Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace

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 novel Hou Gong Ru Yi Zhuan by Liu Lianzi. Starring Zhou Xun and Wallace Huo, the series chronicles the relationship between Emperor Qianlong and Empress Nara. It is the sequel to the critically acclaimed drama Empresses in the Palace.^[1][2] It aired on Tencent Video starting 20 August to 15 October 2018;^[3] during which it was streamed more than 18,9 billion times.^[4] It later went on national broadcast and aired simultaneously on Jiangsu Television and Dragon Television from 25 December 2018.^[5]

Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace
Also known as	The Legend of Ruyi
Traditional Chinese	如懿傳
Simplified Chinese	如懿传
Hanyu Pinyin	Rúyì Zhuàn
Genre	Historical fiction Romance
Based on	Hou Gong Ru Yi Zhuan by Liu Lianzi
Written by	Liu Lianzi
Directed by	Wang Jun
Starring	Zhou Xun Wallace Huo
Country of origin	China
Original language	Mandarin
No. of seasons	1
No. of episodes	87
Production
Executive producer	Huang Lan
Production locations	Hengdian World Studios Beijing Wulan Butong Mudu
Production company	New Classics Media
Release
Original network	Tencent, Jiangsu Television, Dragon Television
Original release	August 20 (2018-08-20) – October 15, 2018 (2018-10-15)

Despite receiving mixed reviews from viewers about the plot and the characters, the series eventually won acclaim for its exquisite props, lavish sets and stellar cast and has a score of 7.5 points on Douban.

Synopsis

The story follows Step Empress Nara and her life during the Qianlong Emperor's reign as his consort until her death.

Step Empress Nara grew up as Lady Qingying, the niece of Empress Xiaojing, during the Yongzheng Emperor's reign and was future Qianlong Emperor's childhood friend; he was referred to as fourth prince Hongli prior to his ascension. Initially chosen to be his difujin (primary consort) when he was a prince, Lady Qingying's status in the Imperial Court was compromised after the Yongzheng Emperor exposed Empress Xiaojing for raising a traitor and trying to usurp his throne, and took third prince Hongshi from the line of succession. Prince Hongli, now the new successor to the throne, is forced to rescind his decision, and takes future Empress Fuca Langhua as his difujin instead. However, he compromised with Yongzheng Emperor to let him take Lady Qingying back as cefujin (secondary consort) so that she could stay with him in his Harem. Another candidate, Lady Gao Xiyue is taken as his concubine as well. Ruyi is uneasy with the arrangement but Prince Hongli vows to protect her and promises he would not let her suffer despite what had happened to her aunt and the situation regarding her standing in the Imperial Family. All three women are promoted once Prince Hongli became Qianlong Emperor ascended to the throne; Lady Qingying becoming Consort Xian and Lady Gao becoming Noble Consort Hui. The women become new members of the Imperial Harem after Qianlong Emperor's succession.

Due to her involvement with the Ula-Nara clan and her reputation as Qianlong Emperor's favored wife and childhood friend, Consort Xian is initially not well received in the Imperial Harem and Imperial Family. His mother Consort Xi, now the Dowager Empress, initially distrusted Consort Xian but granted her the name "Ruyi" when the latter requested to be give a new name to start anew; she is referred to as Ruyi by Qianlong Emperor and various others in private and informal settings. Empress Fuca feels threatened by Ruyi's favor and, with Noble Consort Hui's assistance, helped set traps and planted accusations against her in order to make her less favored. Torn between his love for Ruyi, his duty to both the Empress Fuca and the Dowager Empress, as well as imperial affairs and his desire to maintain the Qing's good reputation, Qianlong Emperor often turns the other way when Ruyi is in need or sides against her instead. As a result, Ruyi is eventually demoted to become a commoner and sent to The Cold Palace for years after being accused for harming Noble Lady Yi and Concubine Mei's children. During her time, she struggles to survive in her new home but endured with the help of her servant Suoxin and low-ranking guard Ling Yunche. She also discovers Empress Fuca's plans to intentionally make both her and Noble Consort Hui infertile via a bracelet given to both of them as a wedding gift when they first married Qianlong Emperor.

Eventually, Ruyi is able to escape with the help of her allies within the Imperial Harem and return to the Imperial Court as Consort Xian once more. Noble Consort Hui, now Imperial Noble Consort Hui, learns of Empress Fuca's bracelet through Ruyi and exposes Empress Fuca's actions to Qianlong Emperor before her death. Empress Fuca begins to lose favor and her health went into decline as Ruyi's allies began to gain favor from the Emperor and schemed against Empress Fuca's children out of revenge. After nearly drowning on accident, she eventually succumbs to illness but warns Qianlong Emperor about Ruyi. She also curses whoever would take her position as Empress to die tragically. Qianlong Emperor forces everyone to mourn for Empress Fuca to pretend that he deeply cared for her.

It is revealed that Empress Fuca and Imperial Noble Consort Hui's actions were manipulated by Consort Jia, a favored consort from Joseon who wanted the title of Empress herself in order to win the love of the Joseon Crown Prince and remove Qing influence from her home country. Ruyi's ascension from Consort to Imperial Noble Consort to Step Empress was made uneasy due to Consort Jia's attempt to curb her favor with scathing rumors and other actions that led to various injuries and deaths to those Ruyi loved. Eventually, as Consort Jia is demoted and re-promoted over the years due to her scheming, she loses favor from Qianglong Emperor and becomes abused by the women in the Imperial Harem who were wronged by her. Her plan to put her oldest son on the Qing throne for Joseon were revealed and she is demoted by Qianlong Emperor to become a commoner. She dies brokenhearted after learning why the Joseon Crown Prince would never love her and all her sons were taken out of the royal succession.

Ruyi's relationship with Qianlong Emperor is challenged throughout their marriage but went into further decline after Consort Jia's death. As wrongful accusations, rumors, and scheming ladies of the Imperial Harem causes Ruyi to lose favor and respect from Qianlong Emperor, her differing opinions also began clashing with his personal desires, expectations, and wants. Consort Ling, a look-a-like of Ruyi and former maid of Consort Jia and Imperial Noble Consort Chun, eventually rose to power as a means of spiting those within the Imperial Harem who wronged her in the past and financial pressure from her family. As a result of her supporting Qianlong's choices regardless of their consequences, Consort Ling grew in favor over the years and her influence caused the rift between him and Ruyi to grow further. More people within the Imperial Harem and Imperial family began to divide themselves into factions that either supported Ruyi or Consort Ling. More people within the Imperial Palace also die due to Consort Ling's machinations, and it is revealed that some of Consort Jia, Imperial Noble Consort Hui, and Empress Fuca's actions against the members of the Imperial Harem and Ruyi were caused by Consort Ling instead. However, despite her true nature, Qianlong Emperor continues to favor and allow her to regain her status whenever she falls from favor or is caught committing her schemes.

The events of the story escalates to Ruyi confronting Qianlong Emperor while he was busying himself with courtesans Consort Ling's organized for him, which was against Imperial Harem policies, during a trip abroad. Alone with Qianlong Emperor after dismissing the courtesans, Ruyi argued with him about his irresponsible actions and behavior over the years; she stated how extreme and ungrateful he has been to her while he stated how she refused to comply to his personal wishes and demands. Realizing that she was no longer married to the man she loved before, Ruyi cuts off a lock of her hair in front of him to symbolically end their marriage and give her title of Step Empress back to him. The act, which was seen as a curse to Qianlong Emperor and Dowager Empress, forced the former to put Ruyi under house arrest but not rescind her title. Ruyi learns of the newly promoted Imperial Noble Consort Ling's actions over the years and reveals all of them to Qianlong Emperor before she eventually passes away from tuberculosis. Imperial Noble Consort Ling is then punished by being demoted to commoner and slowly poisoned as punishment until her eventual death. Despite Qianlong Emperor asking for Ruyi's forgiveness and for her to return to the Imperial Court as Step Empress once more during the last months of her life, she refused to come back or even meet with the other women of the Imperial Harem. She also did not disclose her sickness to him.

A small funeral was held for Ruyi by her surviving allies in the Imperial Harem soon after and her death was announced to Qianlong Emperor while he was away on a trip. Initially, Qianlong Emperor attempts to memorialize Ruyi but discovered that she not only returned her Imperial gifts, which were bestowed on her when she became Step Empress, but also destroyed a painting of herself that was given by him as a peace offering during her house arrest. Realizing that Ruyi never wanted to be involved in the Imperial Harem in the first place and suffered greatly because of him wanting to put up a good reputation for Qing over her own wellbeing, he orders all records of Ruyi to be destroyed and her death to be written as merely a passing of an untitled clanswoman, which brought controversy throughout China and the Imperial Palace. When Dowager Empress asked about his decision, he justified his act by recounting how Ruyi had cut her hair in defiance and his order was her punishment. Qianlong Emperor designed and dedicated a pavilion to her, spending the rest of his life sitting inside of it and forever haunted by her memory as he grew older. To save their only surviving son from the pressures and tragedies that come from being an emperor, he made Consort Ling's youngest son to be his successor instead and retires soon after.

The series ends with a now-old Qianlong Emperor cutting a piece of his hair and intertwining it with the lock of hair Ruyi cut in front of him years ago and dying peacefully. Ruyi's favorite plant that she left behind for him, the green plum, blooms for the first time in decades after Qianlong Emperor was found dead by one of his servants. The ending sequence states that no woman from Ula-Nara ever entered the Imperial Harem again after Ruyi's death.

