Episode 1 recap: Yuan Ming Yu was stabbed and crossed over.
Yuan Ming Yu, the fourth princess of the Su Ye Kingdom, was arrogant and extravagant. She kept many male favorites in the princess's mansion, and Sun Jia, a man from the previous dynasty, disguised himself as a male favorite and was favored by her. One day, Sun Jia took advantage of her unpreparedness and killed the princess. By chance, modern city girl Yuan Ming Yu crossed over to the Su Ye Kingdom and possessed the body of the fourth princess. She could only return to modern times after becoming the emperor.
When the princess woke up slowly, the emperor and everyone else were relieved. The eldest prince decided that the security of the princess's mansion must be strengthened to protect her safety. After waking up, Yuan Ming Yu looked at the people around her and couldn't recognize any of them. She could only say to the emperor, who called her his daughter, that she wanted to rest a little longer. When she woke up again, she found herself in the princess's mansion, and there was a masked man next to her. The maid Jinlan told her that he was her hidden guard and had to stay by her side to protect her at all times. When Yuan Ming Yu saw the masked guard, she approached and took off his mask. Jinlan hurriedly stopped her, saying that the guard could not remove his mask because if he revealed his true face, he would die.
Yuan Ming Yu couldn't understand who had set these rules, and Jinlan told her that she had set them herself. Yuan Ming Yu noticed that the hidden guard named Ye Shao was handsome and ordered him not to wear a mask anymore. When they went out on the street, a peddler selling paintings recognized her and was enthusiastic because she was a regular customer of his.
Suddenly, assassins attacked Yuan Ming Yu, but thanks to Ye Shao's quick reaction, he protected her. Yuan Ming Yu felt relieved being held in Ye Shao's arms and ordered him to move into her own sleeping palace from now on.
It really struck a chord with me. Every character here is well-rounded. The female lead is the kind of mature woman who knows how to flirt and take the initiative. If she realizes that the other person doesn't like her anymore, she can quickly detach herself.
In my opinion, she's a character breaking away from traditional female narratives, exceptionally brave and amazing.
As for the male lead, he's a different kind of person. Due to his identity, he has always suppressed his emotions, making him appear passive.
Despite being skilled in martial arts, he's incredibly sensitive and carries a unique sense of brokenness. He's the most distinctive character that Hei Ze has ever portrayed.