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Art Thou Ailing? #1
Art Thou Ailing? Vol. 1
In the empire of Great Xia, civility is a mask, courtesy a weapon—and love, perhaps, the most dangerous of all.
Chu Mingyun, Grand Commandant and master of his own ambition, rules half the capital with a fan in hand and a smirk that rarely fades. Known for his cunning, feared for his temper, and trailed by shadows both loyal and lethal, he moves through the imperial court like a chessmaster plotting his endgame.
Su Shiyu, Grand Secretary and paragon of virtue, is his equal in every way—measured, refined, and maddeningly unreadable. His name alone is enough to silence a room, and his smile, courteous though it may be, conceals more than it reveals.
A minister’s suicide. A cryptic message. A rumour that shakes the court to its foundations. As secrets brew beneath silken robes and ceremonial smiles, Chu launches a quiet campaign of subterfuge… and seduction. But behind Su’s mild gaze may lie a sharper mind than anyone has dared to suspect.
Every glance is a gambit, every compliment a calculated move—and in the end, only one question remains:
Who’s playing whom?
Chu Mingyun, Grand Commandant and master of his own ambition, rules half the capital with a fan in hand and a smirk that rarely fades. Known for his cunning, feared for his temper, and trailed by shadows both loyal and lethal, he moves through the imperial court like a chessmaster plotting his endgame.
Su Shiyu, Grand Secretary and paragon of virtue, is his equal in every way—measured, refined, and maddeningly unreadable. His name alone is enough to silence a room, and his smile, courteous though it may be, conceals more than it reveals.
A minister’s suicide. A cryptic message. A rumour that shakes the court to its foundations. As secrets brew beneath silken robes and ceremonial smiles, Chu launches a quiet campaign of subterfuge… and seduction. But behind Su’s mild gaze may lie a sharper mind than anyone has dared to suspect.
Every glance is a gambit, every compliment a calculated move—and in the end, only one question remains:
Who’s playing whom?
386 pages, Paperback
Published January 5, 2026
4 people are currently reading
257 people want to read
About the author
Ru Shi Wo Wen
5 books5 followersAssociated Names:
* 如似我闻 (Chinese)
* Ru Shi Wo Wen (English)
* หรูซื่อหว่อเหวิน (Thai)
* 如似我闻 (Chinese)
* Ru Shi Wo Wen (English)
* หรูซื่อหว่อเหวิน (Thai)
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
February 6, 2026
Disclaimer: I absolutely adore this book and admit I’m completely biased/blind to any critiques lol. I’m also okay with people finding something I love boring. Rosmei did a fantastic job
but
I really miss all the footnotes we get from FTLs. This volume ends at chapter 50 of the novel (halfway). My review of the FTL is no different than the official TL with the exception of having to learn new terms/titles and no footnotes.
This is what I imagine as a true “enemies to lovers/rivals to allies” novel. Seems a lot of people didn’t really like the characters, but that was my favorite part of this novel 🥰. The overall plot wasn’t really anything unique but there was enough court intrigue and murder mystery solving to keep me invested. The MC and ML are both in very powerful and politically opposing positions and serve an inept Emperor who would rather be a carpenter/artist. I read a beautiful translation that included lots of official art from the audio drama and Weibo and also some incredible fan art.
Characters
MC Su Shiyu: Court censor, devoted to the throne/country and in turn the Emperor who he grew up with, quiet, calm, appears gentle “most eligible bachelor “, helplessly speechless and exasperated when it comes to the ML. The Emperor adores him and would marry him if he was a woman
ML Chu Mingyun: military gong, chatty, teasing, shameless , appears carefree, has a very loyal military following but not popular in court, (reminds me a little of Xiao Chiye). The Emperor fears him but also needs him.
