Legend of Lu Zhen
| Industry | Television drama |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2013 |
| Founder | Yu Zheng, Mu Xiaohui (producers) |
| Headquarters | China |
| Products | Television series |
Legend of Lu Zhen () is a 2013 Chinese historical television drama adapted from Zhang Wei's novel Female Prime Minister (女相). The series was helmed by directors Li Huizhu, Zheng Wei'en, and Liang Guoguan, with production led by Yu Zheng and Mu Xiaohui. Featuring performances by Zhao Liying and Chen Xiao, it debuted in China on 5 May 2013 and was subsequently broadcast in regions such as South Korea and Japan.
Synopsis
This narrative centers on Lu Zhen (Zhao Liying), who ascends from the role of a palace maid to become prime minister during the era of the Northern Qi dynasty. Loosely inspired by the historical figure Lu Lingxuan, Lu Zhen is portrayed as the determined daughter of a family engaged in porcelain manufacturing. Following her stepmother's malicious efforts to claim the family fortune through poisoning and false accusations against her, Lu Zhen evades an arranged marriage to an elderly man. She is then saved by Prince Gao Zhan (Chen Xiao), who becomes enamored with her because she reminds him of his first love, leading to her entry into the palace as a maid.
Within the palace, Gao Zhan contends with political machinations, as Empress Lou obstructs his succession to favor her son, Prince Yan (Qiao Renliang). Backed by Gao Zhan’s influence, Lu Zhen strives to attain the rank of sixth-level official to reopen the case surrounding her father’s murder. Through her intelligence and resolve, she climbs the hierarchical ladder of court officials, aids Gao Zhan in claiming the throne, and ultimately is appointed prime minister—the highest office beneath the empress—enabling her to wield considerable political power despite not ascending to empress status.
Main
- Zhao Liying as Lu Zhen
- The eldest daughter of Lu Jia, a prosperous ceramic manufacturer. Beginning as a palace maid, she swiftly advances to become the First Rank Female Prime Minister of Qi, leveraging her wit and positive outlook. She eventually attains the status of Consort Lu and acts as Gao Wei’s adoptive mother. Her loyalty lies firmly with Gao Zhan, whom she supports politically.
- Chen Xiao as Gao Zhan [Duke of Changguang]
- The younger son born to the late emperor and Empress Yujiulu. Initially designated heir, political shifts demote him to Duke of Changguang. Despite rivalry with his brother Gao Yan, their relationship remains strong.
- Qiao Renliang as Gao Yan [Emperor Xiaozhao]
- The elder son of the deceased emperor who is less favored. He is compassionate but struggles with familial conflicts and unreciprocated feelings for Xiao Huan Yun. He recognizes Lu Zhen’s abilities and forms a friendship with her.
- Yang Rong as Xiao Huan Yun [Noble Consort Xiao]
- Princess Yong Shi from Liang, raised alongside Gao Zhan and Gao Yan; she was Gao Zhan’s initial love interest. Ambitious and fierce, she holds the highest rank within Gao Yan’s harem as Noble Consort.
- Tang Yixin as Shen Bi
- Daughter of Minister Shen Fuzhi and Lu Zhen’s chief rival within the palace. Rising from maid to Madame Anyang of Wei Kingdom, she harbors jealousy and pride while also developing feelings for Gao Zhan.
Northern Qi
Imperial Family
- Leanne Liu as Lou Zhaojun [Empress Dowager Lou]
- Mother of Gao Yan; beneath her seemingly virtuous exterior lies a ruthless ambition.
- Bai Shan as Princess Ruru [Empress Long Ci]
- Former Northern Qi empress and mother to Gao Zhan and Gao Xiang.
- Zhang Mingjian as Gao Huan [Emperor Xianwu]
- Previous emperor of Northern Qi; father to Gao Yan, Gao Zhan, and Gao Xiang.
- Tien Niu as Dowager Consort Zhou [Zhou Taifei]
- Concubine of late Emperor Wenmu; grandmother to Gao Yan, Gao Zhan, and Gao Xiang; resides in isolation with limited influence but supports Lu Zhen before passing away.
- Li Xin Yi as Zheng Meiren [Beauty Zheng]
- Concubine of Gao Huan executed by Lou Zhaojun.
- Li Yixiao as Gao Xiang [Elder Princess Zhun Yang]
- Older sister to Gao Zhan who disapproves of Lu Zhen and opposes her brother’s affection toward her.
