This is without a doubt one of the best revenge dramas I've ever watched so far. The story and plot made sense and I felt that it was all tied up together nicely until the end and was not being led sideways to make way for romance towards the end, like some dramas wont to do. I love that they stick to both the revenge of Xue Fangfei and Jiang Li and resolve for them both by the end. It was so satisfying. The only nitpick I have with the plot is the many sexual violence theme they incorporate in the storyline (guess that's why Netflix has those and substance as warning lol). I was quite wary of watching this in public seeing as those sexual violence scenes can sometimes jump at you out of nowhere. lol. The plot was so captivating for the first 2 quarters of it, I literally watched 16episodes in one sitting! and that's because I need to stop for work. It does get quite slow and draggy in the third quarter during the arc of saving Magistrate Xue but picks up again during the last quarter until the end. All in all, it was a gripping plot that can definitely kept you watching. The story was definitely a not feel good drama, as it carries some very hard and serious themes, but I like that they tried to sprinkle some humor as well here and there to lighten up the plot, like Xiao Heng's two sidekicks and Xiao Heng being bossed around by his grandfather after he saved Fangfei towards the end. Not much, but I guess it will do. lol. The ending seems quite rushed and I felt robbed, but after watching the 5mins fan service added scenes of XFF and XH living happily together with a daughter, I felt like maybe if they include those scenes in the main drama, it doesn't quite match the whole feelings of the drama. But, do they have to kill both Lu Ji and Wen Ji at the end though???! Hmpppphhhh so mean! Those two were just sidekicks, leave them alone! haha

At first, I think this is my first drama of the ML, but scrolling through his works, he's also in One and Only which I'd already watched previously, but I don't recognize him in that drama. Seeing as he is only 22yo, I'd say, he did superb being paired with someone as seasoned as WJY. He doesn't appear to be that much younger than her in his acting, despite the 10+ years gap. So, kudos. his chemistry with the FL was also quite good, despite having to act as someone who is ruthless and aloof at first. The thing I applaud this drama is, they have very good villains. Be it the small villains like Magistrate Feng or Governor Tong (whose acting were so convincing I really felt like slapping them both silly!)or big villains such as Shen Yurong and Wanning, and to a lesser extend, Chancellor Li and Prince Cheng. All of the big villains had a story behind them, and there's layers to them being that way that somehow even though you want to kill them yourselves, but you also felt some pity. Shen Yurong is such a pitiful character, having to turn into such a despicable man because he was weak to stand against the higher power. Being humiliated here and there and then being cajoled back with the ideas of being loved by the same person is torturing in a way, I guess no wonder he turned into a madman in the end. Wanning character is also another great villain, so psychotic and a madwoman, but end up also a pitiful woman hardened by what she went through. But what sets them apart from XFF I guess, despite having to go through such a traumatic fate in life, XFF choose the high path and never step on other innocent people's heads in order to exact revenge while these villains lost their heart after the torture they went through. Some of the villains, like Ji Shuran, was a different kind of villain, like a wolf in a sheepskin, acting all demure and loving but backstabbing (though the actress was beautiful despite the age. haha)

Costumes were sooo beautiful especially for XFF and Duke Su and the makeup for formal palace event was a stand out (not sure which era this was, but I don't think I'd seen it in dramas before. OST was nice enough, but doesn't make me went out to find them in YouTube. A rewatch is low though owing to the fact that this is such a heavy story and I felt like watching once is gripping but more than enough. lol. A recommended watch though for first timer like me!