Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace
| Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Also known as | The Legend of Ruyi |
| Traditional Chinese | 如懿傳 |
| Simplified Chinese | 如懿传 |
| Hanyu Pinyin | Rúyì Zhuàn |
| Genre | |
| Based on | Hougong Ruyi Zhuan by Liu Lianzi |
| Written by | Liu Lianzi |
| Directed by | Wang Jun |
| Starring | |
| Country of origin | China |
| Original language | Mandarin |
| No. of seasons | 1 |
| No. of episodes | 87 |
| Production | |
| Executive producer | Huang Lan |
| Production locations |
|
| Production company | New Classics Media |
| Original release | |
| Network | Tencent, Jiangsu Television, Dragon Television |
| Release | August 20 – October 15, 2018 |
Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace (simplified Chinese: 如懿传; traditional Chinese: 如懿傳; pinyin: Rúyì Zhuàn, literally: The Legend of Ruyi) is a 2018 Chinese television series based on novel Hougong Ruyi Zhuan by Liu Lianzi. Starring Zhou Xun and Wallace Huo, the series chronicles both the romantic and marital relationship between the Qianlong Emperor and Empress Nara.
The series is the sequel to the critically acclaimed drama Empresses in the Palace.[1][2] It aired on Tencent Video starting 20 August to 15 October 2018;[3] during which it was streamed more than 18.9 billion times.[4] It later went on national broadcast and aired simultaneously on Jiangsu Television and Dragon Television from 25 December 2018.[5]
Despite the plot and characters receiving mixed reviews from viewers, the series won acclaim for its exquisite props, ornate lavish sets and stellar cast. It has a total score of 7.5 points on Douban.
Synopsis[edit]
The story follows Empress Nara and her life during the Qianlong Emperor's reign as his consort until her death.
Originally known as Ula-Nara Qingying, the niece of Empress Xiaojingxian, she is childhood friends with Fourth Prince Hongli and initially chosen to be his primary consort. However, when the Yongzheng Emperor exposes Empress Xiaojingxian for her role in helping Third Prince Hongshi become an usurper, Hongli is forced to rescind his decision, taking Fuca Langhua as his primary consort instead. Qingying is banished from the Imperial Palace upon Empress Xiaojingxian's house arrest. Hongli compromises with the Yongzheng Emperor and is allowed to take Qingying as a secondary consort in exchange for also taking Gao Xiyue as a mistress.
All three women are promoted once Hongli ascends to the throne as the Qianlong Emperor; Qingying becomes Consort Xian, Langhua becomes the empress and Xiyue becomes Noble Consort Hui.
Due to her involvement with the Ula-Nara clan and her reputation as the Emperor's most favored woman, Consort Xian is initially not well received in the Imperial Harem and Imperial Family. Empress Dowager Chongqing initially distrusts Consort Xian but grants her the name "Ruyi" once trust is later established.
Threatened by Ruyi's favor among both mother and son, the Empress, Noble Consort Hui, and her maid A'ruo conspire against her, resulting in Ruyi being blamed for the deaths of imperial heirs. She is demoted and sent to the Cold Palace where the truth about her infertility surfaces and where she forms a friendship with lowly imperial guard Ling Yunche. Ruyi is able to return to the Imperial Harem with the help of her allies. A'ruo is banished to the Cold Palace, Noble Consort Hui is abandoned by the Empress, and the Empress is isolated from her allies.
Devastated by the deaths of her two sons and forced to marry her only daughter off to Mongol allies, the Empress falls into water during winter and nearly drowns. On her deathbed, the Emperor confronts her for her evil deeds. In return, she curses his future empress to endure his coldness until her death.
It is revealed that the late Empress and Noble Consort Hui were both manipulated by Consort Jia, a foreign consort who wants to win the love of the head of her tribe. Ruyi's elevation from noble consort to imperial noble consort to step-empress is made uneasy due to Consort Jia's curbing her favor with scathing rumors and an attempt to frame her for adultery. Furthermore, she rallies her maiden tribe and well-known noblewomen to convince the Emperor to name her eldest son as crown prince. Eventually, Consort Jia loses favor and is demoted to a commoner. On her deathbed, to have her confess to her crimes, Ruyi reveals to her that the head of her tribe exposed the fact that she is a commoner, which is why he never loved her. Ruyi is unaware that Consort Jia's downfall is due to the scheming of the unfavored Consort Ling.
Consort Ling, a former maid who looks similar to Ruyi begins rising in power. Driven by spite against those who had wronged her and financially pressured by her family, Consort Ling grows in favor due to constantly feeding into the Emperor's wants over his needs and reputation. Ruyi's differing opinions for his health and reputation begin to clash with his expectations and desires, causing a dramatic decline in their relationship.
Ultimately, a confrontation between them causes Ruyi to cut her hair as a means of symbolically ending their marriage and rescinding her status as empress. This act is seen as a major insult/curse against the emperor and empress dowager.
Consort Ling is promoted to imperial noble consort where she continually offends the Mongol imperial consorts and abuses her power obnoxiously. Ruyi refuses to be treated for tuberculosis and collects evidence of Consort Ling's crimes. Consort Ling's life comes to an end when her crimes are exposed to the Emperor and she is punished to be poisoned daily until her dying day.
Though no longer under house arrest, Ruyi refuses to be involved with the Imperial Harem and doesn't accept her role as empress. While the Emperor is on a hunt at the Mulan Hunting Grounds, Ruyi finally succumbs to her illness without letting anyone know. Despite the fact that he greatly mourns her death, the Emperor only grants her a very small funeral as an imperial noble consort, refuses to give her a posthumous name, orders all records of her to be destroyed and her death to be recorded as merely the passing of an untitled clanswoman. This bringd controversy throughout the country and the Imperial Palace. When the Empress Dowager asks about his decision, he justifies his act by recounting how Ruyi had cut her hair in defiance and how his order was her eternal punishment, but he also explains his wish to free her of the empress title in death. The Emperor spends the rest of his life being haunted by her memory.
A now elderly Emperor cuts a piece of his whitened hair and places it beside the original lock of dark hair that Ruyi had cut in front of him years ago. After the passing of the Emperor, a dead prunus mume plant once nurtured by Ruyi begins to blossom.
The ending sequence states that no woman from the Ula-Nara clan ever entered the Imperial Harem after Ruyi's death.
Cast[edit]
Main[edit]
Leading protagonists[edit]
| Actor | Character | Residence | Introduction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zhou Xun | Ula-Nara Qingying/Ruyi (烏拉那拉·青櫻/如懿) | Prince Bao's Mansion Yanxi Palace Yikun Palace |
The Step-Empress (繼后) Lady Ula-Nara → Secondary Consort → Consort Xian → Noble Lady Xian → Commoner → Consort Xian → Noble Consort Xian → Imperial Noble Consort → Empress → Mistress of Yikun Palace Childhood friends with the Qianlong Emperor, she is initially chosen to be his primary consort before her family's reputation is compromised. Wanting to distance herself from her past, she later receives the name Ruyi (如懿), meaning 'beautiful and quiet', to remind her that she must be calm if she wants to have a peaceful life in the palace. Due to her past relationship with the Qianlong Emperor, she is despised by the women of the Imperial Harem and suffers trials and tribulations as a result. |
| Wallace Huo | Aisin-Gioro Hongli (愛新覺羅·弘曆) | Prince Bao's Mansion Yangxin Hall |
Emperor Gaozong of Qing (清高宗) Fourth Prince → Prince Bao of the First Rank → Qianlong Emperor → Retired Emperor Childhood friends with Ruyi, he is initially talented and politically capable, but as time passes, he is revealed to be weak, insecure and selfish. |
Secondary protagonists[edit]
| Actor | Character | Residence | Introduction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Janine Chang[6][7] | Keliyete Hailan (珂里葉特·海蘭) | Prince Bao's Mansion Xianfu Palace Yanxi Palace |
Noble Consort Yu (愉貴妃) Embroidery Maid → Mistress → First Attendant Hai → Noble Lady Hai → Concubine Yu → Consort Yu → Noble Consort Yu Gentle yet determined, she is a loyal friend and confidante of Ruyi, and uses her influence to deal with the imperial consorts standing in Ruyi's way. |
| Vivian Wu[8] | Niohuru Zhenhuan (钮祜禄·甄嬛) | Yongshou Palace Shoukang Palace Cining Palace |
Empress Xiaoshengxian (孝圣宪皇后) Noble Consort Xi → Empress Dowager Chongqing Although she appears to share a civil relationship with her adopted son, they are wary and suspicious of each other. She initially dislikes Ruyi because of her familial relationship with Empress Ula-Nara, but later grows to respect her. |
| Jing Chao[9] | Ling Yunche (凌雲徹) | — | Ling Yunche (凌雲徹) Imperial Guard of the Cold Palace → Imperial Guard of Kunning Palace → Lanling Imperial Guard → Imperial Guard of the Third Rank → Slave → Imperial Guard of the Second Rank → Imperial Guard of the First Rank → Eunuch of Yikun Palace An imperial guard who helps Ruyi survive in the Cold Palace, and Consort Ling's first love. He rises into the ranks through his loyalty and efforts. |
Main antagonists[edit]
| Actor | Character | Residence | Introduction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tong Yao[10] | Gao Xiyue (高晞月) | Prince Bao's Mansion Xianfu Palace |
Imperial Noble Consort Huixian (慧賢皇貴妃) Lady Gao → Mistress → Secondary Consort → Noble Consort Hui → Imperial Noble Consort → Imperial Noble Consort Huixian A skilled pipa player and a favored consort of the Qianlong Emperor during the earlier years of his reign. Because of her father's status and popularity in the Imperial Court, she is obnoxious and ill-tempered, often abusing her authority. She maintains an alliance with Empress Fuca and Consort Jia, and often plots against Ruyi. |
| Dong Jie[11] | Fuca Langhua (富察·琅嬅) | Prince Bao's Mansion Changchun Palace |
Empress Xiaoxianchun (孝賢純皇后) Lady Fuca → Primary Consort → Empress → Empress Xiaoxian Elegant and dignified, she presents herself as a virtuous and frugal empress but is insecure, paranoid, and jealous. Her grudge against Ruyi for initially being chosen as the primary consort causes her to often act against her. |
| Xin Zhilei[12] | Jin Yuyan (金玉妍) | Prince Bao's Mansion Qixiang Palace |
Imperial Noble Consort Shujia (淑嘉皇貴妃) Mistress → Noble Lady Jia → Concubine Jia → Consort Jia → Noble Consort Jia → Concubine Jia → Noble Lady Jia → Concubine Jia → Noble Consort Jia → Second Attendant Jin → Noble Consort Jia → Commoner → Imperial Noble Consort Shujia In the public eye, she presents herself as an ally of Empress Fuca who is subservient but often a gossiper with no limitations. In secret, she is manipulative and shrewd, all in an attempt to gain power as a favor to her true lover, the head of her maiden tribe. |
| Li Chun[13] | Wei Yanwan (衛嬿婉)[a] | Yongshou Palace | Empress Xiaoyichun (孝仪纯皇后) Palace Maid → Maid of Consort Chun → Palace Maid of the Imperial Garden → Maid of Consort Jia → Second Attendant Wei → First Attendant Wei → Noble Lady Ling → Concubine Ling → Consort Ling → Second Attendant Wei → Noble Lady Ling → Concubine Ling → Consort Ling → Noble Consort Ling → Imperial Noble Consort → Imperial Noble Consort Lingyi Always driven by obligations toward her family, she is regarded as their main breadwinner. She faces hardships and constant mistreatment in the palace and her evil ambitions grow with the passing of time. |
Supporting[edit]
Imperial Harem[edit]
| Actor | Character | Residence | Introduction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hu Ke[14] | Su Lüyun (蘇綠筠) | Prince Bao's Mansion Zhongcui Palace |
Imperial Noble Consort Chunhui (純惠皇貴妃) Mistress → Concubine Chun → Consort Chun → Noble Consort Chun → Imperial Noble Consort → Imperial Noble Consort Chunhui Naive and kind, she is often manipulated. Initially recommended to succeed Empress Fuca, she falls out of favor but remains an important figure in the Imperial Harem until the end of her life. |
| Cao Xiwen[15] | Chen Wanyin (陳婉茵) | Prince Bao's Mansion Zhongcui Palace |
Noble Consort Wan (婉貴妃) Mistress → Second Attendant Wan → First Attendant Wan → Noble Lady Wan → Concubine Wan → Consort Wan Timid and complacent, she remains neutral in harem politics and does not dare to aim higher, despite always vying for the Qianlong Emperor's favor. |
