I tried very hard to like this drama.

I read the reviews. I liked the actors. Love Xu Kai, and I can take Bai Lu (just watched her in Song of Youth). Their chemistry was really good, and their interactions with the other actors was pretty good too. Good cast, solid performances overall. But some of the characters were REALLY annoying and I fast-forwarded through their scenes a lot, as well as in the middle when the same plotline was repeated over and over again. Irritating every time.

Fav. characters: Li Chen Lan, Sima Rong, Qin Qian Xian, Gu Han Guang, Liu Cang Ling, Shen Qian Jin, Jiang Wu (the character I loved to hate).
Most irritating characters: Lu Shi Qi (she wins the prize), Yue Zhu (the wooden girl), Qin Zhi Yan, Lin Zi Yu (the character I hated the most).

I stuck with the entire drama because I really wanted to see how it ended - and like everybody else who has reviewed this series, the ending was disappointing in its execution. When your viewers stick with you, the least you can do is offer them an ending that is not rushed or chopped up. Also, I get that everybody can't have a happy ending, but this one was really lousy with making all the couples unhappy and alone (or dead).

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An Emotional Roller Coaster, But a Nice Ride!

At first, I didn't think I would enjoy this drama, but I did (for the most part). The characters were likeable, hateable, cute, funny. The acting was pretty good (I am a big fan of Zhang Zhehan so would have stayed throughout just to watch him) and I was pleasantly surprised to see some old and new faces of actors I have seen in other dramas, and who I liked a lot.

The storyline was ok - I had a few lingering questions, and I think there could have been a little more to the story between the Dowager Empress and her love interest. However, the other couples were good together and I liked their chemistry. Since there were 42 episodes, perhaps a little time could have been spent on each couple rather than scattering bits and pieces all over the place, but again, I was fine with (most of) the resolutions.

I have to mention my favorite characters (and how they were played by the actors). Despite my love for the ML, the most entertaining character was General Deng. I saw him in The Bond and loved him in that too, but he was so endearing in this drama that I couldn't help but enjoy his roguish, charming ways. The Hou brothers also, were endearing to me. The Dowager Empress - one minute she was heartless and cruel, the next my heart was breaking for her impossible situation. All that being said, however, I tried to like the FL but just couldn't. Her character was annoying and brash and there was just something about her that I couldn't warm to at all. Still, I enjoyed the series a lot. Rewatch? Maybe.

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Super, Super Cute

Surprisingly entertaining. Not complicated, no supervillains or twists and hard-to-follow storyline. There is chemistry galore between the ML & FL and those kissing scenes! Best I've seen. Most realistic and rewarding since they already have chemistry. The second couple was cute too.

No senseless killing, no rejected spoiled brats whining and flouncing - just really cute, likeable characters. Wish they had done a little more explaining at the end, but hey - I'll take a happy ending any time.

If you're looking for a short series to fill time, or just something to be entertained by, I recommend this one - you get a good fighting fix, a little story, and great romance for a short series. I will certainly re-watch this one.

Wish MangoTV would invest in some decent subtitling however - it is awful and hard to follow the more serious dramas.

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Good Fun and it made me hungry to watch!

Cute story, cute characters, GORGEOUS ML. I liked that the intrigue was uncomplicated and simple - bad guys got their comeuppance without a lot of blood and gore and unnecessary death just for drama sake. I especially liked that the FL wasn't afraid to be hard and kick ass without so much as one kung fu move. She does some mean kicking and broom waving! LOL

If you're looking for some easy weekend watching, this is it - and you will find yourself drooling over the food scenes (although they got a little repetitious at times). A few loose ends, such as Wang's poisoning, the unwelcome relatives, the scholar & the apprentice - I think I liked Dasheng better myself. But overall, it was an entertaining watch!

I hope to see this ML in more featured roles.

