If there’s a man, love you regardless of house, race, belief, what kind of happiness will you be in? If there’s a man, when you are in need will immediately appear, regardless of high mountains vast seas, fire or ice, what kind of happiness will you be in? If there’s a man, regardless of what kind of trouble you meet, he can effortlessly resolve all of it, even if it’s life-age-illness-death, what kind of happiness will you be in? If, in your most beautiful years, if you encounter this kind of man, possess his vow to love you lifetime after lifetime, what kind of happiness will you be in?
“This lifetime, the proudest thing I have done, is my promise of love to you.” Famed author Tonghua’s popular works 《Startled by the Step》《Song in the Clouds》《Ballad of the Desert》 all are historical romances, hailed by readers as China’s #1 historical romance figure. 《Once Promised》 is her comeback masterpiece to historical romance, depicting an epic love story. Within the book, there is the most engrossing love and hate, the most vast grace and grief, the most perfect man, can satisfy a reader’s most beautiful yearning towards love.
*Shan Jing Hai Ji takes place during the myth-shrouded period in ancient Chinese history 三皇五帝 “Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors”
The sequel is Eternally Yearning For You (Lost You Forever).
[Ebook 1& 2] [Eng Translation] [Từng thề ước][증허락][Brief Intro & Scene Translation] [Spoilers – Ending]
[Eng Summary][Drama with Eng Subs][Audiobook 1 & 2] [Audiobook2][Radio Drama]
For those who haven’t read it yet, maybe this will lure you in: http://www.tudou.com/programs/view/Q9SzF_HWIr0/?fr=rec1
oh look! on the cover it says ‘Promise me a Forever’ haha, didn’t know it had an english name! I can’t believe I just noticed that haha
Of course I can recognise his soft like candy voice saying he’ll wait for me under the cherry blossom tree, LOL. Arrrgh, why got him to read the teaser only? The girl also read the male’s part in the audio book? Please leave a msg to him telling him how much I like his voice only:P
Yes, this reader does both the female and male parts. She’s one of the best readers. lol I’ll leave him a message.
Can someone write a brief summary for me? I just started the introduction, and it’s a bit boring so far.
You haven’t gotten to the part where Ah Heng asks Chi You for directions to a town right? Everything starting at that moment is very cute and funny.
In the first chapter:
The story starts when a place called Jiu Li who is a human tribe under the ruling of Shen Nong God territory. Since humans during the time are very low status, they must give human sacrifices to the Gods. At the time, there was a beast that came to live in the woods of Jiu Li who they came to worship as the King of Beast because he was able to command all the animals of the wood. Jiu Li stopped giving sacrifices to the Gods and this angered them. Zhu Rong one of the general Gods of Shen Nong, knows that there is a so called King of Beast who is leading these humans to not fear them any more, so Zhu Rong wants to kill the Beast.
That Beast is Chi You, I’m not exactly sure if he’s really a beast or a demi-god or what, let’s just say he was not feral. Chi You during the time was no match for Zhu Rong even though he was very clever, but he was no match for Zhu Rong who was a powerful God. Chi You got injured by Zhu Rong’s fire, which was some sort of a tracking signal feature, so Zhu Rong was able to track down Chi You even though he hid very well. Chi You being a very proud beast rather commit suicide than to the catch by his huntsman, so he jumped down a canyon. It happened he didn’t die, instead he catches sight of the main girl when she was playing in the water in the river under the canyon where he was. Chi You saw Ah Heng (the main girl) as his mate because she resembles him (like a pigeon seeing a female pigeon or a wolf see a female wolf). Knowing that Zhu Rong was going to catch up to him, he didn’t want the girl to get hurt because of him, so he decides to leave.
Zhu Rong never killed Chi You because he got saved by Yan Di (the ruler of Shen Nong). Yan Di took Chi You in as his disciple and teached him how to be a God/Human. Yan Di is like Guo Jing to Yang Guo.
Thanks for the summary. It makes more sense now. I’ve gotten to the part where A’Heng dies after being used as a sacrifice. I think Chi You and A’Heng’s relationship was funny, but I’m not that touched by his love for her yet. It seemed too sudden.
Is there a love triangle?
Yup, there’s nothing touching yet. The 2nd guy is coming soon. He’s Shao Hao, this guy: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shaohao
He’s Ah Heng’s brother’s friend, a Hu Ge-ish character.
I couldn’t read beyond the first book because it was too depressing. I loved and was touched by how much Ah Heng trusted and loved Chi You but I can’t reconcile with the fact that our hero is someone who can’t even trust the one he supposedly loves. I know it fits into his character (how untrusting, how vicious he is) BUT i can’t tolerate the way he treated her especially during the times when Ah Heng had to put so much at risk just to keep to THEIR promise.
Ok enough rant. I did tell myself to finish the second volume eventually coz I know Chi You redeemed himself (and their r/s) but my heart just felt too heavy after the first volume. Tong Hua has this power to inflict so much sadness and heaviness of heart through her novels. I rem moping around for minimum 1 week after finishing 步步惊心 and 云中歌
Yah. Continue it, the first chapter he already redeem himself for his moment of distrust with all those years of waiting. I took a few months break in between.
I’ve read many comparisons, out of all of tonghua’s novels, this one is definitely the most heart pulling. I cried for almost every living thing. My poor Ah Bii, i cried so much for it at the end of volume 1.