| Han Dantong[16] | Huang Qiying (黃琦莹) | Prince Bao's Mansion Jingyang Palace Yanxi Palace |
Concubine Yi (儀嬪) Maid of Primary Consort Fuca → Mistress → Noble Lady Yi → Concubine Yi |
| Zeng Yixuan[17] | Socolun A'ruo (索索綽倫·阿箬) | Prince Bao's Mansion Yanxi Palace Qixiang Palace |
Concubine Shen (慎嬪) Senior Maid of Secondary Consort Ula-Nara → Senior Maid of Consort Xian → Palace Maid → First Attendant Shen → Noble Lady Shen → Concubine Shen → Commoner At the start of the series, she is subservient, but as the story progressed she becomes more conceited due to her father's abilities in the Imperial Court. She turns bitter toward Ruyi and secretly conspires with Empress Fuca and Noble Consort Hui against her. |
| He Hongshan[18] | Bai Ruiji (白蕊姬) | Yonghe Palace Anhua Hall |
Concubine Mei (玫嬪) Musician of the South Manor → Second Attendant Mei → First Attendant Mei → Noble Lady Mei → Concubine Mei A yueqin player, she is initially favored, but the death of her son and decline in health lead her to lose favor. |
| Chen Haoyu[19] | Yehe-Nara Yihuan (葉赫那拉·意歡) | Chuxiu Palace | Consort Shu (舒妃) Noble Lady Shu → Concubine Shu → Consort Shu Straightforward and good-natured, she always keeps to herself and is loyal to the Qianlong Emperor. |
| Yu Yang[14] | Lu Muping (陸沐萍) | Jingyang Palace | Imperial Noble Consort Qinggong (慶恭皇貴妃) First Attendant Qing → Noble Lady Qing → Concubine Qing → Noble Lady Qing → Concubine Qing → Consort Qing → Noble Consort Qing Very naive and easy to manipulate, she often sides with any consort who is favored. |
| Liu Meitong[20] | Lady Bai'erguosishe (拜爾果斯氏) | Xianfu Palace | Concubine Ke (恪嬪) Noble Lady Ke → Concubine Ke The first member of the Imperial Harem from Mongolia. |
| Zhang Jianing | Baarin Meiruo (巴林·湄若) | Chuxiu Palace | Noble Consort Ying (穎貴妃) Concubine Ying → Consort Ying → Noble Consort Ying Spirited and eloquent yet blunt, she is the second member of the Imperial Harem from Mongolia, serving as a representative for all the Mongolian women in the Imperial Harem. |
| Zhao Ke[14] | Borjigin Eyinzhu (博爾濟吉特·厄音珠) | Yonghe Palace | Consort Yu (豫妃) Concubine Yu → Consort Yu Arrogant and defiant, she is another descendant of Mongolian royalty and quickly becomes favored by the Qianlong Emperor due to her exuberance. |
| Li Qin[21] | Han Xiangjian (寒香見) | Chengqian Palace Baoyue Hall |
Consort Rong (容妃) Princess of the Han tribe → Noble Lady Rong → Concubine Rong → Consort Rong Her beauty, which captivates the Qianlong Emperor, causes fear and jealousy in the Imperial Harem. However she abhors the Emperor and maintains her loyalty to her deceased fiance. |
| Sun Wenting | Lady Lin (林氏) | Jingren Palace | First Attendant Gong (恭常在) |
| Wang Mian | Lady Sirin-Gioro (西林覺羅氏) | Jingren Palace | First Attendant Xi (禧常在) |
| Zhu Jue | Lady Socolun (索綽倫氏) | Jingyang Palace | Noble Lady Rui (瑞貴人) |
| Xia Yuxia | Lady Fang (方氏) | Yonghe Palace | First Attendant Kui (揆常在) Palace Maid → Second Attendant Kui → First Attendant Kui |
| Zhao Ruoxi | Lady Xu (徐氏) | Jingyang Palace Zhongcui Palace |
First Attendant Xiu (秀常在) Second Attendant Xiu → First Attendant Xiu |
| Qu Rong | Lady Qian (錢氏) | Yonghe Palace | First Attendant Ping (平常在) Palace Maid → Second Attendant Ping → First Attendant Ping |
| Huang Lulu | Lady Bai (白氏) | Jingyang Palace | First Attendant Bai (白常在) |
| Song Qinglin | Lady Lu (陸氏) | Jingyang Palace | First Attendant Lu (陸常在) |
| Yang Wanyi | First Attendant Wu (武常在) | ||
| Gao Rui | First Attendant Lu (柏常在) | ||
| Sun Wanting | First Attendant Ning (寧常在) | ||
| Jin Ning | First Attendant Fu (福常在) |
Imperial Family[edit]
| Actor | Character | Residence | Introduction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zhang Fengyi[22] | Aisin-Gioro Yinzhen (愛新覺羅·胤禛) | Yangxin Hall | Emperor Shizong of Qing (清世宗) Yongzheng Emperor → Emperor Xian Father of the Qianlong Emperor. He dies six years after Ruyi's marriage. |
| Joan Chen[23] | Ula-Nara Yixiu (烏拉那拉·宜修) | Jingren Palace | Empress Xiaojingxian (孝敬憲皇后) Empress → Mistress of Jingren Palace → Empress Xiaojingxian Ruyi's paternal aunt and the adoptive mother of the Third Prince. She is placed under house arrest at the beginning of the series, which results in the reputation of the Ula-Nara clan being compromised. |
| Zhu Yan | Cold Palace | Dowager Concubine Ji (吉太嬪)
One of the Yongzheng Emperor's imperial consorts who was banished to the Cold Palace, supposedly due to the Empress Dowager's influence. | |
| Li Jie Ma Qiyue (young) |
Aisin-Gioro Hongshi (愛新覺羅·弘時) | Third Prince's Mansion | Third Prince (三皇子)
Third son of the Yongzheng Emperor and Empress Ula-Nara's adopted son. |
| Wang Xiao | Aisin-Gioro Hongzhou (愛新覺羅·弘晝) | Prince He's Mansion | Prince He of the First Rank (和親王)
Fifth son of the Yongzheng Emperor. He chooses to stay out of the succession battle. |
| Tang Chengjing | Lady Ujaku (烏扎庫氏) | Prince He's Mansion | Primary Consort of Prince He of the First Rank (和恭亲王嫡福晋) |
| Xuan Lu[24] | Aisin-Gioro Hengchuo (愛新覺羅·恆娖) | Dzungar Khanate Dawachi Khan's Mansion Cining Palace |
Grand Princess[25] Duanshu (端淑長公主)
Elder daughter of the Yongzheng Emperor and the Empress Dowager. She is initially married to Dorza Khan and becomes High Princess of the Dzungar Khanate. After her husband is killed, she is forced to marry his usurper, Dawachi Khan. |
| Wang Herun[26] | Aisin-Gioro Hengti (愛新覺羅·恆媞) | Yongshou Palace Cining Palace Zong Mansion |
Grand Princess Roushu (柔淑長公主)
Younger daughter of the Yongzheng Emperor and the Empress Dowager. Initially chosen for a marriage alliance to Septeng Baljur, she is later married to Deputy Minister Zong Zheng. |
| Guan Xueying Wu Yuyu (teen)[27] Liu Sitong (young) |
Aisin-Gioro Jingse (愛新覺羅·璟瑟) | Prince Bao's Mansion Changchun Palace Khorchin Mongolia Third Princess's Mansion |
Princess Hejing of the First Rank (固倫和敬公主) Third Princess → Princess Hejing of the First Rank Third daughter of the Qianlong Emperor by Empress Fuca. Proud and eloquent, she is Empress Fuca's only surviving child. She looks down on the imperial concubines due to her noble birth, and later becomes resentful of Ruyi. |
| Ding Qiao Wang Donghe (teen) Ye Kaiwan (young) |
Aisin-Gioro Yonghuang (愛新覺羅·永璜) | Prince Bao's Mansion Yanxi Palace Zhongcui Palace Eldest Prince's Mansion |
Prince Ding'an of the First Rank (定安親王)
Eldest Prince → Prince Ding'an of the First Rank Eldest son of the Qianlong Emperor by Imperial Noble Consort Zhemin. Innocent and mild-mannered, he is abused and neglected after the death of his biological mother. He becomes Ruyi's adopted son and later Consort Chun's, and grows up to be ambitious and yearning to succeed his father. |
| Ma Yanan | Lady Ilari (伊拉里氏) | Eldest Prince's Mansion Prince Ding's Mansion |
Primary Consort of Prince Ding of the First Rank (定親王嫡福晋) Lady Ilari → Eldest Princess Consort → Primary Consort of Prince Ding of the First Rank Yonghuang's wife and a distant relative of Consort Chun. She is chosen to marry Yonghuang because of her humble family background. |
| Yu Yao | Aisin-Gioro Yonglian (愛新覺羅·永琏) | Prince Bao's Mansion Changchun Palace Xiefang Hall |
Crown Prince Duanhui (端慧皇太子) Second Prince → Crown Prince Duanhui Second son of the Qianlong Emperor by Empress Fuca. Due to his mother's expectations, he is often pushed to excel academically. |
| Cheng Xingyuan Liu Zeyu (teen) He Luanhui (young) |
Aisin-Gioro Yongzhang (愛新覺羅·永璋) | Zhongcui Palace Third Prince's Mansion |
Prince Xun of the Second Rank (循郡王) Third Prince → Prince Xun of the Second Rank Third son of the Qianlong Emperor by Consort Chun. A kind, filial and hardworking person, he is goaded by his mother to compete for the position of crown prince. |
| An Jie Hu Xianxu (teen)[28] Rong Zishan (young) |
Aisin-Gioro Yongcheng (愛新覺羅·永珹) | Qixiang Palace Fourth Prince's Mansion Prince Lü's Mansion |
Prince Lü of the First Rank (履親王) Fourth Prince → Prince Lü of the First Rank Fourth son of the Qianlong Emperor by Consort Jia. Ambitious, cunning, and calculating, he is initially favored due to being the first son born after the Qianlong Emperor's ascension. |
| Tang Mengjia | Lady Irgen-Gioro (伊爾根覺羅氏) | Prince Lü's Mansion | Primary Consort of Prince Lü of the First Rank (履親王嫡福晋) Lady Irgen-Gioro → Primary Consort of Prince Lü of the First Rank Yongcheng's wife. She is chosen by Consort Jia due to her strong family background. |
| Qu Chuxiao[29] Bian Cheng (teen) Wuze Jinxi (young) |
Aisin-Gioro Yongqi (愛新覺羅·永琪) | Yanxi Palace Yikun Palace Prince Rong's Mansion Chonghua Palace |
Prince Rong of the First Rank (荣親王) Fifth Prince → Prince Rong of the First Rank Fifth son of the Qianlong Emperor by Noble Consort Yu and Ruyi's foster son. Sensitive and intelligent, he becomes his father's favorite son. He is very observant and talented, but is pressured to hide such skills to avoid making any of the brothers jealous, lest they target him. |
| Li Yiru | Lady Sirin-Gioro (西林覺羅氏) | Prince Rong's Mansion Yanxi Palace |
Primary Consort of Prince Rong of the First Rank (荣親王嫡福晋) Lady Sirin-Gioro → Primary Consort of Prince Rong of the First Rank Yongqi's wife. The marriage is granted by the Qianlong Emperor as a political move, and because their marriage was out of duty rather than love, Yongqi keeps himself busy with court matters while she manages his household and concubines. |
| Janice Wu[30] | Tian Yun'er (田云儿)/Hu Yunjiao (胡芸角) | Prince Rong's Mansion | Yongqi's concubine. Manipulated by Consort Ling into thinking that Ruyi killed her mother, she is ordered to sow discord between Yongqi and Ruyi. |
| Zhang Jinze Zhou Jinshi (teen) Chixu Xuanzhe (young) |
Aisin-Gioro Yongrong (愛新覺羅·永瑢) | Zhongcui Palace | Prince Shen of the Second Rank (慎郡王) Sixth Prince → Prince Shen of the Second Rank Sixth son of the Qianlong Emperor by Consort Chun. |
| He Xinrui | Aisin-Gioro Jingyan (愛新覺羅·璟妍) | Zhongcui Palace | Princess Hejia of the Second Rank (和碩和嘉公主) Fourth Princess → Princess Hejia of the Second Rank Fourth daughter of the Qianlong Emperor by Consort Chun. |
| Ma Boquan Ha Lin (young) |
Aisin-Gioro Yongxuan (愛新覺羅·永璇) | Qixiang Palace Xiefang Hall Shoukang Palace |
Prince Yi of the First Rank (儀親王) Eighth Prince → Prince Yi of the First Rank Eighth son of the Qianlong Emperor by Consort Jia. |
| Dongli Wuyou Zhang Yaoyang (young) |
Aisin-Gioro Yongxing (愛新覺羅·永瑆) | Qixiang Palace Xiefang Hall Shoukang Palace |
Prince Cheng of the First Rank (成親王) Eleventh Prince → Prince Cheng of the First Rank Eleventh son of the Qianlong Emperor by Consort Jia. |
| Xu Lingchen Ye Shengtong (teen) Lin Jingjie (young) |
Aisin-Gioro Yongji (愛新覺羅·永璂) | Yikun Palace Yanxi Palace |
Prince of the Third Rank Twelfth Prince → Prince of the Third Rank Twelfth son of the Qianlong Emperor by Ruyi. Free-spirited and adventurous, his father has high expectations for him because he is the only legitimate son. |
| Lin Jingyi | Aisin-Gioro Jingsi (愛新覺羅·璟兕) | Yikun Palace | Princess Heyi of the First Rank (固倫和宜公主) Fifth Princess → Princess Heyi of the First Rank Fifth daughter of the Qianlong Emperor by Ruyi. She is born premature and with a weak heart. |
| Jin Ziqi | Aisin-Gioro Jingyuan (愛新覺羅·璟妧) | Yongshou Palace Chuxiu Palace |
Princess Hejing of the First Rank (固倫和静公主) Seventh Princess → Princess Hejing of the First Rank Seventh daughter of the Qianlong Emperor by Consort Ling and Consort Ying's foster daughter. |
| Chen Yuan'er[31] | Aisin-Gioro Jingyun (愛新覺羅·璟妘) | Shoukang Palace Yongshou Palace Xianfu Palace |
Princess Heke of the Second Rank (和碩和恪公主) Ninth Princess → Princess Heke of the Second Rank Ninth daughter of the Qianlong Emperor by Consort Ling and Concubine Ke's foster daughter. She is first raised by the dowager consorts. |
| Wei Zihan Chen Xuetao (young) |
Aisin-Gioro Yongyan (愛新覺羅·永琰) | Yongshou Palace Shoukang Palace Prince Jia's Mansion |
Emperor Renzong of Qing (清仁宗) Fifteenth Prince → Prince Jia of the First Rank → Jiaqing Emperor Fifteenth son of the Qianlong Emperor by Consort Ling. |
| Tang Jiaze | Borjigin Qingyou (孛兒只斤·慶佑) | Khorchin Mongolia Third Princess's Mansion |
Jingse's only child. |
Imperial Court[edit]
| Actor | Character | Introduction |
|---|---|---|
| Qin Yan | Zhang Tingyu (張廷玉) | Member of the Grand Council. He dislikes the Empress Dowager and often goes against her opinions. |
| Jia Tinglong | Fuca Fuheng (富察·傅恆) | A senior official and commander-in-chief. He is Empress Fuca's brother. |
| Gao Lancun | Gao Bin (高斌) | The Qianlong Emperor's most trusted official. He is Noble Consort Hui's father. |
| Wang Jinsong | Ula-Nara Na'erbu (烏拉那拉·那爾布) | Quyi's father.uyi'sianlong Emperor's left Minister.