Cast

Main

Leading Protagonists

Actor	Character	Residence	Introduction
Zhou Xun	Ula-Nara Ruyi (烏拉那拉·如懿)	Yanxi Palace Yikun Palace	The Step Empress (繼皇后) Lady Ula-Nara → Secondary Consort (Ce Fujin) → Consort Xian → Noble Lady Xian → Commoner → Consort Xian → Noble Consort Xian → Imperial Noble Consort → The Step Empress Coming from the Ula-Nara clan of the Plain Yellow Banner with the birth name Qingying (青櫻), she is the niece of the Empress Ula-Nara Yixiu. Childhood friends with Qianlong Emperor, she was initilally chosen to be his first wife before her family's position in the Imperial Family was compromised. Wanting to distance herself from her past and make amends, she was given the name Ruyi (如懿), meaning 'beautiful and quiet' (美好安靜), reminding her that she must be calm if she wants to have a peaceful life in the palace. While she is referred to as her titles, she is often called Ruyi in private by Dowager Empress and Qianlong Emperor. Due to her past relationship with Qianlong Emperor, she is despised by the women in the Imperial Harem and suffered trials and tribulations as a result. She is eventually promoted to Step Empress but her relationship between her and Qianlong Emperor eventually deteriorated as time passed. Her death causes great pain and guilt to Qianlong Emperor up to the day he dies. Her legacy remains a mystery for years to come, as Qianlong Emperor ordered all records and documents of her to be destroyed after her death.
Wallace Huo	Aisin-Gioro Hongli (愛新覺羅·弘曆)	Prince Bao's Manor Yangxin Hall	The Qianlong Emperor (乾隆皇帝) The Fourth Prince → Prince Bao of the First Rank → The Qianlong Emperor → Retired Emperor The fourth son of the Yongzheng Emperor and Dowager Empress's adoptive son. Childhood friends with Ruyi, he was named the next successor to the throne after his older brother's dismissal and forced to choose Ruyi as his second wife instead of his first. While he is talented and politically capable, he is revealed to be insecure and selfish as time passes. Appearances matter to him, as he intentionally hide the true reality of the Imperial Court to the outside world, and puts on a show to pretend he genuinely cares for the Imperial Family and Imperial Harem. Despite vowing to protect Ruyi, he lets his ego and indulgence control his decisions over Ruyi's well-being. As he grows older, his weaknesses cause him to fall victim to Consort Ling's influence and becomes a shadow of a man Ruyi used to love. Qianlong Emperor eventually realizes the error of his ways and attempts to reconcile with Ruyi until her death. Out of guilt and as a final attempt of making things right, he removed all traces of her (paintings, records, etc.) from the Imperial Court as a means to set her free.

Secondary Protagonists

Actor	Character	Residence	Introduction
Janine Chang^[6]^[7]	Keliyete Hailan (珂里葉特·海蘭)	Xianfu Palace Yanxi Palace	Noble Consort Yu (愉貴妃) Embroidery maid → Mistress (Shu Fujin) → First Attendant Hai → Noble Lady Hai → Concubine Yu → Consort Yu → Noble Consort Yu (posthumous) Initially an embroidery maid in Prince Hongli's residence named Hailan and eventually promoted to become Noble Consort Yu. She is sometimes referred to as Hailan by Ruyi. Gentle yet determined, she is a loyal friend and confidante of Ruyi. Noble Consort Yu was first taken advantage of by Prince Hongli on a drunken occasion when she was a maid prior to his ascension. To preserve her dignity and prevent her from being further bullied, Ruyi helped her become a Mistress in the Imperial Harem and she eventually became known as Noble Consort Yu. She is still referred to as Hailan by Ruyi and refers to Ruyi as her older sister. Her only son, Prince Yongqi, was ultimately adopted by Ruyi and seen as Qianlong Emperor's favorite son until the former's death. Noble Consort Yu is an exceptionally influential member of the Imperial Harem and makes use of her influence to deal with the concubines and consorts who stand in Ruyi's way. She serves as the messenger that helped Ruyi expose Consort Ling's actions to Qianlong Emperor.
Vivian Wu^[8]	Niohuru Zhenhuan (钮祜禄·甄嬛)	Yongshou Palace Shoukang Palace Cining Palace	Empress Dowager Chongqing (崇慶皇太后) Consort Xi → Noble Consort Xi → Empress Dowager Chongqing Qianlong Emperor's adoptive mother and Dowager Empress during Qianlong Emperor's reign. Although she appears to share a civil relationship with her son, they are wary and suspicious of each other. In order to ensure that she continues to thrive in the Imperial Court, she places concubines that are subservient to her by Qianlong Emperor's side and manipulates some consorts like Ruyi to influence him. However, Qianlong Emperor shows deep respect for his mother as a means of displaying filialty and they get along with each other overall. She initially dislikes Ruyi because of her familial relationship with Empress Xiaojing, but later grows to respect her for her intelligence and her pure love for Qianlong Emperor, becoming an ally to her in the end. However, some of her tasks that she asked Ruyi to perform ended up causing strain on Ruyi's relationship with Qianlong Emperor as well as the rest of the family.
Jing Chao^[9]	Ling Yunche (凌雲徹)	—	Ling Yunche (凌雲徹) Imperial guard of the Cold Palace → Imperial guard of Kunning Palace → Lanling Imperial guard → Imperial guard of the 3rd rank → Slave → Imperial guard of the 2nd rank → Imperial guard of the 1st rank → Eunuch of Yikun Palace An imperial guard that helped Ruyi survive the Cold Palace. He was Consort Ling's first love and eventually Miaoqian's husband. Loyal and empathetic, he initially wanted to work with Consort Ling to better both their lives and hopefully get married together soon after. He first met Ruyi and her maid at The Cold Palace. As a thanks for helping her, Ruyi helped him rise in the ranks as a guard and he develops a crush for her, forgetting about Consort Ling after she rejected him as a means of rising within the Imperial Court for her own gain. However, Ruyi and Ling Yunche's close relationship makes Qianlong Emperor jealous. After rescuing Ruyi and being accused for having an affair with her afterwards, Qianlong Emperor forced him to become a Eunuch as a humiliating punishment. He is killed under orders of Noble Consort Yu as a means to appease Qianlong Emperor and stop the rumors from further hurting Ruyi.

Main Antagonists

Actor	Character	Residence	Introduction
Tong Yao^[10]	Gao Xiyue (高晞月)	Xianfu Palace	Imperial Noble Consort Huixian (慧賢皇貴妃) Mistress Gao (Shu fujin) → Secondary Consort (Ce Fujin) → Noble Consort Hui(慧貴妃) → Imperial Noble Consort Hui(慧皇貴妃) → Imperial Noble Consort Huixian (posthumous) Formerly the concubine of then-Fourth Prince and eventually promoted as Imperial Noble Consort Hui. A skilled Pipa player who is proficient in the Chinese Four Arts and a favored consort of Qianlong Emperor during the earlier years of his reign, she is arrogant and defiant as a result of her family's status and talents. Due to the actions of her father, she is well-liked by Qianlong Emperor but hated by Empress Dowager due to Hui's father role in having Empress Dowager's daughter married off against her wishes. As a result, Empress Dowager secretly ordered physicians to poison Imperial Noble Consort Hui. Her hatred towards Ruyi led her to initially trust Empress Fuca and aid her in taking Ruyi her down. However, she is eventually discarded by Empress Fuca after falling into delirium caused by Empress Dowager and learns the truth about her infertility. On her death bed, she exposed to the Emperor Qianlong what Empress Fuca had done, and gave him scabies via a dirty blanket as a parting gift.
Dong Jie^[11]	Fuca Langhua (富察·琅嬅)	Changchun Palace	The First Empress Xiaoxianchun (孝賢純皇后) Di fujin → The First Empress(元后) Formerly the first wife of then-Fourth Prince and eventually the Empress Fuca. Elegant and dignified, she presents herself as a respected and virtuous Empress. However, she is insecure and desires to be the best Empress possible to Qianlong Emperor. This resulted in her holding high expectations for those around her- including her servant and children- and intentionally causing Ruyi and Hui to not be pregnant. Her frugal ways were meant Eventually, she loses favor and succumbs to illness after falling into water via Consort Jia's actions. Before her death, she warns Qianlong Emperor of Ruyi and curses whoever tries to pursue her status as Empress to die tragically. Despite knowing what Empress Fuca did, Qianlong Emperor tried to save her reputation while she is alive and often criticizes Ruyi by comparing her to the late Empress. Empress Fuca is memorialized throughout his reign; he went as far as disowning his two sons for not mourning hard enough at her funeral. Empress Fuca's passing not only made way for Ruyi to become Step Empress but inspired her only surviving child Grand Princess Jingse to side with Consort Ling to fulfil her mother's final request of vengeance.
Xin Zhilei^[12]	Jin Yuyan/Kim Ok-yeon (金玉妍/김옥연)	Qixiang Palace	Imperial Noble Consort Shujia (淑嘉皇貴妃) Lady Jin (Shu fujin) → Noble Lady Jia (嘉貴人) → Concubine Jia (嘉嬪) → Consort Jia (嘉妃) → Noble Consort Jia (嘉貴妃) → Concubine Jia (嘉嬪) → Noble Lady Jia → Noble Consort Jia → Second Class Female Attendant Jin (金答應) → Noble Consort Jia → Commoner → Imperial Noble Consort Shujia (posthumous) A favored concubine of Qianlong Emperor from Joseon that rose and fell in rank over the years but became known as Consort Jia. Initially seen as a foreigner who is attentive and favored by Qianlong Emperor for having sons, she is revealed to be manipulative, shrewd, and the mastermind behind Imperial Noble Consort Hui and Empress Fuca's demise. She intentionally earns favor in order to make her next son the successor and win favor and love from the Crown Prince of Joseon. As a result, she instigated many conflicts and caused the deaths of various concubines and their children. Her plans were ultimately revealed and she is demoted to commoner as punishment. To save face, her family revealed that she was actually adopted, explaining why Crown Prince is unable to love her. Ruyi reveals this to Jia, who died of a broken heart as a result. Her posthumous title of Imperial Noble Consort Shujia; her name is a homophone for "loser" (输家). Her sons were taken out of the line of succession soon after.
Li Chun^[13]	Wei Yanwan (魏嬿婉/衛嬿婉)^[14]	Yongshou Palace	Imperial Noble Consort Lingyi (炩懿皇貴妃) Palace maid → Palace maid of Consort Chun → Palace Maid of the Royal Garden → Palace Maid of Consort Jia →Palace Maid of the Yangxin Palace→ Second Class Female Attendant Wei (衛答應) → First Class Female Attendant Wei (衛常在) → Noble Lady Ling (炩貴人) → Concubine Ling (炩嬪) → Consort Ling (炩妃) → Second Class Female Attendant Wei → Concubine Ling → Consort Ling → Noble Consort Ling (炩貴妃) → Imperial Noble Consort Ling (炩皇貴妃) → Imperial Noble Consort Lingyi (炩懿皇貴妃, posthumous) Initially a former maid named Wei Yanwan that was a Ruyi look-a-like who rose in rank and rose to Imperial Noble Consort Ling. Ambitious and hardworking, she initially didn't want to be involved with the Imperial Harem or its politics but instead establish a life with Ling Yungche. However, due to her desires to rise in rank and manipulation caused by the women in the Imperial Harem for their own agenda and out of suspicion, Wei is mistreated by them and various servants. Angry with her situation and pressured financially by her family, she decided to become a part of the Imperial Harem and was heavily favored by Qianlong Emperor for her skills and talents.. Due to her ability to manipulate people to do her bidding, she became the main cause of the relationship between Ruyi and Qianlong Emperor to become irreparable. Eventually, Consort Ling takes over Ruyi's position and responsibilities to maintain the Imperial Harem as Imperial Noble Consort but fails due to unwavering support from Ruyi's remaining allies. Consort Ling's actions against the Imperial Family are exposed by Ruyi and Qianlong Emperor punishes Consort Ling by demoting. Despite her end, her youngest son was named heir and became Jiaqing Emperor.

