Sia K. R.

Butterflies in my stomach; the whole world turns pink

I think this drama has a special place in my heart. Even though I usually prefer historical dramas I liked the plot and was super excited to watch Lusi in this role; so I had been waiting for this for about a year. I didn't even know that I could love this type of slow burn and slice of life drama so much... But! OMG!!!
This was a masterpiece!!!
IDK if it was the chemistry of the actors, the script; the directing or all of the above but this drama is definitely one of my most favourite ones!! I will definitely be re-watching this!!! I don't think that I can move on from Sang Zhi and Duan Jiaxu. They are one of the sweetest couples ever! I also ADORED Sang Yan and his relationship with his sister and his friend (DJ)! Oh how I wished to see more of them. I'm not gonna lie this is one of the (very few) dramas that I wouldn't mind having 100+ episodes. It could literally be the cast in character doing everyday stuff like a reality show and I wouldn't miss an episode! Unfortunately, the story had to come to wrap up. And even though Sang Zhi's and Duan Jiaxu's story may have come to an end I'd really love to see the entire cast together in another drama as their chemistry was simply spectacular!



P.S. I already was a fan of Lusi and Zeng Li, but through this drama I became a fan of Victor Ma and Chen Zhe Yuan as well!
Also the OSTs are AMAZING! I put all of them in my favourites on Spotify!

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Great drama amazing chemistry

It's honestly one of the best dramas I've watched this year, unfortunately towards the end it got a little draggy, though it could've been the fact that a lot of footage was supposedlycut off ( I rwad somewhere that10 episodes were cut off).

I cannot put to words how much I loved the main leads. Their chemistry is simply magnificent. I really wish to see them in more projects starring together in the future. Everything felt really natural between them. Plus I feel like they complimented each other's acting. There wasn't any over the top acting (like extreme unrealistic and overly animated reactions from them). Both of their portrayals were REALLY natural and I love how they had their performances perfected down to their micro expressions (which was absolutely needed for their roles as they both acted as very intelligent and multidimensional characters).

I absolutely adore how smart and strong the female lead is, we really need more FLs like her. Not only can she fight but she's also really intelligent and can match the main lead perfectly, instead of leaching off of him and waiting for him to save her every time. Some dramas say that the fl is "smart" but then she goes ahead and does the most stupid thing. This does not happen here, she's legitimately intelligent, strategic, powerful, knows her shortcomings and doesn't fear to be cunning when she needs to win (which obviously suits her character as she is a woman general in the ancient times). All that without losing her funny and humane side. Also she does not come off overly cold or arrogant. She seems just the right amount of imposing. Overall kudos to Jing Tian for her excellent portrayal.

Just like Jing Tian, Xu Kai did AMAZING in his role. To be completely honest I felt like he improved even more in his acting and seemed like the perfect King Qin. I love how intelligent and powerful, but at the same time playful, honest and loyal his character was. Moreover his character was also quite shrew at times and knew when to retreat and when to advance, even if he put emotion above logic at times.
I also really liked the cast's costumes. Obviously both main leads looked absolutely STUNNING, gosh I really wish to see them in drama together again soon.

Although the main leads had their ups and downs, they never stopped loving each other. I find their story really beautiful. Maybe the story didn't need that many episodes and could have ended earlier, as it gets a bit draggy towards the end, but tbh watching both Xu Kai and Jing Tian on screen, as a fan of both is a delight. All in all it still is a great watch because of the chemistry of the main leads, their acting and the quality of the production, which seemed good (not necessarily excellent but good).

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Starting off I have to say that Yang mi is one of my most favorited actresses, I'm a huge fan of hers and Xu Kai, so obviously I (along with thousand of others) was extremely excited about this drama and had been waiting, not so patiently, for it for a really long time.

And when it finally aired, let me tell you that i wasn't just happy.. I was THRILLED!! I was so excited that I bought a WeTv VIP pass again. I was very enthusiastic to watch the aired episodes every single week and couldn't wait for the next week's episodes to be released.

The story has some green flags, such being the communication the leads showed in the early episodes and how they would help and support each other, or how the fl was an outspoken, confident, intelligent and independent woman, which I absolutely ADORED (we really need more fls with these qualities).

