Man Man Qing Luo (The Entangled Life of Qingluo) 蔓蔓青罗 by 桩桩 Shuang Shuang (HE)

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The story begins as our female lead wakes up in a strange room and an  unfamiliar body. She realizes that she has travelled back in time and her  twenty-two year old spirit is now trapped in the body of a six year old  girl. It was so captivating at the beginning, when Qing Luo was twelve to fourteen, but my interest in the story waned as the author used many cliche plots to keep the OTP separated again and again. Also, for some reason, I didn’t like Qing Luo after she grew up. She never did anything despicable, but she acted very spoiled and naive at times. To me, she seemed more understanding and responsible as a fourteen-year-old than when she was an eighteen-year-old.

But the two male leads are wonderful. There’s Liu Jue, a young Wang Ye (his father is the younger brother of the current king) and an incredible warrior (think Huo Qu Bing from Da Mo Yao), and Zi Li, the talented and kind Fourth Prince (think Eighth Prince from BBJX and Meng Jiu from DMY). The first time she meets Liu Jue, she calls him a pervert, knocks him unconscious and steals his money. He wants to teach her a lesson so he searches for her for six months. During this time, she sneaks out of the Prime Minister Li’s Estate and meets Zi Li, who teaches her how to ride a horse and takes her to eat at various restaurants around the city. Zi Li’s affection for her is obvious from the beginning, even though she was dressed as a boy, and turns into love as he finds out that she is actually a girl. Liu Jue denies the fact this young wisp of a girl has somehow sneaked into his heart, but gets jealous whenever he sees Qing Luo with Zi Li. However, the only thing Qing Luo wants to do is to take her mother and leave her greedy father, Prime Minister Li, before she is sold in marriage to further his ambition. But when Liu Jue, Qing Luo and Zi Li meet again, three years later, everything has changed. Zi Li succeeded his father as king and his once gentle personality has changed to that of a ruthless sovereign. What will he do when he finds out that the Qing Luo he has loved for all these years has returned to marry Liu Jue? (Excerpt from xiaoyuer’s tumblr. For more information, click on the brief introduction link).

[Ebook] [Audiobook[Summary & Scene Translation] [Duyên kỳ ngộ][Eng Translation]

 

 

13 Responses

  1. Peanuts
    Peanuts February 7, 2013 at 1:43 am |

    Lately, I feel like a thief, stealing from xiaoyuer’s tumblr, lol. Anyway, sharing is caring so I posted them here in case anyone doesn’t know or visit her blog. Also, this is for HuiEr who has a fetish for ancient book, haha…A big thank you to xiaoyuer for writing such wonderful books intro as well as scene translations.

    According to HG-CL, “Man Man Qing Luo is being made into a drama scheduled to film during Spring. Popular choices include Wallace Chung, Liu Shi Shi and Hu Ge (just from looking at the comments under the weibo post).

    Changes (from Zhuang Zhuang’s weibo):
    1. No time travelling (thanks to SARFT)
    2. Qing Luo will start off at 16yrs old, not 6.
    3. Will be told from more than 1 perspective
    4. More content added”

    Thus another drama to look fwd to. Btw lidge, have you read this book b4? If not, then you don’t sleep tonite, lol. Yes, I am evil, heehee…..

    I listened to part of the audiobook but gave up bcos like xiaoyuer, I got tired of the repetition:( Plus, I am sick of time travel novel. Also, the audiobook has only 1 reader so the guys kind of sound sissy, gave me goosebumps, lol. Nonetheless, the first half is rather interesting & worth your time. After all this book is ranked 11th on an online Chinese romance novel poll.

  2. lidge
    lidge February 7, 2013 at 2:02 am |

    Viet title: Duyên Kỳ Ngộ

    Yes, I’ve read it but so long ago so can’t remember much (if anything, blushes~~). You mentioned it’s #11 on the poll, peanuts. Since the poll has been translated, I was able to easily trace it.

