Yan hui shi

There's never a dull moment in this barn burner of a drama. Just when you think you know where the story's going, the writers throw you a curve ball. The budding romance between the two leads takes a backseat to murder, suspense, and revenge-and doesn't really catch fire until Episode 16. Even then, it's a bit of a yawner.

Early on the male lead tells the FL that he admires her because she's "gentle, virtuous, and obedient." Luckily, he's lying because this babe is anything but...

The FL has had a horrific, traumatic past, and she's not easily duped. Despite her vulnerable facade, she's a force to be reckoned with. She's almost always one step ahead of everyone else. The people around her occasionally mention her beauty, but she's also praised for her "cleverness" and courage.

Although she's capable of friendship, honesty, and love, her past has taught her to have modest expectations for her life.

During the Lantern Festival, the ML asks her what she wants and this woman gives a a spot-on answer that ought to be engraved on the brain of every young person looking for love in these fraught times: "I want to find somewhere I can live peacefully...without being humiliated and tortured."

A lot of energy is spent on the relationship between the FL and her mother--who wasn't my favorite character. Mom is so full of hatred that I found her hard to empathize with. Except for Chen Du Ling (the FL), a truly accomplished actress, the rest of the cast didn't particularly stand out. The ever-evolving plot is what gives this drama its force and potency.

I, too, have no idea why this drama hasn't had higher ratings on IMDb. Eight and a half stars.