This is my favorite drama of 2019. Dramas in historical settings are often too tragic or stressful, so the humor in this drama was a breath of fresh air! It's funny without being silly. That's not to say this is a comedy though, as the political intrigue is intense. The plotting is intricate. Zhang Ruoyun is seriously stellar as Fan Xian, a laidback, smart, and sarcastic young man who doesn't want anything to do with court politics but finds himself inevitably pulled in. He treats his friends with loyalty and respect. He's also very smart, but the great thing about this drama is that he's not the only one. There are so many formidable characters. I can't wait for the second season.