I am a fan of most of the cast for their other work and I enjoyed watching the main couple when they got to be together but I had a very hard time completing this drama. The start of it was really nice. Fu Rong's family were the best of the clans, with Prince Su's mom being a close second. The second couple was okay, their relationship was sweet and much less angsty or challenged which gave us the audience a chance to enjoy their relationship. But I didn't come to the series to watch them.

Like many I wanted a redemption for ML where they could enjoy being married, going through challenges together. Which some level of trust and love. Instead the plot was perpetually pitting them against each other. Divorce seemed to always be on the table, and Fu Rong was often getting arrested. It felt like no one seemed to want this couple together. There are a few exceptions, like the second couple and Prince's mom, but it was a tenuous at best. It was very discouraging and tiresome to watch.

I grew to hate the king/emperor and his forever dissing of Fu Rong. She was setup so many times but he only cared about calling her a trouble maker and not good enough for his son.

Court intrigue is expected, but plots were very repetitive. Here was the formula:
- Setup Fu Rong for a crime
- Arrest her
- Prince Su tries to save her
- Prince An creates or adds a misunderstanding about Prince Su
- Princess Xihe hits on Prince Su
- Fu Rong and Prince Su separate
- Divorce/separating is on the table
- Prince Su/Fu Rong solve the case
- They are happy for about an episode or two
- Repeat

This happens three or four times, maybe not in the same order, but pretty close.

Perhaps it was wrong to expect so much of this drama because I loved "The Legend of Yun Xi" so much but I was disappointed all of the same. I almost didn't bother finishing this drama but stuck with it only so I could watch the modern era episodes.

I know my review is pretty scathing, but maybe if you watching this without expectations, you might like it more. There are definitely parts of this drama that are very enjoyable, just not enough.

Things I did like:
Prince Su - he was a lot more sweet and devoted than I expected.
Fight scenes - when there were ones were pretty cool
Fu family - nice people
Hair accessory business - was kinda cool to see
Fu Rong and Prince Su - when they worked together
Modern era - was fun to watch

Note I didn't give a failing grade to this drama out of blind loyalty and the fact that in the end I did complete it.