it was really, really good.

---Story---

The story is just plain awesome. The basic concept is pretty simple, but once you dive more in, the plot is super duper complex. Each scheme and detail flows into one another and the plot keeps on multiplying. We get WeiYingLuo as a maid and her graceful save lets her move up. All the plot points really just make sense and just tie together, and it's super intelligent. I especially enjoyed the first few episodes because it was WeiYingLuo's starting point, and the schemes and tricks were bold, simple, but yet still so intelligent and badass. The middle is also really great and there's also interesting schemes, but the schemes are less innovative, but the characters and new additions are really worth it. And the ending of the middle is also really intriguing and heartbreaking. The last few episodes after a certain character dies, in the last 10 episodes, the plot just loosens. The pacing kinda falls apart and it just isn't that intelligent. I'm a show finisher so I watched it but it just didn't match up with the quality of the previous 60 episodes. Though I will praise this show for its overall good pacing and great storyline.

---Characters, acting/cast---

So, the casting is a pretty good choice and I can remember everyone's face. The acting is also really good, especially for Noble Lady Gao and Emperor QianLong. The way they convey expressions, like Noble Lady Gao subtle eyebrow raise, and the Emperor's veins on his forehead when he gets angry. Awesome. All the other actors are good as well and we really get the emotions and personalities. Now, on to the characters themselves. WeiYingLuo herself is really cutthroat and I love seeing a smart and self-reliant female protagonist who can actually do stuff. Side characters, consorts, Empress, and pretty much everyone is loveable and sympathizable. Now about romance. The first relationship is cute, but the second lacks some chemistry, but it's still pretty good.

---Visuals, music---

The costumes, the props, the setting, the aesthetic. The embroidery looks actually good, and the clothes do too, and the show doesn't just pretend it's good. They show us. They flipping show us. Now, about the music. I think the music was like really, really, dope. I literally do not skip the opening because of the OST and I will never forget this song. Now about the actual music in the show. You don't hear it that much and it functions pretty well without it, but I would like to hear more.

---Conclusion---

This drama is a great, intelligent, well-written, show. I think you'd like it if you watched The Promised Neverland, or Death Note. The intensity and intelligence are on a similar level.

P.S. : If you like rom-coms, this isn't the best for you.

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not bad but not that good

I'm not going to lie, I didn't like this that much. Maybe it's because I watched it when I was pretty young, but still. also this may be biased because it's not really my cup of tea.

so, the plot is solid. it's not overly complex to blow your brain up, so it has a level of simplicity. it is kind of confusing at first, but later you'll completely understand. i'm not gonna lie, the first few episodes were kind of slow, but it built up good pacing eventually. there was this one point in the middle when i really wanted to cry, but that's it. i don't see how it's sad, but maybe it's because i'm not a romance person? the acting is good, and if it wasn't, i probably wouldn't have felt teary eyed once. props to the main couple. i'm also not a fan of the character development here, for some reason.

i don't hate this, but i just find it mediocre. i don't see why people think it's a masterpiece. it's hard for me to grasp, but if you're looking for some nice sloooow romance, you can find it here.

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