Despite all that I have to admit that I STRONGLY disliked some things in the drama, the number of the red flags was excruciatingly high for a story that is supposed to be on the progressive side. Some red flags were walking, breathing characters. For instance the fl's brother. Nothing more needs to be told, his actions are enough explanation as to why he is a walking red flag. Even if you try, you can't find a single minute of this character's screentime where he was not toxic. Let's just say that his relationship with his wife was SUPER toxic, they should've simply divorced long ago. Bantering is normal in every relationship but what they had and what they were doing can't be described as normal not even in a million years.
Also fl's boss Tang Yi Hui (played by Liu Lin) was so manipulating. At first she really comes off as stern but sweet, but if you keep watching you'll come to see her real self. Though she did have some affection for the fl (which was based on the gains she got off of Qin Shi) she was constantly trying to train her using a carrot and a stick, so that Qin Shi would be completely obedient and never defy her. Compared to the fl's brother I have to admit that at the very least Tang Yi Hui's character is somewhat interesting (you keep guessing what her goal is) and intelligent. Also it is undeniable that she is a force that makes the fl grow. The fl's brother on the other hand, he simply is a horrible, unintelligent character who adds nothing to the story.

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A MASTERPIECE! I'm at awe!

Just finished it and all I have to say is one word: MASTERPIECE!

I literally haven't seen such a good drama in a really long time. Everything is extremely well thought of, the amount of attention to every little detail is INSANE! Zhang Bin Bin , Sun Zhen Ni and Wang Duo did an AMAZING job and so did the director, screenwriter and literally everyone else involved in this! I want to congratulate every single person who contributed into making this magnificent story come to life.

The cinematography is simply breathtaking, it's unreal, that's how beautiful the scenes are. And that's coming from someone who has been watching xianxia and wuxia dramas for quite a while (almost a decade now). My most favorite scene has to be Zhang Bin Bin as Zhao Ming standing at the sacrificial altar just seconds before climbing the ladder to slay the gods. Dark clouds are gathering in the sky. With his hair in a bun and the wind blowing the long strips of cloth hanging from his otherwise form fitting royal but almost general-like costume. Oh my God! He looks like the EPITOME of a god of war. I don't think I've seen a more majestic scene elsewhere! The camera faces his back and the scene feels so solemn and heroic. All in all the director has to get an award for this masterpiece! The actors and scriptwriters as well, they did beyond great!

I loved the main couple, be it MXL- XXC or Zhao Ming with Ah Zhu. I have to admit though that the MXL × XXC couple has a special place in my heart. I loved how the fl teased the ml and was sassy and straightforward even in all her schemes. XXC kept refusing her but ever since the very beginning he unconsciously started being drawn towards her. She was free and unrestrained - the exact opposite of himself. He was unconsciously yearning for the freedom that she represented and at the same time he fell deeply and inextricably in love with her. He gave his all for her, despite him being weighed down by his responsibilities towards the world.

The relationship between Ah Zhu and Si Ming is extremely compelling and profound. Interesting falls short to describe it. They have been together since the beginning of time. They are partners, always together, sharing a profound understanding of each other, unmatched in the whole world. They have always been inseparable. Or at least that's how it used to be... Until Ah Zhu fell from heaven. That's when it all changed. Or wasn't it? If we dig deeper into their story we can see they had long ago developed quite different personalities with almost opposite characteristics. Ah Zhu is seen showing curiosity towards the things that they, unlike the rest of the world, don't possess like a sense of smell or taste. Si Ming on the other hand doesn't share the same enthusiasm. He is despondent and seems to believe that everything is controlled by the rules set up from above, a belief which is strongly reinforced by him being the book of fate that sets the rules for cause and effect for everythingin the world. I am greatly intrigued by the dynamics of their relationship be it in the past or in the present.
I came to really like the 2nd ML's character. He is the perfect example of a grey character. He is not completely bad nor completely good. This is a very strong notion that permeates and sets the tone for the whole story and its development.

