First, I would just like to say how beautiful the leads look together.
The chemistry between Xu Kai and Jing Tian itself will make you fall in love with drama.
This is one of the few dramas that has ticked every possible box a viewer expects while watching a drama.
There was action(that too equally by both the leads) and romance and a perfect storyline to fit it all.
For me this was a drama that shouldn't be missed.

I would like to talk about how great Xu Kai is in all his dramas be it modern or costume dramas. He showed how experienced he is in this field and the way he is in portraying the emotions of the character. I literally cried when he cried and seeing his character in struggling moments made me feel sad for him and seeing him happy brought me joy. His visuals and acting are just to good and his commitment to the scene is commendable.

I first saw Jing Tian in the drama 'Rattan' and loved how she brought life to that character and even though one might wonder she acted a bit stiff in the drama but honestly, I felt that it was how that character had to be played to show her being different from humans. In this drama she played her so gracefully that one might fall in love with Cui Lin. A character who is funny, strong, pretty, just, smart and what not. Having so many traits in a single character and for an artist to show all those sides and bringing the character to life is not easy but Jing Tian accomplished it.

Gao Han did a great job in playing a person obsessed with Cui Lin and the different sides of his character her were shown really well. He played a really good role of an antagonist creating problems for the leads in the drama. I really liked the effort he put into playing such a role. I pitied him at times and felt angry on his actions in the next second.

Tao Zi was such a great character in the show. A perfect subordinate to a general. She was smart, joyous and lovable. Seeing the actress play her character made me want to be friends with her in real life. Such a loving personality was written for Tao Zi.

Xie Chang was also a great subordinate to Li Ni. He too was an adorable character. Showing him dumb when it came to love was really adorable. Seeing him besides Xu Kai was a delight.

I would really like to compliment Zeng Li on her role in the drama. She is such an exceptional actress. Even though she plays mostly support roles in recent times but her experience just glows in her acting. Every drama she works in, she brings a different spark to it. Her emotions can be felt by everyone.

All characters played a great role in this drama. No one seemed to have fallen short in any way. Even the negative roles were played brilliantly to the way that one might actually feel unhappy by their actions.

The story flew like a river flowing into the sea. It started very well and the first encounter of the leads just stole my heart. Their interactions from then were so enjoyable. Both planned against each other and kept falling in each others trap. Even their fights showed us how great their chemistry was. The understanding between them without talking a lot just gives the viewers goals as to how a relationship should be. Even though being from different armies their love did not need to be compromised. They stayed true to each other and did not favor even a single time.
The first 10 episodes were a great build up as to how the leads build their relationship with various encounters on different occasions. Both help each other get through difficulties and get to know each other. There were many fun moments in this span which made the start of the drama more enjoyable and the cuteness in their interactions was on another level. There was planning and plotting going on between the two armies to take down certain cities and both wanted to be better than the other.
The next 10 episodes are also similar except some grieving for the FL and also because of it she distances herself a bit from the ML but it was always clear that their love would not waver. The ML's side brothers face pressure because of the ML's success in wars and his capability and their father also fears the same so they try creating problems for him. The ML meets the FL's father and things start getting interesting here. One interesting character introduce here is Prime Minister Gu's daughter, she is a well written smart and cunning character.
In 20-30 episodes there is a lot happening, the antagonist returns and plots with the ML's enemies since he wants revenge and wants FL by his side. The ML and FL's father get to know each other and new bonds form. The second leads also develop a great relationship by now. The antagonist does play dirty tricks to get back at ML some of which one wouldn't imagine. There is one part in this arc though that would make viewers feel that the ML lost trust in the FL which also may be justified by his actions but I felt he had his reasons which some might agree to. Here the ML's brothers start plotting against each other that too in a harsher way. Even people in the ML's court join the enemies. In this part Prime Minister Gu's daughter also starts playing her tricks.
In the final 10 episodes there is a rollercoaster of emotions waiting. So much is happening that you wouldn't want to stop watching. There is an incident with the ML's close group of soldiers which will leave the ML in shatters where the FL is always by his side. Then comes an incident with the FL and a great plot twist. In this while the people with evil intentions will be revealed. Coming out of it becomes a question for viewers and the ending episodes reveals things that one would expect yet not believe in that expectation.

The OST was also very good especially the songs are written beautifully. I myself wanted to read Chinese poems because of this cause they have such beautiful lines. The song of the brothers(the ML and his close group of soldiers) was also a great addition to the music of the drama.

The production was very goof. All costumes and sets were beautiful. It was visible that this was a drama where the heart of the people was poured into.

I honestly write some negatives/improvements I feel in the drama towards the end but this one just has my heart and I have no such comments this time. It was a great journey of two people shown such beautifully that one might wonder if they could have been in that place.

P.S. Feel free to tag me or message me if you want spoilers as I tend to avoid giving spoilers in my reviews.