Destined

A Cinderella Story with Ledgers, Love, and War

Destined begins as a marriage born from misunderstanding, but slowly unfolds into a story about growth, partnership, and finding warmth in the most unexpected places. While the drama stumbles in its political ambitions, its emotional core and character relationships make it a rewarding watch.

Liu Yu Ru is the legitimate daughter of a once-prosperous cloth merchant, yet her life is anything but comfortable. Trapped in a household that treats her and her mother as burdens rather than family, she survives through quiet endurance. A single misunderstanding alters her fate when she is suddenly married off to Gu Jiu Si, the infamous, pleasure-seeking son of Yangzhou’s wealthiest family, known more for indulgence than responsibility. Their marriage begins on shaky ground. Gu Jiu Si assumes Liu Yu Ru is calculating, while Liu Yu Ru braces herself for yet another life defined by patience and restraint. However, upon entering the Gu household, she is met not with cruelty, but warmth. Under the guidance of her gracious mother-in-law, she begins learning business, and over time, the emotional distance between husband and wife slowly dissolves. Just as their bond begins to bloom, war and political unrest descend upon Yangzhou. The Commissioner’s reign of terror forces the Gu family into unimaginable hardship, and through loss, chaos, and sacrifice, Liu Yu Ru and Gu Jiu Si transform from reluctant partners into devoted companions, proving that destiny is often forged through adversity.

Visually, Destined is a pleasure to watch. The sets are well-rendered and effective in showcasing the Gu family’s immense wealth and influence, while also emphasizing Liu Yu Ru’s Cinderella-like journey. Watching her rise from a mistreated daughter to a woman who seemingly “hit the jackpot” is deeply satisfying. What stood out most was the contrast between the Liu and Gu households. Where the Liu family felt cold and oppressive, the Gu family was warm, humble, and kind despite their riches. Every member of the Gu family felt genuinely likable, adding a comforting and familial atmosphere to the story.

At its heart, Destined thrives on the relationship between Liu Yu Ru and Gu Jiu Si. Their dynamic develops naturally, moving from petty tricks and misunderstandings to genuine partnership and trust. I loved the subtle storytelling choices, such as how the physical space between them while sleeping gradually closes, mirroring their emotional closeness. Gu Jiu Si’s attentiveness whenever his wife wants to speak is quietly endearing, and their relationship feels layered and realistic. They are friends, partners, lovers, and family all at once, bickering in one moment and fiercely caring in the next.

One of Destined’s strongest points is its lead performances, especially Bai Jing Ting as Gu Jiu Si. He delivers an outstanding portrayal, capturing Gu Jiu Si’s evolution from a mischievous and immature rich boy into a more grounded and responsible man. His comedic expressions are perfectly timed, never excessive, and blend seamlessly with the female lead’s softer, more naive demeanor. Episode 14 stands out as a turning point. Bai Jing Ting’s expressions during the traumatic events left a lasting impact, and the deaths of major ensemble characters were heartbreaking yet realistic. While it was painful to lose them early, their absence added emotional weight and consequence to the story.

However, the drama faltered when it came to its antagonists. The villains, especially Luo Zishang, felt randomly inserted into the story. His entrances lacked impact, his disappearances were frequent, and his role as a major antagonist never felt fully realized. His backstory was confusing, his motivations underdeveloped, and his supposed fixation on Liu Yu Ru was unconvincing given their limited childhood interactions.

The political plot toward the later episodes felt unnecessary and padded, as though new conflicts were introduced simply to fill the episode count. There were noticeable plot holes, particularly surrounding Luo Zishang’s family background and Emperor Fan’s rise to power. Emperor Fan’s sudden transformation from a hardened war figure into a frail, near-death ruler was unintentionally amusing rather than dramatic. Another weak point was the repetitive “starting from the bottom” trope. While their initial sacrifice made sense, repeatedly giving up all their assets felt unrealistic and increasingly cringey. The drama also made earning money seem far too easy, which undermined the gravity of those sacrifices.

The vow renewal and shared cup scene between Gu Jiu Si and Liu Yu Ru was visually beautiful, though it could have been more emotionally impactful. The ending itself was satisfying, with characters receiving what they deserved, but the sequence could have been stronger. Personally, I would have preferred the Gu family’s conclusion to be shown last for a more emotionally resonant finish.

