I just finished watching this beautiful drama, and it was quite an experience. The first couple of episodes were so captivating that I ended up binge-watching 10 to 12 episodes in a single sitting. While the pace slowed down a bit when the FL went to Luoyang and her hometown, it wasn’t too bad and still held my interest.

The strategic planning and scheming were masterfully written. I loved how sharp the leads were, constantly decoding their opponents' plans and crafting brilliant counter-strategies. The story was intriguing and kept me hooked throughout.

Some moments hit me deeply, like Tong, the maidservant, sacrificing her life and the FL proving her father’s innocence before the emperor. The ending was absolutely satisfying, especially the extra five minutes—it felt like a treat for the viewers.

However, I was disappointed with the decision to kill off Wenji and the other personal guard of Duke Su in the final 15 minutes. They were fantastic characters, and their deaths felt unnecessary.

Although I’m not usually a fan of period dramas, this one was undeniably excellent. It was a bit long, but given the complexity of the story, it felt justified.