Also, the comment NYX/Si Ming made about them being in a painting inside the fan, is him effectively breaking the 4rth wall. He is basically saying their world is controlled by Hao Tian (their world being "the painting") but the place where Hao Tian is, is also controlled the same way (the heaven beyond the heaven, the place outside their world, the place where Hao Tian is, that is "the fan"). Thus he effectively describes the situation as one of us the audience would see it. The "fan" containing the "painting" is basically the drama being controlled by the scriptwriters and us watching it. Just a MASTERPIECE! This is probably the only story I've watched were had the writers wanted to add the leads reincarnating or waking up in the real world, it would actually work and make sense without ruining the story. To reinforce this " breaking the 4rth wall" sentiment it would've been perfect if they added a scene of the actors and the crew filming in the end. This could have been what NYX/ Si Ming had previously glimpsed when he saw the "truth" while fixing the heavens.

I especially have to mention how DIVINE the costumes are! I LOVE Zhao Ming's royal and majestic look, admittedly the makeup and the costume is my favourite along with the fallen immortal's dark, broody and seductive countenance. XXC's look is classic but still gorgeous. Zhang Bin Bin nails all his characters and brings them to life very vividly, all while making each one very distinct and distinguishable from the rest. Zhang Bin Bin looks are lethal, this man has the looks and acting skills to perfectly portray a seductive demon but can also pull off perfectly the cold unfeeling immortal, simply amazing. Then there is MXL with her beyond PERFECT costume styles! Oh my god I adore those ankle chains especially the one's with bells! All her dresses were super fashionable and exuded an air of seduction and sass which I loved and they really suited her characterMXL. Red is Sun Zhen Ni's colour, it suits her so much. I also loved her makeup especially as MXL and as the Chaos Pearl Supreme Goddesses. Sun Zhen Ni and Zhang Bin Bin are gorgeous in a kind of similar way. They both can easily pull off sassy, seductive and glamorous characters but they can just as easily pull off a more gentle or cold one. Reagrding Wang Duo all I have to say is WOW, firstly his acting is unreal, his portrayal was perfect. You could see his all struggles as well as his detachment. In one moment he seemed cruel, cold and unfeeling and the next, extremely profound, understanding and kind. All this makes sense when you find out he is (the book of) fate... sometimes brutal... and other times compassionate. Wang Duo is handsome and I particularly loved his makeup and costume as Si Ming. His NXY makeup and costume really suited him as well.

In conclusion, all I have to say is that THIS is THE drama of all dramas. The only xianxia that is as good or comes close to it is Ancient Love Poetry and Who Rules the World ( although I think this one is Wuxia). Although I don't usually rewatch, I'll definitely, for sure watch it again in the future! The three main leads are such a perfect combination and their portrayals are excellent. The characters and story have become very dear to me that I'm sad it's ended. I really wish to see these three in another drama together again in the future! The director, scriptwriter and main leads deserve all the awards for this masterpiece! Congratulations!!!

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Nostalgic even before the end!

It's been a long time since I've watched something so unimaginably good, that I honestly felt bad, sad and nostalgic about it ending, before that even took place!

Everything about this, from the story, the acting, the production, even the songs, are absolutely magnificent. As part of the audience, we can clearly see how meticulously crafted this drama is.

From the first episode you are thrown into a magical world, which is still clearly governed by its own nature's law. The whole universe is so intelligently structured, especially for a fantasy series, that is makes one awestruck. Nothing is just forced down our throats with the inexplicable reason of《Just because 》 or 《because that's what the plot dictates》like it happens in numerous dramas. Everything here has a meaning, a starting point and an end. Many factors can influence one single decision/ situation, just like in real life. So in a way, and despite this being a Xianxia drama, it's still somewhat realistic.

Moreover, the acting of the entirety of the cast is simply amazing! From the main and supporting actors to even the guest stars, everyone has done an excellent job at bringing their character to life! There are multiple scenes where the supporting actors were a huge factor of whether the scene would be successful or just awful. Even a slight mistake there and the whole narrative would've crumbled. But not only did they pull it off, they were extremely good at it as well! Needless to say that if I wasn't a fan before, I definitely am now, to almost everyone in the cast after this.

It's worth to be mentioned how both the FL and the ML are very well rounded characters. I love how Xingzhi actually has a personality. He's not just being cold, stoic and reticent nor is he simply doing whatever he wants without a care about his partner's opinion, like commonly seen in other MLs, especially in fantasy dramas. Both main leads are exceptionally written characters. Plus the portrayals are top notch! Both of them, clearly have their own unique personalities. I honestly adore how genuinely strong the fl is and how playful yet mature the ml is. Also don't you love how they just communicate? That's real talanted writing right there, without a need for petty misunderstandings as plot device.

