This drama deserves a higher rating
Even though the current (as of the time of writing this review in January 2026) score of 7.8 out of 10 is pretty good, I think this drama deserves even more.
I normally don't watch court based power struggle dramas (I was roped in because of the casting) because it's usually too much intrigues for my liking. This one does not have that many intrigues and the plot is written quite well.
Story. A princess is threatened with the life of her brother by a tyrannical empress and is forced to marry into a different country for the empress' interests. She's supposed to marry a seemingly dull prince but right off the vat at arriving, she's met with intrigues and power struggle in the country she's marrying into. The princess is cunning, smart and willing to do anything to save her brother and she devises a plan of going with the palace power struggle and marrying a chancellor instead of the prince. The chancellor has his own interests, wants to clear his family's name and so they embark on a journey and fall in love. I think i haven't seen plot like this before, it's pretty unique, written well without any plot holes. The suspense at the end of each episode to keep you watching is good too, it makes you want to see the outcome of the situation where we left off. The only thing I would have liked to see is a more fulfilling ending in a way of "please explain this characters ending more to me" but as the center of the story was the princess and the chancellor, the team focused on their story. I loved the ending especially, very much my type of drama endings. I also love characters like Shen Zaiye, cunning, smart, level headed, can tell the outcome correctly, has a back up plan, isn't rash but patient and overall he's the right guy in the right situation. What I also really liked was the character development of Jiang Changjue (not going to say more or I'll spoil the plot).
Acting/cast. Liu Xueyi was of course the main guy who roped me into watching this drama (I love him so much). He looks so good with Meng Ziyi as couple, they are so handsome together. I always love to see Zhang Lei as the emperor lol
Music. I don't really have anything to add here
Rewatch value. I rarely watch dramas again, this one might be worth it though.
Overall. Give it a try if you like the way the characters are written.
I normally don't watch court based power struggle dramas (I was roped in because of the casting) because it's usually too much intrigues for my liking. This one does not have that many intrigues and the plot is written quite well.
Story. A princess is threatened with the life of her brother by a tyrannical empress and is forced to marry into a different country for the empress' interests. She's supposed to marry a seemingly dull prince but right off the vat at arriving, she's met with intrigues and power struggle in the country she's marrying into. The princess is cunning, smart and willing to do anything to save her brother and she devises a plan of going with the palace power struggle and marrying a chancellor instead of the prince. The chancellor has his own interests, wants to clear his family's name and so they embark on a journey and fall in love. I think i haven't seen plot like this before, it's pretty unique, written well without any plot holes. The suspense at the end of each episode to keep you watching is good too, it makes you want to see the outcome of the situation where we left off. The only thing I would have liked to see is a more fulfilling ending in a way of "please explain this characters ending more to me" but as the center of the story was the princess and the chancellor, the team focused on their story. I loved the ending especially, very much my type of drama endings. I also love characters like Shen Zaiye, cunning, smart, level headed, can tell the outcome correctly, has a back up plan, isn't rash but patient and overall he's the right guy in the right situation. What I also really liked was the character development of Jiang Changjue (not going to say more or I'll spoil the plot).
Acting/cast. Liu Xueyi was of course the main guy who roped me into watching this drama (I love him so much). He looks so good with Meng Ziyi as couple, they are so handsome together. I always love to see Zhang Lei as the emperor lol
Music. I don't really have anything to add here
Rewatch value. I rarely watch dramas again, this one might be worth it though.
Overall. Give it a try if you like the way the characters are written.
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