Despite its flaws, Destined remains a heartfelt drama with a strong central romance, excellent performances, and a warm family dynamic. While the political elements were messy, the emotional core of the story carried the drama through and made it a memorable watch.

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Destined to be Almost Perfect - but not quite

Destined is divided into three very clear Acts.

Act 1 - which takes place in the then prosperous city of Yangzhou. Where a rich playboy, Gu Jiusi and virtuous perfectionist, Liu Yuru, accidentally get married against their wills. As is the case, things seem to fall into place and they fall in love and the internal chaos turns into external chaos. Act 1 was really enjoyable and the lightest of all the Acts. Along the way, they meet the righteous General Zhou Ye of Youzhou who they become sworn brothers and sister with. The beautiful settings and costumes were just a feast for the eyes and a delight to watch. Gu Jiusi's mother, Jiang Rou, was a picture of dignity and grace and life really seemed like it was too easy and happy.

Act 2 - takes place in Youzhou. This was the MOST enjoyable Act for me and they should have just stopped while they were ahead, honestly. Like I won't begrudge the writers for just stopping the show after Act 2. This wonderful Act saw how the family rebuilt their lives after an external calamity and continued to make good friends around them. The final few episodes of Act 2 were action packed, smart, well paced and thoroughly enjoyable. There were so many beautiful moments of trust, collaboration and cooperation between Gu Jiusi, Liu Yuru, Zhou Ye and Ye Shi An. It was such a joy to watch how they cleverly overcame all the obstacles that came their way.

Act 3 - the most chaotic Act. This takes place in the Eastern Capital. Honestly, half of me wishes I just stopped at Act 2. Suddenly I found myself in a palace drama full of conniving officials. It's like a completely different show just haphazardly stitched together. The drama was unnecessary and weird. Alot of the plot wasn't thought through. It was as though the writers had to find content to finish 40 episodes. The last death of a wonderful character was COMPLETELY unnecessary and let me very dissatisfied. It really didn't propel the plot further. It was just death for no reason. That was quite upsetting to me. Anyway the ending was a good one but it could have been happier if the good character didn't die (you'll know what i mean if you watch it). I also didn't like how Luo Zishang, the villain, was such a trope-y bad guy. He was too cliche. It was too boring. He was like the villain in Under the Power. This entire Act could have been improved. And the good person didn't have to die!

All in all, I really enjoyed it. To me, I would say this was a cross between Under the Power and A New Life Begins. Apart from the chaos in Act 3, I think it was such a refreshing drama and highly recommend it.

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must watch

ignore all the bad reviews they're just jealous tbf this is the best drama ever

NO BREAKUPS, NO MISUNDERSTANDING/LEAVING
not lovey dovey but mature love and understanding towards eachother

female lead:
smart + loveable + unique
sensible + not pick me type
die for the male lead

male lead:
funny + childish but mature when it requires
loving + gets huge character development from ep 10

I love the friends group, how they show the truth and everything!!
if you hate the male lead then please know that he gets way better

The fighting / war problem starts from episode 15 :)

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It was good then it got political

I liked this because for the most part it was light and fun to watch, with some seriousness.

I really love the ML actor, he has a charming quality about him.

The FL character was interesting, she did annoy me with her snivelling mews of weeping, but she actually was a strong minded and independent character who grew a lot.

It doesn't focus too much on romance, which is a little bit of a shame because their healthy developing relationship was sweet and I felt like just nice and normal.

I hate how political it suddenly became as I always get confused about who's who and what's happening. There just got to be too many characters and too much palace power struggle and conflict happening. I dropped it so close to the end - only about 8-9 episodes to go, but I just couldn't keep my interest up for it,

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Most Underated Drama

*"Destined" is, without a doubt, one of the most underrated Chinese dramas of its time. It deserves way more recognition than it got. The chemistry between Bai Jingting and Song Yi was absolutely mesmerizing—one of the best slow-burn romances I’ve seen in a historical drama. Their dynamic was refreshing, with a strong yet vulnerable female lead and a seemingly playful but deeply devoted male lead. The way their relationship evolved, from a marriage of convenience to genuine love, was beautifully done without unnecessary misunderstandings or melodrama.

