I love the villain romance trope and wow does this drama scratch that itch. This ML is underhanded, scheming, manipulative, violent, and unapologetic about all of the above. And once he falls in love? He stays all of those things, but also becomes devoted, sweet, protective, and loyal as all hell to the FL. Perfect. Xu Zhen Xuan does a wonderful job in the role, switching from sweet puppy-dog husband pretending to be weak to flirty playful bastard to cold vicious killer in the blink of an eye. *chef's kiss*

Yang Qi Ru as the FL was a bit stiff, but I enjoyed watching her on the screen nonetheless. She plays a down-to-earth, righteous general who doesn't care much for decorum or sugar-sweet politeness but has a kind, loyal heart.

If you enjoy gender role reversals where the FL appears in the nick of time to save the ML and bridal-carry him off to safety, this is your show. You also get some ML saving FL scenes, it's a great balance. They're both strong and competent in their own ways. Their chemistry was good and you get some great skinship all throughout the series.

The plot meandered somewhat and I wasn't super invested in the flashbacks to the FL's angsty past and the present timeline of the princes scheming for the throne. It wasn't bad, but also nothing new or particularly interesting.

The music slaps hard, particularly the intro theme.

TROPES: (light spoilers)
- ML falls first and harder
- enemies to lovers
- hidden identity
- jealous, possessive, clingy, deeply devoted ML
- physically and emotionally strong FL
- villain romance with hero FL and villain ML
- political court intrigue and succession scheming
- love triangle, but it's not a big part of the plot (kind of unclear whether the SML is romantically interested in the FL or if she's just a pivotal, fateful figure in his life)
- arranged/forced marriage
- HEA