2nd edit : Now that I watched it to completion, I agree that THIS IS A MASTERPIECE and that the cast did (all) perform outstandingly.
Nevertheless, coming in as the "naive viewer", it took me some time to warm to it : Ep1 is okay. Ep. 2-4 are literally painful. Even on to ep.10 there's harsh beatings and mental triggers. Still the story seemed to change slowly for the better. The humor especially, black humor, buffoon humor, jokes, etc, peppered even the "painful start" to the story, which indeed was necessary to understand the dysfunctional military family, where the mom thought love had to come with taunts, constant belittling and beatings (though careful not to damage the goods, but at first sight, well....)
So I think this drama should come with strong trigger and PG warnings... It is not suited to everyone's taste, especially if one got lured in by the starry title, not knowing the story beforehand or at least some background. Some reviewers helpfully provided minute details and explanations which may help keep up patience. For once, let's thank the spoilers!
Once this is understood , one can get more easily into the story, admiring the superb acting, the spectacular cinematography, the excellent directing by Fei Zhen Xiang who worked skillfully with the cast and technicians, the humor and the slow burn volcano of sentimenys expressed through gazes and swift protecting moves on the part of general Ling Buyi (played by the godly fit Wu Lei, master of every martial art and riding, and literal Superman at times - though there are no fantasy elements and flying around on rooftops. Well, maybe one rooftop but when you'll get there you'll wow and chuckle along with glee !
I was watching on because despite her dire "education" at the hands of the feared mom, even bruised and battered, Zhao LuSi still shined. And not just a little. She is the superstar here !

So as I wrote I might about my initial review of the first episodes, I did progressively upgrade my opinion on the story (the initial painful part supposedly condensed the 20 first chapters of the novel). It did take me some time to get more wholeheartedly into the relationships.
But from ep 8 to episode 11, everything began to feel like a rollercoaster with addictive feel.
Despite the horrors of war the unfairness of treatment and the jealous girls taking every opportunity to pick on the undaunted girl, I began to laugh and tear up wholeheartedly for Cheng Shaoshang nicknamed NiaoNiao i.e. 'slender and beautiful" (played by Zhao Lusi), her innocent would-be betrothed Lou Yao and of course, the mysterious and dangerous general Ling Buyi, courtesy name Zisheng, nickname Shiyilang ( 11th son of the emperor, unofficially, because although he was treasured by the emperor, he was not from his blood family : he only had been raised in court together with the imperial brats because he was the surviving member of the emperor's deceased blood brother).

The emperor, his empress and his consort, are also important figures in this drama. They were modeled on the real historical emperor Guangwu of Eastern Han dynasty and his two wives and successive empresses: historical Guo and Yin. The unusual transition of having their first sons named crown prince without a great struggle is also interpreted. The emperor in this drama is benevolent as are his wives, but the children are unruly and sometimes vicious, used as pawns by elders who have their own agenda. Lin Buyi stands out impartially, as a "pillar of the state" resolving treasonous plots and old painful mysteries touching his own family.

Cheng Shaoshang is naive, but strong and unusual, so when Ling Buyi repeatedly catches sight of her and her shenanigans, the general (21 years old in the story) warms up to protect her and convince her of his love. It is not sappy romance. Shaoshang is perfect in his eyes only, but as his future wife, she will of course need instruction in a variety of matters and customs to negotiate the real dangers of living in the imperial court. And that is not easy since she had been left behind for over ten years in the deficient "care" of a grandmother who viewed her as expendable and an aunt who viciously mistreated her and made her into an unruly, semi illiterate wretch, only able to react with fights when picked upon. In this first part, she is only 14-15 years old, so of course she has trouble wrapping her head around what she could do, and what would be best.

I started to understand somewhat better the rigid warrior mom, although without warming to her, and to admire the young lady's resourcefulness and cold-blooded resolve. Of course, she'd be the perfect partner to the general, although she still did not realize it. His respect and care was wonderful. The other young men who chased her all had different agendas and personalities.

To sum it up : LLTG is a complex story, a dive into a distant but lesser known part of ancient China through a wonderful and engaging story of a woman's struggle in an age where freedom had other meanings than today, but where upbringing and social awareness are likewise crucial. The hilarious parts provided a well-needed balance. The first images were a bit baffling and it took a while before the drama at last gave some clues about why general Ling's suddenly turned to focus on general Cheng's wild daughter . Slowly, clues were added, the story got more and more interesting. and I had to alter my initial too lukewarm assessment.
The climb to the extraordinary episodes 24 and 27 was a surprisingly quick one. Once rolling, this drama takes away the audience like an avalanche, and both young (not too young as per warning) and older viewers fall into its thrall.

Following the ardent wish of the hundreds of millions who gathered for this drama as it was being released, part 2 started seamlessly after the end credits of part 1 : it ought to have been a 56 episodes one but for administrative reasons, a "part 2" label was slapped on, midways. It would be inconceivable to leave after part 1 or view the parts independently. The drama stays at time of writing on top of the charts in China and I wholeheartedly agree.
This might be the best one for 2022, in its fictional & historical genre.