He is the father of Ruyi. While Ruyi was in The Cold Palace, he died drowning as a result of trying to build a dam. Ruyi blamed herself for his death and was almost caught secretly burned Joshi paper in remembrance of him. |
| Ma Weifu | Liu Tongxun (劉統勛) | Minister of the Eight Banners. |
| Huang Wei | Niohuru Naqin (鈕祜祿·訥親) | Minister of the Eight Banners. He is a close relative of the Empress Dowager. |
| Zhang Xingzhe | Zhao Hui (兆惠) | |
| Wu Lihua | Yue Zhongqi (岳鐘琪) |
Female servants[edit]
| Actor | Character | Residence | Introduction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chen Xiaoyun[32] | Suoxin (惢心) | Prince Bao's Mansion Yanxi Palace Yikun Palace |
Patient and soft-spoken, she is one of Ruyi's maids since her time in Prince Bao's Mansion and later becomes her senior maid. She marries Jiang Yubin, her childhood sweetheart. |
| Qi Huan[14] | Rongpei (容珮) | Yikun Palace | Loyal, firm, and sharp-tongued, Rongpei is an orphan who spent her life working as a maid in the Yuanming Garden. She meets Ruyi after being sent to the Forbidden City's Clothes Washing Division and succeeds Suoxin as her senior maid. |
| Zheng Shuijing[33] | Lingzhi (菱枝) | Yikun Palace | Ruyi's maid. |
| Chen Erjia | Yunzhi (芸枝) | Yikun Palace | Ruyi's maid. |
| Li Linfei | Shuizhi (水芝) | Yanxi Palace | Ruyi's maid. |
| Gong Xiaoxuan[14] | Yuhu (毓瑚) | Yangxin Hall | The Qianlong Emperor's senior maid. Formerly a maid for his biological mother, she becomes his personal assistant in terms of keeping an eye on the internal affairs and reporting news to him. |
| Guo Hong[34] | Fujia (福珈) | Yongshou Palace Shoukang Palace Cining Palace |
The Empress Dowager's senior maid. |
| Zhang Yanyan | Xiuxia (繡夏) | Jingren Palace | Empress Ula-Nara's senior maid. |
| Min Chunxiao[35] | Sulian (素練) | Changchun Palace | Empress Fuca's senior maid. |
| Wang Xiaocheng | Lianxin (蓮心) | Changchun Palace | Empress Fuca's maid. |
| Liu Jia | Yexin (葉心) | Xianfu Palace Yanxi Palace |
Noble Consort Yu's senior maid. |
| Zhang Huanhuan | Xiangyun (香雲) | Xianfu Palace Yanxi Palace |
Noble Consort Yu's maid. |
| Li Bingyi | Zezhi (澤芝) | Xianfu Palace Yanxi Palace |
One of Ruyi's maids who is later sent to serve Noble Consort Yu. |
| Guo Yuanyuan | Zhenshu (貞淑) | Qixiang Palace | Consort Jia's senior maid. |
| Xia Nan[14] | Lixin (麗心) | Qixiang Palace | Consort Jia's maid. |
| Zhou Xiaoqin[36] | Palace Maid Yan (妍宫女) | Qixiang Palace | Consort Jia's maid. |
| Sun Qianqian[37] | Moxin (茉心) | Xianfu Palace | Noble Consort Hui's senior maid. |
| Li Mengyang | Xingxuan (星璇) | Xianfu Palace | Noble Consort Hui's dowry maid. |
| Wang Chun | Chunchan (春嬋) | Yongshou Palace | Consort Ling's senior maid and close friend before she became an imperial consort. |
| Yang Liu | Lancui (瀾翠) | Yongshou Palace | Consort Ling's maid and close friend before she became an imperial consort. |
| Bai Lan[38] | Kexin (可心) | Zhongcui Palace | Consort Chun's senior maid. |
| Ding Liuyan | Suyun (俗雲) | Yonghe Palace Anhua Hall |
Concubine Mei's senior maid. |
| Shi Min | Hexi (荷惜) | Chuxiu Palace | Consort Shu's senior maid. |
| Zhang Xinying | Xinyan (新燕) | Qixiang Palace | Concubine Shen's senior maid. |
| Wang Jingya[39] | Shunxin (順心) | Zhongcui Palace | Consort Wan's senior maid. |
| Wang Xinwen | A'bao (阿寶) | Chuxiu Palace | Consort Ying's senior maid. |
| Zhang Menghan | Xianfu Palace | Concubine Ke's senior maid. | |
| Chen Mengxi | Xipo (喜珀) | Chengqian Palace Baoyue Hall |
Consort Rong's senior maid and confidant. |
| Gao Dongyu | Hali (哈麗) | Chengqian Palace Baoyue Hall |
Consort Rong's maid who is brought from her homeland. |
| Zhang Xinyuan | Guli (古麗) | Chengqian Palace Baoyue Hall |
Consort Rong's maid who is brought from her homeland. |
| Ma Lan | Jingyang Palace | Consort Qing's senior maid. | |
| Huang Wen[40] | Huaixin (怀心) | Jingyang Palace Yanxi Palace |
Concubine Yi's senior maid. |
| Zhao Jing | Duoyun (朵雲) | Yonghe Palace | Consort Yu's senior maid. |
| Jin Xi | Duoyan (朵顏) | Yonghe Palace | Consort Yu's senior maid. |
| Tian Miao | Nursemaid Tian (田嬷嬷) | — | Nursemaid and mother of Yongqi's concubine. She is used by Consort Ling to commit various crimes. |
Male servants[edit]
| Actor | Character | Residence | Introduction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Imperial guards, imperial physicians and others | |||
| Yuan Wenkang[14] | Jiang Yubin (江與彬) | — | Head Imperial Physician and Ruyi's most trusted doctor. He later marries Suoxin, his childhood sweetheart. |
| Meng Zhaozhong | Zhao Jiuxiao (趙九霄) | — | Ling Yunche's friend. He is an imperial guard at the Cold Palace and later at Kunning Palace. |
| Wang Quanyou | Qi Ru (齊汝) | — | Head Imperial Physician. |
| Ha Yingqun | Imperial Astronomer Qin (欽天監) | — | |
| Steven Thomas Boergadine | Giuseppe Castiglione (郎世宁) | — | A Jesuit painter from Italy serving the Imperial Court. |
| Jin Song | Li Jinzhu (李金柱) | — | An imperial guard at the Cold Palace. |
| Wang Liusheng | Imperial Physician Zhao (趙太醫) | — | |
| Feng Bao | Imperial Physician Bao (包太醫) | — | |
| Wang Zhimin | Imperial Physician Xu (許太醫) | — | Consort Jia's trusted doctor. |
| Huang Ningsheng | Imperial Physician Zhao (曹太醫) | — | |
| Xu Zhiming | Er'tao (二套) | — | |
| Eunuchs | |||
| Shen Baoping | Su Peisheng (蘇培盛) | Yangxin Hall | The Yongzheng Emperor's senior attendant and Head Eunuch of Yangxin Hall. |
| Huang Ming[41] | Li Yu (李玉) | Yangxin Hall | The Qianlong Emperor's attendant. Diligent and ambitious, he ultimately becomes the Head Eunuch of Yangxin Hall succeeding Wang Qin. He is childhood friends with Suoxin and Jiang Yubin. |
| Hu Ming[42] | Wang Qin (王欽) | Yangxin Hall | The Qianlong Emperor's senior attendant and Head Eunuch of Yangxin Hall. |
| Jiang Xueming[14] | Jinzhong (進忠) | Yangxin Hall | The Qianlong Emperor's attendant and Li Yu's disciple. Lecherous and ambitious, he becomes obsessed with Wei Yanwan since her time as Consort Jia's maid. |
| Zhang Juju | Jinbao (進保) | Yangxin Hall | The Qianlong Emperor's attendant. |
| Han Yu | Xiao Linzi (小林子) | Yangxin Hall | The Qianlong Emperor's attendants. |
| Li Qi[43] | Sanbao (三寶) | Prince Bao's Mansion Yanxi Palace Yikun Palace |
Ruyi's senior attendant. |
| Gao Weibo | Xiao Fuzi (小福子) | Yanxi Palace | Ruyi's attendant. |
| Chen Zhuo | Wufu (五福) | Yanxi Palace | Noble Consort Yu's senior attendant. |
| Zhong Weihua | Cheng Han (成翰) | Yongshou Palace Shoukang Palace Cining Palace |
The Empress Dowager's senior attendant. |
| Ma Bo | Zhao Yitai (趙一泰) | Changchun Palace | Empress Fuca's senior attendant. |
| Liu Zikai | Qian Shuangxi (錢雙喜) | Xianfu Palace | Noble Consort Hui's senior attendant. |
| Chen Muyi[44] | Wang Chan (王蟾) | Yongshou Palace | Consort Ling's senior attendant. |
| Wang Peidong | Xiao Lizi (小栗子) | Zhongcui Palace Xiefang Hall |
Formerly Consort Chun's senior attendant, he is moved to work in Xiefang Hall and ultimately serves Yongji. |
| Yang Shuo | Xu An (徐安) | — | Head Eunuch of the Household Department. |
| Yu Tong | Qin Li (秦立) | — | Eunuch of the Household Department. |
| Yang Yang | Xiao Lüzi (小祿子) | — | Eunuch of the Food Bureau. |
| Zhang Shu | Xiao Anzi (小安子) | — | Eunuch of the Household Department. |
| A Xing | Xiao Leizi (小磊子) | Prince Rong's Mansion | Yongqi's senior attendant. |
| Chang Cheng | Xiao Guizi (小貴子) | ||
| Wang Zhen | Xiao Shunzi (小順子) | ||
| Ma Xin Li Pengwu |
Xiao Lezi (小樂子) | ||
| Liu Xue | Ma Hanzi (馬憨子) | — | |
Others[edit]
| Actor | Character | Introduction |
|---|---|---|
| Wang Wei | Sakda Miaoqian (薩克達·茂倩) | Ling Yunche's wife. Due to her noble background she looks down on her husband and does not have a good relationship with him. |
| Yu Shaoqun | Anji Bosang (安吉波桑) | A monk who came to visit shortly after Ruyi became Imperial Noble Consort. |
| Zhang Yuxi[30] | Shui Linglong (水玲珑) | A famous courtesan favored by Qianlong Emperor during his trip. |
| Li Guangjie | Prince Yu (玉氏王爺) | Consort Jia's first love. |
| Fang Xiaoli | Madame Ula-Nara (烏拉那拉夫人) | Ruyi's mother. |
| Cai Wenyan | Madame Fuca (富察夫人) | Empress Fuca's mother. She has high expectations for her daughter, which puts constant pressure on Empress Fuca and leads to her insecurity. |
| Meng Xiu | Madame Wei (衛夫人) | Consort Ling's mother. A greedy and obnoxious woman, she tries to push her daughter into achieving higher status for her personal gains. |
| Song Jiateng | Keliyete Zhaqi (珂里葉特·扎齊) | Noble Consort Yu's nephew. |
| Xu Xiaoning | Wei Zuolu (魏佐祿) | Consort Ling's younger brother. |
| Wu Rige | Borjigin Saisang Gendun (孛兒只斤·賽桑根敦) | Ruler of the Mongol Khorchin tribe and Consort Yu's father. |
| Liu Jun | Han Ati (寒阿提) | Ruler of the Han tribe and Consort Rong's father. |
| Wang Leifang | Han Qi (寒企) | Consort Rong's first love and late fiancé. |
| Liu Yupu | Demuqiseyinchake (德穆齊塞音察克) | Concubine Ke's father. |
| Zhang Xiaolin | Anduo (安多) | Anji Bosang's disciple. |
| Huang Deyi | Tian Jun (田俊) | Nursemaid Tian's son and Hu Yunjiao's brother. |
| Fang Yuchen | Yao'er (桃兒) | Madame Wei's maid. |
| Liu Lianzi | Lady Uya (烏雅氏) | Wife of the Qianlong Emperor's paternal uncle, Prince Xian of the First Rank.