The storytelling was well-paced, balancing politics, romance, and humor seamlessly. Unlike some dramas that drag on or get lost in unnecessary subplots, Destined kept me engaged throughout. Every character had depth, and even the supporting cast added layers to the story rather than just existing as filler.

The production quality was top-notch, with stunning cinematography, elegant costumes, and a soundtrack that perfectly complemented the mood of each scene. It had all the elements of a classic historical romance, yet it never felt cliché.

I honestly don’t understand why Destined didn’t get the hype it deserved. Maybe because it wasn’t as flashy as some big-budget productions, but in terms of storytelling, acting, and emotional depth, it was one of the best dramas I’ve watched in a long time. If you’re looking for a well-written historical romance with amazing leads and a compelling plot, this is it. A hidden gem that deserves way more love!" A MUCH WATCH!

10/10

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Emotional and Inspirational: 'Destined' Leaves a Lasting Impact

No words can describe how great this was. Definitely one of my favourite dramas. The storyline is just so damn good, every episode I was captivated and wanted to know what happened next. The character growth was insane, especially Gu Jiusi and Liu Yuru, who were such a power couple. In Destined, there was so many inspirational and emotional things that I need to write down. Let me just say, every death had me feeling something, I would say most of them were necessary but it's not like they didn't hurt. So many things happened in this show and when it ended I literally felt empty. And of course, I have to talk about Luo Zishang (Liu XueYi). I know he was a villain but I felt so bad for him but not at the same time. He was hot and had a sad backstory, what can I say? Excellent acting and I was satisfied with the ending, overall I rate it 10/10, so good!

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Best drama for women, understanding couple, forgiving nature.

I am very pleased after watching this drama, It doesn't show emotion of 1 character. it tells collective stories of all the characters and in a very raw, unfiltered, and natural way.

I also doesn't show super powerful villain or hero but rather show how they use their brains and even lie and trick to win the battles. The plots were not like alien attacks or supernatural infact they were exactly what you would expect from a historical drama like war, politics, society, and all these small social issues.

My only thing that i wanted to see was the highschool reunion of drinking wine of jisung that they promised in early episodes. Every Time jisung visit his hometown i was expecting the reunion from his best buddy but it never happened i was expecting it at the last episode too. His friends sacrificed so much for him i really wanted them to see each other again sometime.

But it was so good it has sorrow but still understandable. i cried alot but also enjoyed every single episode. There wasn't a single episode i ever wanted to skip. Thank you to actors, producers and writers for bringing this to light.

No crazy or sad ending thank god. Jisung and ye acting was good according to roles. Yuru was also good.

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Paying the price for stupidity

Let me just say JH and ZLS's relationship as father and son is messy and the reason for the rebellion at Yangzhou and the annihilation of the families of ZY YSH and LY. But ZLS didn't even realize he is taking revenge on Gu family until the last minute. ZLS could have been admirable had he walked the right path after all that struggle but he felt the world was unfair to him he so he should take revenge on the world too.

LY and GJS this couple was so perfect although their marriage was an accident at the beginning LY determination to make it work was admirable. Their relationship was built on trust so no matter what ZLS does LY won't be swayed.

SM and YY was an unexpected pairing but cute too bad the series didn't show how this relationship developed.

ZY and QW could have been perfect too bad it was not. They admore each other and fell for each other but because of LZS plot they never got the chance to live happily.

The brotherhoods:
Gen. Zhou and Emperor Fan's friendship is so admirable. GZ pointed to EF that his son is not fit for the role after trying to frame GJS for murder. A real friend is not scared to tell the truth it hurt but EF knew he was right but he loved his pathetic son.

ZY, YSA, SM, and GS these three combined is unbeatable from plottinf to assessing the situation they are brains and brawl combined. Their concern for each other was sincere and their friendship built on going through thick and thin and life and death.

The sisterhood between YY, LY, QW was showb briefly but they meshed well.

Side:
Mom in laws- these two are pillars for LY and GS they were able to do what they want because the MILs trust them. No monster in law here. Maybe LYR dad but he died early.

The righthand man of ZLS and his lady ally who keeps on being used and manipulated. I felt vad for them and happy for Lady Feng to have realized she can have a life without ZLS after her talk to LY. Her ending is fit for the story.

