The X-factor for this drama is definitely the unique pairing of a masculine female lead and a feminine male lead. Both of them are not overreacting in portraying both characters and the progress of their relationship is so beautiful to watch.

Story.
The pace of the story worked well with the story telling and in showing how the main leads bonded. Instead of a whirlwind romance, they started out as friends (even though they are married) solving crimes together which evolve into partnership and finally evolve into love. This steady pace in story telling makes it very much believe-able on the extent of the sacrifices they are willing to make for each other towards the end of the drama.

Another thing that this drama did well is the development arc of the characters. Not only main roles, but the supporting roles such as the Qiu sisters were also developed to some extent.

Acting/Cast.
The team did well by casting Ma Sichun and Shang Yi Lun for this drama. At first, I am not sure about the casting but after episode 4, their chemistry went off the roof. They really carried the drama on their backs.

Ma Sichun plays a general that does not only need to uphold the name of her household but also the country as her army guards the border. Any other actress would probably play the role as a tomboy but she managed to balance between the roughness needed for a general and the internal femininity of a woman. Her range is amazing in this drama and it shows.

Opposite her is Shang Yi Lun who plays a good-for-nothing nobleman famed for his beauty. I watched him in Pretty Li Huizen and are not impressed but he totally nailed this drama. He too managed to balance the act between a good- for -nothing pretty boy and a guy who is trying his best to protect the people he loves. My favorite scene of this drama is where he himself petitioned for his wife to be sent to war because he understands the responsibility she holds. That is the peak character development of any drama I've seen.

I repeated this drama more than three times because I can't get over it. It is definitely a different flavour of love story compared to common themes in c-drama. It is a story about accepting the person we love as they are and improving ourselves to protect them.