Long time hesitate to watch this, because it really has long episodes but the review always great. But thanx to Recommendation Challenge & bitcoolcat, I finally watch this.... And yes I must admit this is one the best historical drama.

The story nothing too new about the harem. Story about a girl named Wei Ying Luo (YL) who enter palace from embroiderer and rising to the top to became emperor's consort. The difference is just the motive beyond YL action. YL 1st came to the palace because of her sister rape & murder, she wanted to investigate & bring justice to her sister's death. And upon investigating, she find out, or think, the one responsible for her sister's death is Fuca Fu Heng (FH), the Empress's brother. But as time goes by, she learn the character of FH & finally trust it's not him responsible for her sister's death. How the story goes.... It's really interesting to watch how the story goes till the end.

YL is one interesting girl, she's loyal, brave, smart & quick witted girl. She's like a new wind in the palace, and her wittiness get the attention of the Empress, FH & even Emperor and later on the Empress Dowager. Her shortfall only one, she's willing & will do anything in her power to achieve her goal, no matter who obstruct her way she'll gonna strike it. And that's often bring trouble for her. But with the protection of Empress, FH, Emperor and later on the Empress Dowager, she's manage to avoid all the danger & thrive till the end.

What I like:
+ The clever FL. YL is really one smart girl that know how to manipulate situations for her advantage.
+ I finally understand the feeling of missing opportunity between FH & YL. Oh one really sadly miss opportunities for these couple. And I really quite like the chemistry between Xu Kai & Wu Jin Yan.

What i don't too like:
- A little slow pace the last 10 episode. I really hope it end when YL & 2nd Empress make peace. I mean the moment the 2nd Empress said it will gonna be peace for a couple of year, before the emperor's sons grow up. I understand they need to close the curtain when YL's revenge to Prince He is completely ending, and I really wish that happen before the emperor's sons grow up, but that's maybe what's written in the history book & I can't really blamed the writer for it.
- Watching too much of the same time period & the same person, but in different drama, make me feel the character itself blurry in the end. And the most obvious character for me is the character of the 2nd empress & the empress from Huan Zhu Ge Ge & FL from Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace is like different person although they all the same.

Overall this really one good historical drama to watch. Highly recommend.