Supporting

the Imperial Harem

Actor	Character	Residence	Introduction
Hu Ke^[15]	Su Lüyun (蘇綠筠)	Zhongcui Palace	Imperial Noble Consort Chunhui (純惠皇貴妃) Mistress (Shu Fujin) → Concubine Chun → Consort Chun → Noble Consort Chun → Imperial Noble Consort → Imperial Noble Consort Chunhui (posthumous) A concubine of then-Fourth Prince and eventually promoted to Imperial Noble Consort Chun. Naïve and kind, she is manipulated often by the women of the Imperial Harem to unknowingly help with their machinations and sometimes works against Ruyi for her own agenda. Initially recommended to be the next Empress to succeed Empress Fuca, she fell out of favor but remained an important figure of the Imperial Harem when Ruyi became Step Empress. She is a major ally to Ruyi and Noble Consort Yu, and ended up caring for her former son Prince Yonghuang when she was sent to The Cold Palace. Until the end of her life, she served as her confidant alongside Noble Consort Yu. She fell from further favor as Ruyi began clashing with Qianlong Emperor and siding with the former. At the end of her life, she was granted the title Imperial Noble Consort but died from illness before her ceremony.
Cao Xiwen^[16]	Chen Wanyin (陳婉茵)	Zhongcui Palace	Noble Consort Wan (婉貴妃) Mistress (Shu Fujin) → Second Attendant Wan → First Attendant Wan → Noble Lady Wan → Concubine Wan → Consort Wan → Noble Consort Wan (posthumous) A concubine of then-Fourth Prince and eventually promoted to Consort Wan. Timid and keeping to herself, she yearned to gain the favor of Qianlong Emperor for years. Despite having a good relationship with the Step Empress, Consort Ling manipulated her desire to gain favor and her penmanship skills to further separate Qianlong Emperor from Ruyi and lose custody of Prince Yongji. Ruyi described Consort Wan as a "rare, good person" and forgave her for her actions before Consort Wan vowed to make amends.
Han Dantong^[17]	Huang Qiying(黃琦莹)	Jingyang Palace Yanxi Palace	Concubine Yi (儀嬪) Personal maid of Primary Consort Fuca → Mistress (Shu Fujin) → Noble Lady Yi → Concubine Yi (posthumous) A maid of Empress Fuca turned concubine of then-Fourth Prince and eventually promoted to Noble Lady Yi. Empress Fuca and Imperial Noble Consort Hui despised her for receiving favor and caused her to miscarry. She was manipulated to believe that Ruyi was responsible and attempted to assassinate her when they lived together. Noble Lady Yi committed suicide soon after.
Zeng Yixuan^[18]	Socolun A'ruo (索索綽倫·阿箬)	Qixiang Palace	Concubine Shen (慎嬪) Maid of Consort Xian → Palace maid → First Attendant Shen → Noble Lady Shen → Concubine Shen → Commoner A former maid of Ruyi named A'ruo promoted to be Concubine Shen. Originally working for Ruyi, she secretly sided with Empress Fuca and Imperial Noble Consort Hui as a means of climbing up the ranks herself. During Ruyi's time in The Cold Palace, she is able to enter the Imperial Harem and promoted to become a concubine despite having no children or reputation. Arrogant, superficial, and sharp-tongued, her role in accusing Ruyi was revealed and she blamed her actions on her former master to avoid implicating Empress Fuca or Imperial Noble Consort Hui. Despite being promoted to Concubine, Qianlong Emperor merely strung her along, which caused her to be hated by the Imperial Harem more than envied. Concubine Shen was sent to The Cold Palace as a commoner and committed suicide shortly after being tortured under Ruyi's orders.
He Hongshan^[19]	Bai Ruiji (白蕊姬)	Yonghe Palace Anhua Palace	Concubine Mei (玫嬪) Musician of South Manor → Second Attendant Mei → First Attendant Mei → Noble Lady Mei → Concubine Mei A musician promoted to be Concubine Mei. A yueqin player, Concubine Mei was the first of many spies sent by Dowager Empress as a means of controlling the Imperial Harem herself. Despite initially being favored, the loss of her child and decline in health led her to lose favor and believe Empress Fuca was responsible for her child's death. Manipulated by Consort Jia, Concubine Mei killed Empress Fuca's son by making him contract smallpox. She was eventually used as a scapegoat by Qianlong Emperor to weaken Empress Dowager's control. As punishment for her crimes, she is forced to commit suicide and dies while playing her yueqin. Ruyi prepared the death to ensure that Concubine Mei is reunited with her son in the afterlife.
Chen Haoyu^[20]	Yehe-Nara Yihuan (葉赫那拉·意歡)	Chuxiu Palace	Consort Shu (舒妃) Noble Lady Shu → Concubine Shu → Consort Shu A noble lady promoted to be Consort Shu. One of Dowager Empress's spies, Consort Shu was trained to be the ideal partner for Qianlong Emperor and entered into the Imperial Harem after performing for him. Straightforward and good-natured, she keeps to herself and believes that her love is reciprocated and fell in love with Qianlong Emperor at first sight. However, Qianlong Emperor knew that she was a spy and secretly gave her medicine to prevent her from bearing healthy children from him. She becomes one of Ruyi's allies during her time in the Imperial Harem. Upon learning his true feeling for her and after the death of her son, she becomes mentally unstable and burned herself alive. Ruyi's daughter was born soon after, causing Princess Jingsi to have an inauspicious life.
Yu Yang^[15]	Lu Muping (陸沐萍)	Jingyang Palace	Imperial Noble Consort Qinggong (慶恭皇貴妃) First Attendant Qing → Noble Lady Qing → Concubine Qing → Noble Lady Qing → Concubine Qing → Consort Qing → Noble Consort Qing → Imperial Noble Consort Qinggong (posthumous) A daughter of a Deputy Minister promoted to be Noble Consort Qing. One of Dowager Empress's spies, Noble Consort Qing was also given medicine to prevent her from bearing healthy children for Qianlong Emperor. After falling out of favor, she allies herself with Consort Ling but refuses to cause harm. She eventually became in charge of raising Consort Ling's son, the future Jiaqing Emperor, after the latter's death.
Liu Meitong^[21]	Bai'erguosishe (拜爾果斯氏)	Xianfu Palace	Concubine Ke (恪嬪) Noble Lady Ke → Concubine Ke A Mongolian concubine promoted to be Concubine Ke. The first member of the Imperial Harem from Mongolia, she is a descendant of Mongolian Royalty and is close with Noble Consort Ying. She, as well as First Attendant Gong and First Attendant Xi were picked to serve Qianlong Emperor while Ruyi and Jia were pregnant. She remains loyal to Ruyi and has a great dislike for Consort Ling and Consort Jia.
Zhang Jianing	Baarin Meiruo (巴林·湄若)	Chuxiu Palace	Noble Consort Ying (穎貴妃) Concubine Ying → Consort Ying → Noble Consort Ying A Mongolian concubine promoted to be Noble Consort Ying. Spirited and eloquent yet blunt, she is the second member of the Imperial Harem from Mongolia and regarded as a "Southern Beauty" who became very favored by Qianlong Emperor. Like Concubine Ke, she remains loyal to Ruyi and has a great dislike for Consort Ling and Consort Jia. She serves as a representative for all the Mongolian Harem members and . When Consort Ling was initially demoted after the birth of her daughter, Consort Ying adopted the latter under Qianlong's orders.
Zhao Ke^[15]	Borjigin Eyinzhu (博爾濟吉特·厄音珠)	Yonghe Palace	Consort Yu (豫妃) Concubine Yu → Consort Yu A Mongolian concubine promoted to be Consort Yu. Arrogant, defiant, and another descendant of Mongolian royalty, she quickly became favored by Qianlong Emperor due to her use of aphrodisiacs and as a means of leaking political messages to her own tribe. Under Consort Ling's orders, she masterminded a scathing rumor about Ruyi and Ling Yunche having an affair. As punishment for spreading the rumor, she was tortured and put under house arrest.
Li Qin^[22]	Han Xiangjian (寒香見)	Chengqian Palace Baoyue Hall	Consort Rong (容妃) Princess Xiangjian → Noble Lady Rong → Concubine Rong → Consort Rong An Uyghur princess promoted to be Consort Rong. She is often referred to as Xiangjian by Qianlong Emperor. Brought in as a tribute by General Zhaohui after her tribe was defeated by the Qing army, her beauty captivated Qianglong Emperor and enticed fear and jealousy in the Imperial Harem as she was quickly favored. However, she rejects Qianlong's courtship, as she was betrothed to her late lover Han Qi prior to being sent to the Imperial Harem as a tribute, but was encouraged to live on and serve Qianlong Emperror for the sake of her tribe. Her decision to become infertile strained Ruyi and Qianlong Emperor's relationship further and give Ruyi's position to oversee the Imperial Harem to Consort Ling instead. Despite becoming infertile, Consort Rong was promoted and remained a favored Consort. Consort Rong remained loyal to Ruyi for helping her become infertile at the cost of Ruyi's reputation and became Qianlong Emperor's voice of reason, criticizing him when he acts against Ruyi's wishes.
Sun Wenting	Lady Lin (林氏)	Jingren Palace	First Attendant Gong (恭常在) A lady who enters the Imperial Harem along with Concubine Ke and First Attendant Xi. Originally siding with Consort Jia, she ended up being close to Consort Ying. She, as well as Concubine Ke and First Attendant Xi were picked to serve Qianlong Emperor while Ruyi and Jia were pregnant. She also hates Consort Ling and stays loyal to Ruyi.
Wang Mian	Lady Sirin-Gioro (西林覺羅氏)	Jingren Palace	First Attendant Xi (禧常在) A lady who enters the Imperial Harem along with Concubine Ke and First Attendant Gong. Originally siding with Consort Jia, she ended up being close to Consort Ying. She, as well as Concubine Ke and First Attendant Gong were picked to serve Qianlong Emperor while Ruyi and Jia were pregnant. She also hates Consort Ling and stays loyal to Ruyi.
Zhu Jue	Lady Socolun (索綽倫氏)	Jingyang Palace	Noble Lady Rui (瑞貴人) Enters the palace at the same time as Consort Yu. She sides with Consort Ling.
Xia Yuxia	Lady Fang (方氏)	Yonghe Palace	First Attendant Kui (揆常在) Palace maid → Second Attendant Kui → First Attendant Kui A former maid who entered the palace when Ruyi is promoted to Imperial Noble Consort and became part of the Imperial Harem. She sides with Consort Ling.
Zhao Ruoxi	Lady Xu (徐氏)	Jingyang Palace Zhongcui Palace	First Attendant Xiu (秀常在) Second Attendant Xiu → First Attendant Xiu
Qu Rong	Lady Qian (錢氏)	Yonghe Palace	First Attendant Ping (平常在) Palace maid → Second Attendant Ping → First Attendant Ping A former maid who entered the palace when Ruyi is promoted to Imperial Noble Consort and became part of the Imperial Harem.
Huang Lulu	Lady Bai (白氏)	Jingyang Palace	First Attendant Bai (白常在) Entered the palace at the same time as Consort Yu.
Song Qinglin	Lady Lu (陸氏)	Jingyang Palace	First Attendant Lu (陸常在) Entered the palace at the same times as Consort Yu.
Yang Wanyi			First Attendant Wu (武常在) Another member of Consort Ling's posse.
Gao Rui			First Attendant Lu (柏常在) Another member of Consort Ling's posse.
Sun Wanting			First Attendant Ning (寧常在)
Jin Ning			First Attendant Fu (福常在)

