In my personal rating system of "loved," "liked," "meh," and "nah," this rates a "liked" with potential to rewatch.

I watched this steadily and without any time spent "on hold" (which is rare for me). I enjoyed both ML and FL in their roles. I enjoyed the costumes, the sets, the world-building (is this an alternative history wuxia or a true fantasy?), the music. The leads relationship was positive, supportive, and absent of stupid misunderstandings and sacrifices*.

Thanks to the nice discussion started by @CloudA, we find out, however, that the story is a little different in that the book is written mostly about FL and her adventures in the pugilistic world instead of the actual drama which is mostly about ML and his political adventures. That is disappointing to me because, while I enjoyed the drama, I think it would have rated a "loved" if it had been focused on FL instead. The only thing I did not mind was Yu Wu Yuan being the antagonist in this (versus the book, from what I understand), as he did well in that role. I always enjoy watching Leon Lai--I feel like he's starting to play more support roles where he is someone in power. He has a pretty commanding presence on screen (and he's nice to look at...:D).

There were things I did not quite understand/plot holes. For example, why did Bai Fengxi use "I don't want to be an empress" as her excuse to reject Huang Chao's proposal when she totally supported Hei Fengxi's plan to conquer the world? (Which, of course, would have landed her as empress...). (Though her objection about concubines and consorts was totally legit!). Why did Hei Fengxi fight Huang Chao to a stalemate (which btw STILL resulted in loss of life even if they tried to keep civilians out of it) and then suddenly give up and be all "nevermind, I'm fine with you being emperor"? How could Bai/Hei Fengxi take only ten years to become the most powerful martial artists in the entire land? Doesn't it take decades for that level of cultivation to be reached? And how old exactly where they when they started? (On the one hand, that never got clarified, on the other, I don't really mind). Why did Bai Fengxi's "little sister" suddenly accuse her of murder after having grown up with her? She should have known that was not something BF would ever do! How was the actual Princess XiYun so well-loved by her country and family when she was never actually there!? (I also did not like the time skips at the end. It made the ending seem rushed and not well thought out).

My 'burning' questions aside (and there were more, just can't remember them at the moment), I do not feel that this was a waste of time, it deserves my "liked" rating and I'll likely rewatch. If you like true fantasy (as in alternate world) and/or wuxia (though it really wasn't a true wuxia), you'll probably enjoy this drama.

*I take that back. There was sacrifices I disagreed with...you'll get what I'm talking about if you watch all the way to the end.