With the very first episode I was immediately drawn in. The description for this series on Netflix does not do it justice, so, after first I wasn't sure if it would be my cup of tea, turns out I it was.

The characters were so well made, so real that it often felt like you were participating in the story with them, like you had a close encounter with each difficulty or accomplishment they felt or created for themselves. I give high praise to the creators of their characters.

I don't speak Chinese, but I do understand a very small amount, courtesy of my job and my love for Asian dramas, so, I often felt drawn in into the series, as if I wasn't reading the subtitles, I felt like I could understand how they felt without that language barrier being there. I must admit, I did shed some tears, I am in no way a crier when it comes to dramas (or anything for that matter, including real life). So, the fact that remains is this moved me to my core.

There were a few times where a few times where I went ahead and spoiled myself by looking up specific characters because the first ten episodes at least, are kind of confusing. I needed solid information to determine whether I could fall in love with these characters or not.

I love how Zhiwei was portrayed, a rebel. Though, she did not know of her own history or her actual bloodline, they way she chose her own path, even though it frequently collided with Ning Yi's, it was still hers to choose. The actress who played her, did a magnificent job in portraying the characters personality. Both character and actress are favourites now.

Ning Yi, though I found him unbearable at first, and his role had confused me greatly, I came to find his character endearing, even if he had ulterior motives throughout the entirety of the series. His actor did a great job of portraying him as well.

A few of my other favourite characters were:
-Headmaster Xin ( I was able to guess that the actor has mixed blood, I usually am able to tell this...it's a weird ability): I found his character amusing, and his actor was phenomenal, I hope to watch other shows or movies with him as either a support role or main role. I often found myself laughing aloud with Xin's antics or how he and Ning Yi acted with one another.
-Hua Qiong: It's hard to describe why I liked her so much.
-Ning Chen: While his actor is very attractive, he played Ning Chen with finesse, it was as if it came naturally to him. I feel his character was a little underrated at times, but liked how he was developed, even toward the end where from his perspective he was doing the right thing.
-Gu Nanyi: Such a young actor to portray him, though his age certainly couldn't be told while he was acting. I liked his child like demeanor when it came to Zhiwei, and how this character was so determined to protect Zhiwei, even to the end, though he would not be able to follow her anymore. I was saddened that she left him behind.

For the last episode, I honestly was not okay with it. There was so much left unsaid that I had more questions than answers, not even looking it up online helped. I understand the path Zhiwei chose, but I was also really hoping that she could stay with Ning Yi, and with her counseling they could change the empire little by little, with as little bloodshed and the sacrificing of innocents as possible to that time frame. I would love it if they made a sequel, so we could all know how Ning Yi's rule went, how he moved past his love for Zhiwei, how he felt on the wind that he knew she was no longer with the living. I was so touched, so sad at what had transpired.

I also really enjoyed the music, and if there is a soundtrack for it, I will go and hunt it down for purchase.

I will also probably rewatch this series later down the road, or at least my favourite episodes.

I give and will forever give this entire series 10/10 on everything.