Members of the imperial family

Actor	Character	Residence	Introduction
Zhang Fengyi^[23]	Aisin-Gioro Yinzhen (愛新覺羅·胤禛)	Yangxin Hall	Yongzheng Emperor (雍正帝) Father of Qianlong Emperor and the previous Emperor at the beginning of the series. His decision to take Third Prince out of the line of succession and make Qianlong Emperor his successor forced the latter to initially rescind his decision to make Ruyi his difujin. Despite his orders, he saw how much his son loved her and allowd him to have Ruyi as his son's cefujin so long as Qianlong Emperor takes Empress Fuca as difujin and Imperial Noble Consort Hui as Mistress. He is shown to have a soft spot for Ruyi due to her being Empress Xiaojing's niece. Yongzheng Emperor died six years after Ruyi's marriage to Qianlong Emperor.
Joan Chen^[24]	Ula-Nara Yixiu (烏拉那拉·宜修)	Jingren Palace	Empress Xiaojingxian (孝敬憲皇后) Empress Xiaojing → Empress Xiaojingxian (posthumously) Aunt of Ruyi, legal mother of Third Prince, and the previous Empress at the beginning of the series. Initially wanting Ruyi to become Third Prince's difujin and eventually Qianlong Emperor's when she failed the former's bridal selection, Empress Xiaojing was exposed for her role in the previous Empress's death as well as her legal son's attempt at usurping the throne. As a result, Empress Xiaojin was arrested and the Ula-Nara clan's reputation was compromised. It is revealed that then-Consort Xi now Dowager Empress disclosed this information as a means of making Qianlong Emperor succeed the Yongzheng Emperor instead. Qianlong Emperor is torn between giving Empress Xiaojing the posthumous title she deserved and granting Dowager Empress's wishes. Not wanting two Ula-Nara consorts in the Imperial Harem, Dowager Empress asked Ruyi to commit suicide. However, Empress Xiaojing decides to commit suicide herself and tells Ruyi to not be abandoned by Qianglong Emperor before she dies.
Zhu Yan			Dowager Concubine Ji (吉太嬪) A concubine from Yongzheng Emperor's reign who was banished to the Cold Palace. Disillusioned and aged, she meets Ruyi and attempts to assassinate the visiting Dowager Empress;she is later executed for her attempt. Ruyi's act of bravery to protect Dowager Empress from Dowager Concubine Ji helped influence the latter to convince Qianlong Emperor to bring her back to the Imperial Harem and look down on Empress Fuca.
Li Jie Ma Qiyue (young)	Aisin-Gioro Hongshi (愛新覺羅·弘時)		Hongshi (弘時) Third Prince of the Yongzheng Emperor and Empress Xiaojin's legal son. As Qianlong Emperor's half-older brother and initially the successor to the throne, he lost favor after he was caught usurping the throne from the Yongzheng Emperor. He loses his place in the succession while Empress Xiaojin loses her status as Empress. Because of this, Qianlong Emperor became the new successor. Initially, Ruyi was sent to attend his bridal selection but was unable to be chosen to become his difujin. She disclosed this with Qianlong Emperor that she intentionally failed that bridal selection.
Wang Xiao Tang Chengjing	Aisin-Gioro Hongzhou (愛新覺羅·弘晝) Imperial Princess Consort Hegong (吳扎庫氏)	Prince He's Manor	Hongzhou (和親王) Fifth son of the Yongzheng Emperor and Prince He of the First Rank. As Qianlong Emperor's half-younger brother and initially another member in the line of succession, he chose to let his other brother ascend to the throne instead. He is married to Imperial Princess Consort Hegong.
Xuan Lu^[25]	Aisin-Gioro Hengchuo (愛新覺羅·恆娖)		Grand Princess^[26] Duanshu (端淑長公主)Princess Hengchuo → Grand Princess Duanshu Oldest daughter of the Yongzhend Emperor and Dowager Empress. Upon her marriage, she became Grand Princess Duanshu. A younger-half sister of Qianlong Emperor, she was initially married to Khan Dorza and became High Princess of Dzungar Khanate. However, Khan Dorza was killed and his position was usurped by Khan Dawachi, who forced Qianlong to give High Princess Duanshu's hand in marriage in order to maintain peace and possibly prevent her from being mistreated horribly. Qianlong's decision to hold off on taking his sister back put great strain on his relationship with Dowager Empress, who tried to have Ruyi convince him to take her daughter home. Eventually, he was able to arrest Khan Dawachi and take Grand Princess back to her mother after finally taking him down. She is revealed to be carrying the child of Khan Dawachi upon her arrival, forcing Qianlong Emperor to not be able to rescind her marriage or separate her from her new husband.
Wang Herun^[27]	Aisin-Gioro Hengti (愛新覺羅·恆媞)		Grand Princess Roushu (柔淑長公主)Princess Hengti → Grand Princess Roushu Younger daughter of the Yongzhend Emperor and Dowager Empress. Initially chosen to be part of a marriage alliance to Septeng Baljur, Dowager Empress made Ruyi convince Qianlong Emperor to use his oldest daughter Princess Jingse instead.
Guan Xueying Wu Yuyu (teen)^[28] Liu Sitong (young)	Aisin-Gioro Jingse (愛新覺羅·璟瑟)	Changchun Palace Third Princess's Manor	Princess Hejing of the First Rank (固倫和敬公主) Grand Princess Jingse → Princess Hejing of the First Rank The Third Princess of Qianlong Emperor and Empress Fuca's only surviving daughter. Proud and eloquent, she is the surviving child of Empress Fuca. She looks down on the imperial concubines due to her noble birth and, although she loved her mother dearly, is held at very high expectations from her mother. Ruyi and Imperial Noble Consort Chun convinced her to take the marriage alliance against Empress Fuca's wishes and Princess Jingse became consort to Septeng Baljur. She ended up becoming resentful of Ruyi for putting her in an unhappy marriage, causing her to endure a traumatic birth, and her separation from her mother being one of the factors that caused Empress Fuca to pass away. After returning home to be with Qianlong Emperor, she initially sided with Consort Ling to take her down as a means of avenging her mother. However, she betrays Consort Ling after being convinced by Consort Ying to side with Ruyi instead.
Ding Qiao Wang Donghe (teen) Ye Kaiwan (young)	Aisin-Gioro Yonghuang (愛新覺羅·永璜)	Prince Bao's Manor Yanxi Palace Zhongcui Palace Prince Ding's Manor	Prince Ding'an of the First Rank (定安親王) Prince Yonghuang → Prince Ding'an of the First Rank (Posthumously) The First Prince of Qianlong Emperor and Imperial Noble Consort Zhemin's only son. Innocent and simple-minded, he was abused and neglected after the death of his birth mother due to Empress Fuca's desire to bear the first son and not his mother. His personal decision to be adopted by Ruyi caused jealousy from Empress Fuca and Imperial Noble Consort Hui. When Ruyi was sent to live in the Cold Palace, he was then adopted by Imperial Noble Consort Chun. Despite Ruyi's desire to have her son back, she allowed Imperial Noble Consort Chun to raise him in order to avoid more conflict within the Imperial Harem. He grows up to be ambitious and yearns to succeed his father. However, Consort Jia convinced him that it was Empress Fuca who killed Imperial Noble Consort Zhemin, causing him to not grieve hard enough at Empress Fuca's funeral and ultimately losing favor. Upon his death, Qianlong Emperor bestowed him the title of Prince Ding'an of the First Rank and forgave him of his offenses.
Ma Yanan	Lady Ilari (伊拉里氏)	Prince Ding's Manor	Yonghuang's primary wife and a distant relative of Imperial Noble Consort Chun. She was politically chosen to marry Yonghuang because of her humble background with no prominent clan influence to hinder Yonghuang's influence in the Imperial Court.
Yu Yao	Aisin-Gioro Yonglian (愛新覺羅·永琏)	Prince Bao's Manor Changchun Palace The Study Hall	Crown Prince Duanhui (端慧皇太子) Prince Yonglian → Crown Prince Duanhui The Second Prince of Qianlong Emperor and Empress Fuca's oldest son. Due to Empress Fuca's expectations, Prince Yonglian was often pushed to excel academically. As a result of his asthma and Empress Fuca's bad parenting, he eventually died as a result of studying while having an allergic reaction.
