Empresses in the Palace
Empresses in the Palace (simplified Chinese: 后宫·甄嬛传; traditional Chinese: 後宮·甄嬛傳, lit. The Legend of Zhen Huan), is a 2011 Chinese television series based on the novel of the same name by Liu Lianzi. Directed by Zheng Xiaolong, it stars Sun Li in the title role of Zhen Huan. The series started airing in China for the first time on 17 November 2011.
| Empresses in the Palace | |
|---|---|
| Also known as | The Legend of Zhen Huan |
| Genre | Historical fiction |
| Based on | Hougong Zhen Huan Zhuan by Liu Lianzi |
| Written by | Liu Lianzi Wang Xiaoping |
| Directed by | Zheng Xiaolong |
| Starring | Sun Li Ada Choi Chen Jianbin Jiang Xin Li Dongxue Lan Xi Tao Xinran |
| Country of origin | China |
| Original language | Mandarin |
| No. of episodes | 76 |
| Production | |
| Production location | China |
| Running time | 45 minutes per episode |
| Production company | Beijing TV Art Center |
| Release | |
| Original network | Shaoxing News regional channel[citation needed] |
| Original release | 17 November 2011 |
| Chronology | |
| Followed by | Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace (2018) |
| Related | The Legend of Mi Yue (2015) |
Premise
In 1722, after the death of Kangxi Emperor, then Prince Yinzhen and his eight brothers were embroiled in a bitter power struggle for the Qing dynasty throne. With the help of powerful allies, Prince Yinzhen becomes Yongzheng Emperor and the brothers who fought against him were either killed or exiled. Despite becoming Emperor, he grows increasingly paranoid of being usurpsed and vowed to not follow his father's footstep of letting his consorts be unfaithful or have affairs.
Prior to the struggle, he was deeply in love with his first wife, Empress Chunyuan. The Empress tragically passed and the position went to her younger sister Empress Yixiu. Both Empresses and Yongzheng Emperor's mother, the Empress Dowager come from the Ula-Nara clan.
Plot
Six months after ascending the throne, the Empress Dowager organizes a selection to bring newer members into the Imperial Harem. Despite not wanting to be selected, the titular Zhenhuan, then known as Lady Huan Zhen, forced to join the selection and ends up being chosen due to her resemblance to Empress Chunyuan. She joins the Imperial Harem alongside her childhood best friend Meizhuang Shen, and low-born lady Lingrong An.
Huan attempted to avoid the Imperial Harem's politics but ultimately falls in love with Yongzheng Emperor at first, causing various schemes to be plotted against her and Meizhuang in retaliation. Pressured by her family to elevate themselves and out of jealousy towards Huan's position, Lingrong also begins plotting against the former and worked alongside higher-ranking members, notably with Empress Yixiu to do so. Despite the scheming and evidence against them, the Empress is never punished due to her status and Empress Dowager's attempts at protecting Empress Yixiu due to the desire to keep the Ula-Nara clan's influence in the Imperial Court. Huan also learns of why the Emperor actually favors her, which also fueled the same plots against her, and she becomes disillusioned of the realities of Imperial Harem life despite being favored.
Posessive over his women, Yongzheng Emperor becomes suspicious of her loyalty as she becomes closer to his younger half-brother Prince Guo. While avoiding the pitfalls of schemes against her, she befriends the neglected Prince Hongli, promising to care for him when she is able to. The disillusionment ultimately get to her and Huan asks to become a nun at Ganlu Temple along with Meizhuang. There, her relationship with Prince Guo secretly blossom and the two become intimate with each other.
Despite the two planning to elope, Prince Guo is sent away to Tibet by Yongzheng Emperor's orders and believed to be dead. Out of revenge for his death and to bring her family back from exile, Huan convinces Yongzheng Emperor to take her back into the Imperial Harem. She takes on a new identity as Consort Xi, or Zhenhuan Niohuru, the biological mother of Prince Hongli who had supposedly spent years away from the Imperial Court praying at the Ganlu Temple but now returned to serve the Emperor once more, and she formally adopts Prince Hongli as she promised. With her new status, Zhenhuan gains more allies and the Imperial Harem is divided into two camps: those that support her and those that support Empress Yixiu. The Empress begins to lose favor as her schemes against Zhenhuan backfire and she ultimately confesses to her role in her sister's death and several other crimes as a means of securing the position of Empress Dowager by all means. Yongzheng Emperor attempts to strip her titles as punishment but the Empress Dowager's will forbids him from doing so. Yongzheng Emperor unwillingly promises to uphold the will's command out of love for Empress Chunyuan and Empress Yixiu is put under house arrest instead.
Prince Guo is revealed to be alive and the two attempt to cease their relationship now that Zhenhuan has returned to the Imperial Harem. Despite doing what she can to remain favored by Yongzheng Emperor and distance herself from Prince Guo, the Emperor's suspicion towards the relationship escalates as time passes and he believes Prince Guo plans to usurp the throne through her. Zhenhuan is ordered to kill Prince Guo but the latter commits suicide instead, causing Yongzheng Emperor to reward her obedience by promoting her to be the de-facto Empress of the Imperial Harem in all but name. The Emperor is slowly poisoned as he ages and Zhenhuan meets with him one final time before announcing his death. Yongzheng Emperor's final will names Prince Hongli as his successor and the prince becomes the newly crowned Qianlong Emperor. Zhenhuan is granted the coveted title of Empress Dowager, giving her status above all women within the Imperial Court and becoming her son's closest advisor.
