This is the first c-drama I've been invested in enough to pay for the final episodes, and it was completely worth it.

If you’re not into slice of life or the premise of ML deceiving FL for political gain, you probably won't get past the first relationship arc on this drama. For me, the gradual changes in the ML from implacable enemy to ardent admirer were very well done, with just enough resistance and denial on his part!

Her shift from implacable enemy to lover was the second relationship arc and again I enjoyed the slowness of it, her frustrations and justifiable anger. The 'Mr and Mrs Smith' segment in the middle was hilarious when both are out to get the other.

And the final relationship arc, their trust, togetherness, cleverness in dealing with their various enemies and troubles, well I watched and loved it all with a smile on my face.

For a change, I didn't mind either of the secondary pairings but the emperor and empress was by far the sweetest.

Things I didn't like; the Lian matriarch's obsessiveness and vindictiveness as well as the actress's scene-chewing. A badly written one-dimensional character and either poor acting or direction resulting in scenes I just wanted to get away from. And they returned to that plot point over and over again. 😞 Prince Sui and Consort Xian also got to overact horribly in the last couple of episodes so I suspect it's a direction issue.

The political plots got quite silly at the end and the resolution by the main couple was highly improbable, but no more so than most cdramas! We did get a lovely fight sequence with added bickering from the lead pair which was fun and amusing to see.

All in all, I didn't fast forward at any point and I will definitely be adding this to my rewatch list!