After a long time now, I am able to write a rational review on this epic drama. No wait... it still gets me... it is the most-heart breaking drama I have watched so far and that still makes me tear up.
Let us start by the beautiful cinematography and production. The landscapes are really amazing and shots really create and enhance the mood of the scenes...
The story is gripping in all its sense, the politics parts relating to the Gao Family, the connivence of the Prince and the Emperor, the journey of the FL...
The OST is just amazingly good... I still listen to it. They really elevate the scenes.
Finally, there is stellar performance of the entire cast, especially of Peng Xiao Ran. She was really good at portraying this young teenage girl who is free-spirited, naughty, naive and sincere in her relationships with her parents, teacher, friend and love of her life. Then, when she goes to Beijing, she slowly transforms into this sad, homesick, crown princess who refuses to be calculating or to play politics. As she starts to mature, she slowly realises that she needs to take a day at a time and seeks distraction in the only bar, a refuge from her dailylife burden. She feels that something is amiss and that that sense of loving or of being loved constantly eludes her. Then, when she discovers the truth, she realises that after all the love, betrayals, politics, she must really rise up to being the princess to her beloved Si Zhou.

IT IS THE MOST HEART-BREAKING DRAMA.

This serial will forever remain very special to me because even now, I feel like crying when I watch any scene. Despite a lot of editing of the serial and quite bad subtitles, the rendition of the cast, especially that of the FL just wrung my heart and my eyes. The FL's performance was exceptional in exploring a naive girl's heart and hope, her discovery of betrayal and the immense pain it brought to her, her sense of doubt and hope for the crown prince's love and rather numb emotions after her friends were killed, when she understood and gave up on her love and finally, when she dedicated herself and her life to her beloved Sizhou. The ML rational mind and steady efforts towards power is also amazing. The SML's regret and melancholy when he realised that he had forever lost her love due to his betrayal, his attempt to redeem himself, his hope that maybe she will start to love him again. The other negative characters' parts in drawing emotions and in elevating the whole story all contributed to making this series painfully addictive. The director's role in staying true to the mood of each part of the serial is just mind-blowing. Honestly, I will forever love this Tv serial.