Wu Lei smashed it out of the park with his portrayal of Ling/Huo Buyi. He acted so well, when his face was full of confidence, those eyes were so full of pain and vulnerability. The scene at the Ling banquet was just wow… the cinematography alone is worth an ovation. Of course, his prowess at stunt work and radiating the murderous aura required to play a general who’s seen much blood shed, truly added depth to his character. His physique looked very on point as well.

Zhao Lusi has improved LOADS! I was fully emerged into her pain, her abandonment issues, her laughter and joy, her tears and sorrow, her dreams and hopes. She looked so pretty too in the latter half of drama, with her whole being alternatively radiating joy and grief. It’s like from the moment she truly fell in love with Ling/Huo Buyi, she truly came into her womanhood, full of confidence that she’s good enough, that she’s cherished unlike in her previous relationship experience with her family and Lou Yao.

All of the actors have done really well, especially the Emperor, Empress Xuan, and Consort Yue. They were so good, it was a treat watching them on screen. Empress Xuan in particular looked and acted exactly like the”Mother of an Empire” should act.

I loved the plot points touched upon in the drama in addition to the love and character growth of the ML & FL, including the establishing of a new dynasty and how precarious its foundation is in the first generations, becoming a royal overnight and all of its consequences for the people involved both internal and external, the Officials’ ambition and the lengths to which they’re prepared to go to achieve their goals, no matter the collateral damage. It was truly great.

Rated 10/10, will definitely be watching it again.