I love how throughout the episodes we can see each character's personal growth. And this is not just about the main leads, but all of the characters! Thankfully this is a 39 episode -drama, because to be completely honest, I don't believe this could have been possible, had this been shorter. When a story is that enjoyable and well produced it's really a blessing when it's a long length series, because you simply don't want it to end.

The CGI, the costumes, the set, the makeup, everything was so so so beautiful, that I'm having difficulty putting it to words. It's definitely one of the most beautiful dramas I've ever come across.

Congratulations to all of the cast, director, producer, writers, makeup artists and literary everyone who took part into making this masterpiece take form! This is easily one of THE BEST productions I've ever watched, big thanks for making it happen! Though I'm usually not one to re-watch what I have before, and especially not too close to the 1st view, I'm definitely coming back to this and something tells me it's going to be very soon!

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I absolutely ADORE the plot of having a strong and Intelligent FL, with a backbone, strongly opinionated AND WHO IS ACTUALLY A MINISTER (OMG I LOVE IT!). I need more dramas with FLs like this.

On another note I definitely loved the 1st half way more than the 2nd half (skipped a lot of episodes, went straight to the end but I might go back and watch them later). The 2nd half felt kind of draggy.

I kind of wish the ml had told the 1st Prince that something was going on between him and the fl earlier so that the poor prince could have tried not to get the feels for the fl or something. Ngl I felt bad for him.
Also I would prefer if the love triangle didn't exist at all. The 1st prince will have to work very closely with the fl (aka the person he loves, who btw married his uncle!) for basically the rest of his reign, as the fl is super talented. It sounds like a torture for him, which is simply sad. He obviously values her way too much to take away her position plus that would make him a horrible human being (well... character but anyways 😂)

The chemistry between the leads was good I would've loved to see a bit more of it though. I don't know more sparks or something.

I also disliked the EXTREMELY blurry filter that was used way too often for my comfort. I don't mind a slightly blurry filter or even a stronger one used once in a while, but this was way too blurry and was used way too often.

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Nothing is perfect, but if anything was then it would probably be this drama!

If I could rate this 10000+ out of 10 I would! It is simply MAGNIFICENT! I I am at awe at how perfect everything is in this drama. I don't
even know where to start.

From the AMAZING acting and directing to the ABSOLUTELY FLAWLESS and genius senario... All I can say is that this drama dethroned some (if not all) of my most favourite series/kdramas/cdramas etc. The plot is solid and its development is done beautifully. The dynamic of the leads' relationship is great, both the fl and the ml are powerful (love the equality) not to mention that their chemistry is OUT OF THIS WORLD!! All of the cast has exceptional acting skills (even those who appear only for a few moments) . I usually do not re-watch stuf... but this drama... I 100% know I'm going to watch it again in week.

All the characters are super interesting they're not two dimensional. It's like you're watching someone else's life story unraveling right in front of you.. all I can say is that this story is very well thought of, very smart and that I'm dying to watch Zhao Lusi and yang yang pair together again in the future in another great story!

Also (spoiler alert)
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There are no major miscommunications between the leads used as plot devises, nor are there any extremely jealous, delusional 2nd leads wanting to destroy one of the main leads, just because they love the other. Still the drama showcases that the leads are very desirable and attractive without all that drama. I loved the communication, loyalty and profound love that the main couple gas for each other and is shown throughout the story!
All in all an extremely well done drama in all aspects!

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Loved it but hated it

I don't want to Lower my score because that would be too unfair for the magnificent acting of the cast, ESPECIALLY the main couple's, the amazing cinematography and story (for most episodes) BUT... but...

The point of the show is how we mature through our experiences and relationships (especially first love). The problem is that the main leads never overcame their relationship with each other. They still have feelings for each other and regrets till the end of the show (present), which nullifies the whole point of the story!!! I hate sad endings in general, but I hate them even more when they exist just to exist without actually contributing anything to the story. If they had at least moved on, it would have been a better ending, a sad but nonetheless well made ending, which unfortunately, for me, it was not.

Also mature doesn't equal miserable and filled with regrets. But that's exactly what I got from this ending. Some relationships are worth fighting for... they're not just stages that lead to our "miserable" adult life... People can be successful both in their professional lifes and in their relationships. We don't need to sacrifice either of them for the sake of the other...

