Who rules the World (2022) - Final review

Final review/rating:  Who rules the World (2022) - The ultimate power couple take on jianghu and politics 

This is 8/10 stars ✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮ from Pandafan🐼

Overall rating:        8 Stars Plot:                      8 Stars Acting/cast:            8 Stars Couple chemistry:   8 stars Music:                    8 Stars Re-watch value:      8 Stars Enjoyment factor:   8 Stars

Who rules the World (2022) was marketed as a wuxia, but is really primarily a political drama with some jianghu elements thrown in. It is an ambitious top tier (S+) production and it shows in the glitz and glamour, sophisticated CGI, and the gorgeous no expenses spared production quality.  Alas the production quality is not matched by an equally good script.

Although the power couple of Yang Yang's Hei Feng Xi and Zhao Lu Si's Bai Feng Xi are an absolute joy to watch, the script is at best mediocre and spends too much time and energy on the tediously predictable power struggles within Youngzhou.  It really could have been called "Who rules Youngzhou" instead...  

SPOILERS AHEADS

  

Who rules the World (2022) - Synopsis

Drama info:

Title:  Who rules the World 

Chinese title: 且试天下

Episodes: 40

Genre: Wuxia, political, romance, historical

Original network: Tencent

Release date:        18 April 2022

Airing schedule:    18 April - 17 May 2022

Synopsis:

The Da Dong empire consists of six States, each ruled by a king swearing allegiance to Da Dong's emperor.  But when the imperial token is lost, unrest ripples across the political world because the token will lend legitimacy to any claim to be the next emperor, and the respective rulers of the six States do not lack ambition.  At the same time, an ancient evil sect long thought to be defeated resurfaces in jianghu, threatening to unleash destruction.    

Amidst this backdrop, jianghu's most powerful duo, the handsome and elegant Hei Feng Xi and the beautiful and carefree Bai Feng Xi join hands to uncover the conspiracy.  Both have hidden identities and must stay three steps ahead of their enemies, as they seek to unmask the hidden hand that is drawing all into a chaotic and bloody power struggle.  

But can Hei Feng Xi and Bai Feng Xi prevail against the odds? And who will ultimately rule the world? 

  

Heroes (2022) - Final Review

Final review/rating: Heroes (2022) - True blue wuxia that falls short of greatness 

This is 8.5/10 stars ✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮ from Pandafan🐼

Overall rating:         8.5 Stars Plot:                       7 Stars Acting/cast:            7 Stars Couple chemistry:   6 stars Music:                    7 Stars Re-watch value:      7 Stars Enjoyment factor:   8 Stars

I've been missing traditional wuxia lately.  The most recent offerings have been an alloy of other genres...  For example, the brilliant Sword, Snow, Stride (2021) was definitely wuxia with a xuanhuan /fantasy bent (ie. slow-mo and CGI heavy), and whilst Who rules the World (2022) was marketed as wuxia, it was primarily a political drama with some jianghu thrown in.  

When Heroes (2022) came along, I was therefore very excited by the prospect of some true blue wuxia.  After all, Heroes 說英雄誰是英雄 is one of Wen Rui An's seminal works, and Wang Xiao Shi's part of the story is a prequel of sorts to, and set in the same universe as, The Four Constables 四大名捕, which has been the subject of many drama adaptations.  Short of some Jin Yong or Gu Long (who have both been endlessly and not necessarily well adapted for the screen), Heroes offered the chance to witness traditional wuxia done right.    

Did Heroes (2022) deliver? Yes and no... There is enough fast-paced choreography, compelling characters, and jianghu elements to justify a spot on the wuxia mantlepiece.  The drama is also a visual feast for the eyes, gorgeously shot by a director (Li Mu Ge) who knows how to evoke beauty and atmosphere through his lens.  However, a less then deft mangling of the portrayal of one of the key characters which departs from the original source novel and the somewhat uneven acting by the trio of rookie idol actors meant this fell short of greatness.  

SPOILERS AHEADS

  

The Autumn Ballad (2022) - Final Review

Final review/rating: The Autumn Ballad (2022) - A surprisingly realistic take on relationships and a refreshingly flawed heroine 

This is 7.5/10 stars ✮✮✮✮✮✮✮ from Pandafan🐼

Overall rating:         7.5 Stars Plot:                       7 Stars Acting/cast:            7 Stars Couple chemistry:   7 stars Music:                    7 Stars Re-watch value:      7 Stars Enjoyment factor:   8 Stars

The Autumn Ballad (2022) provides a refreshingly flawed heroine in Qiu Yan and an equally deliciously flawed anti-hero Liang Yi, as well as a surprisingly realistic take on the enemies-to-lovers trope.  

