The Story of Ming Lan

Sheng Minglan, the intelligent but overlooked sixth daughter of the Sheng family, hides her talents to survive a difficult childhood and avenge her mother’s death. As she navigates family struggles and political intrigue, she forms a complex bond with Gu Tingye. Together, they rise as a powerful couple, balancing love, loyalty, and duty in a changing empire.

The Story of Ming Lan (2018-2019) is a Chinese historical drama series created by Zheng Yi for Hunan Television, a single-season run of 78 episodes. Zhao Liying plays Sheng Minglan, the intelligent but overlooked sixth daughter of a noble household who hides her talents to survive a cruel childhood and to quietly pursue vengeance for her mother's death. William Feng plays Gu Tingye, the powerful man whose bond with her grows into a partnership of love, loyalty and duty. Around them, Zhu Yilong, Karlina Zhang, Shi Shi and Liu Jun sharpen the web of sisterly rivalry, family pressure and shifting alliances. The engine of the story is patient: every small concealment, every household quarrel and every political maneuver pushes Minglan closer to a position where she can act openly. Episodes unfold as a long serialized saga of courtyard intrigue, marriage negotiations and rising influence. Set in a changing imperial court, the series has a warm, wistful and romantic register, with a slice-of-life texture that lingers on domestic detail. Fans of Story of Yanxi Palace, Nirvana in Fire and Serenade of Peaceful Joy will find resonance in its blend of clever heroine, court politics and tender romance.

• Story of Yanxi Palacehistorical period drama, palace and noble family intrigue, slow-building romance between a clever heroine and a steady man
• Nirvana in Firefemale lead rising through a rigid family hierarchy, revenge undercurrent, romance within political intrigue
• Serenade of Peaceful Joyhistorical romance with a clever woman navigating imperial politics and family loyalty

Created by

Zheng Yi

Release Date

2018-12-23

Episode runtime

45 min

Rating

8.1 / 10 (44)

What is The Story of Ming Lan about?

A clever, overlooked sixth daughter hides her talents to survive a hostile noble household and avenge her mother, while forging a romance with a powerful man amid court politics.

What is The Story of Ming Lan like to watch?

Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Story of Ming Lan as measured, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as layered.

Is The Story of Ming Lan violent?

Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in The Story of Ming Lan as mild.

Which shows are like The Story of Ming Lan?

Shows with a similar feel include Story of Yanxi Palace, Nirvana in Fire, and Serenade of Peaceful Joy.

How long is The Story of Ming Lan?

The Story of Ming Lan: 1 season, 78 episodes.

Is The Story of Ming Lan still running?

No, The Story of Ming Lan has ended.

Where can I watch The Story of Ming Lan?

In United States, The Story of Ming Lan streams on iQIYI, WeTV.