This melodramatic historical romantic soap opera was so much fun to watch. This is my 2nd attempt at a CDrama, the 1st one was a total failure. Get through the first 4 episodes without taking it too seriously and you will be totally captivated. From the over the top action scenes, the biggest bunch of mean girls who get their comeuppance, great visuals/cinematography and use of slow motion to enhance the swoon, lots of revengeful subplots that get satisfactory resolutions, loveable and hatable characters acted well by all, a leading couple oozing great chemistry and love (MLs gaze and little smirk will make your heart flutter) even some funny moments (the chicken wings battle armour) and sad moments (the empress), drawn out of course, that eventually comes to a reasonably satisfactory conclusion. A wedding and wedding night would have made the ending perfect. My only petty gripes were that the skinship was far too restrained, many missed opportunities for a passionate kiss. While I respected the premise that the FL wanted to remain a strong, independent woman not controlled or owned by anyone, let alone a man, her musings on love, relationships and self were contradictory and illogical at times. The whole abandonment concept frustrated me so much, I wanted to shake her. Nevertheless as long as you accept the pretence of it all it was fabulous and worth the watch.