Lu Si and Wu Lei together are really your perfect combination. Throughout this entire series (Part 1), I've seen so much growth.

1. Niao Niao and her mother's relationship.
The relationship between Niao Niao and her mother started off with so much friction. That itself had given me quite the rollercoaster ride emotionally. Stuck between trying to understand her mother but at the same time cannot relate to her bias towards Yang Yang. Sympathizing Niao Niao but at the same time thinking she does deserve some strict education to soften her stubborn character. Slowly, Niao Niao starts to realize that her mother does care about her somewhat, although they both don't always agree with each other. Her mother on the other hand do reflect on her treatment towards Niao Niao.

2. Niao Niao as a character
Initially I thought this is another drama with an intelligent, perfect-in-every-way female character. Never thought I would see such a down-to-earth character with so many flaws. She is very stubborn, assumes too quickly, impulsive at times, inconsiderate of her family and definitely not educated. Her major strengths are her intelligence, her bravery and her talent in handiwork. It is because this character has a lot of rooted flaws which is impossible to oversee throughout the drama, you can see her growth. She started off as a person who only cares about protecting and standing up for herself, then she encountered the bandits and started to understand that there are bigger problems in the world she is living in. She slowly understands that there are many things that couldn't go her way, sometimes she has to let go for the better good - this from her relationship with Ah Yao. You see her starting to understand the concept of love and what it means to be married to someone as well from her relationship with Ah Yao to her engagement with Ling Bu Yi. I really love this character's growth so far in the drama and can't wait to see how Part 2 turns out for her.

3. Ling Bu Yi as a character
In a way, I guess LBY is quite consistent throughout this part of the drama. He has a clear goal : revenge for his family. His protective instinct towards the people he cares, the respect he has towards the emperor and the love he has for his country remains the same. However, you do see tiny tiny changes in his character when he started courting Niao Niao. No doubt, he is definitely better showing love and care as compared to Niao Niao but he does have trouble expressing it in a way that is more acceptable to the person receiving it. You see his overbearing character starting to tone down and he starts to soften up, to accommodate Niao Niao's free spirited character.

Of course, on top of the plot progression and the character growth, I love love love all those tiny gestures and quirks.

1. The way LBY stares in disagreement at the emperor or his subordinates and they got the message loud and clear.

2. Similarly, the emperor likes to do that side stare to observe LBY's reaction every now and then.

3. Niao Niao's shocked and awkward expressions whenever LBY becomes affectionate or says something cringy out of the blue.

I cannot leave out my favourite element of the drama as well - the conversations the characters have.

1. I love how Niao Niao would voice out her opinion and her perspective about the kind of relationship she wants with LBY.

2. Niao Niao's conversation with her parents about how marriage is not as simple as what she thought it would be. You see a turning point here when Niao Niao starts to realize how she might be thinking in the wrong direction all along. I guess this is one of the very few times Niao Niao and her mother have a decent conversation.

3. The funny moments when the emperor would nag LBY. You can really feel the love and affection the emperor has for LBY.

Oh well, I guess this the longest review I've ever written and it's just part 1 of the drama. Safe to say that I am obsessed with this drama. The drama is not even over and I've already rewatched Part 1 twice. It's worth the wait.