Season 1
Huan Zhu Gege is the story of an orphan whose life changes after she is accidentally named princess.
It starts off with the tale of two sworn sisters: orphaned adventuress Xiao Yanzi and Ziwei, a talented young lady with an interesting history. Ziwei is actually the illegitimate daughter of Emperor Qianlong. Eighteen years ago, Qianlong had an affair with her mother, Xia Yu He, atLake Daming in Jinan. Because of political reasons, Qianlong left Yu He, promising to return for her. However, Yu He was already pregnant with his child and waited faithfully for his return. On her deathbed, Yu He asks Ziwei to find her father, Qianlong.
Ziwei takes on this arduous task with her servant Jinsuo. After the two arrive in Beijing, they discover the challenges of entering the Forbidden City. Meanwhile, they meet Xiao Yanzi, a clever and daring girl around their age. Having been abandoned at a young age, Xiao Yanzi lives with her buddies Liu Qing and Liu Hong in the Da Zha Yuan. Ziwei and Xiao Yanzi soon develop a meaningful friendship. As Ziwei runs out of supplies and money, she moves in with Xiao Yanzi who earns her trust. Ziwei tells Xiao Yanzi her huge secret mission.
Xiao Yanzi agrees to help Ziwei with her mission. They plan to meet Qianlong during his hunting trip to a local mountain. However, climbing up the mountain turns out to be a challenging task. The frail Ziwei and Jinsuo struggle to climb up. Hence, Ziwei decides to send Xiao Yanzi as her trustworthy messenger. She gives Xiao Yanzi a fan and painting, both gifts that Qianlong gave Yu He years ago.
Unfortunately, Xiao Yanzi is shot with an arrow by Yongqi, the fifth prince who was originally aiming for a deer. Wounded and barely conscious, Xiao Yanzi does not have the energy to explain her mission to Qianlong. When Qianlong sees Xiao Yanzi carrying his fan and painting, he assumes Xiao Yanzi is Yu He's daughter. He treats Xiao Yanzi so kindly that she decides to "borrow" Ziwei's father for a few days. However, she is soon overcome with guilt.
Meanwhile, Ziwei is extremely worried about Xiao Yanzi, afraid that she was captured and executed as a female assassin. However, when she witnesses Xiao Yanzi parading the streets with Qianlong in a palaquin with the title "Huan Zhu Gege", she believes Xiao Yanzi has deceived her. Hurt and confused, she chases after the palaquin, screaming Xiao Yanzi's name. The commotion she causes alerts the guards who rush to restrain her, but when Fu Erkang, one of the Emperor's bodyguards, hears hints that she might be telling the truth, he then rescues her.
Ziwei and Jinsuo are persuaded by the Fus to live in the Fu household, Xue Shi Fu, temporarily. Xiao Yanzi also realizes the greatness of her error where she might be beheaded if she tells the truth. Because both Yongqi and Ertai are infatuated with Xiao Yanzi, they ask Ziwei to keep quiet about her secret.
Slowly, Erkang and Ziwei begin to fall in love. Erkang realizes their marriage is impossible, however, because he cannot marry Ziwei if she only has the status of a commoner.
Xiao Yanzi has her own troubles in the Forbidden City, as her outlandish behaviour and lack of sense of propriety offends the Empress. Even Qianlong becomes overwhelmed with Xiao Yanzi's disobedience and outspokenness. He punishes Xiao Yanzi with twenty beatings, despite pleas from Ling Fei, Yongqi, and Ertai. However, Qianlong and Xiao Yanzi soon mend fences.
Sensing the romance between Ziwei and Erkang, Erkang's parents, Fu Da Ren and Fu Jin, kindly ask Ziwei to give up Erkang. Heartbroken, Ziwei and Jinsuo leave Xue Shi Fu without notice, leaving Erkang in panic. After his search for Ziwei is unsuccessful, he calls for the help of Xiao Yanzi. Together, they manage to find out where Ziwei is from Liu Qing and Liu Hong. When they finally find Ziwei, they decide it is perhaps the best idea to sneak Ziwei into the Forbidden City as well.
Ziwei, along with Jinsuo, enjoys an excellent start in the Forbidden City. Although Ziwei is but a court maid, Qianlong quickly takes notice of her. He takes a liking to her talent, intelligence, and kindness. This arouses the jealousy of the Empresses, who views Ziwei as a potential political threat. She secretly brings Ziwei to her palace, Kunning Gong, and pierces her with needles. Ziwei nearly dies, but is rescued by Qianlong, Xiao Yanzi, Erkang, Ertai, and Yongqi. The relationship between Qianlong and Ziwei grows deeper as Qianlong becomes more amazed by Ziwei's talents. His love for Xiao Yanzi and Ziwei becomes so great that he takes them on his Wei Fu Chu Xing.
