"But on a Wednesday in a cafe, I watched it begin again"

This one lyric comes to my mind when I finished the final episode. If you watch it, you would get what I mean. Their love stories started from that place. I would not spoil it so you need to watch it. This drama was about how a fated couple found their ways back to each other bcs they were destined to be together.

ML, Chu Kong, the God of War, was a man who was devoted to his duty to protect the six realms and lived just for that. He was intelligent and very good at fighting ofc. So to him, he didn't have time for pesky emotion like love. But supposedly, he needed to go through the love tribulations to enhance his damaged primordial spirit so he just acquiesced in the name of fulfilling his duty. So he just settled with FL since they were entangled and thought he could get over this "task" fast. Times spent together, he was moved by her actions, love for him. Chu Kong as a man in love, treasured Xiang Yun with all his heart, he just willing to do anything she said, just happy at the sight of her and willing to die for her.

FL, Xiang Yun or Empress Cang Hai, was a fairy that also devoted to her duty at Marriage Pavilion. She was willing to use any trick to save the Marriage Pavilion from being destroyed. ML being the God Of War was valid to be angry at her trick so somehow they got entangled together to help him recover his primordial spirit. She was wary of ML and fear of him coz he was God Of War, so she also thought to get this thing with him over with. But the second love tribulation, I hv to mention his name coz this version of him was still part of ML just... buried deep I guess. So in this lifetime, Lu Changkong was sincerely in love with FL, he was so sweet and understandable that made her wavered and she fell in love with him. She didn't regret dying for him and just wish she cld be with him forever. It was a start for their relationship, bcs back in the heavenly realm, ML didn't disappoint although there was still up and down in their relationship after that.

Their love tribulations after that were touching to me. There wld be times that he wld sacrifice himself for her but she could not bear to be without him so she did something shocking in order to be back by his side.

I love all the important characters: Our other couple who went through so much, the kind and loyal Zihui and the ruthless but need some love Jin Luo. Jin Lian who had character developments. Our 2ndML, Prince Xiuming, you were my type of 2ndML the one who love FL from afar, willing to help her and know how to move on. How I wish I could see who you end up with, you deserve to be happy after all the suffering. Shout-out to the Red Thread Master, Immortal Li and Immortal Sun too.

I actually decided to watch this drama just because. I didn't expect it to be a bit related to Love Between Fairy and Devil. There were a few things related to it but that was it. It just funny how I just finished LBFnD before this drama and somehow then I chose this drama randomly to watch after it. I also was curious about ML since the last time I watched him was in TRoTnR.

I love love love all the different sets, outfits, dresses and accessories, stories of different lifetimes. It just so amazing and different to me that it could be this way. Myb it could be bcs this was my second Xianxia drama.

I love some of the OSTs too, "Only Love", "Grief Record", "Break Through" and I definitely need to find who was the singer who just sang with her voice, just AaaAaaAaa (idk what the term is used here) signalling the end at each episode.

Tbh the happy ending was not my type of happy ending coz the moment of the ML and FL's happiness was so short (I ranted about it a bit in my review of LBFnD too). I might lower my rating if I rewatch idk but for now, considering the plots and the lifetimes, I will give it this rating.

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A Bit(?) of Dark Romance

It was a slow burn romance but with a twist, a bit of dark romance. To me, they were perfect for each other. One was direct to the point and the other one needed a push even tho it was obvious through her actions that she likes him. This drama was about FL given a second chance to right her wrongs and how ML fought his ways to survive and to do justice to the poor souls that unjustly annihilated for the sake of power and wealth.

ML, Xie Wei, a ruthless, righteous man and a meticulous strategist. Ofc he was cunning too, being raised by a violent rebel wld do that. I'm in awed by his plans that seemed to be 10 steps ahead although there was few things out of his control. It took sometimes before he realised his feelings towards FL but until that time, we can see unconsciously he protected her, wld make something to bring her pleasure and willingly wld die for her. Though he can be aggressive when he was jealous *rolling my eyes.
He was quite fierce when he chided FL for being reckless. Idk their interactions with each other sometimes frustrated me too.