Zhenhuan visits Empress Yixiu, still under house arrest, one last time to let her know of the coronation. Although Empress Yixiu should have been given the title of Empress Dowager upon Yongzheng Emperor's death, a loophole in the previous Empress Dowager's command forces Empress Yixiu to remain Empress indefinitely instead. Before leaving, Zhenhuan thanks Empress Yixiu for all the hard lessons she endured as a result of the latter's scheming and harm. Empress Yixiu is left to realize all her efforts to be Empress Dowager had been for nothing and later dies out of madness.
Zhenhuan spends the rest of her life serving as the Empress Dowager: planning the next Imperial Harem selection, advising Qianlong Emperor on royal matters, and warning his wives the consequences of scheming or causing harm against each other. Years of surviving in the Imperial Harem has shown to harden Zhenhuan and the series ends with her going to bed after a long day while her dreams replayed memories of her past.
Cast
Main
| Played by | Role | Key Storyline |
|---|---|---|
| Sun Li | Zhen Huan (甄嬛), later Niohuru Zhenhuan (钮祜禄•甄嬛) | The titular protagonist who becomes the favoured concubine of the Emperor. She is a very clever, socially skilled and well-educated lady with a keen eye for strategy. Initially, an innocent girl desiring nothing else but love. After leaving the palace with a broken heart, she falls in love with Prince Guo, but chooses to return to the Imperial Harem out of revenge and to help her family. Ranks: Lady Zhen (甄氏) → First Attendant Huan (莞常在) → Noble Lady Huan (莞贵人) → Concubine Huan (莞嫔) → Consort Huan(莞妃)→ Concubine Huan (莞嫔)→Banished Consort, Concubine Huan (廢妃莞嫔)→ Nun Mochou (莫愁) → Consort Xi (熹妃) → Noble Consort Xi (熹贵妃) → Empress Dowager (圣母皇太后) / Empress Dowager Chongqing (崇慶皇太后) |
| Chen Jianbin | Aisin-Gioro Yinzhen (愛新覺羅•胤禛), the Yongzheng Emperor (雍正帝) | The Emperor of the Qing dynasty who is still deeply in love with his first wife, the Empress Chunyuan. He reminisces her despite favouring various concubines throughout the series and is obsessive of his women due to paranoia against the Imperial Court. He has a deep favor towards Zhen Huan in particular due to her appearance and personality resembling Chunyuan. Ranks: 4th prince of the Kangxi Emperor (康熙四阿哥) → Prince Yong of the First Rank (雍亲王) → Emperor (皇帝) / Yongzheng Emperor (雍正帝) |
| Li Dongxue | Aisin-Gioro Yunli (愛新覺羅•允禮), Prince Guo of the First Rank (果親王) | Favoured younger half-brother of the Yongzheng Emperor and admirer of Zhen Huan. He became hopelessly in love with Zhen Huan and cares for her after she leaves the palace. Despite their attempts to avoid suspicion, their romance became an ill-fated one, where Guo sacrificed himself for her life. Ranks: 17th prince of the Kangxi Emperor (康熙十七阿哥) → Prince Guo of the Second Rank (果郡王) → Prince Guo of the First Rank (果亲王) → Prince Guoyi of the First Rank (果毅親王) (posthumously) |
Supporting
Yongzheng's harem
| Played by | Role | Key storyline |
|---|---|---|
| Ada Choi | Ula-Nara Yixiu (乌拉那拉•宜修) | Initially appearing to rule the Imperial Harem as a benevolent Empress, she desires to be the only Empress and have the role of Empress Dowager like her predecessor. Her true nature is shown over time as she removes anyone favoured by the Emperor that is deemed a threat to her plans. She is the younger half-sister of Yongzheng's beloved first wife, Empress Chunyuan (纯元皇后) and adopted mother of Prince Hongshi. Ranks: Lady Ula-Nara (乌拉那拉氏) → Secondary Consort to Prince Yong of the First Rank (雍亲王侧福晋) → Step Primary Consort to Prince Yong of the First Rank (雍亲王继福晋) → Empress (皇后) → Her Highness of the Jingren Palace (景仁宫娘娘) |
| Jiang Xin | Nian Shilan (年世兰) | Yongzheng Emperor's favourite consort before Zhen Huan enters the palace and her main nemesis in the first half of the series. Due to her family's status in the Imperial Court, she is arrogant and gets away with acting imprudently. She despises anyone who seem to have Yongzheng Emperor's favor or attention. She is the younger sister of Nian Gengyao. Ranks: Lady Nian (年氏) → Secondary Consort to Prince Yong of the First Rank (雍亲王侧福晋) → Consort Hua (华妃) → Noble Consort Hua (华贵妃) → Consort Nian (年妃) → Consort Hua (华妃) → Second Attendant Nian (年答应) → 𝘕𝘰𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘊𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘰𝘳𝘵 𝘋𝘶𝘯𝘴𝘶 (敦肅貴妃) Imperial Noble Consort Dunsu (敦肃皇贵妃) (posthumously) |
| Lan Xi | Shen Meizhuang (沈眉庄) | Zhen Huan's childhood friend and ally in the palace. Despite the rivalry and reconciling over the years, Meizhuang joins her as a nun and shares the same sentiment about the Emperor. She ultimately falls in love with Doctor Wen and has a daughter with him before dying from childbirth. Ranks: Lady Shen (沈氏) → Noble Lady Shen (沈贵人) → Noble Lady Hui (惠贵人) → Second Attendant Shen (沈答应) → Noble Lady Hui (惠贵人) → Concubine Hui (惠嫔) → Consort Hui (惠妃) → Noble Consort Hui (惠贵妃) (posthumously) |
