I have been watching mini dramas because the angst in the full sized(?) ones that have aired this year are not doing it for me. Or better yet, the lack of angst in those is not doing it for me. This drama delivered what I needed! The story is nothing new. They are basically star crossed lovers to whom fate, and their siblings, played a cruel joke to.

The acting was pretty good, except sometimes when it was just okay. Yan’er, the female lead, is a mix between a submissive and headstrong woman. I found this understandable because she does mention the circumstances she grew up in. I actually liked her character and could empathize with her. She was in a very difficult situation since she was devoted to carry out her sister’s last wishes, even when that witch did not deserve her loyalty, but also wanted and was unable to express her love for Yuan. Yuwen Yuan, the male lead, was a perfect example of a red flag at the beginning. I really loved to hate him. However, throughout the show he has more colors than the wind (shoutout to Pocahontas’ OST: Colors of the Wind). He was almost like a chameleon changing his colors with the situation. He was never consistently a green flag though. The chemistry between them was perfectly hot and, at times, heartbreakingly sweet. There were some scenes where I needed to remind myself to breathe. While the main leads’ acting was not perfect, I felt the actor who played the second male lead, Emperor Yuwen Yingren, had the most flaws in his acting as he could be overly exaggerated in his portrayal. However, then there were times when his acting was so on point that I wanted to transmigrate into the show and get rid of him. Like for example, when he started shouting and interrupting the main leads’ moment in ep. 17 (Tencent)/Ep. 9 (Viki). I wanted to appear behind him and push him off where he was standing. He was just a delusional pile of stinky trash.

That scene in ep. 17 (Tencent)/Ep. 9 (Viki) was so well done and it was hauntingly beautiful. I loved, loved that scene. I tell you, I had to hug my pillow for emotional support. I wanted pain and misery, didn't I? This scene definitely gave it to me. Still, I rewatched it because it was beautifully done. While my favorite parts were the angst filled ones, the show does have a few comedic scenes sprinkled in, it was just enough to relieve some of the tension and never over the top. I have to say Zhu Li’s, the male lead’s subordinate, comedic timing was just right.
I only remember a few of the instrumental(s) playing songs, which really fitted the scenes, so I guess the OST could have been better.