All in all the current generation is paying the price or consequences of what happened in the previous dynasty, there are other irritating characters like the dowager empress and princess but they also got whatvthey deserved off screen.

The last episode where they tried to stop GZ from killing FY was epic in a way. It's an ending fit for how everything went down but a bit anticlimatic if you ask me.

Actors were will fit and acted freat to the point that I want to curse LXY for his role as LZS .

***many actors were on BOY and even the scene of GZ at the last epsiode was similar tothe BOY ep when they tried to usurp the throne***

Osts:
Liu Yuning's ost for this drama was good and all the songs were well chosen to fit the story.

Rewatch: definitely specially the beginning when GJS was aimless and LY trying to mold him to be who he should be.

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Couples who grow together STAY together!!! and end up saving the country along the way

If I could rewind time to rewatch this whole series again, I would do it right now.

I was so excited for DESTINED I even broke out my rusty Mandarin to try reading the webnovel it was based on (Chang Feng Du, or "Long Wind Crossing") before the series even aired. (Turns out my Mandarin was a bit too rusty lol.)

If you're a fan of:
- a heartfelt couple who goes through THICK AND THIN together to solve problems and save civilians
- intricate political schemes featuring a 3-dimensional, cunning villain who's easy on the eyes
- host of side characters that brighten up the screen
- diverse genres from war time, palace intrigue, business start-ups, to even slice-of-life and rom-com
- and main characters that go through amazing growth throughout the series,
Then this drama is right up your alley!!

PROS
❀ This couple is my new gold standard for historical dramas
No misunderstandings, unnecessary break-ups, and over-the-top arguments/bickering. JUST mutual affection and understanding, riding the same frequency, passionate embraces, staunch devotion, and growing with each other. The ML Gu Jiusi is at first a carefree dandy, but you can see that he's still soft-hearted and caring, which sets his character up for huge potential. The FL Liu Yuru is getting ready for an engagement as per the young ladies of the time period, but in the series she blossoms into more than those expectations. I adored how both leads inspired the other to go beyond what society expected of them. For GJS, it was maturing past his playboy tendencies to become an official that brought peace to the people, and for LYR it was seeking a surprise passion: business.
Their interactions were so sweet! I love how LYR turned her accidental marriage into something productive and pushed her husband out of his comfort level. On the other hand, GJS's open mind and natural intelligence also sparked new drive and passion into his wife's heart. Individually, they became dependable and strong. Together, they were a gold star team.
Their romance took up a good portion of the story and hooks you in with satisfying character development from the get-go. After the first 10 episodes or so, underhanded scheming upends their lives as they grow more into their roles to save the family.
OH! I also loved their kiss scenes :)) not to mention the couple looked gorgeous together.

❀ The side characters had significant depth
I love how the show focused on side characters as much as the main leads. Relationships of all types are featured: romance, bromance, sismance, revengemance (lol?), and more. The biggest shout outs I have are:
- Pan Xuan and General Zhou's bromance: one that transcends beyond official positions
- Zhou Ye x Ye Shian x Gu Jiusi's bromance: I literally pump my fist whenever I see them working together in court
- Liu Yuru x Ye Yun x Qin Wan Zhi's sismance: I love how each of them are capable in different ways (businesswoman, physician, and female general!)
- Luo Zi Shang as the villain and his subordinates: this villain!! He's smart and he knows it. Manipulating everyone everywhere he goes. But with his backstory and how the actor portrays him, you CAN'T help but feel as if he deserved more. Obviously too late with his evildoings, but you can't help but think: "what if?" in terms of his upbringing and situation. One of my favorite villains to date.
- Jiang He, GJS's maternal uncle: another intelligent character with hidden depths. I love how he was introduced and integrated into the story, as well as his role in wrapping everything up.
- GJS's mom and LYR's mommance: lol sismance but they're in-laws. Both strong women in their own unique ways.

❀ Everyone was casted really well
I loved Bai Jing Ting in You Are My Hero and Reset, and he was AMAZING in this historical piece. His facial expressions - especially towards the beginning - were hilarious as he acted as a carefree dandy. Later down the episodes, even though his character matures and starts to command attention both in the palace and on the battlefield, he still retains some of that playfulness. Song Yi's character also grows from a demure lady to a smart businesswoman (after trials and tribulations), and she executes that transformation really well. At first her dub was a bit sweet/sing-songy to me, but I got used to it as it matched her character. Liu Xue Yi as the villain was stellar as well - even though he was super evil I felt for him. I really did. And not just because of his sad backstory and good-looking face, lol.

