If we want to talk about a story with a woman behind the man, this is it. As he is fighting the enemies on the battle fields, she defends the people and herself back at home. When all resorts are exhausted to save everyone, her hero appears in the nick of time and save the day. This drama is nail-biting with antagonists lurking in the dark and protagonists trying to stay alive.

The story is told from the perspective of A’Wu or Wang Xuan (portrayed by Zhang Zi Yi) who is the wife of our main lead Xiao Qi (portrayed by Zhou Yi Wei). The drama is intense and action packed, punctuated by love scenes between the couple. During the tumultuous period when wars constantly break out with nearby kingdoms, uprisings of various warlords, noble families controlling all the power rendering the emperor a toothless tiger, and marriages between powerful noble and royal families in garnering more power are the norms, a notable character arises.

The Characters and Acting
Xiao Qi (Zhou Yi Wei) has come from a lowly background. He’s strategic and a brilliant general who has never lost a war because of his leadership, prowess and his united army. To him, his men are his brothers-in-arm and he treasures every one of them. When they’re fallen, he sheds tears for them and takes care of their families with his own personal finance. In return, all his men are loyal to him and will die for him. With a calm and composed demeanor even under the most dire situations, he has an indepth and far sighted vision that no one can match; he is confident, secure and formidable. Devoted to only his one and only wife, his love for her is sincere and with respect. She is his soulmate and his brother-in-arm.

Many viewers are disappointed to see Zhou Yi Wei being chosen for the role because he is not one of those pale face, pin waist, young and good-looking actors. For me, Zhou Yi Wei is my perfect general as he nails the role as Xiao Qi. Naturally tanned and not particularly handsome in today’s standard in the entertainment world, Zhou Yi Wei’s portrayal is refreshing and authentic with a calm, gentle, quiet and yet firm and commanding aura. Without a fearsome face that most Chinese dramas like to associate a general with, Zhou Yi Wei’s Xiao Qi is a real human.

Wang Xuan or A’Wu is a pampered girl by all around her, including the Emperor and her own family. She has never tasted a bit of hardship, let alone pain. Everything is all laid out perfectly for her. But she’s not the type who would take orders from authority; she challenges them. As she begins to see how she’s been used in politics, she distances herself from it, including cutting ties with her own father. She is very clear that she would not be used by anyone, and her husband will always come first when she’s forced to make a choice.

Despite many viewers criticizing Zhang Zi Yi’s age of 40 playing the role of a 15-year-old A’Wu, I feel she has done pretty well, and is amazingly awesome visually as a grown-up Wang Xuan. Unlike most spoiled princessly characters we see in other dramas, Zhang Zi Yi’s portrayal subdues the brattiness of A’Wu (who is supposed to be really spoilt by everyone including by the Emperor), making her lovable and not annoying as in others. After her marriage, she matures fast, and becomes elegant and somber, fitting the role of a future consort. And I have to commend that she has the most beautiful couture in Chinese historical dramas; each of her outfits is long, draggy, flowing, beautifully designed with amazing color coordination and patterns, enhancing the natural beauty of Zhang Zi Yi. I have to also admit I like the A'Wu character but do not love it, and Zhang Zi Yi's acting is not as stellar as I have hoped: when she's supposed to be happy, she's not; when she's supposed to be sad, she's neither - she always has the same expressions.

The acting by other cast members is fabulous. I have really enjoyed watching the crafty older Emperor and his relationship with his wife and A’Wu, and the other despicable characters and antagonists. Though acting as supporting roles, their skills are commendable and have put up their best performance and this is reflected in the quality of the overall production. I must point out that the writing of some of the characters is inconsistent and can be confusing for viewers - it's hard to fathom why the characters keep switching their values throughout the drama.

The Official Sound Tracks (OSTs)
This drama produces some of the most beautiful songs. I love both the opening and closing songs, ‘Shang Yang Fu’ (title song) and ‘The End of the World’, the latter with Zhou Shen (he's a man) singing the female voice so beautifully and touchingly.

My Verdict
The war scenes with warriors on horsebacks are breathless, awesome, and fearsome. With heart pounding war music and panoramic landscape, the cinematography is epic. I love the romance of the main couple here. It’s a love built on trust, respect, patience and honesty. The couple is open to each other, and have always aligned their own values with the other. There could be some flaws here and there, but the story is overall rather intriguing and of very high quality.

Having said that, I have to admit I'm not emotionally attached to this drama like I have for others. The story is good but has not captured nor touched my heart. For new viewers, this drama is a good watch if you can look pass the ages of the main actors.