I binge watched this drama because I enjoyed the pace and everything about it was put together with a lot of effort. However, I stopped watching for a few weeks when I googled "happy or sad ending", and got my answer. I was not in the frame of mind to experience what the drama seemed to be foretelling. I returned to it, basically, because the chemistry between many of the characters was worth the price of having what I thought would be my heart ripped out at the end. I was very, very pleasantly surprised. First, the acting was outstanding. If I didn't give it a 10, it was because a few of the secondary characters were a bit one dimensional and it shadowed the exceptional work of the others. Perhaps it was the script, or the direction they were given, but I thought Bi Wen Jun, and Baron Chen did not develop their characters to support their purpose. I also found it difficult to believe that Zi Gu and Yue Qin could be raised with such a heartless father and not be afflicted or hardened to a degree. Both were such puppies with soft little underbellies. Zi Gu stayed in this character throughout the drama and so it became her truth. This allowed me to suspend my disbelief and get caught up in her relationship with the emperor, Murong Qian. And before I hear the protests about the spring/winter relationship, remember this is OLDEN TIMES. Don't preach to the reader. Besides, maybe it's because I'm a little older, but I think Jiang Kai is kind of hot. The filters and makeup made him look attractive and the way he carried himself made him look downright handsome. I believed their relationship. Yue Qin , to me, was not believable. His love for the leading lady... sure... but a future emperor.... no way. Can I get a shout out to Shao Wei Tong as Qing Yan and Zhao Xiao Tang as Yin Luo Mei. Both were very skilled and their performances were believeable. The makeup on that bloody eye was too, too realistic and praiseworthy. Qing Yan had to be the best "bro" character. I've seen him in the same parts in other dramas and I am always pleased. Now the OST: The opener was awesome; the build up was noteworthy. Every song went well with the storyline. And besides, who doesn't love Liu Yuning? If you don't.... have your ears checked. I'm just sayin'......
I've unintentionally written a long review when I actually came on to talk about the ending. Anyone who finished the drama, read on; anyone who didn't... read at your own risk. This had to be one of the best sad ending saves in the history of Chinese historical dramas. There was no open ending, there was no sobbing uncontrollably. It posed a question, "what if this or that had never happened" and created just a nice, warm alternative scenario. I LOVED IT! I experienced reality and then it gave me a warm back rub and pat on my head. Just the right amount of consoling. Their fated relationship took another shape, and that shape was perfect for my heart to fit into it. I felt like my time was well spent.
On a side note: I don't know what filters they used on the cameras, But Liu Xue Yi and Wu Jin Yan Looked absolutely stunning and the costumes were dazzling. They are great actors, for sure, but I couldn't take my eyes off of them. That's all. I want to finish before your eyes disintegrate. Happy future drama watching everyone.