A LOT of patience is required for this one, not least because the opening episodes are even more confusing than Nirvana in Fire, and just when you think you've got everyone sorted out, there's a big time jump and half the cast are suddenly played by different actors.

If you're going to make the investment of time and patience, I have to say that while Nirvana in Fire pays off in spades, whereas The Story of Minglan doesn't, or at least notfor me. It was good enough to keep me watching, but the finale is a great disappointment.