The novelty factor of this alone make the drama a compelling watch.  However, be aware that while The Autumn Ballad starts with a bang and a well woven plot, the writing in the last third loses much steam and coherency, and the ending falls rather flat.  

SPOILERS AHEADS

  

The Legendary Life of Queen Lau (2022) - Final Review

Final review/rating: The Legendary Life of Queen Lau (2022) - Laugh out loud comedy with a Queen of Hearts 

This is 8/10 stars ✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮ from Pandafan🐼

Overall rating:         8 Stars Plot:                       7 Stars Acting/cast:            8 Stars Couple chemistry:   7 stars Music:                    9 Stars Re-watch value:      8 Stars Enjoyment factor:   9 Stars

The Legendary Life of Queen Lau (2022) is a palace-slice-of-life drama, that will have you in stitches of laughter.  An absolute joy to watch, helmed by the very funny Li Jia Qi/Lamu Yangzi as Queen Liu Jin Feng, this drama combines hilarity with plenty of heart and a wonderful OST with tunes so catchy they will have you dancing along with the cast! 🕺💃😊

 SPOILERS AHEADS

  

The Legendary Life of Queen Lau (2022) - Synopsis

Drama info:

Title:  The Legendary Life of Queen Lau

Chinese title:  我叫劉金鳳 / 我叫刘金凤 (Eng translation: "My name is Liu Jin Feng")

Episodes:  36 episodes

Genre: Romcom, historical, palace

Original network: Youku

Release date:      24 June 2022 

Airing schedule:  24 June 2022 - 6 July 2022

Synopsis:

When village girl Liu Jin Feng marries Emperor Duan Yuan Zhang in a comedy of errors, it becomes the running joke of the country.  After all, the chubby and unconventional Liu Jin Feng is nothing like the slender and refined beauties that would normally be crowned Queen, while the Emperor is famous for his good looks.  

Because Liu Jin Feng's erstwhile absentee father is the Chancellor (and de facto regent), Emperor Duan Yuan Zhang is suspicions of Liu Jin Feng's motives and tries to test her loyalties at every turn.  This leads to a state of constant and comical chaos in the palace.  With Liu Jin Feng around, palace life is anything but boring! 

Throw in a love rival or two in the form of Yu Zhang Ya, (Liu Jin Feng's devoted swain and childhood friend with ulterior motives) and older sister and famed beauty Liu Bai Yu (who thinks she would make a better queen), as well as a political crisis or two, and it is chaos indeed.

  

Heroes (2022) - Synopsis

 

Drama info:

Title:  Heroes

Chinese title: 說英雄誰是英雄 / 说英雄谁是英雄 (Eng translation: "Speaking of Heroes, who is a Hero?")

Episodes:  38 episodes

Genre: Wuxia, historical

Original network: Tencent

Release date:      23 May 2022 

Airing schedule:  23 May 2022 - 27 June 2022

Synopsis:

In the martial arts world jianghu, two leading sects dominate: the Six and a Half Hall/Liu Fen Ban Tang (六分半堂) and the Golden Winds and Light Rain Tower/Jin Feng Xi Yu Lou (金風細雨樓). The former values profit and business, while the latter values chivalry and honour.  The heroes of the martial arts world flock to both in the hope of making a name for themselves.     

When the innocent young Wang Xiao Shi 王小石 leaves the mountains to travel the world, he is tasked by his shifu with delivering a boxed secret that will determine the future of Jin Feng Xi Yu Lou to the young master of that sect, Su Meng Zhen 苏梦枕.  

Along the way, he meets and befriends the ambitious Bai Chou Fei 白愁飛 and the feisty Lady Wen Rou 温柔, as well as the famous red sleeve swordsman Su Meng Zhen 苏梦枕 himself.  The four become fast friends and the three men become sworn brothers. 

But in the turbulent waters of the capital city's jianghu, Wang Xiao Shi soon discovers that brotherhood and loyalty will be tested by the lure of power and ambition, and in the face of betrayal and heartbreak, he learns what it truly means to be a Hero...  