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Pretty Good Series

The actors did a good job in this drama - I loved the heroes, I hated the villains, everybody gets their reward or punishment, and there were no needless deaths just for dramatics. Loved the progression of the relationships - especially the SML & SFL - I think I liked them even more than the ML & FL. Sweet story, and the romance was just right (although I would have liked a bit more for the second couple). Saving his lady and her family was the highlight of the story for me. I replayed that scene a few times just to savor the moment. Enjoyed the moments of brevity between the characters - and those expressions! I really enjoyed this series and will most likely watch it again.

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They Grow on You

The characters were well-played and believable. The chemistry between the couples was great too - and I liked the lengths the story went to for family harmony & happiness. There is a mix of annoyance, laughter, romance (plenty of that), evil... but in the end, it all comes together. Wish they would have spent a little more time tying up the story lines. But I appreciated the twist in fortune.

This is worth watching - not too complicated and hard-to-figure. I liked the actors, even the ones I hated in the parts they portrayed.

Looking for something to watch on the weekend? This is it!

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Intense drama - and an absolutely magnificent OST

Once I got past the blood and fantasy bits, I was completely engrossed in this drama. I didn't appreciate the holes in the story, too many loose ends, too many bits and pieces that were not fully explained or clear to the viewer - and most especially the ending. Tragic that he dies, or does he? We are left hanging. Those of us who hope he is still alive as some suggest, and those of us who accept his sacrifice and heroic death as his final act of love... but I prefer to have a clear ending and closure (unless of course, we will have a Season 2!)

The acting was stellar. The music was hauntingly beautiful and evoked every bit of emotion that this drama deserved. I found the version of the theme song that Qu Chuxiao sings - and that is my favorite of all.

This drama might not everybody's cup of tea, but I couldn't stop watching once I got into it, and listened to the opening theme every single time.

Please let there be a Season 2! Same FL & ML - and whoever did the music!

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FL Character - Dumb as dirt!

It's one thing to write a naive, innocent character - but this one is neither naive nor innocent. This FL character (not bashing the actress in any way) - the character role is as dumb as dirt! I was almost rooting for her to get killed off in any of the fight scenes where she was rescued by the hot ML. He deserves somebody much smarter than this dumbass. But the villainess was even more irritating if that is possible. I hope she gets some serious comeuppance soon!

I would have enjoyed the story a lot more, and probably been more invested if not for the way the FL and the girl he had to marry were written. Enough with portraying women as brainless twits! The one couple I really liked met with tragedy - needlessly, might I add, so that spoiled the story for me also.

The only reason I am watching till the conclusion (and I will) is to see how they give Karma to the villains. I don't hold out much hope, as I have read some spoilers. However, I will make my own determination and hope for the best. I've given this drama a 6 only because I enjoyed watching the ML - he's handsome in a severe kind of way; his aide - who deserved so much more; and the kid who did a pretty good job with his character.

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Propaganda, Action, Killing, and NO Romance

I admit I followed the story to the end to see how the characters would end up. How the writer would tie up the loose ends and resolve the stories, and I suppose in a way, they did that - just not really so it made a compelling story that I enjoyed. The characters were played well by the actors - I hated the baddies, I was sorry for the goodies - and so many people were killed off, tortured, or manipulated. The villains didn't get nearly enough come-uppance for me.

Let's talk about the absence of romance. I watch these dramas for the lead couple(s) and the romance factor. There was none of it here. Although I love Elvis Han, I didn't care much for this FL - and found very little chemistry between them. When the only kiss is not even between the ML & FL you must know how non-existent the romance is.

There was a lot of action, a lot of 'suspense', but not in a way that the story was satisfying to me. I was very disappointed. I don't recommend this drama and would not rewatch it.

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Had all the makings of a good series and then the sub-titling ruined it!

The storyline was interesting - although there were a few holes in the plot, story arcs that could have done with a little more development and closure - but overall, there were very few draggy points, and I didn't have to fast-forward through very much.

The chemistry between the lead couples was believable and I found myself rooting for the second couple even more that the main couple, just because I liked their story better. The villains were really evil, and all I wanted was decent Karma for them (which I guess we got, albeit a bit rushed in the end) They could have spread the wrapping up of all the stories over the last two episodes.

