Do you know, do you know? It should be green plump and red slim.

Synopsis

"The Story of Minglan" is a 2018 period family drama with a Douban rating of 8.0, produced by Daylight Entertainment and 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 young woman from an official family in the Northern Song Dynasty, growing up amidst domestic conflicts.

Overview

The Story of Ming Lan is a 2018 period family drama produced by Daylight Entertainment, directed by Zhang Kaizhou, and written by Zeng Lu and Wu Tong. Adapted from the web novel of the same name by author Guanxinzeluan, the series is set against the backdrop of an official's family during the Northern Song Dynasty. Zhao Liying stars as Sheng Minglan, Feng Shaofeng as Gu Tingye, and Zhu Yilong as Qi Heng, with supporting performances by Shi Shi, Zhang Jianing, Cao Cuifen, Liu Jun, Liu Lin, and other accomplished actors. The 73-episode series holds a Douban rating of 8.0 and is another meticulously crafted period drama from Daylight Entertainment following Nirvana in Fire.

The series' uniqueness lies in its departure from traditional palace intrigue or power struggle narratives, focusing instead on the intricacies of domestic life within a period setting. It delicately portrays the daily life of a Song Dynasty official's family—marriage customs, conflicts between legitimate and illegitimate children, mother-in-law and daughter-in-law relationships, property distribution—much like a vivid scroll painting of Song Dynasty social customs. The title is derived from Li Qingzhao's lyric poem Rumengling (Like a Dream): Last Night the Rain Was Sparse, the Wind Swift, adding a layer of classical poeticism.

Plot

The sixth young lady of the Sheng family, Minglan (Zhao Liying), is intelligent and beautiful but faces hardships due to her mother's status as a concubine. After her mother, Wei Xiaoniang, dies young, Minglan is taken in by her grandmother. Under her grandmother's protection, she grows up keeping a low profile and exercising forbearance. Outwardly appearing unambitious and ordinary, she is in fact biding her time and possesses keen insight into people's hearts.

In her youth, Qi Heng (Zhu Yilong), the sole heir of the Duke of Qi's household, is gentle and refined, and shares a mutual affection with Minglan. However, disparities in social status and entanglements of family interests ultimately prevent their relationship from blossoming. Gu Tingye (Feng Shaofeng) is the young master of the Marquis of Ningyuan's household. Superficially appearing dissolute and unrestrained, he is actually open-hearted and sincere. After recognizing Minglan's true character, he devises a plan to marry her.

After marrying into the Gu family, Minglan faces even more complex family strife. Her mother-in-law, Madam Qin, appears kind but is secretly sinister, while schemes from her stepmother and half-sister never cease. Relying on her intelligence and resilience, Minglan navigates through crises one after another, eventually securing her footing amidst the turbulent family conflicts and finding her own happiness.

Cast

Cultural Features

The Story of Ming Lan is most praised for its exquisite recreation of Song Dynasty life details. The costumes, makeup, home furnishings, and dining utensils in the series are meticulously researched, striving to restore an authentic Song Dynasty ambiance. The Song Dynasty was one of the most culturally developed periods in Chinese history. Details of life aesthetics in the series, such as tea whisking, incense burning, flower arranging, and hanging scrolls, allow the audience to intuitively appreciate the refined and elegant lifestyle of the Song people.

The domestic intrigue in the series also sparked widespread discussion. Unlike the ruthless cruelty of palace dramas, Minglan's strategies are more about self-preservation and counterattack, embodying the traditional Chinese wisdom of overcoming hardness with softness. Minglan's character is also seen by audiences as a model of ancient women's self-reliance and perseverance in adversity.

Cultural Impact

After its broadcast, The Story of Ming Lan became a phenomenal hit in early 2019, sparking strong audience interest in Song Dynasty culture. The dialogue style in the series is elegant yet not obscure, possessing the charm of classical Chinese while remaining easy to understand. The resonance between Li Qingzhao's poetry and the plot was also appreciated by literature enthusiasts.

Zhao Liying further proved her acting prowess through the role of Minglan, portraying the character's growth from a young girl to a household mistress with distinct layers. Zhu Yilong gained a large fanbase with his role as Qi Heng, with his image as a gentle young master deeply resonating with viewers.

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_(电视剧)