  

Decreed by Fate (2022) - Final Review

Final review/rating: Decreed by Fate (2022) - A fun romcom with eye candy and laugh-out-loud comedy aplenty!

This is 7.5/10 stars ✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮ from Pandafan🐼

Overall rating:         7.5 Stars Plot:                       7 Stars Acting/cast:            7 Stars Couple chemistry:   8 stars Music:                    7 Stars Re-watch value:      7 Stars Enjoyment factor:   8 Stars

I really liked this one! Decreed by Fate (2022) has a fun premise, with plenty of twists and turns, and some serious eye candy in that there is not one, but two gorgeous male leads vying for the heroine's affections.  Be still my beating heart! The sparkling chemistry between the three leads was also top notch.  

At 16 episodes that are 30 minutes each, Decreed by Fate is the perfect length for a fluffy romcom binge of the guilty pleasure variety, in that you will likely be ogling both of the leading men along with the heroine, who does so rather shamelessly😍😆 

Episode 16 ends with a happily-ever-after, but also a cliffhanger, and I for one will be keen to see a Season 2 if one eventuates.  

SPOILERS AHEADS

  

Decreed by Fate (2022) - Synopsis

Drama info:

Title:  Decreed by Fate

Chinese title: 千金难逃 / 千金難逃 (Eng translation: "Lady, hard to escape")

Episodes:  16 episodes

Genre: Romance, historical, comedy

Original network: iQiyi

Release date:      31 March 2022

Synopsis:

The only daughter of a famous general, Lady Ye Rong Er is fearless and fun-loving, and a law unto herself.  Suitors are far and few between because Rong Er is not a typical lady, and that is the way she likes it.  

But when an imperial edict decrees a marriage between Rong Er and the famous General and Duke of Jing An Yin Si Shen sight unseen, Rong Er takes matters into her own hands and flees the scene after the wedding.   

Knowing that no one else will dare to arrange a divorce for an imperially decreed match, Rong Er (using the alias Wen Ren Jing) sets up her own divorce office (with a side business in matchmaking, so that she can become a top matchmaker with the credentials to conduct divorce cases).  

At the same time, two handsome men emerge in her life - no.1 matchmaker Lu Ting Xiao, and the head of the matchmaker's committee, Fang Xian Xun.  Both are handsome and charming enough to turn Rong Er's head, and both appear to have hidden motives in appearing in her life. Both are also in love with Rong Er. And one of the two might just be General Yin Si Shen, her deserted bridegroom...

  

The Long Ballad (2021) - Final Review

Final review/rating: The Long Ballad (2021) - A binge-worthy epic journey of love, loss, and growth that does justice to the source manhua

This is 9/10 stars ✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮ from Pandafan🐼

Overall rating:         9 Stars Plot:                       9 Stars Acting/cast:            9 Stars Couple chemistry:   9 stars Music:                    10 Stars Re-watch value:      9 Stars Enjoyment factor:   9 Stars

The Long Ballad (2021) is as epic as I thought it would be when I first picked up the drama. It has been a while since I finished watching this one, but I wanted to give a final review that would do the drama justice.  As I explained in my spoiler-free synopsis (👉here), for once, this is a historical Chinese drama that has an aptly translated English title, because our titular heroine Chang Ge's Chinese name means a long song or ballad. 

So the Chinese title is 長歌行 (literally "Chang Ge's journey") and the drama is her song or her ballad, a retelling of her adventures, so to speak. 

And what a gorgeous song of a drama this is... Love, loss, growth, sacrifice, redemption set against a colourful historical background.  An addictively good, binge-worthy drama indeed with a young and talented cast, which does justice to the manhua on which it is based.  

SPOILERS AHEADS

  

A translation of "One Love as Always" - subtheme song from The Long Ballad (2021)

A translation of one of The Long Ballad's subtheme songs: "One Love as Always" 一愛如故

Those who have watched The Long Ballad (2021) may, like me, have fallen for the Haoyan CP - the second lead couple, Imperial guard Hao Du, played by Liu Yu Ning and Princess Li Le Yan, played by Zhao Lu Si. The slow burn romance between the (not so) cold-blooded big bad wolf and the innocent fluffy bunny is unabashedly romantic.    

I've written about why I love them so much in my final review 👉here, but I love their romantic subtheme song so much that I wanted to try and provide a translation of "One Love as Always" 一愛如故, which remains a regular on my playlist.  You can find a clip of the song here. 