All in all I loved the first 13 (more or less) episodes but I cannot find the ending ideal nor realistic, which ruins the story for me. People express love differently but I cannot fathom 2 people loving each other so much, in a resolvable situation, instead of trying to work things out, they just break up. Both relationships and work alike require effort to maintain.

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This is a sweet romance story. Problem is? I expected Sizzling hot.

That is not to say the drama isn't good. Quite the opposite, it's very nice, that's why I rated it 8/10 and not 4.
But it's like drinking water when you're expecting vodka... Where's the burn?

And NO I am not saying the story is boring or anything like that, as I said above, it's actually pretty good, very romantic and sweet. The thing is, based on the plot summary (and the trailers much later- yes I had been waiting for this for a long time and was super excited) I honestly was under the impression that this would be more of a "dark romance" kind of story. Instead this leans more toward the "fairytale" category. Again not a bad thing, but still VASTLY different, especially when you're expecting a sizzling hot romance filled with passion, mystery and love woven together with hatred. Okay maybe not hatred exactly, but.. you get the idea. In my opinion the "enemies to lovers" trope wasn't fully utilised.

This is a well made and enjoyable drama , the CGI is also really nice, and I honestly like it a lot, but I just can't help but feel disappointed. I expected a bit more.
The story slowed down its pace after the first few episodes and I found myself fast forwarding a lot.
According to the plot summary here: "...engaged in a thrilling dance of deception and attraction.", the descriptions promises a dark and thrilling romance story filled with mystery and sizzling chemistry. The drama though, despite the chemistry of the leads (which got to admit, was quite good), clearly leans towards the "sweet romance with a hint of mystery" type.

Also, I was expecting the fl to showcase more of her strength and most of all her intelligence and cunning in order to achieve her goals, especially from the beginning to middle of the story. This was a source of disappointment for me. I really wanted Ming Yi to shine more on her own, through her own power and smarts, to be ambitious. To be a bit more cunning, unapologetically striving for her goals and less childish. I wanted to see the "the cold warrior goddess who had reigned supreme for seven consecutive years" as the summary describes her, who even at her lowest point tries her best to rise again. Although Ming Yi did have some of these traits, her character setting in the drama left a lot to be desired, she was a fairy, not a goddess. She was strong but it wasn't shown as much throughout the story, she wasn't that cunning nor was she cold... at all. She was mostly pure and sweet and very childish. Yes we were told that she is smart, but in my opinion it wasn't properly showcased. I expected Ming Yi to be a bit more like Shangguan Qian (Lu Yu Xiao's character in My Journey To You), resourceful, seductive, a bit cold, ambitious and cunning to achieve her goals.

Hou Ming Hao's acting was really great, the main leads' chemistry was really really good. I especially have to mention the fl's teacher She Tian Lin portrayed by Lin Jiang Guo, because he stole the show along with 27 (fl's cat) played by Yu Yao. They were very funny and I genuinely enjoyed it every time they were on screen. Hu Yun Hao did amazing as Mu Qi Bai / Lord Hanfeng, his character was quite intriguing, he was both complex and flawed. Hu Yun Hao's portrayal of him was honestly magnificent.

One of the characters I didn't like is Fu Yue. Fist of all she is supposed to be Situ Ling's subordinate, she might love him, but the fact remains, she works for him, he is basically her boss. Thus shouldn't she have at the very least TRIED to refrain from expressing her emotions so obviously to him all the time? I understand she loves him, but she's still his subordinate she should've tried. Instead of that though, she's doing the complete opposite. This just feels off to me, based on her character's setting. Most times she's acting like she's his childhood friend or fiancée instead of his subordinate. I believe it'd be better had she been a bit more subtle about her love towards SL in the beginning and only slowly got more and more expressive about it till she "'couldn't hide it any longer"' when SL was punished by his dad. It'd be way more impactful that way.
Also She's a bit too harsh on others, especially for someone who's been through a lot, I expected her too be a bit more sympathetic to people in bad conditions (short example bellow)
SPOILER
SPOILER
SPOILER
(eg she was willing to sacrifice innocent lives in the 27 or 28th episode).

I'm still going to rate it 8.0/10 bc I did enjoy it, I just think it had even more potential. I personally expected something different, but at the end, what can we do, each has their own preferences.