| Tao Xinran | An Lingrong (安陵容) | A friend turned foe to Zhen Huan and Meizhuang. Pressured by her family to have Yongzheng Emperor's favor and manipulated by the Imperial Harem to do their bidding at the cost of her fertility, she grows jealous of Zhen Huan's favor and tries to scheme against her. She ultimately confesses to her of Empress Yixiu's evils before commiting suicide. Ranks: Lady An (安氏) → Second Attendant An (安答应) → First Attendant An (安常在) → Noble Lady An (安贵人) → Concubine An (安嫔) → Consort Li (鹂妃) |
| Li Yijuan | Qi Yuebin (齐月宾) | A highly ranked concubine unfavoured by the Emperor. Befriends and helps Zhen Huan numerous times. She is one of the two Dowager members that survive with Zhen Huan after Yongzheng Emperor's death. Ranks: Lady Qi (齐氏) → Secondary Consort to Prince Yong of the First Rank (雍亲王侧福晋) → Consort Duan (端妃) → Imperial Noble Consort (皇贵妃) → Dowager Imperial Noble Consort (皇贵太妃) |
| Yang Fanghan | Feng Ruozhao (冯若昭) | A highly ranked concubine unfavoured by the Emperor. Sides with Zhen Huan numerous times and later adopts her first daughter Longyue when her mother becomes a nun. She is one of the two Dowager members that survive with Zhen Huan after Yongzheng Emperor's death. Ranks: Lady Feng (冯氏) → Mistress to Prince Yong of the First Rank (雍亲王庶福晋) → Concubine Jing (敬嫔) → Consort Jing (敬妃) → Noble Consort Jing (敬贵妃) → Dowager Noble Consort Jing (敬贵太妃) |
| Zhang Yameng | Li Wanting (李婉婷) | A highly ranked concubine that has been unfavoured by the Emperor. She sides with the Empress Yixiu, as she is the biological mother of Prince Hongshi. Ranks: Lady Li (李氏) → Mistress to Prince Yong of the First Rank (雍亲王庶福晋) → Secondary Consort of Prince Yong of the First Rank (雍亲王侧福晋) → Consort Qi (齐妃) |
| Chen Sisi | Cao Qinmo (曹琴默) | An unscrupulous low-ranking concubine. Initially sides with Nian Shilan, but betrays her with Zhen Huan's support, leading to Consort Hua's downfall. Poisoned to death under the Emperor's orders. Ranks: Lady Cao (曹氏) → Noble Lady Cao (曹贵人) → Concubine Xiang (襄嫔) |
| Tan Songyun | Fang Chunyi (方淳意) | The youngest concubine to join the harem at the start of the series and is friendly with Zhen Huan. She is strangled to death under Consort Hua's orders after catching the latter discuss conspiracy. Ranks: Lady Fang (方氏) → First Attendant Chun (淳常在) → Noble Lady Chun (淳贵人) (posthumously) |
| Cui Manli | Yu Ying'er (余莺儿) | Initially a maid in Imperial Garden, she witnessed first encounter between Yongzheng Emperor and Zhen Huan. She enters the Imperial Harem by pretending to be Zhen Huan during that encounter. She is later sentenced to death after attempting to poison her. Ranks: Palace maid → Chosen maid Yu (余官女子) → Second Attendant Yu (余答应) → Commoner (庶人) |
| Liu Yitong | Qiao Songzhi (乔颂芝) | Consort Hua's loyal maid who joins the Imperial Harem to consolidate the former's failing power in the middle of the series. Ranks: Maid to Consort Hua → Second Attendant Zhi (芝答应) |
| Tang Yixin | Gūwalgiya Wenyuan (瓜尔佳•文鸳) | Initially friendly with Zhen Huan, she later sabotages the Zhen family under Empress Yixiu's orders. She later tries to incriminate Zhen Huan for having an affair with Doctor Wen and is beatened to death as punishment. Ranks: Lady Gūwalgiya (瓜尔佳氏) → Noble Lady Qi (祺贵人) → Concubine Qi (祺嫔) → Noble Lady Qi (祺贵人) → Commoner (庶人) |
| Re Yizha | Ye Lanyi (叶澜依) | A horse trainer who is forced to join the Imperial Harem after gaining Yongzheng Emperor's attention. In love with Prince Guo, she initially mistrusts Zhen Huan but decides to protect her after learning the truth of their relationship. She helps poison Yongzheng Emperor to death and commits suicide soon after. Ranks: Lady Ye (叶氏) → Second Attendant Ye (叶答应) → Noble Lady Ning (宁贵人) → Concubine Ning (宁嫔) |
| Wan Meixi | Lü Yingfeng (吕盈风) | Initially a concubine who stays away from the conflicts, she pledges her loyalty to Zhen Huan after her return to the Imperial Harem. She helps to expose the corruption of Lingrong's father, leading to the latter's downfall. Ranks: Lady Lü (吕氏) → Mistress to Prince Yong of the First Rank (雍亲王庶福晋) → First Attendant Xin (欣常在) → Noble Lady Xin (欣贵人) → Concubine Xin (欣嫔) → Dowager Concubine Xin (欣太嫔) |
| Ying Er | Xia Dongchun (夏冬春) | An obnoxious concubine who picks on Lingrong and offends Consort Hua with her brazen ways. Paralyzed after being punished by Nian early in the series. Ranks: Lady Xia (夏氏) → First Attendant Xia (夏常在) |
| Zhao Qin | Fuca Yixin (富察•仪欣) | A concubine who is close to Li Wanting. After her miscarriage, she picks on Lingrong and insults Zhen Huan during their loss in favour. Zhen Huan scares her to insanity after regaining favor with the Emperor. Ranks: Lady Fuca (富察氏) → Noble Lady Fuca (富察贵人) |
