I wish I could type a coherent and chronological review about this, but I can’t. So all I want to say is, I love this drama, it evoked so much emotions in me and had driven me to tears so many, many times.

Liu Yi Fei is Zhao Pan Er, a tearoom merchant, whose father was a court official but was disgraced and exiled after he disobeyed an order during a city lockdown. He had opened up the city gates to help villagers who were being plundered by invaders. His wife and daughter, Pan Er, were dragged off to be maidservants and their caste fell into the pariah rank overnight. She had rescued a man, Ouyang Xu, from drowning three years before the story began, and they started a relationship. He was a scholar who promised to wed her as soon as he passed the imperial examinations, however, he betrayed her love and she was left heartbroken.

Chen Xiao is Gu Qian Fan, an officer from the Capital Security and Punishments of the Palace (an investigative police force of the Emperor), whose father was also a court official (now Prime Minister aka Grand Secretary) who apparently abandoned his mother and remarried, causing Qian Fan much grief and anger towards him. Qian Fan in his teenage years was mentored by the unscrupulous and sly Qi Mu, who masqueraded as a loving teacher but who was only using him to attain his own goals, by keeping the wedge divided between father and son. Qian Fan eventually met Pan Er and after going through various trials and tribulations together, they fell in love. He promised her that he would not be a second Ouyang Xu.

While it’s mainly about three women who gained independence for themselves in the city, it's also mostly a love story. It’s not cloying or irritating, (ok, save for Episode 28 onwards, but everything was resolved by Episode 35, which was 4 episodes too long, imo). There’s some investigation involving the Empress, but it felt like an obligatory insertion to the drama. I love Zhao Pan Er as a character and I love Liu Yi Fei’s portrayal of her. I am also impressed by Chen Xiao’s portrayal of Gu Qian Fan although certain parts of his characterisation irked me to the point where I wanted to put a potato sack over his head.

The fire and passion between the two leads managed to convince my ever so fussy need for a tangible love story, and this drama’s ability to hold my attention is more than enough for me to acknowledge its watchability – for I couldn’t tear myself away from the screen when an episode began.

While the characters (and the supporting characters) had expressed thoughts and will that were way too revolutionary for a story set in the Song Dynasty, I totally welcome them challenging the said status quo in that era. Many injustices that women have suffered in that era is actually still happening today. Gu Qian Fan is quite the modern man in that era. When Pan Er doubted his sincerity, he readily and willingly emptied his bank account and gave all the deeds to his lands and houses to his beloved! “You can hold onto these things. They prove my love for you.” What a man!

Pan Er is a strong woman. She was hurt so deeply, but still she fell in love again, and again she gave it her all for Qian Fan. I love and admire her so much.

The drama ends happily, although I have some disappointments about the ending. Chen Lian and Zhao Di’s romance came out of nowhere. Their love jumped out overnight and there wasn't much explanation why San Niang's son came to the city and ended up as a beggar child before reuniting with his mother. We could only guess that he eventually started receiving ill treatment from his stepmother and father and ran away. There are also various characters I would rather see developed a bit more. But I do recommend this drama and I really love it a lot had it not been so rushed at the end.