The Princess Royal

Untangling misconceptions | Understanding both perspectives is essential | MLs a walking Green Flag!

"In front of your beloved, you'll always be a child in this life." - Wen Shi / Pei Wenxuan's Mother.

Sometimes, it's really unwise and unadvisable to read reviews and watch spoilers before watching a drama. Because, what do you mean I stored this well-written story on the side for a couple of years just because I was influenced by some negative critiques I read online? Absolutely my mistake! Anyways...

In summary, I think the story was able to skillfully tackle a side of the "Rebirth plot" that isn't normally touched upon or addressed. Typically, it always revolves around "changing and correcting" what has happened, but for this drama, it's all about "clarification and acceptance."

At first, I had the impression that this would be another regret and repentance-themed plot. However, as the story progresses, I realized that they're neither focused on both, but more on learning what actually transpired and why it occurred in the first place. With that idea, I realized that they were not given the chance to relive their earlier lives to change and correct past decisions. Rather, the chance was given to make Princess Li Rong realize that she was already on the right path; It's just that she allowed her emotions to get the best of her—I am being subjective and character-specific here, as she was the only one who seemed confused and kept in the dark about the events of their previous life. Which prevented her from performing critical observation and rational analysis, ultimately resulting in the tragic and sorrowful conclusion of their previous life.

The story itself was nicely written. I appreciate that most of the scenes were straightforward and progressive—which helped to better represent the current mental age of the three characters who went back to their previous lives. While the resolution to the conflict was masterfully built and executed. I'm glad that they focused on resolving the issue, instead of making it unnecessarily big and overly dramatic. This helped the story avoid any additional immature and irrational conflicts that are often used in rebirth/time-travel themed dramas and allowed it to focus entirely on the pressing matters that made them remorseful and unsatisfied with their past lives.

The ending was presented in an unexpected yet reasonable manner that perfectly aligns with the title, 'The Princess Royal.' I honestly find it weird and amusing how they pushed the 'Regent Princess Royal' agenda. It was unprecedented, and I have never seen the concept utilized so positively before in any other dramas. However, I am glad that it ended that way, for the following reasons:
1. To finally provide a happy ending to Li Chuan and Qin Zhenzhen after their tragic demise.
2. To prevent the tragedy that occurred in their previous lives from ever happening again.
3. To cement Li Rong's role in the story as the most powerful figure: The Regent Princess Royal.

I also just want to list down some things I love about this production overall.
• I'm grateful that they immediately, on episode 2, discovered that both of them have re-lived their lives. Because of that, they didn't have to waste more episodes guessing why they're treating each other the way they do.
• I love that the story mainly focused on the leads recollecting and analyzing the past situation to gain clarity instead of immediately moving on. Finally, a mature concept.
• More so, I love how they alternately reminisce and reproach each other regarding their past circumstances: Li Rong with her bitter and salty memories of Pei Wenxuan's sentiments for his presumed first love (Qin Zhenzhen), and Pei Wenxuan's endless jealousy towards Li Rong's boy toy (Su Rong Qing). It's giving 'Couple Core'.

Let me also bring up a couple of things that felt a bit off, which could have been better with proper modifications.
×× The mustache in episode 1 looks so fake, I'm cackling! While it looks considerably fine on Pei Wenxuan, it is ridiculously unbelievable on Li Chuan. Since the actor is young, they should have used cosmetics to age him, which would have worked better than simply using a fake mustache.
×× The rain scene was everything—it was beautiful, heartfelt, and intense. The confession, the reproach speech, and them running after each other were so well done. However, as the story went on, it felt like everything went down the drain due to the constant doubts and hesitations, mainly concerning Li Rong's feelings, even after their confrontation​. I think this scene would have been better if placed towards the middle part of the story, as it evoked immense emotion and would have served as a wonderful scene in sorting out their feelings and mending their relationship once and for all.

