The Story in 3 Sentences
A modern woman, Shen Chuwei, transmigrates into the body of a neglected concubine in the ancient East Palace, expecting nothing more than a quiet life of leisure .
Her plans for peaceful freeloading are upended when the aloof Crown Prince, Xiao Jinyan, who can read minds, finds her refreshingly guileless and begins to deeply pamper her .
She navigates palace intrigue, rises from obscurity to become Crown Princess, and ultimately secures a happily-ever-after with her doting husband and their beloved twins .
Why It Stands Out
1. The Mind-Reading Matchmaker
The novel’s core hook is brilliantly simple: a hero who can hear everyone’s scheming thoughts finds peace only with the one heroine whose mind is either silent or hilariously mundane, turning his supernatural ability into the ultimate romantic catalyst.
2. Salted Fish Supreme
Shen Chuwei’s “salted fish” persona—lazy, food-obsessed, and utterly uninterested in the cutthroat competition for the Crown Prince’s favor—is a comedic goldmine and a refreshing subversion of the typical ambitious palace heroine, making her accidental victories even sweeter.
3. Sweetness Without the Saccharine
Despite the harem setting, the story delivers on its “1v1, sweet and clean romance” promise, focusing on the tender, often humorous, bond between the leads, offering a comforting, low-angst read where the biggest drama is often just the heroine trying to sneak a nap or an extra snack.
Characters That Leave a Mark
There’s Lady Chang – the Empress’s favorite niece, originally destined for the Crown Princess title, whose ambitions are laid bare to the mind-reading prince, making her a formidable but transparent rival .
You’ll meet Lady Xu, who confronts Shen Chuwei with territorial warnings about her turn to serve the Crown Prince, embodying the competitive spirit of the palace that Xiao Jinyan so despises .
And Xiao Jinyan? They’re the one who possesses the power to hear every deceitful thought in the palace, yet finds solace and genuine affection in Shen Chuwei’s simple, uncalculated presence, transforming from an aloof observer to a devoted partner .
The Flaws Fans Debate
The translation is riddled with errors, particularly with character names being mixed up and applied inconsistently, which can be confusing and break immersion .
While the story is captivating, the sheer volume of grammatical mistakes and pronoun errors makes it feel unpolished and can be frustrating for readers who value clean prose.
Some readers felt the story dragged in its final chapters, spending perhaps too much time resolving secondary character arcs after the main romantic plot had reached its satisfying conclusion.
Must-Experience Arcs
Ch. 1–50: The Accidental Concubine – Shen Chuwei arrives in the palace, declares her intent to just “freeload,” and inadvertently captures the Crown Prince’s attention on her very first night, setting the tone for their unconventional romance .
Ch. 300–400: The Rise of the Salted Fish – As Xiao Jinyan’s favor becomes undeniable, Shen Chuwei must navigate the escalating jealousy of rivals like Lady Chang and Lady Xu, using her wit and his mind-reading abilities to turn their schemes against them.
Ch. 600–End: Crown Princess and Beyond – The story culminates in Shen Chuwei’s ascension, the birth of the twins, and the heartwarming scramble of the Emperor and Empress to dote on their grandchildren, tying up every loose end with a neat, happy bow.
Killer Quotes
“Your Highness, I’m still too young.”
“The Crown Prince is yours, I promise I’m just here to freeload.”
“You will serve me tonight.”
Cultural Impact
The novel has garnered a dedicated fanbase who affectionately refer to Shen Chuwei as the ultimate “salted fish” protagonist, a meme that celebrates her lazy, food-first attitude.
Readers frequently praise its ability to be a “guilty pleasure” or “comfort read,” often finishing it in one or two sittings despite its length, drawn in by the simple, sweet romance.
Its popularity on Webnovel is evidenced by its high chapter count and numerous reader reviews, which, despite noting flaws, overwhelmingly recommend it for its entertaining and heartwarming core.
Final Verdict
Start Here If You Want:
A pure, low-stakes romantic escape where the biggest conflict is often just the heroine being too lazy.
A hilarious subversion of palace intrigue tropes, where the hero’s superpower is seeing through everyone’s lies.
A guaranteed happy ending with adorable babies and doting in-laws, perfect for when you need a feel-good story.
Study If You Love:
Analyzing the use of supernatural elements (mind-reading) as a narrative device to explore themes of authenticity and trust in relationships.
The evolution of the “transmigrator” and “salted fish” tropes in modern webnovels and their appeal to contemporary audiences.
The structure of long-form webnovels that prioritize consistent, episodic romantic development over complex, overarching plots.
Avoid If You Prefer:
Flawless, professionally edited prose, as the translation issues are a significant and frequently cited drawback.
Complex, multi-layered political intrigue, as the palace drama often takes a backseat to the central romance.
Stories where the heroine is a strategic mastermind; Shen Chuwei’s victories come from her authenticity, not her cunning.
