This was a beautiful production, The set and costumes were beautifully done as were the exteriors. I was intrigued by Mulan hunting grounds for Emperor Qianlong's annual autumn hunt. Second came the acting of Zhou Xun, our ML who plays, Ruyi, Emperor Qianlong's Empress. I loved her internal turmoil and how she kept everything inside, always composed and guarded. She cried very few times in this series and when she did, it was moving. I do wish they had cast younger actors for the MLs as teenagers. Ms Zhou is in her 40s and playing a 15 year old Ruyi at the beginning of the series was an unconvincing stretch. Unfortunately, I was underwhelmed with Wallace Quo's performance as they suspicious and distrustful Emperor. He portrays all the decadence and entitlement of an overly pampered and self centered individual, yet he is depthless and uninteresting.

The storyline was tedious and repetitive, going from one evil deed among the concubines to the next. At first you do feel for the young lovers but as the years wear on and each one is changed by the experiences and circumstances of their lives, the great love they have for one another is put to the test. No one wants to watch a series about the reality of a long marriage. Everyone wants the MLs to live happily ever after. Alas, the final episodes are so tragic and hard to watch that you wonder why you spent so much time on a couple that would hurt each other more often than they claimed to be devoted.

I felt dissatisfied with the drama but pleased with the aesthetic beauty of the production, some great performances by our ML, and most of the supporting cast. It was so sad, however, that I can never bring myself to rewatch this title. I was left sad and disgusted by the cruelty and ruthlessness of Emperor Qianlong.