| Li Jiaxuan | Fei Yunyan (费云烟) | A straight-talking concubine who is frightened to insanity due to her fear of ghosts, and is thrown into the Cold Palace. Ranks: Lady Fei (费氏) → Mistress to Prince Yong of the First Rank (雍亲王庶福晋) → Concubine Li (丽嫔) |
| Mao Xiaotong | Caiping (采萍) | Initially a maid at Prince Guo's Manor, she is selected by Huanbi as a tribute to the Emperor due to her beauty. Unintentionally gaining the affection of Prince Hongshi she is sentenced to death by Yongzheng Emperor. Ranks: Maid at Prince Guo's Manor → Second Attendant Ying (瑛答应) → First Attendant Ying (瑛常在) → Noble Lady Ying (瑛贵人) |
| He Yanan | A troublemaker who is close to Concubine Zhen. Ranks: First Attendant Kang (康常在) | |
| Guo Xuan | Zhen (嫔) | A troublemaker who is close to First Attendant Kang. Ranks: Concubine Zhen (贞嫔) |
Imperial Family
| Played by | Role | Key storyline |
|---|---|---|
| Leanne Liu | Uya Chengbi (乌雅•成壁) | Mother of Yongzheng and Empress Dowager, she protects Empress Yixiu throughout the series to maintain the power of the Ula-Nara clan. It is also suggested that she favours her younger son over Yongzheng Emperor and had an affair with court minister, Longkodo, during her time as a wife to Kangxi Emperor. Ranks: Lady Uya (乌雅氏) → First Attendant Wu (烏長在) → Noble Lady De(德貴人) → Concubine De (德嬪)→ Consort De (德妃) → Empress Dowager (圣母皇太后) / Empress Dowager Renshou (仁寿皇太后) → Empress Dowager Xiaogong (孝恭太后) (posthumously) → Empress Xiaogongren (孝恭仁皇后) (posthumously) |
| Liu Yan | Yuan Yanran (阮嫣然) | Prince Guo's biological mother and the favourite concubine of the Kangxi Emperor who became a nun after his death. She helps Zhen Huan and Meizhuang adjust to their lives as nuns. Ranks: Lady Yuan (阮氏) → Consort Shu (舒妃) → Dowager Consort Shu (舒太妃) → Mother Chongjing (冲静元师) |
| Lan Yingying | Huanbi (浣碧), later Niohuru Yuyin (钮钴禄•玉隐) | Zhen Huan's maid and illegitimate half-sister who desires to Prince Guo. Because of her secret parentage, their relationship help fueled some schemes against Zhen Huan. She stays loyal to Zhen Huan and becomes the Second Wife to Prince Guo as a means of throwing any suspicion between him and Zhen Huan's relationship. She commits suicide at his funeral. Ranks: Personal maid to Lady Zhen → Maid of Consort Xi → Lady Niohuru (钮钴禄氏) → Secondary Consort to Prince Guo of the First Rank (果亲王侧福晋) → Primary Consort to Prince Guoyi of the First Rank (果毅親王嫡福晋) (posthumously) |
| Yang Qi | Meng Jingxian (孟静娴) | Daughter of Duke Pei who is enamored with Prince Guo and becomes his First Wife. She gives birth to Prince Guo's child Yuanche but later dies due to being poisoned. Ranks: Lady Meng (孟氏) → Primary Consort to Prince Guo of the First Rank (果毅親王侧福晋) |
| Duan Shaonan | Aisin-Gioro Yuanche (愛新覺羅•元澈) | Jingxian and Prince Guo's son. He is later adopted by Yurao and Prince Shen after Huanbi's death and becomes Prince Shen's heir, opening the position of Prince Guo's heir to Prince Hongyuan. Ranks: Eldest son of Prince Guo of the First Rank (世子) |
| Wang Min | Aisin-Gioro Yunqi (愛新覺羅•允祺), Prince Heng of the First Rank (恒亲王) | Younger half-brother of the Yongzheng Emperor. Ranks: 5th prince of the Kangxi Emperor (康熙皇五子) → Prince Heng of the First Rank (恒亲王) |
| Tan Limin | Lady Tatara (他他拉氏) | First Wife of Prince Heng. Ranks: Primary Consort to Prince Heng of the First Rank (恒亲王嫡福晋) |
| Tian Xiping | Aisin-Gioro Yun'e (愛新覺羅•允䄉), Prince Dun of the First Rank (敦亲王) | Younger half-brother of the Yongzheng Emperor. Ranks: 10th prince of the Kangxi Emperor (康熙皇十子) → Prince Dun of the First Rank (敦亲王) |
| Tian Pujun | Lady Borjigin (孛兒只斤氏) | Ranks: Primary Consort to Prince Dun of the First Rank (敦亲王嫡福晋) |
| Kang Fuzhen | Aisin-Gioro Yunxi (愛新覺羅•允禧), Prince Shen of the Second Rank (慎郡王) | Younger half-brother of the Yongzheng Emperor. He becomes enamored with Yurao and marries her thanks to Zhen Huan's campaign to avoid her sister from joining the Imperial Harem. He becomes Zhen Huan's brother-in-law. Ranks: 18th prince of the Kangxi Emperor (康熙皇十八子) → Prince Shen of the Third Rank (慎贝勒) → Prince Shen of the Second Rank (慎郡王) |
| Xu Lu | Zhen Yurao (甄玉娆), later Niohuru Yurao (钮钴禄•玉娆) | Youngest sister of Zhen Huan and half-sister of Huanbi. Despite catching the attention of Yongzheng Emperor, she falls in love with Prince Yunxi. With Zhen Huan's help, she convince the Emperor to approve her marriage and becomes Prince Yunxi's First Wife. Ranks: Lady Zhen (甄氏) → Lady Niohuru (钮钴禄氏) → Primary Consort to Prince Shen of the Second Rank (慎郡王嫡福晋） |
Imperial princes
- Wu Lipeng as Prince Hongshi
- 3rd prince of the Yongzheng Emperor
- Li Wanting's son, adopted by Empress Yixiu. Later adopted as the son of Yunsi, Prince Lian of the First Rank, Yongzheng's younger half-brother, as punishment for speaking out of turn.
