Feng Lan: it’s hard not to like him tbh. He’s supportive, loyal, and incredibly tolerant. Personally, I love both the bodyguard/emperor and the childhood friend to lovers tropes. He’s the most ride or die for the MC. Poor baby is also the most insecure bc he thinks he’s not as good as the other MLs.

Cheng Tianbi: despite his super tragic upbringing and poor health, he’s compassionate and gentle. Every proper harem needs a genius healer and he’s that guy. He feels like the older brother/mom of the group and I love him for that.

Cheng Tianyi: also super tragic backstory but unlike his older brother who became passive and resigned, he became bitter and scheming. I get it though, my man has been through it. However, his aggression is only on the inside. On the outside, he’s beautiful, flamboyant, and coquettish. Him and Qi Shuangran are the most spoiled around the MC. I like that both Tianbi and him take their time to teach our MC about emotions and relationships, but unlike Tianbi who’s soft-hearted, he’s also willing to call the MC out when he’s being an emotional s*umbag (which he needs).

Mo Qingjue: I think he has the most interesting role out of all the MLs bc he starts off as an anti-hero and has multiple personalities. I like that for most of the text it’s hard to understand his motivations. Not everyone will agree but I liked his little cottage arc with the MC because it was nice to see the MC enjoy “a normal life”.

Liu Yi: he frustrated me a bit bc he was so repressed for so long but I respected how much work he was putting in for the country. Bro seemed busier as the prime minister than the MC as emperor. Out of all the MLs, he’s the most moral and I appreciated that he genuinely cared for the common people and stuck by his principles even when the MC didn’t agree with him.

Qiu Pingtian: idk why he was just a little meh to me. I usually think money grubbing characters are funny but idk. I didn’t hate him or anything but I found some of his scenes with the MC boring.

Qi Shuangran: he’s a huge tsundere. Sometimes it was amusing to see and sometimes it was a bit much which is why he’s my personal last pick. That being said, I do appreciate that he’s the only one who rivals the MC in martial arts prowess.