This series is absolutely underrated. Although the main actors aren't very famous, their performances were spectacular. The cinematography, styling, and overall vibe were stunning, and the plot keeps you binge-watching episode after episode. Unlike many Chinese dramas that have only a small amount of romance, this series is full of beautiful and heartwarming romantic moments.

# **A Splendid Match — Pretty, Pleasant, and That’s It** *A Splendid Match* really is exactly what the title promises: pretty, pleasant… and that’s about as far as it goes. It feels like someone watched **Rise of Ning**, stared at the SML, and said, “Fine, let’s give him his own romance and see what happens.” And honestly, it works more than it should. The **intimacy is great**, even if the kisses are classic stiff costume‑drama CPR disasters. The FL is wonderfully straightforward, the ML is caring but cunning, and together they make a couple that actually feels like they’re choosing happiness, not stumbling into it. The **SML**, meanwhile, is a lovable man‑child — annoying, heartbreaking, and impossible not to root for. His farewell before her marriage is the emotional highlight, perfectly showing why she risks her life for him as a friend but chooses the ML for a future. The **adopted niece** goes from decent to cowardly and obsessed, ruining his own life through greed. His ending is pitiful, but he chose it. And the political plot? A classic “good minister corrupted by power” arc, with his own student forced to fight back for the morals he once taught. Simple, effective, but pushed to the background. Also, let’s be honest: **Ci Sha isn’t even that old**, but next to Ren Min’s tiny frame and high‑pitched voice, he keeps giving “uncle energy” in both dramas but apt pairing here. On the other hand, **Huang Yi as Gu Lan** is excellent — calm, grounded, and quietly powerful in her schemes & words. The ending is rushed, spending way too much time on **flashbacks after deaths** instead of giving the main couple more scenes to breathe. A shame, because the emotional payoff deserved more space. Nothing new, nothing groundbreaking — but still a comforting, familiar 40‑episode historical romance that works because the characters do, even when the plot doesn’t bother trying. I would definitely rewatch this for the main couple.