I really want to recommend this drama, however if you don't speak or read fluent Chinese and rely on English sub-titles, be warned. This is a MangoTV production, and this company is known for its lousy (and I mean supremely AWFUL) subtitling. I have seen complaints in every review and discussion group I looked at for alternative platforms to watch this drama at, but there were none. A lot of the story was lost on me (thankfully the actors' expressions, actions, and interactions made it possible to guess a lot of what was happening especially when there were backstories or explanations happening).

Re-watch? Only if there is different subtitling. Otherwise, I would just be repeating the frustration I had with this one. It's a real pity, because the story isn't bad, and the characters were interesting as well.

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It started well, but...

This started well, and I was really getting invested in the characters. Once I established who the ML was, I liked the pairing immediately - great chemistry between the FL & ML. The villainess is predictably disgusting, and all I want is for her and her cronies to get Karma. Good Karma.

The story took a turn into confusion after the lightning tribulation bit. Did they both die? What's with the resurrection arc? How do they end up meeting again and why, if they only just end up in a hurried cliffhanger that we don't even know will be resolved since there is no indication or information about a season two!? I hope there will be. I can't stand these WTH endings.

These short-episode format dramas really need to have a tight storyline that doesn't stray from the main point. It started out ok, but somewhere around the middle got a bit confusing and repetitious (the villainess can only obsess on killing the FL so many times) and then the end feels like they ran out of time, so just cut the scene. Bam! What the heck!?!?

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The Actors saved the day!

The story itself was crappy. The direction, screen writing, production was shoddy. I don't know what the original novel was like, but if it was anything like this, I wouldn't have read it either. That being said, what carried this drama for me and what made me watch it to the end (albeit fast-forwarding through a lot of the fight and political arguing scenes) was definitely Yang Yang, and then in addition, Zhou Lusi, and a fine cast of actors who did a phenomenal job. You liked the good ones, and you detested the bad ones. The interactions were believable and well done.

Some of the reviews made me take a look at the chemistry between the ML & FL - and I am glad I gave it my own chance and didn't follow those opinions. I like how their relationship evolved and there was such an ease of progression in the development of their bond. Without saying a word, they could relay their emotions and feelings for each other. The subtle changes in expression for each of them said so much (if one was paying attention). Some complained about the way the main villain died, but I thought it was pretty well done. Not overdone.

I can't say enough how Yang Yang made this drama work for me. I will watch him in anything (historical romance preferred). In fact, I'd probably watch him simply standing still!

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This is What Rom-Coms Are

Light-hearted stories with couples that have chemistry, and plotlines you can follow. If you want historical facts and heavy material, then choose that kind of drama. This one was enjoyable, and the ML & FL had a lot of chemistry and if you like the romance (I do), a lot of that too. The SML & SFL also had chemistry although the SFL was a little irritating at times. The villains were convincingly hateful, and even if their actions were a bit repetitive, they were still characters you loved to hate.

I choose these kinds of series when I am in-between heavy dramas with a lot of episodes. They are great weekend watching, and they are light on the heart and easy to follow. The comedic moments were cute and funny but not overdone. I enjoyed the series and think the actors did a pretty good job. Don't overthink it - if you're just looking for something to watch and be entertained by this is a good pick.

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The ML Stole the Show

Everything about this drama was all about the ML for me. Easy on the eyes, intense - great fight scenes. Totally believable as a pirate, a hero, a lover. (And that mouth!) He alone made it an 8 rating.

The story was light had a lot of holes in it, and the editing was super-lousy. One minute you're in one scene, next minute you're someplace else. Good thing I was paying attention to whatever the ML was doing! (That soulful look...)

The FL left much to be desired. I kept waiting for her to smarten up or grow up. But no. She was an airhead throughout. It didn't do the couple any justice. Sorry. What a waste of a great guy and a potential supercouple.

I like this lead actor so much I can't wait to see him in a drama with a serious FL who he has chemistry with. They would burn up the screen, because he is smoking hot. (Did I mention his mouth?)

Good weekend watching. And I will be rewatching just to enjoy the eye candy.

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