A rewatchable Chinese drama.
This drama is 73 episodes so it requires a lot of patience to wait as the story unfolds from their childhood to adulthood. Very strong and intelligent female lead acted by the versatile Zhao liying who is a very good actress who always delivers as seen in her former dramas like boss and me, princess agent etc.
The real romance started at almost episode 40 but the couple had synergy and chemistry that made the unfolding romance worth it, You would confidently call this the baddass couple of the song dynasty era, the male lead is fastidiously sure of his feelings for the female lead once he set his heart of get her, it her or no other, they weather the numerous storms that came their way and even those intended to break them apart.
What i loved the most was that they had a mutually respectful relationship, Gu tinye a very bold, direct and straightforward man, despite his step mon spreading rumors about him contrary to his real character, despite his challenges with a concubine he got by helping a lady supposedly in need who bore him two kids and ended up running off with his son and his assets, the male lead had always protected and saved minglan all her life when she was in near death challenges and always wanted what made Minglan the female lead happy, he knew her challenges growing up as an illegitmate daughter in the sheng household and having to hide her capabilities in order not to stand out and be a threat and he always factored that into consideration before setting his heart on marrying her when his friend whom he thought had mutual affection with minglan got married to a princess, he made a gran scheme to get her even after marriage he wanted the whole world to give his wife the same respect accorded to him as a trusted aid of the new emperor, she always came first to him, he even handed all his asset to her on the night of their wedding with so much excited at him finally having a next of kin before consummation. Minglan on the other hand is always calm and together, never misbehaving or getting outrageous, at first respected her husband and was willing to accept anything in line with traditions like concubine etc which really always upset gu tingye who wanted his wife to be crazy in love and possessive about him, she gradually became more daring and jealous during one of their major challenges which pleased gu tingye more than the precarious situation he was in, the drama had a happy ending which made for a more pleasing watch.