Emerald

【Fake history, don’t take it seriously. 】 That year, Duke Wei returned to the capital from his northern patrol and brought back tens of thousands of captives. In the rusty iron cage filled with stains, the Ninth Prince Zhou Huaiyan saw the little foreigner for the first time. Black curly hair, pale green eyes, and scars of wounds strung together like beads. Although he was extremely afraid, he still bared his fangs fiercely. His appearance looked very much like the long-haired cat he once had. On a whim, Zhou Huaiyan took the person in, brought him back, washed him clean, and kept him by his side to admire his beauty. The young man gently caressed his beautiful green eyes, “From now on, you’ll be called Ah Fei.” But no one expected that many years later, Ah Fei would become the only king of a different surname in the Zhou Dynasty, with great and impressive military exploits, shocking the land under heaven. At that time, the emperor was old, sick, and weak, and his princes suddenly died one after another. The king with a different surname seemed to have the intention of usurping the throne, leaving everyone’s hearts in the royal court and the court of law panicking. The imprisoned Zhou Huaiyan sighed—— The unscrupulous indulgence of his youth has now become the most shameful past for this God of War. Maybe he will be the one who dies the most tragically among the princes. But in the end, Zhou Huaiyan didn’t expect that the ice-cold blade he had been waiting for did not come, rather, it was the imperial jade seal with all the bloodstains washed away. “Master……” The tall and beautiful foreign man crawled at his feet, looking as obedient and attached as a cat. “Touch this s*ave, please…” —— Everyone in the court and the commons knows that the king with a different surname who is now in power was just a lowly s*ave for Zhou Huaiyan to play with. “So this is how you take revenge on me,” The young man in the golden cage raised his head and gazed at the foreign man’s bulging belly with complicated eyes. “By locking me up just to get you pregnant?” 【Sensitive • Extremely low self-esteem • Full force value • Curly-haired cat shou】 【Salted fish • Lordly, Luxury-loving, loose-living, and idle • Cat owner • Full beauty value • Little sweetheart gong】 【Mine clearance: Shou is an inter**x, mpreg, the initial favorability of the gong is 100%, and the gong is a modern man who has transmigrated through time】 Content tags: mpreg, court officials, soft spot, royal court, relaxing One-sentence introduction: Peerless beauty gong

Original Publisher

jjwxc

Original Language

chinese

Type

Web Novel

## My Thoughts on Emerald "Emerald" is a novel that certainly sparked a lot of strong opinions, and after diving in, I can see why. It's a story that isn't afraid to tackle some controversial themes within its historical fantasy setting, and whether that lands well seems to depend heavily on the reader's expectations and tolerance. ### First Impressions Going in, I was intrigued by the tags: ancient China, master-servant relationship, and even mpreg. It promised a unique blend of historical intrigue and romance, and I was eager to see how the author would handle such a potentially volatile mix. Some readers were immediately put off by the premise, finding the early chapters distasteful, while others were hooked by the world-building and the initial dynamic between the characters. ### What Works Well One of the strongest points, for me, was the character development. It's a journey for both Zhou Huaiyan and Ah Fei, as they navigate not only their growing feelings for each other but also the complexities of the empire and its societal norms. I particularly appreciated how the story challenged those norms, addressing issues like slavery and the treatment of women. Many readers praised the ending, finding it sweet and satisfying, and highlighted the importance of reading the extra chapters for a complete sense of closure. The pacing also felt well-managed, drawing me in and keeping me invested throughout the main story. ### Areas of Concern It's impossible to ignore the criticisms leveled against the novel. The portrayal of racism within the story's historical context is a major sticking point for some. While some viewed it as adding depth to the plot and highlighting the fight against societal norms, others found it offensive and poorly handled. The master-slave relationship is also a potential trigger, and it's crucial to be aware of this before diving in. I noticed some readers felt the relationship between the main characters wasn't always balanced, but this seemed to be resolved by the end of the story and the extra chapters. ### ⚠️ Spoiler Warning Several reviews mention plot points that could be considered spoilers. Proceed with caution! These include: Ah Fei's eventual transformation into a more "manly" figure, Zhou Huaiyan's actions during war (including the slaughter of a nation), and the specific details of the ending. ### Final Verdict "Emerald" is a novel that elicits strong feelings, and it's not for the faint of heart. It's a blend of romance, political intrigue, and social commentary, set against a backdrop of ancient China. If you're willing to engage with potentially uncomfortable themes and appreciate flawed characters, you might find it a rewarding read. However, it's essential to be aware of the potential triggers and to approach the story with an open mind. For me, it was a flawed but ultimately enjoyable experience.