FL, Jiang Xuening, quick witted but short temper woman who was caring and wld do anything to protect the people she loved and closed with. She was not afraid to be punished for speaking the truth. She had this unapproachable aura but when you are sincere to her, she repay it ten-folds. I like her no-nonsense approach when she wanted to accomplish her missions. She was intimidated by ML's personality and the shadow of who he was in the past life. So that was why it took sometimes before she had feelings for him. I think what ML did for her, moved her.

I'm really loving all OSTs in this drama especially the one by Jane Zhen, Zhou Shen and Bai Lu. Idk why I became a bit teary when I listened to Bai Lu's song. It just so soft and delicate I guess.

The period costumes in this drama were quite stunning. I definitely love the bright and the pastel colours of FL's dresses.

As for 2ndML and 3rdML.... Yan Lin, you are the best! You are so sincere and understanding. Zhang Zhe, I like that you hold on strong to your principles of being righteous but willing to hear what FL advised to you. Also, you know when to move on.
I definitely enjoyed watching ML's subordinates antics, Lyu Xian, Dao Qin and Jian Shu. They were so hilarious when they talked with each other. Shout out to my precious Lyu Xian, you definitely deserve to be happy. SCRIPTWRITERS WHEN I CATCH YOU!!

The ending was my kind of ending where I got to know how was everyone's life was going. I really appreciate that they wld do that. I am not fond of abrupt happy ending. Give us a closure after all the suffering and sobbing.

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It's fine I guess. Not bad for a quick watch.

It was funny that the ending gave me quite a jumpscare coz seriously?!!! thank goodness it was back on track few mins later. This drama was about FL's determination to never give up, strive for her own success in businesses, bringing happiness to her family and finding love in the midst all of it.

ML, Shen Nuo, was a calm, clever man that knew how to measure up situation after a few minutes and full of ideas. He was a smooth talker too but he also had a kind heart. He had a mission when he was injured in the area of where FL lived. He decided to lay low and made a deal with FL to help her since he will be staying at her family's place. They grew closer after a while especially after they both had been through so much to help FL set up her businesses and ML fell in love with FL bcs of her personality and how she was different kind of young lady. He understood her as a person and that lead him to make a hard decision that really showed his love for her.

FL, Lian Man'er, was a country girl that was smart on certain things because she definitely had her stupid moments that makes me want to strangle her. She was not afraid to offend her relatives since she wouldn't stand for their bullying her family. She might be a bit brash but she also had a big heart. She wasn't discourage when her first business had to come to an end and she even came up with another thing to sell not long after it. She stumbled and was tasked to help ML. She reached a deal with him and from that moment, he helped her with a lot of things particularly dealing with her difficult relatives and her businesses. She began to like him but something happened and her trust to him was tested. It was only after she knew what he had done for her that it moved her and showed he really care for her, made her take the plunge and expressed her feeling for him. She cared for him and willing to help even though imo, she herself caused the situation to worsen (remember when I said I want to strangle her?). I like that after that one hurdle, she decided to trust him after everything and bcs she believed that was not who he was. They both communicated and that helped.

Love the another couple story, her relatives character growths and of course our 2ndML, Youheng. I can't believe I saw him again as 2ndML consecutively but he was a kind man and knew when to wave a white flag and it helped that FL also was direct to the point with him.

There were two ost that I quite like and I really like how this was different from typical palace and noble household setting.

The ending was happy but not quite what I want but it was fine. Also what was with the special episode?? B for effort, we can't even seen the ML's face the heck??? I don't want to give this drama 8.0 rating but I don't want to give it 8.5 too. More like 8.3.

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Deep trust is important in a relationship

I think hvg deep trust in your partner is important but another important thing is communication too. Both can go along together toward creating a harmonious relationship. The deep trust is the theme of this drama. To your spouse, to your siblings even though they didn't treat you well but you still love them enough to wake them up, to your personal maids that you treated as a family.

ML, Xu Lingyi, was a righteous man that had a cold personality and perceptive. He was striving forward to bring glory and justice to his family name. He cared deeply about the plight of unfortunate citizens that had been affected by the rampant piracy along the coasts of the kingdom. The piracy also related with his family feud with another family that had been going for generations. So, he was distant from his ex wife and concubines because he put more priority on his fight to lift the sea ban and clear his family name. Lingyi was moved by the pure-hearted and kind personality that his new wife the FL, Shiyi had. He watched times and times again how Shiyi sincerely did everything she can to help in a situation. So that was why he fell in love with her. When Lingyi fell in love, he deeply trusted shiyi, very protective of her and defended her every times. He tried to be close to her to build their relationship but he was a very patient man bcs shiyi rejected his moves quite a lot. Because he trusted her, he also very supportive of her passion and very understanding. There was a rough patch in their relationship and he deserved to feel hurt by what FL did bcs she disregard his feelings. He was valid for that.