Cameo by the original author; most of Liu Lianzi's scenes were deleted from the final cut. |
Episodes[edit]
| Episode | Episode title | Premiere date | Viewership ratings[b] | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "All I Want Is You (我要的只有妳)" | August 20, 2018 (Tencent) December 25, 2018 (Dongfang & Jiangsu) | 0.247 (Dongfang) 0.181 (Jiangsu) | |
|
The Yongzheng Emperor's third son, Hongshi, is stripped of his titles and removed from the Imperial Genealogy. The Empress, who is Hongshi's adoptive mother, is also implicated. The fourth son, Hongli, holds a consort selection and intends to choose his childhood friend, Ula-Nara Qingying, as his primary consort. However, the Yongzheng Emperor blocks this decision due to Qingying being the Empress' niece. In the end, Fuca Langhua is chosen as the primary consort, Qingying as a secondary consort and Gao Xiyue as a mistress, following which Hongli is named Prince Bao of the First Rank. | ||||
| 2 | "Don't Worry, I'm Here (放心，有我在)" | August 20, 2018 (Tencent) December 25, 2018 (Dongfang & Jiangsu) | 0.247 (Dongfang) 0.181 (Jiangsu) | |
|
In the six years following Prince Bao Hongli's marriage, he successively took five noble ladies as consorts: Fucha Zhuying, Su Luyun, Jin Yuyan, Huang Qiyin, Keliyete Hailan, and Chen Wanyin. The primary consort, Langhua, gave birth to Hongli's second son and first legitimate son, Yonglian, a daughter who died young, and the third princess, Jingshe. The noble lady Zhuying gave birth to Hongli's eldest illegitimate son, Yonghuang, and died in childbirth along with her second daughter, both mother and daughter perishing.[45]；Noble Lady Su Luyun also just gave birth to Hongli's third son, Yongzhang, while Noble Lady Gao Xiyue was promoted to the side consort of Prince Bao. Emperor Yongzheng died, and the fourth son, Hongli, ascended to the throne, honoring his birth mother, Noble Consort Xi, as the Holy Mother Empress Dowager and officially making the primary consort, Langhua, the Empress. | ||||
| 3 | "Unspeakable Trouble (有苦難言)" | August 20, 2018 (Tencent) December 25, 2018 (Dongfang & Jiangsu) | 0.247 (Dongfang) 0.181 (Jiangsu) | |
|
On September 3rd of the 13th year of Emperor Yongzheng's reign, Aisin Gioro Hongli succeeded to the throne and became the emperor, establishing his reign name as Qianlong, thus becoming the Qianlong Emperor. The following year was designated as the first year of Qianlong. After the Qianlong Emperor's ascension, the status of the Empress Dowager of Jingren Palace became awkward, causing endless debates within the court. The Empress Dowager pressured Ruyi and the Empress Dowager of Jingren Palace, stating that the palace could only have one Ulanara clan member. The Empress Dowager of Jingren Palace decided to sacrifice herself to protect Qingying, urging Qingying to become the empress, and then died from poisoning. | ||||
| 4 | "35 Days Of Missing You (35天的想念)" | August 20, 2018 (Tencent) December 25, 2018 (Dongfang & Jiangsu) | 0.247 (Dongfang) 0.181 (Jiangsu) | |
|
Hailan and Qingying impersonated each other to help Qingying, who was confined to the mansion under the guise of mourning by the Empress Dowager, leave to convey a message to the Emperor. She reminded the Emperor to deal promptly with the Empress Dowager's relocation issue, leaving a good initial impression on the Empress Dowager towards Qingying, who then personally granted her a new name, "Ruyi". The Emperor originally intended to make Ruyi a Noble Consort, but due to her aunt's (the Empress Dowager of Jingren Palace) relationship and on the Empress's suggestion, she was only made a Virtuous Consort, residing in the Yanxi Palace. Gao Xiyue was named Hui Noble Consort, taking the principal position in the Xianfeng Palace; Su Luyun was titled Chun Concubine, residing in the Zhongcui Palace; Jin Yuyan was made Jia Noble Lady, residing in the Qixiang Palace; Huang Qiyin was titled Yi Noble Lady, residing in the Jingyang Palace; Keliyete Hailan was named Hai Changzai, residing in the Xianfeng Palace with the Hui Noble Consort; Chen Wanyin was titled Wan Response, residing in the Zhongcui Palace with the Chun Concubine. | ||||
| 5 | "The emperor's little temper (皇上的小脾氣)" | August 20, 2018（Tendent） December 26, 2018(Dongfang, Jiangsu） | 0.306（Dongfang） 0.178（Jiangsu） | |
|
Giuseppe Castiglione, known as Lang Shining in Chinese, painted portraits for the Qianlong Emperor and the Empress. | ||||
| 6 | "The Placard Inscription Incident (匾額之亂)" | August 20, 2018（Tencent） December 26, 2018（Dongfang,Jiangsu） | 0.306（Dongfang） 0.178（Jiangsu） | |
|
Hai Changzai was deprived of charcoal by Hui Noble Consort. The pipa player Bai Ruiji from the Southern Mansion was favored by the Emperor and titled Mei Response, actually arranged secretly by the Empress Dowager. | ||||
| 7 | "Unspoken understanding (不可言喻默契)" | August 20, 2018（Tencent） December 26, 2018（Dongfang, Jiangsu） | 0.306（Dongfang） 0.178（Jiangsu） | |
|
Hui Noble Consort falsely accused Hai Changzai of stealing red charcoal and used this as a pretext to punish her. Ruyi and the Qianlong Emperor came to her rescue and ordered Hai Changzai to move to Yanxi Palace to live with Ruyi. | ||||
| 8 | "Defend to the death, deep sisterly affection (拚死維護 姐妹情深)" | August 20, 2018（Tencent） December 26, 2018（Dongfang, Jiangsu） | 0.306（Dongfang） 0.178（Jiangsu） | |
|
Virtuous Consort was falsely accused of using white arsenic flowers to nearly disfigure Mei Response, but was later exonerated with the strong support of her good sister, Hai Changzai. | ||||
| 9 | "The value of life lies in mutual understanding (人生貴在兩心知)" | August 21, 2018（Tencent） December 27, 2018（Dongfang, Jiangsu） | 0.359（Dongfang） 0.171（Jiangsu） | |
|
Hui Noble Consort's maid saw Suoxin and Yonghuang together in the Imperial Garden. | ||||
| 10 | "A birthday wish uncovers hidden scars (生日願望揭開隱秘傷疤)" | August 21, 2018（Tencent） December 27, 2018（Dongfang, Jiangsu） | 0.359（Dongfang） 0.171（Jiangsu） | |
|
Mei Response has been titled Mei Changzai. | ||||
| 11 | "Patience leads to a clear view of the moon through the parting clouds (守得雲開見月明)" | August 22, 2018（Tencent） December 27, 2018（Dongfang, Jiangsu） | 0.359（Dongfang） 0.171（Jiangsu） | |
|
Virtuous Consort takes over the upbringing of the eldest prince. | ||||
| 12 | "Finding endless delight in each other's company (相看兩不厭)" | August 22, 2018（Tencent） December 27, 2018（Dongfang, Jiangsu） | 0.359（Dongfang） 0.171（Jiangsu） | |
|
Mei Changzai became pregnant with a royal heir and was promoted to Mei Noble Lady. Aro, for mocking Lianxin over the matter of being promised to Wang Qin by the Empress, was punished by Hui Noble Consort to kneel at the Zongsi Gate. As a result, Aro began to ally with Jia Noble Lady. | ||||
| 13 | "The grievances of being helpless (身不由己的委屈)" | August 23, 2018（Tencent） December 28, 2018（Dongfang, Jiangsu） | N/A | |
|
Hai Changzai was promoted to Noble Lady for her meritorious service in taking care of the eldest prince. | ||||
| 14 | "Everything requires waiting for the right moment (凡事 都要等待時機)" | August 23, 2018（Tencent） December 28, 2018（Dongfang, Jiangsu） | N/A | |
|
Under the provocation of Jia Noble Lady, Hui Noble Consort secretly added cinnabar to the fish and shrimp consumed by Mei Noble Lady, causing the seafood to contain mercury. As a result, Mei Noble Lady gave birth to a deformed stillborn and, in despair, attempted to hang herself but was fortunately saved by a palace maid. Yi Noble Lady became pregnant. | ||||
| 15 | "Rumors and gossip stir up a storm across the city (流言蜚語 滿城風雨)" | August 27, 2018（Tencent） December 28, 2018（Dongfang, Jiangsu） | N/A | |
|
Wang Qin, tricked by Lianxin into taking an overdose of aphrodisiac pills (Aji Su Wan), offended Hui Noble Consort and Mo Xin in his confused state. Subsequently, the Qianlong Emperor annulled the marriage arrangement between Wang Qin and Lianxin and executed Wang Qin with the punishment reserved for "attached staff officials." | ||||
| 16 | "Some households rejoice, while others grieve (幾家歡樂幾家愁)" | August 27, 2018（Tencent） December 28, 2018（Dongfang, Jiangsu） | N/A | |
|
The Qianlong Emperor decreed that Virtuous Consort assist Empress Langhua in managing the six palaces. | ||||
| 17 | "Harm by snakes, harm by tongues (蛇害舌害)" | August 28, 2018（Tencent） December 29, 2018（Dongfang, Jiangsu） | 0.368（Dongfang） 0.2（Jiangsu） | |
|
Yi Noble Lady was poisoned by Hui Noble Consort, who added mercury to charcoal and seafood, resulting in a stillbirth. Jia Noble Lady suddenly fell into a coma. | ||||
| 18 | "The ill-fated dragon fetus (命運多舛的龍胎)" | August 28, 2018（Tencent） December 29, 2018（Dongfang, Jiangsu） | 0.368（Dongfang） 0.2（Jiangsu） | |
|
Aro betrayed her master, accusing Mei Noble Lady's birth of a deformed child and Yi Noble Lady's stillbirth as Ruyi's doing. Ruyi, faced with immense grievances, was unable to defend herself. The Empress Dowager decreed Ruyi's demotion to Noble Lady and confined her to Yanxi Palace. Jia Noble Lady became pregnant with a royal offspring. | ||||
| 19 | "Every decision comes with a price (每個決定都有代價)" | August 29, 2018（Tencent） December 29, 2018（Dongfang, Jiangsu） | 0.368（Dongfang） 0.2（Jiangsu） | |
|
Mei Noble Lady, out of resentment, whipped the confined Ruyi. After losing her child, Mei Noble Lady suffered from a condition called "bloody flux." Yi Noble Lady attempted to assassinate Ruyi in Yanxi Palace but failed. Due to consuming an overdose of safflower and achyranthes soup to induce labor, Yi Noble Lady gave birth to a stillborn child and died, leading the Qianlong Emperor to posthumously honor her as Yi Concubine. The Qianlong Emperor ordered Suoxin to serve in the imperial presence. | ||||
| 20 | "The cruel contrast of fate (命運 殘忍的對比)" | August 29, 2018（Tencent） December 29, 2018（Dongfang, Jiangsu） | 0.368（Dongfang） 0.2（Jiangsu） | |
|
The Empress and Hui Noble Consort framed Virtuous Consort for the birth of a deformed child by Mei Noble Lady and the stillborn child of Yi Noble Lady, resulting in her demotion to a commoner and banishment to the Cold Palace.[46]。Ruyi, guided by hints from Concubine Ji in the Cold Palace, worked day and night to sew handkerchiefs and handed them to the guard Ling Yunchen through her personal palace maid, Suoxin. Jia Noble Lady was promoted to Jia Concubine and became the principal of Qixiang Palace. The Emperor ordered Chun Concubine to take care of the eldest son, Yonghuang. Mei Noble Lady was promoted to Mei Concubine and became the principal of Yonghe Palace. Suoxin was titled Shenchangzai and resided in Qixiang Palace with Jia Noble Lady. | ||||
| 21 | "Aro is just being melodramatic (賤箬就是矯情)" | August 30, 2018（Tencent） December 30, 2018（Dongfang, Jiangsu） | 0.455（Dongfang） 0.292 (Jiangsu） | |
|
Hai Noble Lady was slapped without reason by Shenchangzai. Ling Yunchen informed Ruyi that she could earn money through embroidery and handicrafts to bribe for better food. Wei Yanwan bribed her aunt to become a maid in Zhongcui Palace, serving the eldest prince. The second prince fell seriously ill, and while Hai Noble Lady was flying a kite in the palace, she encountered the displeasure of the Empress, Noble Consort, Shenchangzai, and others who were worried about the second prince's condition. Noble Consort accused Hai Noble Lady of neglecting her ailing son to play with the kite, resulting in her humiliation and a two-hour kneeling punishment in the rain by the Empress. | ||||
| 22 | "When pushed to the extreme, one must summon courage (人到絕境 定要生出勇氣)" | August 30, 2018（Tencent） December 30, 2018（Dongfang, Jiangsu） | 0.455（Dongfang） 0.292（Jiangsu） | |
|
After her punishment, when Hai Noble Lady passed by Anhua Hall, she unintentionally overheard Noble Consort confessing the truth about the death of her son to the Qianlong Emperor. Determined to recover after a severe illness, Hai Noble Lady gained the Emperor's favor. She sewed a bulrush flower into the third prince's doll, causing the death of the second prince, who suffered from asthma, as his breathing was obstructed. Filled with guilt over plotting to harm the second prince Yonglian with the cotton-filled bulrush flower, she burned paper offerings outside the Cold Palace. Princess Hejing found paper offerings carried by the wind near the garden, but as the garden was close to the Cold Palace, Noble Consort suspected that Ruyi had cursed the second prince to die early. | ||||
| 23 | "Joy and entertainment on this evening, Yanyan and Liangshi (歡娛在今夕 嬿婉及良時)" | August 31, 2018（Tencent） December 30, 2018（Dongfang, Jiangsu） | 0.455（Dongfang） 0.292（Jiangsu） | |
|
Jia Concubine gave birth to the first prince after the Emperor's ascension to the throne, the Qianlong Emperor's fourth son, Yongcheng. The Emperor celebrated extravagantly in Qixiang Palace. Hui Noble Consort sent someone to release a poisonous snake in the Cold Palace in an attempt to harm Ruyi but was thwarted with the help of Ling Yunchen. Chun Concubine, with the assistance of Hai Noble Lady, made the Emperor consider her meritorious service in raising two princes and was promoted to Chun Consort. Hai Noble Lady warned Chun Consort that Wei Yanwan had ulterior motives regarding the Emperor and advised her to use the excuse of her birth chart clashing with the eldest prince to have Wei Yanwan reassigned to the flower house as a servant. | ||||
| 24 | "Watching the Cold Palace from afar, silently guarding (遙望冷宮 默默守護)" | August 31, 2018（Tencent） December 30, 2018（Dongfang, Jiangsu） | 0.455（Dongfang） 0.292（Jiangsu） | |
|
Ruyi was bitten by a snake, and in desperation, Ling Yunchen sucked out the poison with his mouth and used realgar wine to drive away the snake. During his inspection, he found that a tile had been lifted, revealing the snake, but he was severely beaten by Hui Noble Consort's subordinates. Jiang Yubin discovered that the dishes served for breakfast were all cold and damp foods, which clashed with the constitution of Ulanara and Suoxin, who had a cold and deficient physique. Lu Muping was introduced by the Empress Dowager and received the title Qing Changzai. | ||||
| 25 | "The shocking truth is revealed (令人震驚的真相揭開)" | August 31, 2018 December 31, 2018（Dongfang, Jiangsu） | 0.556（Dongfang） 0.295（Jiangsu） | |
|
Ji Tai Concubine attempted to assassinate the Empress Dowager, and Ruyi sacrificed herself to rescue her, leading the Empress Dowager to consider allowing Ulanara to leave the Cold Palace. Ruyi accidentally broke the bracelet given by the Empress after entering the Qianqing Palace, revealing that the bracelet contained a contraceptive called Zerong Incense. Hai Noble Lady became pregnant with a royal offspring. | ||||
| 26 | "Everything is said without words (一切盡在不言中)" | August 31, 2018 December 31, 2018（Dongfang, Jiangsu） | 0.556（Dongfang） 0.295（Jiangsu） | |
|
Shenchangzai was promoted to Sheng Noble Lady, and it was revealed by the Empress that she had sent someone to sprinkle oil and set fire to the Cold Palace. Ruyi was successfully rescued by Ling Yunchen once again. With the assistance of the imperial physician, Hai Noble Lady deliberately consumed a mild dose of cinnabar, causing herself to exhibit symptoms similar to those of Mei Noble Lady and Yi Noble Lady during their pregnancies. She used this as evidence to prove Ruyi's innocence in the Cold Palace and took the opportunity to request a thorough investigation into the poisoning incidents of the past. Yehe Nara Yihuan was recommended by the Empress Dowager and received the title of Noble Lady during the Chongyang family banquet, with the Emperor personally bestowing her the title "Shu." | ||||