You reckon?? it’s too depressing and heavy that i think i need to set aside one weekend to marathon the second volume.
definitely agree on the heart-pulling portion, i felt so weak emotionally after finishing the first volume. i don’t think i can read in between work days if i ever do decide to finish this title.
yup, if you get to the second book, will understand why Chi You was like that towards Ah Heng possibly betraying him (even though she didn’t) or anything betraying him for that matter. When he said ‘I gave you my heart, what can the He Tou Luo Shu amount to?’ and then at the end when Ah Heng died and he tried to pull her out of the black smoke I don’t think it matter anymore to him if she betrayed her or not. It was a misunderstanding that was never cleared up but it wasn’t important anymore. 2nd book onwards, Chi You really redeems himself but it’s so sad to read how much he can stomach just because he loves her.
I want to steal Ah Bi, it’s so adorable!!!!
In Once Promised, Have you gotten to ah heng’s stay at mt. Yu?
Was that where Chi You tried to steal that bow and was chased after by soldiers. He saw A’Heng near a pond and she distracted the soldiers while he ran away? I’m at that part.
Yup, afterwards it should get better. Shao Hao will also show up, the man who saved her at the sacrafice place. I have a thing against blood, so that scene when A’ Heng almost died from losing blood was too much for me.
Yes! Shao Hao has shown up and taken A’Heng from Yu Shan. Shao Hao seems so cool, but I definitely feel that he is hiding a lot of things. Poor Chi You, I guess he will have to fight another male beast for his A’Heng. 😀
I’m not really clear on the separate tribes and their positions, do you think you could explain it to me? I know Chi You is part of Shen Nong, and I think Yun Sang is the daughter of Yan Di? Shao Hao is some kind of prince and A’Heng is the daughter of a rather powerful noble?
Rather than tribes other is more of God group (Shen zhu). There is Shen Nong who is presently ruled by Yan Di, who I like the most. Shen Nong is also the most strongest. We also have Gao Xin which is the oldest God group. This group is ruled by Shun Di. Lastly, we have Xuan Yuan, ruled by Huang Di. It is the newest established group. There were more Groups, but some had disappeared through marriage and submission under one of the three. Gao Xin and Xuan Yuan are allianced. Gao Xin just wants to keep their territory and Xuan Yuan the more ambitious one wants more help against Shen Nong. Ah Hang is daughter of Huang Di. Yun Sung is daughter of Yan Di. Shao Hao is son of Shun Di. I relied on alot of online sources. I think need to make a character chart of who is under who.
I don’t remember if Shao Hao is hiding anything, i just remember he’s pretty good.
haha the 3 kingdoms and the characters under each, so confusing!! I don’t think I got it all straightened out until the middle of book 1.
It’s getting so addicting. Thank you for the explanation, Chancy. Now it makes so much more sense. I was multitasking when I listened to the first few chapters, so I was completely confused about the political situation.
I also really like Yan Di. He loves his wife so much. Huang Di is such a terrible father and husband. He only seems to care about power…
So who is the Wang Mu of Yu Shan? I know that she an old friend of Xi Ling Lei (A’Heng’s mother) and Yan Di, but I don’t understand her position in the three God groups.
Wang Mu is the only one unmarried of the three. I think she’s neutral, she just stays on Mt. Yu holding Peach Festival every 30 yrs. Mt. Yu is one of their holy places, so even if it’s inside a certain kingdom’s border, it’s still very respected. I think she stayed unmarried because of regrets from her friendship with the two. They both married, got caught up in other things, and left her lonely. Also, it hints Wang Mu might have been in love with Yan Di which is maybe why she never married. Of the older characters, I think the friendship between Lei Zu, Yan Di, and Wang Mu is the most touching.
Mt. Yu is also a sanctuary, in that if any person comes to Mt. Yu, they are protected. No one can come to Mt. Yu to take you. It’s a place where no political power exists.
I actually didn’t cry at all during the first book, but I’m two chapters into the second part and my heart hurts so much. I find the second book more heartfelt.
I’m iffy about both the male leads right now. Shao Hao is willing to exchange her for a map and Chi You wasn’t there for her when she needed it most.
I think that Book 1 is to set the stage. Really only cried a few times in the first book, one of the times being when the old Yan Di died and how it impacted Wang Mu and Lei Zhu. It was his long deserved rest though, considering he was suffering from his diseases and misses his wife, just had too much things to take care of. He was pretty much what was balancing the battlefield and maintaining peace amongst the three kingdoms.
Another time I cried when Ah Heng could no longer be saved, and Ah Bi’s tears were blood. Shao Yao (the bird) also was bleeding from trying hard to keep Chi You from falling in also.
I was also crying happy tears when Ah Heng finally officially confessed to Chi You by singing to him at the Festival at Jiu Li.
Another memorable cute scene was also when Chi You was teasing poor Ah Bi about stepdad’s not caring about their stepkids, so she was going to be lonely and Ah Bi started crying so loudlly. hehe This flying fox is so cute, have she appeared again where you’re at?
Does Shao Hao remind you of 4th Prince in BBJX? Especially how he took the throne and treated his brothers. Sometimes, I really want to ship Shao Hao and A’Heng, because Chi You really makes me angry whenever he doubts and hurts A’Heng, but Shao Hao has never expressed his feelings to A’Heng. As of now, I don’t think Chi You deserves A’Heng. He is never there when she needs him and he is probably the person who has hurt her the most.
Actually, most of the guys in Once Promised aren’t very likable. Nuo Nai, Shao Hao, Chi You, Huang Di, Qing Yang… They are too entrenched in politics to be good husbands. So far, the only men I truly like are Fourth Brother Chang Yi and the previous Yan Di.
He’s sadder than 4th. Where are you? I don’t want to spoil you. The most memorable man in this novel to me is actually Ching Yang. His friendship with Shao Hao is so touching. Its one of those friendship that you can only hope for but can’t ask for.
