This is a proper quality production. The prairies are a beautiful place and the drama manages to capture the wild yet freeing beauty of it perfectly. Be it horse riding beneath the blue sky on the vast green plains or colorful costumes to show the nature of the Liao people in contrast to the more subdued Northern Song Dynasty, this drama has it all. The cast has great acting, especially the older generation. Everything is enjoyable.

However, I really really hated the female lead's character through and through. Tiffany Tang is not a bad actress but she is just annoying in this drama and I think it's because of the character.

The fl is supposed to be Empress Xiao Yanyan, an actual historical figure that managed to bring mighty generals from the many time more powerful Song Dynasty to their knees. But this fl starts as the most annoying, bratty, Marry Sue character ever. But that is the least worst part of the drama beleive it or not. As the drama progresses her character goes from Annoying to just downright unlikable or even hateful. Sometimes I find myself supporting the villains over her. She's the worst FL I've ever seen.

Midway through the drama she goes off to marry the Emperor despite promising her love to the ml. Don't even think she was forced to do so. This mf just wanted power. Okay we can forgive her for that. She chose power over love good for her. But what does she do after getting the power? She forced the ML to be her right hand man. Gets jealous when the ML finally decided to move on. She has a freaking grown up child already mind you with someone else yet had the audacity to go scare the fiance of ml so much so she died. This is horrible, this fl is not at all a good person which would be okay if the drama didn't try to portray her as the epitome of good. Disgusting character. I'd give this drama a 0/10 if it was only her. I wish she died a horrible death at the end instead of getting the poor ml.