❀ Really enjoyed the plot execution
Although I know there was deviation from the book, I love how the storyline pans out. I thought everything was revealed naturally and methodically, and the storyline was tight from beginning to end (meaning - no unnecessary fillers). You looking for a Chinese drama with minimal plot holes? You came to the right place. The writers did a great job tying up loose ends, in my opinion. You get to see the outcome of all the major characters and the final conclusion - which did have tragic moments as per unspoken historical Cdrama rule - was ultimately fulfilling. I literally felt like I had withdrawals after I finished the last episode.
As for the plot, we get to enjoy a host of genres: first we see a rom-com background where two seemingly different people end up together. Then, tragedy strikes and they walk through fire together to save their family and rebuild from scratch, lending a slice-of-life feel. LYR is building her business while GJS enters the government as a lowly yamen runner. As he works his way up (literally climbs the official ladder through numerous achievements and plans), we get introduced to war and much more action. Finally, the main leads make it to the capital and the show continues in a palace setting as everything leading up to this moment gets revealed.

❀ Subtle message of female empowerment
I feel like many Cdramas try to push feminist ideals in your face and end up getting a bad rep. DESTINED doesn't have that focus; rather, the feminist ideals are naturally integrated in the story and characters. GJS - literally greenest flag to have ever flown - is open-minded and not afraid to call people out.
- Why would you have filial piety if your father doesn't deserve it? -> A statement he makes that LYR is shocked about, but ends up applying to her own situation.
- Who says that women can't do what men do? -> GJS's message that inspires LYR to find her own passion rather than living for the sake of her husband.
- Women from all sorts of life: from LYR's birth mom to her friend that takes a stand in her hostage situation to the antagonist team's brothel owner who also takes control of her own life, each woman is depicted with quiet strength and resilience.
In terms of female empowerment, this drama does an amazing job in "showing" those ideals rather than just "telling" the audience.

CONS
✕ I can't really think of anything huge under the haze of my overall love for this drama, but some weaker plot points include:
- 2ML/villain's obsession with the FL: I know Asian dramas tend to oversell childhood friends but even the flashbacks weren't strong enough to supplement his attachment to her
- how our main couple never caught a break after they established themselves: it was literally one conflict after another lol. I didn't mind it but I can see why folks get tired after ep 30ish since the series starts dialing up the palace drama and politics.

OVERALL
DESTINED balances multiple genres really well, but at its heart is a young couple who goes through obstacles and end up growing as individuals while saving people. Along the way, they gather a colorful crew of loyal friends who become the pillars of the nation. While the FL and her business does take a step back in the latter quarter to make room for the ML's kingmaker moves in the palace, she still supports and supplements him. At the end of the day, they were certainly destined for each other.

Brb, about to rewatch it now ;)

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Long time not found very enjoyable historical drama. This drama make me laugh & cry with them.

The story start from a girl named Liu Yu Ru (YR) that comes from business family, that even though she is the legitimate daughter, but her father prefer & more love her step sisters (from Concubine). So from the injustice in her home, she plans her future life where she can married to good family so she can support her mom, Ye family is her goal. But life turn upside down when she meet Gu Jiu Si (JS), a playful rich man, that never have consequence for his action including everything that come out from his mouth. As the result, YR find herself engaged to JS in the end. And their story begin.... ^^

At first of course YR try to avoid her destiny to married to JS, but in the end she accept her fate & finally she even manage to change JS. Her action of course supported by JS's parent that also want to see their son change into better man. Mean while there's a man in the shadow that ready to turn their world upside down, together with the changing politic in the capital city, that make Gu family loses their support. In this drama we see how support from family & friend, together with clever & smart decision from YR & JS make their journey full of story that we can watch together. Haha...