I’m at that point where Zhu Rong is pretending to surrender but is actually using his power to make the volcano erupt. Qing Yang and Shao Hao’s friendship is extremely touching. I love the memory of Qing Yang with his sword on his shoulder, chewing on a piece of straw, asking Shao Hao to fix his sword for him. But still, despite how deep their friendship is, I think they still put their respective nations above their friendship. If they didn’t, Shao Hao would have sent the troops to help Chang Yi against Zhu Rong volcano. I really don’t understand why Shao Hao would refuse A’Heng’s request and then turn around to send a letter for Chi You to help her. He was worried that by helping Xuan Yuan that day, its army would then use its strength to fight against Gao Xin. But by sending Chi You to help A’Heng, isn’t he also potentially putting his country in danger? And he’s also losing A’Heng’s trust and any good feelings she has for him…
I think Shao Hao is my favorite character. He’s not a man I would want to love, but he’s the one I’ve been thinking about the most while reading Once Promised.
I think in book 2 i find Ching Yang impacted me the most because his death was like a never closing wound. Each time he is brought up i just have to shed some tears.
Zhu Rong is surprisingly patriotic, even though i can’t agree with his methods. I didn’t like him because he was agorrant in the beginning. My impression of him changed when he joined Chi You to fight E’peng. I shed tears during that battle because Zhu Rong, Gong Gong, Hou Tu, and Chi You were willing to put asides their personally issues to protect their country.
I think Shao Hao reminds me of Jin Yong’s Nan Di of dali. The one who wouldn’t save Ying Gu’s baby because it would use up too much if his power which was what the enemy wanted
Yeah, Shao Hao’s power is not solid. If he went in on Ah Heng’s part, his support would weaken and those that support him will think he can easily be swayed by a woman. Since Chi You really cares nothing about patriotism except if it’s personal to him like his vow to Yu Wang, he can do what Shao Hao can’t. Shao Hao wants to be a good king and in order to get there he can’t go around being like Chi You. Chi You’s own people hate him for a reason, only his soldiers admire him but everyone else is either scared of him or calls him a madman.
I think Ching Yang is one of the saddest characters. It seems everyone realized his sacrifices and importance after he died. Since book 1 I never really liked his character, thought he was so behind on human feelings compared to his brother Chang Yi, but in fact, he is just protecting his family in a different way. Took him for granted!!
My phone wouldn’t let me scroll any further, so I have to continue on another comment. lol
Back to Shao Hao. I think he had 2 reasons to send a letter to Chi You. First, he wants to help Ah Heng, but he can’t because he’s afraid that if he sends army to save Chang Yi and the Xuan Yuan army, when Xuan Yuan comes attack Gao Xin, who will come help Gao Xin? His people will not allow him to do so.
Since he can not help Ah Heng, he knows that Ah Heng would not ask Chi You to do this because Chi You is Shen Nong’s general and she don’t want to put him in a difficult position between loyalty to Shen Nong and his love for her. Shao Hao knows that Chi You’s love for Ah Heng is stronger than his, he knows that Chi You could put everything aside for Ah Heng, so out of his love for Ah Heng, he sends a letter to Chi You in Ah Heng’s name. He knows that by doing this, he is sending Ah Heng into Chi You’s hand also, but he really wants to do what he can for Ah Heng.
Somewhere in my head I know there’s a strategic reason also, but I can’t recall it right now.
I think that all the men inside this novel has too much in their heart. They all changed, even if it’s a little, when they are put up on stage. Even Chi You and Chang Yi are like this. I was really sad when Chang Yi had to take up his brother’s position to protect his sister, his mother, and his wife. I really hated Huang Di, he triggered all this. I can’t even go to blame E-Peng at the end. I think everyone around Huang Di is just, pitiful.
Definitely agree that Huang Di basically caused all this. When Lei Zu was telling her story, I was weeping a river for her and the other woman. Huang Di is the kind of character I hate most. He forsakes the woman he loves to gain power through a political marriage, but he doesn’t treat his wife well, causing both women to suffer. Honestly, that woman shouldn’t have gone and begged Lei Zu though, she should have gone to Huang Di instead. And if he refused her, she should have vowed revenge on him, not Lei Zu. By returning to his side later, she was just telling him how worthless she really is. If you don’t want me, go ahead and throw me away. If you do want me, I’ll come crawling back to you. I feel like I’m Melanie when she’s ranting about Murong Feng from TLTSILY… 😛
Oh! One scene I really liked was when Chang Pu was questioning the little wood girl (I forgot her name) about how long she has been by Qing Yang’s side. Poor Qing Yang must have been so shocked when the little piece of wood turned into a naked girl in his arms. In the first book, I did think that maybe Qing Yang liked his maid because he always teased her for being ‘mei xin mei fei’. It reminded me of the interactions between the Fire Deity and Jin Mi in XMCCJRS.
Poor Lei Zhu ditched her friends for Huang Di and suffered so much. I don’t think that woman did come back for Huang Di (maybe?), I think the majority is for her revenge. She wanted to make Lei Zhu feel what she felt when her child died. Perhaps she thought that if Lei Zhu would leave Huang Di, than Huang Di would come back to her. But Lei Zhu then was very proud, and really wanted to marry the guy she likes. Because of her high status, her father originally didn’t see the young Huang Di as a suitable match for her, but since she loved him so much, he settled. If he found out he impregnated another woman, they can call it off. Of course the girl also can not keep the baby because it’s not allowed. Did Huang Di make her get rid of the kid? I don’t remember. Either way, my heart just went completely cold towards him. There was a moment I sympathized with him, but that just went away like a breeze.