What I loved:
🩷The banter, flirting, and bickering- reminds me a little of Peerless
🩷A nice mix of comedy, angst, conspiracy, and intimacy
🩷Watching them fall in love but one in denial and the other unaware how hard he’s fallen already
🩷Multiple couples (four!) but they don’t get enough time so don’t get too excited
🩷 Both are scheming and smart
🩷I know you can protect yourself but let me protect you energy from the ML
🩷Fairly short at 89 chapters/2 extras. The story felt linear and tight with an easy to follow plot and cast of characters
🩷Two fujoshis
Spoilers below!
If I had some complaints…
-Too many side characters that I really liked died
-It did get a tiny bit slow at times
-Side couples could have used more time/development
-Someone tried to murder them in a house at a party? Unbothered. It felt weird that some things would be a huge deal and others they wouldn’t even let anyone know
-The ending was crescendoing but then it felt rushed?
-I needed more of their happily every after 💔
"He is my baobei, just so you know.” 🥰
This is what I imagine as a true “enemies to lovers/rivals to allies” novel. Seems a lot of people didn’t really like the characters, but that was my favorite part of this novel 🥰. The overall plot wasn’t really anything unique but there was enough court intrigue and murder mystery solving to keep me invested. The MC and ML are both in very powerful and politically opposing positions and serve an inept Emperor who would rather be a carpenter/artist. I read a beautiful translation that included lots of official art from the audio drama and Weibo and also some incredible fan art.
Characters
MC Su Shiyu: Court censor, devoted to the throne/country and in turn the Emperor who he grew up with, quiet, calm, appears gentle “most eligible bachelor “, helplessly speechless and exasperated when it comes to the ML. The Emperor adores him and would marry him if he was a woman
ML Chu Mingyun: military gong, chatty, teasing, shameless , appears carefree, has a very loyal military following but not popular in court, (reminds me a little of Xiao Chiye). The Emperor fears him but also needs him.
What I loved:
🩷The banter, flirting, and bickering- reminds me a little of Peerless
🩷A nice mix of comedy, angst, conspiracy, and intimacy
🩷Watching them fall in love but one in denial and the other unaware how hard he’s fallen already
🩷Multiple couples (four!) but they don’t get enough time so don’t get too excited
🩷 Both are scheming and smart
🩷I know you can protect yourself but let me protect you energy from the ML
🩷Fairly short at 89 chapters/2 extras. The story felt linear and tight with an easy to follow plot and cast of characters
🩷Two fujoshis
Spoilers below!
If I had some complaints…
-Too many side characters that I really liked died
-It did get a tiny bit slow at times
-Side couples could have used more time/development
-Someone tried to murder them in a house at a party? Unbothered. It felt weird that some things would be a huge deal and others they wouldn’t even let anyone know
-The ending was crescendoing but then it felt rushed?
-I needed more of their happily every after 💔
"He is my baobei, just so you know.” 🥰
January 30, 2026
4.25 ★
February 7, 2026
This book seems to start in the middle of a story and we're left trying to work out what's going on and keep up. This had a slow start and I struggled to get in to it but I persevered and it really paid off.
The political intrigue is interesting once you're up to speed. The developing friendship/relationship between the two main characters is very well written and builds naturally throughout. What starts as a subterfuge develops in to a real love which I enjoyed. Love the banker and bickering. Looking forward to seeing how this continues.
Can't wait to read the next volume.
The political intrigue is interesting once you're up to speed. The developing friendship/relationship between the two main characters is very well written and builds naturally throughout. What starts as a subterfuge develops in to a real love which I enjoyed. Love the banker and bickering. Looking forward to seeing how this continues.
Can't wait to read the next volume.
February 9, 2026
★★★★★ - 4.5/5 stars
January 28, 2026
Politics! Schemes! Faking love but accidentally falling for real! This has so much fun stuff going on in it. The dynamic between the two leads is a stellar push and pull that has me shaking my head as to who I'll side with when shit inevitably hits the fan. If you like danmei with a lot of subterfuge and politics (like Peerless, Ballad of Sword and Wine, or Joyful Reunion) this is the bok for you!
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews