Story
The editing for this show was frankly all over the place and so was this story. I only watched for the romance between Xu Shijin and Shen Yu (I do admit that flat out) and did not care for Liu Ling and Shen Yan's story. So I will admit that skipped most of their scenes together. Actually, I skipped a lot of Liu Ling's scenes of her being sad over him or thinking of him. I think there was a lack of actual development with the characters because they pushed romance at us (3 couples) and political turmoil, palace drama, etc. And nothing was really well developed for me. Even the relationship between Xu Shijin and Shen Yu was not developed., and it felt like immense tension. I do love mutual pining, but I really wanted to see her side of things. We knew he was in love since he wears his heart on his sleeve. It was just disappointing that the show did too much in the time they had.
I think having the third couple get together in the last episode is frankly lazy writing, and it made me feel nothing. AS WELL, I DISLIKE HIGHLY how the storyline of Xu Shijin and Shen Yu ends with the true love knot being broken. It literally adds NOTHING to the story and is like a little "HAHA YOU THUNK". I was rooting for them and it was quite rude.
I WISH we got more political drama and palace drama in the show. Touba Lie and his kingdom of Yigu were really interesting and I kind of wanted more out of it. I think it was a missed opportunity. The ending felt so rushed and I literally felt zero emotions over the death of people. Overall, not a horrible show. But the story could have been a lot better.
I will say my favorite scenes was when we were actually able to see ZYC and MR fighting others, or one another. I know MR is good with stunt work and fight scenes (he has done a decent amount for movies and other shows), but I am glad that ZYC was good as well.
Acting/Cast
I knew when the cast was announced that they were going to do great. This is my first drama though with ZYC and he did really well since I know this cold demeanor is not at all like him. I watched a live stream when the show was initially airing and he has such an annoying personality (in a big brother way) that this character was def different than his personality.
Crystal Yuan must have done a good job for me to dislike the character of Liu Ling so much. She was not a bad actor at all, and she played the complicated character of Liu Ling quite well. All of her emotions were different and she saw her slowly maturing and growing. In the end, she did actually act like a wife and a mature young woman, rather than the very spoiled woman at the start of the show. So I commend her on that.
NOW I watched this drama for Mi Re. The only reason I sat through this show, and it was worth it. He is someone who never tends to play characters similar to his personality (he is extremely introverted, and to himself) so I loved seeing him being mischievous as Shen Yu. Also FINALLY he got a girl. He is notorious for being 2ML and not getting the girl, or the one time he was ML and she died. He also usually dies a lot so seeing him have a happy ending was so rewarding. I remember before airing saying MR would gain a lot of fans from this role, and be commended. So I am disappointed that most people do not mention him too often in this show since he did a great job. Between being stoic when needed, but also the fun loving flirting side of him. But still making it the same character overall.
I want to say good job on ZYC and MR on acting like brothers. Sometimes siblings in shows don't always come across awesome, but they had the bickering down solid. Even though they both had wildly different personalities, they still cared for one another, and also appreciated one another.
Music
You have Liu Yuning singing the theme song so I am going to be in love with the OST. And we had Zhou Shen singing the ending ost. They put a lot of money into this drama and the OST. Even the promotion for this show was insane. The billboards in China for the finale. All of the photoshoots they did. Having them CONSTANTLY together for little skits, douyin trends, reaction videos, live streams.
Rewatch Value
I frankly wont, but I also have very little shows I am willing to rewatch. This will not be one of them.

I do want to shout out the wig and costume department. The wigs were laid correctly and they looked natural. The ponytail that ZYC had and that MR wore for a hot second was so nice. I thnk I screamed when MR appeared in it. The costumes were also splendid and really showed the personality of the wearer. I think Shen Yu had the most varied costumes, since his professional self was very different then his brooding self. While Shen Yan kind of always felt stuffy even though his hair was "out" which is very much his personality. He was not free while Shen Yu is (the large sleeves, the many layers with different textures, his hair being more free flowing). The girls costumes were also great and it highlighted the position they held and them maturing.