| 27 | "If you want to keep something a secret, don't do it yourself (若要人不知 除非己莫為)" | September 3, 2018 December 31, 2018（Dongfang, Jiangsu） | 0.556（Dongfang） 0.295（Jiangsu） | |
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Ruyi poisoned herself, prompting the Emperor to visit her. He promised that once she recovered, she could leave the Cold Palace and be reinstated as Xian Consort, residing in Yikun Palace. | ||||
| 28 | "Reuniting after a long separation, filled with joy (久別重逢 滿心歡喜)" | September 3, 2018 December 31, 2018（Dongfang, Jiangsu） | 0.556（Dongfang） 0.295（Jiangsu） | |
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On the day Xian Consort left the Cold Palace, Shu Noble Lady was promoted to Shu Consort. Shenchangzai was promoted to Sheng Consort during a family banquet, but due to protocol, her formal investiture ceremony was omitted. Hai Noble Lady showed Xian Consort the stretch marks on her body caused by pregnancy, realizing that she had lost the Emperor's favor. | ||||
| 29 | "Reunion after a broken mirror (破鏡重圓)" | September 4, 2018 January 1, 2019（Dongfang, Jiangsu） | 0.557（Dongfang） 0.298（Jiangsu） | |
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During the Spring Banquet, the Emperor exposed the truth about the poisoning of the royal heir. It was revealed that due to a message from her maid Xinyan, Noble Consort had kidnapped her two younger brothers. In desperation to save her family, she had confessed to all the crimes, leading to her being demoted to a commoner, poisoned to lose her voice by Li Yu, and subsequently handed over to Xian Consort for punishment, leading to her being sent to the Cold Palace. Ling Yunchen received assistance from Xian Consort and was sent to serve as a guard in the Kunning Palace. | ||||
| 30 | "On the brink of life and death (瀕臨生死邊緣)" | September 4, 2018 January 1, 2019（Dongfang, Jiangsu） | 0.557（Dongfang） 0.298（Jiangsu） | |
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Jia Consort sent someone to add appetite-enhancing medicine to Hai Noble Lady's pregnancy medicine, causing the dragon fetus to grow too large and have horizontal stripes on its body. She also conspired with a special envoy from the Yu clan, faking illness to manipulate the imperial physicians, leading to excessive use of labor-inducing medicine that caused her to lose a significant amount of blood. Fortunately, she was saved. Due to her contribution in giving birth to the fifth imperial son, Yongqi, she was promoted to Yuyu Consort and became the principal lady of the Yanxi Palace. However, as Yuyu Consort had a lower rank, Xian Consort took care of the fifth prince on her behalf. Wang Da Ying learned that she had been promoted to Wang Changzai. Suo Suolun, Lady Arui, hanged herself in the Cold Palace. | ||||
| 31 | "Walking the night road too often (夜路走多了)" | September 5, 2018 January 1, 2019（Dongfang, Jiangsu） | 0.557（Dongfang） 0.298（Jiangsu） | |
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Xian Consort released the news that Suo Suolun, who had hanged herself, had returned for revenge, causing Empress Dowager Fucha to be disturbed all day long. This led to unexpected revelations by Shuangxi, the eunuch of Empress Dowager Fucha, about the snakes being thrown into the Cold Palace and the tampering with food. The Qianlong Emperor used his illness as a pretext to place Empress Dowager Fucha under soft confinement in the Xianfu Palace and forbade her from receiving medical treatment. Jiapi, due to giving birth to the first son after the emperor's ascension, was promoted to Ji Consort. | ||||
| 32 | "A woman lacking in sentiment and loyalty (薄情寡義的女子)" | September 5, 2018 January 1, 2019（Dongfang, Jiangsu） | 0.557（Dongfang） 0.298（Jiangsu） | |
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Wan Yanwan happened to see Concubine Xian wearing a yellow peony dress. When she was caught with the yellow peony, the Empress scolded her, and in her anger, she accidentally knocked over a flowerpot. As a result, Concubine Xian was renamed as Concubine Ying'er. Later, she was taken back to Qixiang Palace by Concubine Jia for re-education and endured various humiliations, abuses, and torture. She developed a deep-seated hatred towards Concubine Jia. Concubine Chun gave birth to the sixth son, Yongrong. | ||||
| 33 | "Knowing a person's face but not their heart （知人知面不知心）" | September 6, 2018 | N/A | |
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Xianfei informed Noble Consort Gao that inside the bracelet given by the Empress to Noble Consort Hui, they found Lingling incense that could cause infertility. It was also suspected that the Empress had instructed Imperial Physician Qi Ru to tamper with the medicine, which led to her prolonged illness and weakened health. During a gathering, as her condition worsened, she couldn't recover from her illness. She then confessed to the Emperor about the Empress's actions, even revealing that the Emperor had unknowingly sat on a cushion infected with scabies. Before her passing, she was posthumously honored as the Imperial Noble Consort, and she entrusted her maid, Mo Xin, to seek revenge against the Empress. Imperial Noble Consort Gao died and was posthumously named Virtuous and Wise Imperial Noble Consort. Simultaneously, Xianfei was promoted to Xian Noble Consort, Pure Noble Consort to Pure Xian Noble Consort, and Yufei was titled as Yufei. One day after the death of the Virtuous and Wise Imperial Noble Consort, the Emperor deliberately expressed sympathy for Zhefei's pitiable death in front of the Empress, and posthumously conferred her as the Compassionate Zhe Noble Consort. Subsequently, the Empress Dowager learned of the Emperor's scabies and mentioned that Pure Noble Consort was expecting again. | ||||
| 34 | "Never leave, never abandon （不离不弃）" | September 6, 2018 | N/A | |
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The Empress and Consort Jia both became pregnant with royal heirs. On the day of the Buddha's birthday, the Empress gave birth to the seventh prince, who was also the legitimate heir, named Yongcong. Not long after that, Consort Chun gave birth to a fourth daughter and Princess Jingyan. | ||||
| 35 | "The Emperor's invincible flirting skills （皇上的無敵撩妹術）" | September 7, 2018 | N/A | |
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After the Empress's postpartum weakness, the Emperor ordered Concubine Xian to assist in managing the six palaces. On the day of the Mid-Autumn Festival, Concubine Jia gave birth to the Emperor's eighth son, Yongxuan. Wei Yanwan was originally chosen by the Emperor to serve as a maid in the Hall of Mental Cultivation. Later, she was granted the title of Da'an and resided in the Palace of Eternal Longevity. Upon learning of Yanwan's promotion to Da'an, Ling Yuncheng decided that they should each go their separate ways. | ||||
| 36 | "Excessive joy leads to sorrow （樂極生悲）" | September 7, 2018 | N/A | |
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Concubine Jia is pregnant. Weiyun has been granted the title "Wei Changzai." Noble Consort Xian assists Ling Yunche in rising to the position of a eunuch serving in the imperial presence. Noble Consort Mei, instigated by Noble Consort Jia's maid Zhen Shu, encounters Mo Xin and learns of the Queen's involvement in the plot against the Dragon Heir. She decides to seek revenge and harm Yongcong. | ||||
| 37 | "All hopes are dashed （萬念俱灰）" | September 10, 2018 | N/A | |
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Lady Mei overheard a conversation between the Emperor and the Empress where she learned that the Empress intended to arrange the marriage of the Empress Dowager's daughter to someone in Mongolia. She then reported this matter to the Empress Dowager. | ||||
| 38 | "Train the army for a thousand days, use the army for one moment （養兵千日 用兵一時）" | September 10, 2018 | N/A | |
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Mei Pin saw the Queen and Xian Gui Fei conversing in the distance, so she deliberately walked to the room where Chun Gui Fei and Yu Fei were having their evening banquet. She purposely joined them in laughter and brought up the prediction made by the Qintian Palace before their departure, mentioning the impending disaster for the Empress. She spoke loudly, ensuring that the Queen, who was further away, could hear. Upon hearing Mei Pin intentionally discussing the early deaths of Yong Lian and Yong Cong, the Queen became unsettled. On her way back to the Green Sparrow Palace, someone smeared a slippery substance, causing her to slip and fall into the water. Ling Yun Che bravely risked his own life to save the Queen, and the Emperor ordered a reward of three hundred taels of silver and promoted him to the third-ranked Imperial Guard. | ||||
| 39 | "Tit for tat （一報還一報）" | September 11, 2018 | N/A | |
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The Queen recommended Chun Gui Fei as the next Empress to the Emperor, expressing her belief that Xian Gui Fei should not enter the main palace. However, the Emperor remained indecisive. During the same gathering, while on a southern expedition, the Queen died. Before her death, she was interrogated by the Emperor, who accused her of poisoning the imperial heir, framing Xian Gui Fei, and causing the difficult birth of Zhe Min Huang Gui Fei, among other wrongdoings. She also suffered greatly from the pain of her daughter's distant marriage and the loss of her son, which further aggravated her illness, leading to her death. She was posthumously honored as the "Filial and Virtuous Empress. Jia Fei schemed to have Chun Gui Fei pick up her hairpin and then had Zhen Shu disguise herself as a mysterious person in black robes, attempting to falsely accuse Chun Gui Fei of being involved in the deaths of the Queen and Empress Dowager. After the Queen's passing, Chun Gui Fei, swayed by Jia Fei's influence, resolved to compete with Xian Gui Fei for the position of Empress. Wei Chang Zai crossed paths with Ling Yun Che and congratulated him, knowing that he had been granted the title of "Pinyin Gui Ren“ (Consort Pinyin). | ||||
| 40 | "Things that the emperor doesn’t know （那些皇上不知道的事）" | September 11, 2018 | N/A | |
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Yu Fei intentionally pretended to teach Yong Qi not to cry when accompanying the imperial coffin, in front of Yong Zhang, to appear composed and gain the Emperor's favor. Later, Yong Zhang informed Chun Gui Fei about this. Yong Qi was encouraged to subtly imply to the Emperor that the Crown Prince, Yong Huang, had ambitions to take the throne, during a conversation in front of the Emperor. This also allowed him to indirectly inform the Emperor of Chun Gui Fei's desire for the empress position. Jia Fei learned that Crown Prince Yong Huang was going to pay tribute to his late mother, Zhe Min Huang Gui Fei. She intentionally revealed that the Empress was responsible for Zhe Min Huang Gui Fei's death before Yong Huang had the chance, aiming to mislead him and create disrespect towards his deceased birth mother. | ||||
| 41 | "The warmth and warmth of human relationships （人情冷暖）" | September 12, 2018 | N/A | |
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Under the covert manipulation and schemes of Jia Fei and Yu Fei, the 21-year-old First Prince Yong Huang and the 14-year-old Third Prince Yong Zhang indeed remained calm and showed no signs of grief in front of the Empress's imperial coffin. This behavior provoked the Emperor's displeasure, leading to him scolding them on the spot. When Chun Gui Fei interceded on their behalf, the Emperor kicked her aside and declared that neither of them was qualified to inherit the throne, causing Chun Gui Fei to faint from shock on the spot. | ||||
| 42 | "How you live your life is your choice （日子怎麼過 都是自己選的）" | September 12, 2018 | N/A | |
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Xian Gui Fei became the Jin Huang Gui Fei, overseeing the affairs of the six palaces. Jia Fei was promoted to Jia Gui Fei, assisting in the management of the six palaces. Ling Gui Ren had long been favored but had not been able to conceive, and Jin Zhong reminded her of the importance of bearing a child. As a result, she seduced Ling Yun Che, but her attempts to become pregnant were unsuccessful. Wan was commonly referred to as Jin Wan Gui Ren, while Qing was commonly referred to as Jin Qing Gui Ren. In addition, Xiu Da Ying, Kui Da Ying, and Ping Da Ying were all commonly referred to as Jin Chang Zai. | ||||
| 43 | "Pray for blessing or bring disaster? （祈福還是降禍？）" | September 13, 2018 | N/A | |
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Jia Gui Fei falsely accused Huang Gui Fei of having an intimate relationship with Master Anji. She presented incense and prayer beads as evidence, suggesting they were tokens of their romantic involvement. | ||||
| 44 | "People who don't care for themselves will be destroyed by heaven and earth （人不為己 天誅地滅）" | September 13, 2018 | N/A | |
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Huang Gui Fei was imprisoned by the Emperor in the Yikun Palace and her case was handed over to the Shengxing Department for investigation. In order to prove her innocence, on the occasion of the Ten Thousand Longevity Festival, she personally made pastries to present to the Emperor. Inside the longevity peach, she concealed a red jade bead bracelet, and on the white frost square cake, she placed an imitation character for 'longevity' like the one used by the Emperor. She also attached two poems, which Consort Yu immediately understood. She promptly asked Ling Yun Che to switch the original bracelet with the one she had prepared through the help of Li Yu.[46]。 | ||||
| 45 | "Self-inflicted （自作自受）" | September 14, 2018 | N/A | |
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After the false accusation by Jia Fei against Huang Gui Fei was exposed, she was demoted to a lower rank and had her custody rights over the Fourth Prince, Yongcheng, and the Eighth Prince, Yongxuan, taken away. She was also confined in the Qixiang Palace. When she learned that Lord Yushi Wang had entered the capital to investigate and hold her accountable, she knelt outside the Yangxin Hall, weeping bitterly. The Emperor then ordered Huang Gui Fei to reinstate her as a concubine, but the immense sorrow and distress had already taken a toll on her pregnancy. She experienced difficulties during the birth of the Ninth Prince, leading to his stillbirth, and tragically, the child did not survive the complications of the difficult childbirth. | ||||
| 46 | "Lovers get married (有情人終成眷屬)" | September 14, 2018 | N/A | |
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uo Xin left the Shengxing Department and was married to Jiang, the Royal Physician. Before the Crown Prince's death, he revealed to Huang Gui Fei that it was Jia Fei who had informed him that his biological mother, Zhe Min Huang Gui Fei, and her unborn sister, the Second Princess, were both harmed by the Empress Xiaoxian. Shortly after, he died at the age of twenty-three, leaving the Emperor grief-stricken. Consequently, the Emperor posthumously honored his eldest son as the Prince of Ding'an | ||||
| 47 | "Above ten thousand people, standing alone at the summit of no one （萬人之上 孤伶伶的無人之巔）" | September 17, 2018 | N/A | |
