Classics from the Early Days: Transmigration 初心-经典穿越

1. 1 高 The Marquis’s Lowly Maid 高门小婢 Little Sweet Potato少地瓜Romance912k WordsCompleted The day-to-day struggles of a little girl. Blurb: On her deathbed, Jin Yu once made a wish: Please let me be born into a wealthy family in my next life! Heaven heard her. So when she opened her eyes again, Jin Yu had become a laundry maid in the household of a government official in ancient times! Jin Yu: “...Damn it!” Heaven: “You got a rich family, didn’t you?” The story features household intrigue, delicious food, farming, and steady progression. The heroine is ambitious. Passages marked w 61.4kFavorites63.5kClicks/ch301.2kGifts

   Curator note

   In short: A maid's struggle for success. Her "golden finger" comes from modern memories and event planning experience; everything else is grounded in reality. Starting from a low point, she seizes every opportunity to improve her circumstances and get promoted. Generous and kind-hearted, yet rational and meticulous, she doesn't excessively interfere in others' affairs, nor is she easily swayed by others; self-preservation is her priority. She's quick-witted, observant, and knows when to advance and retreat. The characters are also well-developed, not simply stereotypical "good guys" or "bad guys." For example, the mistress is very intelligent, not only a capable assistant in "ladies' social interactions," but also politically astute as her husband. One action she takes first helps her husband achieve greater success (unfortunately, in that era, she can only play a supporting role). She loves her children but doesn't spoil them; she even stubbornly insists on doing what's best for the child when the child is picky about food, almost driving the child to depression (which is successfully resolved with our help). The seemingly perfect boss also has the local characteristic of not treating ordinary servants (consumables) as human beings… Feudal society is cannibalistic, and women's lives are even more difficult; every step in this workplace requires caution. One thing I really liked was that this family was very "normal," which fit my imagination of this kind of family. While the adults were striving for their own future, they also paid attention to their children's education. In addition to reading, they also took their children with them at all times to teach by example and practice what they preached. It wasn't just to highlight the female lead and make the whole family seem less intelligent.

2. 2 社 A Socially Anxious Person in Ancient Times 社恐在古代 Xi Yao Xiao昔邀晓Romance203k WordsCompleted 1. Li Mu, a modern-day introvert and officially certified national-level couch potato, transmigrates into an ancient romance novel. It takes her just three seconds to decide to shut herself away, play the fool, and make it through one day at a time. As she muddles along, the plot of the book suddenly starts getting strange. The villain turns into a ray of sunshine, the heroine gets caught up in court politics, and the hero’s dream changes from seizing the throne to exploring overseas… Li Mu: 88.8kFavorites163kClicks/ch56.5kGifts

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   The socially anxious protagonist transmigrates into a book, altering the tragic course of everyone in the original storyline. Many of the psychological states and behaviors of socially anxious individuals resonate deeply (though not as severely as the female lead's), such as worrying before doing something, feeling regretful and internally conflicted afterward, and being suddenly attacked by unforgettable memories at night, leading to kicking off the covers… There's more than one couple, and the romantic storylines are also well-developed. The entire story is heartwarming, and everyone is happy (the original storyline was tragic). The female lead has a mental illness, while the male lead is poisoned. The female lead's illness makes it difficult for her to express herself, but the male lead is observant, considerate, and direct, guiding her in every way. What I particularly like is that he never hides anything but instead praises her achievements, not letting his reputation burden her. Knowing she dislikes socializing, he doesn't force her or confine her to the inner quarters, providing her with access to information and always supporting her. The comments throughout the story are filled with "Yes, yes, that's exactly it!" And "So sweet!"… The girls each have their own strengths and characteristics, helping each other. The female lead's father and second uncle are scoundrels, as are the late emperor and others who are wary of their daughter.

