Drama Digest
Despite the Emperor’s dislike and disapproval, Prince Xiao Ding Quan has matured into a wise and courageous man. He joins forces with Xu Chang Ping to try to flip the tables in his favour and put an end to the internal fighting and corruption.
The Feel-Good Part
There are some inexplicable time gaps, but the final 12 episodes are remarkably expertly edited and elegantly tie up all of the plot threads that remain. What I enjoy best is that the villain is fantastic, possibly the finest in the entire novel, and he is defeated by the person he least expects. I thought the plot to be easy to grasp because it was not too confusing or overly detailed.
The Disappointing Factor
It’s not totally a happy-ever-after love story (as is the case with most political dramas). Due to its complicated themes and characters, it may not be an easy drama to watch. The pace is also a little strange—from episodes 1 to 10, the plot progresses steadily and factually, then in episodes 11 and 12, it suddenly devolves into angst.
In-Depth Analysis
A story of Xiao Dingquan’s troubled relationship with his father, the King, and the years of hurt and bitterness that have caused it. Xiao Dingquan (Luo Jin) was unloved and disfavoured by his own father, despite his status as crown prince (Huang Zhizhong). He has matured into a wise and courageous man as a result of numerous incidents. Xiao Dingquan meant to leave peacefully with Lu Wenxi (Li Yitong) after Qi Wang (Jin Han) was exiled, but she realizes that she is being threatened by mysterious powers. Xiao Dingquan no longer wants to be caught up in the unending infighting and bickering, and instead expects that the conflict will be resolved through Zhao Wang’s marriage. In order to identify the mastermind, Xiao Dingquan and Lu Wenxi team up with Xu Changping (Wang Yu) to turn the tide in their favour. As word of Gu Silin’s death spreads and Xiao Dingquan heads to Changzhou to take control of the situation, the monarch expresses regret and apologises to Xiao Dingquan.
Star Power
Zheng Yecheng’s unexpected move to the dark side was fascinating to see, not just because he performed brilliantly, but also because I’d never seen him in a negative role before. Zheng Yicheng’s depiction of the more mature Gu Fengan is quite impressive; this talented young actor needs to take on more challenging roles like this.
Overall Opinion
Wicked storylines and plots, enormous production, and stunning cinematography, all backed up by fantastic music, casting, and acting! The drama’s conflicts were vicious, but the romance was wonderfully scorching! The amorous moments between Luo Jin and Li Yitong cast a stunning and intellectually romantic shadow behind the screening.
