This is another enjoyable light romance that has many amusing moments but is overall lazily written and doesn't bear close scrutiny. If there is a hidden message, it is that going for the brainy sister can change your life in the best of ways whereas choosing the reckless* one and can well end it. [*I could use a much more accurate word but since its just the first paragraph, I restrained myself].

The overarching plot is centered around the mysterious Ruyi Pavilion, at surface a purveyor of unique jewelry and the finer things in life. Fu Xuan and her younger sister Fu Rong are daughters of a mid-level magistrate and disciples of the enigmatic Liu Ruyi and assist her in crafting Ruyi Pavilion's celebrated designs. Fu Rong is plagued by prophetic dreams of a tragic future with Prince Su and while trying to ward off this inauspicious future, she instead catches his eye. After a number of hilarious encounters as they get roped into unraveling the secrets of Ruyi Pavilion, they fall for each other. Does this couple have what it takes to overcome an emperor's disapproval, unscrupulous political rivals, deadly love rivals and ultimately an ill-fated destiny itself to stay together?

The plot around the secrets of Ruyi Pavilion is fresh and promising and the drama starts strongly, aided by the wonderful chemistry between the leads who worked together on the much loved Legend of Yunxi by the same production team. Sadly this production mostly cruises on audience indulgence as the writing fails to hold up and the intriguing backstory and some of the more promising plot threads are never exploited to their full potential.

One of the main problems is that this drama lacks that one, good, well developed and multi-faceted villain. Many of the better villains and interesting grey characters in the story get killed off quite early and we are left with a mastermind with lame motives. He is revealed early on but his plotting with respect to Ruyi Pavilion doesn't seem to have a real end game. He is such a poor excuse for a villain that I couldn't even be bothered to hate him. As for side characters, despite her annoying voice, I thoroughly enjoyed Princess Xihe; or more specifically Xu Jin's gut-busting facial expressions and terse rebuffs that spoke volumes. Initially I was both intrigued and charmed by Xu Ping/Duke An and was so looking forward to a rare, enjoyable triangle. It is unforgivable that sloppy writing turned him into a creepy Phantom of the Opera-like character with mommy issues.

In this drama the second couple stole my heart over the lead couple. Both characters and their relationship develops in a more convincing way. His desire to pursue the more mature and responsible Fu Xuan is the catalyst that pushes Wu Baiqi to set aside his resentment, grow up and work hard to prove his potential. He trusts Fu Xuan with his mother's legacy, which also unlocks her dreams and he brings out a more fun loving side to her nature. Adversity strengthens their relationship and they grow from it and are so natural and fun together I couldn't get enough of their moments.

Unlike Wu Baiqi, Fu Rong is an immature and over-indulged character at the beginning that shows minuscule development. Ju Jingyi's beauty and charisma can only go so far to make up for shortcomings in how the character is written. Fu Rong cannot fight yet she allows her low survival instincts take over and charges recklessly into one dangerous situation after another. Luckily we can always count on Xu Jin/Prince Su or Xu Ping to be conveniently around the corner to rescue her. Like all selfish brats, she does as she pleases even if it is inappropriate or if she knows it hurts Xu Jin's feelings or is against his interest. Unlike other viewers, I understand why the emperor considers her a most unsuitable consort for his son.

Nonetheless as a couple, Fu Rong and Xu Jin have a sparkling, lively chemistry that still seduces me into rooting for them and forgiving their faults. Ju Jingyi's brilliant comedic flirtatiousness is so seamlessly in sync with Zhang Zhehan's answering glimpses of mischievous, amorous appreciation behind a severe façade it is no wonder that this is an OTP that melts hearts. But their relationship is frustratingly developed - even when their goals are aligned they at best work in parallel independently of each other. Xu Jin over indulges her and is over protective of her at the same time. Although Xu Jin is allegedly the love of her life, Fu Rong doesn't trust him and repeatedly jumps to the most heinous (and retarded) conclusions about him. This was forgivable early in their relationship but it is really disappointing to see her doubt him after he risks his life for her time and again. My favorite part was the look on her face when Xu Jin tells her off and pretty much gives her the spot on "If you don't know me by now..." speech. Its just too bad that our lovable doormat was once again just being a noble idiot but his biggest saving grace is he manages to suffer successfully without spitting blood. In the end, I am not convinced this is a couple that lasts because unlike Fu Xuan and Wu Baiqi, adversity seems to pull this couple apart and not together; thus the whole is lesser than the sum of the parts.

Despite the poor writing, the main characters are so lovably portrayed that I enjoyed this drama immensely. That said, I cannot in good conscience rate this higher than an 7.0 maybe an 7.5 if you are a die hard Yunxi fan (I did not watch Yunxi).