- Despite being the oldest and son of Empress Yixiu, he is not favored by his father due to his lack of intelligence and awareness. He is disposed in the line of succession after angering his father for metioning the latter's traitorous brothers.
- Wang Wenjie as Prince Hongli
- 4th prince of the Yongzheng Emperor → Prince Bao of the First Rank → Emperor / the Qianlong Emperor
- Born to a palace maid after Yongzheng took advantage of her and was neglected as a result. He is later adopted by Zhen Huan and reported to be her biological son.
- Inspired by Zhen Huan, he devotes himself to studying and ultimately impresses his father to make him next in line to the throne. He becomes Qianlong Emperor and grants her the title of Empress Dowager.
- It is later revealed that Zhen Huan, though she cared for Qianlong Emperor, is suspicious of his character, and uses her position as Empress Dowager to ensure Prince Hongyan is safe from harm.
- Duan Shaonan as Prince Hongyan
- 6th Prince of the Yongzheng Emperor.
- Zhen Huan's son with Prince Guo and Princess Lingxi's twin brother. His legitimacy fueled a few schemes against Zhen Huan and escalated Yongzheng Emperor's paranoia against Prince Guo.
- After Yunche was adopted to be Prince Shen's heir, Qianlong Emperor Prince Hongyan be Prince Guo's heir at Zhen Huan's request. She pushed this to not only give Prince Guo a legacy but to also curb any indication that her biological son can usurp the throne if he remained in the Imperial lineage.
Imperial princesses
- Yao Wan'er as Princess Wenyi (温宜公主)
- Cao Qinmo's daughter, later adopted by Qi Yuebin.
- Yang Xinyi as Princess Longyue (胧月公主)
- Zhen Huan's daughter, adopted by Feng Ruozhao when the former becomes a nun.
- Despite wanting her daughter back, Zhen Huan allowed her to be raised by Ruozhao, gaining an ally with the latter as a result.
- Ding Xiaomei as Princess Lingxi (灵犀公主)
- Zhen Huan's daughter with Prince Guo and Prince Hongyan's twin sister.
- Zhang Zhixiang as Princess Jinghe (静和公主)
- Shen Meizhuang's daughter with Doctor Wen, adopted by Zhen Huan.
- Zhen Huan confessed to Yongzheng Emperor of Princess Jinghe's true parentage on his death bed.
Court officials
- Shen Baoping as Zhen Yuandao, later Niohuru Yuandao
- Father of Zhen Huan, Yuyin and Yurao.
- Schemes against Zhen Huan include demoting and imprisoning her father.
- Zhang Yi as Tunggiya Longkodo
- Court minister rumored to be in love with Empress Dowager and helped Yongzheng Emperor take his throne.
- Executed after Yongzheng Emperor suspected him for treason by Empress Dowager. She reveals that she knew he never truly loved her and put her in the position as Empress Dowager for his benefit.
- Ma Weifu as Gūwalgiya Emin
- Father of Lady Qi.
- Sun Ning as Nian Gengyao
- Older brother of Consort Hua and Yongzheng Emperor's leading general.
- Due to his position in court, he has an inflated ego that ultimately led him to be suspected for treason.
- Li Hongrui as Moge
- King of the Dzungaria who was rescued by Prince Guo and Zhen Huan when the latter was still a nun.
- Obsessed with Zhen Huan, their interaction leads to evidence of Zhen Huan and Prince Guo's relationship being collected.
- Wang Biao as Zhang Tingyu
- A court minister proven to be loyal to only Yongzheng Emperor.
Others
- Zhang Xiaolong as Doctor Wen Shichu (温实初)
- Imperial Physician and Zhen Huan's childhood friend.
- Despite loving Zhen Huan, he ultimately falls in love with Meizhuang and fathers her daughter Princess Jinghe.
- To avoid further accusations of having a relationshipw ith Zhen Huan, he castrated himself and nearly drank to death had Zhen Huan not convinced him to live.
- Actor Zhang Xiaolong also served behind the scenes as the drama's expert regarding traditional dance and Qing court etiquette.
- Sun Qian as Cui Jinxi (崔槿汐)
- Maid to Zhen Huan who joins her at Ganlu Temple and later Su Peisheng's wife.
- Initially ordered to seduce Su Peisheng as a means of helping Zhen Huan return to the Imperial Court, she ultimately falls in love with him.
- She and Su Peisheng were initially punished for having a relationship but the rules were changed so they could get married.
- Lee Tian-chu as Su Peisheng (苏培盛)
- Head Eunuch to the Yongzheng Emperor.
- Seduced by Jinxi, he helps Zhen Huan return to the Imperial Court.
- He and Jinxi were initially punished for having a relationship but the rules were changed so they could get married.
