The dragon and phoenix.

August 2025

A yellow cake-pop with a smiling face is next to a cookie. The cake-pop almost seems to be longingly looking at the cookie. The words "Yan Wushi" labels the cake-pop, and "Shen Qiao" labels the cookie.

#10 - The dragon and phoenix.

This month, we read the fourth volume of Thousand Autumns.

Book cover of Legend of Exorcism Vol. 2 with 4-star rating.

Pa Ying’s Book Review

The fourth volume of Thousand Autumns by Meng Xi Shi is a gentler continuation of the journey of Shen Qiao and Yan Wushi’s story. While the earlier installments built a world of political upheaval and charted significant growth for both characters, this volume shifts gears, delivering a more subtle narrative where romance takes center stage.

Illustrated portraits of Yan Wushi and Shen Qiao by Arlo.

Yan Wushi is very romantic… if only he hadn’t sabotaged himself.

In a heartfelt moment, Yan Wushi finally confesses his feelings. It is undeniably romantic, though shadowed by the betrayal that still lingers between them—a wound that cannot be easily healed. Shen Qiao, still wary from the heartbreak, struggles to reconcile Yan Wushi’s sincerity with his history, choosing to refrain from overt reciprocation.

Even so, Yan Wushi continues his repeated declarations of interest and relentless teasing, as stubborn and incorrigible as ever, hoping Shen Qiao will eventually lower his guard. The tension between them is equal parts exasperating and endearing, keeping their relationship balanced between playful banter and deeper emotional reckoning.

Chinese hand embroidery painting of a dragon and phoenix in an eternal, harmonious dance.

The dragon and phoenix

In Chinese mythology and folk art, the dragon and phoenix are often depicted in an eternal, harmonious dance. This image symbolizes the perfect balance of yin and yang, representing the interplay between the masculine and feminine. Together, they signify the harmonious union of opposites.

Yan Wushi and Shen Qiao have always existed in a perfectly matched counterbalance, opposite but equal. As a couple, they embody the same harmonious union of opposites. In the donghua adaptation, promo images and animated motifs directly connect the pair to the dragon and phoenix more explicitly, very early in the narrative. It wasn’t until book four that we got a very direct reference to the dragon and phoenix in relation to Yan Wushi and Shen Qiao.

“As you two are dragons and phoenixes among men, your friendship is likely extraordinary as well.”

Yan Wushi playfully allowed an innkeeper to believe that he was in a romantic relationship with Shen Qiao without Shen Qiao immediately noticing. In his comment to the men about their relationship, he acknowledged their romance, drawing a connection to the image of the dragon and phoenix. Dragons and phoenixes are powerful mythological entities. Commenting that these two are like them acknowledges their martial prowess and standing. Comparing them specifically to the pair of both the dragon and phoenix was an intentional choice, said to acknowledge their harmonious union, emphasized by calling their friendship extraordinary.

UP NEXT, we’re reading Thousand Autumns Vol. 5

In the Central Plains, alliances shift quickly. After a daring rescue during a coup, Shen Qiao is called home to Xuandu Mountain, only to learn Yan Wushi has challenged Hulugu to a battle to the death.

Shen Qiao must rely on his martial skills to survive the chaos and wonders if what he cherishes most will endure.

We’ve updated the release schedule! Check it out here.

After closer consideration, we’ve decided to change up our reading list. We are cutting a couple of books to prioritize finishing Thousand Autumns before jumping into Peerless.