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After the Crown Prince's death, the Emperor felt lonely and wished for Huang Gui Fei to accompany him. Huang Gui Fei agreed to become the Empress in order to be with the Emperor in life and death. Huang Gui Fei encountered a punishment from the Imperial Household Department involving Rong Pei and was subsequently moved to the Yikun Palace. Huang Gui Fei extended her goodwill to Consort Chun Gui Fei, and the two reconciled their differences. Huang Gui Fei was officially crowned as the Empress, receiving the Golden Seal and the treasures of the Empress. Empress was wrongly accused by Jia Gui Fei of having a romantic relationship with Master Anji, but Ling Gui Ren pleaded with the Emperor on her behalf, leading to her promotion as Ling Pin. After inquiries by Lord Yushi Wang, the Emperor was concerned about questions from his native land, so he changed her status back to Jia Pin. As Wan Gui Fei was a former inhabitant of the Qian Residence, she was bestowed the title of Wan Pin. | ||||
| 48 | "In this life, for a long time, not deceiving, not betraying （此生長久 不相欺不相負）" | September 17, 2018 | N/A | |
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After the conferment ceremony, because Concubine Chun was the most senior, the Queen hoped to cooperate to restrain everyone, remember the palace rules, and gave her agate pearl earrings. Following the tide, she was reinstated as Concubine Jia and given carnelian earrings that were much thicker than ordinary pierced ears. Always remind him not to cause trouble, just to avenge himself for being sent to the Shenxing Division. | ||||
| 49 | "A devoted heart triumphs over fake pregnancy medicine （一片癡心戰勝偽坐胎藥）" | September 18, 2018 | N/A | |
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Under the Empress's subtle guidance, Shu Pin stopped taking the 'pregnancy medicine' and became pregnant with an imperial child, subsequently being promoted to Shu Fei. Ling Pin learned that the Empress had already figured out that the 'pregnancy medicine' was, in fact, a contraceptive, but chose not to share this knowledge with her, leading to lingering resentment in her heart. | ||||
| 50 | "The mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind it （螳螂捕蟬 黃雀在後）" | September 18, 2018 | N/A | |
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Ling Pin danced with the Emperor against the backdrop of the West Lake scenery, earning her the promotion to Ling Fei. She confided in her maids about Shu Fei's pregnancy-related edema and Yongqi's cold, both of which were caused by her actions. Furthermore, due to Jin Zhong's concerns that Ling Yun Che might become an obstacle, he started instigating and persecuting him. Qing Gui Ren was promoted to Qing Pin. | ||||
| 51 | "No worries, no troubles, something no one can achieve （無憂無患 無人能做到）" | September 19, 2018 | N/A | |
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Jia Gui Fei ordered her maid, Li Xin, to poison Mei Pin, but the attempt failed. Ling Yun Che was falsely accused during the southern tour by Jin Zhong and Ling Fei, framing him as the thief who stole Jia Gui Fei's bellyband. With the pleas of Ling Fei and the Empress, he was spared his life but was sentenced to hard labor at the Mulan hunting grounds by the Emperor. Jia Gui Fei instructed Li Xin to administer poison through a silver needle, but her actions raised suspicions from Consort Yu and the Empress. They then had Mei Pin try the poisoned food, which eventually led to the death of a parrot who consumed the rice. The Emperor discovered that Mei Pin had been planted as a spy by the Empress Dowager. Furthermore, the Emperor ordered Mei Pin to ingest a potion that she had previously added cowherb and creeping senna to, rendering her unable to conceive for the rest of her life. Eventually, she was given poisoned wine by the Emperor. | ||||
| 52 | "The most venomous thing in the world is a woman's heart （最毒婦人心）" | September 19, 2018 | N/A | |
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Ling Fei bribed and conspired with the midwife Tian Laonu to damage Shu Fei's palace during the birth of the Tenth Prince, making it difficult for her to conceive again. Mei Pin, witnessed by the Empress, drank poisoned wine and died, while it was publicly announced as a sudden death due to intestinal strangulation. Shu Fei successfully gave birth to the Tenth Prince, but Ling Fei secretly bribed the midwife Tian Laonu, who harmed her palace during the birth, preventing her from having more children. | ||||
| 53 | "Unexpected surprises can unravel inner knots of the heart （意外驚喜解開心結）" | September 20, 2018 | N/A | |
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The Emperor drank the deer blood wine presented by Ling Fei. The Empress admonished the Emperor, and she knelt outside the Yongshou Palace, subsequently fainting, but she also became pregnant with an imperial child for the first time. Simultaneously, Jia Gui Fei was also expecting an imperial child. The Tenth Prince died, leaving Shu Fei devastated. Consort Ke, Consort Gong, and Consort Xi all participated in the selection of talents during the first screening of Qianlong's reign. | ||||
| 54 | "Weary of the palace's intrigues and deceptions （厭倦後宮的爾虞我詐）" | September 20, 2018 | N/A | |
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Jia Gui Fei gave birth to the Eleventh Prince, Yongxuan, while the Empress safely delivered the Twelfth Prince, Yongqi. Consort Ke was promoted to Consort Ke, and due to her disdain for Ling Fei's attempts to captivate the Emperor with her coquettish charms, she refused her entry to the Xianfu Palace. | ||||
| 55 | "The assassin's mission is fraught with suspicion and uncertainty （刺客行刺疑點重重）" | September 21, 2018 | N/A | |
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The Empress became pregnant with an imperial child for the second time. Ling Yun Che, for his meritorious service in protecting the Emperor, was promoted to the rank of second-class Imperial Guard and received the Emperor's blessing for his marriage, marrying Saqida Maoqian. | ||||
| 56 | "Rather than speculating about each other, it's better to communicate clearly（互相猜測不如說個明白）" | September 22, 2018 | N/A | |
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The Emperor, accompanied by several concubines, resided in the Yuanmingyuan, awaiting the return to the palace after a hundred days following the birth of the Empress's child. | ||||
| 57 | "I'm just a chess piece, coming and going entirely not of my own accord （我只是一顆棋 來去全不由自己）" | September 24, 2018 | N/A | |
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Jin Zhong instigated Ling Fei to let Shu Fei know that the 'pregnancy medicine' was, in fact, a contraceptive, which led to Shu Fei taking her own life and severing ties with the Emperor. Ultimately, she self-immolated in the Spring Rain Shu and Guan in the Yuanmingyuan. The Empress experienced complications due to Shu Fei's self-immolation, leading to the birth of the Fifth Princess, Jingxi. However, the Fifth Princess had a purplish complexion, and after examination by the imperial physician, it was confirmed that she suffered from heart palpitations. | ||||
| 58 | "Having a heart, but unable to give all of it sincerely （有心 但不能付出全部真心）" | September 24, 2018 | N/A | |
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The Empress Dowager summoned Ling Fei and, regarding the matter with Shu Fei, confessed her guilt and offered herself to be of service to the Empress Dowager. | ||||
| 59 | "It's both a weakness and a strength （是短處也是長處）" | September 25, 2018 | N/A | |
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The Empress, upon receiving the message from Li Yu, showed the note to Consort Chun and Consort Yu. Consort Yu remarked that Ling Fei's bold move should not be taken lightly and must not go unpunished. The Noble Consort informed the Emperor about Jia Gui Fei's efforts to buy off servants and influence officials to ensure the Fourth Prince's successful ascension to the position of Crown Prince, which made the Emperor wary of Jia Gui Fei and the Fourth Prince. | ||||
| 60 | "Such great audacity （好大的狗膽）" | September 25, 2018 | N/A | |
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Due to suspicions arising from the events at the Mulan hunting grounds, the Emperor ordered the Fourth Prince, Yongcheng, to immediately move out of the palace and not return without a valid reason. The Eighth Prince, Yongxuan, was relocated to the Jie Fang Palace, while the Eleventh Prince, Yongxuan, who was still young, remained in the Qixiang Palace and received careful upbringing. Because of this, Jia Gui Fei raised different dogs for protection, believing that someone might pose a threat to her and her sons. Ling Yun Che had doubts about the Fourth Prince's questionable behavior at the Mulan hunting grounds and found evidence to support his suspicions. As a result, he was rewarded for his loyalty and promoted to the rank of first-class Imperial Guard. | ||||
| 61 | "In life, it's inevitable to encounter some unexpected misfortunes （人生在世 難免有一些飛來橫禍）" | September 26, 2018 | N/A | |
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Ping Pin was pregnant. Ling Fei plotted the incident of Yongxuan falling from the horse, leading Jia Gui Fei to suspect foul play by Yongqi and hold the Empress and Consort Yu responsible. Ling Yun Che discovered something suspicious about the horse saddle in Yongxuan's case, and, for the time being, he gave the Empress the benefit of the doubt. However, Saqida Maoqian became aware of this. | ||||
| 62 | "The attachment of a small white flower （小白花的依戀）" | September 26, 2018 | N/A | |
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Ling Fei schemed to have Jia Gui Fei's dog, Fugui'er, attack the Fifth Princess, Jingxi, causing her to die of excessive fright, leading to a heart condition. Ying Pin also suffered a miscarriage due to the incident with the crazed dogs, resulting in the stillbirth of the Sixth Princess. Consort Qing, for using the fabric gifted by Jia Gui Fei to sew a red garment for the Fifth Princess during the dog incident, was demoted to a noble consort. She was subjected to punishment by transcribing scriptures day and night in the Baohua Hall. Jia Gui Fei, accused of attempting to have the Fourth Prince ascend to the position of Crown Prince and framed for the deaths of the Fifth Princess and Ying Pin, was confined to the Qixiang Palace by the Emperor. She was treated as a lowly concubine and subjected to daily corporal punishment. | ||||
| 63 | "The melancholy of being a caged bird （身為籠中人的悲涼）" | September 27, 2018 | N/A | |
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The Empress became pregnant with an imperial child once again. Jia Gui Fei was restored to the rank of Concubine due to the assistance of Consort Yu in the Jungar conflict. However, due to her collusion with her maternal relatives, the Yu clan, in plotting for her own son to become the Crown Prince and her unabashed and disrespectful behavior in front of the other concubines, she caused the Empress to experience a shock to her pregnancy. During a confrontation with Consort Yu, these revelations led to the exposure of the evil deeds committed by Jia Gui Fei in the past, including plotting against the imperial heir and other concubines. As a result, the Emperor demoted her to a commoner, sentencing her to a lifetime of imprisonment in the Qixiang Palace, where she would not be allowed to leave until her death. The Fourth Prince, Yongcheng, was implicated in Jia Gui Fei's wrongdoing and was immediately stripped of his status as the Emperor's son, no longer having any possibility of ascending to the throne. During this time, Ying Pin had been elevated to the rank of Ying Fei. | ||||
| 64 | "If I had known earlier, why bother in the first place? （早知如此 何必當初）" | September 27, 2018 | N/A | |
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Jin Shi fell critically ill and confessed to orchestrating plots against Empress Xiaoxian, the Seventh Prince, Consort Yi, Mei Pin, and their imperial children, as well as the Crown Prince, Yonghuang, Hailan, Empress Huixian, and A Ruo, among others. During an argument with the Empress, she learned that she wasn't actually of the Yu clan, but rather an infant brought from an unknown origin. In her despair, she died suddenly. After her death, she was posthumously honored as the Shujia Empress, which was a veiled mockery from the Emperor, suggesting her as the loser in their power struggle. Ling Fei became pregnant with an imperial child for the first time. | ||||
| 65 | ""Suspicion" is the most hurtful weapon（「疑心」是最傷人的利器）" | September 28, 2018 | N/A | |
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When the Empress gave birth to the Thirteenth Prince, Yongjing, Ling Fei schemed to bribe the midwife Tian Laonu to delay the process, resulting in the Thirteenth Prince being stillborn.[46]。The Emperor, believing the words of the Qintianjian Jianzheng, considered the Thirteenth Prince, Yongjing, to be an auspicious sign. However, he deeply suspected the Empress of causing Yongjing's death, sowing a seed of doubt in her heart. At the same time, the Emperor was overwhelmed with grief and issued a decree to posthumously honor the Thirteenth Prince, Yongjing, as the Mournful Auspicious Crown Prince. As for the midwives who attended the birth, they were expelled from the palace by the Emperor on the grounds of inadequately caring for the Empress during childbirth and were never to be employed again. The Qintianjian Jianzheng was also removed from her position by the Emperor, citing 'false statements and slander against the Empress' as the reason for her dismissal. Ling Fei bribed Tian Jun and Yu Fei's distant nephew, Zhaqi, arranging for Ling Fei's younger brother, Zuolu, to send them silver coins. This led Tian Jun and Zhaqi to provide false testimony, framing and implicating Consort Yu, resulting in her confinement in the Shencheng Prison. | ||||
| 66 | "Exerting all one's efforts, not hesitating to face ten thousand deaths （竭盡心力 萬死不辭）" | September 28, 2018 | N/A | |
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The Empress expressed her lingering suspicions to Ling Yun Che, believing that someone might have manipulated Tian Laonu's actions from behind the scenes, and she requested Ling Yun Che to investigate the matter. | ||||
| 67 | "Irrefutable evidence, no room for denial （罪證確鑿 百口莫辯）" | October 1, 2018 | N/A | |
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After Consort Yu was released from the Shencheng Prison, she ordered Ye Xin to go to the Yongshou Palace to find Consort Ling, who had suffered a difficult childbirth. Ye Xin deliberately shouted loudly that there was no one to attend to Lady Wei's passing. As a result, Zhaqi was sent to a remote border post, and Consort Yu left the palace. Consort Ling became implicated when someone witnessed Zhaqi entering Lady Wei's residence. Furthermore, a voodoo doll was found in Lady Wei's residence intended to curse the Empress. It was also discovered that Zhaqi and Consort Ling's brother, Zuo Lu, had been gambling with flower wine. Another voodoo doll was found in a side chamber of Lady Wei's residence. Faced with these developments, Jin Zhong urged Consort Ling to distance herself from any involvement with witchcraft to protect herself. However, this caused her to experience a shock to her pregnancy. On her deathbed, Lady Wei entrusted the task of dealing with the Empress to Jin Zhong alone and subsequently gave birth to the Seventh Princess, Jingbo. | ||||
| 68 | "There are no coincidences in the making of a book （無巧不成書）" | October 1, 2018 | N/A | |