Zhu Yu, that’s her name. I know right! I think it’s really funny that Shao Hao told him to keep that log with him and he did keep it with him for hundreds of years until it sucked enough of his energy and turned into a girl. haha.
You’ll get a follow up on Zhu Yu and Ching Yang towards the end.
I think her father made her abort the baby.
Ahhhh! Why is Tong Hua so cruel?! Is everyone going to die in the end?!
It won’t get ‘that’ bad. She’ll spare us a ‘few’. Who’s death are you at?
Chang Yi, Chang Pu and Yi Peng. I’ve been crying the past couple of hours and my heart hurts so much. Seriously, how can Tong Hua be so cruel?!
And now that heartless Huang Di has his eye on Zhuan Xu.
Yi Peng, I hated him so much, I didn’t expect Tong Hua to do some final finale firework show with him that got me all teary. And than Huang Di made my cry all over again when he starts BSing to Ah Heng about how she can go on living remembering that she killed her 9 Ge. I wanted to scream at him so much, it’s not her fault, it’s not Yi Peng’s either, it’s all your fault you sorry excuse of a father!
I’m surprised that it was Yi Peng’s death that made my cry the hardest.
I feel so bad for Zhuan Xu, his mom loved his father more than him.
haha xia0yuer, now you get why book 2 is called ‘Casualty’
I think these were the two biggest slaps in the face:
#1 Huang Di telling Ah Heng she’s horrible for killing her brother
#2 Ah Heng telling Shao Hao he’s as horrible as Huang Di
I want to fling Huang Di against a wall. He’s such a failure as a person.
I just read Chancy and your posts about Once Promised on your livejournal. I really shouldn’t have read the spoilers because now I don’t want to finish. Tong Hua is such a cruel, cruel woman…
But I will continue reading for Shao Hao. I want to know what happens to him in the end. When does A’Heng tell Shao Hao that he is as bad as Huang Di? Did I miss that part?
As for Huang Di, flinging him against a wall is too easy of a punishment. Have you ever heard of ‘gua’ as a punishment? It’s when people continuously cut you until you bleed to death. Everyone he has hurt should go and ‘gua’ him until he dies slowly and painfully. Gosh, I’m so vicious.
I’ve also realized that I have such obvious double standards. Chi You is the third person in Shao Hao and A’Heng’s marriage, yet I think it’s totally okay that A’Heng is cheating on Shao Hao, but want to toss the male lead of The Third Kind of Love into the toilet for doing the same to his fiancee. I guess what makes A’Heng’s relationship with Chi You okay in my eyes is that she made it clear to Shao Hao in the beginning that their marriage is just a sham.
lol That’s why her readers call her stepmom, but ironically I really like her. This is called bian tai.
If I remember, A’Heng said that to him when his dad died, I think that part passed? What a sad part. I find that the older generation in this novel: Yan Di, Shun Di, and Huang Di all have the high and up there feel that Jin Yong creates for his 4 Greats and other older generation characters. I thought each of them really had an aura around them. Also really liked how she really differentiated Gao Xin from Xuan Yuan.
Finish it finish it! Just cry it all out in one go, it’s not healthy to keep it hanging. lol I read your scene translation, made me cry again.
It seems like Tong Hua has a novel out each year, and this year she hasn’t released yet. They’re starting to make assumptions as to who the next book will be about. It might be Hou Tu who I don’t believe really went under Huang Di, or it might be Xiao Yao/Zuan Xu. I also want to read Pan Gu’s story, why he lost the woman he loved. Xiao Yao’s would also have Shao Hao’s afterstory too, I really want to know that. I believe that the story of Xiao Yao’s child (Zuan Xu’s successor) could also be very epic.
yeah, i bet every Once Promised fan wants to know what happened to Shao Hao!! I believe there’s 50%+ chance it could be about Xiao Yao/ Zuan Xu though.
I’ve really thought it over, and I admit now that there had been a trust issue in Chi You towards Ah Heng. I also think that his trust is very weak, most of the time it had been acceptance and something of ‘bao rong.’ Such as at the end of part 1 when Chi You, when he thought Ah Heng had planned those 2 days to take back the Map. He hadn’t trust her, and it wasn’t because he finally decided to trust her, but instead he’s willing to accept her conspiring against him, taking advantage of his love(or so he thought).
Than the time when he thought Xiao Yao was Shao Hao’s daughter, it was also distrust, but afterwards, he just accepts.
Had all these things been real, such as if she really had conspired against him or used him or took advantage of his love, than I would find that his acceptance of her actions is very touching. Such as Fu Jiu Yun inside 3000 Crows, unconditional acceptance for Di Ji’s decisions. I think there is just many other parts where Chi You also showed unconditional acceptance where there wasn’t misunderstanding and distrust mixed in and it was during those times which was why I really liked him. Perhaps it’s because he was the first person encountered in this novel, I have an attachment with him. I am like Yun Song, who treats Chi You as a younger brother. At times she would feel disappointed at A Heng for hurting him, but when she thinks in her shoes she sighs because she is her friend and also clear about what she’s suffering and burdened with since they are the same kind of people.
I think this is also a reason why some fellow readers feel a coolness in their heart towards his distrust. I’m just pretty surprised because I’ve been enguffed inside Chi You love inside the Baidu bar. lol
I’m curious why not like Nuo Nai though? any elaborations on this?
