Recommendations Asian historical romance where ML and LI are not princes/emperors, but scholars, artists, or lords..

Discussion in 'I'm Looking For...' started by ShiftySparrow, Apr 13, 2021.

  1. ShiftySparrow

    ShiftySparrow Member

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    Are there novels, preferably in Ancient China, where the main character and the love interest aren't princesses/princes/emperors/etc. who are NOT looking to dominate or rule the empire? Perhaps a tale of an artist and their muse, or an adviser and... pretty much anyone. A forbidden romance with the concubine or a maid... Along those lines. I am searching for a romance that is developing and not just popping out of nowhere like most out there are. The orientation (F/F, F/M, M/M) doesn't really matter, as long as you can actually feel the emotions that are budding throughout the story.
    Hell.. they can be royal as long as they don't go the conquering the nation route.
     
  2. akiraa

    akiraa Well-Known Member

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    i’m looking for something like this too, sadly the only one i’ve found is Our Second Master :]
     
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  3. sunflower_03

    sunflower_03 Well-Known Member

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    I usually read cultivation novels so I don't know that many. Try
    Cold Sands (tragedy) and maybe Xiao Jiu, this is a short story but has its own share of angst and fluff.
     
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  4. Cherry_sakiera

    Cherry_sakiera Well-Known Member

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    Generals ML
    Duke/ Lord
    • His Transmigrated Cannon Fodder Fiancé
    Businessman
    • Rebirth of an Abandoned Woman
    • Seeking Happiness
    Scholar
    Assassin
     
    Last edited: Apr 13, 2021
  5. Lissi

    Lissi 『Queen of Lissidom』『Holy Chibi』『Western Birdy』『⚓』

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    You’ve Got Mail: A Cautionary Tale
    It's BL, and mostly about *** :blob_blush:
    There is a fair amount of court intrigue/scheming/jail plot towards the end, but on the whole, it's a funny story about the general ML and his love with MC and MC's peng-peng drawings! :cookie:
    They don't take over the throne either~
     
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  6. Fulminata

    Fulminata Typo-ist | Officer of Heavenly Inc. |

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    Try Falling Dreams of Fang Hua if you're in the mood to read a convoluted tragedy. I have a mixed feelings about it, but it's still has a beautiful concept, like a folklore. Even after years of reading it, some of the scenes still stayed in ny mind....for better or worse.

    And of course, Ballad of The Desert! I cried a river when reading it. It tells a story about a girl raised by wolves fending herself in the capital city of chang'an and its ever-tangled web of plottings. Just beware that this one has a borderline melodramatic tone, but the setting and the world is really vivid and rich. Plus, the MLs are neither a prince nor emperor.
     
    Last edited: Apr 13, 2021
  7. Reack

    Reack Well-Known Member

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  8. pkhyber

    pkhyber Well-Known Member

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    How Hurtful of the Maple Leaves
     
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  9. ShiftySparrow

    ShiftySparrow Member

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    So... many... recs... :LOL:
     
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  10. Tsubaki -

    Tsubaki - Unknown Member

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  11. Zissel

    Zissel Blue Blue Gold❣❣

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    I'm reading it r8 now and geez those guys:blob_blush::blob_blush: ~crazy
     
  12. aaachris

    aaachris Well-Known Member

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    Sha po lang, bl and mc is a lost prince,not really into power struggle