This chapter contains novel content, so it might be a bit long. If you're interested, feel free to read it. If not, you can skip it, but I'd still appreciate it if you took a look.
After you've read this far, I'd like to explain some of the basic plot points of this novel and my initial thoughts when I started writing it. This is to avoid any unnecessary debates later on.
First, let me address some potential "landmines."
The first point is that this is a novel about Yu Jingchen's rebirth and repentance. In his previous life, Yu Jingchen certainly caused both physical and emotional pain to Nan Zhiyun, deeply wronging her. This is because the plot is set up this way; since Yu Jingchen is reborn and repents, he must have done some bad things in his past life, and now regrets them. Only with this premise can the subsequent plot proceed smoothly. So, I hope you can understand. If you cannot accept this point, I also hope you will give up on this novel early on.
The second point is for those who prefer immaculate characters: beware. In this novel, Yu Jingchen is the emperor, so he is not "double clean." However, once Yu Jingchen falls for Nan Zhiyun, she is the only one for him. Considering the harem setting, I hope you can understand this point as well. If you cannot accept it, then I am very sorry, and I hope we can both cut our losses in time.
The third point to be aware of is that Yu Jingchen in this story has been a very indifferent person since childhood, arguably a rather ruthless character. But I want to say that Yu Jingchen here is not a "scumbag." It's just that he is inherently a very ruthless person, lacking sympathy and compassion. So, when he didn't know he loved Nan Zhiyun, he was also quite harsh. Some might think I am deliberately whitewashing Yu Jingchen. To this, I would say, if we don't whitewash Yu Jingchen, how can the theme of his rebirth continue? So, if you don't like this setting, we must also bid farewell.
The fourth point is that Yu Jingchen in the novel is emotionally obtuse, and perhaps so accustomed to being indifferent that he doesn't know what love is or how to love someone. Therefore, the progression of the romantic relationship between Yu Jingchen and Nan Zhiyun will be a bit slow. I hope you can be patient. The development of their feelings is a long process, because I don't want Yu Jingchen's feelings for Nan Zhiyun to stem solely from guilt. After all, given Yu Jingchen's character, he couldn't possibly fall irrevocably in love with Nan Zhiyun the moment he is reborn! I think we should develop this romantic line properly, rather than just based on guilt. If you are impatient, then perhaps we are not destined to be.
Next is the fifth point. This point is about Nan Zhiyun. Because Nan Zhiyun was pampered from childhood, and due to her noble status, she was very well protected by her family, she is actually a rather naive person. So, for those who like to read about strong female leads, we may have to say goodbye.
The sixth point is that because Nan Zhiyun did not experience rebirth, she still has feelings for Yu Jingchen. After all, it's someone she loved for so many years, and she can't just give up instantly. For the sake of the plot, Nan Zhiyun still has some feelings for Yu Jingchen. However, with this setting, many people will feel that Nan Zhiyun is a bit of a "love-struck fool," lacking self-respect and being somewhat masochistic, still holding on despite Yu Jingchen's mistreatment. Regarding this point, I want to say that because the story still needs to continue, everything serves the plot. I hope you can understand. Also, I will explain later why Nan Zhiyun is so infatuated with Yu Jingchen. If you are interested, please be a little patient and wait for later revelations. At that time, I hope you will understand Nan Zhiyun a bit better.
The seventh point is that this novel is set in ancient times. There is no transmigration, nor is there a system. So, please don't view the relationships between characters with too much modern thinking. It's not that my ideas are outdated, but in some places, such plot designs are indeed necessary.
Now, let me tell you a bit about the general plot I intend to write. The basic story is that Yu Jingchen did some irrational things in his previous life, leaving many regrets, not just for himself but also for others. So, by living this life again, he sees many things he didn't see before and discovers many details he overlooked. In this process, he not only gradually develops different feelings for Nan Zhiyun but also gains new perspectives on other matters. Thus, he embarks on a path of pampering his wife, making amends for his own and others' regrets from his past life, and slowly transforming himself.
As for the purpose and effect I want to achieve with this novel, I'll also tell you. There are actually two main lines here. The first line is the romantic relationship between Yu Jingchen and Nan Zhiyun, which will be a very prominent line in the text. Then, there is another line that exists implicitly: the transformation of Nan Zhiyun's character. Yu Jingchen will change from being heartless and indifferent at the beginning to gentle and patient later on. Nan Zhiyun will also change from being timid and subservient to her former radiant self.
This novel may highlight Yu Jingchen more. In later plot developments, some friends might feel I am whitewashing Yu Jingchen, so I want to remind you that we will definitely "wash" Yu Jingchen, but through what methods? After all, without whitewashing, how can the subsequent plot continue?
I will not deliberately try to whitewash him, but I will use plot developments to allow friends to understand Yu Jingchen more profoundly, to see Yu Jingchen's changed self later on, and then to re-examine and define him, to see if he is truly worthy of love and forgiveness. If my readers go from disliking him at the beginning to eventually forgiving or liking Yu Jingchen, then that will be my standard for judging the success of this novel.
