Have you questioned yourself how you could continue watching it to the end?

This story explores on the consequences of love and hate intertwined, the darkness of obsessive possessiveness while evoking sympathy, understanding, and all emotions. Also, the effect of taking things for granted and overestimating oneself.

What has become of the male lead from his desire to have two things within his grasp has led him to a path of destruction to a point of no return. He became the epitome of red flags in a relationship. The female lead could have helped prevented him from totally losing his humanity if he understood and trusted him more; therefore, saving herself from torture and freeing herself after completing her quest for vengeance or having a happy ending with the man she loves. She could have helped get their revenge with lesser damage and burden for both of them but that isn't their story,

It was short but very intense. I like that the fight for the throne and revenge was not the center of the story. But I disliked how long it took for the empress to die. She had an easy death. The story talked more about the main leads' tragic story while pursuing revenge and falling in love
The male lead was wrong for sparing the life of his envious female colleague who he made the female lead's personal maid. He did not clarify the misunderstanding she caused him and the female lead, instead he let the female lead misunderstand and loath him before telling her the truth. It was too late for them to go back because the damage he caused her was beyond repair

I find the ending for the emperor and his lineage pitiful but he had it coming too. The ending for the main leads is the most appropriate. The female lead was prepared for the ending she wanted but was surprised he came knowing that. The male lead chose her over the throne but failed to keep her in the end, the way he wanted it

Saddest lines:
The female lead saying she should have never met him and the male lead wishing her not to meet someone like him in her next life

Music: Contained hints for the story, very appropriate
Favorite lyrics:
Love is like a blade
The thinner, the sharper
The wound I made just inches from my heart
Yet it still couldn't stop my longing

Acting: Yan Zi Xian is superb. He made me love and hate Jin Chen. I hated Jin Chen when he crossed the line ? but I was impressed with Zi Xian's acting,
He Xuan Lin as Gu Jun Yao is also impressive. I felt broken for Jun Yao because of her acting,
Both have chemistry. I hope they work again in a less toxic drama,

⚠️ Warning
It has mature themes, scenes like abuse and coercion. Although sensored, it could be inappropriate and stressful for others,and it's not a drama suitable for all types of viewers