I always have interest in political palace story. Hence why I started this series though it's like long way to finished (70 ep, OMG!) And I expected a good one since the actors are most likely veteran and experienced actors. This series no doubt has fulfilled my expectation

Story: The political plot are very tense, made me unstoppable from binge-watching every episode. Yet it also made me feel exhausted, because of the cruelness and evil intentions of most of the character in this series. Negative ambiance of the relations between characters indeed deep that effected my feelings. However, some of the episode had side stories that I found irrelevant and just added to this series as dramatic side, and I do fast-forward them many times. Specially the last episodes. Although the ending isn't what everyone wished for, but I happened to feel logically satisfied. And yes, the last episodes felt too rushed, because many unjust cases didn't revealed by investigation and proofs, just given the punishment instead.

Acting: Chen Kun is interesting actor, some of his acts as Ning Yi are exaggerated, but it shows the complexity of his character. His acting is so good you can feel his love and pain with his expressions. Ni Ni as Feng Zhiwei also nailed it. Before I watched this drama, I actually had seen her acted in other drama, and all are satisfying. She is very expressive, as a free will girl who won't cover up her feelings to others, and yes she lived up the character who is easily loved by others. And the veteran actor who acted as the emperor made me melt with his soft spot as a father and leader. He made me questioning what step he would take every time he had to solve a case.

Music: The music score is beautifully arouse the calm yet thrilling ambience of this drama. The emperor palace is always a calm beautiful palace yet it kept danger in every side of it. And the song of Ning Yi - Feng Zhiwei love is sad and sincerely depict the deep feelings between them.

Rewatch value: Because this is a political drama, I don't think I will rewatch it, moreover there are 70 episodes of it. However, maybe I will watch the clip of love story in the OST video as the song is too good to forget.

Overall: It is one of the most impressive political drama for me. I recommend it for everyone who like politics and smart plot, and won't feel tired for those long episodes