the story started out great---i really like the love-hate relationship between the mogul and the gangleader. It added element of age status between riches and rags. their banters are also very funny and cute. towards half of the drama I found myself asking myself several things, such as:
- why is the PRINCE himself doing the dirty work, going to brothel? where is the dignity of a PRINCE? is it because of love?
- at the beginning of the story there is a running gag that Li Qiuling couldn't touch woman, except for Long Aoyi. how come it is not being brought anymore at the middle of the story?
- why is the relationships between the lord and the companions so casual?
there are a lot of instances where the plot is forcing Li Qiuling and Long Aoyi to meet and join forces. and then it became ridiculous, the push and pull between the two characters. I find myself not liking Aoyi's brashness and Qiuling's uptight attitude. Instead of being endearing, watching this drama become a chore to me.

I watched this drama because of Leon Lai. I liked him in Who Rules the World as Prince of Jizhou, so finding him as main role in a colossal drama is exciting to me. but the writing of this drama is NOT it for me. this is also my first drama starring Bai Lu, and I have no doubt that she is good at acting, but her facial expressions as aoyi is not doing it for me. in the end, im dropping this drama.