Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace
| Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace | |
|---|---|
 Promotional poster | |
| 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 | |
| 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; lit. 'The Legend of Ruyi') is a 2018 Chinese television series based on the 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 from 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, 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 brought 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 乌拉那拉氏 → Secondary Consort 侧福晋 → Consort Xian 娴妃 → Noble Lady Xian 娴贵人 → Commoner 庶人 → Consort Xian 娴妃→ Noble Consort Xian 娴贵妃 → Imperial Noble Consort 皇贵妃 → Empress 皇后 → Mistress of Yikun Palace 翊坤宫娘娘 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 四阿哥 → Prince Bao of the First Rank 宝亲王 → Qianlong Emperor 乾隆帝 → Retired Emperor 太上皇 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 秀娘 → Mistress 格格 → First Class Attendant Hai 海常在→ Noble Lady Hai 海贵人 → Concubine Yu 愉嫔 → Consort Yu 愉妃 → Noble Consort Yu 愉贵妃 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 熹贵妃 → Empress Dowager Chongqing 重庆皇太后 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 冷宫侍卫 → Imperial Guard of Kunning Palace 坤宁宫侍卫 → Lanling Imperial Guard 蓝翎侍卫 → Imperial Guard of the Third Rank 三级禁卫军 → Slave 奴 → Imperial Guard of the Second Rank 二级禁卫军 → Imperial Guard of the First Rank 一级禁卫军 → Eunuch of Yikun Palace 翊坤宫公公 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 but is ultimately demoted and castrated after being accused of having an affair with Ruyi. Yunche's baseless punishments would put further strains to the relationship between the Emperor and Ruyi. |
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 高氏 → Mistress 格格 → Secondary Consort 侧福晋 → Noble Consort Hui 慧贵妃 → Imperial Noble Consort 皇贵妃 → Imperial Noble Consort Huixian 慧贤皇贵妃 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 富察氏 → Primary Consort 嫡福晋 → Empress 皇后 → Empress Xiaoxian 孝贤皇后 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 格格 → Noble Lady Jia 嘉贵人 → Concubine Jia 嘉嫔 → Consort Jia 嘉妃 → Noble Consort Jia 嘉贵妃 → Concubine Jia 嘉嫔 → Noble Lady Jia 嘉贵人 → Concubine Jia 嘉嫔 → Noble Consort Jia 嘉贵妃 → Second Class Attendant Jin 金答应 → Noble Consort Jia 嘉贵妃 → Commoner 庶人→ Imperial Noble Consort Shujia 舒嘉皇贵妃 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 宫女 → Maid of Consort Chun → Maid of the Imperial Garden 御花园宫女 → Maid of Consort Jia → Second Class Attendant Wei 卫答应 → First Class Attendant Wei 卫常在 → Noble Lady Ling 令贵人 → Concubine Ling 令嫔 → Consort Ling 令妃 → Second Class Attendant Wei 卫答应 → Noble Lady Ling 令贵人 → Concubine Ling 令嫔 → Consort Ling 令妃 → Noble Consort Ling 令贵妃 → Imperial Noble Consort 皇贵妃 → Imperial Noble Consort Lingyi 令懿皇贵妃 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 格格 → Concubine Chun 纯嫔 → Consort Chun 纯妃 → Noble Consort Chun 纯贵妃 → Imperial Noble Consort 皇贵妃 → Imperial Noble Consort Chunhui 純惠皇貴妃 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 格格 → Second Class Attendant Wan 婉答应 → First Class Attendant Wan 婉常在 → Noble Lady Wan 婉贵人 → Concubine Wan 婉嫔 → Consort Wan 婉妃 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 Class Attendant Shen 慎常在 → Noble Lady Shen 慎贵人 → Concubine Shen 慎嫔 → Commoner 庶人 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 Nanfu Office → Second Class Attendant Mei 玫答应 → First Class Attendant Mei 玫常在 → Noble Lady Mei 玫贵人 → Concubine Mei 玫嫔 A yueqin player, she is initially favored, but the death of her son and decline in health lead her to lose favor. She is revealed to be a pawn of the Empress Dowager later and made Concubine Qing infertile on the order of the Emperor, leading to her death. |
| Chen Haoyu[19] | Yehe-Nara Yihuan (葉赫那拉·意歡) | Chuxiu Palace | Consort Shu (舒妃) Noble Lady Shu 舒贵人 → Concubine Shu 舒嫔 → Consort Shu 舒妃 Straightforward and good-natured, she is an intelligent and well-read woman who enjoys poetry. She tends to keep to herself and is loyal to the Qianlong Emperor, but eventually ends her life after hearing from Consort Ling how the Emperor is responsible for the death of her son. |
| Yu Yang[14] | Lu Muping (陸沐萍) | Jingyang Palace | Imperial Noble Consort Qinggong (慶恭皇貴妃) First Class 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, one of Ruyi's allies. |