In conclusion, Li Rong wasn't mistaken; she just didn't know the whole story—and that's because Pei Wenxuan never mustered the courage to clarify his feelings to her. Above all, I'm proud that she remained pure-hearted till the end of her supposed first life. She was misguided and perhaps blinded by the fact that her husband loved and cared for Qin Zhenzhen, but what I love about her is that she never used that to harm her. She knew her worth and chose to end their connection, as she's not someone who would ever settle for receiving just a portion of Pei Wenxuan's affection.

​P.S. Pei Wenxuan deserves an Honorary Award for being a walking green flag. Li Rong is the luckiest for finding such a loyal, loving, and magnanimous husband who genuinely adores, understands, and dotes on her. This man committed one mistake and never did it again; and in return, he is ready to devote his lifetime to making up for it.

Pei Wenxuan: Your Highness. If I die in the palace today. What will you do?
Li Rong: If you die in Huajing, I will gather the troops and destroy them. Do you understand?

Story - 9.5. I thoroughly enjoyed this drama. The only issue I had was with the "Rain Scene," which I believe would have been more instrumental and effective had it been placed in the middle of the story or used as a device to ultimately resolve their relationship issues. It lost much of its essence because it was added in the first quarter of the story.

Acting/Cast - 10. Each scene was delivered with a great amount of emotion and support, and I never found anyone lacking. I love the lineup of actors and actresses, and was very happy to have finally watched this. This is my first Zhao Jinmai drama, and I consumed it very well. Zhang Linghe's character here is a much lighter and calmer version compared to all of his roles I have watched so far. I would say I love him better here.

Music - 10, Non-negotiable. Why are this drama's OSTs coming at par with how touching, solemn, and soothing K-OSTs are? The songs were never overpowering; they were never distracting. Instead, they are like the wind on a calm sunny day—mild, warm, and comforting. It's as if they are the voices that gently whisper and envelop their message and intentions to its viewers. <3

Rewatch Value - 9.5, I enjoyed it a lot and would definitely re-watch it if given a chance. It's once of the drama I stayed up multiple nights to finish.

Overall - 9.5. My rating would have been a perfect 10 if the rain scene had been positioned more appropriately. Whoever edited this was misled/misguided by the idea that it would be effective to place such a romantic and evocative scene in the first quarter, rather than using it to conclude the romantic conflict between the leads. The sequencing was consequently messed up. Nevertheless, this remains a highly recommendable drama.

IF you find my review helpful please let me know.

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Give it a try

The Princess Royal' was a beautifully scripted drama. Every aspect was written meticulously, and the actors delivered their performances accordingly. The characters skillfully portrayed a range of emotions, from dull and serene to anxious, with great attention to detail. I particularly appreciated the role of the female lead's brother; his loyalty, respect, and love for his sister were truly heartwarming. Although the drama sometimes felt a bit dull due to a lack of relaxed, funny, and romantic elements, it remained captivating throughout. The main leads executed their roles flawlessly, contributing to the overall effectiveness of the drama."

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Mixed feelings

I had high expectations for this drama cause of the cast which I LOVED, storyline was so good but became way more frustrating on second half especially during the “rebellion” cause tell me why the FL turned on her brother the second she found out he was involved in her murder in the past life whilst he could casually chat with SRQ who accompanied her for 17 years yet still let her die in vain like that ? Without the ML’s persuasion she would’ve literally went against her brother who isn’t even the same person from her past life where’s the logic here, FL was really confused at times but luckily there’s always the ML knocking some sense into her & she listened so that’s relieving.

I also adore the main lead’s relationship, whenever there’s a “conflict” they’d actually talk it out & resolve it like actual adults instead of dragging it which kept my sanity compared to other dramas.

The ML was honestly my favourite character throughout this whole series I’ve realised ZLH actually nailed this role & it fit him so good, he made it look so natural basically this is definitely my favourite role of his, kind of reminds me of his role in maiden holmes or maybe my memory is just bad? Anyhow ML actually had common sense!