The song is sung by Liu Yu Ning himself (Prince of Chinese OSTs!), which makes it even more romantic, encapsulating as it does, Hao Du's perspective - a yearning, hopeless and selfless devotion.  

The song's Chinese title 一愛如故 is a play on words, the literal translation means "One Love as Always" or "One Love as in the Past", but it evokes another Chinese idiom 一見如故, which describes friendship at first sight, that is, familiarity on sight, as if you have known one another for ages (as of old/as always).  In changing "sight"見 to "love"愛, the meaning of the title evokes love at fist sight. Rather Shakespearian really - "Who ever loved that loved not at first sight?"      

Anyway, my attempt at translation below.  I have opted mostly to translate for meaning, rather than a direct literal translation (so, for eg. 'One Love as Always" 一愛如故 in the lyrics is translated as "Love at first sight").  There are also some brief footnotes for when I want to explain gaps in translation.  

All errors my own, of course!💕

  

Ms Cupid in Love (2022) - Final Review

Final review/rating: Ms Cupid in Love (2022) - Frothy romcom that is watchable if a little bland

This is 6/10 stars ✮✮✮✮✮✮ from Pandafan🐼

Overall rating:         6 Stars Plot:                       6 Stars Acting/cast:            7 Stars Couple chemistry:   7 stars Music:                    6 Stars Re-watch value:      6 Stars Enjoyment factor:   7 Stars

Ms Cupid in Love (2022) is a romcom typical of the genre - delivering cheap and cheerful clichés galore with a sprinkling of angst.  

It's nothing to write home about, but then again, when episode 1 has a handsome immortal literally falling out of the skies in a 'meet cute' moment with the heroine, complete with floating rose petals, you may find yourself watching in spite of yourself (or because you are looking for light frothy romcom).  

SPOILERS AHEADS

  

Ms Cupid in Love (2022) - Synopsis

Drama info:

Title:  Ms Cupid in Love 

Chinese title: 姻缘大人请留步 (Eng translation: "God of Love, please stay around")

Episodes:  24 + 3 extra episode

Genre: Romance, historical, comedy

Original network: Tencent

Release date:      28 Feb 2022

Airing schedule:  28 Feb 2022 - 21 March 2022

Synopsis:

When the aloof immortal Bo Yan inadvertently messes up the red strings of fate that decree the love and fate of mortals in Yue Yang City, he is sent there to make amends.  After literally falling from the skies, he meets the City's number 1 matchmaker Shangguan Ya (aka Xiao Ya to her friends and family).  

The bright and bubbly Xiao Ya is determined to restore the city's faith in love and marriage again, and she and Bo Yan (who takes the name of Chu Ye) team up to make an unlikely but formidable duo. As the two work towards their common goal, they grow from mutual dislike to mutual affection, with fate playing a key role in tying them together.  

With friends at their side, and one or two mortal and immortal rivals in affection along the way, Chu Ye and Xiao Ya must overcome obstacles in the quest for true love, both theirs and the city's.    

  

The Imperial Coroner (2021) - Final Review

Final review/rating: The Imperial Coroner (2021) - A delightfully clever gem of a drama in the historical detective genre 

This is 9/10 stars ✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮ from Pandafan🐼

Overall rating:         9 Stars Plot:                       9 Stars Acting/cast:            9 Stars Couple chemistry:   8 stars Music:                    8 Stars Re-watch value:      9 Stars Enjoyment factor:   9 Stars

The Imperial Coroner (2021) is the best detective genre drama I've seen in quite some time! It's delightfully clever - the plot unfolds with some truly ingenious cases, which do not insult the intelligence of the audience.  

Add to that a young and talented cast with exceptional chemistry and just enough romance to be sweet without being cloying, and you get a very enjoyable drama that's definitely worth a watch and re-watch. 

SPOILERS AHEADS

  

The Imperial Coroner (2021) - Synopsis

Drama info:

Title:  The Imperial Coroner

Chinese title: 御赐小仵作

Episodes:  36 + extra episode

Genre: Detective, historical, mystery, romance

Original network: Tencent

Release date:      29 April 2021

Airing schedule:  29 April 2021 - 20 May 2021

Synopsis:

Chu Chu is an aspiring young coroner, who comes from a family of coroners.  She heads to Chang'an to obtain a post and to make a mark for herself.  There, she meets the brilliant head of the criminal investigative bureau, Prince Xiao Jin Yu, who is impressed with her talent and unafraid to hire her despite her gender.   