Cheng Xingyuan Liu Zeyu (teen) He Luanhui (young)	Aisin-Gioro Yongzhang (愛新覺羅·永璋)	Zhongcui Palace Third Prince's Manor	Prince Xun of the Second Rank (循郡王) Prince Yongzhang → Prince Xun of the Second Rank The Third Prince of Qianlong Emperor and Imperial Noble Consort Chun's oldest son. An ambitious and calculative person, though not as hardworking as his imperial brothers, he is goaded by Imperial Noble Consort Chun to compete for the position of the Crown Prince against his adopted older brother. He loses favor with Qianlong Emperor after the death of Empress Fuca alongside Prince Yonghuang.
An Jie Hu Xianxu (teen)^[29] Rong Zishan (young)	Aisin-Gioro Yongcheng (愛新覺羅·永珹)	Qixiang Palace Prince Lü's Manor	Prince Lü of the First Rank (履親王) Prince Yongcheng → Prince Lü of the First Rank The Fourth Prince of Qianlong Emperor and Consort Jia's oldest son. Ambitious, cunning, and calculating, he was initially favored due to being the first son born after Qianlong Emperor's ascension. Alongside his mother, he attempted to help assassinate his father and help gain the position Crown Prince of Joseon. Due to his ego, he is often humbled by his father when he tries to outshine his brothers. Due to the actions of his birth mother and his role in almost murdering his father, he becomes the adoptive grandson of Yuntao and received his title of Prince Lü of the First Rank and was cut from the royal hierdom.
Tang Mengjia	Lady Irgen-Gioro (伊爾根覺羅氏)	Prince Lü's Manor	Yongcheng's primary consort. She was chosen by Consort Jia due to her connections with the royal family and as a means to strengthen Prince Yongcheng's succession to the throne. Once Consort Jia was demoted to commoner, Lady Irgen-Gioro showed disdain towards her mother-in-law, which Prince Yongcheng doesn't take kindly of.
Qu Chuxiao^[30] Bian Cheng (teen) Wuze Jinxi (young)	Aisin-Gioro Yongqi (愛新覺羅·永琪)	Yanxi Palace Yikun Palace Prince Rong's Manor Chonghua Palace	Prince Rong of the First Rank (荣親王) Prince Yongqi → Prince Rong of the First Rank The Fifth Prince of Qianlong Emperor and Noble Consort Yu's only son. Sensitive and intelligent, he becomes Qianlong's favorite son and was adopted by Ruyi, but began distancing himself from her after hearing rumors and accusations so as to not incur Qianlong's wrath and lose favor so that he can help his foster mother when appropriate. He is revealed to be skilled and capable but hides his true talents to avoid jealousy or making Qianlong Emperor feel threatened. As a result, he was initially considered to be next in line to the throne. He dies due to recurring bone cellulitis caused by Consort Ling's actions and his death was blamed on Ruyi.
Li Yiru	Lady Sirin-Gioro (西林覺羅氏)	Prince Rong's Manor	Prince Yongqi's primary consort. The marriage was granted by Qianlong Emperor as a political move in the imperial courts. Because the marriage was out of duty rather than love, Prince Yongqi kept himself busy with court matters and Lady Sirin-Gioro managed his household and secondary wives.
Janice Wu^[31]	Hu Yunjiao (胡芸角)	Prince Rong's Manor	Prince Yongqi's concubine. Manipulated by Consort Ling into thinking that Ruyi killed her mother, she is ordered to sow discord between Prince Yongqi and Ruyi. Her actions caused Qianlong Emperor to distrust Ruyi further.
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)Prince Yongrong → Prince Shen of the Second Rank The Sixth Prince of Qianlong Emperor and Imperial Noble Consort Chun's youngest son.
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)Princess Jingyan → Princess Hejia of the Second Rank The Fourth Princess of Qianlong Emperor and Imperial Noble Consort Chun's only daughter. When Imperial Noble Consort Chun tried to convince Princess Jingse to marry, Princess Jingse mockingly asked for Princess Jingyan to marry instead.
Ma Boquan Ha Lin (young)	Aisin-Gioro Yongxuan (愛新覺羅·永璇)	Qixiang Palace The Study Hall Shoukang Palace	Prince Yi of the First Rank (儀親王) Prince Yongxuan → Prince Yi of the First Rank. The Eighth Prince of Qianlong Emperor and Consort Jia's second son. The Fifth Prince Yonqi was close to Eighth prince even though their mother's did not get along and cause Jia to be suspicious of Noble Consort Yu and Ruyi. Due to Consort Ling's actions, he becomes crippled and contributed to Consort Jia's mental decline. The Prince and his full biological brothers are cut from the royal heirdom due to the actions of their mother Consort Jia and her maiden clan.
Dongli Wuyou Zhang Yaoyang (young)	Aisin-Gioro Yongxing (愛新覺羅·永瑆)	Qixiang Palace Shoukang Palace	Prince Cheng of the First Rank (成親王) The Eleventh Prince of Qianlong Emperor and Consort Jia's youngest son. The Prince and his full biological brothers are cut from the royal heirdom due to the actions of their mother Consort Jia and her maiden clan.
Xu Lingchen Ye Shengtong (teen) Lin Jingjie (young)	Aisin-Gioro Yongji (愛新覺羅·永璂)	Yikun Palace Yanxi Palace	Prince Yongji (永璂) The Twelfth Prince of Qianlong Emperor and Ruyi's only surviving son. The Qianlong Emperor had high expectations on his son and often compared him to Prince Yongqi. Prince Yongji was suspected to be a product of an alleged affair between Ruyi and Ling Yunche, causing further strain on Ruyi's relationship with Qianlong Emperor and Ling Yunche to be castrated. Before Ruyi's death, Dowager Empress arranged him to live with her for his safety. Prince Yongji was given a final letter from his mother, which Qianlong Emperor told him to cherish. To save his son from the stress of being an emperor, Prince Yongji was not selected to become the next successor.
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) Princess Jingsi → Princess Heyi of the First Rank The Fifth Princess of Qianlong Emperor and Ruyi's only daughter. Born with a weak heart after the death of Consort Shu, she was startled by Consort Jia's dog via Consort Ling's machination, causing her to become comatose and pass away shortly after. Ruyi was briefly inconsolable after her daughter's death. Her death caused Consort Jia to spiral further down into mental decline and ultimately her downfall.
Jin Ziqi	Aisin-Gioro Jingyuan^[disambiguation needed] (愛新覺羅·璟妧)	Yongshou Palace Chuxiu Palace	Princess Hejing of the First Rank (固倫和静公主) Princess Jingyuan → Princess Hejing of the First Rank The Seventh Princess of Qianlong Emperor and Consort Ling's oldest daughter. After her mother's demotion to Second Attendant, she was sent to be raised by Consort Ying and considers the latter as her biological mother instead. She dislikes Consort Ling due to her actions against Ruyi. Consort Ling attempted to take her daughter back but her attempt proved her inability to control the Imperial Harem and led to her disrespecting Dowager Empress.
Chen Yuan'er^[32]	Aisin-Gioro Jingyun (愛新覺羅·璟妘)	Yongshou Palace Xianfu Palace	Princess Heke of the Second Rank (和碩和恪公主) Princess Jingyun → Princess Hejing of the Second Rank The Ninth Princess of Qianlong Emperor and Consort Ling's youngest daughter. Like her older sister, Princess Jingyun was separated from Consort Ling at a young age and raised by Concubine Ke.
Wei Zihan Chen Xuetao (young)	Aisin-Gioro Yongyan (愛新覺羅永琰)	Yongshou Palace Xiefang Palace Zhongcui Palace Prince Jia's Manor	Prince Jia of the First Rank (嘉親王) Prince Yongyan → Prince Jia of the First Rank → Jiaqing Emperor The Fifteenth Prince of Qianlong Emperor and Consort Ling's youngest son. He ends up succeeding the Qianlong Emperor.
Tang Jiaze	Borjigin Qingyou (孛兒只斤·慶佑)	Yikun Palace	Only son of Princess Jingse. When his mother returned to live with the Imperial Family, he came along with her.

