To Be A Virtuous Wife

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As a virtuous wife, does it include tolerating his cousin, enduring his concubines, bearing his mother?

If you will not let me live freely, why would I let you live in satisfaction?

Did fate let women time-travel so they could learn the three morals and four virtues?

Rather than act like a coward and live, it would be better to live in satisfaction and die.

Associated Names
One entry per line
He Wei Xian Qi
Thế nào là hiền thê
ชายาผู้มีคุณธรรม
何为贤妻
Related Series
N/A
Recommendations
Eight Treasures Trousseau (31)
Chu Wang Fei (14)
Husband, Be A Gentleman (12)
Chongfei Manual (9)
Demon Wang’s Golden Favorite Fei (8)
Mei Gongqing (7)
Recommendation Lists
  1. Ancient china love stories
  2. My Fav BGs
  3. The Girlies of Ancient Times (Historical)
  4. HISTORICALLY LIKEABLE <3
  5. lifes better in saturn

Latest Release

Date Group Release
10/22/15 Dreams of Jianghu c48
10/21/15 Dreams of Jianghu c47
10/20/15 Dreams of Jianghu c46
10/19/15 Dreams of Jianghu c45
10/18/15 Dreams of Jianghu c44
10/17/15 Dreams of Jianghu c43
10/16/15 Dreams of Jianghu c42
10/15/15 Dreams of Jianghu c41
10/14/15 Dreams of Jianghu c40
10/13/15 Dreams of Jianghu c39
10/12/15 Dreams of Jianghu c38
10/11/15 Dreams of Jianghu c37
10/10/15 Dreams of Jianghu c36
10/09/15 Dreams of Jianghu c35
10/08/15 Dreams of Jianghu c34
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355 Reviews sorted by


Anastrisha
Anastrisha rated it
November 8, 2016
Status: --
It's a nice and wonderful story.

The Female lead wasn't OP or anything and handled the situation in a somehow realistic way. It's just it's somehow depressing yet it's the truth as it felt like until the end there was only that deep trust within them, perhaps the male lead shown to have been fallen in love but the female's feeling for him even now is still unknown. And they even somehow silently accept that feeling's always change and just as love hence they might not know for their next lifetime,... more>> but in that lifetime they'll be together -which is why I like the female lead's character, even at the end she still knows her place and knows there's limit. <<less
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chibiheaven
chibiheaven rated it
November 3, 2016
Status: Completed
This was a beautiful story.

I can't quite describe how I felt.

This story was an attempt to realistically depict the life of a reincarnated modern women in a historical setting. There is no nonsense wugong and overpowered female main characters in this novel.

You'll fall in love with the female protagonist in this sweet slice of life historical romance. She is realistic, witty, and charming. Please don't be turned off by the summary and give it a chance.
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Ars
Ars rated it
July 9, 2016
Status: --
To Be a Virtuous Wife is one of the top stories of the "I woke up in ancient China as a disadvantaged noblewoman" type, alongside the Mistaken Marriage Match series. The story has a sense of ease and flow made from a well-thought out progression and keen editing. The MC's maturity and self-confidence make her truly virtuous; unlike most MCs in this genre, she isn't embroiled in some terrible life-or-death intrigue, and thus lives a normal life. She makes everything seem effortless, though the reader can obviously tell that a... more>> lesser woman would crumble in her position (as had the original owner of her body). The MC's careful handling of every situation defuses most potential drama sites before they can start, making for a beautiful slice of life void of the hair-tearing and contrived events that you come to expect in these kinds of stories.

When I first started reading, I dropped the story after spending a chapter with the male lead because he felt absolutely, dreadfully boring. I'm extremely glad that I picked this back up, though - the male lead's personality only shows later, when the MC actually spends time with him. What I like most about the male lead is his subtle intelligence and unstated court manipulations, as well as how his love for the MC develops as he learns her personality. I think this kind of romance is much more touching than the typical 'fell in love because she's pretty and maybe did some weird things' which I had come to expect. All in all, this story is a must if you enjoy romance, Ancient China, and/or transmigration. It's also an excellent pick if you're looking for an intelligent and capable female lead. <<less
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Nana (ノ◕ヮ◕)ノ*:・゚✧
Nana (ノ◕ヮ◕)ノ*:・゚✧ rated it
February 29, 2016
Status: --
The female lead is the most outstanding robot female lead ever (or can I say plot armor usually used on xianxia novel?). She's perfect in every direction, she's pretty and her husband is very much infatuated with her, she can manage her household well, her interpersonal relationship is always correct. She befriend will correct people, and demean the useless one. Her life is smooth sailing and she do anything that make her happy.
Even I quite enjoy it, I can't help thinking about how the apricot can she know about formality and protocol used in the ancient time when her family neglect her that badly and she, herself come from modern world?

