As a whole, this is an entertaining drama with great OTP chemistry and lots of cute moments. However, once again we have a Chinese drama that fagged in the middle third of the show. Don't get me wrong, it is not the usual mid drama drag as the plot was moving along nicely but it was just the story and setting that became a bit stale.
To understand that, we must first discuss what is actually very good about this drama. Within minutes of starting this drama you will be impressed by the cinematography, setting (set design) and lushness of the scenes. It is a rare combination for a Chinese historical drama to nail all three at the same time. This general ambience was carried through the first 1/3 of the show as the relationship of the OTP took shape. It is a good thing that the chemistry between the M/FL are so good as it formed the bed rock that the rest of the show anchored upon. So what is wrong with the middle 1/3 of the show, you asked? The problem is that they must have invested a lot in building the set for the Duke's mansion (or paid a lot to use the already build set) and they just can't leave that place alone. Sure, there were sub plots that is set in the nearby town and a few trips to the "countryside" but again and again, the action comes back to the mansion and it is forever on show (inside and out). The storyline is not helping either as the middle to even the late stage of the show are build around the growing love of the OTP and the vendetta of one scorned lover. There are lots of scheming and backstabbing but we are talking about mostly "storm in a teacup" scale. Sooner or later, you just know that they'd put out one fire and another will be lit somewhere else to make the OTP's life more "interesting".
It is just as well that the later part of the show does move on and take things to a grander scale and some of the action are set off site (hooray!). As I mentioned before, if you have lasted through that middle section, you are fully invested in the OTP's love life and that is why you kept watching. The show does reward us with some skinship and lots of cute moments. The final consummation of their relationship was swoon worthy and it gets better after that but it was a tortured path to get there.
Overall, acting was good but most characters were fairly one dimensional. They played their role well but there are not many twists and turns. This may be a good thing as that dropped some of the potential for angst but they just become tools to move the plot along or inject some romance from another pairing.
One last grumble, why do most villains in Chinese dramas get away with murder (not always figuratively speaking). The main villain of this drama was caught and without a shadow of a doubt of his guilt. He was just packed away to be tried in the capital. IMHO, a duel (to the death) with the ML would have been 100 times more satisfying.
In conclusion, did I enjoyed this show? Yes, on the whole. The skip button was getting a workout in the mid section though. Would I recommend this, yes, with the same caveat.