Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace

Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace 如懿傳
Also known as The Legend of Ruyi
Genre Period drama
Romance
Historical fiction
Based on Hou Gong Ru Yi Zhuan (后宫·如懿传) by Liu Lianzi (流潋紫)
Written by Liu Lianzi
Directed by Wang Jun 汪俊
Starring Zhou Xun
Wallace Huo
Janine Chang
Vivian Wu
Dong Jie
Li Chun
Jing Chao
Country of origin China
Original language(s) Mandarin
No. of seasons 1
No. of episodes 90
Production
Executive producer(s) Huang Lan 黄澜
Location(s) Hengdian World Studios
Production company(s) New Classics Media
Release
Original network Jiangsu Television
Dragon Television
First shown in China
Original release 2017 (2017) –  ()
Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace
Traditional Chinese 如懿傳
Simplified Chinese 如懿传

Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace (Chinese: 如懿傳) is an upcoming Chinese television drama based on the marriage of Qianlong Emperor and Ulanara, the Step Empress during the Qing dynasty, starring Zhou Xun and Wallace Huo.[1][2][3] The series is based on novel Hou Gong Ru Yi Zhuan by Liu Lianzi, and is the sequel to the award-winning drama Empresses in the Palace. It is set to air on Jiangsu Television and Dragon Television and will premiere in late 2017.[4]

Plot

With the Ulanara clan in disgrace after Empress Yixiu falls out of favour, Ruyi (Zhou Xun) learns the politics of the harem and steadily climbs up the ranks to become Empress. Even after surviving through multiple conspiracies and successfully proving her innocence, her relationship with Qianlong (Wallace Huo) had become irreparable. Ruyi eventually becomes disillusioned with her husband and the harsh reality of life in the Palace. Although the love and trust between them gradually disappeared, but Ulanara serves as a marvelous and distinguished empress until her death.

Cast

One of Qianlong's secondary wives, Ruyi falls in love with him at first sight. Unfortunately, the Ulanara family’s reputation affected her standing in the palace, and she was only granted the position of a lowly consort. She survives in the palace through her strength and determination, as well as with the help of her close friend Ling Yunche and mentor Consort Dowager Ji, and rises up the ranks to become the step empress.
Fourth son of the Yongzheng Emperor, who has a strained relationship with his foster mother Zhenhuan, the Empress Dowager Niuhuru. A selfish and insecure ruler; his suspicious nature caused him to become distrustful of Ruyi despite her love for him.

The Harem

Gentle yet determined, she is a loyal friend and confidante of Ruyi. Hailan was initially an embroidery lady in Qianlong's residence, until Ruyi helped her gain the title of Mistress. The mother of Yongqi, the Emperor's favorite son, Hailan is exceptionally influential. After Ruyi’s death, Hailan formed an alliance with other concubines and made sure Wei Yanwan received due comeuppance for her crimes.
Elegant and refined, she is a shrewd lady who had her sights set on the position of Empress. She often collaborated with Gao Xiyue to frame Ruyi as the main culprit in everything, though she was oblivious to the fact that Yuyan was also using her as a chess piece. Langhua loves the Emperor, but often expresses her intentions the wrong way, and was wronged as a scapegoat until death, and died a disgraced woman.
Ambitious, cruel, and treacherous, Yanwan was born a noble lady of the Yellow Banner, and reduced to being a palace maid after her father was tried for treason. Her first love was Ling Yunche, though she abandoned him after Qianlong took notice of her (due to her close resemblance with Ruyi). Responsible for the death of many imperial children, consorts, and Ruyi’s ultimate demise.
A scheming woman who chose to submit to the more powerful Empress Fucha, and constantly helped her plot against Ruyi. Xiyue was discarded by Langhua after she lost the Emperor’s favour, and then discovered that the Empress was the one who harmed her son. On her death bed, she exposed Langhua's evil deeds to Qianlong and caused him to contract scabies by luring him onto a quilt filled with dirty goose feathers.
An orphan that was taken in by a Joseon minister, and entered Qianlong's residence not long after Ruyi and Gao Xiyue. The main culprit behind many of the concubines’ deaths, her evil deeds were eventually revealed, and Qianlong granted her the posthumous title of Imperial Noble Consort Shujia (homophone of loser).
Innocent and good-natured, Yihuan was recommended into the palace by the Empress Dowager, which meant she never gained Qianlong's trust. She is good friends with Ruyi. Unbeknownst to her, Qianlong personally gave her medicine that would prevent her from bearing healthy children. Yihuan became mentally unstable after her son died in infancy, and committed suicide soon after.
Originally a personal maid that entered Qianlong's residence as part of Ruyi’s dowry, she secretly sided with the Empress in an effort to climb up the ranks. Arrogant, superficial and sharp-tongued, she appears to be favorited by Qianlong but was actually used by him as a charade partner to spite Ruyi. Ah Ruo was eventually sent to the tortured chambers and committed suicide there.
A naive woman who treated everyone with kindness, and was manipulated often. She loved her son dearly, and would do anything for him. Lvyun accidentally caused the death of Second Prince, and lost Qianlong’s favour when he found out she wanted to take the position of Empress for herself.
A beautiful woman who was taken into the palace by General Zhaohui after her tribe was conquered by the Qing Dynasty. Xiangjian’s only goal was to assassinate Qianlong in order to take revenge for her lover.
A timid lady who never formed cliques, and always kept to herself. She was not favoured, and did not serve the Emperor for twelve years. She unknowingly played a part in Qianlong and Ruyi’s separation due to Jin Yuyan’s manipulations.
A spirited young lady who is described as the “Southern beauty” by Qianlong. She despised Wei Yanwan and Jin Yuyan, and ended up becoming good friends with Ruyi.
The first woman to be taken into inner palace after Qianlong's ascension. She was sent in by Ruyi’s mother, though she actually worked for Zhenhuan. Ruiji often did the dirty work for the Empress Dowager and Qianlong, and was their scapegoat when everything was revealed. The harem pretended Ruiji never existed, and all of the information about her was wiped from the palace records.
A daughter of the Deputy Minister from the Court of Sacrificial Worship. Qianlong was always cordial towards Muping, but never let his guard down around her because he knew she was the Empress Dowager’s spy. She was put in charge of the Inner Palace after Wei Yanwan was diagnosed with heart problems.
Originally a maid under Langhua, she was promoted to the position of Mistress after Qianlong took advantage of her. Langhua and Xiyue despised Qiying for stealing the Emperor’s affections, and caused her to miscarry. She was manipulated into believing that Ruyi was the culprit, and attempted to assassinate the latter when they were living in the same quarters.
A descendant of Mongolian royalty, and an early favourite of Qianlong. She was sent to the torture chambers after she was found to have lied about Ruyi and Ling Yunche’s affair.