So I can say that this series is a slice of life novel using Chinese custom.
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merylstreepily
merylstreepily rated it
November 20, 2023
Status: Completed
Personally I was looking for a hot steamy romance and this wasn't giving that. This is more like a slice of life of an transmigrated FL who was trying to find her own comfortable place. But I gotta give credits to the author.

What kept me reading was the way MC handle things without being assertive and how ML comes to only see her in his eyes to the end. Every move they made had a reason, both of them really couldn't trust anyone in the beginning, especially MCl; coming from... more>> the modern world. This novel really reminds of of Dreamer in Spring Boudoir. Both realistic. The difference is this MC is lucky that she got this ML. <<less
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Illin_v
Illin_v
August 21, 2023
Status: Completed
I have reread this story a few times already. When I want a feel good palace story, I will read this one😊
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Bloodkiller
Bloodkiller
June 23, 2023
Status: Completed
Ngl best read, its refreshing, love it.

I read many novel from different genres but this one is different well written "no bullsh*t " "no fillers" "no bad one side-minded characters".

I recommend this to read it. But it some time to read it cuz first 3 -4 chapter r pain in ass to read or digest becuz of footnotes but its better translation as u read on.
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linlun
linlun rated it
June 18, 2023
Status: --
Great story with a great plot. I have to say it's almost perfect. Up to the side characters, the relationships between the characters, plot twists and denouement, I liked everything.

I also liked FL. She's smart and sagacious, understands the situation around her well and adapts easily.

The novel itself is very colorful. All characters have a place in the story, and they all have their own ending.

In general, this is a perfect read for me, there is nothing superfluous here and I'm very satisfied.
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trash_generalist
trash_generalist
January 13, 2023
Status: Completed
The heroine of this novel is called Qu Qingju. She transmigrated into the body of the unfavored wife of the second prince, He Heng (the ML). The original owner was weak-willed and not fit to be the master of the second prince's estate, leading to her early death. But with the FL taking her place, things changed. The FL is a very calculating kind of person. One may describe her as cold, but that's not really the case. She's just very practical. She doesn't think of herself as a protagonist... more>> from the very beginning. She just wants to live the best life she can have within the limits of her current identity. That meant straightening up the ML's concubines, pleasing her mother-in-law, and, of course, attracting the attention of her new husband.

I like that the heroine doesn't hesitate when it comes to pursuing her goals. Her personality may seem bland in other romance novels, but in this one, it ended up working out just right. From the very beginning, she knew what she wanted and how to get it. There was almost no tension in that regard. My desire to keep reading was focused mainly on the development of the other characters.

For example, there's the slow evolution of the ML from a cold husband that favored many, to a henpecked husband who wanted to stay with his wife forever XD. None of the minor characters get short-changed either. Each of them undergo a change of some sort throughout the story (some more intense than others). I really liked this! And I'm now eager to read more of the author's other stories to experience more of it hehe.

TL: As for the TL quality, the TL is not the cleanest and not the easiest to read, but its readable with a bit of patience. A lot of the terms are left untranslated, and I almost wanted to give up on reading it several times XD. BUT, because I had read another one of the author's works previously, I decided to just grit my teeth. I don't regret it, even if it was a pain at first. (My advice is to have the chapter open on the TL notes on your computer while you read on your phone. That's how I did it, anyway).

Rating: 4.5/5

This novel is probably not for just anyone. No, that's a bit wrong. I guess I should say that this novel is better read when you're in the mood for this kind of novel. For example, if you're expecting the usual fast-food romance and face-slapping, then this is not the novel for you. Never mind the amount of patience required because of the TL, there's also the matter of the plot of the novel itself. I didn't think it was boring at all, but if you come into it expecting something, it's likely you'll dislike it. So yeah! ALL in all, I think it's a great read. But it requires a certain mood and some mental preparations. <<less
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elliepot
elliepot rated it
December 28, 2022
Status: Completed
This was one of the first Chinese Historical novels I read on this site so I hold an attachment to it. I’ve reread it a few times as well. This novel introduced me to different Chinese terminologies and honorifics used during Ancient China which eventually allowed me to be more at ease when I read other novels of the same genre.

