Tan Hua

Cold and aloof Tanhua Lang, Proud and indulgent Crown Prince: ‘Tanhua.’ New Tanhua Lang, Song Liqing, and Crown Prince Qiyu were married by the emperor. On their wedding night, while the two were in the bridal chamber, the Crown Prince indulged in debauchery with his favorite concubine until midnight. Crown Prince Qiyu: ‘You are dull and boring, lacking half the charm of Hu Nu’er!’ For the sake of childhood friendship and the Crown Prince’s reputation, Song Liqing gave up his future, his dignity, endured humiliation and suffering, sacrificing everything. As a result, the Crown Prince’s indulgence worsened, and Song Liqing ended up physically and mentally crippled, with death looming. One day, without warning, in front of the entire court: Song Liqing: ‘My fate with the Crown Prince has ended. I willingly seek separation, asking for His Majesty’s approval.’ The enraged Crown Prince: ‘I divorce you!’ The stubborn Crown Prince prepared to return home in anger, only to find his residence deserted, with only a pre-written letter left behind. ‘With this departure, I wish you good health and well-being. I hope to never meet again in this life or the next.’ “The once arrogant Crown Prince, overnight, lost his pride, his edge, only to realize that the Tanhua Lang he once scorned was a treasure sought after by others…”

Original Publisher

shubl

Original Language

chinese

Type

Web Novel

## My Thoughts on Tan Hua "Tan Hua" definitely left me with a lot to unpack. Diving into this historical yaoi drama was quite the experience, and not always in a good way. The tragedy tag is definitely doing some heavy lifting here. ### First Impressions Going in, I was intrigued by the premise of ancient times, court officials, and childhood friends. However, the sheer number of tags, especially those like "abusive characters" and "depictions of cruelty," gave me pause. I steeled myself, hoping for a compelling, albeit potentially painful, story. ### What Works Well Despite some serious issues, the dedication of the MC is something else. I can see why some readers might find themselves drawn to his unwavering devotion, even if it seems misplaced. The author clearly succeeded in creating a character whose love is both his strength and his weakness. The world-building seems solid enough, immersing you in the ancient setting, and the political intrigue adds another layer to the already complex relationships. ### Areas of Concern Okay, let's get to the elephant in the room: the ML. I found it difficult to reconcile his actions with any semblance of a healthy relationship. The level of cruelty inflicted on the MC is, frankly, disturbing. It's one thing to have a flawed character, but the ML's behavior veers into territory that makes it hard to root for any kind of redemption arc. I found myself questioning the dynamic and whether it was leaning too heavily into toxicity without sufficient exploration of the consequences. ### ⚠️ Spoiler Warning Some readers are sharing details about the ML's actions, including imprisonment, torture, and even the endangerment of the MC's family. The lasting physical and emotional scars inflicted on the MC are significant plot points. If you're sensitive to these themes, proceed with extreme caution or perhaps avoid the story altogether. ### Final Verdict "Tan Hua" is a difficult read, to say the least. While the MC's devotion and the historical setting offer some appeal, the abusive relationship and extreme cruelty make it a story that's hard to recommend widely. If you're a fan of dark, tragic romances and can stomach depictions of severe abuse, you might find something of value here. However, be prepared for a potentially upsetting and emotionally draining experience. For me, the level of toxicity outweighed any potential enjoyment, leaving me with a sense of unease and disappointment.