An unfulfilled love is perhaps the most painful romance there is for a couple in love; it is also one of the seven bitterness in life. The official trailer has prepared the viewers for the ultimate ending of the story, and since episode one, most viewers like myself, brace for a painful and untimely ending in the final episodes. The good news is, this is only perhaps a third of the story told. The rest of the story will be told in modern times, thousands of years later in their next lifetime, and the new drama is currently waiting to be released.

This is a touching, beautifully sad story. The female lead and male lead have loved each other so deeply for so many years, and yet they cannot be together. The story revolves around an unstable kingdom with a seemingly weak emperor and a power hungry controlling empress dowager. On top, there are enemies from within and without. No one knows who is foe or friend. Parricides, filicides and fratricides are rampant.

The development of the main couple's relationship from the beginning to the end is sweet and heart wrenching, with both leads mature and somber. As most viewers have already anticipated an ending that is tear jerking, every episode becomes heavy and painful to watch.

Zhou Shengchen (Ren Jialun aka Allen Ren) is an uncle of the then Emperor. To untangle himself from the power struggle within the palace, he changes his family name and barricades himself to guard the western border. He is intelligent, solemn and an incredible fighter. Who is more perfect than Ren Jialun to play this role? Here, Ren Jialun's performance is at his best, with an air of royalty and coldness, yet not lacking his affection for his love and his followers. His styling is also the best of all I have seen of the actor in his historical work. He looks so good and so convincing here. Despite adopting many followers, Cui Shiyi (Bai Lu) is the only one Zhou Shengchen falls in love with romantically, and yet he cannot love her openly and take her as his wife for he has vowed not to be married nor have offspring for life.

Cui Shiyi is the niece of the then Emperor’s teacher and her family holds high status in the society. To protect Cui Shiyi from any danger arises from palace political struggle, she’s sent far away to Zhou Shengchen and becomes his student. Growing up without a father, quickly, Cui Shiyi takes Zhou Shengchen as a fatherly teacher figure and gradually falls in love with him. And yet, fate doesn’t dwell her well.

Like Ren Jialun, Bai Lu’s acting here is also perhaps one of her best. She starts with a very young girl who doesn’t talk, and becomes a fine, mature young lady fit for an empress. Bai Lu has given us a remarkable performance for both her phases as a very young girl and then as a young lady. All the emotions on her face tell the silent sufferings she's going through and the longing for the one she loves.

Ren Jialun’s chemistry with Bai Lu is perhaps the best compared with his other co-stars in other dramas. Both exude the love and longing for each other, and yet they can’t say anything or take any actions. There’re hardly any physical contacts and yet their chemistry is overwhelmingly real that brings tears to the viewers’ eyes.

My Verdict

This is a beautiful romance with a lot of resignations. The characters are intelligent and lovely. The writing is intact and coherent, and the cinematography is good. All the war scenes are well done, in particular, Ren Jialun’s action scenes. Be warned though, the final two or three episodes are painful to watch.

Overall, a wonderful love story not to be missed. Bravo!