Let me start by saying that I absolutely loooooooved this drama. Whats more, I read somewhere that it is loosely connected to the drama Legend of Fuyao (which I loved too). The FL is supposed to be the last descendant of Wuji and Fuyao.

Cast
How could I not know Chen Kun. His acting was just woooow! I loved all his expressions and his deep raspy voice. I think he was born to play the role of Ning Yi. Ning Yi is supposed to be 26-28 in the drama but Chen Kun's portrayal of him was of someone older. I'm not saying this coz Chen Kun is in his 40s (So hot for a man that age) but because the character was so much mature and calculating and strategic that only comes with age and experience.

Ni Ni is definitely on my list of favorite actresses. She was just awesome as Zhu Wei and Wei Zhu. Even when she cross dresses she pulls it off. I usually cringe when females in dramas cross dress and nobody can tell that it is a girl. Oh btw in the drama, people who had met the FL as a female could tell who she was even when she dressed as a male. Every time Ni Ni cried in the drama I cried with her.

I think all the other casts were perfect as well. I really liked the emperor although he is an antagonist and headmaster Xin. Even the bad guys did a good job coz I really hated them. I think the one I hated the most was the 7th prince because he started all nice and innocent but was a scheming b. I also thought that there weren't any unnecessary characters because usually in other dramas there are side plots with their own little romances that bore me to death.

Plot
The plot is not very unique. Its about princes fighting for the throne but I liked how cunning and strategic the ML was. The villains were cunning too which kept me on edge. I hated the whole bloody pagoda coz they just appeared everywhere and contributed little to the whole plot except to make the fact that the FL was forbidden love for the ML. I loved the fact that the FL wasn't an airhead and could actually contribute especially to the ML. There aren't many cool fighting scenes in this drama. I also love the fact that the people around the ML were very loyal to him, even people who intended to betray him like the eunuch sent to spy on Ning Yi by the emperor.

Romance
The romance here is slow burn and they just kiss once but the leads chemistry was sizzling. This is the romance I like where the leads are not all kissy kiss but can communicate their love by gazing into each other's eyes. Also they loved and trusted each other and were very understanding. And pet names. Little raccoon. Aww I loved it when the leads give pet names to their significant other.

Minor Spoiler ***Although FL married prince Helian she repeatedly expressed how she loved Ning Yi. Although circumstances forced them to never be a couple they acknowledged the love they had for each other and constantly worried, cared and were there for each other. I like how the FL believes that the ML would never do something wrong and evil, although this does not apply to the last two episodes. Spoiler end***

Costumes
I liked the costumes, they were all colorful and eye catching. Although I didnt like the ML's costumes most of the time. They were either too loose on him or made him have a pot belly. And did anyone laugh at his stripped pants. They looked like pajamas. At first I didn't like his long hair either but I grew to like it. But the emperors, the other princes and other characters all had good costumes. I especially like the FLs wedding costume and anything she wore as a female.

OST
Did I mention how much I love when I come to know that the leads sing their own OST. NiNi sings the ending OST and that makes the drama more endearing to me. I wouldn't download the tracks and listen to them but the OST and other music in the drama flowed with the story and was pleasant to hear.

Overall
Will def re-watch this drama. Although I hear many say that the last couple of episodes aren't good I choose to disagree. It was slow but it provided the closure needed minus the whole bloody pagoda/slave market which could have been skipped. Also I'm not a huge fan of the ending either but I understand and since I expected the worst sorta accept it. PS I feel that the title of the drama has no connection to the story.

Edit: Chen Kun's expressions specially when he s being sad, petulant are that of a 26 year old or someone much younger. But since he clearly doesn't look 26 sometimes It comes off as overacting (which I honestly didn't mind). But I am curious about something, often in the palace Ning YI assumes this look of I am just a poor, harmless little innocent boy while the next minute he looks at the antagonist with a look that says, I'm all schemey and ruthless inside. It reminds me of when Gus and Shawn from Psych turn their backs and try to figure stuff out. Its hilarious coz although it looks good on camera If I were in the palace I would see though Ning Yi.