Whoa....what an extremely good drama. This drama was not perfect, but does have good acting, storyline and direction throughout. This is one drama that got stronger with every episode and peaked well as it ran towards episode 24 and beyond. I liked Zhao Lu Si's, Shao Shang's character who started with an abandoned, un-loved childhood. When her parents return from War, her mother struggles with parenting Shao Shang. She is then keen to escape her 'stifling' mother and in-advertently agrees to marry Lou Yao who represents a stress-free comradery relationship. Through a series of events, she is then betrothed to the enigmatic and powerful General Ling Bu Yi, who is engulfed in mystery and revenge portrayed really well by actor Wu Lei.

In preparation for her impending marriage to Ling Bu Yi, who is madly and deeply in love with her, Shao Shang is required to spend time in the palace under the tutelage of the Emperor's Queen Consort Yue. Within the Palace walls especially on the East side are where all the politics, deceit, secret and struggle lies. It was enthralling to watch how Shao Shang maneuvers and overcome many episodes of torment and mis-understanding. The hardest came in the form of Ling Bu Yi's mysterious past. As everything un-folds, the eagerness to know becomes more and more intriguing for viewers. I did not enjoy watching Shao Shang's non-negotiable attitude when it comes to love due to her neglected childhood, but when she was committed, it came in full gusto which gave my heart the lift that it needed. Overcoming all her own insecurities in loving and being loved. From obscurity to being seen and loved by everyone around her made her the absolute hero in this drama.