Until I got around to translating, I’d had forgotten how beautiful in its playfulness volume 1 of Yun Zhong Ge was. Tong Hua crafts these scenes and imprints it indelibly on the reader’s memory. The fireflies becoming the stars on the ground, the dandelions becoming the snow in the palm, it all makes sense because Yun Ge is such a … Continue reading →
What to do when your hubby isn’t around, you’re pregnant, and and the Emperor may want to take your newborn baby hostage? Why, ask your still besotted first love for his help, of course. I stopped feeling sorry for Jiu Ye a long time ago, because if Yu Er is his true love and no one else will do, then … Continue reading →
I know Meng Jue is impossible to figure out, and that’s just the way he is as a character and the way Tong Hua chooses to let his actions shed light on his motives rather than simply telling us. I can say that even until the very end of the novel, I’m not always certain whether some of his actions … Continue reading →
Reading Yun Zhong Ge, the devil is in the details and the conversations. So many shifts of expression, passing glances, things not said, which add layer upon layer to this story. My Ling gege finally makes his first adult appearance in this chapter, but sadly he doesn’t get to meet up with his Yun Ge yet. This chapter is just … Continue reading →
Awwww, I finally get to use a picture of Jiu Ye with Yu Er. Too bad it’s due to some bad stuff befalling Yu Er that (1) she sorta brought on herself because she couldn’t look the other way, and (2) might be more deadly and devious than she ever considered. I think this is the chapter of Da Mo … Continue reading →
Okay, okay, I’ve decided to be super nice today. Here’s a quick character guide to the folks in Da Mo Yao and its somewhat sequel Yun Zhong Ge. I’ve kept it short and sweet, since discussing each character too much gives away plot points that might not otherwise be as clear. While DMY was pretty straightforward on who are the … Continue reading →
So I also got my third main male lead cast, Huang Xiaoming as Liu Bing Yi (aka Liu Xun). His tendency to over-emote with the crazy eyes will definitely come in handy in the latter half of this novel. But I think his arrogance and carefree vibe is perfect for Liu Bing Yi. I confess that the first time I … Continue reading →
Gosh, everyone is so worried about Yu Er now that Huo Qu Bing is off to war. I can’t say that Li Yan isn’t up to her tricks, but I can say everything is always more complicated than just simply that. Yu Er doesn’t have one enemy, she has many, and likely her enemies are also fighting each other. I … Continue reading →
You don’t need to have read Da Mo Yao to read Yun Zhong Ge, only that the tiny bits of the throwaway references might not be as relatable. But it does help to read up on your early Han history, gaining some perspective into the political machines of the era when Emperor Wu of Han Liu Che was deciding succession … Continue reading →
Oh gosh, sometimes I wish Jiu Ye would leave Chang An. For his own emotional well-being and sanity’s sake, because every time he runs into Yu Er and Huo Qu Bing it’s like he’s dealt another blow. Now that the love triangle is resolved, unless someone dies and then it’s a whole new ballgame, what’s left is figuring out where … Continue reading →
I found my two male leads for my novel translation of Yun Zhong Ge. I feel kinda giddy I can cast away whomever I want, just cuz I complain and moan each time an adaption casting turns out wonky, and for once I can do something about it in my neck of the woods. With Yang Mi as Yun Ge, I … Continue reading →
I hope none of my readers are on the young or shy side, because this chapter of Da Mo Yao might need to be rated S for sensuous. Or maybe H for hot. When Yu Er and Qu Bing make up, they…..erm, do it in a very unique and unforgettable way. Though if this entire chapter makes it intact to … Continue reading →
I’m not sure I’m translating all of Yun Zhong Ge, so don’t ask and definitely don’t expect it. It’s almost twice as long as Da Mo Yao in length, so thinking about it already gives me a headache. But I was in the mood to do a chapter so here it is. I have no clue who will play the … Continue reading →