The underdogs became the winners
Family dynamics and politics were nicely depicted in this drama. The story was interesting. On two fronts, both the lead characters had cases on their hands to investigate and uncover.
As a child, Luo Yi Ning who lost her mother was sent away from home to the countryside villa after being accused of causing the miscarriage of her step-mother. When she returned years later, she was determined to prove her innocence. Back home, she began to suspect that her mother was poisoned. If it was not her stepmother, then who did it and why?
This episode on Yi Ning's eviction from the Luo family because of her stepmother was similar to that of the Double. Who plagiarised who - I could not ascertain which story was published earlier. The Double was aired earlier; so the natural conclusion was this drama plagarised.
Her half brother, Luo Shen Yuan was not what he appeared to be - the uneducated and unfavoured son. He was secretly the student of a mandarin who was accused of corruption and was executed. Very intelligent and conniving, he lay low while investigating his tutor's case as it might involve someone very powerful.
ShenYuan was a maverick and schemed his way to solve his tutor's case. He was so smart that he lay all the traps to catch the evil lord and stole the necessary evidence to nail him. What appeared to be a bad turn of events was actually a scheme of his. In this regard, it was a little unconvincing for such a young lad to be able to solely do all these without an older, more experience adult as advisor or helper.
When Yi Ning was repeatedly schemed against by her stepmother and half sister, he stepped in to help her. While trying to find a cure for her ill-health, he discovered that she might not be a child of the Luo's family and started to develop romantic feelings for her. The investigation of his tutor's case brought him in direct conflict with Marquis Lu JiaXue, YiNing's former love interest who now became his love and political rival.
Also I actually did not feel there was much chemistry between Ren Min (Yi Ning) and Zhang Wan Yi (Shen Yuan). The romantic scenes between them felt quite bland and obviously just a show. Zhang Wan Yi was the male lead in Lost You Forever. Comparing his chemistry with Ren Min and Yang Zi, the chemistry with Yang Zi was a lot more convincing.
Additionally, they chose the wrong voice for Ren Min. The childish pitchy voice did not help in building the character. She acted in the drama, the Longest Promise, with Xiao Zhan and the drama was a disappointment. I think she should stay on for another 2-3 years as a second lead to outstanding lead actresses to learn from them before taking up lead acting roles.
I found myself feeling sorry for the second lead. He did love Yi Ning truly although in an obsessive manner. Would have been better if a different ending had been crafted for him. At some parts, it looked like MingZhu was interested in him. Yet, the screenwriter did not capitalise on this further.
The last four episodes were totally unnecessary as they seemed to be added to drag the drama on. The drama could easily have ended at episode 36 and would have fared better in my rating. The extra four episodes would have been better used to craft a different ending for the second lead.
As a child, Luo Yi Ning who lost her mother was sent away from home to the countryside villa after being accused of causing the miscarriage of her step-mother. When she returned years later, she was determined to prove her innocence. Back home, she began to suspect that her mother was poisoned. If it was not her stepmother, then who did it and why?
This episode on Yi Ning's eviction from the Luo family because of her stepmother was similar to that of the Double. Who plagiarised who - I could not ascertain which story was published earlier. The Double was aired earlier; so the natural conclusion was this drama plagarised.
Her half brother, Luo Shen Yuan was not what he appeared to be - the uneducated and unfavoured son. He was secretly the student of a mandarin who was accused of corruption and was executed. Very intelligent and conniving, he lay low while investigating his tutor's case as it might involve someone very powerful.
ShenYuan was a maverick and schemed his way to solve his tutor's case. He was so smart that he lay all the traps to catch the evil lord and stole the necessary evidence to nail him. What appeared to be a bad turn of events was actually a scheme of his. In this regard, it was a little unconvincing for such a young lad to be able to solely do all these without an older, more experience adult as advisor or helper.
When Yi Ning was repeatedly schemed against by her stepmother and half sister, he stepped in to help her. While trying to find a cure for her ill-health, he discovered that she might not be a child of the Luo's family and started to develop romantic feelings for her. The investigation of his tutor's case brought him in direct conflict with Marquis Lu JiaXue, YiNing's former love interest who now became his love and political rival.
Also I actually did not feel there was much chemistry between Ren Min (Yi Ning) and Zhang Wan Yi (Shen Yuan). The romantic scenes between them felt quite bland and obviously just a show. Zhang Wan Yi was the male lead in Lost You Forever. Comparing his chemistry with Ren Min and Yang Zi, the chemistry with Yang Zi was a lot more convincing.
Additionally, they chose the wrong voice for Ren Min. The childish pitchy voice did not help in building the character. She acted in the drama, the Longest Promise, with Xiao Zhan and the drama was a disappointment. I think she should stay on for another 2-3 years as a second lead to outstanding lead actresses to learn from them before taking up lead acting roles.
I found myself feeling sorry for the second lead. He did love Yi Ning truly although in an obsessive manner. Would have been better if a different ending had been crafted for him. At some parts, it looked like MingZhu was interested in him. Yet, the screenwriter did not capitalise on this further.
The last four episodes were totally unnecessary as they seemed to be added to drag the drama on. The drama could easily have ended at episode 36 and would have fared better in my rating. The extra four episodes would have been better used to craft a different ending for the second lead.
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