THIS DRAMA IS A MUST-WATCH.
It's the first drama I've watched where I've seen female solidarity. It is as easy as it is unrealistic and selfish to make women bite each other's heads off because of a man as usually done in dramas. Where sisterhood is treated as a myth and women only exist to be evil to each other. This drama respected women, it didn't demean us. The drama showed that women have suffered for centuries at the hands of the patriarchy, and we are still suffering till now. It shows female solidarity at its finest.
When I started this drama, this statement is what came to mind, “In a world where we have no status, all we want to do is live in peace, can they not still offer us that?”
Halfway into the drama, the answer to my question was "no, they can't"
and at the end of the drama, my answer is, "there is hope for us. "
Story
The story of three strong independent women who suffered at the hands of men who were supposed to be their protectors. No matter the obstacle they faced, no matter the conflicts, they always remembered their sisterhood and their bond. Along the way, they meet good men and women who formed friendships and romantic relationships with them. They meet people who respect them and cherish them. And for everyone who stepped on their pride, they fought back tenfold without hesitation. they fought for justice, their reputations, and for their futures.

Characters,
Character development was impeccable. this is the first drama where i didn't see a single bit of conflict between women. people need to understand that women can exist in this world without hating each other because of men, and this was portrayed by the characters of Song Linzhang, Gao Hui, the empress, and the famous singer. They had so much potential to be the worst, but they weren't. they thought for themselves, and they developed beautifully.

Zhao Pan'er was a beautiful, strong, and talented woman who advanced bravely in every situation. though beaten down many times, with the help of her sisters and her lover, she always stood up again.

Sunsaniang is the epitome of motherly love. who cared so much about everyone around her. she was the string that tied their sisterhood together and despite her husband and son's betrayal, she never gave up on herself.

song lin zhang, the most complex of the three, who had the greatest potential to derail, showed us that making mistakes doesn't mean you cannot be redeemed. as the youngest of the three, she was naive and innocent. but after suffering at the hands of men, she realised that only her sisters can give her the love and respect she desperately craved. and she earned both not just from her sisters, but from the public, because of her impeccable talent.

Gu Qian Fan stood his ground, he loved unconditionally, he existed for her, and he loved her so much. He was a good man. he had his shortcomings and insecurities, and he was lost and in the dark. but a shining light came and brightened his path as he said to his father. Zhao Pan'er, his confidante and a woman he will always respect. he is a man who deserves respect.

all other characters including Zhao di, Chen Lian, Chi pan and his subordinates, Scholar du, the emperor, the empress, and Gao hui did amazing jobs. Ouyang xu was perfectly evil. actor did a great job.

the cinematography of this drama was impeccable. the art, the dancing, the music, and that performance in ep 32 was to die for.

a beautiful drama, with a beautiful ending and an important story. I've ranted so much because I love it too much. Truly a masterpiece and must watch for everyone.