To Embers We Return (焚情) Read-Along: Chapters 1 to 10

[douqi]

Ning Yuan (宁远) started serlalising her much-anticipated (especially by me) historical cyberpunk novel To Embers We Return (焚情, pinyin: fen qing, formerly known as Burning Passions but that sounded too much like the kind of historical romance that has a clinch cover with the leads' hair blowing dramatically in the wind) today. Since I know at least one other comm member is reading it as it serialises, I thought I would set up this read-along post.

Here's the updated summary for the novel (I posted about the original summary here):

When Shen Ni returned home covered in glory, the emperor granted her the position of an official of the first rank, as well as the hand in marriage of the woman she had been in love with ever since her youth, Bian Jin.

Bian Jin had once been the empire's sharpest blade — a weapon in human form whose very name filled their enemies' hearts with terror. But after a string of serious battlefield injuries, she could only stand upright with the aid of a mechanical spine.

After their wedding, unresolved conflicts between the two meant that their marriage remained unconsummated, and they continued to address each other as 'shijie' and 'shimei'. Shen Ni kept a record of every single change in the sensitivity readings of every part of Bian Jin's new cybernetic body.

Each time she made adjustments to Bian Jin's body, Shen Ni would wear gloves. She knew her shijie had an obsession with cleanliness, and hated being touched.

Bian Jin: It's just a prosthetic. There's no need for all this fuss.
Shen Ni: The proprieties must be observed.
Bian Jin: Last night, I kept asking you stop, but you didn't. I didn't see you observing the proprieties then.

As Shen Ni was fine-tuning Bian Jin's body, a small mishap resulted in Bian Jin's skin developing a heightened level of sensitivity that only Shen Ni was able to trigger. The temperature in their bridal chamber rose instantly from 'cool' to 'scorching'.

Bian Jin: Are we going to test my body again tonight? Every time my sensitivity readings go up, I'll reward you.

***

Shen Ni straightened her official's hat, and met the 'gaze' of the spybeast hovering in the air. The monster who wanted to destroy the world had finally shown its cold, poisoned claws.

Her human genes summoned her to the aid of the ancient and noble civilisation that had birthed her. She would defend it to her last breath, even if it meant having her guts smeared across the landscape.

Random passerby: Hey, I think the monster who wants to destroy the world might be your wife.
Shen Ni: (nonplussed silence)
Shen Ni: What's there to love about this greedy, corrupt world? Let it be destroyed!

The fall of a degenerate society was close at hand. The land ran red with blood.

Bian Jin, her body now in peak condition thanks to Shen Ni's efforts, placed the point of her sword against Shen Ni's heart. 'Don't you understand?' she said. 'I was just using you.'

Shen Ni, completely drenched in blood, took a step forward. 'And after you're done using me, will you reward me?'

Bian Jin: ...what.

Here is the link to the novel on JJWXC. I'll write a summary of each chapter in separate comments. Please feel free to join in, even if you're not reading the novel but are have questions/reactions. Obviously, there will be spoilers in the comments!

Comments

[douqi]

This sets the two officials blushing, and they hurry away, clearly believing they've heard enough.
As people officially tasked with witnessing consummation go, this pair is pretty weak. Not a patch on the two court aunties in Traitor's End, who listened at the couple's door until the activity had died down, provided running commentary, and even at one point poked a hole in the window to see the action.

Of course there would be sex toys (though the title of 'baihe author whose girlfriend is a sex toy designer' belongs to a different author).

Bian Jin looks away, thinking, she's as uninhibited as ever.
Given that the word for 'uninhibited' could arguably also be translated as 'wanton', I really really want to know now what happened between these two.

[kwirkee76]

This was a jam-packed summary, full of goodies. It feels like a lot got revealed between the two. Really enjoyed it!

Regarding Traitor’s End … is that the one you’re thinking of translating? *easily confused*

I feel like aunties getting asked to listen in on wedding night activities can handle it more ‘scientifically’ because they’re less likely to be affected, if you catch my drift. Hahaha

[douqi]

No, it's a different book I'm thinking of translating.

Yeah, the aunties are another level haha.

[neuxue]

the title of 'baihe author whose girlfriend is a sex toy designer' belongs to a different author
1) Might I ask who does hold this illustrious title?
2) The florist/tattoo artist fic trope needs to get on this level

[douqi]

That's Jiu Nuan Chun Shen, who wrote Miss Forensics! She was invited to JJWXC's last authors' conference and took her girlfriend with her, posting something about 'romantic getaway on the platform's dime'.

[kwirkee76]

I wonder how long that particular career could realistically last? I mean, how many ways can you design a sex toy? I guess I'm pretty vanilla in that respect. haha hahaa