I definitely enjoyed so much of Lingyi's approaches to be closer to Shiyi intimate moments, it just soooo butterfly-ish and sweet. The way I bit my hand at that one moment sksksks.

FL, Luo Shiyi, was a kindhearted woman, graceful, patient, smart, and an optimistic. She was also a gentle person but she had backbone. I forgot to add that Shiyi also had a very forgiving nature. Magnanimous. She was very gifted and passionate in embroidery. A daughter of a concubine that had been treated poorly in her family but she still maintained her optimistic nature. Tragedy happened and she needed to marry into Xu family for her investigation. She treated everyone including her husband sincerely but in term of emotionally, she didn't care about him that way at all. Like she didn't even try to hv a relationship with him. But she really understand her husband as a person, that earned her his admiration. So we can see how for such a long time, ML trusted her and treated her very well but she didn't return the same courtesy and that drove a wedge in their relationship. She didn't trust him at the important moment and that deeply hurt him. She was in the fault for this because she should definitely communicate with him earlier about her problem and trust him. Bcs of that moment, she started to realise how ML was really sincere toward her, wouldn't do anything to harm her at the cost of his life and that moved her heart. So yeah, she deserved a cold reception from him but fortunately for her, she didn't give up and gave it all to prove her love for him. Then that deep trust in each other helped both of them weathered the storms that keep coming.

I appreciated the additional of other couples like Linbo and Dongqing. They were so cute. Shout-out to Zhaoying, you were very entertaining. Not to forget, our handsome 2ndML, Mr. Lin (I don't want to spoil his real name), you were a righteous person and thank goodness you didn't disappoint me. Hupo, you were smart assistant, it was unfortunate of what had happened to you but you were still a loyal servant.

For the drama reviews that I love, I really like user Rhea's review and Blizzardahm. They wrote something that I thought but didn't know how to put it in words. Like how with Shiyi's wit and loving self, she brought Lingyi out his shell to be more affectionate toward his family members. And how Shiyi was steadfast to hold on her passion to spread the craft of embroidery and helping people to make a living from it.

The ending was my kind of happy ending where they told about how everyone's doing after the climax. I do wish we cld see adorable scene of Linbo and Dongqing, not just hear they were doing well.

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What a Roller-coaster, amazing one.

I don't know why but I feel so giddy when I watched this drama. Ahh yeah because of the roller-coaster it's giving me. The way the plot progressed even until 40th plus episodes was very satisfying to me.

Male Lead, Lu Yi, a cold-blooded imposing Imperial Guard but a righteous one. Very wise, always keep his composure and loyal to everyone he befriended. When he fell in love... I definitely enjoy seeing how his always fierce, frowned face turned soft whenever he looked at Jinxia. He loved to tease jinxia and bossed her around. Ofc he was very protective of her. The way he was wounded then got up, run and rode the horse when he knew the FL was in danger just very impressive. He was also so sweet to Jinxia, he took her to go on dates together.

Female Lead, Yuan Jin Xia, a very skilled baillif, friendly, hilarious and quite the smooth talker. She was also a very forgiving person and brave in defending who was wronged. When she fell in love with Lu Yi, she loves him fiercely and openly. The length she went through for Lu Yi was so admirable and that earned lifetime devotion from Lu Yi. Not to mention, the way she bravely fought the enemies was marvellous.

Very thankful to whoever involved in making the Embroidered/Brocaded Uniforms because it was so pleasing to the eyes and sooo stunning.

I love how it showed other characters life too. It was a rough start for Shangguan Xi and Yang Yue but they made it and they were so cute. I didn't see any progress about Dr Lin and Uncle Gai tho humph. The adorable Lan Xing Quan and the impetuous Xie xiao.

I feel like this drama definitely deserves a 9 star from me but... The ending was cute, it just for me, I'm greedy, I want to see them get married, their married life, and I want to see how was everyone doing.