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A ton of untapped potential

I was really excited when I started this, I was wondering why it had a low score, as it seemed really interesting and well made in the beginning. Well... needless to say I quickly realised why.
This drama has a lot and I mean A LOT of untapped potential. It has some very interesting premises and its theme is revenge and rebirth. Logically speaking it should've made me be on the edge of my seat. Unfortunately despite it exciting and catchy genre, it proved to be quite boring and lackluster. Especially so because I was expecting something more spectacular. The ending felt rushed as well. I just see a ton of unexplored potential. Shame. I really like the OST though.

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When I first learned about this drama I got really excited as I really dislike stories where the FL forgives the abusive ML (who always seems to has the perfect excuses for mistreating her) and they end up "happily together" at the end. So let me start off by saying that the plot of the drama had me already hooked from the very beginning.
Though I really enjoyed this story, I would have really preferred for some things to be done differently. Like for instance I would have loved for Muze to learn about their previous lives at the end (through a dream or from the fl or someone). Also although I liked the fl's acting I believe it could be improved especially when she was "crazy laugh-crying". I really loved MuChuan's character he was very sweet, kind, caring and loving. I especially enjoyed Jing Chao's acting as Muze, he is a great actor and very charismatic, but I definitely hated his character, Muze. All in all a good drama which could have been much much greater

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Wholesome, Adorable, serious at times

Everything was as close to perfect as it gets. From the MAGNIFICENT acting of the cast (especially the main couple's) to the amazing story and cinematography and of course the OST!!!! Don't let me start abou it, it was absolutely BEAUTIFUL and the vibes it gave to the scenes were so suitable, plus Z Tao's voice is heavenly. The cast's chemistry seemed really good. To me this drama screams "wholesome" and I Honesty didn't want it to end as it was
SUPER enjoyable. Needless to say I became a huge fan of the fl after seeing how exceptional she is in portraying her role. I already was a Z Tao fan but even if I wasn't I 100% would have become one now, after seeing his acting. I hope the main couple can work together again. Although I didn't expect it in the beginning, this drama was truly amazing!

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A story of love and duty...

This is a love story, in a war stricken land. Two people, two enemies unintentionally grow to love each other, while navigating amidst the weight of their responsibilities.
The story is really intriguing and the cast did an amazing job, bringing the characters to life. I especially feel the need to mention Ryan Cheng. In my opinion he was the backbone of this show. Everyone did great, but I have to admit that whenever he was on frame, his presence was always noticeable, his acting is memorable and he just pulls the audience in. I liked how there was a clear distinction between each identity of his, and the switch between them could be easily noticed. Also he is literally gorgeous, he is both athletic and handsome, exuding a strong and reliable vibe which really suits the general archetype, but with a hint of mystery and charm added in it. His eyes and micro expressions were amazing.
I also LOVED Tan Kai's portrayal as Li Wei (Li Shuang's adoptive father). He was a perfect cast as a strong, reliable and battle-hardened commander. Mr Tan Kai beautifully showcased a seasoned general who also is a loving father to his children and is willing to sacrifice himself for their happiness and the common good.
Song Yi portrayed Li Shuang (General Li) quite well. She is very pretty and has a very beautiful smile. General Li was not over the top imposing nor too cold, like we see in some other portrayals of female generals. She is strong and resilient, but also has a softer side, which can either be good or bad, depending on the situation. Her acting was not bad, but unfortunately I have to admit that I was expecting a lot more in certain scenes. I believe that her eyes needed to be more expressive and I expected to see a bit more work in her micro expressions. Her eyes felt a bit void of heavy and complex emotions. To me they usually conveyed basic emotions, which can be a bit flat. What I mean is, in certain situations, we can experience complex emotions, which are a mix of basic emotions. For instance a blend of emotions like sadness, fear, anger, and denial all together mixed to showcase grief. If instead we only show sadness, it can come off a bit flat. And that's exactly my complaint here. I felt like her eyes usually didn't convey complex emotions, which in turn made the acting feel a bit flat at times.
Gao Mao Tong did very well as Ji Ran, I actually felt really bad for him at the end (at that point I was crying). To me it looked like he'd never be with anyone in his life (as he had said so before), in order to serve his country. Beyond his love for the country, in a way it felt like he had correlated his love for the FL, with his dedication to his country. The more he couldn't confess to the fl, the more he dedicated he was. He knew the FL wanted to achieve peace and prosperity for the people and so, since he couldn't be with her, he focused on preserving her life's work/ goals. We can see this mindset brewing even before the FL's "death", in the first episodes, as he probably thought it almost impossible to be with her.
I also particularly like how Lu Xin ended up with Mo Yin and not Ji Ran. Her relationship with Ji Ran was unequal, had a skewed dynamic since the beginning, as she was the one following around and even harassing him, with him clearly setting boundaries and her ignoring them (I'm sorry but stealing and washing his undergarments WITHOUT approval, is harassment and creepy). With Mo Yin they started on an equal standing, slowly got to know each other, became closer and ended up falling in love. It felt organic and they actually were a very cute couple, where they mutually respected each other. They were equals, It wasn't a situation of one running after, trying to please the other, begging for crumbs of love.
Darren Chen was great as Mo Yin and so was Bi Wen Jun as Su Mu Yang. I actually felt pity for the crown prince in the end and somewhere in the 1st half (when we found out his father had threatened him with the fl's life, in order to marry another girl). He was in love with the fl, but didn't manage to keep her. He always seemed eager to be with her and lost her because he tried to protect her. In that situation and considering how he had grown up, he really seemed pitiful and I honestly felt bad for him. Not to say that he was a saint, cause he absolutely was NOT. I just find it sad how he couldn't be with the one he loved, and could literally do nothing about it, as his own father would either kill her or her family (if they tried to elope or something). Towards the end he becomes more and more antagonistic, and I kind of doubt how he could become a reliable king. Overall I'd say that he is cowardly, cunning and a pitiful character.
Zhao Yuan Yuan did really well as Empress Dowager Qin.
The FL's brother was really annoying for most of the novel, he was extremely impulsive and naïve. I felt really bad for Qiao Er (the guard friend of the fl that died- played by Rain Lu) and for Ouyang Jun (played by Liu Yi Hong), they would've had a beautiful life together.
All in all a good drama to watch.

