Why

you'd have to be really mentally strong to stay alive in the slums for that long (while protecting her mum too)

im glad she can still be a kid nevertheless

Yeah. And unlike others she really a child mentally and not a duper smart grow up

Honestly, I think most people don't like her because the way she is written and shown just seems quite selfish and narcissistic, to me most of her actions stem from guilt more than genuine love. She just seems shallow, the romance with the emperor doesn't help either (it's so cheesy and why do we need to focus on the romance while the important thing is the development between mother and daughter). Yes I know she has tried and sacrificed a lot for her daughter currently, but it's so vain, she chose royalty for a luxurious life and power not a safe one (just like her previous life). Like she barely spends time with her daughter or invests in her emotionally, she's just here dilly dallying with the emperor and her schemes, for me it's more like she's securing her own future comfort and luxuries more than anything, like your daughter sacrificed her WHOLE LIFE for you at least show some more gratitude. (don't even try to bring up the other emperor dad's manhwa bcuz I dislike them all equally). DON'T even begin with the misogyny talk, I don't like the way she is shown and written SPECIFICALLY, she is complex, but let's be honest, she's not THAT complex, there are multiple female character who are straight up cruel and anger-inducing that I like more than her. (from the moment she took Lyrica's money before saying anything and then just disappearing says A LOT about her character). And YES, IK she's a flawed human being who's still learning from her mistakes and still fixing her bad habits and AWFUL way of thinking, but just the fact that I said that means she is inherently someone not very nice and can we accept that. What I wanted to say is let people dislike her, her being complex isn't an excuse for her abusive behavior, reliving your life and having a chance to redeem yourself doesn't mean you weren't horrible, your change is accepted but that doesn't mean your them sins will be forgiven, what's the point of having a complex character if we can't have complex feelings about them.
And omg, lyrica is SUCH a strong little girl with so much love and compassion in her heart. The pure mental strength to go through all she did and still hold love and compassion for her mom and the world is crazy.