#alphatart

“All children deserved to be loved”

I feel like crying now 😭 I love how Rashta is there (is the flower she’s holding forget-me-nots? The same one from 2 chs ago in Ergi’s imagination?) and Ergi being there hits hard after his past arc just ended. I’m glad they adapted his side story earlier, the adaption team definitely cooked with that and this scene.

CENTRAL HALLS

➺ HALL OF SUPREME HARMONY (TAIHE DIAN; 太和殿, TÀIHÉDIÀN)Think of this as the “stage of ultimate power”—the largest and most important building in the Forbidden City. It was where emperors hosted grand ceremonies like enthronements, royal weddings, and state celebrations. Its golden throne and dragon carvings radiated authority, reminding everyone of the emperor’s divine rule.

➺ HALL OF CENTRAL HARMONY (ZHONGHE DIAN; 中和殿 ZHŌNGHÉDIÀN)This smaller hall acted as the “emperor’s green room”—a place for the emperor to prepare and rehearse before major ceremonies. It gave him a quiet space to rest, finalize rituals, and mentally prepare to face the grandeur of the court.

➺ HALL OF PRESERVING HARMONY (BAOHE DIAN; 保和殿 BǍOHÉDIÀN)Known as the “hall of final tests,” this space was where imperial banquets were held and the top-ranking scholars competed in the last stage of the civil service exams. It symbolized the bridge between talent and power, as successful candidates earned coveted roles in the empire.

RESIDENCES OF THE EMPEROR AND EMPRESS

➺ PALACE OF HEAVENLY PURITY (QIANQING GONG; 乾清宫 QIÁNQĪNGGŌNG) – The Emperor’s ResidenceImagine this as the “emperor’s headquarters.” Early in the Qing Dynasty, this was the emperor’s living space, but later it became a formal area for state affairs and meetings. Its ornate design reflected the emperor’s central role in ruling the empire.

➺ HALL OF UNION AND PEACE (JIAOTAI DIAN; 交泰殿 JIĀOTÀIDIÀN)Acting as a “symbol of balance,” this hall linked the emperor’s and empress’s residences, representing harmony between yin and yang. It also housed the imperial seals, tools of state authority, symbolizing unity in governance.

➺ PALACE OF EARTHLY TRANQUILITY (KUNNING GONG; 坤宁宫 KŪNNÍNGGŌNG) – The Empress’s ResidenceKnown as the “empress’s haven,” this palace served as the residence for the empress and a site for significant ceremonies like imperial weddings. Its name reflects her role in maintaining harmony and fertility within the imperial household.➺ IMPERIAL GARDEN (御花园 YÙHUĀYUÁN)This lush garden was the “royal family’s retreat.” Pavilions, rockeries, and ancient trees offered the emperor, empress, and consorts a serene escape from court life. It showcased traditional Chinese landscaping, blending art and nature into perfect harmony.

SIX WESTERN PALACES (西六宫, XĪLIÙGŌNG)

➺ PALACE OF ETERNAL LONGEVITY (YONGSHOU GONG; 永寿宫 YǑNGSHÒUGŌNG): This palace housed senior concubines or favored women, such as Imperial Noble Consorts or high-ranking Consorts. It is known for its richly decorated interiors, symbolizing the high rank of its inhabitants and reflecting the emperor’s wish for a long and prosperous life.

➺ PALACE OF ETERNAL SPRING (CHANGCHUN GONG;长春宫 CHÁNGCHŪNGŌNG): Home to Imperial Noble Consorts or highly ranked Noble Consorts, this palace is distinguished by its elegant and understated design, symbolizing longevity and prosperity. It represented the emperor’s favor and the well-being of the imperial family.

➺ PALACE OF GATHERING ELEGANCE (CHUXIU GONG;储秀宫 CHǓXIÙGŌNG): Once the residence of Empress Dowager Cixi, this palace is famous for its lavish decorations, including silk panels and intricate carvings. It was home to Imperial Noble Consorts and Noble Consorts, reflecting both opulence and historical significance.

