In ancient China, history, vengeance, and murder collide for a female sleuth.
At thirteen, investigative prodigy Huang Zixia had already proved herself by aiding her father in solving confounding crimes. At seventeen, she’s on the run, accused of murdering her family to escape an arranged marriage. Driven by a single-minded pursuit, she must use her skills to unmask the real killer…and clear her name.
But when Huang Zixia seeks the help of Li Shubai, the Prince of Kui, her life and freedom are bargained: agree to go undercover as his eunuch to stop a serial killer and to undo a curse that threatens to destroy the Prince’s life.
Huang Zixia’s skills are soon tested when Li Shubai’s betrothed vanishes. With a distinctively exquisite golden hairpin as her only clue, Huang Zixia investigates—and discovers that she isn’t the only one in the guarded kingdom with a dangerous secret.
(Credit: Alex Woodend)
[Ebook][Multi Voice Audiobook][Eng Ebook or Translation] [Trắc trắc khinh hàn]
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Is it purely investigative, any element of romance in this novel?
I've heard the audio book a while back so I won't be doing a detailed review. Anyway I'll attach links to some reviews below. Everyone has different taste and it also depends on whether they've read the Chinese version or English translation or listened to the audio book. This is probably the last grand production that you get to listen for free. It is understandable that one needs to pay for the good stuff in life. A drama is in the pipeline so finger cross that it'll be a faithful adaptation with suitable actors & actresses.
In a nutshell, the audio book is fantastic so I highly recommend you to listen to it even if you can read Chinese. Pumpkin, Qing Ling, Yuan Tian He, who can beat such a combination? Nothing beats the original so what are you waiting for lol? As for those who can't understand Chinese at all, the English translated book is your only option. I don't know how good or faithful the translation is so don't ask me. The novel is mainly about crime solving but there is still some elements of romance in it.
Chinese audio book review:
https://rosyfantasy.net/2017/09/24/%E7%B0%AA%E4%B8%AD%E5%BD%95-the-recordings-of-the-hairpin-review/
Chinese and English translated book reviews:
https://cnewsdevotee.wordpress.com/2018/01/31/the-golden-hairpin-%E7%B0%AA%E4%B8%AD%E5%BD%95/
English translated book review:
https://byairandland.com/2018/02/04/review-the-golden-hairpin/
There's also an interesting fan-made video of the book with English subtitles on billibilli here: https://www.bilibili.com/video/av5357204/
Read the english version. Its a pretty well written book based on the translation. There is a romantic element but it is not in your face, more subtle. The focus is definitely more on the detective work. However, the CAVEAT here is that the translation is just on book one. There are 4 books to the series. So if you are expecting HE, don't. The story is open ending if you are looking at the romance element. Hope this helps with the confusion as I think the chinese version is truly complete but not the english version as the translation is just on book one.