SimplyHysterical

I haven't watched this drama but I cracked up reading your entertaining review. You write so well, and should consider posting reviews. Safe to say, you convinced me not to watch this

Is this completed yet? And does it have a HE?

I just finished binge watching it and have mixed feelings. I liked her character development, quest to seek revenge and become a female general in her own right. I also think they did justice to her being a female general. She's not invincible but she is strong, has integrity, motivates others including women (which was the best part) and is a great leader.

I guess the plot felt a bit incoherent or lacklustre in some places so it didn't keep me hooked or drawn to the show. I didn't mind the slowburn romance or that a female general can fall in love (which of course she can) but there wasn't enough build up for the romance. It felt like they fell in love because they're the main leads and it was going to happen. Didn't help that the side characters had little to add to the overall story so were skipped entirely. Even though Chu Zhao suddenly sabotaging their romance was jarring and out of character when he had just redeemed himself, I liked the tension, and yearning it brought from the leads. Therefore, my conclusion is that their romance felt too easy and smooth apart from the ML finding out she's the general.

Having said all that, the romance was ok, just wished it had more coherent story telling across all characters and a plot that didn't suffer from the classic "tell don't show" which a lot of dramas succumb too.

Considering we got a happy ending not just a 2 min ending at the end of the last episode, it bumped up my rating. The first half was a lot more enjoyable than the second as there wasn't much of a plot left after ML finds out she was the general. Overall, I would give this an 8/10 which is pretty decent.

I'm really curious to know which two shows you're talking about. Do you mind DM'ing me if you're not comfortable to disclose?

Legit, you're so on point with this. Every time she said 'commander' in Chinese, it sounded like a name of a pet, to my non-Chinese ear.

At which point should I stop watching to delude myself into a happy ending?

Yes

The message of the drama, strong acting by FL in particular and the plot stole the show. Yes, this wasn't flawless but I appreciated they didn't shove women empowerment down our throat in an unbelievable way. The FL constantly struggled, faced injustice, uncertainty and was aware of class differences. Despite that, she didn't let life's circumstances/fate deter her from pursuing what she wants.

Only flaw was when she decides to leave the ML for a reason that's pretty out of character for her up until that point. Regardless, it's somewhat explainable and realistic and because it's a mini-drama it didn't prolong much.

The leads had good chemistry, but I personally found the ML's acting a bit wooden/stiff. He was scholar so his physique didn't matter as much but he is extremely skinny which took me out of the drama a few times.

If you like romance, chemistry, a solid storyline then go for this mini series. It's not perfect but it's a nice watch.

If you are a romance lover and like simplistic storylines, with light humour and chemistry to bingewatch, then this drama is for you.

It doesn't pretend to be anything it isn't. It's a transmigration into a romance novel so you can expect cheesiness, kisses, a lot of cliche tropes but also good chemistry between the leads which held everything together. Love and trust conquers all. I enjoyed this drama and loved the silly, cheesy moments along the way.

Don't use the website name or it will get taken down

The Princess Royal?

So glad I dusted off this drama from my PTW list and gave it a try. The plot and the characters did not disappoint. I particularly enjoyed the character growth and not just for the main leads. We see what led to the rise and downfall of the Emperor, the Empress Rong'an and of course the thawing of the ML (XD) from a cold, ruthless man killing machine on a quest for vengeance to someone who began to see himself and the world around him in a different light after he started to fall in love with the FL. She brought out the softer parts of him, and reminded him of the light he held within which he had forgotten due to his mission.

I love that this drama took us on a journey with the ML and how he changed over time. Of course, there were some plot holes and some convenient plot devices thrown in, but it did not detract from the overall storyline of this drama.

In contrast, the FL was intelligent, witty and resilient. From the moment she realises she is a Tribute Lady, we see her inner strength and intelligence. She challenges the ML, earns his respect but is not a perfect, infallible FL. She makes mistakes, has her fears and insecurities but she's herself despite those flaws. Overall, the FL is portrayed as a wholesome 3-dimensional character. I didn't mind the acting of the FL, although I did think she overdid it in some parts. Maybe that was part of her character 🤔

If you like political intrigue, court politics, and slowburn romance, give this one a try.

This drama took me by surprise. I wasn't expecting it to be so interesting from the outset. Perfect for bingewatching. The leads had great chemistry, and romance without all the angst of xianxia dramas.

Give it a try if you're looking for a light-hearted, easy watch filled with romance.

Thanks for clarifying. That was my understanding too after reading other explanations about the ending. FL was able to console her past self and prevent the tragedies in that parallel universe but it didn't change the present. It's realistic that way and doesn't undo the lessons learned along the way. I think I would feel robbed if she was able to change everything about the past and fix all issues through time travel because that wouldn't be consistent with cause and effect and the impact of fate and destiny. Anyway, it was a very fitting ending compared to most xianxias where you get a SE or 1 min of reunion right at the very end.

Very well explained. It answered all the queries I had about the time travel and how it didn't impact the ending (with BJS dead) before being resurrected.

It's quite symbolic because visiting that parallel universe also consoled her past self and brought resolution and some solace. It didn't change what happened in the end, as it's not the same timeline but serves as a reminder how important communication is. By uttering a few words, past HRY found comfort in BJS and left BJS shocked as he was about to lie and take the punishment for her.

I have some confusion about the ending. If she told the past HRY about BJS taking the punishment for her and their baby, why did present BJS not come back to life? Are they in parallel universe and HRY is in the current one waiting for BJS to be resurrected? Does BJS know she changed the past or does he remember what happened between them? Did their child survive because she went back and warned her past self and never lost her spiritual energy?

I am satisfied with the ending which is a lot better than we get for most Xianxias, just have some questions about the timelines/what got resolved etc.

That makes sense. Thanks for clarifying!

So despite the ending, and the option to stop watching at episode 34 and delude myself into a happy ending, I still watched until the end. I really couldn't fool myself because the characters were so compelling, I had to see it through to the end.

Yes, it is indeed a journey to love. Key word being journey here. This drama pulled me in and didn't let go. The main leads of course did great, and had amazing understanding, chemistry and trust betwen them. But all the characters had a story to tell and boy did they do it brilliantly. From the Prince's arc, Yu Shisen falling in love eventually, Yuan Lu's unrequited love, Qian's deep pain of losing a family member, and the brotherhood, friendship and love between all the characters compelled me to keep watching despite knowing the heartbreak that awaited me. After watching TPOB, I'm glad I watched this for the main leads, the storyline and the characters.

Which country's Netflix is this drama on?

Thanks for the link! Does your post mean she likely lied about another ulterior motive she had to come to the Capital? But we don't know what the ulterior motive was and it doesn't matter as the ML trusts her implicitly