- Gao Yun Xiang as Xu Xianxiu [Elder Princess Prince Consort]
- Husband to Gao Xiang and serves as Minister of War.
- Zhang Jing as Imperial Concubine Zhao
- Concubine favored by Gao Yan.
Palace Staff
- Maggie Cheung Ho-yee as Lou Qingqiang [Lou Shangshi, Fifth Rank Lady Official]
- Empress Dowager Lou’s niece and principal advisor; oversees the Department of Internal Affairs alongside rival Wang Shangyi. She is driven by ambition and power.
- Jiang Hong as Wang Xuan [Wang Shangyi, Fifth Rank Lady Official]
- Loyal attendant to Noble Consort Xiao; co-manages Internal Affairs with Lou Qingqiang; known for fairness and strictness.
- Emma Wu as He Dan Niang [Lu Zhen's best friend]
- A faithful palace attendant who advances from maid to Sixth Rank Lady Official in charge of food services.
- Bao Wenjing as Lu Liuxiu [First-class attendant at Palace of Isolation]
- Chief maid serving Zhou Taifei; antagonistic toward Lu Zhen.
- Chai Biyun as Lin Herui
- Lead maid for Zhou Taifei who resents Lu Zhen for taking over her position.
- Jin Qiaoqiao as Du Heng [Du Si Yi, Sixth Rank Ceremonial Officer]
- Mentor figure for Lu Zhen; promoted by series end to Fifth Rank Shanggong managing Internal Affairs.
- Zhang Pingjuan as Chen Dianshi [Sixth Rank Lady Officer at Department of Clothing]
- Liu Yizhen as Yang Wanqiu [Chief Maid at Yong Qin Court]
- Acts as a supportive guide for Lu Zhen.
- Liu Jiayuan as Hu Linglong [Head maid at Department of Treasures, confidant to Lu Zhen]
- Initially loyal but manipulated into betraying Lu Zhen; later confesses and departs from palace life.
- Tian Lu Han as Chen Qiu Niang [Friend to Shen Bi]
- Yu Xintian as Hu Linglang [Head maid at Department of Treasures]
- First-class maid elevated to Eighth Rank Lady Official status.
- Guo Xuan as Zhuang Liuli [Confidant to Lu Zhen]
- Former trainee maid promoted through assisting Lu Zhen into Eighth Rank Lady Official role.
- Ren Xuehai as Zhu Erting [Fourth Rank Appraiser, mentor to Lu Zhen]
- Expert pottery artisan instrumental in advancing Lu Zhen’s career.
- Zhang Haiping as Li Dan [Assistant to Zhu Erting]
- Li Wenwen as Qiu Lamei [Personal attendant to Lou Qingqiang]
- First-class attendant serving Lou Qingqiang and Empress Dowager Lou.
- Liu Baicha as Ruan Niang [Personal attendant to Wang Xuan]
- Attendant loyal to Wang Xuan and Noble Consort Xiao.
- Xu Xin Yu as Li Yu Ming [Attendant at Xiuwen Palace]
- Maid serving within Gao Zhan’s quarters.
- Zhou Shao Dong as Gao Zhong [Bodyguard for Gao Zhan]
- Zhang Hao Ran as Yuan Lu [Eunuch serving Gao Zhan]
- Tao Shuai as Yuan Fu [Chief eunuch attending to Gao Yan]
- Jiang Kaitong as Li Yuqiao [Xiuwen Palace Attendant]
- Spy placed by Empress Dowager Lou near Gao Zhan; executed after exposure by Noble Consort Xiao.
- Chen Bing Qiang as Yuan Shou [Assistant to Du Heng]
- An Linmin as Wang Shangshu [Court Minister]
- Feng Bao as Lou Jian [Court Minister]
- Brother to Empress Dowager Lou; punished for plotting against Gao Zhan.
- Wei Yu as Lou Zhao [Court Minister]
Lu Family
- Yue Yao Li as Lu Jia [Father of Lu Zhen]
- Porcelain business owner; husband to Xue Jin and Zhao Yinglan; father figure for Lu Zhen and Lu Zhu.
- Wang Lin as Zhao Yinglan [Madame Zhao, stepmother to Lu Zhen]
- Ambitious stepmother whose crimes are uncovered following Lu Zhen’s rise and reopening of her father’s case.
- Yuan Xiaoxu as Lu Zhu [Lu Zhen's sister]
- Step-sister admiring Lu Zhen; weds Li Cheng.
