I recommend Legend of Yun Xi wholeheartedly for one major reason - I loved the main character, Yun Xi. Yun Xi is smart, brave, kind, and skilled with poisons. The strong female lead character that I've been waiting for! I thought the actress who played her, Ju Jing Yi, did a great job. However, I have what seems to be an unpopular opinion regarding the male lead actor. I thought Zhang Zhe Han's portrayal of Long Fei Ye was boring and wooden. For the most part, he might as well have been a cardboard cutout, and when he began to show some emotion it seemed inauthentic. I understand that his character is supposed to be cold and emotionless, but Zhang Zhe Yan's eyes looked lifeless! I was still rooting for the leads' romance, but solely because I loved Yun Xi.

The plot was fine until the last ~10 episodes where things became convoluted. I also admittedly skimmed through a lot of the emperor and harem parts, and some of the various princes' scenes, because clearly I was here for the romance. Aside from the lead couple, I enjoyed Ning Jing and Tang Li's storyline - maybe she was a little over-the-top at times but they were a funny and cute pair. I loved Xi Feng, because I can never resist a loyal right-hand man. I didn't care for Qi Shao either way, but I disliked him in the end when he tried to make Yun Xi's choice for her.

Speaking of the ending, I have to say that I prefer the epilogue episode 50 version of the ending. I find the actual ending too contrived. Still, overall I loved this drama and I couldn't stop watching it!