Court Lady
| Company type | Television series |
|---|---|
| Industry | Entertainment |
| Founded | February 2019 |
| Founder | Yu Zheng (producer) |
| Parent | Huanyu Film and TVB |
Court Lady () is a 2021 Chinese drama series produced by Yu Zheng, featuring lead performances by Xu Kai and Li Yitong.
Plot
Once known as Chang’an’s foremost playboy, Sheng Chumu lacks fundamental skills but becomes enamored with Fu Rou, a gifted seamstress hailing from Guangzhou. Determined to win her affection, he renounces his previous frivolous lifestyle and dedicates himself to honing his literary and martial abilities. After a catastrophic fire devastates her family’s embroidery business, Fu Rou and her kin move to Chang’an alongside Sheng Chumu. Her exceptional embroidery skills soon earn her a position within the imperial palace, where she must carefully maneuver through court intrigues while maintaining her integrity. Throughout the palace’s challenges, Sheng Chumu endeavors to reunite with Fu Rou despite the obstacles imposed by court politics.
Main
- Xu Kai as Sheng Chumu
- Historical inspiration: Sheng Chumu (盛楚慕), son of Cheng Yaojin.
- The eldest son of Duke Lu and formerly Chang’an’s most notorious playboy. His love for Fu Rou motivates him to mature into a worthy partner.
- Li Yitong as Fu Rou
- Lu Chen Yue portrays young Fu Rou
- The second daughter of Fu Jia Weng, a merchant specializing in embroidery in Guangzhou. A clever seamstress who falls in love with Sheng Chumu and eventually becomes Directress Fu of the Royal Embroidery Department within the palace.
Supporting
Fu Family
- Zhang Nan as Fu Yin
- Youngest daughter of Fu Jia Weng and his third wife. Innocent and naive, she infiltrates General Lu’s estate disguised as a maid named Yin’er to exact revenge.
- Wang You Jun as Fu Tao / Xi Tao
- Only son of Fu Jia Weng and third madame. Loyal to Fu Rou; flees home to join the military, adopts the name Xi Tao, and serves under Lu Yunji.
- Wang Yuan Ke as Fu Jun
- Eldest daughter of Fu Jia Weng and first madame. Married to Xu You Tong.
- Wang Yu as Xu You Tong, husband of Fu Jun.
- Yan Jing Yao as First Madame Fu
- Lu Ling as Second Madame Fu
- Xu Rong Zhen as Third Madame Fu, mother of Fu Yin and Fu Tao.
- Zhou Jie as Second Uncle Fu
- Li Yu Su as Second Aunt Fu
Sheng Household
- Hei Zi as Sheng Xiaojing
- Historical inspiration: Cheng Yaojin
- Duke Lu of Great Tang; father to Consort Han, Chumo, Chuling, and Chujun; adversary of Lu Yun Ji.
- He Jia Yi as Madame Sheng
- Wife of Duke Lu; mother to Consort Han, Chumo, Chuling, and Chujun; dotes on Chumo.
- Lin Peng as Princess Consort Han
- Eldest daughter of Duke Lu; spouse of Prince Han.
- Kris Fan Shi Qi as Sheng Chuling
- Historical inspiration: Cheng Chuliang
- Second son of Duke Lu; royal guard; romantically linked with Princess Xin Nan.
- Zhou Da Wei as Sheng Chujun
- Historical inspiration: Cheng Chubi
- Third son of Duke Lu.
Lu Household
- Hou Yan Song as Lu Yunji
- Historical inspiration: Hou Junji
- Renowned General Cai; father to Lu Qi and Lu Yingying; rival to Duke Lu.
- He Feng Tian as Lu Qi
- Eldest son of Lu Yunji; competitor to Sheng Chumo; attracted to Fu Yin.
- He Rui Xian as Lu Yingying
- Younger daughter of Lu Yunji; dutiful and pure-hearted; harbors unreciprocated feelings for Yan Zifeng despite family enmity.