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Selfless Hero and Passionate Heroine

A nice drama. Highlighted issue like there is no use having patriarchy or matriarchy foundation country if both hv the same problem to degrade either gender and think they always in the right while in fact they are very wrong. I'm not very fond of the Queen in the women are more superior sex country of Huanyuan City coz she had her favourite child and that became the villain origin story for the other daughter.

The Male Lead, the actor Mr. Han or Han Shuo from Xuanhu City where the patriarchy was strong. He was very ruthless when he first came to Huanyan City to marry the FL. But after he fell in love with FL, he became her fierce protector and the way he rebuked other woman's confession to him lmao. I seriously admired Han Shuo. He loves the FL so much that he would do anything for her, die for her (literally) and he was willing to let her go. Kind of feel bad for him coz he thought FL really love him when she went through great length to save him in the early episodes when the truth was in her head, she cannot let the hero in her story dies. BUT there was a red flag where he became very very upset with FL's betrayal(eek she thought she did it for his own good).

The Female Lead, Xiaoqian or Chen Qianqian from Huanyan City. She was a scriptwriter who thought her love story was perfect until ML criticised that she didn't know what love is so her story didn't make any sense and asked her to go back and redo it. Something happened and she became Chen Qianqian who was a bit silly I guess but very passionate to other people. She had her moments when she was courageous and very forgiving, I admire her for that. I became a bit frustrated with her in the middle of the drama bcs she was not in the right mindset. She was focusing on matchmaking ML and her sister (she was married to ML mind you) while ML at the same time fell head over heels for her. I'm seriously kind of like, "serve her right for doing that, now bear the consequences" coz after that only she fell in love with ML. Very mad at her at that time.

I definitely enjoy each of the ML and FL assistants(?), Zi Rui and Bai Ji characters. I definitely was rooting for the First Princess's love story with Su Mu. Thankfully the 2nd ML very umm loyal to FL.

The osts were not that memorable to me and love the production. I also love the costumes and hair ornaments/accessories.

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Cannot recommend enough

At first I didn't take this drama seriously bcs it was so silly and funny, so much fun to fill the time but whoever involved in making this. MARVELLOUS
Maybe I'll give it ten stars the next time I rewatch. Yes you read that right.

You just need to enjoy this drama with zero expectation and I promise you will be entertained and they will suck you in!!! Bcs it started so unserious and progressed into something serious but still fun, fills with intrigues and plot twists.

Male Lead, Li Hongbin is a quiet, strict and serious person but when he falls in love, he fell hard. He devoted his life for his one true love and you will be amazed at his patience (seriously I'm impressed, his restraint with how the FL was if you get it, you get it) and how he just so trusting of her.

The Female Lead, Xiong Xirou, started as carefree silly girl and hv no qualms or shameless in getting her way or way out of things. You just didn't expect her to be that silly but she was. Bear with her. (Edit: she had her wall up so high so you feel a bit frustrated with her) It was worth it for me. She's also a kind person and caring.

The casts were amazing and I love how in the drama, the ost acoustic-like duet really sounds amazing.

I'm sad it ended but really reminiscing how much fun it was the first time I watched this drama.

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Good drama about Loyalty and Love

It was really enjoyable because we can see the character development of some characters, and all the actions and strategies to fight wars. I think I couldn't give a good review this time bcs I didn't finish this drama in one go. I paused watching it when there was still 5 eps left ughh bcs life intruded and only got to finish it about half a month later.

ML, Ashile Sun/Falcon or A'Zhun, was a general and leader to the Eagle Division of Asher Tribe. He was ruthless, intelligent and very very good at strategies when it came to war or dire situations.

FL, Li Change or Shisi, was a princess to former CP of Tang Dynasty. Earlier, she was filled with fire to avenge her family and so she was a bit brash wanting to start war against the current Emperor. But she experienced some hard lives and realised that she still a princess that had responsibility to protect the citizens of Tang Dynasty so she underwent character development after all of that. It really help that she met with righteous people (shout out to Gongsun Heng!). Changge also the same with ML in the sense that she was very good at strategies. She was very loyal and affectionate to people who treated her well even though she was not really that friendly. She really was not the typical noble lady.

The romance between both of them was slow burn bcs they started as friends but Ashile Sun liked her first and wld do anything for her. Later, Changge wld do the same for him. But really ML did everything everything for her like I think he loved her more. He was so sweet.