| Zhang Jianing | Barin 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. She is the only daughter of the most powerful chieftain of the Mongolian highlands and one of Ruyi's allies. |
| Zhao Ke[14] | Borjigin Eyinzhu (博爾濟吉特·厄音珠) | Yonghe Palace | Consort Yu (豫妃) Concubine Yu 豫嫔 → Consort Yu 豫妃 Arrogant and defiant, she is another descendant of Mongolian royalty and quickly becomes favored by the Qianlong Emperor due to her exuberance, but is made fun of due to her advanced age entering the harem. |
| Li Qin[21] | Han Xiangjian (寒香見) | Chengqian Palace Baoyue Hall |
Consort Rong (容妃) Princess of the Han tribe → Noble Lady Rong 容贵人 → Concubine Rong 容嫔 → Consort Rong 容妃 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. She eventually sides with Ruyi as she relates to her honesty and goodwill. |
| Sun Wenting | Lady Lin (林氏) | Jingren Palace | First Class Attendant Gong (恭常在) |
| Wang Mian | Lady Sirin-Gioro (西林覺羅氏) | Jingren Palace | First Class 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 Class Attendant Kui (揆常在) Palace Maid → Second Class Attendant Kui → First Class Attendant Kui |
| Zhao Ruoxi | Lady Xu (徐氏) | Jingyang Palace Zhongcui Palace |
First Class Attendant Xiu (秀常在) Second Class Attendant Xiu → First Class Attendant Xiu |
| Qu Rong | Lady Qian (錢氏) | Yonghe Palace | First Class Attendant Ping (平常在) Palace Maid → Second Class Attendant Ping → First Class Attendant Ping |
| Huang Lulu | Lady Bai (白氏) | Jingyang Palace | First Class Attendant Bai (白常在) |
| Song Qinglin | Lady Lu (陸氏) | Jingyang Palace | First Class Attendant Lu (陸常在) |
| Yang Wanyi | First Class Attendant Wu (武常在) | ||
| Gao Rui | First Class Attendant Lu (柏常在) | ||
| Sun Wanting | First Class Attendant Ning (寧常在) | ||
| Jin Ning | First Class 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 Shizong 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 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 (三阿哥)
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 choose 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 和敬公主 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 大阿哥 → Prince Ding'an of the First Rank 定安亲王 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'an of the First Rank (定安親王嫡福晋) Lady Ilari 一拉里氏 → Primary Consort 嫡福晋 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 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 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 | Mistress Hu (胡格格)
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 |
Heir Apparent (世子)
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) | Ruyi's father. |
| 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 Imperial Gardens. 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. |
| 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) | Prince Bao's Mansion 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) | Prince Bao's Mansion 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 | Lang Shining (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) | Prince Bao's Mansion 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 attendant. |
| 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 was promoted to the rank of 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 A'ti (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 | Bai'erguosishe Demuqiseyinchake (拜爾果斯·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. |
Production
[edit]Crew
[edit]The series is directed by Wang Jun,[45] produced by Huang Lan,[46] and written by the author of the original novel Liu Lianzi.[47] It also employed William Chang and Tongxun Chen as their overall style director,[48] Han Zhong as art director and Peng Xuejun as cinematography director.[49]
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.[50]
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.[51]
Casting
[edit]On January 14, 2016, it was announced that Zhou Xun will play the leading role of Empress Nara.[52] The role of the Qianlong Emperor, the male lead, was announced to be portrayed by Wallace Huo on May 27.[53] 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.[54] 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.[55] The series completed filming on May 5, 2017.[56]
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.[57]
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.[58]
However, there was also praise 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.[59] The drama won acclaim for its exquisite props, lavish sets, and stellar cast.[60]