3. 3 我 [Three Kingdoms] I Can Command the Wind and Rain [三国]我，呼风唤雨 Gold and Jade Fill the Courtyard金玉满庭Romance818k WordsCompleted She’s in the chaotic Three Kingdoms era, but she’s a goddess. Things seem pretty good from the start… Wait, which faction’s goddess is she, exactly? Chen Zhao stared at the people in front of her, all wearing yellow turbans and charging forward as they shouted, “The Azure Heaven is dead, the Yellow Heaven shall rise! In the year of Jiazi, good fortune shall reign!” She fell silent. So… she was a rebel? Chen Zhao rolled up her sleeves. Since she was here, what else could she do but make the b 101.6kFavorites108.6kClicks/ch525.2kGifts

   Curator note

   Transmigrating to the Three Kingdoms period, her cheat ability is the ability to see 3D projection maps of the land and rivers, plus weather forecasts. She has a clear career plan, yet possesses a compassionate heart, ultimately unable to let go of the remnants of the Yellow Turban Rebellion and innocent civilians. She accepts the title of Goddess of the Way of Peace and chooses the hard mode of conquering the world. The female protagonist is very interesting; she's a refined person skilled in the art of language, speaking to people in a way that resonates with everyone. If she has a grudge, she'll immediately lead her men to climb walls and use sacks to trap it, never letting it affect her sleep overnight. Unlike a mere subject, she's adept at the lord's elaborate courtship rituals—a master of persuasion, eager to recruit talent, and tearful, emotionally charged acting (she has a tailored approach to each person, delivering personalized praise, inspiring subordinates to die for her, a true master of diplomacy). Of course, emotionally and practically, she is indeed a good lord, considering the needs of her subordinates and concerned about the people's livelihood (for example, using the "Essential Techniques of Peace" to educate on epidemic prevention, outsourcing construction to displaced people, and building irrigation canals). Her personal charm shines brightly. A good minister is dedicated to discovering talent, but not simply to preemptively seize it. He draws inspiration from the words and deeds of wise rulers throughout history, analyzing and judging based on actual circumstances to select those who are currently disillusioned or compatible with him, rather than overestimating his abilities by wanting everyone. He also discovered many outstanding women, allowing them to leave their mark in history. While scouring for talent, he discovered that many women possessed unique strengths, yet these had been buried and forgotten by the river of history. The first time I shed tears was for Zhang Jiao. He truly was a figure of unwavering devotion, weary and aged, yet powerless to change anything. Before taking this path, he himself lived a comfortable life. Seeing his followers struggling to survive, he led them in a desperate struggle for survival, but ultimately, the disparity was too great (starving refugees facing the elite imperial forces), and he too did not live long. Frankly, I'm hesitant to read about chaotic times; only a handful achieve greatness, while countless lives are lost and corpses litter the fields… (Thankfully, besides depicting these somber backdrops, this story also offers occasional lighthearted and even humorous moments, such as the exploitation of powerful figures, preventing the overall atmosphere from being constantly oppressive. There are many humorous moments, one every few lines, so I won't list them all). The second time was for Cai Yong. He was a renowned Confucian scholar, but for years he was framed and exiled, constantly on the run. Fearing his daughter would be condemned by the public and unable to protect her, he wanted to take her into seclusion. Cai Wenji's talent goes without saying, along with her patriotic aspirations and compassionate heart. Being abducted by Zhao Zhao gave her the opportunity to save the world, but it also drew condemnation from the world. Although Cai Yong upheld traditional ethics, he felt sorry for his daughter when she was insulted and would defend her (though there was some scheming involved in the communication). He loved his daughter more and supported her ambitions. The third instance was with Empress Dowager He's palace maid. The fourth instance was when Zhao Zhao, before attacking the city, discovered that the people inside were being forcibly requisitioned and driven out of the city gates. She decided to go around to the rear alone, fighting and taking in the ragged people as she went. "Why should a large army cross the river? After crossing, a large army will come." That city was repeatedly breached and slaughtered, its people treated merely as numbers for requisitioning grain and soldiers. It's so painful. This story isn't as dark as some others, but it's still very heavy. The comment section was quite harmonious. Some people explained the pronunciation of some obscure characters, place names, and personal names, while others explained historical allusions (this article is a fictionalized account, not a historical one). There were also people dubbing the villain's laughter for the female lead in certain situations (hehehehe), interpreting the voice-over and playing along with the memes, and even "historians" writing an autobiography for Zhao Zhao.