I don’t like Nuo Nai because he always tries to find his solace in alcohol. When he had that night with Yun Sang who he thought was Xuan Yuan Ba and Shao Hao’s fiancee, he got drunk and promised to marry that girl in front of all his friends. When he awoke, Shao Hao had to clean up his mess for him, so he could finally marry Yun Sang. But after he found out that Shao Hao ruined that girl’s reputation and indirectly forced her to commit suicide, he actually blamed Shao Hao when this mess was entirely his fault. He couldn’t face this thought so he once again buried himself in alcohol. I despise him for leaving Yun Sang without a word, when she probably hurts just as much if not more than he does. He gets angry at Shao Hao for destroying that girl’s reputation, but did he ever think about Yun Sang’s reputation. She was deserted on her wedding day while her fiancee is constantly drunk, mourning over another woman. Nuo Nai was very selfish, and only remembered Yun Sang’s pain when she was grief stricken after the death of her brother. He could have taken her away before this whole mess happened, but because of his weakness and selfishness, he single-handedly destroyed their happiness. Nuo Nai slightly redeemed himself during his 20 years by Chi You’s side as Yu Shi, but how much of that was for Yun Sang and how much of it was for Shao Hao?
I’m near the end at the final battle scene and I’m a bit confused. Why was Ying Long unwilling to return and fight for Xuan Yuan but A’Heng was able to convince him to do so? Was he one of Qing Yang’s loyal subordinates? Why did he leave Xuan Yuan in the first place?
And Huang Di is really evil to use his daughter against Chi You like that. >:O
Oh no, there’s an open ending for Shao Hao? I loved that scene when he promised A’Heng that he would take care of Xiao Yao, because she was the only one who loved him unconditionally. I feel so bad for Shao Hao. Maybe if he had a mother to love him, or his father was a bit more trusting of him, or if A’Heng had reciprocated his love, he wouldn’t have turned out like that…
I do hope her next book is about Xiao Yao and Zhuan Xu. According to wiki, Zhuan Xu is succeeded by his cousin’s son, Di Ku, through the lineage of Gao Xin Shao Hao. Perhaps, she’ll write that Xiao Yao is Ku’s mother and explore Xiao Yao’s sisterly love for Zhuan Xu and her romantic love for some mystery guy? Maybe Zhuan Xu will even be the second male lead (intermarriage between cousins was acceptable back then, right?) and pass over his own sons for Xiao Yao’s son due to the depth of his love for her. Haha, I should start writing the sequel for Tong Hua, I already roughly outlined the whole story for her. 😀
I think I understand where Ah Heng thinks that Shao Hao is similar to Huang Di, he understands people’s hearts well, and knows how their minds work. He was able to take advantage of situations, to make them go his way. The difference though was, Shao Hao let Nuo Nai know, that he wants to use him this way, are you willing to? I think with Shao Hao, he can genuinely hold people’s loyalty, while Huang Di makes you unable to not do something. You know you have to do what he says because he is right, but your heart feels unwilling.
Ying Long was Qing Yang’s subordinates, he lost his loyalty to Huang Di during that battle against that Shen Nong city where he had to become his true form (a dragon) to protect the civilians and the Xuan Yuan armies that came with them. Yi Peng went against the heavens to summon up water streams to drown the city. He knew that Yi Peng getting rid of Qing Yang wasn’t enough, he wanted to get rid of all of Qing Yang’s men as well. During that fight, the people on Shen Nong’s side applauded Ying Long as being a man, and they wouldn’t feel remorse if they died under his hands.
Ying Long knew that Yi Peng couldn’t have done all this, with Huang Di hadn’t allowed it to happen. Huang Di had always been having one eye open one eye closed. He lost his loyalty to Huang Di as a leader. Huang Di also knows that the only person who wasn’t afraid of Chi You, regardless of if they lost or won would be Ying Long. They just needed one success to turn things over, they needed a leader who doesn’t fear Chi You. Ah Heng is still a woman, she can not lead, but as long as she call Ying Long out of the mountain, she’s of use. The other thing is also, Ah Heng no longer listens to him, because he is a bad father. He knows this, and he knows Ah Heng’s weakness. He knows that she cares about the citizens of Xuan Yuan, and wants the war to be over as soon as possible. He used her responsibility to her people to bend her his way. He knows he can not command her, so he finds someone who can. Apparently, that person also lost their respect for him, BUT he also know that person is the same kind of person as Ah Heng, and he has more possibility to convince him than to convince Ah Heng, so he convinces that guy to convince Ah Heng. This man! He’s soo amazing, yet so despicable!
Ahhhh, that makes sense now. This is what I get for multitasking while listening to audiobooks…
I cried during that scene when Zi Mo (the uncle that Huang Di sent to talk to A’Heng) and A’Heng talked about Zi Mo’s son who died at the volcano. And I love A’Heng for her strength, especially in that scene where she talked the army into following her into battle. She is so charismatic. Actually, I’ve pretty much loved every scene in the second book. I’m going to feel so bereft when I finish tomorrow. T.T
Her speech was amazing. So proud of her not to back down because she’s a girl.
Ah…and there was also that one scene with Yun Song when she thought back about the old Yan Di and how he told her he wish she never needs to sit on this seat (the kings seat).
I thought that scene where Huang Di asked for his two closest supporters for their loyalty again that was pretty… I don’t know, wow? Even though i don’t like him, i like how he has a vision and this people chased him for it. I liked the image of him from the past better. That father of Qing Yang’s. That man Lei Zhu built a armor for. He changed somehow. So many heroes died because of him.
Finally finished this book. I wasn’t that sad when Chi You died because I had read your spoilers and I knew that they weren’t fated to be. Chi You is a good man and those scenes at the end where he chases her despite being burnt by her demon power more than redeems him in my eyes. But for some reason, I’m not in love with him like I was with HQB from DMY or Xu Feng from XMCCJRS.