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The Emperor felt compassion for Ying Fei, who had just lost the Sixth Princess, and ordered her to care for the Seventh Princess. Due to the coexistence of Consort Ling and Ying Fei in their respective positions, Consort Ling couldn't raise her own daughter. Therefore, the Emperor issued a decree to strip Consort Ling of her title, demoting her to Lady Wei. The Empress, unable to believe that Lady Wei and Lady Wei's mother were involved in any wrongdoing, sent Wang Chan to the Shencheng Prison for questioning regarding the incident involving Tian Laonu, which Lady Wei had called her to witness. Jin Zhong learned of Wang Chan being subjected to torture and promptly informed Lady Wei. Lady Wei devised a plan and staged an incident where Jingyou, the son of Jin Ze, fell into the water, only to be rescued by her. Lady Wei was subsequently taken to the Shenyuan Prison. Jingze, motivated by his concerns for the Empress, informed the Emperor that Lady Wei was the one who saved Jingyou's life and mentioned that the Empress's actions were prompted by her dissatisfaction with Lady Wei repeatedly vying for favor. He advised the Emperor to release Lady Wei from the Shenyuan Prison for questioning. | ||||
| 69 | "Living as if walking on thin ice （如履薄冰地活著）" | October 2, 2018 | N/A | |
|
The Emperor interrogated Wei Da Ying in the Yongshou Palace, with Consort Ying and the Seventh Princess Jing Bo present. Wei Da Ying, following Jin Zhong's instructions, refused to admit to any wrongdoing. With the assistance of Jing Se, Wei Da Ying managed to regain favor, conceived again, and gave birth to the Fourteenth Prince, Yong Lu. She was reinstated as Consort Pin, and later gave birth to the Ninth Princess, Jing Yun, before being reinstated as Consort Bin. During the Emperor's second selection of concubines, the Khorchin tribe sent E Yin Zhu Ge Ge, who was immediately appointed as Consort Yu. Suo Chuo Lun was granted the title of Rui Guiren, and the rest were given the title of Chang Zai. Consort Yu entered the palace at the age of thirty but quickly gained favor due to her skills in charming and captivating the Emperor. Despite sharing a Mongolian background with Consort Ying and Consort Ling, she was not well-received by them due to her coquettish and flirtatious behavior. Consort Pin, on the other hand, became close to her. The Emperor selected Xilin Jue Luo Shi, the granddaughter of E Er Tai, as the official Empress for Yongqi. Meanwhile, Consort Pin used Tian Laonu's daughter, Tian Yun'er, to plot against Yongqi and undermine the Empress. Consort Yu secretly read the Emperor's memorials, conveyed his intentions to Abu and Wang Ye, and left spies in the Yangxin Hall to gather information, which was eventually discovered by Yongqi. | ||||
| 70 | "Little swallow dancing gracefully in flight （小燕子翩翩飛舞）" | October 2, 2018 | N/A | |
|
Consort Yu managed to win the Emperor's favor and was promoted to Consort Yu. However, Yongqi discovered that Duo Yan and a eunuch named Sasaotao secretly transmitted military secrets and provided aphrodisiacs. While she retained her title as consort, her rank badge was removed, and she was restricted from leaving without permission. Tian Yun'er adopted the alias Yunjiao and entered the residence of the Fifth Prince as a servant, gaining the favor of Yongqi. Han Xiang, on the other hand, presented herself as a gift from the border regions to establish friendly relations with the Qing Dynasty. She initially attempted to sacrifice herself for her fiancé, Han Qi, during her first palace performance but failed. The Emperor was captivated by her beauty and, disregarding the Empress Dowager's orders, sought to bring her into the imperial harem, giving her the main position in Chengqian Palace. | ||||
| 71 | "Struggling in the midst of the storm （風雨中的掙扎）" | October 3, 2018 | N/A | |
|
The concubines were discontented with the arrival of Han Xiangjian and gathered in front of the Yikun Palace to plead for Pure Consort's reinstatement. The Emperor allowed the Empress to convey to Qing Concubine that if she understood her place, he would reinstate her as Qing Concubine. Consort Lian became pregnant for the fourth time. Pure Consort, due to Han Xiangjian's entry into the palace, was worried that the Emperor would become infatuated and strongly advised against it, but she was expelled from the Yongxin Hall. Qing Concubine, concerned for Pure Consort, pleaded on her behalf. However, due to the death of Su Lianzhi, the Emperor had lingering suspicions and scolded her. She also suffered from a persistent cough and fainted, causing the Emperor to worry. In order to appease the anger of the concubines, she was promoted to Empress. | ||||
| 72 | "The things we can't have are always the best （得不到的永遠最好）" | October 3, 2018 | N/A | |
|
In the 25th year of the Qianlong Emperor's reign, the Pure Consort died and was posthumously honored with the title "Pure and Benevolent Consort." Three months later, the Third Prince, Yongzhang, also died following his mother, and he was posthumously titled as the Prince Xun of his domain. Lady Han, while the Emperor was intoxicated, attempted to deliver palace attire to him. However, during her suicide attempt, she accidentally injured her own cheek with the needle from a Western-style clock. The Emperor requested the Empress to help persuade Lady Han. Although reluctant, due to her responsibilities as the Empress, she complied. The Empress personally fed Lady Han ginseng soup, encouraging her to find strength for her father and family, as well as for Han Qizhen, ultimately dissuading her from taking her own life.[46]。She personally fed Lady Han ginseng soup, encouraging her to find strength for her father, relatives, and for Han Qizhen, ultimately dispelling Lady Han's thoughts of suicide. | ||||
| 73 | "Children are not tools for competing for favor or for preserving one's life. （孩子不是爭寵保命的工具）" | October 4, 2018 | N/A | |
|
Hanshi was conferred the title of "Lady Rong" and resided in the Bao Yue Tower. The Empress, at the behest of the Dowager Empress, delivered a sterilizing potion to Lady Rong to ensure she couldn't conceive, which aligned with Lady Rong's intentions. However, the Emperor slapped the Empress for this, and Consort Li was tasked with managing the six palaces.[46]。Lady Rong was promoted to the rank of "Consort Rong," and Consort Li gave birth to the Emperor's fifteenth son, Yongyan. She was then elevated to the status of "Consort Li" once again and continued to oversee the management of the six palaces. | ||||
| 74 | "Remembering is better than meeting （相見不如懷念）" | October 4, 2018 | N/A | |
|
Consort Wan was manipulated by Consort Li into transcribing poems and writings mourning the Empress's passing, which were then compiled into a book to gain the Emperor's favor. This indirectly led to the Empress's uncomfortable position in the palace. Upon realizing the consequences, Consort Wan apologized to the Empress. Consort Li successfully furthered the rift between the Emperor and the Empress. The Empress returned to the palace, isolating herself in reflection, while the Emperor entrusted the care of Yongqi to Consort Yu.[46]。Consort Yu's house arrest has been lifted. | ||||
| 75 | "From deep youthful love to mutual indifference （從年少情深到相看兩厭）" | October 5, 2018 | N/A | |
|
Consort Li orchestrated a plot involving Consort Yu to incite trouble. They attempted to bribe an assassin to kill Yongqi, the twelfth prince. The assassin, however, failed in his attempt. During the assassination attempt, Ling Yunche used an arrow to shoot the assassin, who then retaliated by trying to attack the Empress. In the struggle, the assassin managed to injure the Empress with a knife, leaving the Emperor suspicious but ultimately rewarding Ling Yunche for his efforts with a yellow military uniform.[46]。The Emperor became aware of her deceitful intentions but was temporarily unable to take action due to concerns involving the Khorchin troops. Eventually, she was sent back to the palace, where she received a punishment of forty strokes to the palm and was once again put under house arrest in the Yonghe Palace. Additionally, she was tasked with transcribing Buddhist scriptures as a penalty. | ||||
| 76 | "Rumors come and go （流言飄來散去）" | October 5, 2018 | N/A | |
|
Consort Yu's house arrest was lifted once again. Consort Yu spread rumors within the palace about an illicit relationship between the Empress and Ling Yunche. In response, Consort Yu accused the Empress, along with Lady Ling, of wrongdoing. They provided evidence, and the Emperor grew suspicious, which prompted the Empress to prove her innocence. She declared that during the time in question, she shared her joys and sorrows with the Emperor, and as a loyal guard by his side, she had no ulterior motives. Her words were reassuring, and all ended as she had wished.[46]。Regarding the Yunwen boots, upon a thorough examination of the stitches, it was proven that they were not crafted by the Empress. After her innocence was established, an edict was issued to have Consort Yu imprisoned in the Shencixing Detention Center, where she would face her own fate, with no release unless through death. Maosian was divorced from Ling Yunche. After Ling Yunche was accused by Maosian of having an affair with the Empress, the Emperor dispatched Jinzhong privately to abduct him, forcefully castrated him, and sent him to Yikun Palace to serve as a eunuch, thus humiliating the Empress. | ||||
| 77 | "...speechless...（......無言以對......）" | October 8, 2018 | N/A | |
|
The Emperor privately assigned Jinzhong to handle Ling Yunche's castration and transformation into a eunuch to serve the Empress. | ||||
| 78 | "The Yearning of Green Plum （綠梅的牽掛）" | October 8, 2018 | N/A | |
|
Consort Li became pregnant with the Dragon's seed for the fifth time and gave birth to the Emperor's sixteenth son, Yongdi. Ling Yunche was deliberately accused by the Emperor of stealing the Emperor's most precious belongings and was demoted to the position of a eunuch responsible for cleaning and sweeping. Consort Li plotted to make Yongqi ingest hallucinogenic mushrooms, causing him to hallucinate. What was meant to be a gift of plum blossoms from Ling Yunche to Rong Pei was misunderstood as a gift to the Empress. Yongqi, in a state of panic, attempted to flee but was discovered by the Emperor and Consort Li, further deepening the Emperor's suspicions towards the Empress. | ||||
| 79 | "Trading my life for their well-being （以我性命 換他安好）" | October 9, 2018 | N/A | |
|
Consort Li visited Ling Yunche in the Shencixing Detention Center and returned the tokens of their past love. Despite the Empress's advice, Consort Yu, in an effort to protect the Empress's reputation and ease the Emperor's suspicions, took it upon herself to secretly end Ling Yunche's life. Before his death, Ling Yunche entrusted the tokens of their love to Consort Yu.[47]。 | ||||
| 80 | "It is only when one's own character is flawed that they can be easily seduced （其身不正 才會受人魅惑）" | October 9, 2018 | N/A | |
|
The fourteenth prince, Yonglu, and the sixteenth prince, Yongdi, died together, leaving Consort Li grief-stricken overnight for the loss of her two sons. The Empress still mourned Ling Yunche's death and refused to meet with Hailan. She instructed Yongqi to bury Ling Yunche properly and perform seasonal rituals, with the guidance of Jiang, the imperial physician. The Emperor had not visited the inner palace for nearly two years, even neglecting Consort Li, who had been promoted, and the once-beloved Consort Rong. The Dowager Empress advised the Emperor to mend his relationship with the Empress during his Southern Inspection Tour to alleviate his stress. However, the Emperor was displeased when Consort Rong spoke on behalf of the Empress, finding the inner palace and court ladies uninteresting. Consort Li, prompted by Jinzhong, arranged for the introduction of women from Qin Lou and Chu Guan to entertain the Emperor. Disguised as a commoner, the Empress ventured into the civilian world and noticed women adorning their arms with golden foil. She also learned of the rumors surrounding the Emperor's affairs with women in West Lake, which led to public discussions and left the Emperor exhausted. The Empress realized that Consort Li was behind these actions to vie for the Emperor's favor and, during a meal with the Emperor and the consorts, she wiped his face in frustration, leading to the imprisonment of Consort Li. | ||||
| 81 | "Good medicine tastes bitter, and honest advice is hard to hear （良藥苦口 忠言逆耳）" | October 10, 2018 | N/A | |
|
The Empress revealed Consort Li's intentions to disrupt the country's stability and expressed her desire to have her executed. She boarded a boat and headed to the center of West Lake to find the Emperor. Consort Li quickly sought help from Princess Hejing. Rong Pei dispatched the courtesans to a nunnery and intended to execute Jinzhong. Consort Li and Princess Hejing intervened to prevent Rong Pei from carrying out the sentence, and Jinzhong was detained for further judgment. The Empress advised the Emperor not to tarnish the reputation they had built over decades. In response, the Emperor insulted her by claiming her virtue was inferior to that of the Empress Dowager and that she was not as gentle as Consort Li. This caused the Empress to lose hope, leading to a rupture in her relationship with the Emperor. She even cut her hair as an offering to the departed Qingying and Hongli. The Emperor decided to send the Empress back to Yikun Palace, where she could only leave with his consent. Meanwhile, Consort Li was promoted to Empress and took charge of the affairs of the six palaces. The Emperor contemplated deposing the Empress, but the Dowager Empress dissuaded him, pointing out that their excessive concern for each other had led to this situation. Empress Li blamed Jinzhong for the fireworks incident and had him hanged with a rope.[48][49][50][51]。 | ||||
| 82 | "To receive such true love is a blessing for three lifetimes （得此真情 三生有幸）" | October 10, 2018 | N/A | |
|
Wang Chan followed the decree of the Empress Dowager to remove the eunuchs San Bao and Lingzhi from the side of the Empress, leaving only Yunzhi and Rongpei. With the Empress's recommendation, the Emperor secretly designated the fifth prince, Yongqi, as the Crown Prince. It was revealed through Yufei that Consort Rong had been promoted to Consort. The Empress became pregnant with a dragon seed for the sixth time. | ||||
| 83 | "Heart-wrenching （痛徹心扉）" | October 11, 2018 | N/A | |
|
After the death of Prince Rong, the Imperial Noble Consort orchestrated Hu Yun's confession and death, which led to the Emperor revoking Empress Xiaoyichun's title. After Prince Yongqi's passing, he became known as Prince Rongchun. Following his death, the Emperor retrieved the box containing the decree behind the "Zhengda Guangming" plaque, lit candles, and burned the document that had named Prince Yongqi as his successor. The Imperial Noble Consort instructed Wang Chan to inform the Empress about the Emperor's confiscation of her decree, resulting in her mother's extreme grief and sudden death. The Imperial Noble Consort saw Yuhu returning the secret box to the Hall of Mental Cultivation. | ||||
| 84 | "The essential things to do （務必要做的事）" | October 11, 2018 | N/A | |
|