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Carpe diem

Least to say I was disgusted with the way women were treated back then, not only by men but by other women, as well. The system was so evidently misogynistic that women themselves adopted the same mentality as it was natural for them to do so. While most of them were pushed into making some very awful decisions, mostly in order to protect themselves, others did some extremely harsh and evil things so at to get what they want. The struggles of the women of those times were very well portrayed in the story. It was really interesting to see how Ming Lan managed to overcome all those difficulties that seemed never-ending with her intelligence. She was constantly in danger, she had to endure so much hardship just so that she could be alive (in the beginning especially). The acting of Zhao Li Ying as Ming Lan , Zhu Yi Long as Qi Heng / Yuan Ruo (Duke), Feng Shao Feng as Gu Ting Ye / Zhong Huai (Marquis) and the rest of the cast was simply amazing. I specifically feel the need to mention Cao Cui Fen's who played Old Mrs. Sheng (Ming Lan's grandmother), as her acting was magnificent. All those subtle micro-expressions were so well executed, plus her character in the story quickly became on of my favourites.
Although this drama has quite a lot of episodes, the story didn't feel draggy, instead it felt very well developed in an appropriate pace. When I watch dramas like this, on one hand I wish they have even more episodes, as I don't want them to end, but on the other I don't want them to have that many, because then they'll end up getting draggy. This drama certainly has a fitting amount of episodes, it leaves you wanting more, without destroying its plot.
The chemistry between the leads is astonishing, they were super adorable together. My only complain is that I wish they were slightly more open in their communication, especially on Ming Lan's part. That being said with all that trauma she has endured for all those years, and the atrocities of other men that she has come to know of, it's understandable for her to feel insecure and be scared of being vulnerable with her husband.
I have to admit that I felt bad about the 2nd ML, but this drama taught me a very valuable lesson... The circumstances will almost never be ideal, waiting for that to happen is simply useless, instead you should always do the best in your abilities, so as to not have any regrets later!!! Even if you fail, you can at least proudly say that you have tried! So what if the circumstances aren't great... What matters is that we do our best for what we sincerely want! To me, this drama seems very unique and I greatly enjoyed it. I strongly recommend it and would love to watch it again!!!!

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