- Dong Xian as Ge Cixiang [Nanny to Lu Zhen]
- Li Shi Peng as Zhao Quan [Brother of Madame Zhao]
- [Name not provided] as Xue Jin [Birth mother of Lu Zhen]
- Former royal attendant rescued by Lu Jia who became his concubine.
Shen Family
- Xi Xue as Shen Jia Min [Sixth Rank Female Official]
- Privileged yet compassionate; selected by Gao Xiang to be legally married to Gao Zhan.
- Li Yu Xuan as Shen Jia Yan [Second Rank Military Officer]
- Subordinate under Gao Zhan who develops feelings for Lu Zhen unaware that she competes with his sister for affection.
- Cao Yan Yan as Madame Shen
- Mother of Shen Jia Yan and Shen Jia Min.
- Yang Hong Wu as Shen Jue Wu [Fourth Grade Minister of Justice]
- Father figure to Shen Bi.
Western Territories
- Madina Memet as Du Mei Er [Merchant and dancer]
- A dancer detained by Empress Dowager Lou following Emperor Xianwu's demise; assists Lu Zhen in escaping.
- Deng Sha as Tangut Batelan [Princess Yu Yang from the Xian Bei Tribe]
- Gao Yan's cousin and promised bride to Shen Jia Yuan.
Chen Dynasty
- Lu Jia Rong as Li Qiulan [Madame of Yue State]
- Princess Tongchang's aunt.
- Liu Yue as Chen Shuangyu [Princess Tongchang of Chen]
- Eventually becomes Gao Zhan's Empress.
- Chen Jingyu as Chen Qian
- Ruler of Southern Chen Kingdom; aids Gao Zhan with three conditions for repayment.
Additional Characters
- Min Zheng as Tuoba Kuo [Emperor Gong of Western Wei]
- Zhou Hong as Wu Xiu [Daughter of General Wu Changfeng]
- Candidate for consort.
- Sun Xiao Fei portraying a palace maid.
- Han Dong as Li Cheng
- Initially engaged to Lu Zhen; betrays her and weds Lu Zhu.
Ratings
| CSM46 City Viewership Ratings | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Broadcast Date | Episodes | Rating | Audience Share | Position |
| May 5, 2013 | 1-3 | 1.133 | 3.03 | 1 |
| May 6, 2013 | 4-6 | 1.294 | 3.55 | 1 |
| May 7, 2013 | 7-9 | 1.565 | 4.30 | 1 |
| May 8, 2013 | 10-12 | 1.634 | 4.42 | 1 |
| May 9, 2013 | 13-15 | 1.754 | 4.74 | 1 |
| May 10, 2013 | 16 | 1.29 | 3.92 | 1 |
| May 11, 2013 | 17 | 1.245 | 3.88 | 1 |
| May 12, 2013 | 18-20 | 1.858 | 5.24 | 1 |
| May 13, 2013 | 21-23 | 1.898 | 5.24 | 1 |
| May 14, 2013 | 24-26 | 1.935 | 5.43 | 1 |
| May 15, 2013 | 27-29 | 2.009 | 5.60 | 1 |
| May 16, 2013 | 30-32 | 2.180 | 5.99 | 1 |
| National Broadcast Ratings (Including China Central Television) |
|---|
| Broadcast Date !Week Number !Average Rating !Position !Episodes |
|---|
- Peak ratings highlighted in red, lowest ratings in blue
Critical Reception
This drama secured the position of the eighth highest-rated television series in 2013 with an average CSM46 rating of 1.944. It also achieved considerable acclaim in South Korea, enhancing Chen Xiao’s profile within that region.
Accolades and Nominations
| Year | Award Ceremony | Category | Recipient | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | China TV Drama Awards | Top 10 Television Series | Template:Won | |
| Best New Actress | Zhao Liying | Template:Won | ||
| Asia Rainbow TV Awards | Most Promising Actor | Chen Xiao | Template:Won | |
| LeTV Awards | Most Popular Actress | Zhao Liying | Template:Won | |
| rowspan="2"|Tudou Young Choice Awards | Most Popular Actress (Mainland) | Template:Won | ||
| Most Popular Actor (Mainland) | Chen Xiao | Template:Won | ||
| 2014 | Huading Awards | Best New Actor | Template:Nom | |
| Best New Actress | Zhao Liying | Template:Nom |