- Yan Xi Dong as Lu Hanxing, cousin to Lu Qi.
- Shi Yu Fei as Linglong, personal handmaid to Lu Qi.
- Song Jian Xin as Servant in the Lu family.
Sun Household
- Shen Baoping as Sun Tan
- Secretary Sun; father of Sun Lingshu and Sun Lingwei.
- Jiang Meng Jie as Sun Lingshu, Crown Princess of Li Kaiqing
- Historical inspiration: Crown Princess Su
- Eldest daughter of Sun Tan; ascends to crown princess with assistance from Fu Rou; becomes resentful within palace life, straining ties with Crown Prince.
- Huang Xinyao as Sun Lingwei
- Second daughter of Sun Tan; visits sister at the Eastern Palace; love interest of Chujun.
Imperial Family
- Ma Yue as Emperor
- Historical inspiration: Emperor Taizong of Tang
- Miao Pu as Empress
- Historical inspiration: Empress Zhangsun
- Noble empress who appreciates Fu Rou’s abilities.
- Li Ze Feng as Crown Prince Li Kaiqing
- Historical inspiration: Li Chengqian
- Eldest son of Emperor and Empress; close with siblings Princess Xinnan and Prince Han but has strained relations with Prince Zhou; friendly with Chen Ji and Court Lady Situ.
- Liu Enshang as Prince Han
- Historical inspiration: Li Tai
- Fourth son by Empress; literary enthusiast and devoted husband to Princess Consort Han.
- Shi Yue Anxin as Prince Qin
- Historical inspiration: Li Zhi, Emperor Gaozong of Tang
- Ninth son by Empress; respects and learns from Fu Rou.
- Wu Jiayi as Princess Xin Nan
- Historical inspiration: Li Jing, Princess Qinghe/Yuzhang
- Beloved eleventh daughter; close to Crown Prince; playful yet naive; loves Chuling.
- Katherine Yang as Princess Si Ling
- Historical inspiration: Princess Chengyang
- Wife of Huo Jing.
- Liu Min as Consort Yan
- Historical inspiration: Consort Yang (楊妃)
- Consort and mother to Prince Zhou.
- Tan Jianci as Prince Zhou
- Historical inspiration: Li Ke
- Third son by Consort Yan; intelligent but self-centered in his pursuit of Fu Rou.
- Chang Long as Prince Zhao
- Historical inspiration: Li You
- Fifth son by Concubine Xi.
- Tang Zeng as Prince Liang
- Historical inspiration: Li Yuanchang
- Son of Taishang Huang; uncle to Crown Prince, Princes Han, Qin, Zhou, and Princess Xin Nan; known for cruelty and lechery.
- as Li Baolin
- Official in Embroidery Bureau promoted due to Fu Rou’s influence; befriends her.
- Yang Ruo Xi as Concubine Xi
- Historical inspiration: Consort Yin
- Concubine and mother to Prince Zhao.
- Michelle Bai Bing as Consort Qiao
- Liu Yu Xin as Consort Zhen
- Wang Ya Jing as Jiang Cai Ren
- Lei Han as Taishang Huang (Retired Emperor)
- Historical inspiration: Emperor Gaozu of Tang
- Predecessor and father of current Emperor; favors Prince Liang.
- Fang Xiao Li as Dowager Consort Su
- Historical inspiration: Concubine Sun
- Taishang Huang’s consort; mother of Prince Liang.
- Angela Pan as Dowager Consort Wan
- Historical inspiration: Wan Guifei
- Taishang Huang’s consort.
Court Ladies
- Zhang Tong as Situ Shangyi
- Senior court lady trusted by Empress, Crown Prince, and Princess Consort Han; secretly acts in protection of Fu Rou.
- Zhang Ting Ting as Wu Shangyi
- Secretary who succeeds Situ Shangyi's duties.
