I chose to watch this only because of Zheng Fan Xing. After seeing him inThe Untamed I was curious to know what else he was in. Read about this series and just had to check it out.
I was also fascinated about the main story line, being a character in a fantasy world in order to wake up in the real world having complished missions. I love these kinds of stories, the unusual yet typical storyline mixed.
So I started it with much anticipation as to the story and the actors as well.
After the first episode I thought, "yeah this will be a great story".
I like how the story progressed slowly, with many twists.
I liked all the characters, they were great and funny as well.
Honestly saying, I did not like Si Yan first, she was too much at the beginning, her witty, nosy, "I don't care about anybody's opinion" attitude was annoying, but as the story went on and she started to change for the better, I started to like her.
As I was saying, I was eagerly waiting for Fan Xing's character and when I saw him, I just couldn't believe he got the role of a young, definitely handsome, little pompous yet sweet guy's character. He was great in this series. Couldn't help but smile everytime I saw him on screen. It was kinda obvious he wouldn"t get together with Si Yan but this stroyline, his love was well-written. Wasn't too cheesy, it was sweet, deep love from him. I felt sorry for him because it can be seen he genuinley loved her. If he got together win Si Yan's friend that wouldn't have been a good point in the story. It would have been as if Prince Bao took pity on her and his feelings wouldn't have been honest for her.
First I didn't really care too much about Prince Da, I thought he is a real pain in the a..., but was happy for him to have finally found true love and it changed him .
Prince Xiu was the funniest for me, kind of clumsy but serious when needed. I kinda had the feeling that he might feel something more for Yun Li and vica versa, sometimes they had those kinds of stares, glances. To be honest, I wouldn't have minded a bit if it was true, but wouldn't have fit this story line. But secretly I was hoping for them to have more between them. Felt sorry for Yun Lin when he left Prince Xiu because he didn't want to cause trouble for him, and this showed me that deep down , even though he had a mission- he loved Prince Xiu and he knew he is the only one he truly cared for him. He was always loyal to the Prince and was treated fairly, so even if he had accomplished the revenge of his father, he wouldn't have hurt the Prince.
But the character whose appearance I was truly wating for all the time was Jack the butler. He is so handsome. It was obvious from the first second that he loves Si Yan. I felt so sorry for him for not being able be with her as lovers and Si Yan sees him only as a friend, though she just used him first but later relaised it was only him she could rely on at all. There were times when Si Yan kinda looked as if she might have feelings for him, though. But that would have been a silly idea from the writers ... switching to another man ,Jack that is, realising she loves him after all the lovey-dovey scenes with a Prince ... nay, no, never, it would have ruined the whole image of her.

All in all I have to say this drama is a nice surprise. It's definitely a must-watch even if it's for the reason of simply loving make-up. It was obvious that she will change as a person from being a stuck-up, spoiled, bigheaded, selfish, "I look down on everybody" girl, to a sincere, unselifh, understanding, loyal, hard-working, humble girl.
The music is also beautiful, melodic yet painful. matches well the drama.
I recommend this drama to anyone who wants a nice witty, romantic, yet dramtic, sometimes scary story with many twists and amazing, loveable characters.
I loved the details, the clothes, the make-ups, the foods, the whole image of the story.
I love in this -and other historical dramas- that they take you to another world, you can forget your busy life, your everyday problems. You can enter into a magical world for a little time. Love it!

It's definitely a rewatch for me!