Huang Di is a intelligent ruler but a terrible failure as a man. I think I might hate him more than I hate Gou Jian from Grand Dream of Spring and Autumn. During his quest to rule the world, he has lost his steadfast companion (Lei Zu), the woman he loves (Tong Yu Shi), five of his most capable sons, and his only daughter. How can he protect the world, if he can’t even protect the people closest to him? When he grows old, the only things he’ll have left are an empty palace and his memories.
I wonder what happened to Xiao Yao. Does A’Heng ever go see her? What about Shao Hao? Ahhh, Tong Hua needs to quickly publish the sequel! I’d like to think that after Wang Mu passes, Shao Hao brings Xiao Yao back to Gao Xin and raises her as his own daughter. When she comes of age, he lets her wander as she pleases, because he knows that it would have been what A’Heng wanted. Shao Hao has sons later, but he doesn’t treat any of them as well as he does to Xiao Yao.
All in all, I loved it! 9/9
I also knew it was tragedy so didn’t cry as much as i thought i would. Im satisfied with how tonghua made him die. There were many ways it could have happened. At least it was his choice. Especially since he was a reason she fell into Yu Yan and became what she is right now. He didn’t die on the battlefield, he died to save her so she could raise Xiao Yao because he can’t. Ah heng was also very strong to continue living after he died. I still think its sad because he’s really not with her. You can’t hear your own heartbeat so its not the same. I wish she would go and find Xiao Yao later because its too lonely there. Its too much memories to carry alone. She’s really the saddest because she’s not a mortal who only needs to endure another 30-40 years without Chi Yo. Its another million years of loneliness.
I think tonghua touched each little written about record very nicely. Her explanations for why chi you was so ruthless on battlefield very acceptable
I have feeling Xiao Yao may become like yang guo and qiao Feng. I don’t think Shao Hao remarries. Does he even goes back to Gao Xin? In history there was only Qing Yang left, strange….?
I felt That part when ah heng told the bird to go take care of Xiao Yao. Does he Bare to let ah bi go through their death again?
Yeah, I also think A’Heng should go find Xiao Yao because she need to fulfill Chi You’s last wish and tell her that her father is a hero. Poor A’Heng. I think she finds some comfort in that grove of peach trees because that is what’s left of Chi you’s body and as for his heart, it will always be with her as long as she lives. I’m tearing up again…
According to wiki, Shao Hao does have other sons, but wiki also says that he is the eldest son of Huang Di so I don’t know how reliable it is. I don’t think Shao Hao would be that irresponsible to desert Gao Xin. He knows that Huang Di’s next target is Gao Xin so I think he would do his best as Shun Di and protect his citizens.
I think Lie Yang and A’Bi will continue to stay with Xiao Yao, loving her as they did with A’Heng.
I think that they say he’s the oldest son of Huang Di is where Tong Hua played with the whole Shao Hao = Qing Yang. Saying Huang Di is his uncle and also Shao Hao is considered his oldest son. It did say he had one son. Tong Hua is really amazing.
I think that his heart beat in her is not the same as being able to hear his heart beat which is what she misses the most. T_T That’s also why she makes all those loud drum sounds in the Peach Blossom Forest that Chi You became. She was trying to mimick his heartbeat. I was fine if she had left off when Ah Heng told Chi You that their first fate was actually initiated by her. That she hadn’t just asked him for directions because he just happened to be there, it’s because she wanted to talk to him. I felt soo much sweetness in my heart when she told him that. BUT, cruel Tong Hua just had to wash that sweetness away by showing us how miserable Ah Heng was after Chi You’s death. She’s so Cruel Cruel Cruel!
I wonder why Zhuan Xu forbid close kin marriage? Is he really gonna be in a romantic relationship with Xiao Yao?
in wiki it said that?? From OP, I just thought it was possible, but now it seems even more possible. & always thought there is high chance the second story would be about Xiao Yao. Her birth secrets is already juicy enough to make a story out of. Kind of like female Yang Guo where everyone says her father is a demon, and she eventually finds out Chi You is her father not Shao Hao.
Yay Xia0yuer is finally done!! haha was waiting for you to finish. I just can’t stop spoiling for the life of me so I decided to ban myself from talking about OP until you finished. The ending when Chi You died was surprisingly not depressing. heh we all basically knew he was gonna die anyways. Was actually pretty happy in a weird way knowing there will always be someone that won’t abandon Ah Heng (unlike her stupid father) and she seemed to be fine at the ending scene where she was walking through the Peach Forest. It has this very end-y feeling that makes me feel satisfied rather than sad. The epilogue was just cruel. I thought I was gonna be spared, but guess not.
Yeah, I didn’t cry when Chi You died. I think the saddest scene in that book is when Yi Peng died. I hated him so much but when I found out about their childhood, I could only grieve that they were born with Huang Di as their father. I really want the sequel to be about Xiao Yao! There are so many loose ends Tong Hua needs to tie up in her next book. And hopefully the sequel will have a happy ending. Her readers certainly need one after Yun Zhong Ge and Once Promised…
So did Chi You stop A’Heng’s uncontrollable demon power? Or is she still drying up everything around her? I was so sad for A’Heng when she saw that her hair was completely gone and her skin had turned black. But I was also ridiculously happy when Chi You said that he would love her, no matter what for she was in.
I think getting a new heart offset her demon heart. If she’s still having that problem she wouldn’t bear to let her powers burn up the forest that chi you became. Since she’s staying there id think chi you healed her.