I enjoyed the novel mostly because I learned a lot about the overall social structure during the Chinese Dynasty, the concept of concubines, imperial harem, political intrigue and top notch... more>> scheming. People were brutal back then, killing s*aves and other people without batting an eyelash was the norm. Dragging each other down to bring oneself up, was the circulating belief of the noble families. The romance wasn’t too bad but personally it felt more of a side plot since the main goal of the female protagonist was to survive and live a comfortable life. <<less
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Vanity99
Vanity99 rated it
October 30, 2022
Status: c1
Story was probably good and novel in 2013, but now too many with better plot and less gaps exist (like how she knows everything and why he suddenly values her so much, when she was dying because of neglect few days ago). Also quite boring in general. And I don’t understand why translator decided to use so many Chinese terms, even for such simple words like servant, young girl, concubine etc. I am not even starting on all these brothers; er de told didi I that er di went... more>> to his fu, would be a normal sentence from this translation :) <<less
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smlsqshy
smlsqshy rated it
May 6, 2022
Status: Completed
it's such a good story, not many scheme or drama.

i often wonder if they're both (he heng & qing ju) really love each other since I can't really see the difference when their feelings turn into love since they're both good at acting from the beginning. But I think you can called it love, though they never talked about love, their action potrayed how they'd love each other.

i thought that this story would have a lot of drama from the description and setting, but no. You can read this leisurely.

this... more>> kinda remind me of other story, the job of imperial concubine.
Spoiler

and I wonder if he heng is just too smart that he knew about qing ju's feeling for him or that qing ju isn't as smart at pretending to love like zhuang laoyan from that story.

[collapse]

sometimes I found this story a little bit lacking in some aspects, not to the point of boring of course.

the author didn't set qing ju as the female lead to be an OP characters, the only thing she's really has a talent is dancing (and that only for he heng to see), there's no event to show her talents anyway. But he heng's character is the typical unrealistic male lead that I doubt even exist, well blame me for my issues. And I TELL YOU HE FELL FOR HER FIRST. <<less
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Pixchelitas
Pixchelitas
March 13, 2022
Status: Completed
Wow it's really good novel. At first I was annoyed with the titles/rank and footnote. But after around 5 chapters it wasn't really there anymore. And you also can refer to 'Cast' (can be found on the site menu) to understand their complicated titles and such. Simply said it's a moving story, I truly love the love between FL and ML.
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Mehmeh713
Mehmeh713
January 17, 2022
Status: Completed
A wonderful slice of life ancient Chinese romance. The mood and tone is deliberately slow and even mellow though dramatic events happen regularly.

Romance: I really like how the FL and ML’s relationship developed over time as well as the reasons and considerations involved. From ML wanting to respect traditions about getting along with his wife to his attraction and respect for her to deeply falling in love with her. For the FL, she’s very realistic in the sense that she’s already his wife and it’s necessary for her lifestyle to... more>> keep a good relationship with him but she also does fall for him (though she does keep him on his toes because of her love for herself, her awareness of how much more difficult it is for her as a woman in this time period, as well the possibility that he will one day fall out of love with her).

I think at the start, their relationship felt somewhat fake in that they both just seem to really like sleeping together and their interactions otherwise are kind of placid. But over the course of the book, other than the occasions where they show genuine concern for each other which is sweet, it’s shown that they are truly a marriage of equals. Just as ML maintains a good image and acts appropriately while being really scheming, FL also keeps her own image within boundaries and manages the circumstances around her flexibly to her advantage. ML doesn’t actually have to protect her because she fully carries out her responsibilities and works to improve and maintain whatever advantages she has. While ML treasures and pampers FL, it’s because she really deserves and can handle it.

By the end of the book, their relationship which seemed shallow comes to feel like a great marriage of equals where they both persistently act to keep their relationship strong. Their love isn’t super fairy tale like nor is it dramatic but it is very genuine. Very enjoyable read. <<less
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Julyeys
Julyeys
November 26, 2021
Status: --
It always on my recommendation but I don’t read it. I tried reading it but the 1st chapter is so boring. But I muster the courage and read it. And boy, where have I been? The story is really good. Worth reading.
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Ariata
Ariata rated it
November 4, 2021
Status: Completed
When I first read the description, I didn't really attract to it. But after read it, I found that this novel is a GEM.