Officials

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 officer and commander-in-chief. He is the brother of Empress Fuca.
Gao Lancun	Gao Bin (高斌)	Qianlong Emperor's most trusted minister. He is the father of Imperial Noble Consort Hui.
Wang Jinsong	Ula-Nara Na'erbu (烏拉那拉·那爾布)	Qianlong Emperor's left Minister. He is the father of Ruyi. While Ruyi was in The Cold Palace, he died drowning as a result of trying to build a dam. Ruyi blamed herself for his death and was almost caught secretly burned Joshi paper in remembrance of him.
Ma Weifu	Liu Tongxun (劉統勛)	Minister of the Eight Banners.
Huang Wei	Niohuru Naqin (鈕祜祿·訥親)	Minister of the Eight Banners. Close relative of the Empress Dowager.
Zhang Xingzhe	Zhao Hui (兆惠)
Wu Lihua	Yue Zhongqi (岳鐘琪)

Female servants

Actor	Character	Residence	Introduction
Chen Xiaoyun^[33]	Suoxin (惢心)	Yanxi Palace Yikun Palace	Personal Maid → Senior Maid → Madame Jiang Ruyi's senior maid and Doctor Jiang's only wife. Observant and kind-hearted, Suoxin remained loyal to Ruyi and became her Senior Maid after their stay at The Cold Palace, replacing Concubine Shen's former position. She is childhood friends with Eunuch Li Yu, who had a crush on her, and Doctor Jiang Yubin, whom she had a crush on. Due to Consort Jia's actions against Ruyi, Suoxin was heavily tortured and left disabled, causing her to retire from her position as Ruyi's maid. For her servitude and sacrifice, Ruyi arranged a marriage between Doctor Jiang Yubin and became his only wife as Madame Jiang. She occasionally visits Ruyi after her marriage and helps her attend to a few things during her stay despite having her own children to tend to. Suoxin was a part of Ruyi's funeral when she died, burning Joshi paper alongside Lingzhi and San Bao.
Qi Huan^[15]	Rong Pei (容珮)	Yikun Palace	Maid of Clothes Washing Division → Senior Maid A maid from the Clothes Washing Division who succeeded Suoxin as Ruyi's Senior Maid. Loyal, firm, and sharp-tongued, Rongpei was an orphan who spent her life working as a maid for the Imperial Court and was serving in the Clothes Washing Division when she first met Ruyi. Like Suoxin, she is loyal to Ruyi and became her senior maid after displaying her proactive nature. She and Lingzhi were the last two maids to be able to serve Ruyi during her house arrest. It was reported that Rongpei committed suicide after Ruyi's death.
Zheng Shuijing^[34]	Lingzhi (菱枝)	Yikun Palace	A maid of Ruyi. She and Lingzhi were the last two maids to be able to serve Ruyi during her house arrest. Lingzhi was a part of Ruyi's funeral when she died, burning Joshi paper alongside Suoxin and San Bao.
Chen Erjia	Yunzhi (芸枝)	Yikun Palace	A maid of Ruyi. She and Shuizhi were dismissed as part of Qianlong Emperor's orders to dispose Ruyi.
Li Linfei	Shuizhi (水芝)	Yanxi Palace	A maid of Ruyi. She and Yunzhi were dismissed as part of Qianlong Emperor's orders to dispose Ruyi.
Gong Xiaoxuan^[15]	Yuhu (毓瑚)	Yangxin Hall	A maid of Qianlong Emperor. Formerly a maid for his birth mother, she became his personal assistant in terms of keeping an eye on his internal affairs and reporting news to him. She also helps escorts new members of the Imperial Harem and act as a liaison between him and others within the Imperial Court.
Guo Hong^[35]	Fujia (福珈)	Shoukang Palace Cining Palace	Personal maid of Dowager Empress.
Zhang Yanyan	Xiuxia (繡夏)	Jingren Palace	Personal maid of Empress Xiaojing. After Empress Xiaojing's suicide, it was resported that Xiuxia also committed suicide afterwards.
Min Chunxiao^[36]	Sulian (素練)	Changchun Palace	Personal maid of Empress Fuca. Loyal to Empress Fuca, Sulian often helps her plot against the other consorts. She is later killed by Consort Jia's maid Zhenshu as an attempt to hide the truth about Empress Fuca's death.
Wang Xiaocheng	Lianxin (蓮心)	Changchun Palace	Personal maid of Empress Fuca. In exchange for Wang Qin's loyalty, she is married off to him at Empress Fuca's approval. However, her marriage was abusive and Ruyi was able to help her get out of it in exchange for helping Ruyi clear her name. Her marriage was null by Qianlong Emperor after exposing her husband's true nature. When Empress Fuca fell into the water, she chose to not rescue her and she is also suspected of being involved in the death of Prince Yonglian. She later committed suicide out of guilt.
Liu Jia	Yexin (葉心)	Xianfu Palace Yanxi Palace	Personal maid of Noble Consort Yu.
Zhang Huanhuan	Xiangyun (香雲)	Xianfu Palace Yanxi Palace	A maid of Noble Consort Yu. After framing Noble Consort Yu of stealing charcoal under orders of Noble Imperial Consort Hui, she was executed by Qianlong Emperor as punishment for her disloyalty.
Li Bingyi	Zezhi (澤芝)	Xianfu Palace Yanxi Palace	A maid of Ruyi, later sent to serve Noble Consort Yu.
Guo Yuanyuan	Zhenshu/Jung Suk (貞淑/정숙)	Qixiang Palace	Personal maid of Consort Jia. A highly skilled uinyeo (female physician) from Joseon, she is skilled in medical treatment, cooking, fighting, and calligraphy. Because of this, she was able to frame Ruyi for her affair with visiting monk Anji Bosang by forging her signature. Once her crime was revealed, she was banished and sent back to Joseon.
Xia Nan^[15]	Lixin (麗心)	Qixiang Palace	Personal maid of Consort Jia.
Zhou Xiaoqin^[37]	Palace maid Yan (妍宫女)	Qixiang Palace	A maid of Consort Jia.
Sun Qianqian^[38]	Moxin (茉心)	Xianfu Palace	Personal maid of Imperial Noble Consort Hui. After her death, she sought revenge by colluding with Concubine Mei to pass on smallpox to Seventh Prince, leading to his death.
Li Mengyang	Xingxuan (星璇)	Xianfu Palace	A maid of Imperial Noble Consort Hui.
Wang Chun (王純)	Chunchan (春嬋)	Yongshou Palace	Personal attendant of Consort Ling. Often the mastermind behind Consort Ling's schemes, she remained loyal to her until Consort Ling attempted to rid of her via poison. After being rescued by Doctor Jiang Yubin and learning that she was betrayed, she willingly testified against Consort Ling to Qianlong Emperor.
Yang Liu	Lancui (瀾翠)	Yongshou Palace	A maid of Consort Ling. She is used by Consort Ling to threaten imperial guard Zhao Jiuxiao into harming Prince Yongxuan. She is eventually sent to The Punishment Bureau for torture and dies afterwards.
Bai Lan^[39]	Kexin (可心)	Zhongcui Palace	Personal maid of Imperial Noble Consort Chen.
Ding Liuyan	Suyun (俗雲)	Yonghe Palace Anhua Palace	Personal maid of Concubine Mei.
Shi Min	Hexi (荷惜)	Chuxiu Palace	Personal maid of Consort Shu.
Zhang Xinying	Xinyan (新燕)	Qixiang Palace	Personal maid of Concubine Shen.
Wang Jingya^[40]	Shunxin (順心)	Zhongcui Palace	Personal maid of Noble Consort Wan.
Wang Xinwen	Abao (阿寶)	Chuxiu Palace	Personal maid of Consort Ying.
Zhang Menghan		Xianfu Palace	Personal maid of Kezhuzi.
Chen Mengxi	Xipo (喜珀)	Chengqian Palace Baoyue Hall	Personal maid of Consort Rong. She first greeted Consort Rong and tried to make her comfortable in her new home. She soon became a personal confidant to her.
Gao Dongyu	Hali (哈麗)	Chengqian Palace Baoyue Hall	A maid of Consort Rong. Brought with her sister and other servants from Consort Rong's home, they willingly came under Qianlong Emperor's orders in order to ease her homesickness.
Zhang Xinyuan	Guli (古麗)	Chengqian Palace Baoyue Hall	A maid of Consort Rong. Brought with her sister and other servants from Consort Rong's home, they willingly came under Qianlong Emperor's orders in order to ease her homesickness.
Ma Lan		Jingyang Palace	Personal maid of Imperial Noble Consort Qing.
Huang Wen^[41]	Huaixin (怀心)	Jingyang Palace Yanxi Palace	Personal maid of Concubine Yi.
Zhao Jing	Duoyun (朵雲)	Yonghe Palace	Personal maid of Consort Yu.
Jin Xi	Duoyan (朵顏)	Yonghe Palace	Personal maid of Consort Yu.
Tian Miao	Nursemaid Tian (田嬷嬷)	—	Nursemaid and mother of Prince Yongqi's concubine. She was used by Consort Ling to commit various actions.