I know I’m really late to hope on the train, but I think I’ve finally reached the point where I’m in love. And not with Chi You and A-Heng, but with the people that surround and make up their world. With the gentle but steely Yun Sang and the upright and honorable Nuo Nai, with the lonely and ambitious Shao Hao, with the babbling Zhu Yu, the mature and resilient Qing Yang, and the kind Chang Yi. Just thinking of Yan Di makes me tear up, and his beautiful friendship with Lei Zu and A-Mei. When Wang Mu received the wooden bird after Yan Di’s death – I thought that was one of the most beautiful moments thus far. All of her unfulfilled hopes, dreams, her unfulfilled love and life summed up in one heartbreaking dance. I still don’t love Chi You and I still don’t love A-Heng, but the people surrounding them sure make it worth it.
I’m up to the part where Xuanyuan Hui was defeated by Zhu Rong in battle, which is still relatively early on. I rather wish that the story was about Yan Di-Lei Zu-Wang Mu instead. There story is just so poignant and lovely.
Yes Yes! In the first half of the novel it was more dedicated to the world Tong Hua was trying to create. Part two would be more focused on Ah Heng. I admit that during Part 1 I also wasn’t feeling much for Ah Heng because everything around them was much more interesting.
I dunno, while reading I really wanted to know more about Wang Mu – Lei Zhu – and Yan Di’s story, but I think the way it’s left made it more meaningful. I sort of felt that their friendship was something that was taken for granted because they were young. They didn’t want to resolve their problems so they just let it go for all these hundreds of years that even at the end they weren’t able to see each other face to face. Did you get a little feel that Wang Mu might have had a crush on Yan Di? ^__^ But maybe them three was just a very pure untainted friendship. I think that all the beautiful memories between these triplet had already been told. The end of their friendship was left with so much regret, so i wouldn’t want a side story that recapped their side of the story.
There’s many stories besides the OTP that were very memorable. I actually really liked the time when Huang Di was Ching Yang’s father and Lei Zhu’s husband, those days were very memorable, until he started having more woman in his harem.
Yes, and right now I’m at Chang Yi’s wedding and enjoying it so much. I guess you’re right – the reason why Yan Di’s story is so beautiful is because of all the details that were left out, so I guess I would have to agree with you. And less is definitely more.
I think Wang Mu loved Yan Di back in the day, but she just never got the chase to say it since they were friends. And she always thought she would get another chance to tell him, but she ended up never seeing him again. At least, that was the impression I got.
I haven’t gotten to the part about the old Huang Di, but I don’t like him very much at this point. I don’t like Shun Di either.
Part of me wants A-Heng to suffer for being so cold to Chi You, even though I know she had no choice. But she does have to suffer the consequences for the decisions that she makes and not expect that she can go back and everything can be of old. That’s just what I think. But I’m waiting and ready to love the two main characters. I just don’t….yet.
I guess part of the reason why some don’t exactly connect or like ah Heng in the first half was because we don’t know her that well yet. We don’t know about how she grew up and what she is really like. But she’ll grow on you.
Ur at the wedding now. I loved Chang Pu’s bravery to make Chang Yi make such a promise. She’s so cool!
My heart is in pain just from reading your comments. I actually didn’t think the first book was that depressing when I read it but now thinking back on it, the whole story was incredibly touching. T.T
Second read! And still love it to bits. I thought it was really slow in the beginning when I first read it but now I think each event adds a piece to the overall story. Still kind of annoyed at Chiyou for ditching A’Heng and constantly questioning her faithfulness to him. Epic story nonetheless!
xiaoyuer, we’ve missed you!!! So glad to hear from you!!
I have to say, I didn’t really like Chiyou very much. A’Heng was alright but Chiyou was hard for me to relate to. Rereading sounds like a good idea!
Hey I’m reading this now T_T The link that you gave is it part 2 of the novel?
Do you have any audiobook for part 1?
Ok, just started reading Once Promised. Hold on tight, poor heart!
Translated the synopsis (really lovely) from the site I’m reading it from if anyone is interested:
http://onesecondspring.blogspot.sg/2014/02/once-promised-by-tong-hua-brief.html
Oh, quite a number of people came from shusheng to read my synopsis translation. Anyway, I’m not going to keep clog up this board, but just to add that I summarised and translated part of Chapter 1:
http://onesecondspring.blogspot.sg/2014/02/once-promised-by-tong-hua-summary-and.html
It has a very different tone from Lost You Forever actually – it’s deceptively light-hearted and funny!
Hi. Does anyone have the OST from the audiobook? Thanks 😀
My heart is breaking… Why is it so difficult to love someone? Why does the story revolves around conspiracy created by a stupid Huang Di. He doesn’t deserve to live happily, he should live ALONE. ALONE. T_T What an ambitious man who use stupid excuses to hide his ambitions. I wished Chi You killed him during the battle, and not hesitate because Huang Di is A’heng’s father. I read Lost You Forever followed by Once Promised. Now that I think about it, I cannot believe how Zhuan Xu and Xiao Yao manage to forgive him. Is he worth forgiving? No. Definitely no.
Even though the palace were filled with scheming people, Qing Yang, Chang Yi, A’Heng and her mum always gathered together to play and eat their favourite popsicles (?)… I wish I knew more about Yun Ze, the guy who is scared of pain, and the guy who is willing to take up the responsibility because he knows his elder brother doesn’t like to be involved in politics. But he died. And subsequently, Qing Yang died. He is no longer there. The man who supports his siblings secretly. The man who doesn’t want to take up responsibility, but have to, in order to protect his family. The man who smiles and wander freely. The man who goes to find Shao Han, biting a piece of grass, with his sword on his shoulder. He has never changed, he just had to hide and put on a cold facade, in order to protect his family. It is only when he died that he told A’heng how much he always want to mess her hair whenever she hits his shadow behind his back. He has always been a playful boy, who valued his family more than anything.
