Reviews

It's done

A'Yu's actor has such talent! So far, I have seen him only as a positive character, but when A'Yu had to act like he was turning against A'Zhao to trick Yanfang, the boy played it beautifully. 👏✨As I understood it, Yanfang's demise pretty much happened because he lost his coldness in plotting when it came to A'Zhao. She was the difference in his life that tilted his heart, and that's how she got the upper hand in that game... ☝️🤔 It proves once again that women—especially beautiful and clever ones—are the best weapon against men, not swords or other things. 🤭 The ending of A'Zhao and A'Jiu living happily ever after, having children, and riding in the desert was well-deserved for them, and I think it fit beautifully. From the desert she came, to the desert she returned, and A'Jiu followed her to the place where he felt most at home. 🥹❤️But sadly, the drama overall disappointed me in some ways. After a very promising and wonderfully developed first half, the second half felt like it was lacking a lot, worsening with each episode. They left so many unanswered questions, and many solutions were rushed or just gifted to the plot—like the defeat of the Northern Desert King, for example. 🙄 Xiang's death in general also felt unnecessary, especially when there was such a mystery built around his name. The only time Xiang's story actually made some difference was on that ship when Xiao Xun distracted A'Jiu by just saying his name. 😔 And I would really like to learn who the boy was that Deng Yi was always talking to. 🤷‍♀️😮‍💨The actors, however, did a marvellous job! I particularly enjoyed the actor who played Yanfang, Tang Xiaotian, and I will definitely check out some of his other works. Chen Duling and Zhou Yiran also did an amazing job, and the chemistry between them was beautiful. 🌟👏Overall, this was a good watch, but it delivered maybe only half of my expectations, mostly because of how rushed and somewhat poorly edited the second half was. The one-episode-a-day concept didn't bother me that much because it left me with time for other stuff. Anyway, it's done, and I can shelf it now. 😌

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Both Rebellious in Their Own Way

This was a decent opening episode that introduced two very different but equally intriguing leads. Lu Xi Xiao immediately stands out as the school’s resident troublemaker, while Zhou Wan proves she’s far smarter and more resourceful than people probably realise.My favourite reveal was discovering that Zhou Wan was the mysterious student selling the class notes everyone depends on. It was a fun way to establish her character and showed she has her own rebellious streak.Lu Xi Xiao stole most of the episode for me, especially during the hilarious security chase that ended with the school assembly getting drenched by sprinklers.The only part I struggled with was the flash-forward opening. The drama seems determined to make us question Zhou Wan’s future choices, but given everything she’s already endured, I’m reserving judgement until we know the full story.Overall, a good start that has me curious enough to continue.

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Acts of treason and out with the old-in with the new

Ye Li is convinced her assassin/guard is not with his brothers plans but is a witness to them. She fakes spitting up blood to get a message out to Gu Zheng to keep watch over Su Zuidie. She won’t tell the Duke what she knows for now because nobody can be trusted. Prince Ding’s group is coming home with prisoner when they find a secret messenger. He does not know YeLi is charged with the murder, but he is well aware of what happens if even a single message gets through to Cangbai. This is actually the first bit of good new for Dachu. The right man is in the right place. Su ZuiDie boldly goes to Marquis and gives him an offer she thinks he can’t refuse. Her smug confidant speech is just galling. He will comply because she has barely scratched the surface about what she know of the weapon transactions. It makes no sense to give the enemy the building plans of your best weapons but Cangbai warriors are already trained in how to use and manufacture them before Dachu does. 🤬Consort Qin is leaving the palace to care for her father. She is done being the pawn. When asked if Princess Ding was the murderer, her response was if the real murderer found she was not, but if not found she would have to be. Within the palace walls, truth did not matter. As to her ‘sister’ missing her, she pointed to the wisteria which had replaced Emperor’s crabapple blossoms. Out with the old, in with the new. Now that she has given away the edict, she can live. I really want to see her toss that orchid out of the carriage. 😝Uncle Wen has all the collected works and papers of XianKun to give to her as she leaves. She tells him to burn them all. I was hoping here that the orchid would top the pyre of his work, but she kept it or has other plans for it. One of the Marquis’ zealots was ready to kill Ye Li. Her assassin says she knows martial arts and to do something. She is not channeling master Zhu this time and it’s the second time he is trying to figure out what’s going on. Fei Bei knows and feels responsible for telling her he was at the school. Her mind could not conjure him when he’s up on the mountain. He realizes his mistake too late. Fortunately the assassin got a couple good hits in. Right when help finally arrived he killed himself first. Ye Li talks the Duke into finding the killer herself. He accepted that she had nowhere to go and it was find the truth or die. So she Mets up with Su Zuidie who is annoyed the Marquis didn’t take care of her. She boldly outlines all her plans and why. She tossed Ye Li and Xiu Yao in the mix just because they had allegiance to the Empress dowager. Too bad she didn’t rattle off all the Marquis’ misdeeds as well. She then found herself encircled by guards and the prime investigator. Good job Princess Ding. 🥳👏🏻 The Marquis is surprised to see his son and finds out he is being used as leverage. He now knows to tread carefully. The Empress dowager is pondering things and chatting with her servant. I am wondering if she’s starting to worry again about out with the old and in with the new. Now if Prince Ding is successful with his part, war is definitely delayed and maybe thwarted. And best news for assassin….he has a guaranteed job at Shende shop.😂🤣 The court found Su Zuidie guilty and ordered her to be escorted back to Cangbai for prosecution. The general actually apologized for his crappy behavior in the beginning and for being duped by his own people in the conspiracy. Ye Li wants to bring up charges for the attempted murder in prison. Bathe prior prisoner and her attack were both by Marquis’ henchman. He already knows the ax is falling. Whether he gets to dodge it remains to be seen. I would really like to see Feng get a happy ending and the princess not be really dead. It is not likely, but for now I can hope it was planned to catch Cangbai rebels. Hoping Ye Li and Xiu Yao get together soon.

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A show without high stress anxiety-inducing drama can actually be a pleasure!

So far this show has been a breath of fresh air after having watched so many very stressful dramas lately with deceptions, misunderstandings, betrayals, the constant threat of disaster looming, etc., etc. Not to mention annoying, stupid love triangles. This show is proof that a show can be enjoyable without all that. Yes, it's a slow, slow developing romance. But things are actually happening in each episode that are entertaining and the romance feels natural and 'real'. Not forced at some crazy pace that doesn't fit the characters. Both FL & ML are traditionalists and seem to want to move the romance forward in a particular order, without rushing past steps. Hopefully the show will manage to maintain it's pleasant tone and pace all the way through. I'm very intrigued to see how they go through the next phases of introducing each other to their respective families! Heck, even we, the audience, still have not met his parents. Only his cousin. Though I guess that fact hasn't yet been revealed either.

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