After the Disabled God of War Became My Concubine vol. 2 by Liu Gou Hua: review

5/5 stars on Goodreads

After the Disabled God of War Became My Concubine vol. 2 by Liu Gou Hua

The second volume of the story of Jiang Suizhou, a modern-day history professor who has transmigrated to past, continues where the first left off. As Prince of Jing, the sickly brother of what he knows to be the last emperor of the current dynasty, he uses his knowledge of what’s to come to change the outcome more favourable for himself.

Jiang Suizhou’s main aim is to try to prevent Huo Wujiu, the enemy general who’ll eventually be victorious, from killing him, as he knows will happen. He’s a bit out of his depth with Huo Wujiu though, because the present reality doesn’t match the history records. Huo Wujiu is his prisoner and his concubine, like a paper he was grading before he transmigrated suggested, much to his anger.

Huo Wujiu is badly injured because of the torture he’s been submitted to. Jiang Suizhou, together with his two advisors, both pretending to be his concubines, have come up with a plan to find a doctor for him. Jiang Suizhou will fall gravely ill—thanks to a poison—and when the imperial doctors are unable to heal him, he can summon his own doctors.

The plan works better than he could believe. The doctor is capable and in no time at all, he can make Huo Wujiu’s legs work again. Not that they tell Jiang Suizhou. And he tells Jiang Suizhou that his sickly constitution is because of poisoning in his childhood and can be reversed.

The second volume was full of court intrigue. Jiang Suizhou is busy trying to thwart the schemes of the emperor’s uncle, the Grand Chancellor. He’s successful, but it brings the chancellor’s wrath on him. Soon, his life is in danger. Luckily for him, Huo Wujiu isn’t as helpless as he appears.

But the best part of the second volume was the development of the relationship of Jiang Suizhou and Huo Wujiu. It emerges during long hours when Jiang Suizhou sits by Huo Wujiu’s bedside when he suffers from the effects of the healing process, and blossoms in their scheming against the emperor. There’s still secrets between them and many misunderstandings of each other’s intentions, but some sweet moments too. And the ending brings clarity to one thing: Jiang Suizhou has definitely caught feelings.

This continues to be well-written and entertaining. There’s nothing unnecessary, no fillers and no repetitions. The characters are well-formed and the plot is interesting. The romance is slow-burn, but worth rooting for. I’ll definitely read more.