So much family drama! Yes, this is a REALLY long series, but there is a lot of plot as we go from Minglan at 8 years old until she grows up. This show does take it’s time. It’s as if every line in the script is used and nothing is edited so things move quite slowly.

Fortunately there is a good cast and interesting characters, otherwise this wouldn’t work at all. But the cast of characters is so large that sometimes it takes half a scene before I figure out who they are. The romance is very slow-burn, but fun. The court intrigue is long and complex. The harem drama is among prominent families not the Emperor, but it’s no less bloody and scheming. A few bad guys are so over the top, you do wonder why ANYONE helps them.

If you’re in the mood for a luxuriously paced saga about a few families (with somecourt intrigue and fighting thrown in towards the second half), this is a good option.