After the Empress's mother died, Consort Yu knelt outside the Hall of Mental Cultivation, begging to see the Empress. The Empress instructed Consort Yu and Consort Rong to investigate the matter concerning Yongqi and Hu Yun. In Hu's belongings, they found the original prescription given to Tian Laoban by the Imperial Physician and the poison box given by the Imperial Noble Consort at that time. Subsequently, Consort Yu went to the Yuanmingyuan to pray for Yongqi. Imperial Physician Jiang confirmed that Ruyi had contracted tuberculosis and could not live for long. Ruyi expressed her desire to complete her mission and instructed Rongpei and Imperial Physician Jiang not to mention her illness to others. At this time, the Imperial Noble Consort gave birth to the 17th prince, Yonglin, and contested for the custody of Princess Jingye with Consort Ying. When they encountered the Empress praying for Yongqi at Anhua Palace, she remarked that adoptive mothers could never compare to biological mothers, indirectly pointing out that the Empress was not the Emperor's birth mother. As a result, the custody of Princess Jingye continued to be entrusted to Consort Ying. Ruyi handed a note to the Empress with the words "poisoned heart" written on it. | ||||
| 85 | "Good or bad, there will always be consequences in the end （善惡到頭終有報）" | October 12, 2018 | N/A | |
|
Chuncao was taken to Anhua Palace by Rongpei for most of the day. Though Chuncao remained loyal and refused to reveal anything, her behavior aroused suspicion from the Imperial Noble Consort. The Empress entrusted the care of Yongdi to the Empress Dowager, who took him back to Cining Palace. This disrupted the Imperial Noble Consort's plan to tamper with his meals and drew the attention of the Empress Dowager and the Emperor, leading to an investigation of the imperial kitchen. Various events occurred after Chuncao was apprehended, deepening the Imperial Noble Consort's suspicions towards her. Jingse ordered surveillance on the Imperial Noble Consort and unexpectedly discovered her ambitious desire for power, as she constantly emphasized the importance of the birth mother over the father. Jingse informed the Emperor, who subsequently ordered that the 17th prince, Yonglin, be given to Consort Ying, the 9th princess, Jingyun, to Consort Ke, and the 15th prince, Yongyan, to the Empress of Shoukang Palace. The Imperial Noble Consort believed that Chuncao had betrayed her and gave her poisoned lipstick under the pretense of a gift, intending to silence her. She then sent Chuncao out of the palace to sweep the tombs. Consort Yu secretly followed Chuncao and saved her when she nearly succumbed to poison on the road, instructing Wang Chan to make him understand the value of life. The Emperor fell ill, and after serving him for a night, the Imperial Noble Consort learned from Physician Bao that the Emperor's condition was likely irreversible. The Empress Dowager intentionally wept in front of the Imperial Noble Consort, mentioning the secret box from Zhengda Guangming Hall and Hall of Mental Cultivation, as well as the plan to designate Yongdi as the Crown Prince. Unable to contain herself any longer, the Imperial Noble Consort took action. | ||||
| 86 | "Flowers bloom and flowers fall, all in due time （花開花落終有時）" | October 12, 2018 | N/A | |
|
The Imperial Noble Consort attempted to place a decree she had written, proclaiming the 15th prince, Yongyan, as the Crown Prince, into the secret box. However, the Emperor woke up and discovered her attempt. Subsequently, all her crimes were exposed by Consort Yu, Chuncao, Wang Chan, and Zhe Luo. The Emperor ordered that she be given a poison known as "Qianji Yao" but later administered an antidote. She was then imprisoned in the Yongshou Palace, where Chuncao and Wang Chan fed her mushroom soup daily, subjecting her to torment. Consort Yu accused the Imperial Noble Consort of arranging for Hu Yun to be close to Yongqi and provided evidence with the help of Chuncao and Wei Zhe. They also presented the tokens of affection left by Lingyunchai to the Emperor. Ruyi personally oversaw the transformation of those whom the Imperial Noble Consort had harmed into spirit tablets. These individuals included Lan Cui, Lingyunchai, the Sixth Princess, Tian Laoban, the 13th prince, Keliyebi Zhaqi, Yufei Boljigit Er Yin Zhu, the Fifth Princess, and Yi Princess Jingxi, the 10th prince, Shu Fei Yehenala Yihuan, Jin Yu Yan, Zhao Jiuxiao, the 9th prince, Prince Rong Yongqi, Hu Yunjiao, Tian Jun, Wei Yangshi, Lady Na, and others. They were then sent to Anhua Palace for Buddhist rituals before being sent to rest. Following this, the Empress Dowager took them to the Hall of Mental Cultivation to have the Imperial Noble Consort apologize by kowtowing to each of them. Afterward, the Emperor lifted Ruyi's confinement, but she had lost all affection and patience for the Emperor and the palace intrigues, having her hair cut short. She no longer wished to see anyone or retrieve her empress's decree. Instead, she had the Emperor go personally to find the Empress.[48]。 | ||||
| 87 | "These days we've come all this way （一路走來這些日子啊）" | October 15, 2018 | N/A | |
|
Ruyi peacefully departed from this world, leaving behind a letter for Yongdi and a pot of withered plum blossoms.[52]。The Emperor asked Lang Shineng to paint another portrait of himself and the Empress. Lang Shineng told the Emperor that at that time, they both had each other in their eyes, but now they no longer do. The Emperor instructed Eunuch Li that Empress Ruyi's behavior in her final days was bewildering, and her funeral should not follow the traditional empress's protocol. Instead, the Imperial Noble Consort's protocol should be used for the funeral, and all records of the Empress in history should be erased.[53]。Nine years later, in the 40th year of the Qianlong reign, the Imperial Noble Consort was given the death sentence by consuming He Ding Hong, a poisonous substance. She was posthumously honored with the title "Pengyi Imperial Noble Consort."[54]In the fourth year of the Jiaqing reign, Hongli, who had already become the retired Emperor, cut his own hair. He placed the cut hair into a golden box, which contained the Empress's green silk hairpins and a handkerchief with green plum and red lychee patterns. He then sat in a chair, holding the golden box, and peacefully died at the age of eighty-nine.[55][56]。No other woman from the Ula-Nara clan ever entered the Imperial Harem again. | ||||
Production[edit]
Crew[edit]
The series is directed by Wang Jun,[57] produced by Huang Lan,[58] and written by the author of the original novel Liu Lianzi.[59] It also employed William Chang and Tongxun Chen as their overall style director,[60] Han Zhong as art director and Peng Xuejun as cinematography director.[61]
Development[edit]
Liu Lianzi started to write the original novel in 2011, and changed her work several times to achieve the best version in the next five years.[62]
New Classics Media picked up the project for a 90–episodes series (later shortened to 87), with a ¥300 million budget, making it the most expensive television series in China.[63]
Casting[edit]
On January 14, 2016, it was announced that Zhou Xun will play the leading role of Empress Nara.[64] The role of the Qianlong Emperor, the male lead, was announced to be portrayed by Wallace Huo on May 27.[65] On August 3, actors Janine Chang, Vivian Wu, Dong Jie, Tong Yao, Jing Chao, Xin Zhilei, Li Chun, Zeng Yixuan and Chen Haoyu were cast in major supporting roles for the drama.[66] Around 5,000 actors competed for roles in the drama.[citation needed]
Filming[edit]
Shooting began on August 23, 2016 and took place in various locations including Hengdian World Studios, Beijing, Inner Mongolia and Hangzhou.[67] The series completed filming on May 5, 2017.[68]
Soundtrack[edit]
| No. | Title | Lyrics | Music | Singers | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Double Shadow (双影)" (Ending theme from ep. 47) | Yi Jiayang |
| ||
| 2. | "Incense & Fleeting Years (沉香流年)" (Opening theme between ep. 1–46) | Yi Ming |
| Lei Jia | |
| 3. | "Like the Fragrance of Plum Blossoms We Once Knew (梅香如故)" (Ending theme between ep. 1–38 and 40–46) | Lv Jingye | Chen Shimei |
| |
| 4. | "Things Stay The Same, But People Have Changed (人非物是)" (Opening theme from ep. 47) | Chen Shimei | Asia Philharmonic Orchestra | ||
| 5. | "Worries (心事)" (Ending theme ep. 39) | Lv Jingye | Yan Qing | Deng Tongtian |
Reception[edit]
The series received mixed responses from viewers.
Many felt underwhelmed by the unaggressive heroine, who was not able to fight the villain imperial consorts even in the second half of the drama, thus making her character design flawed and unconvincing. The drama was also criticized for its anticlimactic story and depressive tone. Critics felt that it was ironic and unbelievable for the protagonist to pursue monogamy in a highly feudalistic context. The slow pacing in the first half of the drama was pointed out, with critics believing that the screenwriters neglected to write with compact story-telling to flesh out the characters.[69]
The series has also received criticism over the age of the leading performers, with viewers saying they made unconvincing teenagers, and criticized the series' producers for not using younger actors to portray the lovestruck teens. Viewers were also divided over the lack of dubbing for Zhou Xun's 15-year-old character, as they felt that her voice was "too raspy" and "mature" for a teenager.[70]
However, there were also praises for the drama. Zhang Hanyue, a writer and critic, said that "The show becomes more and more heart-tugging as the story goes deeper." Many viewers agree that Ruyi bears many characteristics of a modern female. Vogue China commented that the drama actually recorded "the failure of a high-end girl" because what Ruyi had been pursuing was spiritual connections with her spouse; and such a pursuit represents the taste and ideal of the modern middle class.[citation needed] Critics agree that the drama introduces a new light to and narrative of palace dramas, deviating from the existing patterns of treacherous harem games.[71] The drama won acclaim for its exquisite props, ornate lavish sets, and stellar cast.[72]
Censorship by the Chinese government[edit]
On January 25, 2019, the Beijing Daily, an official government newspaper, criticized the series for failing to promote socialist values.[73] Four days later, on January 29, the Chinese government cancelled the series and similar ones such as Story of Yanxi Palace.[74] CNN and other media outlets quickly reported on this incident, calling it Chinese censorship.[75][76]
Ratings[edit]
| Dragon TV ratings[77] | |||||
| Broadcast date | Episode | Ratings (%) | Audience share (%) | Rank (excluding CCTV) | Rank (including CCTV) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018.12.25 | 1–4 | 0.247 | 2.86 | 3 | 9 |
| 2018.12.26 | 5–8 | 0.306 | 3.42 | 1 | 4 |
| 2018.12.27 | 9–12 | 0.359 | 3.93 | 1 | 3 |
| 2018.12.28 | 13–16 | 0.291 | 3.20 | 2 | 6 |
| 2018.12.29 | 17–20 | 0.368 | 3.69 | 1 | 5 |
| 2018.12.30 | 21–24 | 0.455 | 3.79 | 1 | 3 |
| 2018.12.31 | 25–28 | 0.556 | 4.56 | 1 | 3 |
| 2019.1.1 | 29–32 | 0.557 | 4.36 | 1 | 3 |
| 2019.1.2 | 33–36 | 0.536 | 5.77 | 1 | 2 |
| 2019.1.3 | 37–40 | 0.467 | 5.22 | 1 | 2 |
| 2019.1.4 | 41–44 | 0.553 | Not available | 1 | 1 |
| 2019.1.5 | 45–48 | 0.550 | 1 | 1 | |
| 2019.1.6 | 49–52 | 0.515 | 1 | 1 | |
| 2019.1.7 | 53–56 | 0.551 | 5.99 | 1 | 2 |
| 2019.1.8 | 57–60 | 0.496 | 5.52 | 1 | 2 |
| 2019.1.9 | 61–64 | 0.500 | 5.29 | 1 | 3 |
| 2019.1.10 | 65–68 | 0.472 | 5.16 | 1 | 2 |
| 2019.1.11 | 69–72 | 0.482 | 5.05 | 1 | 2 |
| 2019.1.12 | 73–76 | 0.554 | 4.87 | 1 | 2 |
| 2019.1.13 | 77–80 | 0.611 | 5.38 | 1 | 1 |
| 2019.1.14 | 81–84 | 0.610 | 6.61 | 1 | 2 |
| 2019.1.15 | 85–87 | 0.623 | 6.29 | 1 | 1 |
| Average ratings | 0.485 | 4.79 | – | – | |
| Jiangsu TV ratings[77] | |||||
| Broadcast date | Episode | Ratings (%) | Audience share (%) | Rank (excluding CCTV) | Rank (including CCTV) |
| 2018.12.25 | 1–4 | 0.181 | 2.115 | 4 | 11 |
| 2018.12.26 | 5–8 | 0.178 | 2.011 | 4 | 10 |
| 2018.12.27 | 9–12 | 0.171 | 1.884 | 5 | 12 |
| 2018.12.28 | 13–16 | 0.208 | 2.313 | 5 | 11 |
| 2018.12.29 | 17–20 | 0.200 | Not available | ||
| 2018.12.30 | 21–24 | 0.292 | 2.437 | 3 | 6 |
| 2018.12.31 | 25–28 | 0.295 | 2.431 | 3 | 6 |
| 2019.1.1 | 29–32 | 0.298 | 2.343 | 3 | 5 |
| 2019.1.2 | 33–36 | 0.231 | 2.354 | 4 | 9 |
| 2019.1.3 | 37–40 | 0.170 | Not available | ||
| 2019.1.4 | 41–44 | 0.186 | |||
| 2019.1.5 | 45–48 | 0.266 | |||
| 2019.1.6 | 49–52 | 0.223 | |||
| 2019.1.7 | 53–56 | 0.215 | 2.314 | 3 | 11 |
| 2019.1.8 | 57–60 | 0.215 | 2.315 | 3 | 11 |
| 2019.1.9 | 61–64 | 0.216 | 2.186 | 3 | 10 |
| 2019.1.10 | 65–68 | 0.181 | 1.948 | 5 | 11 |
| 2019.1.11 | 69–72 | 0.180 | 1.837 | 6 | 12 |
| 2019.1.12 | 73–76 | 0.189 | 1.728 | 4 | 11 |
| 2019.1.13 | 77–80 | 0.206 | 1.866 | 5 | 11 |
| 2019.1.14 | 81–84 | 0.208 | 2.221 | 3 | 9 |
| 2019.1.15 | 85–87 | 0.265 | 2.826 | 2 | 8 |
| Average ratings | 0.217 | – | – | – | |
Awards and nominations[edit]
| Award | Category | Nominated work | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24th Huading Awards | Best Director | Wang Jun | Nominated | [78] |
| Best Actor | Wallace Huo | Nominated | ||
| 12th Tencent Video Star Awards | Best Web Drama | Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace | Won | [79] |
| Golden Bud – The Third Network Film And Television Festival | Top 10 Web Drama | Won | [80] | |
| Influence of Recreational Responsibilities Awards | Web Drama of the Year | Won | [81] | |
| 2nd Asian Academy Creative Awards | Best Leading Actress | Zhou Xun | Won | [82] |
International broadcast[edit]
On 10 June 2016, Fox Networks Group Asia (FNG) acquired global rights to the series outside mainland China.[83] It was the first epic period drama secured by FNG for markets outside China, and was carried by STAR Chinese Channel (SCC), the flagship Chinese general entertainment channel, starting 20 August 2018 in selected countries and re-run on August 6, 2019 in all countries.[84]
From 27 November 2018, it aired on Fox Taiwan. From 27 December 2018, it aired on Talentvision. To date it has debuted in 18 countries and regions, including the United States, Canada, Australia, Japan and the Philippines.[85]
| Region | Network | Dates | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
 United States |
Fox Networks Group channels | August 20, 2018 | Dubbed in English. |
 Hong Kong and Southeast Asia |
Star Chinese Channel | August 20, 2018 – December 18, 2018 | |
| Hong Kong |
TVB Jade | February 4, 2019 – March 19, 2019 | Monday to Saturday (120 minutes); Sunday (60 minutes). |
| myTV SUPER | August 20, 2018 – October 15, 2018 | ||
 Vietnam |
HTV7 | September 1, 2018 | Monday to Saturday at 13:00. Dubbed in Vietnamese. |
| Hanoi Radio Television | March 26, 2019 – June 20, 2019 | Every day at 13:00. Original language with voiceover Vietnamese. | |
| Vie DRAMAS | March 23, 2019 – June 17, 2019 | Every day at 19:00. Dubbed in Vietnamese. | |
 Taiwan |
Fox Taiwan | November 27, 2018 | |
| iQIYI Taiwan | August 20, 2018 – October 15, 2018 | ||
| CTV | October 2, 2020 | Monday to Friday at 20:00 (120 minutes). | |
| Chung T'ien Television | February 18, 2021 | Monday to Friday at 21:00 (60 minutes). | |
 Canada |
Talentvision | December 27, 2018 | Dubbed in English. |
 Japan |
WOWOW TV | May 29, 2019 | |
 Malaysia |
Shuang Xing | August 20, 2018 – November 14, 2018 | |
| April 5, 2020 | Every day at 19:00 (60 minutes). Re-run. | ||
| 8TV | July 6, 2021 | Monday to Friday at 18:00 (58 minutes). | |
 Thailand |
Channel 3 | March 15, 2023 | Monday to Friday after 00:00. Dubbed in Thai. |
Notes[edit]
References[edit]
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