Male servants

Actor	Character	Residence	Introduction
Imperial guards, physicians and others
Yuan Wenkang^[15]	Jiang Yubin (江與彬)	—	An imperial physician and Ruyi's most trusted doctor. Childhood sweethearts with Suoxin, he requested her hand in marriage after treating her injuries after she was tortured. Despite his esteemed status, he vowed to only have Suoxin as his only wife and pamper her despite her disability.
Meng Zhaozhong	Zhao Jiuxiao (趙九霄)	Kunning Palace	An imperial guard and friend of Ling Yunche. Due to his affections to Lancui, he is threatened by Consort Ling to frame Ruyi for her role in harming Prince Yongxuan.
Wang Quanyou	Qi Ru (齊汝)	—	Head imperial physician. At Dowager Empress's order, he secretly weakened Imperial Noble Consort Hui's health and helped Consort Shu become pregnant. His actions infuriated Qianlong Emperor and he is killed under the guise of an accidental drowning.
Ha Yingqun	Imperial astronomer (欽天監)	—
Steven Thomas Boergadine	Giuseppe Castiglione (郎世宁)	—	A royal Jesuit painter from Italy serving the Imperial Court referred to as Sir Lang Shining. As a painter, he is known to paint portraits for Qianlong Emperor and his consorts. As a result, he occasionally interacts with members of the Imperial Court who come to request commissions or watch him work. Giuseppe's interaction provide a brief view into Western culture to Ruyi when they first spoke. When asked to paint Ruyi and Qianlong Emperor for the first time as Empress and Emperor respectively, he suggested the two hold hands for their portrait. The portrait was then sent to Ruyi by Qianlong Emperor as a peace offering after their last fight, to which Ruyi responded by burning her side of the painting. When asked to fix the painting, Giuseppe stated that it could not be fixed in a way to be exactly as before.
Jin Song	Li Jinzhu (李金柱)	—	A guard at the Cold Palace.
Wang Liusheng	Physician Zhao (趙太醫)	—
Feng Bao	Physician Bao (包太醫)	—
Wang Zhimin	Physician Xu (許太醫)	—
Huang Ningsheng	Physician Zhao (曹太醫)	—
Xu Zhiming	Er'tao (二套)	—
Eunuchs
Shen Baoping	Su Peisheng (蘇培盛)	Yangxin Hall	Personal attendant of the Yongzheng Emperor. He was tasked to send Ruyi out of the Imperial Court but allowed her to linger behind in order to see her aunt before she leaves.
Huang Ming^[42]	Li Yu (李玉)	Yangxin Hall	Deputy head eunuch of Yangxin Hall → Head eunuch of Yangxin Hall → Eunuch of Yuanming Garden → Head Eunuch of Yangxin Hall A personal attendant of Qianlong Emperor and ultimately the Head Eunuch of Yangxin Hall succeeding Wang Qin. Cunning and loyal, he is childhood friends with Suoxin and Doctor Jiang Yubin. He initially wanted to marry Suoxin but was rejected due to his inability to bear children as a Eunuch but still loves her dearly. He often assists Ruyi and Suoxin while they were in The Cold Palace and during Ruyi's rise as Empress. Along with Yuhu, he serves as Qianlong Emperor's liaison and escorts his consorts when needed. He was the one who gave the order from Qianlong Emperor to erase records of Ruyi.
Hu Ming^[43]	Wang Qin (王欽)	Yangxin Hall	The former Head Eunuch of Yangxin Hall and a personal attendant of Qianlong Emperor. To work with Empress Fuca, he bargained to marry Lianxin and was abusive to her. Careless and egotistical, he started the gossip about Concubine Mei's dead child and tried to scapegoat Ruyi for it. Lianxin eventually disclosed her marriage to Ruyi, allowing Ruyi to conduct a plan that clears her name and frees Lianxin of her marriage by making Wang Qin sexually harass Imperial Noble Consort Hui while drunk and high on drugs. He is sentenced to death and his marriage was nulled by Qianlong Emperor's orders.
Jiang Xueming^[15]	Jinzhong (進忠)	Yangxin Hall	An attendant of Qianlong and Li Yu's disciple. Lecherous and ambitious, he helps Consort Ling achieve her goals to rise in rank within the Imperial Harem. Obsessed with her since her time as a maid, he strikes a deal to help her rise in ranking in exchange for sexual favors and promotions. Despite their partnership, Consort Ling ultimately betrays and kills him in the end.
Zhang Juju	Jinbao (進保)	Yangxin Hall	An attendant of Qianlong and Li Yu's disciple.
Han Yu	Xiao Linzi (小林子)	Yangxin Hall	An attendant of Qianlong.
Li Qi^[44]	San Bao (三寶)	Yanxi Palace Yikun Palace	Personal attendant of Ruyi. Under orders of Noble Consort Yu, he killed Ling Yunche in order to clear Ruyi's name. He and Suoxin were at Ruyi's funeral burning Joshi paper.
Gao Weibo	Xiao Fuzi (小福子)	Yanxi Palace	An attendant of Ruyi.
Chen Zhuo	Wu Fu (五福)	Yanxi Palace	Personal attendant of Noble Consort Yu
Zhong Weihua	Cheng Han (成翰)	Shoukang Palace Cining Palace	Personal attendant of the Dowager Empress
Ma Bo	Zhao Yitai (趙一泰)	Changchun Palace	Personal attendant of Empress Fuca.
Liu Zikai	Qian Shuangxi (錢雙喜)	Xianfu Palace	Personal attendant of Imperial Noble Consort Hui.
Chen Muyi^[45]	Wang Chan (王蟾)	Yongshou Palace	Personal attendant of Consort Ling.
Wang Peidong	Xiao Lizi (小栗子)	Zhongcui Palace	Personal attendant of Imperial Noble Consort Chun → Eunuch of the Study Room → Eunuch of the 12th Prince. Formerly a personal attendant of Imperial Noble Consort Chun, he was moved to work in the Study Room and ultimately served as Prince Yongji's personal attendant.
Yang Shuo	Xu An (徐安)	—	Head Eunuch of the Internal Affairs Department.
Yu Tong	Qin Li (秦立)	—	Eunuch of the Internal Affairs Department.
Yang Yang	Xiao Lüzi (小祿子)	—	Eunuch of the Imperial Kitchen.
Zhang Shu	Xiao Anzi (小安子)	—	Eunuch of the Internal Affairs Department.
A Xing	Xiao Leizi (小磊子)	Prince Rong Manor	Personal attendant of Yongqi.
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	Eunuch Ma (馬公公)	—

Others

Actor	Character	Introduction
Wang Wei	Sakda Miaoqian (薩克達·茂倩)	Daughter of an official and Ling Yunche's wife. Due to her background as one of the ladies of the eight banners, she looks down on Ling Yunche and does not have a good relationship with him. Because of her jealousy against Ruyi, she collaborates with Consort Yu to accuse him of having an affair with Ruyi. Her actions caused her to be exiled.
Yu Shaoqun	Anji Bosang (安吉波桑)	A Grand Master monk from Nanyu Holy Place that came to visit shortly after Ruyi became Imperial Noble Consort. Attractive and venerated by the public, Consort Jia orchestrated a rumor that he and Ruyi were having an affair by planting false evidence. The accusation led to Suoxin to be tortured but Consort Jia to be demoted once her plans were exposed.
Zhang Yuxi^[31]	Shui Linglong (水玲珑)	A famous courtesan favored by Qianlong Emperor during his trip. Consort Ling arranged her and various other courtesans to occupy Qianlong Emperor for several nights, leading to Ruyi's final argument with him when she confronted him about his interactions with the women. Linglong and various other courtesans were sent to Nian Temple to become nuns as punishment for their involvement.
Li Guangjie	Prince Yu (朝鮮世子/玉氏王爺)	Crown Prince of Joseon and future King of Joseon. Rumored to be cruel, he was Consort Jia's first love and Consort Jia yearned to get the Qing throne for his glory. However, he refuses to reciprocate his affections due to Consort Jia's true lineage. The last time they saw each other was after Consort Jia's last birth when he was sent to the Imperial Court for punishment.
Fang Xiaoli	Madame Na (那夫人)	Ruyi's mother. Madame Na occasionally visits her daughter. When Ruyi pretended to have a daughter, she went as far as tricking her mother in order to avoid speculation about her first child.
Cai Wenyan	Madame Fuca (富察夫人)	Empress Fuca's mother.
Meng Xiu	Madame Wei (衛夫人)	Consort Lings's mother. A greedy and obnoxious woman, she tries to push her daughter into achieving higher for her personal gains. She ultimately takes the blame for harming Ruyi's children and is forced to commit suicide as punishment.
Song Jiateng	Keliyete Zhaqi (珂里葉特·扎齊)	Noble Consort Yu's nephew. A greedy man, he was manipulated by Consort Ling into framing his aunt for harming Ruyi's children.
Xu Xiaoning	Wei Zuolu (衛佐祿)	Consort Ling's younger brother. A disgraced criminal, Zuolu was brought in by Noble Consort Yu as a witness to Consort Ling's crimes.
Wu Rige	Borjigin Saisang Gendun (孛兒只斤·賽桑根敦)	Ruler of the Mongol Khorchin tribe and Consort Yu's father.
Liu Jun	Han Ati (寒阿提)	Ruler of the Han tribe and Consort Rong's father.
Wang Leifang	Han Qi (寒企)	Consort Rong's first love and late fiancé. He was killed by an avalanche while trying to take Consort Rong back. Consort Rong refers to him as her youthful lover.
Liu Yupu	Demuqiseyinchake (德穆齊塞音察克)	Concubine Ke's father.
Zhang Xiaolin	Anduo (安多)	Anji Bosang's disciple.
Huang Deyi	Tian Jun (田俊)	Nursemaid Tian's son and Hu Yunjiao's brother.
Fang Yuchen	Yao'er (桃兒)	Madame Wei's maid.
Liulianzi	Consort to Prince Xian of the First Rank (誠親王福晉)	Wife of Qianlong's paternal uncle (Kangxi Emperor's 24th prince). She was present as an attendant during Ruyi's first night as Empress, and in a later scene appears before Qianlong and describes Jin Yuyan's bribes among the wives of the imperial clan in exchange for installing her son Yongcheng as the Crown Prince. Cameo by the original author, most of Liulianzi's scenes were deleted from the final cut.