    Since I’ve read it, I can sleep tonight^^

  3. Peanuts
    Peanuts February 7, 2013 at 2:23 am |

    lidge:
    Viet title: Duyên Kỳ Ngộ

    Yes, I’ve read it but so long ago so can’t remember much (if anything, blushes~~).You mentioned it’s #11 on the poll, peanuts.Since the poll has been translated, I was able to easily trace it.

    Since I’ve read it, I can sleep tonight^^

    This is becos this book is not that memorable. I don’t think it deserves to be #11. I can think of better books but to each its own:) Since the poll results have been translated, in future I’ll put the poll ranking to facilitate u:)

    Btw, did u read a comment left in Flash Marriage in appreciation of your recommendation:)? I need to post more funny books, lol. Ok, ok go to sleep since your hobbies are eat, read & sleep:P Btw, finished your Marriage yet or abandoned ship, lol?

  4. lidge
    lidge February 7, 2013 at 2:31 am |

    Peanuts: Btw, finished your Marriage yet or abandoned ship, lol?

    I’ve just started. For some reason, I’m feeling like a tortoise nowadays. Takes me forever to finish what I’m reading.

  5. atsu-chan
    atsu-chan February 8, 2013 at 2:42 am |

    Ahh, all these books bring back the good ol’ memories! I liked the first half of MMQL more, but Hui Er, you can be judge! I aways like the big ol’ softy so ^^ ANd FQH is really good – check out xiaoyuer’s translations to get a feel!

    I’m sort of in a dry spell right now… looking for an all encompassing, sweeping, romantic modern read…..AND not finding it. Everything is too cotton candy…. I’ve been reading so many different ancient reads I feel like I can spit out palace speak on a moment’s notice!

  6. Peanuts
    Peanuts February 10, 2013 at 8:27 am |

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zepANf0GHOA
    http://www.tudou.com/programs/view/06yDtzXqtgI/
    http://www.tudou.com/programs/view/uQ6lDZlsp1Q/

    A few better fans-made MVs to advertise this book:) HurEr, promise u no Wallace in them, I think, lol.

  7. HuiEr
    HuiEr February 11, 2013 at 3:58 pm |

    Sigh…. I’m just starting on this book… I think Peanuts did warn me… but the broadcaster’s not the best. I’m spoiled because I have been listening to A’shou most of the time. 😛 Her rhythm so quick and erratic that I have trouble keeping up with the story. A bit sad that i can’t get into the story because I’ve already d/led half the book. Again – Peanuts DID warn me to d/l a bit and start to see if I actually like it.

    Is there such thing as an “encompassing, sweeping, romantic modern read”?

  8. Eugene
    Eugene August 27, 2013 at 10:38 pm |

    I read this book a long time ago and still love it. I like Chen Zi Li (Liu Fei) but happy with the ending Qing Luo vs. Liu Jue <3

  9. may
    may December 3, 2013 at 2:46 pm |

    Read this bookagain over the weekend and decided to make a post.

    The first half of the book is thoroughly enjoyable although the second half got abit draggy with the kidnapping of Qing Luo. It started humorous and light hearted with Qing Luo trying to make sense of the strange world and time she is. Because she was twenty years old when she was yanked out of the current world, her young self always seemed more mature to the people around her. For a female lead character she’s quite sassy and independent. Although the second half of the novel relegated her to a damsel in distress role, she was never totally helpless. Like Eugene, although I like Zi Li more as a character, it’s still quite a satisfactory ending of her marrying Liu Jue (and into his crazy family, more of that later) She deserved a happy ever after with a man who would treat her as his one and only. Plus her first meeting with Liu Jue was literally kicking his ass J and that would always leave a lasting impression on me.