One of the the things I love about this drama, some characters that I liked at the start became the face that I didn't want to see later and while some I hated but really really love him now. Talking about Wei Shuyu and Hao Du.

I am so glad that A'Sun and She'er still hv a good siblings relationship. I love love love that we got other couples stories even tho... only one can get a happy ending :\. Anyway, this was random but I'm glad that Great Khan/Yanli Khan suffered for a long time even though A'Sun was still being a filial son to him. Serve him right!! The way he treated both A'Sun and She'er was not fair to them.

I am contemplating to give it 9 or 8.5 stars rating because the ending wasn't giving that much to me. I need more. I need to see how Changge's daily life with A'Sun, how the tribe fared, how our second couple doing too. Myb I'll change my rating if I get the mood to rewatch it... Who knows.

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Love and faith will conquer it all!

Wow... That was sweet. It was so funny for earlier episodes, and mixed of it with seriousness gradually. This drama was about love. Love toward your partner and friends that you hv faith in them. Love towards the innocent people that not needed to be sacrifice for wars. Love for your saviour that you went astray for her.

"I don't care if it's real or not, I will only marry the girl I love. For other people, let alone propose, I won't even take another look." - Dongfang QingCang

The ML, Dongfang QingCang or Daqiang, formerly was a coldhearted and ruthless ruler that had been stripped of his emotions for the sake of bringing glory and justice to his tribe. He was feared and respected because of his supreme power and the way he did to get it. He accidentally was released from his captivity thanks to FL. He was also connected to her bcs of it, so he had to be close to her until he finds the mean to end it. Times spent with FL brought a change to him especially after she did something to revive his emotions. He was moved a bit by what she had done for him few times. After he got his emotions back, the loves filled his heart so he only had eyes for her, protective of her ofc and willing to undergo a harsh punishment just to spend time with her. But reality intruded, he still had his mission and he had to hurt her for the sake of saving her life. He was plagued by regret and vowed to bring her peace even at the cost of his life. He was sincere toward her.

"Xunfeng, you love your brother, don't you? Me too. We have to take some responsibilities and pay the price for love. You take your own responsibility. I will take mine." - Xiao Lan Hua.

The FL, Xiao Lan Hua or Xi Yun, Goddess of Xishan, was pure-hearted, bubbly girl that spreaded kindness to everyone she cared for. She had faith in them although they will disappoint her. She might looks delicate and a bit of a fool but she had steel in her and will brave through anything for the one she loved. She was a low-ranking flower fairy in Shuiyuntian and she only hv her master that was close to her because she had no parent and friends. So she had been alone for a long time. She bumped with ML bcs she wanted to save the life of her crush. She misunderstood and thought ML liked her because he stayed close to her after his captivity and willingly did everything to nourish her while ML had other agenda instead. She was moved by his concerns and worried for his life bcs they both came from different tribes and were enemies. She gradually likes him but she didn't realise it yet. She wanted to help ML being more human and she went through a difficult hardship so ML wld not live in misery forever thinking that his father didn't care about him. I love that when she fell in love with ML, she was direct with him about her worries that he will start war again with her tribe and she didn't want more innocent people getting sacrifice because of the war. Communication everyone! I admire her that she wld prove her love and worthiness to be his Queen by going through some harsh punishment that even ML objected to it. Her love to ML was pure that even though at some point it was life-threatening, she wld do it.

To the other important characters: Changheng our 2ndML, You know how to move on and respected FL's decision and I really wish to see you have someone you love too. You deserve it. Same goes to Danyin too, I love her character developments. Our other couple story, the honest Shangque and the heartless Jieli.

I definitely love some of the OSTs in this drama and I love the costumes and sets too.

This was my first Xianxia drama. It should be another one, The Eternal Love of Dream but I paused at the sixth episode. I need time to digest it, their FL umm... Myb this drama helped with the less episodes amount and it also helped that I've seen both FL and ML dramas before. My second drama of Esther Yu after My Journey To You (I love it, hoping for S2 but I wouldn't hold my breath). I didn't expect to see her in this drama tbh bcs she was so different in here. Probably gave the same vibes at the last few episodes. As for Dylan or Wang Hedi, I've seen two dramas of him. One that I absolutely adore and another one, no comment.

