To be honest, I completely agree with you. It's the sort of story where it seems alright but the feeling doesn't sit with you at all, I recommend this story the art style is similar so maybe its the same Illustrator "Nokori Ichinichi de Hametsu Flag Zenbu Heshiorimasu: Zamaa RTA Kiroku 24Hr."
The plot holes are what was killing me. Like at the time I couldn't describe what felt wrong, but now I can.
For a supposed bloody tyrant, why does she have just 2 ministers in her court? Oops I meant 1 since she chopped the head of the other.
Knowing your reputation outside is shit...why do you have 1 guard?!? You think your immune 2 assassination?!
You marry of all people a prince from a vassal nation. How does this help u at all. Your PR is still shit. You didn't even do a background check on him. Wait. You didn't even attend the wedding that was supposed to boost your PR...*sigh*
I have so many other reasons 2 dunk on it I'm only stopping here because I've written a whole essay already. The author wanted the setting but refused to flesh it out and just went straight for the 'drama'. I can't switch off my brain 4 this. I tried.
I took a look at the manga you mentioned and I think I prefer the art style in that one more.
I got spoiled for choice by this novel: Concubine of the Eastern Palace (Qing Dynasty Time Travel)
You can find it on novel updates. It takes the trope and does it so damn well. High stakes court politics, a paranoid monarch, scheming concubines and princes, blackmail and so much more. The novel is a romance 4 sure but the setting is not ignored in the slightest.
I read this then I come to this manga and I weep.
So truee. It's like the characters have discrepancies with their setup. Also aside from the important characters everyone else around em is so two dimensional. Also like i was so surprised that the mother's lady in waiting had all that audacity when she's a tryant on paper and murdered a buncha ppl. Speaking of murder all those ppl bound to have regrets and hate her. So far the evil spirits were not specifically there due to her actions, since this new one is cursing the mother just bc she was born. That's not really something she is responsible of, so like what would happen lmao if one of her brother is an evil spirit here like idk if she can actually do anything w that realistically to ease their vengeance.
I have my foibles as a lover of court drama manhua and novels. It's not a bad read, but I personally can't stomach how the plot is being handled.