I think this series have had a bad review because of bad subtitles. I could only find subtitles which I can watch the series for entertainment but still can not find one with subtitles that I think the characters really meant in certain scenes.

Minus points for bad sequencing of the story and didn't have enough background relationship of ML and FL prior to EP 9 when it looks like they have aleardy fallen in love and start having conflict, may be because they were cut short to only 40 episodes. Anyway, out of the blue, they suddenly acting like they, in a way, been a couple already in early EP 9 when ML asked FL's opinion in visiting his wife.

Minus points for certain costume and makeup for FL. In the history, the Empress Sun was the most beautiful woman in her hom town and Wu Jinyan was more beautiful herself than in this series. Her night gown also looks very bad for a concubine of a crown prince. Her hair did make the back of her head very flat. The hairstyle of that time may not suit her.

Minus points for unnatural moves, very stiff, of FL and ML in comparison to thier acting in the story Yanxi Palace, especially when they were together.

Plus points for happy ending between Fuca Fuheng and Wei Yingluo eventhough there are not enough of scenes that they were together. I wishes for more.

In the end after I watched this series for so many times (one of the reason was to find subtitles that make the most sense) I understand and appreciate the subtleties of the conversations in the series better and, hence, comeup with my rating.