What I like:
+ What I really like about YR is what ever life give her, she take it, try her best & sometimes even punch life back in its face. Haha... Really like how in the end she really can stand & make the power for herself.
+ The chemistry between Bai Jing Ting & Song Yi quite good. Love to see they love each other, not to the point lovey dovey but enough for us to feel their love for each other.
+ Bai Jing Ting give us good performance for JS. We can sense that even though people see him as aloof rich man, but he is kind man & later on we can see how he grow up become smart & mature man.
+ All the friendship JS, Ye Shi An, Zhou Ye & Shen Ming is one solid friend, they willing to do their best to support their friend. We also have Fan Xuan & Zhou Gao Lang, (the emperor & his right hand man) even though in the end they kinda grow apart, but that also one lifetime friendship.
+ How love never make people stupid here. Like even though Luo Zi Shang (ZS) love YR, but he never stop or even pause his plan even for the sake of YR herself.
+ We can see the strong woman here. Like YR & Ye Yun (YY). How YY herself also turn herself around after what Wang Shan Quan did to her.

Now the minus:
- They never really give the deep background of our villain, ZS, Never at least until the last episode we finally understand why he did it & where the grudge come from. And that just one stupid misunderstanding in the end,
- The obsession of Fan Yu to become emperor never really explained. His swift in the character is the one that make my eyebrow raised the most. I know this not a story about him, so we don't get too much explanation about him. maybe if the episode longer we gonna get some explanation about this. But I mean how a boy that at one time really trust, adore JS & I can say a good kind hearted boy can change to become jealous, sentiment and all the obsession about the throne itself. Maybe the explanation lays in the last interaction between him & his father, where we can see how hurt he is that his father is more trust JS than him as his son.

Overall this really one good drama that I enjoy very much...

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Strong female lead, strong morals, strong couple

I went into this drama with very few expectations and really enjoyed it. The character growth was great and I thought the main couple had great chemistry. They were just believable as a couple and I think that's what sold the show the most for me. They were really sweet and dedicated to each other!

The music was pretty good except for one or two tracks that had distracting electric guitar which totally took me out of the scene (I mean, this is ancient China, which has zero electric guitars), but overall the OST was well-done and supported the scenes.

I also enjoyed some of the supporting characters and was interested enough in following their stories.

I agree with one of the other reviewers here in that I loved how morals and doing the best thing for others was more important than just following blood lineage. It was discussed a lot in the show from various points of view, and I appreciated it. It felt very progressive and it was refreshing to see.

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A good drama about learning to be your best self and striving for goodness

Finally got around to finishing this one after a semi-hiatus (just got a little too political for my taste towards the middle-end). Overall it was an enjoyable/entertaining watch, though not super memorable. I would also want to mention the middle-last parts in the palace dragged on quite a bit. This was the first drama I saw BJT in, and the second one with SY (the first one being Luoyang, which tbh her constant "Erlang" annoyed me quite a bit lol). Their chemistry was amazing! I really felt the emotional moments and also it was very natural how they grew to understand and love each other.

As for the rest of the cast and characters - everyone did a great job per usual, in particular the actress that played Gu Jiusi's mother! I also have a soft spot for Liu Xueyi and of course he excels at these types of roles. Music was good, and the songs weren't overplayed. The emotional scenes were very well done, whether it's the deaths of characters we got to know and love earlier or a reunion scene between characters who haven't seen each other in a long time. I also loved that the growth of the main characters felt very natural - Gu Jiusi growing from a spoiled rich kid (though a little crass, he was never malicious so we could see that he could grow to be a good man) to a good man who can protect his loved ones, and Liu Yuru from a girl who believed there was only way to save her family to realizing her business acumen and that she had more to offer than just marrying into a good family.

As for the romance, it was definitely a slow burn though the kisses we did get were quite sweet.

Now for the bad - One other fault I would mention is that while I liked the dynamic of the main couple, I thought the FL was a little whiny and a little preachy in the beginning, though this definitely improved as the series went on. I also felt like the characters were a little too Mary Sue at some points, where other characters are just constantly praising them to the point that it got a little annoying. One other critique I had (as already mentioned by other reviewers) was that Luo Zishang's motives for what he did were pretty weak, and the endings for the villains didn't feel as satisfying. Especially in regards to a character who was very annoying (**SPOILER: crown prince**)...where it felt like all the bad stuff they did were just brushed under the rug. But Liu Xueyi is such a charismatic actor that I could overlook his character's weak motives lol

Overall though I do think this drama could have been done in about 32 episodes, especially because towards the end it got a little draggy.

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