Stacey Mac

I watched this immediately after finishing "Story of Yanxi Palace". I counted at least 13 actors from "Yanxi" in "Haolan", so I had metaphorically shake my head like an Etch-a-Sketch to forget previous characters and realize they are different people now. Other than that, I did love this drama, mainly because I can't get enough of the lead actors (Wu Jinyan and Nie Yuan). Haolan is the eldest daughter a state censor, who has betrothed her to an older man known for cruelty to his wives. When she tries to beg her love interest Prince Jiao to marry her, she finds her half sister Xiuyu has betrayed her to marry the Prince herself, and Xiuyu's mother, after failing to kill Haolan, spreads rumors that Haolan has run away shamelessly to live with another man. Her reputation ruined, and with no support or help from her spinless father, Haolan must witness the cruel murder of her mother and be sold into slavery by her power-hungry step mother. It is here that Haolan meets Lu Buwei, a ruthless merchant that usually sees nothing but dollar signs and business transactions, but is captivated by Haolan. Together, they make a business agreement to, quite literally, dance their way into the imperial court. Buwei's eye is on a government official position, and he wants Haolan to reside as a powerful consort (giving new meaning to "power couple"). A love triangle quickly ensues, creating confused feelings, misunderstanding, and jockeying for position and power. Set against the backdrop of the Warring States period, "Legend of Haolan" does not disappoint until you get towards the ending, Many of us were left cocking our heads like a Boston Terrier and going "huh?". Still, I feel it's worth watching. My advice is wait a few weeks and watch something else first if you're finishing up Yanxi Palace. Trust me, it helps. At the time of this writing, Legend of Haolan is available to watch on Viki and Amazon Prime.

Yes, honey, YESSSSSS! Another spin on the rule of Emperor Qianlong (Qing Dynasty), but here, Consort Ling is the no nonsense and all around courageous heroine (not the hideous upstart from "Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace"). Yinglou enters the palace as a talented embroiderer and seamstress, but her true intent is to find and punish her sister's rapist and murderer. Her fearless attitude and uber talent don't exactly win her any friends, and right out of the gate, she gains enemies jealous to make their own name within the palace. She quickly becomes noticed by Empress Fuca (Qin Lan- a much more loveable and kind Fuca than the one portrayed by Dong Jie in "Ruyi"), and is invited to work in the Empress's palace as a maid. With the fiercely loyal Yingluo in her employ, enemies of the Empress find their plans at downfall or disgrace foiled by Yingluo's clever cunning and smooth tongue. But enemies lurk even closer than Yingluo imagines, leaving her reluctant feeling for the Empress's brother in tatters. From an alliance with a quietly wicked eunuch named Yuan Chunwang (played brilliantly by the very talented Wang Moalei) to eventually becoming the impressive Imperial Consort Ling, Yingluo manages to stay one step ahead of her enemies and preserve herself. As of this writing, SoYP is available to stream on Amazon Prime and Viki.

Oh my! I watched this after finishing "Legend of Zhen Huan", as it would be the continuation of the story. From the cast to the costumes, this drama is a winner. Ruyi's characer in LoZH is a brat, but in RRLitP, she is caring, kind, and thoroughly in love with her husband. The talented Janine Chang (Empress of China) is here as Ruyi's sister from another Mister and all around ride-or-die BF. The enviably why-can't-I-be-this-beautiful Xin Zhilei is captivating as evil but broken Consort Jia, and will make you alternate between hate and pity. Li Chun is pretty amazing as Consort Ling, who starts out as a humble servant and ruthlessly climbs (and kills) all the way to Imperial Consort status (interestingly, Consort Ling in "Story of Yanxi Palace) is the heroine, thereby proving that Women's recorded history in China was sorely lacking in accuracy). You can view this on Viki and, as of this writing, on Amazon Prime.

Enjoyed it, but certain episodes/scenes dragged on too long to tell the story. It does, however, keep you engaged most of the time. Others have commented on lack of accuracy. It is worth mentioning that the written history of women in China is scanty at best, most of whom never had their given first names recorded (only their clan surname and/or given titles). Often, history was also influenced by what those who penned it chose to write. A person's reputation could be sullied for decades by the stroke of a pen, true or not. If you take this for what it is, historical fiction, you'll enjoy it more.