I thought this drama was some kind of traditional Wu Xia drama with intrigues in the palace. No this drama is a very special kind of drama in the setting of the plot, the characters, how the events and story develop. The drama is very intelligent and coherent with different layers of times and places which relate to each other in a logical and scientific way as in "science fiction". Many people speak of time travel but there is no time travel here. It is more complex than time travel. It is real science fiction with its themes and ideas describing a vision of humanity and it's future.

STORY:
The story is very interesting and is about a child saved by a man from a dangerous situation and he is raised in the "countryside" and then called to the Capital city to discover it's true identity and fulfill his destiny. Using this storyline, the drama presents numerous and interesting, colorful flamboyant characters. These are very well depicted in different and effective ways (they speak, they act, people talk about them, people act for or against them, they are mentioned...) and they have quickly a huge dimension and impact even for a few scenes or episodes only.

So our hero evolves in this ruthless word of struggle for powers while he is just trying to find his origin. But he is up to par and even better. He is smart, handsome, funny, charming, cunning, cheeky to find his way out of traps and attacks against him. Like in a folktale, he falls in love at first sight with a beautiful damzel but he must go though different quests given to him as challenges but has one sometimes two great sidekick with him to help him. He visits different places. He meets people. Great, funny, helpful people with their unique colorful identity and impact in his life. Dark, mysterious, cunning adversaries who are in a fight for power using schemes but not in a way which leads the viewers but it in a way which entertains the viewers. Fan Xian fights them with smart words, swords, schemes, humor, playfulness and his beliefs in life. In the end he comes back almost home with a better knowledge about his origins. The story is a great mix of adventures, political schemes, palace plots, humour, friendship, romance, action.

CAST/CHARACTERS:
It was my first drama with Zhang Ruo Yun. He was perfect for the role. He was Fan Xian with his natural charm and his innocent but cunning boy looking face. I was impressed by the senior actors. Chen Dao Ming, Wu gang, Gao Shu Gang. Sometime lenient fatherly figures. Sometimes cunning opponent and challenging adversity for Fan Xian. The rest of the cast were great even in minor role they did the most to be sympathetic or hateful or both. Specially: Song Yi as a daring supporting sister RuoRuo, Xin Zhi Lei as DuoDuo in between best female friend and lover, Tian Yu as Wang Qinian the multi tool accomplice, Thomas Tong perfectly stiff as hilarious Uncle Wu Zhu, Frida Li as Si Lili a cold spy who falls in love, Wayne Wang as Teng Zi Jing. I also liked Second Prince, guard Yan Xiao Yi, Xiao En, Emperor of Qi, Eunuch Hong, Young Fan Xian and the actors playing them. Overall the cast was just great.

MUSIC:
The original song at the beginning gives a mysterious tone and vibe well adapted to the story and characters in the drama. It quickly became the annunciation of 45 minutes of a good show so I liked it. I thought the music in the drama was fine and well orchestrated between funny scenes, action and scheming scenes.

REWATCH VALUE:
I won't rewatch it entirely but there some great scenes here. All the ones with Fan Xian as kid. The ones with Uncle Wu Zhu. The ones with Guard Yan XiaoYi when he fights Wu Zhu or Fan Xian. Eunuch Hong scenes are great. Very emotional scenes with Teng Zi Jing family.

OVERALL: To tell such a story in this layered world is something unique. This is one of my favorite Chinese drama started in 2019. MUST WATCH. The only bad thing about this drama is now I have to wait to see the next season.