Tbh I don't know what to put in the headline but I think it's apt bcs in this drama, it told a lots about the characters' ambitions and their ways of achieving it. Ill intention ambition will be met with resistance and hv their own consequences.

ML, Zhu Zhanji, was a wise man and hv great aspirations to be a great Emperor thanks to his grandfather's guide and teaching. He was kind to those who deserved it and ruthless to those who betrayed his trust. When it comes to love, he has only hv eyes to the woman he fell in love. He was so sweet, very tolerant and understanding of FL. He did reprimand her when needed but also admitted his faults when he wronged her.

I love seeing their moments together, I love that they communicated their differences although it was not right then and there but only after some misunderstanding

FL, Yao Zinji or Sun, was a woman who always keep her composure, intelligent, magnanimous and bold. She was also elegant personified I wld say bcs she was trained for it, but not on her own volition, because of this, she had a hard time growing up. She tried to cope with it, entering the palace to be in the domain that she took comfort in which was being a chef and cooking foods. Her relationship with ML was complicated but she truly love him although she had to sort out her feeling bcs loving him also related to her hard times. But ML didn't give up and sincerely care about her so that moved her and she also gave it all loving him. She told him that she also was her own person with her own views so she would try her best to change something that she felt wasn't right and it was about the practice of burying the concubines alive with the dead Emperor. I like that she said that and I support it.

Supporting characters that deserve a shout-out. The Fearless Empress Dowager although I didn't like her at the start but she amazed me. Yang Ziping, loyal friend even though I was suspicious of her at the start but her character development just pleasing to watch. Chen Wu, clever man that observant of ML moods, thoughts and also credit to him that helped ML and FL communicated. Manager Fang, kind woman and very patient.

Cons: I agree with one review here (user morenokatz) that said there are gaps in the story, that some scenes jumps that made us crave for answers to some events.

I saw one review in one of the episodes about how some of the viewers expected this to be the unofficial continuation of SoYP. I am really thankful to their review (user blinky catt) that made me take a step back and think.

For those who came from the Story of Yanxi Palace including me, it took me a long time before I decided to watch this drama bcs both of their characters before hv a special spots in my heart. I don't know about you, but I am okay with it. This drama was its own story with a bit of them two. I am happy with it.

I agree with one review here from Louie G. They did a good job describing FL and ML.

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