The Shadow Sovereign

Born to a low-ranking concubine in the Cold Palace, Princess Zhao Yang (Kong Xue Er) has spent her life as a pawn in the imperial court. When the emperor reforms the examination system to elevate scholars of humble origin, a sharp-tongued commoner named Shen Xiao (Li Hong Yi) rises to prominence, and his public criticism of Zhao Yang ignites a political rivalry. As Zhao Yang maneuvers to dismantle the corrupt Crown Prince’s faction, Shen Xiao becomes her unexpected ally. Their relationship evolves from fierce antagonism to a partnership built on mutual respect and shared ideals. In their quest to secure a future of peace and prosperity for the kingdom, the princess and the scholar must risk everything – including their lives – to rewrite their destiny and forge a new path for their people. This drama was adapted from the web novel "Ping Yang Gong Zhu" by Qing Wei.