Soo...this drama is pretty epic. The beginning of this show moves fast unlike most Chinese dramas I’ve watched. I’ve never been able to commit to a historical drama. This show is great because it so effectively turns the tables on the bad guys. The highlight for me is that the coincidences make sense. They seem real and not just a plot device. I think the writers did a great job interweaving tropes with the storyline. I’m glad there was more to this show than just revenge and the revenge business seems to get done quite quickly and efficiently.
A common theme is that despite the stiffness and coldness of the characters when they find someone that they are comfortable with they act quite silly and I found it very cute.

Plot-wise, the start of the drama is heavy with conflict and twists and turns. I thought we would be in for more of that as the story went on, but the big guns of trouble that were brewing on the horizon ended up to be nothing. I’m glad that it wasn’t all heavy going all the way.
Towards the end anything that happens results in Wei Young being accused and dragged before the court – it seriously got so repetitive that I just had to laugh.

I’m not one to notice fancy scenery and filming but this show is really such a nice thing to look at. It makes mundane moments tantalising. I usually struggle to connect with Chinese over the top filming, but this show really captured some amazing shots and feelings with their thoughtful production and directing.

Servants
I was impressed with the servant’s immediate loyalty and sense of duty.

Heroine
Our heroine is indeed quick witted. The reviews did not overestimate her. She knows how to get her way very nicely amidst the bad guys wielding their power.
I appreciated her familiar way of treating those who favoured her. She teased them and fooled around with them all the time.

Tuoba Jun

“Destiny? I only believe in a man’s will.”

Sometimes Tuoba Jun says the right thing with the right smirk.

“How can there be disappointment when there was no hope to begin with?”

This actor is probably one of the few that looks better in historical Chinese hairstyle than a modern one.

Prince of Nan-An
This guy does not make good first impressions. But as the story goes on, I quite liked his subtle machinations and the way he played the others. The actor has a good way of playing his character to stand out yet be very secretive too. He has a number of lines that are really meaningful and his delivery is very nuanced. As it goes along, he becomes a standard villain type, but he had some really great moments earleir on.

Secondary Romances
Li Min De and Tuoba Di are very skippable initially – but as they go on, I appreciate their mature take on love. They are both emotionally impressive and sacrificing for the sake of their respective unrequited loves.

“We are both so silly.”

Jun Tao and Cheng De were mostly slapstick.

“You’re womanly. Very womanly.”

Korean vs. Chinese Drama

The make up on the Chinese actors as well as their hair is so caked on it seems fake and it really annoys me.
Romance. I have found that Chinese dramas like to have an extended rocky/cold relationship and then when it’s solid it’s so picture perfect solid it seems unrealistic.

I appreciated how they kept coming back to the zither as a focal point of their romance. As a musician I found it very touching indeed.