I think I might hv to make an exception for this drama. It's so good. I don't know... but I'm usually very particular about my happy ending. This drama ending of ML and FL moments was so short and I understand bcs it was after a long time. After all the suffering and sobbing, I want a happy ending that gives closure to us, the viewers. That means I got to know what happened to everyone that important in the drama after the conflict. I usually would love if I cld see main leads meaning both FL and ML hv their wedding, how their daily lifes wld go and bonus if I get to see their kids. I didn't see the 2 extra clips yet sooo let's see.

Well I hv watched the two extra clips, B for efforts I guess.

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You can hv your own ambition but don't trample others to achieve it.

Tbh I don't know what to put in the headline but I think it's apt bcs in this drama, it told a lots about the characters' ambitions and their ways of achieving it. Ill intention ambition will be met with resistance and hv their own consequences.

ML, Zhu Zhanji, was a wise man and hv great aspirations to be a great Emperor thanks to his grandfather's guide and teaching. He was kind to those who deserved it and ruthless to those who betrayed his trust. When it comes to love, he has only hv eyes to the woman he fell in love. He was so sweet, very tolerant and understanding of FL. He did reprimand her when needed but also admitted his faults when he wronged her.

I love seeing their moments together, I love that they communicated their differences although it was not right then and there but only after some misunderstanding

FL, Yao Zinji or Sun, was a woman who always keep her composure, intelligent, magnanimous and bold. She was also elegant personified I wld say bcs she was trained for it, but not on her own volition, because of this, she had a hard time growing up. She tried to cope with it, entering the palace to be in the domain that she took comfort in which was being a chef and cooking foods. Her relationship with ML was complicated but she truly love him although she had to sort out her feeling bcs loving him also related to her hard times. But ML didn't give up and sincerely care about her so that moved her and she also gave it all loving him. She told him that she also was her own person with her own views so she would try her best to change something that she felt wasn't right and it was about the practice of burying the concubines alive with the dead Emperor. I like that she said that and I support it.

Supporting characters that deserve a shout-out. The Fearless Empress Dowager although I didn't like her at the start but she amazed me. Yang Ziping, loyal friend even though I was suspicious of her at the start but her character development just pleasing to watch. Chen Wu, clever man that observant of ML moods, thoughts and also credit to him that helped ML and FL communicated. Manager Fang, kind woman and very patient.

Cons: I agree with one review here (user morenokatz) that said there are gaps in the story, that some scenes jumps that made us crave for answers to some events.

I saw one review in one of the episodes about how some of the viewers expected this to be the unofficial continuation of SoYP. I am really thankful to their review (user blinky catt) that made me take a step back and think.

For those who came from the Story of Yanxi Palace including me, it took me a long time before I decided to watch this drama bcs both of their characters before hv a special spots in my heart. I don't know about you, but I am okay with it. This drama was its own story with a bit of them two. I am happy with it.

I agree with one review here from Louie G. They did a good job describing FL and ML.

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It's important to fight for your right!

I really enjoyed watching this drama. I was curious because it was about three ladies that ran a teahouse and then upgraded to a restaurant in ancient times. This drama was about the three women's friendships, trust and determination to live their lives to the fullest by doing what they love. Ofc the emphasis was on FL and ML. How they were fated to fall in love with each other although it was their backgrounds that lead them to each other.

ML, Gu Qianfan, was a skillful commander that devoted to his duty, smart, never lose his composure and ofc ruthless. We never saw his smiles unless it was to ridicule or when he looked at the woman he loved. He started to has feelings for FL bcs of her selflessness even though earlier he was being quite unpleasant to her. He loved teasing her bcs he knew she cld take it. Qianfan fell in love with FL after spending few times together, she was understanding of his pains and encouraged him when needed. He was so nice and affectionate with FL like taking her out to go on dates together. He was so supportive of her being a businesswoman and ready to help with anything.

