Welcome to one of my favorite CN novels ever, a historical BL with plenty of action, badassery, politics, and above all, sweetness!
NOTE: AFTER CHAPTER 6, THIS TRANSLATION HAS BEEN DROPPED/PUT ON HOLD INDEFINITELY FOR NOW. CHICHI HAS CONTINUED HER OWN TRANSLATION AT https://chichilations.home.blog/golden-stage/
Golden Stage
Chinese title: 黄金台
Author: 苍梧宾白
Raws all bought on JJWXC: http://www.jjwxc.net/onebook.php?novelid=3361962
79 chapters + 4 extras
Author’s Summary:
The notorious imperial court lackey [1] and the meritorious military general were well-known for their mutual dislike, a pair of arch-enemies set in stone. Who could have foreseen the unexpected change in the winds of heaven: the general injured on the battlefield, both legs disabled, and even forced by the emperor to marry his nemesis.
With one marriage edict, two people with mutual hostility are forced to marry and live under the same roof. Yet after these long days together, they come to the realization that this fellow is not truly devoid of any saving grace/unattainable and high out of reach.
[1] 鹰犬 lit. “falcons and hounds” is a somewhat derogatory term referring to a lackey/underling/minion
Translator’s Own Comments: This novel honestly has some of the sweetest romance I’ve ever seen, which is quite surprising considering how it starts out. Both Fu Shen and Yan Xiaohan have wonderfully unique and badass personalities. Even in their darkest moments, their relationship is sweet enough to give one diabetes. (Yeah the description is a little misleading in that MC and ML have never really hated each other, they’ve just come to believe they have different values and priorities.) The writing style is also fluid and beautiful within a fun historical backdrop, while maintaining an undercurrent of cozy warmth, liveliness, and humor.
Table of Contents
Chapter 1 – Prologue
Chapter 2 – Returning to the Capital
Chapter 3 – Entering the Official Residence
Chapter 4 – Visiting a Patient
Chapter 5 – Devising Plans
Chapter 6 – Imperial Summons
Chapter 7 – Seeing Family
Chapter 8 – Sanctioning Marriage
Chapter 9 – Threaten By Force
Character Guide (updated Chapter 6)
Main Characters:
Fu Shen (courtesy name Jingyuan)—the Marquis of Jing Ning, commander of the renowned troops the Northern Yan Iron Cavalry. Comes from a famous military family as the son of Duke Fu Tingzhong. He himself rose to fame when he was pushed onto the battlefield at a young age to fend off the second border war against the Eastern Tatars, and did so with resounding success. Was recently crippled during an assassination attempt, and has returned to the capital to recover. But many, possibly including the emperor himself, may not be willing to grant him a peaceful retirement…..
Yan Xiaohan—the Royal Inspector Envoy of the Flying Dragon Guard AKA the commander of the imperial guard. In less kind words, also called a “lackey of the imperial court, the eyes and ears of the emperor”. Said to be sworn enemies with Fu Shen due to their differing standpoints, but perhaps their relationship is more complicated…….
Fu family:
Grandparent’s Generation
Fu Jian—Fu Shen’s grandfather, and the man who started the chain of illustrious generals in the Fu family. Was transferred to the north and made military commissioner in the first border war against the Eastern Tatars. Died from illness during the war, and was posthumously made the first Duke of Ying.
Parents’ Generation
Fu Tingxin—Fu Jian’s eldest son who inherited the Duke of Ying title. Father of Fu Shen. Died in battle in the second war against the Eastern Tatars. (Fu Shen and Fu Ling are his children by his first wife. Fu Ya, Fu Ting, and Fu Xi are his children by his second wife Lady Qin.)
Fu Tingzhong—the middle brother and therefore Fu Shen’s second uncle. Was given the title General Who Guards the State. Was assassinated by the Eastern Tatars, kicking off the second border war.
Fu Tingyi—the third noble son of the parents’ generation. (It is unclear if he is a brother of Fu Tingxin and Fu Tingzhong, or if he’s a cousin or something else.)
Lady Qin—the second wife to Fu Tingxin, and Fu Shen’s stepmother. Mother to a son (Fu Ya) and two daughters (Fu Ting and Fu Xi).
Current Generation
Fu Ling—Fu Shen’s younger sister by the same mother (Fu Tingxin’s first wife). She is also the current Consort to the Prince of Qi (the seventh imperial prince).
Fu Ya—Lady Qin’s only son, younger half-brother to Fu Shen.
Fu Ting—Lady Qin’s eldest daughter, and a Primary Consort to the crown prince. Sister to Fu Ya and Fu Xi, half-sister to Fu Shen and Fu Ling.
Fu Xi—Lady Qin’s youngest daughter.
Imperial Family
The Yuantai Emperor—the, well, current emperor. A stern-looking and majestic fellow. Appears suspicious of Fu Shen’s growing prestige and might….
Sun Yunliang—the crown prince. Has Lady Cen as his formal wife, and Fu Ting as his Primary Consort.
Lady Cen—the crown prince’s formal wife, AKA the crown princess consort. Supposed to be in competition with Fu Ting for the crown prince’s affection. Daughter of Cen Hongfang, a provincial governor with some friendly ties to the Fu family.
Military
Xiao Xun (courtesy name Zhongshan)—Fu Shen’s loyal soldier, who accompanied him back to the capital after his injury.
Zhong He—commander of the capital’s Sharp Wind garrison. Was once acquaintances with Fu Tingzhong and Fu Tingxin, so kind of counts as a senior generation figure to Fu Shen.
Shen Yi’ce—kind-hearted military doctor under Yan Xiaohan in the Flying Dragon Guard
Wei Xuzhou—gossip-loving general in the Flying Dragon Guard (specifically, a high general in the Divine Pivot Army).
