Watching Links
- DailyMotion:
- FlickReels
- iQIYI
- bilibili
Synopsis
- Starring: He Congrui (as the male lead), Liu Nian (as the female lead)
- Genre: Sweet romance, time-travel
Modern PR drudge Song Yaozhi dies suddenly and transmigrates into the privileged daughter of a prime minister. Initially, she only wants a divorce to live a lazy, peaceful life but accidentally becomes bound to a tyrant by a life-and-death curse. Song Yaozhi attracts the tyrant with her wit, while he protects her with his dominance. Their feelings grow as they interact, and eventually, Song successfully divorces and breaks the curse with the tyrant.
Ratings
- Plot: 6/10
- Visual Appeal: 10/10
- Acting: 9/10
- Costumes/Makeup/Set Design: 8/10
- Soundtrack: 9/10
- Story Coherence: 8/10
- Original Voice Acting: Dubbed
Review
- Production Company: Tinghua Island
- Overall Impression: The first 30 episodes are 10/10, but after that, it’s a mess—best enjoyed without overthinking. Illogical plot, sloppy details, forced conflicts driven by villains, and character derailment.
Strengths
- Top-Tier Production: Costumes, makeup, sets, visuals, supporting cast, soundtrack, cinematography, and acting are all first-rate. The production team spared no expense.
- Actor Performances: The leads’ chemistry feels natural, their romantic scenes are sweet but not cloying, and their interactions are adorable.
- Male Lead’s Characterization: Described as a “tyrant” in the synopsis, he’s actually a rational emperor—deviating from the setting but competent, doting on the female lead without being brainless.
- Female Lead’s Early Traits: Quirky and clever, she retaliates immediately and doesn’t suffer in silence.
Flaws
- Gaping Plot Holes (especially in the historical context):
- The female lead, as the beloved daughter of a prime minister, is humiliated by the second male lead and an orphan girl, yet her father takes forever to stand up for her.
- The empress dowager favors the second male lead and the orphan girl, even adopting the latter as a goddaughter and arranging a polygamous marriage. She punishes the female lead without reason, disregarding the prime minister’s status entirely.
- The second female lead (not yet married) moves the female lead’s dowery away, and when the female lead demands it back, she’s beaten—showing zero dignity as the legitimate daughter.
- The female lead is reckless, constantly needing the male lead to save her, with no capability as a noble lady. The entire general’s estate obeys the second male/female leads.
- The “blank imperial decree” plot point is absurd (how does the second male lead, from an ordinary family, possess such a decree from the late emperor?).
- Character Assassination in Later Episodes:
- The male lead is reduced to a tool-like CEO, existing only to rescue the female lead.
- The female lead is rewritten as a “love-struck fool,” with sudden, awkward romantic scenes.
- Villains are forced into evil roles (stepmother, second female lead), and the second male lead’s “deep love” lacks setup.
- The “signal flare” scene is cringe-worthy—the male lead neglects state affairs for the female lead, raising moral questions.
- Comparison to Prequel Clouds and Mist:
- Here, supporting characters are all plot devices with forced conflicts; Clouds and Mist had well-rounded roles and natural progression.
- The only advantage is this drama’s more complete story (due to cutting side plots).
- Distracting Details: The female lead’s headpiece looks out of place.
Final Verdict
A drama that inspires both love and hate: top-tier production, great acting, and perfect sweetness, but plot holes and character derailment leave a bitter aftertaste. Had it followed the original novel or the prequel’s standard, it could have been a hit—but haphazard script changes ruined its potential.
Recommended for: Viewers who just want to turn off their brains and enjoy the fluff. Not for: Logic sticklers or political intrigue enthusiasts.