➺ PALACE OF UNIVERSAL HAPPINESS (XIANFU GONG; 咸福宫 XIÁNFÚGŌNG): This tranquil residence was for Consorts and Imperial Concubines, offering serene gardens and a peaceful atmosphere. Its name symbolizes happiness and harmony within the imperial household, providing a retreat from the tensions of court life.

➺ PALACE OF MANIFEST BENEVOLENCE (YONGHE GONG; 咸福宫 XIÁNFÚGŌNG): A modestly decorated palace, it housed lower-ranking Concubines or Noble Consorts. It was less prominent than other western palaces but still offered a residence for women with less political influence in the imperial harem.➺ PALACE OF ETERNAL HARMONY (YONGHE GONG; 永和宫 YǑNGHÉGŌNG): Designed as a peaceful space for Concubines seeking quiet contemplation, this palace offered a retreat for reflection. It was a place for introspection and spiritual solace, away from the bustle of court politics.

SIX EASTERN PALACES (东六宫, DŌNGLIÙGŌNG)

➺ PALACE OF GREAT BENEVOLENCE (JINGREN GONG; 景仁宫 JǏNGRÉN​GŌNG): This palace housed the Empress Dowager or other influential women in the court, such as the emperor’s mother or heirs. Its decorations, symbolizing benevolence and virtue, emphasized the maternal authority and moral influence of its residents. ➺ PALACE OF CELESTIAL FAVOR (CHENGQIAN GONG; 承乾宫 CHÉNGQIÁNGŌNG): Reserved for Imperial Noble Consorts, Consorts, or Imperial Concubines who had borne the emperor’s children, this palace is known for its ornate design, reflecting the high status of its residents and the emperor’s favor toward them. ➺ PALACE OF ETERNAL HARMONY (YONGHE GONG; 永和宫 YǑNGHÉGŌNG): Similar to its western counterpart, this palace housed Noble Consorts or Concubines with a quieter role in the court. Featuring serene gardens and courtyards, it offered a peaceful retreat for personal reflection. ➺ PALACE OF PROLONGING HAPPINESS (YANXI GONG;  延禧宫 YÁNXǏGŌNG): Known for its European Baroque architectural style, this palace was a residence for Concubines and Noble Consorts. It was partly rebuilt during the Qianlong Emperor’s reign but later fell into disrepair, symbolizing Qing openness to foreign influences. ➺ PALACE OF PURITY AND TRANQUILITY (SUQING GONG;肃清宫 SÙQĪNGGŌNG): This simple and serene palace was designed as a retreat for lower-ranking Concubines or Noble Ladies, offering them a quiet space for reflection and solitude, away from the complexity of court life. ➺ PALACE OF LASTING BLESSINGS (YONGSHOU GONG; 永寿宫 YǑNGSHÒUGŌNG): Reserved for lower-ranking Consorts, Concubines, or retired women, this palace symbolized the emperor’s wish for enduring prosperity and blessings. It provided a peaceful residence for women no longer involved in the active imperial harem.

➺ THE COLD PALACE (冷宫, LĚNGGŌNG) was not a specific, singular palace but rather a general term used to refer to places where disfavored imperial concubines, consorts, or court members were sent. These women were effectively confined, losing the emperor’s favor and their political or social standing. The Cold Palace was often located in remote or less-maintained parts of the Forbidden City, far from the central Inner Court and main residential areas.

There is historical evidence suggesting that parts of the Six Western Palaces or other unused, deteriorating buildings within the Forbidden City were sometimes repurposed as Cold Palaces. One of the more commonly referenced Cold Palace locations is the Palace of Prolonged Happiness (Yanxi Gong) after it fell into disrepair following a fire during the Qianlong Emperor’s reign.

