Despite the valiant job the actors did, I know how history played out, so there was no happy ending for this lot. I think the most tragic thing for me personally was that 'true love' does not necessarily endure every hardship. When I invest myself for 50 episodes, I'd like at least a happy ending - and so I quit while I was ahead. (Thank you reviews!)

Unfortunately (though I am a Chen Xiao fan) there was no chemistry between the ML & FL - none of the couples, in fact. I couldn't get invested in any of them. Perhaps because I knew what was coming down the road, I didn't get attached. There were a lot of holes and hanging plots too - so very little closure to storylines and characters. (What happened to the second Queen? What happened to the Emperor's first son? What happened between the brother and his wife who had her childhood sweetheart in the house? Just to name a few loose ends... or did I stop watching too soon?)

I tried to stick it out, but the reason I watch CD is to escape from 'real life' - so once I realized where this was going, I stuck it out till the bad guy got his Karma (great episode btw) and then gave up.