- Zhan Jingyi as Liuzhu (流朱)
- Maid to Zhen Huan
- Li Dan as Yun Xinluo, Madame Zhen, later Madame Niohuru
- Mother of Zhen Huan and Yurao
- Luo Kang as Eunuch Xiao Yunzi (小允子)
- Head Eunuch to Zhen Huan
- Zhai Beibei as Pei'er (佩儿)
- Maid to Zhen Huan
- He Mengting as Huasui (花穗)
- Maid to Yu Ying'er, and later to Zhen Huan
- Cheng Nan as Feiwen (斐雯)
- Maid who betrays Zhen Huan
- Li Qun as Bin'er (玢儿)
- Maid at Zhen Manor, and later at Gūwalgiya Manor
- Du Xiang as Huang Guiquan (黄规全)
- Head Eunuch of the Imperial Household Department
- Zhang Zhiwei as Jiang Zhongmin (江忠敏)
- Second Head Eunuch of the Imperial Household Department
- Quan Baojun as Eunuch Gou
- Zhang Zhiwei as Liang Duorui (梁多瑞)
- Liang Yixin as Baojuan (宝鹃)
- Maid to Lingrong
- Hu Xinhui as Baoque (宝鹊)
- Maid to Lingrong, later executed for "causing" the death of Meizhuang
- Li Mengyang as Juqing (菊青)
- Maid to Zhen Huan and later to Lingrong
- Xu Lei as Eunuch Gui
- Liu Yin as Jixiang (吉祥)
- Maid to Qi Yuebin
- Tian Shumei as Sun Zhuxi (孙竹息)
- Maid to the Empress Dowager
- Yang Jingfang as Fang Ruo (芳若)
- Maid to the Yongzheng Emperor
- Yang Kaichun as Jianqiu (剪秋)
- Maid to Empress Yixiu
- She attempted to poison Zhen Huan's child but ended up accidentally poisoning Jingxian instead.
- Her torture as punishment led to Empress Yixiu to confess the murder of her sister and other crimes.
- Liu Yang as Jiang Fuhai (江福海)
- Eunuch to Empress Yixiu
- Sun Fei as Fuzi
- Wang Yiming as Zhou Ninghai (周宁海)
- Head Eunuch to Consort Hua
- Wang Xiaoming as Suxi
- Eunuch to Consort Hua
- Zhao Hailong as Kang Luhai (康禄海)
- Eunuch to Zhen Huan, and later to Fei Yunyan
- Guo Zihao as Eunuch Yin
- Liu Boting as Ajin (阿晋)
- Servant to Yunli
- Sun Boyang as Xia Yi
- Qin Yiming as Wei Lin
- Imperial Physician trusted by Zhen Huan and disciple of Doctor Wen
- Xing Hanqing as Ji Weisheng
- Du Xiaotao as Jiang Cheng
- Imperial Physician trusted by Consort Hua.
- Yang Xiaobo as Jiang Shen
- Imperial Physician trusted by Consort Hua.
- Guo Chen as Liu Ben
- Imperial Physician who betrays Meizhuang under orders of Consort Hua by falsely confirming she was pregnant.
- Hai Yan as Jing'an
- Head Nun at Ganlu Temple.
- Zhao Qianzi as Jingbai
- Nun at Ganlu Temple who makes life difficult for Zhen Huan.
- She is then used to conspire against Zhen Huan before having her tongue cut out as punishment.
- Wang Lihan as Moyan
- Nun at Ganlu Temple who helps Zhen Huan
- She is used to debunk Zhen Huan's accusation of infidelity and details the abuse the latter went through under Jingbai.
- Li Lubing as Eunuch Xia (小厦子)
- Eunuch to the Yongzheng Emperor and disciple of Su Peisheng
- Li Yingya as Huichun (绘春)
- Maid to the Empress
- Li Yang as Xu Jinliang
- Han Yuting as Cuiguo (翠果)
- Maid to Li Wanting
- Yuan Yi as Lady Fuca
- First Wife of Prince Hongli and ultimately Empress Fuca when he becomes Qianlong Emperor.
- Primary Consort to the 4th prince → Primary Consort to Prince Bao of the First Rank → Empress → Empress Xiaoxianchun (posthumously)
- Zhang Yan as Ula-Nara Qingying
- Second Wife of Prince Hongli and ultimately Step Empress Ula-Nara after Empress Fuca's death. Her rank over the years is based on Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace.
- Originally a candidate for Prince Hongshi's selection, she is rejected due to Prince Hongshi becoming enamored to Lady Ying.
- Despite her familial ties with Empress Yixiu, she declares to Zhen Huan and the other Consort Dowagers that she wants no connection to her late-aunt as a means to show her loyalty.
- Secondary Consort to Prince Bao of the First Rank → Consort Xian →Noble Lady Xian (冼貴人) → Commoner → Mistress Yi (易姐) → Consort Xian (冼妃) → Noble Consort Xian (冼貴妃) → Imperial Noble Consort of the Ula-Naras (黃貴妃烏拉那拉施)→ Empress (皇后)→Step Empress (成帝繼皇侯)
- Liulianzi as Liu Lianzi (劉蓮子)
- One of the candidates of the Draft Selection in the first episode.
- The character served as a cameo for the original author. Most of Liulianzi's scenes outlining her character profile were deleted from the final cut, but were shown during the author's own wedding.
