Hi, I’m choosing this novel as my next read. Cannot ignore Meng Ziyi & Li Yunrui second big collaboration because they are my favorite in Blossom.

Novel title in Chinese is 尚公主 (shàng gōng zhǔ) means "marrying an imperial princess". In traditional Chinese history and phrasing, a commoner or aristocrat who married an Emperor's daughter was not said simply qǔ (娶) – to take a wife but use formal dynastic term shàng (尚) – meaning to honor, esteem, or be joined in imperial marriage to a superior. While gōng zhǔ (公主) means Princess.

English title for this one is “Tigers Sniff the Rose”. The origin, first come from English poet Siegfried Sassoon in first world war era.  The meaning: humanity should restrain its warlike desire, as fierce as a tiger; to savor the sweet fragrance of peace, as delicate as a rose. Second it also come from Chinese phrase by Yu Guangzhong, Xīn yǒu měnghǔ, xì xiù qiángwēi (心有猛虎，细嗅蔷薇) within the heart, a fierce tiger; yet gently sniffing the rose. The meaning: being strong and courageous like a tiger, yet gentle enough to admirer a rose’s delicate scent – emphasizing harmony between strength and subtlety.

Note: I gather this information from several website, including AI, it might be not 100% correct

This novel is not too long, 168 chapters + 8 parallel story. It has potential for drama to adapt it without cut here and there, hopefully that would happen. As my previous read, I love to write summary for my re-read, especially when the drama air. So, here it is, you may enjoy my post below if you take interest. This will be a long summary but still shorter than actual 168 chapters. English is not my first language, pardon me with bad grammar, etc. Beware Spoilers!

All credits to amazing author: Yi Ren Kui Kui

I read from this link: https://mydramanovel.com/tigers-sniff-the-rose/

Raw link : https://www.kanunu8.com/book5/shgongzhu/

First, let me start with character list. Though only character list, but you may find spoiler here

> Great Wei

Imperial Family

-          Emperor : Great Wei Emperor

-          Empress Li Nuan : Great Wei Empress, FL birth mother

-          2nd Prince : Emperor’s son with Empress, previous Crown Prince

-          6th Princess, Princess Danyang, Mu Wanyao (MWY) : Emperor’s daughter with Empress (FL)

-          1st Prince Mu Lang : Emperor’s eldest son from humble birth mother, current Crown Prince

-          Noble Consort Jiang : Prince Qin and Princess Yuyang birth mother

-          3rd Prince, Prince Qin : Emperor’s son with Noble Consort Jiang

-          4th Princess, Princess Yuyang : Emperor’s son with Noble Consort Jiang

-          Chen Subai : Princess Yuyang’s husband. Metropolitan Governor

-          Noble Consort Xian : Prince Jin birth mother

-          5th Prince, Prince Jin : Emperor’s son with Noble Consort Xian

-          Princess Luling : Emperor’s blood sister

-          Chunhua (CH) : MWY’s personal maid

-          Xiarong : MWY’s personal maid  (after Chunhua)

-          Qiusi : MWY’s personal maid (after Xiarong)

-          Fang Tong : MWY’s personal guard

Yan Family

-          Yan Zimi : Yan family head

-          Yan_____ : Yan family eldest son

-          Yan Shisheng, later Yan Shang (YS) : Yan family 2nd son, courtesy name Suchen (ML)

-          Yan Musheng (YMS) : Yan family third son

-          Yan Xiaozhou (YXZ) : Yan family little sister

-          Yunshu : YS’s right hand man after he has his own residence

Li Family of Jinling

-          Li Zhi (LZ) : MWY’s natal uncle, Empress’ brother. Nanhai County Magistrate

-          Li Gong : MWY’s grandfather

Wei Family of Luoyang

-          Wei Shu (WS) : 7th young master Wei, courtesy name Juyuan.

-          Wei Kai (WK) : Eldest young master Wei. Assistant Director of Imperial Secretariat

Other

-          Liu Wenji (LWJ) : YS’s hometown friend

-          Chun Niang : low courtesan saved by LWJ, free by YS and be famous leading courtesan

-          Han Shuxing (HSX) : MWY’s subordinate who born Wuman

-          Yang Si (YSi) : 3rd young master Yang, courtesy name Chengzhi

-          Zhao Lingfei (ZLF) : 5th young miss Zhao, Yang Si’s cousin

-          Zhao Yu: ZLF’s father, Director of the Imperial Academy

-          Feng Xiangyu : YS’s friend

-          Prime Minister Zhang (PM Zhang)

-          Prime Minister Liu (PM Liu): YS’s teacher

-          Liu Ruozhu (LRZ) : Prime Minister Liu beloved granddaughther

-          Lin Dao (LD) : Hanlin Academy scholar, courtesy name Yanzi

-          Pei Qing (PQ) : a humble scholar who will married to MWY

-          Miao Niang (MN) : an ordinary lady who will be married to YS

> Southern Barbarians

-          Wuman King

-          Meng  Zaishi (MZS) : eldest son of previous Wuman King

-          King Ale : Southern Barbarian King after 5 tribes united

-          Luo Xiu : Southern Barbarians envoy who has Great Wei lineage but heart for SB

Next will be the summary. I divided to parts by myself. Just for make it easier to track the real source