The female lead Bai Pingting, is captured and sold as a s*ave to an enemy country, where she meets and attracts the general and prince of the country, Chu Beijie. However as an enemy strategist, she escapes to her country despite falling for him. After a few clashes on the battlefield and plots orchestrated by BPT but manipulated by the second male lead, He Xia, she eventually returns to him despite his distrust. She’s soon captured by HX and while escaping, is hesitant to return to CBJ due to the friction and doubts that exist between them. HX then attempts to conquer and unite the countries, however his ruthless and manipulative approach causes BPT to re-unite with CBJ to defeat him.

BPT is supposedly a cute, intelligent and charming character, that attracts the attention of CBJ through her personality. And he is caring and dedicated to her, having recognized her as his intellectual equal. However given their roles in opposing factions (although she just happens to support all his enemies), this ideal relationship doesn’t last. This is followed by several make up and break up sessions. When they’re fighting they’re excessively melodramatic, and when they’re on good terms, they’re disgustingly sweet in a cheesy and tacky way, making them bi-polar but flat characters.

While there is a lot of commentary on the MC’s intellect, it seems like her greatest victories play on the affections of the male lead towards her, and his unwillingness to harm her. Similarly, a lot of the angst and bitterness on her part due to her need to test his affections through unreasonable means despite misleading and disappointing him several times.

Tests include not explaining herself despite being accused of poisoning his nephews/heirs to the throne and expecting him to return to her on his birthday despite the country facing a coalition army at their borders. Both these choices are pretty much there to distance him from his country as well as his family for her. While her other tests make her appear suicidal, as she risks her life to prove a point.

The male lead is also meant to be cold and calculating but in front of the female lead, he seems to have lost any spine or common sense and is willing to chase after her and to take her back regardless of her actions. In a way he resembles Nangong Liuyun from DKC but without the moments of ruthlessness and ingenuity, while his female lead lacks Su Luo’s feistiness, resourcefulness and charm.

There is a happy ending at least for the main couple, so fear not about tragedy.

A good example is when she is pregnant and Chu Beijie doesnt come home at the proper time, so she decides to leave forever

She knows he wasnt at fault and that he never intended to be late, but she doesnt care, she knows he is in despair and searching for her, pretty much giving up all he has, but she doesnt care, she lets him search for several years while she raises their child on a farm where there isnt enough food (which is curious since she is supposed to be some kind of supergenius, but cant even make enough money to support her childs eating habits), and she only returns to Chu Beijie because she needs a general. Not because she cares about him or wants him back or anything, just because she wants to use him.