Soundtrack
| No. | Title | Music | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Plight of a Beauty (红颜劫)" | Yao Beina | |
| 2. | "Bodhisattva (菩萨蛮)" (Male version sung by Liu Huan) | Yao Beina | |
| 3. | "Flying Phoenix (凤凰于飞)" | Liu Huan | |
| 4. | "Picking Lotus (采莲)" | Yao Beina | |
| 5. | "Golden Silk Blouse (金缕衣)" | Yao Beina | |
| 6. | "Jing Hong Dance (惊鸿舞)" | Yao Beina |
Backstage crew
- Publishers: Zheng Xiaolong, Zhong Yi, Dun Yong, Li Ruigang
- Producers: Cao Ping, Dun Qi, Xu Xiaoou
- Supervisors: Liu Zhiyuan, Wang Xiaodong, Zhang Suzhou, Chen Liang, Tang Rang, Zhang Ping, Li Junming, Zhang Ping, Zhao Hongmei, Chen Yaping
- Director: Zheng Xiaolong
- Deputy director's assistants: Dong Xiaoyun (Assistant Director), Liu Le (Assistant), Zheng Hanqing (Assistant)
- Script writer: Liu Lianzi, Wang Xiaoping
- Photographer: Li Zhiqiang, Li Qiang, Yu Fei, Zhang Yuanshou, Feng Yucheng, Wang Lindong, Zhao Hao, He Lichun, Chen Jianwei, Wei Liangliang, Li Meng, Yang Jinbo
- Music: Liu Huan, Meng Ke, Ding Ji, Zhao Liang, Song Lei, Wang Songyang, Wan Xiaoyuan, Li Wei, Sui Jing, Asian Philharmonic Orchestra, Huang Lijie
- Editor: Jin Ye, Jiang Jimei, cao translation
- Props: Wang Yue, Liu Yuanfei, Wang Guiqing, Wang Shili, Gao Guiyong, Liu Jiye, Zhang Yanlong, Fang Jie, LiBiao, Cao Yongli, Wang Yanhua, Su Huizhi, gao Yashi, Gao Xian, Young spring library, Lv Qiang, Zhang Fengjun
- Casting director: Li Yang
- Voice acting directors: Liao Jing and Zhang Wei
- Art designers: Chen Haozhong, Luan Hexin, Wang Yongkang, Yang Kun
- Modeling designers: Chen Minzheng, Li Yuanyuan, Wang Yingkai, Kou Hainan, Yang Jia, Sun Yue, Guo Yang, Min Cong, Zhang Rongbin, Qin Yiping, Wen Lulu, Xing Lu
- Fashion designers: Chen Tongxun, Shi Dongling, Ji Doni, Zhu Yuxiang, Tang Biyun, Liu Xiaohu, Chen Guanglin, Guo Sheng, Shi Jianmin
- Visual effects: Beijing Huacai Shengtang Mathematics Technology Co., LTD
- Lighting crew: Li Tianlei, Zhang Xin 'an, Zhang Cun, Wang Zhonghai, Xu Wanfei, Zhang Feng, Lin Shucong, Wu Tianzhao, Zhang Yunling, Meng Xudong, Chen Guofu, Xu Bing, Zhang Jiayu
- Recording crew: An Wei, Liu Xinghe, Lin Xin
- Directors: Zhang Xiaonan, Zhang Xiaofeng, Wang Gaofeng, Wang Kuanxi, Guan Xiaoming, Wang Kuandong, Zhang Yongbo, Zhang Wei, Dai Zuyin, Dai Zuyuan, Li Shunyi, Li Weitan, Jia Xinquan, Liu Quanmin
- Script supervisor: Guo Guanhua, Yu Feng
- Issuing: Cheng Ting [1]
Impact
Chinese traditional arts
According to the Overseas Chinese Language and Culture Education Online website, The Filigree Inlaid Metal Art (花丝镶嵌), an accessory craft skill that could be oriented back to the Spring and Autumn Period from 770-256 BC that uses gold, silver, and metal as the based; pearls, and gems on top, attracted a wide number of audience and became a phenomenon due to it being featured on Empresses in the Palace'.[2].
Ratings
| Air date | Episode # | CSM42 City Anhui TV ratings | CSM42 City Dragon TV ratings | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ratings | Audience share | Rank | Ratings | Audience share | Rank | ||
| 2012.03.26 | 1-2 | 0.813 | 2.17 | 3 | 0.601 | 1.61 | 8 |
| 2012.03.27 | 3-4 | 0.959 | 2.57 | 3 | 0.677 | 1.82 | 5 |
| 2012.03.28 | 5-6 | 0.854 | 2.22 | 3 | 0.727 | 1.88 | 6 |
| 2012.03.29 | 7-8 | 1.058 | 2.75 | 3 | 0.844 | 2.19 | 5 |
| 2012.03.30 | 9-10 | 1.087 | 2.72 | 3 | 0.930 | 2.32 | 4 |
| 2012.03.31 | 11-12 | 1.005 | 2.67 | 3 | 0.894 | 2.37 | 4 |
| 2012.04.01 | 13-14 | 1.080 | 2.85 | 3 | 0.910 | 2.41 | 4 |
| 2012.04.02 | 15-16 | 1.097 | 2.98 | 2 | 1.018 | 2.77 | 4 |
| 2012.04.03 | 17-18 | 1.008 | 2.76 | 3 | 1.036 | 2.86 | 2 |
| 2012.04.04 | 19-20 | 1.110 | 2.91 | 2 | 1.050 | 2.75 | 3 |
| 2012.04.05 | 21-22 | 1.105 | 2.95 | 2 | 1.081 | 2.88 | 3 |
| 2012.04.06 | 23-24 | 1.090 | 2.83 | 2 | 1.009 | 2.63 | 3 |
| 2012.04.07 | 25-26 | 1.281 | 3.30 | 1 | 1.035 | 2.67 | 4 |
| 2012.04.08 | 27-28 | 1.147 | 2.90 | 3 | 1.233 | 3.12 | 2 |
| 2012.04.09 | 29-30 | 1.332 | 3.46 | 2 | 1.315 | 3.42 | 3 |
| 2012.04.10 | 31-32 | 1.309 | 3.49 | 1 | 1.174 | 3.12 | 2 |
| 2012.04.11 | 32-34 | 1.428 | 3.76 | 1 | 1.296 | 3.41 | 2 |
