Ballad of Sword and Wine feels like watching a Korean period drama where the Queen Dowager is the one who truly rules the kingdom rather than the king. I’ve seen too many period dramas to conclude that kings and emperors are merely figureheads on display while queens and empresses hold the real power behind the throne.
Ballad of Sword and Wine starts with a massacre, leaving only one survivor who is tortured for information. However, he receives aid from the Queen Dowager, who wields the real power in the kingdom, and from former military men loyal to his adopted father. This survivor is Shen Zechuan, the eighth son of the traitorous Prince of Jianxing. From being imprisoned and later placed under house arrest at the former residence of a fallen crown prince, Zechuan eventually gains his freedom when the emperor dies.
Although Zechuan is no longer imprisoned, he is given a post with the Embroidered Uniform Guard, essentially the emperor's royal guards.
Meanwhile, the Emperor grows anxious about the rising power of the Xiao Clan of Libei. To keep them in check, he appoints the second son of the Prince of Libei as the Supreme Commander of the Imperial Army.
This is where Zechuan and Xiao Chiye, the youngest son of the powerful Prince of Libei, first meet. Their first encounter is brutal, their second meeting ends in a fistfight, but five years later, the two have grown close.
The political turmoil and clan clashes in this novel resemble a K-drama, with major clans battling politically to assert control over the throne, while minor clans sway to whichever major clan wields more power. And, of course, power struggles in the political arena wouldn’t be complete without murder and corruption.
Amidst all this political drama, you might wonder how Chiye and Zechuan still find time to flirt with each other. Yes, flirt. In every encounter, there seems to be an underlying tension between them.
Like in many danmei novels, the bottom character is often described with feminine features—small waist, fair skin like jade—and in Zechuan's case, as the Prince of Chu puts it, “Why wasn’t he born a woman?” You can’t blame the Prince of Chu for saying that, as several men inquire about Zechuan's price.
Then there's Xiao Chiye, the top character, who fits the trope—taller, buffer, rougher, and more masculine.
The story is quite engaging, but some moments can be slow, which is why it took me four days to finish the book. The political power play keeps you hooked as you try to figure out who’s pulling the strings, who the real traitor is, and who will emerge victorious. You also can’t help but wonder how Chiye’s older brother and father will react when they find out Chiye has bedded both a traitor and a man. I haven’t read a danmei where male-to-male relationships face prejudice, so I’m curious to see how this one handles it.
Your morals will be safe with this novel, unlike most top danmei titles. But be prepared to be serious and focused while reading. There are moments where you might wonder how events unfolded or feel compelled to backtrack, thinking you missed something.
Ballad of Sword and Wine is planned to have eight volumes, with only the first volume currently available. The second volume will be released on September 24, 2024, and the third on January 7, 2025.
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