Royals

Foster mother of the Qianlong Emperor. Although she appears to share a civil relationship with Qianlong, they actually have a strained relationship and she only cares about her own biological children. In order to ensure that she continues to thrive in the inner court, she situated concubines by Qianlong's side to spy on him.

Others

An imperial guard at the cold palace. Yunche becomes attracted to Ruyi after Yanwan abandons him for power, and helps her get through the most difficult times. He is later accused of having an affair with Ruyi, castrated and subsequently ordered to serve in Ruyi’s palace as a form of humiliation.

[5]

Production

Development

Wu Xuelan (吴雪岚), also known as Liulianzi (流潋紫), started to write the original novel in 2011, and changed her work several times to achieve the best version in the next five years.[6]

New Classics Media picked up the series for a 90-episode season, each episode cost approximately ¥15 million (US$2.25 million), making it the most expensive television series in China.[7][8]

Casting

On January 14, 2016, it was announced that Zhou Xun will play the leading role of Ulanara, the Step Empress.[9] The role of Qianlong Emperor, the male lead, was announced to be portrayed by Wallace Huo on May 27.[10] On August 4, actors Janine Chang, Vivian Wu, Dong Jie, Tong Yao, and Jing Chao were cast in lead roles for the drama.[11] Janine Chang, Vivian Wu and Dong Jie would play the respective roles of Noble Consort Yu, Empress Xiaoshengxian and Empress Xiaoxianchun.[11]

Filming

Shooting began on 23 August 2016 and took place in various locations including Hengdian World Studios, Beijing, Inner Mongolia, and Hangzhou.[4]

International broadcast

Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace set to air on Jiangsu Television and Dragon Television and will premiere in late 2017.[4]

On 10 June 2016, Fox Networks Group Asia (FNG) has acquired global rights outside mainland China to the series.[12] It is the first epic period drama secured by FNG for markets outside China, and it will be carried by STAR Chinese Channel (SCC), the flagship Chinese general entertainment channel.[13]

References

  1. ↑ Heidi Hsia (2016-05-30). "Wallace Huo joins "Ruyi's Royal Love"". Yahoo.
  2. ↑ "Wallace Huo teams with Zhou Xun in 'Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace'". sporela.com. 2016.
  3. ↑ Joanna (2016-08-19). "Wallace Huo Caresses Concubine in Upcoming Drama "Ruyi's Royal Love"". aynestars.com.
  4. 1 2 3 《如懿传》曝开机照 周迅霍建华帝后聚首. sina (in Chinese). 2016-08-23.
  5. ↑ https://cfensi.wordpress.com/2016/09/26/an-introduction-to-the-characters-in-ruyis-royal-love-in-the-palace/
  6. ↑ 《如懿传》周迅要演清宫“娘娘”（有图）. CZ (in Chinese). 2016-01-18.
  7. ↑ 天价宫斗戏《如懿传》开机 霍建华周迅领衔主演. xinhuanet (in Chinese). 2016-08-25.
  8. ↑ 网络版权费10年涨7200倍 《如懿传》900万一集. 163.com (in Chinese). 2016-03-25.
  9. ↑ 周迅确定出演《如懿传》 八月开机导演人选未定. Chinadaily (in Chinese). 2016-01-14.
  10. ↑ 霍建华出演如懿传 网友称霍建华周迅是顶级配置. people.com (in Chinese). 2016-05-31.
  11. 1 2 如懿传曝主演名单 张钧甯董洁等高颜值美女“入宫”. takefoto.cn (in Chinese). 2016-08-04.
  12. ↑ "Fox Networks Boards Chinese Series 'Ruyi's Love in the Palace'". variety.com. 2016-06-11.
  13. ↑ "Fox Networks Group Asia acquires exclusive rights to Ruyi's Love in the Palace". casbaa.com. 2016-06-10.
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