Maybe some will find that the story is boring, but for those who like the typical realistic and steady romance or strong yet realistic characters, I recommend you this one.

Spoiler

ML is a prince who married to FL through the decree of the Emperor. At first he didn't really like her, because she is not "her" yet, so her personality was a timid one. He knew this type of person couldn't live well in the imperial family. So he didn't have any interest on her. It was after "she" became her that he began to like her. Because he saw she changed to be a better one.

She was not timid anymore and began to show her power as a mistress of the house. She knew how to respect and love herself. She knew how to treat people. She fulfilled her duty as wife and the Mistress and as daughter in law.

He also fulfilled his duty as a husband and as a prince and as a son. He protected her very well. Later when he is really in love with her, he promise her to only favor her. Even though she didn't really believe it. But she knew he was sincere at the moment. She just didn't know for how long he could keep the promise. So she couldn't fully give her love to him.


She is just a super adorable character. I like her the most. The 2nd that I like is her mother in law and the ML. I also like their love. They show their love through actions. They have the typical mature relationship
[collapse]

The revenge in this story is also super satisfied. It's not cruel but just right. There will be some character development for some side characters.

Overall it's a good story.
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darkelf01
darkelf01 rated it
August 9, 2021
Status: Completed
THIS!! I hereby declare that I'm a fervent stan of this novel.

This story is the answer of what The Concubine's Daughter Minglan lacked. I loved the MC's attitude to bits and the ML's silent support of her no-nonsense attitude, even though it started as a proper respect of the main wife that is her due to receive. For example:

... more>>
Spoiler

"Ben wang's woman, she only needs to be good to me. To others, being bad is fine."

[collapse]

I actually enjoyed the slow growth of their romance so much because I can read and believe what naturally developed between the leads without getting a whiplash.

Spoiler

She wasn't the type of person live in discomfort. If she really had to live in hardship and unpleasantness for her entire life, it would be better for her to just jump into a pond right now.

[collapse]

If only more ancient FLs are like her, I wouldn't have to rage-quit a lot. I like that she's so indifferent to the power play but once someone tried to cross swords with her, she turned into a blood-sucking, vengeful vixen I couldn't help but adore.

The ML is kinda unique, too. My first impression of him wasn't about how standard he was, but about his apparent fetish of luan buyou (bird-shaped hair accessories) XD. The MC noticed and milked it for all it's worth that it became the starting point of his attraction to her.

Also, I adore that both leads are mature adults who, even though they knew that they were strangers who married each other due to politics, it didn't prevent them from respecting each other and they're quite open to the possibility of love passion after marriage. <<less
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Uninspiredfae
Uninspiredfae rated it
August 8, 2021
Status: Completed
This is the kind of fluff that gently flows rather than intensely passionate, which is why some readers and reviewers stated that it's boring.

MC's stance on love is basically reverse psychology on the males in this era, who are used to having subservient women throwing themselves into the men's harems. This ploy, whether subconscious or intentional, protected her heart and made it extremely attractive/peerless to the ML.

Some reviewers wrote that the ML loves the MC more than she loves him. I don't agree. While he does stay true to her,... more>> doesn't she stay true to him as well? ML is incredibly intelligent and understands that this female responds like with like and values her above all. She knew that if she fawns over him, it would be a turn off, so there's no way to express her love. For example, her half-sis was so desperate and look at her ending.

Anyway, this was a gratifying read with decent face slapping! <<less
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mercipourleslivres
mercipourleslivres rated it
July 21, 2021
Status: Completed
I tried reading Eight Treasures Trousseau first and found myself kind of bored. On the other hand, this novel seemed to flow a lot better and I found myself caring about leads very quickly. If you're trying to choose between which to read, I'd say To Be a Virtuous Wife is definitely the stronger of the two works.
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javv
javv rated it
June 28, 2021
Status: Completed
this is the first cnovel I have read, which is quite significant 'cause its overturned some of my addictions from japanese lightnovels that years back, from then on I have read dozens if not hundreds cnovels although the plotlines nowadays are becoming overly repeatitive.

its rational characters are quite compelling, its insightful details in the ancient times of what is the norm of their society, of what is demanded of women and their reality make it quite remarkable. And the way that the author make it appealing by quietly merging the... more>> flow of the story to what is acceptible on our current beliefs nowadays. Its a marvelous read👍 <<less
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