This is not a serious drama, but it is seriously well made and beautifully written. It is geared toward a younger audience so there is more casual, light hearted and comedic undertone.

It is set against the backdrop of Eastern Han dynasty where one dynasty just fell, the world flung into chaos and a new dynasty just begun. Despite having a lot going on, the story don’t attempt to be what it’s not. The story is only about the coming of age for our main lead, Cheng Shao Shang. Our main lead is not perfect, and may not be all the likable. She has strengths and her flaws, but the upside is that we can see her improving and become a better version of herself as the story progresses. How she can turns her flaws to benefit others and not only herself, how she turn youthful recklessness into courageous righteousness.

If you are used to having main ML or second ML, be ready to change your mind. This story reminiscent of the older 2010s set up where FL usually have many suitors before she find the one that truly suit her. So don’t be impatient because each guy is his own version of the ML.

The first five episodes are spent on setting up character dynamics and dropping hints about their motivations that will be useful later on. There is a lot to unpack between the family dynamics, the dialogues are at time funny but do pay attention because a lot of them can have double meanings, and characters aren’t what they seems, and their words are not supposed to be taken at face values. There are also interesting changes in regard to gender roles and common tropes. But ultimately it’s a character driven story, that’s why the first five episodes are important. It’s not so much at what happened, but “why” it happened. Most characters have motivations and “personality” that driven them to taking certain actions. And every character is moving at different pace. So just because X character is ready for this, doesn’t Y character is the same. Each character have very well defined personality and choose to act differently despite the same situation so it’s an added layer of fun to figure out the why.

The costumes are simpler with minimal embroideries and accessories befitting to the time period where wars were still going on and frugality were emphasized. Characters are properly dressed to rank and personality. Fabrics are good quality but suitable for the time period, and hair is properly done. Single woman have their hair pin and married women have their hair folded into a knot at the end. Careful attention were paid to each family horse carriages that tell their rank and personality.

The color grading and cinematography are very tastefully done. Some scenes look like CGI but is actually real. For example, the scene where the CSS and LBY met in the backyard with round door. The fire scene where FL was rescued. A lot of horses scenes are done by main leads. Main male leads Wu Lei is actually a prolific horse rider and is good at basic martial art. There are some interesting shot, specifically the showing of the Cheng House, Lantern festivals and Horse Chase Riding.

Overall this drama has a little bit of everything but well produced and well delivered, and a beautifully written story. It don’t take itself too seriously but it was done tastefully.