4. 4 非 An Unconventional Qing Dynasty Transmigration 非主流清穿 I Want to Eat Meat我想吃肉Romance2.1M WordsCompleted She is the eldest legitimate daughter of an earl, with her own mother and older brother backing her up. She has absolutely no need to worry about anyone in her family making trouble for her. With a family of their standing, they say her wedding crown is sure to be adorned with Eastern Pearls. She doesn't need to scheme just to marry a respectable husband. Once married, as the principal wife and the daughter-in-law who stood out among countless candidates after her father-in-law's careful selecti 39.8kFavorites150.4kClicks/ch32.6kGifts

   Curator note

   This is over a decade old; it's a pity I didn't discover it back then. It's still readable after all these years. The term "non-mainstream" refers to its contrast with the then-popular "unique, lively, modern, Mary Sue, universally adored female protagonist" Qing Dynasty time-travel novels. Back then, most of these stories involved the struggle for the throne among the nine princes, with the main focus being on forming a family with the eventual victor, Emperor Yongzheng. Looking at them now, some are indeed quite absurd (transmigrating into a courtesan, reciting poetry, singing, and dancing, and then captivating everyone). However, time travel was just becoming popular then, and we should allow for a gradual, critical, and progressive development of thought. This story is about a woman who transmigrates into the body of the crown princess of a prince who was deposed twice. The female lead has some very dated verbal tics (of course, she only internally complains to the readers, not openly stating to her servants that everyone is equal), seemingly carefree, but every step she takes is solidly grounded. The overall style is both lighthearted (and satirical) and serious (the overall environment and plot feel quite dramatic). There isn't much focus on romance; rather than a romance novel, it's more like a job, a dangerous job where the general historical outcome is known and the whole family could be doomed at any moment. More emphasis is placed on the court, families, and factions than the inner palace and the inner quarters. It's about palace intrigue, but not about vying for favor; it's about seizing the throne. Emperor Kangxi isn't just a simple background character; he exudes a sense of oppression. The crown prince isn't a stereotypical villain; his personality, the reasons for his formation, and his emotional journey are all discernible. History is changed through many subtle details rather than by simply using a cheat code. Many of the supporting characters were also very touching. They weren't necessarily good people, but they were definitely not simple-minded. Different reasons led to different viewpoints and ways of doing things, making them very vivid and lifelike. They had their own ideas, and the things they did were right from their perspective. The text is a bit long, and towards the end, because there were so many people (officials from different factions), it became a little hard to tell them apart. I finally finished reading it; it's so long! It tells the story of a woman's life from infancy to Empress Dowager. The early part clearly shows signs of time travel, with a modern (more accurately, a decade or so ago) witty and sarcastic style. Later, she's unconsciously assimilated by her environment, becoming a crown princess and empress in a feudal dynasty. She bears children (many children, so be aware if you're sensitive to that), cares for them, provides for her husband's home front, socializes with various ladies, and arranges marriages for various imperial relatives… Although the whole family is in crisis before the crown prince ascends the throne (Kangxi both loves and criticizes the crown prince, wants to cultivate his other sons, and wants them to get along, resulting in the crown prince being hot and cold and constantly under immense pressure—it's no wonder he's going crazy!), The overall situation is relatively smooth for the female lead, without too many tragic moments. The part that made me cry the most was when the young grandson Hongdan was taken to Kangxi to be raised; he had to be careful and cautious at such a young age to earn his father's favor. The night before sending him off, the three of them slept together and cried. Years later, as the Empress, the female lead watched the new imperial grandson cautiously and pretentiously before her, remembering that Hongdan had been even more so (the current Crown Prince's biological mother is still alive, and the Crown Prince's situation back then was even more difficult and awkward), and cried again. Hongdan's wife demonstrated that "being a good wife is not enough for a royal wife"—imperfect but showcasing diversity.