- Liu Xiao Ye as Court Lady Xue
- Assistant under Fu Rou within Embroidery Bureau.
- Fang Anna as Court Lady Yuan
- Assistant under Fu Rou within Embroidery Bureau.
- Sun Dan Dan as Li Dian Yan
- Assistant under Fu Rou in the Department division.
Servants
- Wang Yizhe as Chen Ji / Fu Shui
- Historical inspiration: Chen Xin
- Chen Ji: Entertainer at Prince Han’s estate; close companion to Crown Prince; sacrifices himself to protect him due to low social standing.
- Fu Shui: Enigmatic figure with manipulative intentions.
- Historical inspiration: Chen Xin
- Zhang Yi Xi as Xiao Lu
- Historical inspiration: Wu Ze Tian
- Maid who forms a close bond with Fu Rou becoming her personal maid and pupil.
- Zhang Jie as Shu'er
- Maid serving Fu Rou.
- An An as Zhenzhu
- Maid attending Princess Xin Nan.
- Huang Jia Rong as Shu Ang Xi
- Maid serving Sun Lingshu.
- Sun Di as Wei Sun
- Attendant to the Empress.
- Hu Wen Zhe as Yang Bai
- Eunuch frequently assisting Fu Rou.
- Owen Chen Feng as Yu He
- Servant attending Consort Yan.
- Jackie Li Yang Zi as Ma Hainiu
- Sister to Ma Haihu; subordinate under Yan Zifang; harbors unrequited love for Sheng Chumo.
Ministers
- Hong Yao as Yan Zifang / Fan Ziyan
- Former fiancé of Fu Rou presumed dead after escaping men sent by Lu Yunji; rescued by pirates; collaborates with Chu Mo seeking vengeance against Lu Yunji; honored with title General Zhenhai through imperial favor.
- Zheng Long as Ma Haihu
- Loyal lieutenant under Yan Zifang; brother to Ma Hainu.
- He Lei as Du Ning
- Painter and calligrapher favored by Emperor; official at Imperial Academy; shared mutual affection with Fu Yin before her departure for vengeance on the Lu family.
- Sun Ning as Fang Xun, Chang Guo Gong
- Mentor to Crown Prince before imprisonment and replacement by Zhan Xuanzhi.
- He Qiang as Fang Qianli
- Historical inspiration: Fang Xuanling
- Fang Da Lu as Yu Xuanzhi
- Imperial Chief Examiner who recognized Du Ning’s talents; succeeded Chang Guo Gong’s position.
- Chen Guo Dong as Qian Wenjing
- Initially mentor to Prince Zhou.
- Luo Ting as Zhang Ming Gong
Other
- Li Chuan Yuan as Li Fuling
- Close companion to Princess Xin Nan; candidate for Crown Princess along with Lu Yingying and Sun Lingshu.
- Liu Lu as Lian Yan'er
- Former courtesan exploited by Sheng Chumu against Fu Rou emotionally.
- Wang Yi Jun as Zhang He
- Associate linked with Prince Liang and Huo Jing abusing power until reprimanded by Yan Zifang.
- Hou Jun Guang as Huo Jing
- Historical inspiration: Du He
- Ally of Prince Liang, Lu Qi, Zhang He abusing their status oppressively.
- Wang Jianguo as Hong Yide
- Commander leading rebel forces.
Production
The drama is a collaborative effort between Huanyu Film and TVB, spearheaded by the creative team responsible for Story of Yanxi Palace. Key figures include producer and visual director Yu Zheng, executive producer Li Xiuzhen, style director Song Xiaotao, and art director Luan Hexin. The screenplay was crafted by Feng Nong, known for General and I. Principal photography commenced in February 2019 at Hengdian World Studios.
Awards and nominations
| Award | Category | Nominee | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| China Entertainment Industry Summit (Golden Pufferfish Awards) |
Most Anticipated Program | Ode to Daughter of Great Tang | Template:Nom |