Okay so first I have to say that this show is one of the best historical c dramas I have watched ( and I have watched a lot) Very Well made, costumes, photography, hair, details and fight choreography, everything looks quality.
But there's a clear difference between seasons.
The first season of the series is just SUPERB, so different that usually cliché storylines. Characters are rich and layered and they remain loyal to their personality throughout the whole show.
There's no unnecessary drama or miss understandings or miss communications, this is well written script and as realistic as it can be.
Everything feels genuine, natural and real. I love the fact that all women in this drama have so much strength, personality and development in all storylines, there's a lot of sexist remarks but not nearly as much as other shows ( China's dramas are catching up to the korean new standards of feminism on screen and I am all for it)
Males in this one are not overbearing, controlling, stupidly jealous or just alpha troglodytes. They genuinely are considerate of their female partners and family members, which they just have their own voice.
I also need to mention that he comedy style of the main actress is so organic and contagious, you won't be able to stop smiling. I am a big fan of Zhao Lu Si and I have enjoyed deeply her latest works, she is extremely chameleonic and I am in awe watching her to go from shy and naive, to fearless and confident.
It is a shame a lot of that comedy and utterly enjoyable silly and romantic moments almost disappeared completely in season 2. And the only reason for this is the length of the show, I mean SERIOUSLY this show has around 20/25 episodes that are completely unnecessary. It gets boring at times and so dragging . I have said this many times but Chinese producers and directors should stop doing this. Kdrama found the winning formula of 16 episodes per drama and that is just perfect.
I still watched it all because when things are happening the drama is damn good but all those uneventful episodes, I was yawning.
Regardless, you have to watch it, quality in a bottle, you will enjoy it.