From beginning to end, this drama was one that I had to take breaks from. The acting was exquisite, the production and direction were top notch, the story line was well thought out and on point. This drama sequences together the story of a prince, intelligent, arrogant and vulnerable to a court, who craves acceptance from a father; a king who cruelly envies the qualities he sees in a son, and a woman who believes in love and justice only to be seemingly betrayed. It is an emotionally raw portrayal of life, humanity and the price paid for power.

Luo Jin's portrayal of the Crown Prince in this drama is flawless. He can be callous and cruel in one scene only to seamlessly show vulnerability and a smile in the next. His unbelievable chemistry with Li Yi Tonga makes their scenes riveting but I'm a firm believer this actor could show love to a dead log and make me a shipper.

Li Yi Tong deftly portrays Lu Wen Xi (or Gu A'Bao). This character suffers an enormous amount throughout the drama for various reasons: for the love of the Crown Prince, for the freedom of her family, and finally, for justice, she endures cruelty in every form. As a character, I would never, ever want her placed within close proximity of the Crown Prince; he is infatuated, cruel, indifferent, callous and at times, endearing. Had it not been for the subtlety the two actors portrayed their emotions, I could have not watched it. At the end of episode 52 and throughout 53, Lu Wen Xi 's trust in the Crown Prince is shattered and the expressions the actress used to convey this betrayal had me glued to the screen.

"Royal Nirvana" is like watching a spider quietly and carefully craft it's web. The twists and turns of the plot portray a deadly and brilliant Chinese court with those in pursuit of power sometimes ignoring what is right and just. I highly recommend it for viewing but beware the emotional toll it can have on the viewer. It's just that brutally honest about politics, power and consequences of both.