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| Princess Zhaoyang Set to Begin Filming in 2026 as Li Hongyi and Kong Xueer Enter a World of Palace Power Games (Photo: Weibo) |
Chinese costume drama scene may be crowded, but Princess Zhaoyang is already nudging its way into the conversation. Rumoured to begin filming on 5 February 2026, this upcoming period drama has sparked early buzz thanks to its classic palace intrigue setup and the reported pairing of Li Hongyi and Snow Kong Xueer. While it may not scream massive-budget spectacle, its story-driven ambition and character-heavy tension suggest a project quietly aiming to punch above its weight.
According to circulating production chatter, Princess Zhaoyang leans hard into themes of power, ambition, and emotional scars that never quite heal. The drama is said to blend political manoeuvring with personal vendettas, all wrapped in the familiar yet ever-popular costume drama aesthetic that thrives on slow-burn conflict and sharp dialogue.
At the centre of the story is Li Shu, a royal princess born outside of formal recognition.
Her childhood is marked by neglect, cold palace corridors, and the lasting shadow of her mother’s death.
Branded as insignificant within the imperial hierarchy, Li Shu learns early that survival in the capital depends on strategy, not sentiment.
Determined to escape her bleak fate, she orchestrates a calculated marriage to Cui Jinzhi, the son of a powerful noble family.
What she gains in status, however, she loses in freedom.
Treated as nothing more than a political tool to strengthen the Crown Prince’s faction, Li Shu finds herself sidelined while Cui Jinzhi openly favours his beloved concubine.
Anger and humiliation push Li Shu towards a dangerous decision.
She forms a secret bond with Shen Zhixiao, a poor but brilliant scholar preparing for the imperial examinations.
Promising to support his rise, she later abandons the relationship, leaving behind unresolved bitterness that will echo for years.
Three years later, the empire shifts.
Major reforms to the imperial examination system elevate Shen Zhixiao to the top scholar of his generation, making him a symbol of change and intellectual power.
During a grand palace banquet, he publicly humiliates Li Shu, reopening wounds both thought were buried.
Under Emperor Zhengyuan’s reformist rule, the balance of power tilts.
Long-dominant noble families face challenges from newly empowered scholars, with Shen Zhixiao emerging as a key figure.
Standing opposite him is Cui Jinzhi, still deeply rooted in the Crown Prince’s aristocratic faction.
As political tensions sharpen, Shen Zhixiao begins to see past appearances.
Li Shu’s life, far from being luxurious, has been a constant gamble.
For years, she has walked a dangerous line as a political adviser, assisting Cui Jinzhi while maintaining favour with the emperor, all at the cost of her own safety.
Li Hongyi and Kong Xueer are reportedly attached as the leads, a pairing that many see as a calculated but sensible move.
Neither actor is positioned as a top-tier traffic name, but both are familiar faces with solid fanbases and strong visual appeal.
Industry watchers note that smaller-scale costume dramas often benefit from lower expectations, allowing storytelling and chemistry to carry the project rather than spectacle alone. Online reactions have been mixed but lively.
Some fans are cautiously optimistic, praising the revenge-driven narrative and morally complex characters.
Others feel the premise treads familiar ground, echoing earlier palace dramas with similar power struggles and emotional betrayals.
Still, many agree that fresh chemistry and nuanced performances could turn a seemingly standard setup into a sleeper hit.
There is also chatter about the risk-to-reward factor.
Without the pressure of blockbuster ratings, Princess Zhaoyang has room to surprise, especially if it leans into character psychology rather than flashy court scenes.
As filming reportedly approaches, curiosity continues to build. Will this quieter costume drama deliver unexpected depth, or will it blend into the crowded palace genre?