Director: Li Huizhu  /  Deng Weien / Liang Guoguan

Starring: Zhao Liying  /  Chen Xiao  /  Qiao Renliang  /  Yang Rong  /  Tang Yixin  /  Zhang Keyi

First aired: 2013

Plot Summary:

     This series tells the story of the fictional Northern Qi dynasty. Lu Zhen A legendary tale. Born into a distinguished family of imperial merchants, Lu Zhen flees her stepmother’s relentless pursuit by entering the palace through the maid‑exam, thus finding refuge within the court. There, she toils with diligence and determination, leveraging her wit and resourcefulness to rise as a female official; her kindness also wins the heart of Crown Prince Gao Zhan. Yet the chasm of their social standing condemns their love to a path fraught with trials and tribulations. The jealousy of maid Shen Bi, the hatred of Gao Zhan’s first love, Xiao Huan Yun, and even Empress Dowager Lou—whose feud with Gao Zhan stems from the murder of his mother—all weave together in a web of intrigue, passion, and vengeance, entwining themselves around Lu Zhen. In the end, relying on her boldness and wisdom, Lu Zhen successfully helped Gao Zhan thwart the series of conspiracies hatched by the Lou Empress Dowager’s clan in their bid to seize power, thereby enabling Gao Zhan to ascend the throne. Yet, through a twist of fate, Lu Zhen was unable to become his empress; fortunately, the two remained together until Gao Zhan’s passing. Ultimately, Lu Zhen served as regent to the young Emperor Gao Wei, rising to the rank of female prime minister. She oversaw all matters within the palace and managed the empire’s silk‑weaving affairs, becoming the highest‑ranking female official in the Great Qi and the most senior woman in the imperial harem—indeed, the de facto mistress of the harem.