I absolutely loved this drama. For me this is one of the best Chinese dramas ever.

Production:
Everything was top notch, high quality. The costumes were luxurious and regal. The designs had a bit of stretch of imagination for the period portrayed, including the general and soldiers armors, particularly the armor of the right hand of the ML, Song Huain Ein; and weapons like shields but definitely it gives a big feeling of grandeur. The fabrics used for clothing and bedding were absolutely divine, you can see how those fabrics laid in the actors body, so regal and majestic. Also appreciated the good quality and design of costumes of the support characters like maids, palace maids, and helpers. Love the quality of the wigs from the ML to the last Court member, impeccable and very natural. The female wigs were good too, shiny and pretty. I loved and enjoyed the different hairdos in those wigs, not just the FL but everyone, color coordination and accessories were on point.

I also loved the care they took of the horses, they didn’t look overworked and exhausted like in other productions, at any time given the horses looked rested.
I really enjoyed the battle scenes, how magnificent they were, impressive choreography and amazing timing, well done.

Casting: FL and ML absolutely stunning, they had incredible chemistry. At first it shocked me to see such a mature cast, but their acting experience definitely paid a thousand times more in how flawless the overall drama was. Yes, there were some supporting actresses that couldn’t do a flawless job at a moment of struggle but it was really minimal, to almost mention it.
The main cast and the support cast with more screen time was very professional and seasoned. A guilty pleasure to watch.
This is a medium length drama, 68 episodes with a plot so compelling that when I realized I was watching episode number 68, I couldn’t stop to ask myself: what? How can it be? So fast, in no time it ended, it only took me 3 days to watch it all. I couldn’t stop myself, barely pausing to do minimal things, yes, it was totally addictive.

I couldn’t get enough of that perfect man, the ML with humble origins that knew sacrifices from an early age, with a ginormous heart, not to mention he’s super handsome, masculine, and exuding incredible sexiness for each of his pores, and on top of that he has amazing and expressive eyes. A man at that period of time that decided to love and give his heart to only one woman is, The Man to me. I love Asian historical dramas but I always had that pain in my chest when in dramas the ML swore eternal love to his FL and at the same time had a harem of concubines. They said you can’t judge history, but as a woman it doesn’t go with me. So, when I see a ML that says what I think I can’t stop but to love him to pieces.
This is my first time watching Zhou Yi Wei work, and I’m truly impressed. One of the things I loved about his character is that despite being a rough, strong general, he also knew how to enjoy those moments together with his wife. Seeing his smile while dancing melted my heart, because in Chinese historical dramas it is very rare to see that happening, it’s very typical to see aloof, cold males that don’t loosen up and don’t know how to enjoy life, so it was very refreshing.

I know, we just watch: Television = “Tell a vision”. But still, knowing that my heart flutters in raw happiness.

I also loved our beautiful FL Princess, she was everything I was expecting. Although I sincerely I’d prefer they choose a teenager actress to portray her teens years. At 42 it doesn't matter how beautiful she is, the neck doesn’t forgive no one, without exception. But definitely the FL has that regal, stoic look needed for her character. She brought besides beauty a heavy portfolio of acting experience, her royal pose, her walking pace, the Hulan dance was superb. Shang Zi Yi majored in dance and it shows how she expressed herself in her hands and dance, so enjoyable.

Plot: The plot was engaging and very entertaining, it had the right dose of drama without going overboard. What a ride! It took me there at that time, it made me feel it with each of my cells, yes that good it was. The mean ladies are quite mean but still enjoyable.

I really enjoyed how it was a war between everybody except for the main couple. I loved how they portrayed the struggle and war for power and went so far for it. It was done very tastefully and with lots of cleverness.
And that’s why this drama is so awesome, the script is impeccable, superb acting, with a solid production. You can see the actors' and actresses' faces looked rested and not showing signs of tiredness or boredom in their acting. There are no awkward situations, kisses, intimate moments, nope, everything is truly flawless.
I truly appreciate the beautiful scenery, the wooden room was spectacular and solemn, it gave me goosebumps for what it meant. Each Palace background was done spectacularly and perfect to the minimal detail.

It’s really rare that you can find Masterpieces like this drama. It happened to me before that when watching a very entertaining drama, as soon as the main couple gets together it become dull, losing all the curiosity to keep watching.
This is definitely not the case, because the story had really good structure, is not just struggle for power, ambition, palace life, arranged marriage, a general is that and much more, it has a soul in its own, the soul that the actors, directors, production and script writers poured to make a product of excellent quality.

And there was true and authentic slow burn romance, not with empty staring at each other but learning to know each as a man a woman needs to do, when they are in love. This was not a joke, the romantic moments were sublime, exquisite and very tasteful. I loved how they portrayed this marriage, their understanding, the respect, the given space to each other, is how it should be.

OST:
Absolutely gorgeous. I added them all to my playlist on all my devices. Because, it will take me a long time to detach myself from this drama. That’s what happens when a drama is so excellent that it makes an imprint in your soul and kidnaps you for a while.

Rewatch value:
Very high, I’m considering watching it all again, to find more enjoyable details. But if I don’t do it immediately it definitely goes to my list of my favorite dramas that I rewatch several times a year.

Final words:
Don’t hesitate to watch it, you won’t be disappointed at all.
This drama is a work of love and art! Spectacular, Romantic, Fascinating, Entertaining, Superb!

10/10