FL, Zhao Pan'er was a clever, calm, generous and bold lady. She was also shrewd and resourceful for a businesswoman and skillful in Tea Art. Toward those who were closed to her, she had strong sense of loyalty, caring and very forgiving. Pan'er had a hard time growing up bcs of the circumstances that lead to her being reduced to lower class but luckily she was a bright kid that took advice by her friend's kind elder sister. At first, she was quite wary of ML hvg feelings for her bcs of their different social standings so she was straightforward with him about this to put him off but ML didn't care about all of that bcs he sincerely love her, to him, she was his light after all those dark years. Then, she decided to hv faith in him and love him with all her heart. After her journey of up and down being a teahouse owner and then a restaurant manager, she decided to fight for the right of ppl that had same circumstances as her to be given opportunity to be a normal civilian that is free.

I love that we got to see the life of other two best friends of Pan'er: Sun Sanniang and Song Yinzhang. Their character developments just amazing. Also the not so expected 2ndML :Head of important guilds but very childish-like Chi Pan. The other supporting characters such as ML's loyal amazing subordinate Chen Lian, the unexpected Changfeng and the determined Zhaodi.

I didn't expect to see palace struggles in this drama but I'm not surprised. Also shout out to helpful He Si, the loyal customers Mr Yuan and Mr Zhuoshi, they were so entertaining to watch.

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Sincerity plus efforts will bore fruits

At last, I've finished this drama that I planned to watch since a while ago when I saw how high the rating is. I hv to say I was not being let down by this long drama. The conflicts, the plot twists! I think i might need to rewatch this again with this new awareness of knowing the ending so I can watch it in new perspective. This drama was about: 1) patience the FL had to survive in her household while hiding her trueself, 2)the way ML never waver and keep fighting since he was a teenager against those who coveted his title and inheritance and 3) about the stories of different households during that era.

ML, Gu Ting Ye, a clever man that's good at both literary and martial arts. He looks like a playful and unserious man but he was actually dangerous and hotheaded. He was definitely caring toward ppl that was dear to him like his nanny and his best friends. When it comes to love, he was all in and expected the same from FL but... It didn't happen that way coz it took some time for FL to open her heart bcs of her own issues. But he didn't give up even tho there were times where he was being sulky(?). Still, he can't stay mad at her for long ? He always prioritised her, protective of her and he understood the person she was which was a very thoughtful person that did something for him that moved his heart to fall for her. Although like he said to his best friend, FL was like a three years old when it comes to love.

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Communication and trust in your partner are important.

Before I start, I hv to say... I didn't expect the instrumental playing throughout the drama was actually from the OST too. I thought it was just the sound effect because when it played, it was giving the anxiety vibes but I love it. This drama was telling story about how the FL overcame the difficulties she had growing up, how to reconcile with not doing it all by yourself and put your trust in your partner/spouse so they wouldn't be hurt by your decision alone without telling them. Also, about parents need to believe in their children, showers them with love and don't punish them over the line.

ML, Ling Buyi, actually this was not his real name so I'm not going to spoil abt that but he was called Zisheng too. Until now I don't know why they called him by that name. I think I missed something. Anyway, our ML was a cold-blooded, ruthless general but a righteous man. He lived for avenging those who participated in Gu City tragedy that massacred that killed his mom's clan and his beloved uncle who was a general protecting that city. I like that Zisheng decided early on he wld know the one he was going to spend his life with and that wld be the only one. So he hold on tight to that principle and would harshly made it clear to the other ladies who clamour for his attention. He was very considerate, like sooo sooo supportive toward the one he fell in love with. Zisheng wld anything for FL even if it cost his life. Even to the point, helping his love rivals' situations so that his beloved would hv a peace of mind. He encouraged and gave freedom for the FL to shows her skills and capabilities. Although, he had his own umm flaw or weakness but he reflected on himself so he was man enough to admit he was in the wrong.

I actually don't believe the fall in love at first sight thing the ML said but I'm humouring this drama bcs well, it was not a reality.

FL, Cheng Shaoshang or affectionately called Niaoniao. At first, she was very stubborn young lady but there was a reason for that. She was abandoned from when she was born by her parents when they had to got to war, she was mistreated by her aunt and her grandmother growing up. Her aunt wanted to raise her as dumb, good for nothing young lady so she didn't learn anything about writing, reading the classics and etiquettes. Shaoshang had to relied on herself, her intelligent and wit to survive. She was good at numbers, interested in building things and machines. Although she tended to land herself in trouble when she decided to pay back the villainesses whom bullied her. When she thought she finally gonna get the love she craved when her parents was finally home from war, she didn't expect her mother wld not fulfil that and that drove the wedge between them. But bit by bit she changed for the better with the help of her gentle and understanding Third Aunt Shunhua, when she got engaged to Ling Buyi and receiving tutelage by the graceful Empress that believed in her. She was actually pursued by Ling Buyi, so she didn't believe in him at first but slowly with Buyi trust in her, she fell in love with his earnest self. They always communicated their differents which was very good thing for a couple to do to avoid unnecessary misunderstanding. It just Buyi also had his own challenges and that'll affect their relationship.