Huang Di is a scary man, who made use of Lei Zu to achieve his goals. Was the happy family, before he became an emperor, a pretence too? I don’t want to dwell on it…
Chang Yi love his siblings, who has a quiet temperament but will be the first one to stand up if someone bullies his siblings. Chang Pu love Chang Yi so much that she can’t find any meaning in life to continue living. Not even her son, Zhuan Xu.
A’heng, rebelled when she found out that Huang Di wanted to force her to marry Shao Han. From then on, she changed from a girl to a woman, to someone who knows that she is part of the royal family, and not everything is within her decision.
Chi You. Nothing can express my love for him. Someone who loves freely and someone who loves deeply.
Oh just saw this! I love what you wrote, “why is it so difficult to love someone?” I think that captures Once Promised very well. I only finished Book 1 for Once Promised so far, and somewhere in Book 2 for Lost You Forever, but I do think that they mirror each other – resolving threads that were left unravelled, echoing each others pains and longings, and while Lost You Forever is perhaps three aspects of romantic love for one woman, Once Promised is about all the kinds of love that shine in the universe.
Ok, Peppermint Thistles without White flowers’ page kind of got hijacked by xia0yuer and me regarding the Once Promised translations hahaha so I’m trying to move it here.
Xia0yuer and I are planning to jointly translate Once Promised, so do check out both of our blogs for updates if you are interested!
I’ve summarised and translated the Prologue to Chapter 5 at my blog. You can click here for chapter 5: http://onesecondspring.blogspot.sg/2014/03/once-promised-by-tong-hua-summary-and_13.html
Yup, just posted my version of the prologue! I’m excited about this project. Decembi, we should also work to standardize the names and titles in Once Promised. Do you mind if start posting your translations and summaries (except Ch. 5, I’ll wait until next week)?
Also, I’m going to put faces to the names in Once Promised. The ones that come to mind are:
A’Heng – Ivy Chen or Ariel Lin
Chi You – Yuan Hong
Shao Hao – Wallace Chung (I’m not biased at all)
Qing Yang – 张天阳 comes to mind but he only has Qing costume dramas
Yun Sang – Ady An
Hello xia0yuer, yeah sure! I don’t mind. 🙂 I started blogging just to share my thoughts and love for c-novels with more readers, so I’m always happy to share.
Hahahaha! Actually, I’ve never thought of casting them in my mind. But, I guess Yuan Hong does fit Chi You nicely. I agree.
Er, I have to disagree on Wallace Chung for Shao Hao. Hahaha! Don’t kill me. I do think Wallace Chung was quite pretty when he was younger, but if you ask me he is more Qing Yang than Shao Hao. Also, because I imagined more of a Hu Ge type playing Shao Hao!
Ady An as Yun Sang is PERFECT.
I like Ariel Lin a lot, because of her Huang Rong role. So, I think I prefer her! Ivy Chen irritates me a little haha.
Wow,
fell in love reading bits and pieces all over. I started ms. koala’s lost you forever translations and looked this up. Can someone give me a link of rain and chancy’s blog. I’m following your posts decembi and xia0yuer. Please do not stop. There’s no way I’ll be able to read the book if kind souls like you do not translate it. Summaries are fine if you find it too tiring to translate.
Hello naimisha! Thanks for reading :)! I dont know their blogs, think we need peanuts for that haha. I am def continuing with once promised and will translate my favourite scenes!
Thanks a lot decembi. I think I’ll probably be stalking your blog from now 🙂
If possible could you ask peanuts about their blogs. I’ve seen that peanuts keeps in touch with you.
And if peanuts, you’re seeing this then I hope you or maybe someone else will direct me to chancy and rain’s translations.
Chancy & Rain wanted but never translated Once Promised. They just wrote a spoiler post on it. The link [Spoilers – Ending] is under the synopsis. All the links of any novels will always be included after the synopsis.
http://dandeliontrail.livejournal.com/3289.html
Thanks a lot peanuts. You’re the best 🙂
Can’t wait to read this novel. Sounds very interesting
It’s awesome! Highly recommended.
I was discussing this book with decembi when she has this brainwave of who Ah Heng and Chi You would most likely pick for their son-in-law given a choice – Jing, Xiang Liu or Zhuan Xu? I can totally imagine Xiang Liu acting cool as he is being interviewed by Chi You as a potential son-in-law. Hope you find it funny:
CY to XL: “Are you an albino?”
XL (to himself “shit! I should have dyed my hair today!”) but outwardly to CY: “I’m from the far North, and they don’t have much sun there. But only the strongest can survive in that place, which is why I’m the best mate for Xiao Yao”
CY to XL :”My ride Xiao Yao is also from the far North. Shall I ask Xiao Yao to choose between you or my bird?”
XL: ….
Just started watching the first episode of the drama really made me want to reread the book. It’s not exactly disappointing since it’s pretty expected it can’t hold up well. =(
Reading through the comments I’ve noticed I’ve forgotten so much details about the book and some seems very vague like in a dream. Lol
I’m still sulking over Ah Bi getting turned into some little red and white furby. Yeah, the drama seems like it’ll be a waste of time at this point. I was actually hopeful since the cast seems to be ok, but if the script is the problem, then there’s more than enough things wrong with it as is besides Huang Xiao Ming’s acting.
The drama is very enjoyable.