Amarilis

“I don’t need someone to pave the way for me, but I need someone to walk beside me on the pave way I created”

I’ve been waiting for this drama for a long time as the plot intrigue me. Having a female general as the main character in an ancient drama is rare. Woman often portrayed as damsel in distress waiting for the knight in armor to rescue her.
But this drama broke all the stigma of “weak female character”.

I really love the story (despite all those negative reviews out there). For me who has not read the novel, the story was executed nicely. It’s not too long not too short as well and especially not confusing or boring at all. Although some episodes were as short as 35 mins (including the opening and ending song) but I was entirely satisfied.

Let’s talk about the plot here. The main character, He Yan (HY) was made to dress up as a boy to replace her sickly older half-brother, He Ru Fei (HRF) whilst he was recuperating in a temple. She enrolled in a school for boys and apparently did not do well but was determined. Later on she ran away from home as her father wanted her to marry off a woman. She joined the army and became a general, General Fei Hong. Although she is a woman but she was a strong as those other male soldiers/generals. But fate said otherwise, as she returned home with all the glory from winning wars, her brother was envious of her achievement and wanted to take the glory for himself. Thus he plotted with his father to poison and blinded HY so he can claim the glory for himself.

HY however was rescued by her master and healed. She then joined another army batallion and meet with Xiao Jue (XJ aka Xiao Dudu), her former classmates and friend. She trained herself with the aim of becoming another general strong enough to reclaim what was hers from the evil half brother.
Along the way, we met with more characters and more plot twist in the story. With some wars and political struggle between the ungrateful councellor (Xu Jing Fu) and his disciple (Chu Zhao).

Above all the twists in the end we got our happy ending for our favorite main characters and couple (He Yan and Xiao Jue) and the got married and supposedly live happily ever after.

Now let’s talk about some of the characters in the drama and the actor portraying them.

He Yan
Zhou Ye really portrayed the character very well and proves us wrong that as petite as she is, she was able to portrayed a strong female general. I love how she bring the character alive with bubbly personality and yet very determined and wise when facing problems and the one she love.
Her chemistry with Cheng Lei was really top notch and they both works very well together (both in real life and in their characters). Hope to see her in modern drama with Cheng Lei.

Xiao Jue
A reserved and cold general but very loving to his beloved lady general.
Cheng Lei really improved a lot in drama and acting. Him portraying Xiao Jue is the best one and really match his aura and facial expression. The way he begged the emperor when the emperor wanted HY to marry CZ was very heart breaking and touching at the same time.
And the loving gaze he gave HY everytime he look at her, making me giggle everytime.
His chemistry with Zhou Ye are really great and if you see the bts, he always took photos of Zhou Ye like A LOT. And the way he took care of her gently on set was endearing to watch.
Hope he get to work with her again in another drama, preferably modern drama.

Chu Zhao
I hated his character towards the end of the drama. His obsession with HY was the root of all the trouble he caused on the last war. I think he mistook his obsessions for HY with love. Just because someone was friendly and treat him good means loving him. He thought if he had enough power, everything will be his He didn’t realize that the one that cared for him the most was his servant (Ying Xiang). In the end, he lost everything (his power, luxury life etc) and end up being alone and exiled.
Zhang Kang Le acting has improved a lot and portraying this character well. I think it’s the first time I’ve seen him playing a villain character.

Cheng Li Shu & Song Tao Tao
A side couple necessary to brighten up the story well. Although because of the orginal actor of CLS causing problem and causing the production to replace him using AI, it was executed quite perfectly. It was because of him the release of this drama was delayed for a long time.
Zhang Miao Yi really brought the character alive and fun to see.
Would love to see both her and Zhou Ye to be in a drama together as besties, that would be fun.

The most selfish character would Xu Ping Ting in my opinion. She was a selfish, arrogant, spoilt and childish lady. She was the daughter of the traitor Xu Jing Fu and thinking that her father has power she looked down on other people and was very obsessive of Zhu Chao though he never love her back. In the end she lost everything (sadly we never get to see what happens to her after she murder Ying Xiang).

My favourite side character would be Fei Nu. He is a loyal servant to Xiao Jue but also always be in a wrong place and the wrong time to see his master Xiao Jue and He Yan together, even mistaking his master to love the “male” version of He Yan. Him to always caught his master and HY together brought smile to me throughout the drama.
Of course not forgetting He Yan sidekick team (Wang Ba, Xiao Mai, Jiang Jiao and Huang Xiong). They’re so supporting of HY even when knowing she was a lady dressing as man. They became her biggest supporter and soldier as she regained her title as General Fei Hong.

I found that all the battles in the drama were great. When the twins generals fought together they were so much in sync that they look like twin blades together. As what Xiao Jue's father once said that they'll be the twin generals fighting against the Wutuo protecting Wei. My fav battle would be the last battle against the wutuo army where He Yan traveled to save assist Xia Jue on the final battle. They look on Xiao Jue's face when he was attacked by 5-6 wutuo soldiers altogether locking him with their spears was mesmerizing as if I can feel his anger and determination to defend with all his might. And when he saw He Yan came to his aid he suddenly gained so much strength that he was able to got away from those soldiers and threw them out. Also when He Yan and Xiao Jue drew their twin swords at the wutuo general killing him, that was epic. Like I said.. this in an epic battle indeed.

Overall, this drama is really great and I will watch it again. It’s been a long time since I’ve became invested in a drama like this and loving everything in it.
In my opinion the slight romance was necessary as it portrayed the trust and strong bond of both the main characters (HY & XJ).

However back to your own preferences, try watching a couple of episodes if you like it continue if not move on. But never forget to appreciate the hard work all the actors and production team to create this drama.
Thank you to all actors and production team for a great drama.

Let me quote my favourite line in the drama

我喜欢月亮
月亮不知道
现在月亮
是你的了

“I love the moon but the moon doesn’t know”
“Now the moon is yours”


Goodbye Xiao Dudu and He Yan. Thank you for the wonderful journey. Till we meet again in another drama.