This drama had two love rivals of ML so the 2ndML would be Yuan Shanjian, the arrogant and intelligent scholar who love to push Niaoniao's button and Lou Yao, a young man who fell in love with Niaoniao's fearless personality and earnestly pursued her. I love in that in this drama the dynamic of relationship between the Emperor, his Empress and his one concubine was harmonious i would say?. I also love that they included other couple love stories.

The costumes in this drama were also different in a good way. I really like how the Emperor was dressed but idk why his style reminds me of Japanese ancient style too.

Tbh I don't quite understand how certain scenes suddenly appeared. Maybe that was why I was hesitating to give this 9.5 stars rating. Myb a rewatch in the future might change the rating so who knows.

The ending was fine for although I wish I cld see them get married but I'm okay when it ended like that.

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Enjoyable watch that fulls of plot twists

I don't think I'm exaggerating. Anyway, it's my fault that at the start I watched this drama without stopping until 37th episode. Then, life intruded. About more than a month later only I got to finish this drama. Now I don't hv that same drive or feeling to write a review when I was fresh finishing a drama in one go. I will try to do my best though. I might rewatch this in the future and edit back the review so who knows.

ML, Rongxia, was an intelligent scholar and a righteous man. When he finally fell in love, he became affectionate man and a fierce protector.

FL, Ban Hua, quite arrogant woman at the start, I mean, I get it, her family was a wealthy noble and related to the royal family too so ofc she lived in luxuries so that shaped her in a way. She was also not that smart in literatures and classics I think? since she was not quite interested in reading all that. BUT she was quite skilled in martial arts bcs of her grandfather. She got a character development throughout the drama when she tried her best to save her family but still fell in the trap by the villain and villainess. As she was the one closed to her fearsome legendary General grandfather, so she inherited his talent for fighting and strategizing in wars too.

I definitely enjoy other couples story, Ban Heng with Xie Wanyu and Softy with ML's assistant (I don't remember his name I'm sorry.

I was quite happy that they gave us happy ending, my kind of HEA when we got closure knowing what happened to everyone in the end. Well although I do wish to know what happened to the "new" Emperor's relationship with his "Empress".

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Not bad at all. Let me explain

Enjoyable, humorous and thank goodness for the ending the way that I wanted.
You know when I watched this drama, I do think there were some problems with the directing and the acting of Main Leads.... It was giving B-list director that directed the drama. But I persevered and I think they did good job until the end. Myb decent job in the middle of the drama.

Male Lead, General Ji Heng, a strict, smart and meticulous man. He also very loyal to his family and his one true love. He would do anything for Zhao'er and ofc protective of her. He loved her so much.
(Hah! I know you fking lied when you said you could never like a man coz I know she made you wavered!!)

Female Lead, Tian Qi or Shen Zhao'er, a doctor that disguised as a man to search for the man who killed her parent. She was very skilled in her field but I do find her to be very silly at certain times. Such a smooth talker (in a bad way to me) that I just like, "can u rlly believe what was she saying?)". She was not that bright in other things and that was fine I guess. Magnet for trouble. Hmm I never criticised FL this much. She didn't rlly trust him, and luckily the ML just accepted it and didn't mind that she kept secrets from him. As for her love to ML, she cared about his health I guess, at least she cared enough that she didn't want him to die. Idk but yeah she did love him.

Shoutout to my man, 2ndML, Ji Zheng (I adore you sm). He was my kind of 2ndML, the one who loved FL, protected her and knew to wave a white flag coz he knew her heart belong to other.

I really love the OSTs for this drama especially the one that was sang by a woman and after this I will try and search for it. It just sounds very delicate to me.

I really want to give it 8.5 stars bcs the ending was really what I wanted but umm.. yeah I can't look past some of the problems. But good job to the writers for this ending.

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