    Zi Li!! Poor Zi Li – I’m well aware he chose the jiangshan over the meiren but my heart just goes out to him. Maybe because the author described his anguish well and made him such a complex character. Outwardly he gentle and retiring but underneath is a whole lot of pain (his mother was poisoned and he lost the chance to be crown prince, plus many attempts were made on his life but the crown prince mum), ambition and ruthlessness (yes he even used Qing Luo as a pawn in one of his political strategies). But yet he gave Qing Luo a chance to follow her heart and eventually accepted her decision. How can you not love a guy who drank the same soup for 3 years thinking of the girl he let go? (Probably a little crazy in real life but it seems romantic within the novel) As the one sits on the throne, he also came to terms with the responsibilities of a ruler – he will have many women as concubines to keep the check on the influence of different families, he needs to treat all these women well because they’re entrusting their life to him and giving him political support and yet the woman he loves can never be by his side but leaving a full and happy life with another. A heavy to price to pay, c’est la vie.

    There are many other interesting characters in the book but shall just talk about two.

    The first one is Liu Jue’s father who is the brother to the king. He and Liu Jue have one of the craziest father and son relationship but in a heartwarming way. His father is always game to have a joke at his son’s expense (some crazy antics on Liu Jue’s wedding night) but does love him dearly. I love the irreverent relationship between the father and Liu Jue and also with Qing Luo (who would be ganging up with her father-in-law to make Liu Jue go nuts in addition to betting & teaching him mah-jong??) They can enjoy this relationship because his father knows the perils of the throne and wisely chose the other route.

    The second one is Wang Yan Hui, the princes consort to the crown prince. She’s an intelligent young lady who grew up in the army barracks. Her aim in life is to lead an army and strengthen the country, not be involved in petty inner palace politics. Unfortunately she’s not a man and she fell in love with Zi Li. She betrayed the crown prince to help Zi Li because she recognized that he had the ambition and character to make the country bigger. In fact, indirectly she got him to realize her dream of conquering the neighbouring countries. A really tragic character – she has intelligence and alot of love to give but none of the men in the novel could give that to her, in fact her last thoughts before dying was to be able to find true love is there was to be a next life.

    Overall, I would recommend the book if you’re looking for a novel with humour, romance and a dash of angst. (And you don’t mind that almost every male character falls in love with Qing Luo)

  10. Riley_Elizabeth
    Riley_Elizabeth September 21, 2014 at 4:45 am |

    I’ve just read the last 3 chapters to test how readable the book is with Google Translate and to know how it ends. Thank goodness for xiao0yuer’s summary (it’s so beautifully written) and May’s comments because they made me interested in this book and helped me understand what is going on. In the end, I’m left wondering why Zi Li and A’Luo remind me so much of Zhuan Xu and Xiao Yao from Lost You Forever. I already got my heart broken over that sunken ship before and now this. XD

  11. Hamster428
    Hamster428 January 28, 2015 at 2:20 am |

    I read this throughout my trip in Vegas lol. My friends kept asking what I was reading that I got up at 3am in the morning (to be fair I was jetlagged and on east coast time).

    This book is like a smashup of many books. It reminds me of Sora wa Akai Kawa no Hotori how she got kidnapped by one of her admirers

  12. Hamster428
    Hamster428 January 28, 2015 at 2:22 am |

    Hamster428:
    I read this throughout my trip in Vegas lol. My friends kept asking what I was reading that I got up at 3am in the morning (to be fair I was jetlagged and on east coast time).

    This book is like a smashup of many books. It reminds me of Sora wa Akai Kawa no Hotori how she got kidnapped by one of her admirers

    Ah, my long post got cut!

    I read this throughout my trip in Vegas lol. My friends kept asking what I was reading that I got up at 3am in the morning (to be fair I was jetlagged and on east coast time).

    This book is like a smashup of many books. It reminds me of Sora wa Akai Kawa no Hotori how she got kidnapped by one of her admirers

  13. Hamster428
    Hamster428 January 28, 2015 at 2:23 am |

    Still! I gave up.

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