Production

Crew

The series is directed by Wang Jun,^[46] produced by Huang Lan,^[47] and written by the author of the original novel Liu Lianzi.^[48] It also employed William Chang and Tongxun Chen as their overall style director,^[49] Han Zhong as art director and Peng Xuejun as cinematography director.^[50]

Development

Wu Xuelan, also known as 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.^[51]

New Classics Media picked up the series for a 90–episode season (later shortened to 87), with a ¥300 million budget, making it the most expensive television series in China.^[52]

Casting

On January 14, 2016, it was announced that Zhou Xun will play the leading role of the Step Empress.^[53] The role of the Qianlong Emperor, the male lead, was announced to be portrayed by Wallace Huo on May 27.^[54] 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.^[55] Around 5,000 actors competed for roles in the drama.^{[citation needed]}

Filming

Shooting began on 23 August 2016 and took place in various locations including Hengdian World Studios, Beijing, Inner Mongolia, and Hangzhou.^[56] The series wrapped up filming on May 5, 2017.^[57]

Soundtrack

No.	Title	Lyrics	Music	Singers	Length
1.	"Double Shadow (双影)" (Theme song (Ending theme episode 47 onwards))	Yi Jiayang	Ding Wei & Jim Lee	A-mei & Sandy Lam
2.	"Incense & Fleeting Years (沉香流年)" (Opening theme song (episode 1–46))	Yi Ming	Yi Ming & Wang Yaoguang	Lei Jia
3.	"Like the Fragrance of Plum Blossoms We Once Knew (梅香如故)" (Ending theme song (episode 1–38, 40–46))	Lv Jingye	Chen Shimei	Mao Buyi & Zhou Shen
4.	"Things stay the same, but people have changed (人非物是)" (Opening theme (episode 47 onwards))		Chen Shimei	Asia Philharmonic Orchestra
5.	"Worries (心事)" (Ending theme song (episode 39 only))	Lv Jingye	Yan Qing	Deng Tongtian

Reception

The series received mixed responses from viewers.

Many felt underwhelmed by the unaggressive heroine, who was not able to face off the villain 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.^[58]

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.^[59]

However, there were also praises for the drama. Zhang Hanyue, a writer and critic, said "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 magazine 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.^[60] The drama won acclaim for its exquisite props, lavish sets, and stellar cast.^[61]

Censorship

On January 25, 2019 the Beijing Daily, an official government newspaper, criticized the program for failing to promote socialist values.^[62] Four days later, on January 29, the Chinese government cancelled the program and similar programs such as Story of Yanxi Palace.^[63] CNN and other media outlets quickly reported on this incident, calling it Chinese censorship.^[64][65]

Ratings

Dragon TV ratings^[66]
Broadcast date	Episode	Ratings (%)	Audience share (%)	Rank (excluding CCTV)	Rank (including CCTV)
2018.12.25	1–4	0.247	2.86	3	9
2018.12.26	5–8	0.306	3.42	1	4
2018.12.27	9–12	0.359	3.93	1	3
2018.12.28	13–16	0.291	3.20	2	6
2018.12.29	17–20	0.368	3.69	1	5
2018.12.30	21–24	0.455	3.79	1	3
2018.12.31	25–28	0.556	4.56	1	3
2019.1.1	29–32	0.557	4.36	1	3
2019.1.2	33–36	0.536	5.77	1	2
2019.1.3	37–40	0.467	5.22	1	2
2019.1.4	41–44	0.553	Not available	1	1
2019.1.5	45–48	0.550		1	1
2019.1.6	49–52	0.515		1	1
2019.1.7	53–56	0.551	5.99	1	2
2019.1.8	57–60	0.496	5.52	1	2
2019.1.9	61–64	0.500	5.29	1	3
2019.1.10	65–68	0.472	5.16	1	2
2019.1.11	69–72	0.482	5.05	1	2
2019.1.12	73–76	0.554	4.87	1	2
2019.1.13	77–80	0.611	5.38	1	1
2019.1.14	81–84	0.610	6.61	1	2
2019.1.15	85–87	0.623	6.29	1	1
Average ratings		0.485	4.79	–	–

Jiangsu TV ratings^[66]
Broadcast date	Episode	Ratings (%)	Audience share (%)	Rank (excluding CCTV)	Rank (including CCTV)
2018.12.25	1–4	0.181	2.115	4	11
2018.12.26	5–8	0.178	2.011	4	10
2018.12.27	9–12	0.171	1.884	5	12
2018.12.28	13–16	0.208	2.313	5	11
2018.12.29	17–20	0.200	Not available
2018.12.30	21–24	0.292	2.437	3	6
2018.12.31	25–28	0.295	2.431	3	6
2019.1.1	29–32	0.298	2.343	3	5
2019.1.2	33–36	0.231	2.354	4	9
2019.1.3	37–40	0.170	Not available
2019.1.4	41–44	0.186
2019.1.5	45–48	0.266
2019.1.6	49–52	0.223
2019.1.7	53–56	0.215	2.314	3	11
2019.1.8	57–60	0.215	2.315	3	11
2019.1.9	61–64	0.216	2.186	3	10
2019.1.10	65–68	0.181	1.948	5	11
2019.1.11	69–72	0.180	1.837	6	12
2019.1.12	73–76	0.189	1.728	4	11
2019.1.13	77–80	0.206	1.866	5	11
2019.1.14	81–84	0.208	2.221	3	9
2019.1.15	85–87	0.265	2.826	2	8
Average ratings		0.217	–	–	–

Awards and nominations

Award	Category	Nominated work	Result	Ref.
24th Huading Awards	Best Director	Wang Jun	Nominated	^[67]
	Best Actor	Wallace Huo	Nominated
12th Tencent Video Star Awards	Best Web Drama	Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace	Won	^[68]
Golden Bud – The Third Network Film And Television Festival	Top 10 Web Drama		Won	^[69]
Influence of Recreational Responsibilities Awards	Web Drama of the Year		Won	^[70]
2nd Asian Academy Creative Awards	Best Leading Actress	Zhou Xun	Won	^[71]

International broadcast

On 10 June 2016, Fox Networks Group Asia (FNG) acquired global rights outside mainland China to the series.^[72] 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, rerun on August 6, 2019, in all countries for return a year.^[73]

From 27 November 2018, it aired on Fox Taiwan. From 27 December 2018, it aired on Talentvision Canada. To date it has debuted in 18 countries and regions, including the United States, Canada, Australia, Japan and Philippines.^[74]

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	Re-run on 6 August 2019 at 15:00 and next day at 01:00 in all countries.
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	Airs Monday to Saturday at 13:00. Dubbed with Vietnamese.
	H1 – Hanoi Radio Television	March 26, 2019 – June 20, 2019	Airs every day at 13:00. Original language with voiceover Vietnamese.
	Vie DRAMAS	March 23, 2019 – June 17, 2019	Airs every day at 19:00. Dubbed in Vietnamese.
Taiwan	Fox Taiwan	November 27, 2018	Original language.
	iQIYI Taiwan	August 20, 2018 – October 15, 2018	Original language.
	CTV	October 2, 2020	Airs Monday to Friday at 20:00–22:00. Original Language.
	Chung T'ien Television	February 18, 2021	Airs Monday to Friday at 21:00–22:00. Original language.
Canada	Talentvision Canada	December 27, 2018	Dubbed in English.
Japan	WOWOW TV	May 29, 2019
Malaysia	Shuang Xing	August 20, 2018 – November 14, 2018	First-run (simulcast). Original Language.
		April 5, 2020	Airs every day at 19:00–20:00. Second-run (re-run). Original language.
	8TV	July 6, 2021	Airs Monday to Friday at 18:00–18:58. Original language.

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