Love the pairing of Guan Xiao Tong and Neo Hou. Both are gorgeous though in a few episodes, NH’s makeup is too strong (e,g. Red lipstick?). That said, I just love this drama. I would say it’s a romantic comedy featuring 2 beautiful people without the sap, mix in some martial arts which the FL is good at, comic relief, drama, political intrigue, angst, great cinematography, beautiful sets and costumes… need I say more?

Ban Hua, the female protagonist, is a woman before her time. She is brash, strong willed, beautiful, fearless with good martial arts skills, not as educated as some of her peers who are jealous of her beauty and look down on her. Her character is likeable because she is straight forward, street smart, loves her family and is kind to the unfortunate. She has an undeserved bad reputation because 3 of her engagements were dissolved. She meets the good looking Rong Xia, the “number 1 scholar” and favorite courtier of the emperor, under 2 very embarrassing circumstances. She calls him a dull goose to his face when he wouldn’t go along with her white lie.

The rest of the story is a process of the 2 getting to know each other, their difficult courtship, trials and tribulations as he tries to unravel the mystery behind the tragedy of his family. XFS, the hypocritical #1 Talented woman, is Ban Hua’s love rival as she likes RX and schemes to do Ban Hua in, but RX has eyes only for BH once he falls for her. There are funny moments when BH tries to win RX over to help her brother, the # 1 wastrel. She uses the wrong volcabulary, forgets her lines, fakes gentleness because she thinks RX likes the SFX type.

BH has an unconventional family which also provides comic relief. Her father is a pushover, loves her and is afraid of his wife but is an honest courtier and loyal.

This is a light hearted drama which I will watch again and again for entertainment. The BH RX couple is too cute. But those who don’t like romance may not like it.