Prince Xiao Jin Yu assembles a formidable investigative team in Chu Chu, Leng Yue and Jing Yi. Together they investigate and solve an 18 year old cold case and uncovers its links to a current conspiracy that threatens to overturn the empire itself.  

  

Oh my Lord (2022) - Final Review

Final review/rating: Oh my Lord (2022) - Fluffy cuteness with a cliffhanger ending

This is 6/10 stars ✮✮✮✮✮✮ from Pandafan🐼

Overall rating:         6 Stars Plot:                       6 Stars Acting/cast:            7 Stars Couple chemistry:   7 stars Music:                    7 Stars Re-watch value:      6 Stars Enjoyment factor:   7 Stars

Sometimes you just need a bit of mindless sweet fluffiness to watch. If you're in that mood, then Oh my Lord (2022) will tick the right boxes. It is short and sweet at only 15 episodes.  However, it does end on a cliffhanger and a season 2 is not guaranteed.  

SPOILERS AHEADS

  

Oh my Lord (2022) - Synopsis

 

Drama info:

Title:  Oh my Lord

Chinese title: 惹不起的千岁大人/ 惹不起的千歲大人 (Translation: "Cannot afford to offend Lord Qian Sui") 

Episodes:  15

Genre: Romcom, historical 

Original network: iQiyi

Release date:      14 February 2022

Synopsis:

When plucky adventuress Chen You You runs afoul of the powerful Qi Zeng, he forces her to play spy on Bai Li (aka Lord Qian Sui) in exchange for her father's life.  

Bai Li is the City Lord's powerful second-in-command, a eunuch, and the most handsome man in Fuxian City, a place where good looks are prized above all. But Bai Li is not actally a eunuch - he is hiding his true identity in order to investigate a cold case.  

  

The Autumn Ballad (2022) - Synopsis

Drama info:

Title:  The Autumn Ballad

Chinese title: 嫣語賦 / 嫣语赋  (Translation: "Yan's poem")

Episodes:  34

Genre: Historical, mystery, romance

Original network: Tencent

Release date:      5 February 2022

Airing schedule:  5 Feb 2022 - 6 March 2022

Synopsis:

Qiu Yan is the clever but least favoured eldest daughter of the Qiu family.  On the day of her arranged marriage, her groom falls dead at the wedding, and her in-laws pressure her to remain widowed and to enter a nunnery.  

Qiu Yan is unwilling to concede to fate without a struggle and to give up her chance of happiness.  She fights to find a way out of her difficulties, including by investigating the truth of her ill-fated groom's death.  

Along the way, Qiu Yan meets the cold-faced duke Liang Yi, leader of the investigative bureau, and the gentle and kindhearted Qin Xuan, who falls in love with her.  However, it is between Qiu Yan and Liang Yi that sparks fly as they pitch their wits against one another whilst investigating various cases.  As understanding grows, mutual antagonism turns to mutual respect and true love.  

When the Qiu family fall from imperial grace, Qiu Yan's life is again endangered and she and Liang Yi must overcome overwhelming odds to secure their happiness...   

  

Heart of Loyalty (2021) - Final Review

Final review/rating: Heart of Loyalty (2021) - Detective work takes a backseat to romance in this watchable but bland take on Kaifeng

This is 6/10 stars ✮✮✮✮✮✮ from Pandafan🐼

Overall rating:         6 Stars Plot:                       6 Stars Acting/cast:            6 Stars Couple chemistry:   6 stars Music:                    7 Stars Re-watch value:      6 Stars Enjoyment factor:   6 Stars

Heart of Loyalty (2021) has a promising premise - the Kaifeng court under Justice Bao and the iconic "Southern Hero" Zhan Zhao are part of a Chinese literary tradition that is well known and well loved.  However, the execution is somewhat lack luster in that detecting takes a backseat to the somewhat trite romance storyline.  It's watchable, if a little bland.    

SPOILERS AHEADS

  

Heart of Loyalty (2021) - Synopsis

 

Drama info:

Title:  Heart of Loyalty 

Chinese title: 一片冰心在玉壶 / 一片冰心在玉壺  (Translation: "A piece of ice in a jade pot") 

Episodes:  24

Genre: Historical, romance, mystery, wuxia

Original network: Youku

Release date: 29 November 2021

Airing schedule: 29 Nov 2021 - 20 Dec 2021

Synopsis:

Having recently entered the martial world/jianghu, Mo Yan aspires to be the number 1 heroine bandit around.  When her 5th martial brother is imprisoned by the Kaifeng court, she ventures there to prove his innocence.  

