ended with Ye Zhen Zhen kicking Ji Wu Jiu out of their marital bed.
No matter what happened between Emperor & Empress, both of them have to do their responsibilities. YZZ handling inner court, including Emperor's concubines. YZZ initially stay aloof from bickering among concubines but later on get more involved after an incident happened in inner court. JWJ purposedly wanna make her life harder by giving her task to sort the case.
The story goes about how YZZ & JWJ handling their duty meanwhile not realizing that they are slowly getting closer to each other.
What I Like:
Ye Zhen Zhen is one unique lady. Her interest lays in weapons. She's smart and brave (leaning to reckless).
JWJ despite all his weaknesses is always trying to be a good Emperor for his people.
In the beginning, I like how clever YZZ also her personalities. The novel initially seems different than other novels. The Empress loves gun. She get involved in war strategy. The bickering between the main characters quite cute. Relationship between YZZ & JWJ grow gradually.
What I Don't Like:
A little back story: I read this novel maybe in 2019, the translation stopped for months. I thought it was dropped. Then it was picked up again but I decided to wait until the translation finished so I can starting over from the beginning. During this 2nd read, I realize I didn't love it as much as I remember.
I realize Ye Zhen Zhen is one spoiled girl. She's the only daughter of aristocrat family. Her grandparents dote on her so much. She used to have people around her let her do whatever she want. Fortunately she has kind personality, she won't deliberately hurt others. But it make her reckless and not thinking about what she do can affect others especially with her position and priviledge.
Personal note: In the beginning I like that JWJ being real. He choose to spend night with his wives either for politic reason or physical reason. The later half of the novel, he become head over heels for YZZ so he dismissed his harem. Don't know why I get disappointed that the author forced monogamy in this era.
——
I feel like I can not sell this novel well. My lack of enthusiasm coming from my expectation based on disjointed memory. It's not a bad novel. The Empress is a little badass sometimes. I hope you can give this a try.
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