Heinrey after finding out Navier is pregnant 😂

ℍ𝕠𝕡𝕖 𝟚𝟘𝟚𝟜 𝕨𝕚𝕝𝕝 𝕓𝕖 𝕜𝕚𝕟𝕕𝕖𝕣 𝕥𝕠 𝕦𝕤 𝕒𝕝𝕝… 𝕀 𝕙𝕦𝕞𝕓𝕝𝕪 𝕡𝕣𝕖𝕤𝕖𝕟𝕥 𝕊𝕚𝕣 𝕊𝕠𝕟𝕟𝕒𝕦𝕘𝕙𝕥 𝕔𝕙𝕚𝕓𝕚 𝕙𝕖𝕒𝕕 𝕥𝕠 𝕤𝕥𝕒𝕣𝕥 𝕥𝕙𝕚𝕤 𝕪𝕖𝕒𝕣 ❤️

It gave me everything I wanted, and more. The side stories, especially, were a delight, as the author, Alphatart, used them to provide prologues and closures for the main story.

Real talk, okay? I had no empathy for the "villainous" mistress that's part of the core conflict until I hit the side stories exploring a version of events where the emperor had sent her to be cared for by the empress, instead of doing so himself. The way her character is explored there really, honest-to-goodness made me see her in a new light. Who she could've been had things gone that way was so likeable and entertaining, and it helped me see why she acted the ways that she did in the main story.

—And as I read that and started to grow distasteful of the emperor again (even though I acknowledged his remorse over the divorce a good while into my first read of the manhwa), I hit the newest side story, about him. It's a time traveling story where he goes back to the day he divorced the empress and takes it from there. It's such a melancholic read. Like, after the empress remarries and successfully makes it to her new kingdom, the emperor's character became hard for me to stomach. He was instilled with such deep grief and remorse, and his every appearance after that is sad. I stopped wanting him to show up as it became harder to read how he felt upon seeing his ex-wife's newfound happiness whilst everything crumbles around him. I won't spoil it, but chapter 260 is where all those feelings peaked for me. So, to go on and read a version of events where he's able to find some actual solace from everything...I was glad. I enjoyed it. I thought he deserved it. And I didn't know that I needed to see that for his character. The people in the comments weren't all too fond of his ending, but I support it firmly. It's not all roses, though, but I think that makes it all the more fitting for his arc.

I know this is a very silly thing to say, but I do hope to take up Korean soon enough, so that I can get the original novels physically. I know the manhwa already has an English-language release (and have seen it at a store), but I still want the Korean novels. I want to be able to read and reread this story with all its original intentions (I like and respect localizations, though, they help me get into a lot of great media).

Sigh. This really was such a fun read for me. I don't think I'll reread anytime soon since, even digitally, it feels like a thick book, but I hope to come back to it in a few months when I have some time off and can go through it all again. I also hope the manhwa gets all the way to the end.

1. Return of the Blossoming Blade

It’s an absolute must read. It’s incredibly funny and suspenseful. This Webtoon will keep you on the edge of your seat every episode.

2. Lore Olympus

This is one is a must read. If you haven’t read it, please do. It’s currently the number 1 Romance Webtoon right now.

3. Rewriting the Villianess

Another one that is funny. It gives a freaky Friday feel between author and main heroine.

4. Midnight Poppy Land

Main male lead is a gangster with a soft heart for an innocent girl. Did I also mention he’s drop dead gorgeous and is covered in tattoos?

5. Brass & Sass

High School Romance that is nostalgic and fun to read. It will definitely pull on your heart strings.

6. The Remarried Empress

This one takes you back in time during Imperial Rulers with a magical twist and lots of drama filled scandals.

7. Men of the Harem

Another story talking place back during Kings and Queens, but its funny, magical, and endearing. Main female lead is incredibly sharp.

8. Purple Hyacinth

Who doesn’t love a dark yet funny story about an assassin and a police officer whose a vigilante at night? Do they make a great team or is there something bigger than the both of them about to unfold? The truth of it all? Read it to find out.

9. Like Wind on a Dry Branch

Magic, kingdoms, a very handsome King, and his very beautiful mage whose past remains a slight mystery.

10. Let’s Play

A young woman trying to figure out her love life while attempting to set boundaries with her overbearing father. Who will she end up with? Her cute gamer streaming neighbor or her boss at work with a complicated past?

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