Xiao Jiu

• Author: Xu Banxian
• Genres: Đam Mỹ, Cổ Đại, Tình Cảm Hài
• Status: Completed
• Chapters: 25
• Rating: ★ 4.3 / 5
• Published: 2026-09-27

A Persistent Forbidden Palace Romance

The work by author Hứa Bán Tiên stands out in the realm of short Danmei novels, spanning a mere 25 chapters plus side stories. The setting unfolds within a quiet yet emotionally raw ancient imperial court setting.

The plot revolves around the distant relationship between a young prince and his personal guard. The author focuses on portraying the persistent journey of pursuing love, overcoming initial bashfulness and quiet conflicts within the royal family.

Despite the historical backdrop, the core of the story does not scatter its focus on schemes for power. Instead, the entire narrative is dedicated to psychological development and the drawing together of two individuals from completely different walks of life.

A Gap in Age and Status

The character Xiao Jiu emerges as the youngest prince among the nine imperial children, while also possessing outstanding talents. Despite his noble prince status, his personality remains remarkably pure, adorable, and fiercely steadfast.

In stark contrast stands Yan-daren, who serves as the personal guard to the Little Emperor and is ten years older than Xiao Jiu. With a cold and aloof nature, he erects an impenetrable wall against all advances from the young prince.

The disparity in both age and personality creates a very captivating contrasting character trope. On one side is innocent, unwavering enthusiasm; on the other is composure, concealing emotions behind a frosty exterior.

Brisk Pacing and Surging Emotions

With its short length, the pacing moves relatively fast without feeling superficial. The author skillfully weaves in moments of poignant unrequited love, where Xiao Jiu's efforts seem to crash against absolute indifference.

Misunderstandings arising in the relationship do not linger too long, yet they are enough to create emotional highlights. Readers are easily swept into the shifting mindset of the two main characters.

The worthwhile aspect lies in how Yan-daren's shift in attitude is depicted with great subtlety. His initial coldness gradually melts away, making room for genuine gentleness and care directed at the young prince.

Key Highlights for Readers

• Compact length of just 25 chapters and side stories, avoiding any dragged-out or meandering feeling.
• The character Xiao Jiu is portrayed as adorable and steadfast, easily winning over the audience's affection.
• Psychological transition of Yan-daren feels logical, shifting from aloof indifference to warmth.
• The journey from unrequited love to a warm conclusion brings high satisfaction to readers.

Drawbacks to Consider

• The imperial court background lacks detailed expansion due to the short length.
• A lack of supporting characters and friendship dynamics to further enrich the story.
• Conflicts are resolved relatively quickly, which might not fully satisfy readers who enjoy intense political intrigue.

Community Ratings

• Novel Updates: 4.5/5.0 (503 ratings, checked on 27/09/2026), with 66% five-star reviews; readers noted this is "the best 25-chapter series I've ever read" and "beautifully written".
• Goodreads: 3.54/5.0 (165 ratings, checked on 27/09/2026), recording 40 community reviews.
• WuxiaWorldEU: Readers commented "a short story of only 25 chapters! But it shouldn't be longer because I might die from losing too many tears..." and praised the male lead for gradually softening toward the cute boy (checked on 27/09/2026).

Recommendations for Different Readers

The work is a perfect choice for anyone looking for a short, gentle Danmei novel to relax with in a brief span of time. The combination of Xiao Jiu's persistence and Yan-daren's coldness creates a deeply sweet romance journey.

However, if you expect a grand-scale epic with complex political schemes and a large cast of supporting characters, this might not be the optimal choice.

In short: A concise, complete, and heartwarming Danmei story about the sincere pursuit of love within the imperial court.

Tags: danmei, unrequited love, prince