5. 5 少 A Young Man's Journey 少年行 I Want to Eat Meat我想吃肉Romance567k WordsCompleted This story involves transmigration. Bai Zhi made one careless mistake and ended up in someone else's body. When she woke up, her head was still throbbing. Apparently, the girl had gotten blackout drunk last night, just like she had. The girl's one strength was that all her skill points had gone into being born lucky: she had a good father. Unfortunately, her father had disappeared. Her weaknesses... were too numerous to count, including alcoholism, poor scholarship, always taking the opposite si 11.7kFavorites47.3kClicks/ch17.8kGifts

   Curator note

   This story is about a person who transmigrates to a martial arts world. The focus isn't on chivalry or justice, but rather on a modern person whose soul transmigrates (upon arrival, they immediately reveal the truth to their loved ones, without pretending to be the original owner). Upon arrival, they are pushed along by various dangers, completely out of their control. Through a series of coincidences and opportunities, they learn medicine and martial arts, displaying some talent, but even more formidable is their perseverance and willpower. Later, they plan to establish their own sect, but not through a simple, overpowered plot device (the early storyline felt like it was sped up, with scenes progressing in just a few lines and frequent use of time manipulation; after traversing several maps, it still hadn't reached the paid version). Instead, the story unfolds through the conflicts between a grandfather and grandson, showcasing their different ideologies and values, along with trial and error and corrections. Each step is developed with its own story, some detailed, some brief. The female lead isn't a traditionally kind-hearted person. Initially, she's a bit sweary and carefree, and later, her banter with the old man also seems unreliable, but she's very dependable. Having received exam-oriented education in modern times, she maintains a highly disciplined, regular schedule and intense study routine in ancient times, including studying medicine, martial arts, and homework. Her three years of medical training aren't extensively detailed, but later, when arguing with the old man about how "you're so excellent because of my family's excellent bloodline," she mentions having seen over 20,000 cases. Initially, she's indiscriminate in treating patients, earning the nickname "the one who can cure anything," picking up patients everywhere to practice on (of course, not just randomly). Later, a classic clown's insistence that "as a doctor, you should treat patients" leads her to establish rules and regulations (and she still manages to treat that patient). The female lead is not only resolute, discerning, and willing to admit mistakes, but also shameless—in the old man's words, "capable of great things." Regarding the plot about establishing a sect, I strongly recommend everyone watch it themselves; my expressive abilities aren't good enough to describe the excitement and awe I felt. Keep reading and you'll be pleasantly surprised. This time, I realized that I had actually bought a few chapters but hadn't finished reading them. This time, I kept reading and started to write. Several times I wanted to say something, but I haven't written anything in so long that I've forgotten how to express myself. It's frustrating to not be able to express myself properly. You can go and read it for yourself. You'll be captivated by her personal charm time and time again! Another point is that the occasional small contrasts between the martial arts world and modern knowledge are quite interesting. The writing style is concise and the expression is succinct. Some parts are just a single sentence, but afterward, you'll have a feeling of "That's exactly the knowledge point!" Some of the dialogue metaphors are explained in the comments section. I love this kind of expression and understanding. The martial arts world shouldn't be controlled by martial arts families like a dynasty; it should have youthful spirit. But it doesn't encourage reckless, headstrong individuals to charge headlong into danger. Even a seemingly carefree person like Bai Jie, with her occasional glimpses of sadness beneath her usual liveliness, might be about being alone in a strange world or the differing ideologies of those around her. "To do the most romantic things with the most rigid and boring plans," she succeeded. Regarding romance, there is no romantic subplot throughout the story, which fits her character perfectly. For a solitary transmigrator with an independent spirit who knows what she wants, "subordination to men" is a constraint, and childbirth is a threat. She has her own lifelong career to strive for, and it's impossible for her to force a romantic relationship for the sake of a storyline.

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