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A review by amywong
Beauty to Ashes by 云狐不喜
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I loved watching Jin Xiu grow into who she is at the end. There's so much to unpack in this sad angsty novel. There is bried happiness in the middle but in the end it is a tragedy.
Xiao Jin Xiu, a blind Princess, meets Chen Ruo when he arrives in her country Dayue as a hostage prince of her father's. She quickly falls in love with him and he slowly grows fond of her and eventually falls for her too. However that isn't clear until the end. He swaps places with his half brother Chen Lan who comes to bring news that their Empress mother is ill. Chen Lan quickly falls for Jin Xiu and when she leaves with him they grow close during their journey back to Chen Country. When she arrives there, Chen Ruo already marries a prime minister's daughter and is working to succeed the throne. She becomes isolated and tormented as Chen Ruo is cold towards her. Throughout her time there, she finds some peace by the wall of the cemetary where old servants are buried. She talks out her woes to someone she doesn't know and at the end of most her spills, the person hands her a flower they picked. Finally, the harem grows violent and after harrassing her in the courtyard she is chased out of the palace. She's rescued by Chen Lan who is now Prince Wu with a small ruling region by the borders. He is still in love with her and she agrees to leave with him. She eventually falls in love with him and falsifies her identity to marry him.
One day, Chen Ruo has again qiped the court, accuses the Empress of witchcraft and she commits suicide and calls on Chen Lan to find Jin Xiu. He says he loved her this whole time but couldn't risk her life if he favors her because he hasn't stabilized the court but at the same time was too selfish to send her back in fear that Emperor of Dayue would arrange her hand to someone else. Chen Lan runs back asking Jin Xiu to elope again. She finds there's no end to that so she agrees to go back to Chen Ruo filled with hatred adn resentment. She's also pregnant. She confronts Chen Ruo that he will see her again and closes her doors to him. When Chen Lan dies years later, she also sets her palace on fire. Chen Ruo proclaims, she won't even leave him a body. Her son, Chen huan, though young still gets the hint that maybe Chen Lan was his father. Chen Ruo neither confirms nor denies that to him. We also find out that the person who listened to her the entire time, was Chen Ruo. That bracelet was given to him by Chen Lan right before he left for Dayue and it was made my Chen Lan's palace maid mother who made two for Chen Lan. One for him and one for his future wife but he gave one to Chen Ruo and his own he gave to Jin Xiu when they married.
I usually type out the story so I can easily know them when I come back to my review and I usually only do this for quick stories and 5 stars. I loved this short story. I loved Jin Xiu's growth and how she learns to accept the love from Chen Lan and is aware that that is actual love. That she doesn't deserve neglect and that that is how people are supposed to love each other. Such a quick story but we are given so many portrayals of love. Chen Ruo is also aware that his love was selfish. Chen Lan was also aware that Jin Xiu may not ever love him but his love is so strong that he was fine with it as long as she stayed with him happy and healthy.
One day, Chen Ruo has again qiped the court, accuses the Empress of witchcraft and she commits suicide and calls on Chen Lan to find Jin Xiu. He says he loved her this whole time but couldn't risk her life if he favors her because he hasn't stabilized the court but at the same time was too selfish to send her back in fear that Emperor of Dayue would arrange her hand to someone else. Chen Lan runs back asking Jin Xiu to elope again. She finds there's no end to that so she agrees to go back to Chen Ruo filled with hatred adn resentment. She's also pregnant. She confronts Chen Ruo that he will see her again and closes her doors to him. When Chen Lan dies years later, she also sets her palace on fire. Chen Ruo proclaims, she won't even leave him a body. Her son, Chen huan, though young still gets the hint that maybe Chen Lan was his father. Chen Ruo neither confirms nor denies that to him. We also find out that the person who listened to her the entire time, was Chen Ruo. That bracelet was given to him by Chen Lan right before he left for Dayue and it was made my Chen Lan's palace maid mother who made two for Chen Lan. One for him and one for his future wife but he gave one to Chen Ruo and his own he gave to Jin Xiu when they married.
I usually type out the story so I can easily know them when I come back to my review and I usually only do this for quick stories and 5 stars. I loved this short story. I loved Jin Xiu's growth and how she learns to accept the love from Chen Lan and is aware that that is actual love. That she doesn't deserve neglect and that that is how people are supposed to love each other. Such a quick story but we are given so many portrayals of love. Chen Ruo is also aware that his love was selfish. Chen Lan was also aware that Jin Xiu may not ever love him but his love is so strong that he was fine with it as long as she stayed with him happy and healthy.