The Master Seamstress...her character was steadfast and resolute. All of which was beautifully packaged. I truly thought she would come off like a maid but she became a Madam and it fit her well. I also love that they didn't fix her most powerful story arc. If you reached the end you know why.

The Khan...strong and lovable fit him the best. Where can you find a guy with such a beautiful heart? Totally free of corruption combined with extraordinary intelligence. He was a bird kicked out of the nest and it broke my heart to see the look of fear on his face. Not because of the mission ...because he realized he was never coming home. However, he feared disappointing his master the most...so he went. There he found as a child of two worlds...he became his own master.

The Empress...The Consort...I've stated why I hate doppelganger love stories in a rant. So I'll take the other side in the review. Cdramas usually have true love stories in regards to looking within...seeing a person's soul. So if you truly love someone...their exterior may initially attract you but their soul is what keeps you. This storyline was believable in the end. It was done well.

The Emperor...I stopped watching initially because I was like... what is he supposed to add to this story? However, I pushed through and came back. I wanted to hate him...we all wanted to hate him. But...How can you possibly hate the ONLY voice of reason in Fan Jianming's head? Fan Jianming was intractable in the worst and best of ways. The Emperor was the only one to truly get through to him. He was also the biggest advocate for Fan Hiashi...her greatest fan outside of her brother...so I needed him here. Otherwise I would have hated Fan Jianming...

Fan Hiashi...It's been awhile since I've detested a couple being together. I literally wanted her to walk and never look back. I was in turmoil over this. Last time was "Royal Nirvana"....good watch btw. I was in disbelief of how out of sync she was with her "shifu". She didn't understand him or know what he was doing. She didn't even know he was rich...but she loved him. Why? Sure...he's beautiful but if you speak to him over a period of time...his condescension was overbearing. She acknowledged this in the end and grew from it...but it was like being raked over the coals for 35 episodes. Did I ever come to love them as a couple?...No. Until, the end I felt they were out of sync.

Fan Jianming...sigh. Truthfully...this drama seemed to be his story. He also tested the limits of overbearing for me. He never yelled...he barely fought. He was just a mountain...quiet, looming and immovable. His worst quote for me was..."Go rest now." If he didn't want to talk about it ...he would tell people to go to sleep. Everytime he said it ...I wanted to slap him. This was the height of his condescending attitude. Gotta love William Chan...it's also the first time I've hated his character ...until episode 47. I also have to love William Chan for barely using Hiashi name in dialoge...unlike Yang Mi and "shifu". I do not want to hear that word for a long while...I mean it. He did end up growing emotionally at least...because he was too young to be this way.

I honestly couldn't wait for this drama to end. There was no mystery...no surprises. We knew where this was going...plus I wanted a resolution to their character development. However...when Fan Jianming sat quietly with a pleading look in his eyes at Fan Hiashi waiting for her to make the decision that would ultimately change their life forever...I was moved truly moved. He didn't command or entrap her. He waited. It's also the moment I was breathlessly waiting for without realizing it. His acknowledgment of Fan Hiashi...as an equal.

I am a true fan of William Chan and Yang Mi. I've seen many of their works. I would recommend seeing their other works if this is a first for you. See you then...