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.[61] Four days later, on January 29, the Chinese government cancelled the series and similar ones such as Story of Yanxi Palace.[62] CNN and other media outlets quickly reported on this incident, calling it Chinese censorship.[63][64]
Ratings
[edit]| Dragon Television ratings[65] | |||||
| Broadcast date | Episode | Ratings (%) | Audience share (%) | Rank (excluding CCTV) | Rank (including CCTV) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 25, 2018 | 1–4 | 0.247 | 2.86 | 3 | 9 |
| December 26, 2018 | 5–8 | 0.306 | 3.42 | 1 | 4 |
| December 27, 2018 | 9–12 | 0.359 | 3.93 | 1 | 3 |
| December 28, 2018 | 13–16 | 0.291 | 3.20 | 2 | 6 |
| December 29, 2018 | 17–20 | 0.368 | 3.69 | 1 | 5 |
| December 30, 2018 | 21–24 | 0.455 | 3.79 | 1 | 3 |
| December 31, 2018 | 25–28 | 0.556 | 4.56 | 1 | 3 |
| January 1, 2019 | 29–32 | 0.557 | 4.36 | 1 | 3 |
| January 2, 2019 | 33–36 | 0.536 | 5.77 | 1 | 2 |
| January 3, 2019 | 37–40 | 0.467 | 5.22 | 1 | 2 |
| January 4, 2019 | 41–44 | 0.553 | Not available | 1 | 1 |
| January 5, 2019 | 45–48 | 0.550 | 1 | 1 | |
| January 6, 2019 | 49–52 | 0.515 | 1 | 1 | |
| January 7, 2019 | 53–56 | 0.551 | 5.99 | 1 | 2 |
| January 8, 2019 | 57–60 | 0.496 | 5.52 | 1 | 2 |
| January 9, 2019 | 61–64 | 0.500 | 5.29 | 1 | 3 |
| January 10, 2019 | 65–68 | 0.472 | 5.16 | 1 | 2 |
| January 11, 2019 | 69–72 | 0.482 | 5.05 | 1 | 2 |
| January 12, 2019 | 73–76 | 0.554 | 4.87 | 1 | 2 |
| January 13, 2019 | 77–80 | 0.611 | 5.38 | 1 | 1 |
| January 14, 2019 | 81–84 | 0.610 | 6.61 | 1 | 2 |
| January 15, 2019 | 85–87 | 0.623 | 6.29 | 1 | 1 |
| Average ratings | 0.485 | 4.79 | – | – | |
| Jiangsu Television ratings[65] | |||||
| Broadcast date | Episode | Ratings (%) | Audience share (%) | Rank (excluding CCTV) | Rank (including CCTV) |
| December 25, 2018 | 1–4 | 0.181 | 2.115 | 4 | 11 |
| December 26, 2018 | 5–8 | 0.178 | 2.011 | 4 | 10 |
| December 27, 2018 | 9–12 | 0.171 | 1.884 | 5 | 12 |
| December 28, 2018 | 13–16 | 0.208 | 2.313 | 5 | 11 |
| December 29, 2018 | 17–20 | 0.200 | Not available | ||
| December 30, 2018 | 21–24 | 0.292 | 2.437 | 3 | 6 |
| December 31, 2018 | 25–28 | 0.295 | 2.431 | 3 | 6 |
| January 1, 2019 | 29–32 | 0.298 | 2.343 | 3 | 5 |
| January 2, 2019 | 33–36 | 0.231 | 2.354 | 4 | 9 |
| January 3, 2019 | 37–40 | 0.170 | Not available | ||
| January 4, 2019 | 41–44 | 0.186 | |||
| January 5, 2019 | 45–48 | 0.266 | |||
| January 6, 2019 | 49–52 | 0.223 | |||
| January 7, 2019 | 53–56 | 0.215 | 2.314 | 3 | 11 |
| January 8, 2019 | 57–60 | 0.215 | 2.315 | 3 | 11 |
| January 9, 2019 | 61–64 | 0.216 | 2.186 | 3 | 10 |
| January 10, 2019 | 65–68 | 0.181 | 1.948 | 5 | 11 |
| January 11, 2019 | 69–72 | 0.180 | 1.837 | 6 | 12 |
| January 12, 2019 | 73–76 | 0.189 | 1.728 | 4 | 11 |
| January 13, 2019 | 77–80 | 0.206 | 1.866 | 5 | 11 |
| January 14, 2019 | 81–84 | 0.208 | 2.221 | 3 | 9 |
| January 15, 2019 | 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 | [66] |
| Best Actor | Wallace Huo | Nominated | ||
| 12th Tencent Video Star Awards | Best Web Drama | Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace | Won | [67] |
| Golden Bud – The Third Network Film And Television Festival | Top 10 Web Drama | Won | [68] | |
| Influence of Recreational Responsibilities Awards | Web Drama of the Year | Won | [69] | |
| 2nd Asian Academy Creative Awards | Best Leading Actress | Zhou Xun | Won | [70] |
International broadcast
[edit]On 10 June 2016, Fox Networks Group Asia (FNG) acquired global rights to the series outside mainland China.[71] 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.[72]
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.[73]
| 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]- ^ She was renamed 衛嬿婉 in the subtitles in China, to avoid historical disputes. Her original name is 魏嬿婉 in the novel and the Taiwan version.
References
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- Dragon Television original programming
- Jiangsu Television original programming
- 2018 Chinese television series debuts
- Television shows based on Chinese novels
- Television series set in 18th-century Qing dynasty
- Chinese historical television series
- Television series by New Classics Media
- Tencent original programming
- Chinese web series
- 2018 web series debuts
- 2018 Chinese television series endings
- Television shows set in Beijing