First of all, to the potential readers, please ignore the previous comments. I read the Chinese novel of this manhua and there are character developments later on in the story. The story will get psychological and it has potential. I don't understand why people would say that there are no character developments and there is no potential when we are only four chapters into the story; it is still pretty much the beginning of the story. You don't know how the story will unfold.

Secondly, a previous comment said that this story is just about rape and the uke doesnt enjoy it. What's wrong with rape stories? You can't give a low rating to a story just because there is rape in it. If you don't like it, then don't read it. And the fact that the uke doesn't enjoy the rape makes the rape realistic, doesn't it? It doesn't glamorize rape like most yaoi stories do which is becoming kind of a cliché in the yaoi world. Rape IS (I can't emphasize enough) supposed to be criminal, horrible, repelling and wrong.

On the one hand, yeah, I get the complaints about this novel/manga. It's not for the faint of heart, and I have to admit that I winced more than once while reading it, even though I consider myself pretty hardened when it comes to violence. Do NOT read either the manga or the novel if you have issues with gory, explicit violence/sexual assault. On the other hand, I personally really appreciate this story for what it is--a deeply disturbing love affair between two people that are pretty much as far from perfect as humanly possible. Both Jing and Lu Cang have their huge (HUGE, HUGE) issues, but that's what makes this story so interesting and its characters so compelling. Sweet, carefree love stories are a dime a dozen, but dark, seductive madness (done well) is much rarer. The manga is absolutely, breathtakingly beautiful, and somehow more comedic than the novel (lol at how they drew the dog scenes), but to really appreciate the full scope of the plot, I'd really recommend reading the novel. The fan translators did an amazing job, and obviously put a lot of care and research into fully explicating the storyline for the rest of us.

To address some of the issues the other reviewers have brought up:
1) the (novel's) ending: I don't know how anyone could possibly have expected a typical "they all live happily ever after." Were we even reading the same story? Jing and Lu Cang were never going to run away together and adopt a dozen kids etc. etc. That's not who they are, as is made clear from the very beginning. The ending is bittersweet, and honestly, sweeter than I expected it to be. It satisfied the audience's expectations while staying true to the characters.
2) the rape is disturbing: well yeah, rape is disturbing. I agree with sunamemory's review on this. Contrary to how it's usually portrayed in yaoi, rape is a horrendous crime. I like that HHYL doesn't make light of it the way yaoi usually does. To me, it's even worse when a manga treats rape like it's no big deal--what the hell sort of message does that send? If you can't stomach a more realistic portrayal of rape and how it affects the victim, avoid HHYL.

My first Xing Bao Er Novel. HHYL really gave me a creep in the middle.
The author successfully describing rape = not love in yaoi world.
Jing is very cruel super sadistic seme and heartless, merciless, all the shameful thing we can throw at him. First volume, it full of heartbreaking story of how cruel Jing to Lu Cang. But Lu Cang still loving him. It's not because Lu Cang fell for his rapist. But Lu Cang fall in love in Jing at first sight without knowing Jing is a man.
Lu Cang never touched women and believe it's impossible to find his soulmate lover. But when he saw Jing he actually think that Jing is his soulmate for life. But however Lu Cang loves Jing, at early story their sex are not enjoyable and sad. It has good plot because it is so rare to see seme like Jing. So unbelievable. Recommended.

Note : in ancient Chinese there are actually homosexual couple. And indeed in history there was king who had male partner, just like Jing. So the way Jing behave and people around him accept it's not something so 'uncommon'. It's not normal in that time but not 'so uncommon'.
Read history before you guys throw tantrum. There were some emperors & noble class who indeed prefer men or bisexual.
Even there was an Emperor who devoted to his male partner and passed away without an heir.

... Last updated on September 9th, 2015, 12:11pm

I’LL PAY!!! I’LL PAY ACTUAL MONEY FOR PEOPLE TO TRANSLATE THE MANGA!!! PLEASE!!!!

... Last updated on January 4th, 2020, 10:44am

I admit I'm one big SADIST and liking this manhua the way I do just proves that. This is not for the faint-hearted for it has a lot of sadistic tendencies. Just the fact that a very powerful, beyond gorgeous looking emperor finds it extremely enjoyable (in my observation at least) to not just sexually violate the protagonist but also do it to extremes with pain, manipulation, humiliation and of course sadism. What more could we ask for? This has a perfect combination of very great art, amazing plot and very intense story progression. Everybody says this is too much but that's the best part about it. This manhua doesn't hold back on anything which makes it great. It's got none of that sissy love stuff ( like I said not for the faint-hearted ). I enjoyed this to the fullest. Definite 10 in my list.

The translator apologizes for this at the beginning of the scanlation, but the translation comes across as a little stilted and has strange syntax at times.

BUT, the story is getting interesting and crazy!

... Last updated on October 2nd, 2012, 1:21am

this one is not your average, sweet, heart-warming yaoi. the art is beautiful, the smexy scenes are detailed and, well... smexy, the story is taking place in a historical era BUT the main couple doesn't really behave like a couple. I mean, the seme is obsessed with the uke, feels all these dark feelings like possesiveness, jealousy, etc but that's all there is to him. he won't treat him nicely, he thinks the uke is some kind of fascinating toy and won't be serious about him. the other guy is a victim of constant rapes and wants a way out of this situation. it seems impossible for this story to have a happy ending. But I want to see some romance and that's why I'll keep reading this one.

This one sure is good, just as the previous comments had stated, it's hard to say how the story would progress especially their characters though it has it's own potential and with only a few chapters, it can captivate people like me (yaoi fangirls! and those who doesn't mind rape) in a second. I also like how the characters started off. I really want to see how they would improve throughout the story, especially Jing's.

It's not a typical one, and readers who doesn't care much about rape would probably find this one beautiful. It's one of the best of the best for me. (not exaggerating) Butt in the art style, I'm definitely a sucker for this! XD

Though it seems to be too fast paced and it lacks detail in the story board, like it's only for the bed scene but one comment stated that it's just the beginning and I hope the incoming chapters would make the story develop more... Well, can't wait for the rest!

If only they were selling this in the country i live in, I would order it in a breath's time. (I don't like ordering online)

... Last updated on February 3rd, 2013, 4:38am

the story was good, it was unique i got to say. a bit surprised when the " strong guy there' ended being the emperor's bottom XDDD

though somehow.. i wanted this to be " sad ending' i don't like that emperor and it would be good if in the end the emperor did not get what he wanted LOL XDDD

The art is majestically beautiful! And the story is mind blowing. I have no idea why the other comments said that the story is going nowhere at all? I read the novel (translated one) a few days ago & the story is progressing very well. So if you haven't read it, please don't say that the story is going nowhere at all -__- because trust me, it is.

If you're not into rape I suggest you don't read this at all. It does contain a handful of it. But if you're the type of person who's going to say "Yeah I can handle rape" then you might as well read it because it is THAT good that it might even change your mind lol