Because Justice Bao admires Mo Yan's investigative talents, he gives her a post as a constable at Kaifeng court.  There she meets the famous "Southern Hero" Zhan Zhao, who serves as Justice Bao's bodyguard and an officer of his court, and whose incredible martial arts is acknowledged by the Emperor himself with an imperially bestowed nickname of "Royal Cat".  Mo Yan soon styles herself as the "Heavenly Dog". 

  

The Flowers are Blooming (2021) - Final Review

Final review/rating: The Flowers are Blooming (2021) - A lighthearted fluffy romance with architecture and teamwork thrown in

This is 7/10 stars ✮✮✮✮✮✮✮ from Pandafan🐼

Overall rating:         7 Stars Plot:                       7 Stars Acting/cast:            7 Stars Couple chemistry:   6 stars Music:                    6 Stars Re-watch value:      6 Stars Enjoyment factor:   7 Stars

The Flowers are Blooming (2021) is a cute and fluffy watch.  There are no major surprises (only a mild dose of angst and no tiresomely drawn out love triangles).  One of the best things about it is the creative premise of the CP being in a construction team, so along with romance, you also get interesting architectural cases and building projects into the bargain.  

SPOILERS AHEADS

  

The Flowers are Blooming (2021) - Synopsis

 

Drama info:

Title:  The Flowers are Blooming

Chinese title: 清风朗月花正开 / 清風朗月花正開 (Translation: "Clear winds, bright moon, the flowers are blooming") 

Episodes:  24

Genre: Historical, romance, comedy 

Original network: iQiyi

Release date: 19 Dec 2021

Synopsis:

Princess Chen Lang Yue is the little sister of the current Emperor and a lover of all things architectural.  She is a gifted craftswoman and longs to put her skill to use outside the Palace.  One day, she absconds from the Palace incognito to join the Muyu construction team, headed by the genius designer and craftsman Li Qeng Feng. Sparks fly, and love blossoms...

Also in the construction team are a number of young and talented crewmembers, all with their own hopes and dreams.  Together, this group of eight collaborate to build interesting architecture and in the process, build up their self worth and make the world a better place. 

But will Lang Yue's true identity prevent her and Qeng Feng from having a happy ending?  Or can true love (and the ability to construct an answer) conquer all?   

  

Rebirth for You (2021) - Final Review

Final review/rating: Rebirth for You (2021) - An exercise in exasperation

This is 4/10 stars ✮✮✮✮ from Pandafan🐼

Overall rating:         4 Stars Plot:                       3 Stars Acting/cast:            5 Stars Couple chemistry:   7 stars Music:                    7 Stars Re-watch value:      0 Stars Enjoyment factor:   3 Stars

Rebirth for You (2021) is, to put it mildly, an exercise in exasperation.  

It's a complete waste of potential, given what they had to work with in terms of the source material and two attractive and charming leads in Ju Jing Yi and Zeng Shun Xi.  Only for die hard fans of the leads, and even then, I would recommend judicious use of the fast forward button or perhaps skipping everything after episode 12 and resuming at episode 39.  Or episode 40.  Or not at all. 

*Sigh 😩

SPOILERS AHEADS

  

Rebirth for You (2021) - Synopsis

Drama info:

Title:  Rebirth for You 

Chinese title: 嘉南传 / 嘉南傳 (Translation: "The Story of Jia Nan") 

Episodes:  40

Genre: Historical, political, romance 

Original network: iQiyi

Release date:      17 Oct 2021

Airing schedule:  17 Oct 2021 - 22 Nov 2021

Synopsis:

Commandery princess of Jia Nan, Princess Jiang Bao Ning grew up in the palace and is beloved by her Grandmother, the Dowager Empress.  She is also loved by Emperor Zhao Yi, but she does not return his affection.  While Bao Ning is a bird in the gilded cage of the palace, she is intelligent and resourceful, and she successfully resists becoming a puppet in the palace schemes of others. 

Bao Ning meets the intriguing imperial army guard Li Qian in one of her expeditions out of the palace.  Li Qian has secrets of his own and strives for higher office in order to investigate a cold case close to his heart. The two fall in love but must strive against the machinations of others to create their own destiny, for the love of a lifetime.