Qianlong uses the time to enjoy life outside the Forbidden City. Hoping to reveal Ziwei's true identity without angering Qianlong, Erkang, Yongqi, and Ertai suggest that they ask for a special order from Qianlong, promising that he will never execute Ziwei and Xiao Yanzi.
During the trip, feelings between Xiao Yanzi and Yongqi begin to arise. Yongqi begins to have a crush on Xiao Yanzi after discovering she is not really his sister. However, their relationship is awkward because they are currently considered brother-sister. When Yongqi first admits his feelings to Xiao Yanzi, she is confused and bewildered. But, when Xiao Yanzi is jealous of another girl who likes Yongqi, she cannot hide her feelings for him. The romance between Ziwei and Erkang grows deeper. Unfortunately, Qianlong, not knowing Ziwei is his daughter, falls in love with Ziwei as well. Along the way, Xiao Yanzi fights injustice, rescuing many civilians.
Qianlong's Wei Fu Chu Xing is abruptly put to a halt when an assassination attempt is made on the emperor. Ziwei shields Qianlong from a knife aimed at him. Everyone manages to get rid of the assassins, but Ziwei's life is at risk. Ziwei then asks Qianlong never to execute Xiao Yanzi. Qianlong agrees, but the mood is not calm at all. Thinking she is on her deathbed, Ziwei also asks Erkang to marry Jinsuo, her loyal servant and friend.
Surprisingly, Ziwei manages to survive getting stabbed. Qianlong's admiration for her grows stronger because of her remarkable bravery. After returning to the Forbidden City, Qianlong hints that he wants to take Ziwei in as his concubine. Meanwhile, the king of Tibet and his daughter, Princess Saiya, have arrived in Beijing.
Saiya and Xiao Yanzi quickly develop a rivalry, as Saiya's kung fu skills stir up feelings of competition. After fighting against Erkang in a match, Saiya develops a crush on Erkang. Her father asks Qianlong if he can arrange a marriage between Saiya and Erkang. Although Qianlong originally intended to save Erkang for Xiao Yanzi, he agrees, creating huge dilemmas for Ziwei and Erkang.
At this point, Xiao Yanzi, Ziwei, Yongqi, Erkang, Ertai, and Jinsuo decide it is time to reveal their secret. Qianlong is shocked to discover Ziwei is his true daughter, as he had once considered taking her in as a concubine. He is hurt to know that Xiao Yanzi and Ziwei, two people he trusted most, had tricked him. The Empress takes advantage of the situation to tell Qianlong that she always knew something was wrong with Xiao Yanzi and Ziwei. After pressuring from the Empress, Qianlong agrees to imprison Xiao Yanzi and Ziwei in Zhong Ren Fu, even though Ling Fei pleas that he reconsiders. Jinsuo, wanting to risk her life rather than Ziwei's, joins them. Yongqi, Erkang, and Ertai are in great turmoil.
Hoping to finish Xiao Yanzi and Ziwei once and for all, Huang Hou conspires with Liang Da Ren, the man in charge of Zhong Ren Fu. She orders him to force Xiao Yanzi, Ziwei, and Jinsuo to sign a document stating they disguised as princesses in an attempt to murder Qianlong. Refusing to sign such a ridiculous document, the three girls are whipped harshly. Knowing that the three cannot survive long in such conditions, Yongqi, Erkang, and Ertai decide to risk their lives. They break into the jail and free the three girls. Because they have broken the law, they decide to run away forever.
At the same time, Qianlong begins to regret his actions. He realizes how much he has grown to love Xiao Yanzi and Ziwei. His officers and Ling Fei also ask that he release them. Qianlong goes to Zhong Ren Fu and decides to let them go, but is aghast that they had escaped earlier. Furious, Qianlong orders that they be found and all executed.
Feelings of guilt arise as Xiao Yanzi and her entourage run away. Ertai decides to return to the Forbidden City and explain matters to Qianlong. Knowing that Ertai is most likely to be beheaded, Ziwei begs that they all return and face Qianlong. They soon agree and return to the Forbidden City.