Overall I wouldn’t say this is some special masterpiece but it definitely was a good entertaining drama with cute side love stories ( I was so invested in SGY & SRH’s relationship! 🥹)
so I would definitely recommend this drama in any case if you’re looking for a palace intrigued drama with a healthy main couple!

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pls 3rd collaboration pls ? zhao jinmai at zhang lingerie...

kung bibigyan k ng pagkakataon babaguhin mo ba ng dating sitwasyon or ndi..subrang ganda ng princess royal na si li rong at pei wenxuan🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰

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Well written and never a dull moment

LIKE

Li Rong and Wen Xuan reunited with two decades of memories and kept on bickering about the past - loved it

Love the politics especially you already know what is going to happen

When you are re-living your life for the second time, you can be honest about what you couldn’t say in the first because there were regrets

When Li Rong went to save Pei Wen Xuan - soso cool

DISLIKE

Pity about Su Rong Qing's decision in life

MUSIC - personal fav

风吹 Feng Chui - 千言 Qian Yan
爱而不休 Ai Er Bu Xiu - 陈红鲤 Chen Hong Li
藏心 Cang Xin - 叶炫清 Ye Xuan Qing

REWATCH VALUE

Five for now

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A Convoluted Palace Drama

This is a hard watch for much of its first half. Even with a second chance at life, the gifted but emotionally stunted female lead remains drawn to the scheming love rival who poisoned her and framed her husband, instead of the devoted male lead who still loves her even after learning she had ordered his murder.

Believability and mutual respect are sacrificed for added drama, and the heavy focus on the love rival further undermines the central couple’s relationship. A couple of standout romantic tracks also lose impact through overuse in scenes between the female lead and the rival. The dark core clashes with humor that does not always land, though it provides some relief from relentless scheming and rival angst.

The central romance leans into uncomfortable cuckold and simp dynamics, with a love triangle that drags past exhaustion. The imbalance persists into the finale: a third of the episode lingers on an overindulgent death sequence for the love rival, with the female lead nearly throwing herself into the flames for a man who betrayed her in both lifetimes and, minutes earlier, tried to kill her husband, while the main couple is left with a relatively brief, perfunctory, and ultimately less than satisfactory happy ending.

If toxic female fantasies and pure palace drama are your thing, dive in. Otherwise, look elsewhere.

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After peak moon starts to decline

I started this drama and absolutely loved it but still couldn't forget the feelings it gave me so i watched it again . I'm writing this for the first time to keep it as a beautiful memory that i enjoyed ,i recommend it to anybody who likes arrange marriage/ palace intrigue plot, I don't seem to let go of this but I prey that it's hangover soon will be over and i will return to normal.
Story: so the story is somewhat predictable and it surprises u at the end, it keeps it's cool and it's not that deep so u don't have to put ur mind who did what.
Acting : I admit that I like FL and fell for her acting maybe that's the reason I give this 10/10 otherwise it's solid 8.5,but I don't understand why screentime of ML is lower then FL and SML overall they did their best and I couldn't find any major faults although there are some but it let's u stick to it so it's just fine .

In my opinion it's hit or Miss as I like to watch this kind of drama so it's definitely more appealing to me so give it a try and let story decide it's scor for u.

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Surprisingly Good Palace Intrigue Drama with Great Characters

I must be honest: I do not like palace-intrigue historical C-dramas unless there is a decent amount of fantasy elements or romance takes up over 60% of the plot. That’s my baseline.

I started The Princess Royal several times but couldn’t get past episode 1. Now that I have finally finished it, I don’t understand why I couldn’t continue earlier. Maybe it’s because I went into it after watching xianxia—xianxias and historicals have a very different vibe. So perhaps the switch from one subgenre to another did not work at a time.

But this drama actually surprised me in a good way.

Production values and action

- Very high budget production. Everything from the costumes to the fight choreography felt top notch.
- I particularly liked the action scene in the first episode and there was a stunning sequence in the last episode.

There were additional strong action beats in between, but those two stood out.

