Empress With No Virtue

Associated Titles: 皇后无德, EWNV

Author: 酒小七 (Jiu Xiao Qi)

Status: completed [98 chapters + 4 side stories]

Key words: historic, intelligent female protagonist, politics, comedy, misunderstandings, scheming and conspiracies, bickering couple, character growth, couple growth, R18 scenes.

Link to the translation site(s) at the end of the review

The premise is our MC, Ye Zhen Zhen, being forced to marry the Emperor as his official wife (aka the Empress). Being  from a powerful family she has been spoiled since young, but she is in no way a clueless stupid child that only knows to practice the four arts; on the contrary, she is highly intelligent and likes weapons and the thrill of combat. Having always enjoyed unlimited freedom, she opposes this marriage and holds resentment against the Emperor.

At the same time, the Emperor resents the old fox (YZZ’s grandpa) that forced him to marry her, so he also hates her. As a result, the wedding night ends in the worst possible way, and old enmity adds to new enmity. Warning: since she doesn’t consent to it, there’s a rape scene (well he’s not very willing either, but duty is duty). However, please don’t let this stop you, the novel is worth it.

From here on is a long journey, from being at odds with each other, to the Emperor realizing that although YZZ might not like him, at least she is honest and won’t scheme at his back (sth very lacking in the Emperor’s surrounding), and finally building a trust relationship with her. For her, it will be palace intrigue trying to keep the harem in check as the concubines fight each other and target her.

There is some slight involvement in politics, action and adventure in war, all while keeping a comedic undertone because, well, sometimes YZZ is really brainless or unique. During the journey, their relationship will transform as they solve misunderstandings and learn to trust the other, but it doesn’t end just because they finally love each other, on the contrary, the shadow of their first night left a trauma in YZZ’s heart, so they’ll need to work hard to erase it. Along with love, they also learn together about sex, therefore there will be several smut scenes here and there. Emperor is sometimes a  bit of a pervert, which will lead some hilarious situations as well, such as him having to visit the red light district and being misunderstood by everyone, absolutely everyone.

One of the things I like the most of this novel is the fact that we have a female MC that is strong and intelligent without being rebirthed or transmigrated, I really appreciate this a lot. The novel is full of funny moments and the smut is also nice to read. Although you might dislike the Emperor in the beginning, which is normal due to his behaviour, I believe that as you keep reading you will get hooked with their antics and won’t regret reading it, just like it happened with me.  o(^_^)o

Also, a small comment on the TLion. There have been 3 TLors for the series, 1st one was better quality than the other ones (and quality is good quality), did 90% of the novel before going on hiatus and she/he has currently come back and, althought slowly, is finishing the novel.

Links:

Description, chapter directory: NovelUpdates       Original TLion site: PlainlyBored

Other novels with contemporary intelligent MC in ancient setting: Return of the Swallow

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