This drama is full of intrigue and court politics. While watching it, I had to adjust my expectations a bit. Firstly, it is a slow-paced story, with very little romance, and it has a narrow focus on court politics. As a result, characters spend most of their time dialoguing, developing all kinds of complicated schemes, and fighting to seize or shift power. The story is solid, but there are a few inconsistencies along the way that defy logic and make the viewing experience frustrating at times. This type of drama cannot be watched mindlessly, as you have to pay attention to every detail, which is a plus, in my view.

Regarding the actors, Cheng Yi's acting is subtle but still very good and nuanced, although his character is quite static and emotionally flat. Xuan Lu's multifaceted performance as Yanzhi and Mickey He's quirky interpretation of the villainous, power-hungry eunuch (Qiu Ziliang) were both impressive. Zhang Yuxi has a nice presence overall and is quite expressive, but her character is a bit difficult to like, reinforcing a long-standing tradition in Chinese dramas to portray the female lead as unintelligent and naive.

While I generally prefer the Xianxia genre, I do enjoy a good, intriguing political drama from time to time, especially one that doesn't simplify the plot for the viewers. Overall, I would recommend this drama to anyone who enjoys a complex, thought-provoking storyline.