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The story is good and unpredictable. This drama's quite heavy in politic, so it's not everyone's cup of tea. If you like a political drama where everyone has hidden agenda, and show many power struggles, you may enjoy this. Oh. It's fast pace, so you may need to slow down when the story is too much to handle.

Well for me who watched PA before, read some spoilers from the novel and patiently waited for a season 2 to come, it's great!

Storywise: it is a continuation of Princess Agents but with a twist. If you watched PA before, I suggest you lowered down your expectations because they omitted some elements from PA to better suit the current plot line. Story is fast paced with lots of action, romance is wholesome. Politics is dark, messy with lots of court intrigue, deception and revenge. You also need to pay attention to details, because there's a lot of subtext and implied meanings in the script.

Characters: they are great, especially the annoying ones. XD You'll end up admiring them or hating them, some will wrenched your heart out and make you cry, others will surely make your blood boil, or make you laugh lol

Acting: I'd say everybody did great and I'm really impressed. I cried many times while watching.

I completely agree with this take. What makes the story stand out for me is how it doesn’t try to please instantly—it demands patience, and that’s where its strength lies. The dark and mature tone really adds weight to every decision the characters make, especially within the palace politics and military conflicts. Nothing feels shallow; every move has consequences.
I also love how the pacing is fast but still meaningful. It doesn’t drag, yet it manages to deliver powerful, emotional moments that really stay with you. The themes of freedom, self-determination, and brotherhood are not just there for decoration—they’re deeply felt in the characters’ struggles and growth.
And that metaphor is so accurate—it really is like a hard shell. At first, it may feel difficult to fully appreciate, but once you understand its layers, you realize how beautifully written it is. This drama isn’t for instant gratification, but for viewers who are willing to invest their time and emotions, it gives something much deeper and more rewarding.

If you find this drama stupid, why are you wasting your time watching it? That is soooooo very stupid.

@Fanstar99, if you can't move on from PA, don't start watching Rebirth, because Rebirth is not a direct sequel but rather a continuation of the story. Changes were made but they are logical changes that reinforce the current plot. I also want know about Chu Qiao's origin, the secret of her past, her sealed powers and her mother's sect. But after learning, that it wasn't in the novel because Chu Qiao was originally a transmigrator, I accepted the possibility that if ever there's a second season of PA, the production will deviate from the PA drama.

Anyways, I love the current plot, it's more grounded in reality. The warring kingdoms, politics, the dark side of humans, survival of the fittest, and what it means to survive and live.

Maybe that’s why I like them more now than in previous costume dramas

The blue bird thingy from the Lingyue king and queen (I think ZY kept the one, and only gave one to the king).

All well said about YX. I was almost happy seeing him reunite with ZC in tomorrow’s previews - they are made for each other. I said as much in my brief review of their characters - “Yan Xun is the most disloyal and hateful character in the series. His madness was unquenchable. It did not matter how many people died or how powerful he became, his hunger for vengeance became insatiable. Even when he was defeated by CQ and was implored to think about his father and his people, he remained untrustworthy and a liar. He is really a good match for Zhao Chun. They should have lasted longer. Zhao Chun’s character is the most vengeful and vitriolic character ever created. She will literally do harm to herself and ‘loved ones’ just to hate. Her plot armour became downright ridiculous. And so was she - right from the start when she believed that YX will love her in spite of her father killing his entire family. To the end, where she cast away her brother Zhao Che, who had looked after her in the earlier years, for the 13th prince Zhao Yang who is unfit to lead or even look after himself. I guess one can never make sense of such persons, YX & ZC alike!!”

Thanks. I'm always like that. I even read books backwards; want to know what happens in the end then check out the middle, then begin properly lol.

I have had times of being weird like that. Some of these dramas get so emotionally charged, I just want to race to the end, before watching step by step if I am still of a mind to do that.
(Great comments under this series by the way, I have read some of them)

I corrected his initials up top lol. Nicknames are way easier.

Ling is Yan Xun's consort, Consort Ling. I hope that emperor, the evil prince, and Chun Er's deaths are satisfying to watch, and the team won't romanticize it the way that evil empress die. 🤔

I don't remember who Lìng is. That evil prince, emperor needs to go the same way along with herpes, into the ice lake! Yeah no, def not watching.

Yes, Ling's brother, Ming Lu, and Shi Yi. Oh, and Zhao Che's subordinates. That evil prince's army ambushed Zhao Che's army when he returned General Huang's donkey.

Well, I needed to pause for some minutes before watching through episode 32 and I barely finished episode 33. So, I get you. Today's episodes are not easy to watch.

Gamble! That's the word I'm trying to find and use but my brain can't recall it. Yes. Yan Xun is out of the picture if he keeps being a cry baby.

Btw, Friend, I forgot to tell you something. We lost Ming Lu in episode 33. 😭😭😭

Li Yun Rui's range of emotion in episode 32-33 is amazing. I'm glad he took the role because Zhuge Yue fitted him. 😍👍🏼👍🏼