News 
This review may contain spoilers
No Filler, Pure Chaos
This drama is highly engaging from start to finish. The pacing is great, and there are no scenes that serve merely as filler—a rarity in Chinese dramas these days.
A Protagonist Like No Other
At the heart of the series is Wei Rao, easily one of the most complex characters I’ve watched. A Chou isn’t just a typical "gray" character; her morality has a striking duality. To the wicked nobility, she is clearly "black"—a demon who ruthlessly takes down her enemies. But to the poor and oppressed, she is clearly "white"—a true saint offering protection, shelter, and hope.
Unstoppable and impossible to restrain, she resembles a beautiful rose with poisonous, lethal thorns, ensuring anyone who attempts to harm her meets a grim fate. Her soft spot for Lu Zhuo—wanting to appear better only in his eyes because of her love for him—adds a striking emotional layer to her fierce conviction.
A Supportive, Uncontrolling Romance
Balancing Wei Rao's indomitable energy is the male lead, Lu Zhuo. He knows that A Chou is full of schemes and an impostor—even intending to use him as a pawn—yet he cannot resist her, ultimately falling completely for her. What makes him truly likeable is that he is an incredibly supportive partner: he never tries to control her, even when she partakes in crazy, wild actions.
This mutual understanding shines through their unforgettable exchanges—from Lu Zhuo appreciating her unyielding ambition and strength, to his unwavering commitment: "Everyone wants the person they love to be sincere and innocent, kind and selfless. But that's not who you are. And that's fine... as long as it's you, I'll always help you."
Subverting Tropes with Dark Comedy and Action
The series isn't afraid to lean into brilliant dark comedy. Especially when I saw Wei Rao thrashing the villain Han Liao with a heavy object—that was so satisfying. Who could forget that? Whether it was during that chaotic moment when Lu Zhuo deliberately shoved Han Liao, causing him to land squarely in the path of Wei Rao’s blows, or the refreshing scene where Lu Zhuo arrives to “rescue” Wei Rao from Han Liao’s trap, only to find Wei Rao in the middle of beating Han Liao to the brink of death, this drama brilliantly avoids the tired "damsel in distress" trope. The female lead handles her own battles with savage style.
A Fittingly Bold Conclusion
The ending is okay, even though it’s not the typical "happily ever after." Those who prefer a standard happy ending could simply stop watching once the emperor appointed another prince as crown prince in the last episode.
A Protagonist Like No Other
At the heart of the series is Wei Rao, easily one of the most complex characters I’ve watched. A Chou isn’t just a typical "gray" character; her morality has a striking duality. To the wicked nobility, she is clearly "black"—a demon who ruthlessly takes down her enemies. But to the poor and oppressed, she is clearly "white"—a true saint offering protection, shelter, and hope.
Unstoppable and impossible to restrain, she resembles a beautiful rose with poisonous, lethal thorns, ensuring anyone who attempts to harm her meets a grim fate. Her soft spot for Lu Zhuo—wanting to appear better only in his eyes because of her love for him—adds a striking emotional layer to her fierce conviction.
A Supportive, Uncontrolling Romance
Balancing Wei Rao's indomitable energy is the male lead, Lu Zhuo. He knows that A Chou is full of schemes and an impostor—even intending to use him as a pawn—yet he cannot resist her, ultimately falling completely for her. What makes him truly likeable is that he is an incredibly supportive partner: he never tries to control her, even when she partakes in crazy, wild actions.
This mutual understanding shines through their unforgettable exchanges—from Lu Zhuo appreciating her unyielding ambition and strength, to his unwavering commitment: "Everyone wants the person they love to be sincere and innocent, kind and selfless. But that's not who you are. And that's fine... as long as it's you, I'll always help you."
Subverting Tropes with Dark Comedy and Action
The series isn't afraid to lean into brilliant dark comedy. Especially when I saw Wei Rao thrashing the villain Han Liao with a heavy object—that was so satisfying. Who could forget that? Whether it was during that chaotic moment when Lu Zhuo deliberately shoved Han Liao, causing him to land squarely in the path of Wei Rao’s blows, or the refreshing scene where Lu Zhuo arrives to “rescue” Wei Rao from Han Liao’s trap, only to find Wei Rao in the middle of beating Han Liao to the brink of death, this drama brilliantly avoids the tired "damsel in distress" trope. The female lead handles her own battles with savage style.
A Fittingly Bold Conclusion
The ending is okay, even though it’s not the typical "happily ever after." Those who prefer a standard happy ending could simply stop watching once the emperor appointed another prince as crown prince in the last episode.
Was this review helpful to you?