Qianlong originally intends to behead them all, but when he sees that the three girls have been whipped, he is heartbroken. He orders them to return to Shu Fang Zai, where they reside in the Forbidden City, to rest, but they refuse to go until he has forgiven Yongqi, Erkang, and Ertai. Qianlong does not want to at first, but when he realizes the entire matter is actually his fault, he relents. He knows that if he had not gotten involved with Yu He alone in the first place, there would be no fiasco. He also cannot bear to kill his favourite people. Thus, he forgives them all.
At Shu Fang Zai, Qianlong recognizes Ziwei as his daughter. He hand-feeds her medicine and the two share a father-daughter hug. Because of Qianlong's liking for her, Xiao Yanzi keeps her title as Huan Zhu Gege.
Everyone is overjoyed, except for the Empress and Rong Mo Mo. The Empress reprimands Qianlong for being tricked by "some eighteen-year-old girls". However, Qianlong ignores her and questions her on her involvement in conspiring against the girls. Angered, Qianlong orders for the Empress' and Rong Mo Mo's immediate removal to Zhong Ren Fu. Yongqi begs Qianlong to reconsider his verdict as it is inappropriate to punish the "Mother of the Country". In her anger and desperation, the Empress snatches a nearby scissors and cuts part of her hair off, upset that Qianlong no longer considers her thoughts. Ziwei pleads mercy on their behalf, hoping that she will make peace with the Empress. Qianlong agrees, and the rivalry seems to have ended.
The last obstacle is the proposal between Saiya and Erkang. However, it is easily solved when Ertai courts Saiya as a favour to Erkang and the two fall in love.
The story concludes with a ceremony, during which Ziwei is proclaimed Ming Zhu Gege (明珠格格, lit. Princess Bright Pearl). Qianlong also announces a betrothal between Xiao Yanzi and Yongqi, Ziwei and Erkang, and Ertai and Saiya. The three couples, along with Jinsuo, end the series by riding on horseback through the countryside. They sing happily with joy.
Season 2
The sequel to Huan Zhu Gege mainly revolves around Qianlong's newest concubine, Hanxiang, unwillingly sent as a gift from Uyghur leader Alihezhuo. Hanxiang was born with a natural scent that attracts butterflies. She has long loved another man, Mengdan, whom she had unsuccessfully eloped with several times.
Xiao Yanzi, Ziwei, Yongqi, and Erkang meet Mengdan at the restaurant and hotel recently opened by Liu Qing and Liu Hong. There, they learnt of the love story of Mengdan and Hanxiang. Ultimately, they decide to help Hanxiang escape the Forbidden City and escape with Mengdan.
After several attempts to resist Qianlong who was trying to force himself on her, Hanxiang accidentally cuts Emperor Qianlong's arm. When the Empress Dowager finds out about this, she secretly forces Hanxiang to drink poison as punishment. Xiao Yanzi, Yongqi, Ziwei, Jinsuo, and Erkang rush back but were not able to make it in time. Hanxiang is said to have died. Before she "dies", the aroma emitting from her body strengthens and tens of hundreds of butterflies fly to her side and circle the room. They leave and so does the aroma. In the end, Hanxiang is saved by the repeated attempts from Xiao Yanzi. She is ultimately saved by eating the life-saving medicine that her father gave her, in the case of an emergency. After this affair, Hanxiang loses her scent.
After Hanxiang's escape, the group lies to Qianlong that Hanxiang had turned into a butterfly and flew away. When Qianlong finds out the truth, he sentences Xiao Yanzi, Ziwei, Yongqi, Erkang, and Jinsuo to death. However, they eventually escape with help from their friends. They decide to leave the Forbidden City permanently and travel to Dali. On their trip, they encounter many adventures and unfortunate events.
Later, Qianlong begins to miss their presence and laughter. In the end, the emperor travels to Dali himself to convince them to return to the Forbidden City. There, he awards both Ziwei and Xiao Yanzi with a gold insignia. Each one can excuse them from 3executions. Qianlong and the Empress Dowager later discover the Empress had been plotting against Xiao Yanzi and Ziwei. Qianlong is furious and commands both the Empress and her maidservant, Rong Mo Mo, to be beheaded. However, Ziwei pulls out her gold insignia and uses up two pardons: one for Rong Mo Mo and one for the Empress.
Because of this affair, Rong Mo Mo and the Empress both grow appreciative of Ziwei and Xiao Yanzi. Afterwards, Xiao Yanzi and Yongqi, along with Ziwei and Erkang, are finally married.