Plot (brief, non-spoilery recap)

I’m not the kind of person to recap the plot — most people reading reviews already know the premise. They basically want to know if the drama is worth watching. But for anyone who doesn’t: it’s story about a married couple (who die) traveling back in time to the period before they got married. They get a second chance at life and must decide whether to repeat the same path or choose something else.

Pacing and storytelling

If you like palace intrigue, it’s absolutely worth watching — one of the better ones I’ve seen. The story moves pretty fast in terms of development. Yes, there are long dialogue-heavy scenes, but they don’t drag the plot. Most of them are fairly meaningful and easy to watch. There were only a handful of draggy scenes toward the end, but not nearly as many as in other historical dramas I’ve seen.

Acting and characters

The acting is superb. I particularly liked Zhao Jin Mai in this role. I didn’t like her in Shine on Me — she wasn’t convincing in that one for some reason (maybe direction). In The Princess Royal she was perfect.

There’s a love-triangle situation that settles halfway through. The tension between Pei Wen Xuan and Su Rong Qing is amazing and holds up until the end. This is one of those rare dramas where the tension between male characters vying for one woman is convincing and the second male lead doesn’t just exist for a trope — he has meaningful presence and development and actually is a worthy opponent.

A lot of characters were interesting and had good storylines. That’s rare for me in historical dramas; I usually skip a lot when it comes to supporting characters, but I didn’t here.

Lead couple: Li Rong and Pei Wen Xuan

Their relationship is complicated because they lived as half-enemies in the previous life—existing on opposite edges of the same circle. In their second life they get a chance to change things. The dynamic is enemies-to-lovers at first: they bicker, scheme against each other, and then marry again because despite their animosity they love each other deep down. Even if they don’t understand it just yet. Their relationship gets crazy and toxic, and very sweet eventually.

I liked the power dynamics a lot. Li Rong is a princess who’s a force to be reckoned with and is the dominant one in the relationship from the beginning and throughout.

Pei Wen Xuan isn’t always the guy to save the girl. She saves him plenty of times too. He’s shown vulnerable in many scenes (the punishment scene at his family’s place, fainting in the court session), though he still saves her too and gets injured doing so.

The best part I liked about his character is that he has learned his past life mistakes. He lets Li Rong take the lead often; he saves her but also allows her agency. I liked that balance.

Palace intrigue and supporting arcs

Reason why I said that this drama surprised me a lot being the palace intrigue drama is because romance is not as prevalent in here as I would like. It seems to be woven evenly into the main story arc which involves the struggle between the noble families and people who are opposing them. Despite my occasional dislike of palace intrigue, I liked the way it was handled here.

Many supporting characters and their storylines were compelling — a rare win for a historical for me.

Around episode 30 the emperor’s character/background comes in heavily, which is where many C-dramas suffer with long torturing scenes that could be trimmed. This drama does have some of that, but it isn’t as bad as usual.

Episode 33 has pretty sick plot twists that help keep the pace going.

Favorite scenes/episodes

Episode 20: the sequence where Pei Wen Xuan catches Li Rong in the flower field — I watched that sequence and the minutes before it several times. The cinematography and the execution and direction are amazing.

Episode 23: the banquet hole performance between the royal siblings, Su Rong Qing and Pei Wen Xuan — stunning.

First episode action and the stunning sequence in the last episode (already mentioned) are also standouts.

Specific dislikes/emotional beats

I hate how Su Rong Qing’s confession affected Li Rong after the cliff fall. It’s understandable Li Rong reacted that way after learning who truly killed her, but it was disheartening to watch her determination to care for her little brother disappear. I’m glad that in the end she allowed herself to believe in humanity again.

Ending and final impressions

The last three episodes were pretty good, with the exception of a couple of draggy scenes — but those dragged scenes made sense because they focused on major characters.

Bonus: it’s a happy ending. Characters who had tragic or sad outcomes in the previous life get good lives and good endings this time. Everyone gets what they want and what they deserve.

If you like historical female-centric dramas, palace intrigue, and are a fan of the actors, this is a pretty good watch.

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