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Synopsis

"Story of Minglan" is a 2018 historical family drama produced by Daylight Entertainment, directed by Zhang Kaizhou, starring Zhao Liying, Feng Shaofeng, and Zhu Yilong. It is adapted from the novel of the same name by Guan Xin Ze Luan. The series tells the legendary story of Sheng Minglan, a concubine's daughter in the Northern Song Dynasty, who grows up resiliently through adversity and ultimately finds happiness. It has a Douban rating of 8.0 and achieved both critical acclaim and high viewership from 2018 to 2019.

Overview

The Story of Minglan is a 2018 period family drama produced by Daylight Entertainment. It is adapted from the web novel of the same name by Guan Xin Ze Luan, directed by Zhang Kaizhou, and written by Zeng Lu and Wu Tong. The series stars Zhao Liying and William Feng in leading roles, with Zhu Yilong making a special appearance. It also features a strong supporting cast including Shi Shi, Zhang Jianing, Cao Cuifen, Liu Jun, Liu Lin, and Gao Lu. The 73-episode series premiered on Hunan TV on December 25, 2018, and holds a rating of 8.0 on Douban.

Set against the backdrop of the Northern Song Dynasty, the drama follows the growth journey of Sheng Minglan, a concubine-born daughter of the Sheng family, vividly depicting life within ancient aristocratic households. As another acclaimed work from Daylight Entertainment following Nirvana in Fire and Ode to Joy, it won widespread praise from audiences for its exquisite production and solid scriptwriting, becoming a hit series that achieved both critical acclaim and high ratings from 2018 to 2019.

Plot

The story takes place during the Northern Song Dynasty. Sheng Minglan (Zhao Liying), the sixth young lady of the household of Yangzhou Assistant Prefect Sheng Hong (Liu Jun), is intelligent and lovely. However, her mother, Concubine Wei, is merely a side chamber wife of the Sheng family, so Minglan is often overlooked. Tragically, Minglan's mother falls victim to the power struggles among the wives and concubines of the Sheng household. On her deathbed, she advises Minglan to hide her brilliance and protect herself.

The young Minglan heeds her mother's dying words and seeks refuge under the protection of the Sheng family's matriarch, Grandmother Sheng (Cao Cuifen). Under the matriarch's careful guidance, Minglan learns to conceal her intelligence and navigates the complex dynamics of the Sheng household with a low-profile and cautious demeanor. Facing the favoritism of the legal wife, Madam Wang (Liu Lin), the schemes of Concubine Lin (Gao Lu), and the rivalries among her sisters, Minglan consistently maintains a clear mind and a resilient spirit.

Minglan's talents cannot remain completely hidden, and she catches the attention of Gu Tingye (William Feng), the second young master of the Ningyuan Marquis Estate. Gu Tingye appears unconstrained on the surface but harbors great ambitions. He sees through Minglan's disguise to her true capabilities and character and is determined to marry her. Qi Heng (Zhu Yilong), the young master of the Duke of Qi's estate, also develops feelings for Minglan, but their union is thwarted by factors such as family status.

After marrying into the Marquis estate, the challenges Minglan faces become even more severe. The internal conflicts of the Gu family, political turmoil at court, and schemes from various quarters all test Minglan's wisdom and courage. Relying on her exceptional insight and steady character, she repeatedly resolves crises, safeguarding the peace of her family and loved ones, and ultimately finds her own happiness.

Cast

Cultural Impact

The Story of Minglan is one of the most beloved period family dramas in recent years. Its meticulous recreation of daily life in the Song Dynasty has been widely praised, showcasing the elegant charm of the era through costumes, etiquette, food, and home decor. The series title is taken from Li Qingzhao's lyric poem Rumengling, and the entire drama inherits the subtle beauty of Song Dynasty poetry.

Zhao Liying demonstrated more mature acting skills through the role of Minglan. She portrayed Minglan's growth from restraint to blossoming with delicate and moving nuance, earning widespread recognition from audiences. Zhu Yilong's portrayal of Qi Heng, gentle as jade yet fated for a love that could not be, became one of the most popular on-screen characters of the year and significantly boosted Zhu Yilong's popularity.

The drama also sparked lively discussions among viewers about the fate of women in ancient times. As a woman surviving under the constraints of feudal ethics, Minglan's wisdom and resilience provided modern audiences with a unique perspective for contemplating female strength.

References

1. Douban Movie: https://movie.douban.com/subject/26928226/
2. Baidu Baike: https://baike.baidu.com/item/知否知否应是绿肥红瘦/20485668
3. Wikipedia: https://zh.wikipedia.org/zh-cn/知否知否应是绿肥红瘦