| 2012.04.12 | 35-36 | 1.407 | 3.68 | 1 | 1.272 | 3.32 | 2 |
| 2012.04.13 | 37-38 | 1.377 | 3.66 | 1 | 1.262 | 3.36 | 2 |
| 2012.04.14 | 39-40 | 1.411 | 3.73 | 1 | 1.189 | 3.18 | 2 |
| 2012.04.15 | 41-42 | 1.330 | 3.32 | 1 | 0.897 | 2.29 | 4 |
| 2012.04.16 | 43-44 | 1.422 | 3.80 | 1 | 1.294 | 3.45 | 2 |
| 2012.04.17 | 45-46 | 1.519 | 4.06 | 1 | 1.410 | 3.78 | 2 |
| 2012.04.18 | 47-48 | 1.571 | 4.02 | 1 | 1.416 | 3.76 | 2 |
| 2012.04.19 | 49-50 | 1.625 | 4.28 | 1 | 1.513 | 3.99 | 2 |
| 2012.04.20 | 51-52 | 1.567 | 4.03 | 1 | 1.552 | 4.00 | 2 |
| 2012.04.21 | 53-54 | 1.652 | 4.43 | 1 | 1.570 | 4.23 | 2 |
| 2012.04.22 | 55-56 | 1.562 | 4.16 | 1 | 1.512 | 4.00 | 2 |
| 2012.04.23 | 57-58 | 1.687 | 4.23 | 1 | 1.444 | 3.82 | 2 |
| 2012.04.24 | 59-60 | 1.760 | 4.54 | 1 | 1.618 | 4.18 | 2 |
| 2012.04.25 | 61-62 | 1.753 | 4.68 | 1 | 1.609 | 4.30 | 2 |
| 2012.04.26 | 63-64 | 1.954 | 5.37 | 1 | 1.570 | 4.37 | 2 |
| 2012.04.27 | 65-66 | 1.720 | 4.59 | 1 | 1.670 | 4.47 | 2 |
| 2012.04.28 | 67-68 | 1.806 | 4.79 | 1 | 1.684 | 4.48 | 2 |
| 2012.04.29 | 69-70 | 1.878 | 5.21 | 1 | 1.525 | 4.25 | 2 |
| 2012.04.30 | 71-72 | 1.853 | 5.15 | 1 | 1.696 | 4.75 | 2 |
| 2012.05.01 | 73-74 | 1.770 | 4.68 | 1 | 1.710 | 4.52 | 2 |
| 2012.05.02 | 75-76 | 2.11 | 5.75 | 1 | 2.063 | 5.60 | 2 |
| Average ratings | 1.480 | 3.89 | 2012: 14th | 1.340 | 3.53 | 2012: 23rd | |
- Highest ratings are marked in red, lowest ratings are marked in blue.
Accolades
| List of Accolades | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Award / Festival | Category | Recipient(s) | Result |
| China TV Golden Eagle Award | Outstanding Television Series | Won | |
| International Emmy Award[4] | Best Actress | Sun Li | Nominated |
| Shanghai Television Festival[5] | Best Director | Zheng Xiaolong | Won |
| Best Actress | Sun Li | Nominated | |
| China TV Drama Awards | Best Television Series | Won | |
| Best Director | Zheng Xiaolong | Won | |
| Best Actress | Sun Li | Won | |
| Best Supporting Actress[6] | Jiang Xin | Won | |
| Best New Actor | Li Dongxue | Won | |
| Most Popular Actress (Hong Kong / Taiwan) | Ada Choi | Won | |
| Macau International Television Festival[7] | Best Drama | Won | |
| Best Director | Zheng Xiaolong | Won | |
| Best Actress | Sun Li | Won | |
| Huading Awards[8] | Best TV Actor | Chen Jianbin | Won |
| Chunyan Awards | Best Director | Zheng Xiaolong | Won |
| China Hengdian Film and Television Festival | Best Television Series[9] | Won | |
| Best Director | Zheng Xiaolong | Won | |
International broadcast
The drama was first aired in China in 2011 on Shaoxing News, a regional channel. As it gained popularity there it was picked up by national TV channels and first aired nationwide in 2012.[citation needed]
In April 2015, the series was added to US region of Netflix and has since been taken off and put on Amazon Prime Video. It was edited down to six episodes, each with a ninety-minute duration. The original audio was kept intact with the addition of closed captions in English.[10]
In Thailand, the series was first aired in 2016 on Channel 7[11] and in 2018 on One31 and LINE TV.
The series was uploaded on YouTube by LeTV in 2018.
References
- ^ "甄嬛传01 - 在线观看 - 电视剧 - 乐视视频". www.le.com. Retrieved 2022-04-26.
- ^ "How TV shows saved the Chinese traditional Filigree Inlaid Metal Art".
- ^ "电视剧收视率排行榜 | 收视率排行" (in Chinese (China)). Retrieved 2020-06-07.
- ^ . iemmys.tv. Archived from the original on 25 December 2011. Retrieved 12 December 2013.
- ^ . stvf.com. Archived from the original on 27 April 2014. Retrieved 1 February 2014.
- ^ "Actress Jiang Xin Covers Fashion Magazine". Women of China. Retrieved 1 September 2015.
- ^ . ent.cntv. Archived from the original on 2016-12-20. Retrieved 2017-04-15.
- ^ "2012华鼎奖名人满意度调查获奖名单". Sina.
- ^ "1st Hengdian film,TV festival gives out awards". China.org.cn. September 19, 2012.
- ^ "Empresses in the Palace coming to Netflix". Netflix Life.
- ^ ""ภ.จีน ชุด "เจินหวน จอมนางคู่แผ่นดิน" (THE LEGEND OF ZHEN HUAN)"". Channel 7 (in Thai). Retrieved 26 May 2016.