I don't know if any of you reading here have read my other novel, "Mr. Xiao," which is also a novel about a reborn male protagonist. The style of this novel might be quite similar to that one, with the only difference being that one is ancient and the other is modern. In that novel, I suggest you read Chapter 24. That chapter is also a novel content I wrote, and the concept is quite similar to this one.
Alright, having discussed the content of the novel, let me add a few personal remarks. I am not a professional novel writer, just an amateur hobbyist. I haven't published much before, only starting to post in the last year.
So, my skill level might not be very good, and there are significant shortcomings in the novel writing process. My writing might not be particularly great, but it's for entertainment. I hope you can understand. If there are any issues, please point them out, and I will correct them. Whether it's a logical error, a factual error, or even a typo, you can leave comments. I will usually reply or like them. I will reply to chapter comments and book reviews faster, but chapter segment comments will be a bit slower because there are more of them, and I need to check the author's assistant. However, generally, I will respond to all comments I see.
Feel free to comment in the comment section. Say whatever you want, as long as you don't violate any rules or get reported. I don't mind if you share other books or discuss topics unrelated to this novel, because it's all for entertainment. So, to relax, you can chat freely. Perhaps I'll even want to join in after seeing it! So, be active and leave plenty of comments! ♡
Furthermore, as I've already said, this is a novel for everyday entertainment, with strong entertainment value. Therefore, in terms of the novel itself, I hope you won't take it too seriously. If you do, you'll find many problems. After all, it's an entertainment novel, a romance novel, so don't be too serious. Just read it and don't delve too deeply. If you really dislike it, it's better to leave early. Sometimes, your comments, born out of dislike, can not only affect your own mood but also the moods of myself and other friends.
Respect is mutual. I hope we can all achieve mutual understanding and respect. If you really dislike it, I won't force you to stay. However, if you stay and then arbitrarily attack it, I will not accept it. I don't make a living from this, so I'm not afraid of offending people, not afraid of you creating multiple alt accounts, or even bringing your friends to give bad reviews. I've experienced a lot of these things, so I'm quite adept at handling them now. So, if you insist on causing trouble, then I apologize, but I'm ready to accompany you! Just like what I said in another book, if you like to nitpick, then eating fish is enough, there's no need to talk about anything else here. If you insist on arguing, then congratulations, you've become a spirit. In terms of etiquette, I am indeed inferior to those people. This is a romance novel, an entertainment novel, so don't act like a filial child here, otherwise, your ridiculous appearance is simply hilarious to me, and you'll just become a laughingstock.
Some people, armed with keyboards, really think they are heroes, not realizing they are just "Piggy" heroes, not from cartoons, but from real life.
If you genuinely dislike it, you can leave. It's okay. It's just that when you speak, you need to be careful. Your mouth is your mouth. If you can't accept it, I really ask you to leave. If you truly find it bad, then just assume my skill is not enough to keep such a great figure like you. After all, not everyone likes the same kind of novel, and there's no such thing as a novel that everyone likes. If there is, please give me an example, and tell me an entertainment novel that has no bad reviews. If you can, then I admit I'm a failure. If you can't, then let's understand each other. I won't force you to stay, and please be kind with your words. Some people, to highlight their own superiority, will deliberately say certain things, but in reality, those things are just a joke to others. Even if you don't like it, every word on this novel was typed by me, and every plot was conceived by me. I'm not trying to elicit sympathy, but I just feel it's not easy. After all, I have a bad temper, and I don't want my efforts to be casually denied and trampled upon. Don't say that as an author, I should be prepared to accept criticism. I explicitly tell you, I am prepared. I accept everyone's criticism, but it must be reasoned and well-founded suggestions, not casual remarks. Creation is not easy, I hope you understand.
Of course, it is also a form of destiny that you are able to see this novel. If any friends genuinely like it, it is my honor. I am extremely, extremely, extremely grateful to you. Regardless of whether this novel has many readers or achieves good results, I will finish it. It will not be an abandoned work, nor will it have a rushed ending. As long as there are friends who like to read it or continue reading it, I will be responsible to those friends. If there are any other issues within the novel, I also welcome you to leave comments and tell me, okay? I will correct them after I see them. Also, in the subsequent plot, what other points would you like to see? You are also welcome to suggest them, and if I can arrange them, I will. If any subsequent plot points are problematic for you, you can also leave comments, and I will see if I can delete or revise them.
Furthermore, based on friends' needs, I will see if it's necessary to have Nan Zhiyun reborn as well, and let her tease Yu Jingchen, making Yu Jingchen chase after her. If there are many people who wish for this kind of plot later on, then we will write it.
Alright, I've said enough rambling. I'll stop here for now. If there are any issues later, just leave a comment. And for the above remarks, if I have inadvertently offended anyone or made any statement that made you uncomfortable, I apologize in advance. However, I have stated my position in this chapter. So, for those who genuinely want to cause trouble later, I apologize, but my courtesy only extends to courteous people. After all, if you encounter a terrorist, you can't reason with them, right?
One last thing, I sincerely thank the friends who genuinely like this novel. Having you is my greatest fortune. Being liked by you is the greatest honor for a creator. Thank you~