Zisui Zhi Chen

Everyone is afraid of Bai Jiu’s mercurial temperament. And it was only Xin Yi who could hold him down. A story of an unfortunate young prince who is pampered by a cruel and sinisterly ruthless minister.

Original Publisher

jjwxc

Original Language

chinese

Type

Web Novel

## My Thoughts on Zisui Zhi Chen "Zisui Zhi Chen" caught my eye because I'm always on the hunt for compelling historical yaoi, especially ones with political intrigue. With a complete original run and ongoing translation, I dove in, eager to see what this story had to offer. ### First Impressions Initially, I was struck by the novel's accessibility. The writing style is smooth and easy to follow, drawing you into the world without feeling overwhelmed. The dynamic between the main characters, the seemingly naive MC and the powerful, feared ML, immediately piqued my interest. I was intrigued by the premise of a "mute" prince harboring hidden depths. ### What Works Well The character development is definitely a strong point. Seeing the MC evolve from a seemingly timid individual into someone capable of navigating the treacherous political landscape is rewarding. The romance, while fast-paced, feels surprisingly natural. The author manages to make the attraction believable, and the way the two characters grow together is truly noteworthy. The plot, despite being contained within a relatively short number of chapters, is cleverly woven. The political elements are well-integrated, creating a captivating backdrop for the central romance. The author's ability to craft such a compelling story, especially as a first novel, is truly impressive. ### Areas of Concern While I enjoyed the story immensely, the inclusion of a significant side couple felt a little unnecessary. In such a short story, I felt the focus should have remained more firmly on the main pairing. ### ⚠️ Spoiler Warning The reviews mention the MC pretending to be dumb for a while, and that the ML quickly sees through this facade. Also, the ML is initially feared and seen as a "corrupted" official. The romance is very fast-paced, and the age gap between the MC (starting at 16) and the ML might be a consideration for some readers. The extras provide more insight into the ML's feelings and motivations. ### Final Verdict Overall, "Zisui Zhi Chen" is a captivating read. The strong character development, intriguing plot, and engaging romance make it a worthwhile experience. While the side couple felt a bit extraneous and the romance is fast, the overall package is well-executed and enjoyable. I'd recommend this to anyone looking for a quick but satisfying historical yaoi with a touch of political intrigue.