It's very well executed plot wise, but my criticism is on Li Zhi himself. I know it's a historical drama, but I'll speak my mind and make my points unrelated of that and only in consideration of the game itself.

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Why don't I like Li Zhi?

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1) He promised us safety, but couldn't keep it.

We were never safe in the palace. When we were a maid, it's normal he couldn't protect us. But as we rose the ranks, things should've changed. We should've gained more security both for ourselves and our children. Yet, that never happened. Even as an empress we were in danger of getting deposed and disgraced and Li Zhi didn't stand up for us. He didn't utilize his power as the emperor to it's full potential, and at one point he has become the very danger he has promised to protect us from.

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2) He promised us unwavering loyalty and affection but couldn't keep it.

He could have asked about which prince has pushed us in private. He could've asked more about Anning's death. He could've communicated much better but he has instead let the suspicion of us murdering our own children grow in his heart. He was going to depose us, after the children we bore and the fights we fought. As if it was nothing, as if it was all owed to him and it was his right.

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3) He promised us equality, but didn't keep it.

He promised we would reign over a golden era as sovereigns, both of us. Yet in the end, he has let the court run its mouth against us. In the beginning he weeded these complaints out, why not do it now? Because he wanted to use this opposition to always keep us in a lower status and power.

He has suffered from old chancellors ruling the court and trying to make him into a puppet, yet he had no issues with Shangguan Yi grooming the current crown prince for the same position? In chapter 35 our son Li Hong has some requests and amongst them is to raise Shangguan Yi to power. Li Zhi only agrees to keep you in check.

He uses the very court we've help stabilize, against us to keep us down a notch when compared to him.

He even tells us to know our place at one point.

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4) He never understood the ambition that lied within our heart.

He ain't Li Tai.