Season 3
In the final installment of Huan Zhu Gege, the actors were nearly completely changed. The story starts off with Xiao Yanzi accidentally losing a child. The Dowager Empress was now increasingly unhappy with Xiao Yanzi, believing she is not lady-like enough to be Yongqi's wife, particularly in carrying on the family line. At the same time, Qing'er and Xiao Yanzi's brother, Xiao Jian, were also in love. But Tai Hou does not like Xiao Jian, especially after when she found that Xiao Yanzi and Xiao Jian's parent was killed by Qianlong. She thought that the slibing may want to hurt Qianlong for revenge. Before she found out this fact, when they went to Chen's family, she met Zhihua and thought that she was more suitable for Yongqi than Xiao Yanzi. Due to all these reasons, Tai hou made a plan to separate them: Yongqi and Xiao Yanzi, Qing'er and Xiao Jian. She threat that she would kill Xiaojian if Yongqi does not marry with Zhihua, and request that Zhihua should be wife and Xiao Yanzi should be the mistress. To save Xiaojian's life, they accept Taihou's conditions and Xiaojian were also sent away so that he would not have chance to meet Qing'er.
Although Yongqi gives in and marries Zhihua, Zhihua remain as a virgin after marrying Yongqi for quite a long time. But for some incident, Xiao Yanzi was persuade that Zhihua has that right to have a child of Yongqi, and she actually force Yongqi to enter Zhihua's room. Not long later, Zhihua was found pregnant.
Not much time after the news, both Yongqi and Erkang was told to take part in the war with Burma (Chinese: 緬甸; pinyin: Miandian). In the war, when Erkang fights with the eighth 'prince', he found that 'he', or rather 'she', was actually the eighth princess, Musha. Musha was attracted to Erkang and used some trick to make the Qings thought that Erkang was dead, and bring Erkang back to Burma. In the end Yongqi abandons Zhihua and her son, and lives like a commoner with Xiao Yanzi, Qing'r and Xiao Jian. Years later, Erkang and the emperor goes to visit them, they find that both couples are happy and they both have 4 children, and that Yongqi became a doctor.
| Character | Season 1[9] | Season 2[10] | Season 3[11] |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xiao Yanzi (小燕子) | Zhao Wei (赵薇) | Huang Yi (黃奕) | |
| Xia Ziwei (夏紫薇) | Ruby Lin (林心如) | Ma Yili (马伊琍) | |
| Yongqi (永琪) | Alec Su (蘇有朋) | Leo Ku (古巨基) | |
| Fu Erkang (福尔康) | Zhou Jie (周杰) | ||
| Jinsuo (金琐) | Fan Bingbing (范冰冰) | ||
| Emperor Qianlong (乾隆帝) | Zhang Tielin (张铁林) | Ti Lung (狄龍) | |
| Empress (皇后) | Dai Chunrong (戴春荣) | Jiang Lili (姜黎黎) | |
| Consort Ling (令妃) | Juan Zi (娟子) | Chen Li (陈莉) | |
| Nanny Rong (容嬷嬷) | Li Mingqi (李明启) | ||
| Liu Qing (柳靑) | Lu Shiyu (陆诗雨) | ||
| Liu Hong (柳紅) | Chen Ying (陈莹) | ||
| Fu Ertai (福尔泰) | Banny Chen (陳志朋) | ||
| Saiya (塞娅) | Zhang Heng (张恒) | ||
| Fu Lun (福伦) | Hai Bo (海波) | ||
| Fu Jin (福晋) | Liu Fang (刘芳) | ||
| Empress Dowager (太后) | Zhao Minfen (赵敏芬) | ||
| Qing'er (晴儿) | Wang Yan (王艳) | ||
| Hanxiang (含香) | Liu Dan (刘丹) | ||
| Mengdan (蒙丹) | Mu Fengbin (牟凤彬) | ||
| Xiao Jian (箫剑) | Zhu Hongjia (朱宏嘉) | Huang Xiaoming (黄晓明) | |
| Nanny Gui (桂嬷嬷) | Zhou Guiyun (周桂雲) | ||
| Xia Yingying (夏盈盈) | Jiang Qinqin (蒋勤勤) | ||
| Chen Zhihua (陈知画) | Qin Lan (秦岚) | ||
| Princess Musha (慕沙公主) | Liu Tao (刘涛) | ||
| Meng Bai (猛白) | Chang Jinsheng (臧金生) | ||
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