The Rise of Phoenixes () is a 2018 Chinese television drama based on the novel Huang Quan () by Tianxia Guiyuan, taking place in the fictional kingdom of Tiansheng, starring Chen Kun and Ni Ni in the main roles. On 14 August 2018, it premiered on Hunan Television, and Netflix on 14 September 2018. It became one of the top rated shows, was nominated for 'Best Drama Series' at the Asian Television Awards, and won 'Best Cinematography' at the 25th Shanghai Television Festival.
Synopsis Ning Yi (Chen Kun) is a clever prince of Tiansheng, hides his true self while plotting revenge and secretly seeks justice for his brother. Feng Zhiwei (Ni Ni), wrongly accused and banished, disguises herself as a man, joins Qingming Academy, and rises to become a court official through her talent and knowledge.
Feng Zhiwei, as Wei Zhi, earns the emperor’s trust during the succession struggle but must reveal her identity when he proposes marriage to his daughter. After a near-execution, she’s pardoned and sent on a mission with the Prince of Chu, where her mutual feelings with Ning Yi surface. Following his illness and recovery, they confess their love and plan to seek the emperor’s approval to marry. She discovers she is surviving royalty from the previous empire and, believing Tiansheng was built on her loved ones’ deaths, seeks revenge, including on Ning Yi.
Cast Main Actor Character Description Chen Kun Ning Yi (宁弈) The shrewd Prince of Chu hides his vengeance behind charm, building power in secret to avenge his family and protect the woman he loves.Ni Ni Feng Zhiwei (凤知微) Wei Zhi (魏知) The last princess of Dacheng, hidden as a Qiu niece, rises as scholar Wei Zhi to survive and protect her family—falling for Ning Yi despite a vow never to marry him.
Supporting Tiansheng Kingdom Royal Family Actor Character DescriptionNi Dahong Ning Shizheng (宁世征) The shrewd Tiansheng emperor rules with ruthless balance, showing rare affection—most of all for Consort Yan.Hai Yitian Ning Chuan (宁川) The ruthless Crown Prince of Tiansheng is ambitious but lacks insight, relying on advisors and the Bloody Pagoda to crush rivals. Backed by the powerful Chang clan, he masterminded Ning Qiao’s death.Shi An Ning Sheng (宁昇) The cruel and ambitious Prince of Yan, second son of Tiansheng, is a key contender for the throne, backed by the powerful Chang clan. Liu Zhehui Ning Qiao (宁乔) The late Crown Prince Zhuangyi, third son of Tiansheng, was framed for treason and executed. Once close to Ning Yi, his death sparked Ning Yi’s quest for justice.Tong Shao Ning Yan (宁研) The foolish and greedy Prince of Zhao, fifth son of Tiansheng, blindly follows the Crown Prince—until deceived by Headmaster Xin into opposing Ning Chuan as the “true” heir.Qu Gaowei Ning Qi (宁齐) The seventh prince, Ning Qi, returns after a decade at the border. Once candid and devoted to his mother, he grows ruthless and ambitious—viewing Ning Yi as his greatest rival and stopping at nothing to eliminate him.Wang Kaiyi Ning Ji (宁霁) Tenth prince of Tiansheng Kingdom, the Prince of Duan. The emperor's youngest son. A kind boy at heart, he trusts and respects Ning Yi.Xu Hao Ning Shao (宁韶) Princess Shaoning of Tiansheng Kingdom. She is doted on by the Emperor and the Crown Prince. Song Jiayang Ning Qing (宁清) Ning Yi's bodyguard. A subordinate to Ning Cheng. Du Hongbin Ning Zhuo (宁濯) Ning Yi's bodyguard. A subordinate to Ning Cheng.Mei Ting Yale (雅乐) Consort Yan, princess of the Sunset tribe and Ning Yi’s mother, was wrongly accused of witchcraft and imprisoned for twenty years—until Ning Yi uncovers the truth and secures her release. Yu Mingjia Chang Yongmei Noble Consort Chang. Ning Sheng's birth mother and Ning Yi's step-mother. Member of the Chang clan, younger sister of the late empress (Ning Chuan's and Ning Shao’s mother).Zhu Rui Yueling (月泠) Consort Qing, daughter of Sanhu and lover of Crown Prince Zhangsun Hong, poses as Ning Qi’s ally while secretly plotting the emperor’s downfall—sowing discord in court to fracture the dynasty.Wang Oulei Lady Wang (王才人) A kind yet unfavored concubine of the emperor. Ning Qi's biological mother. Chen Yingying Yijun Princess Consort of Wei.
Tiansheng Kingdom Court Officials and Servants Actor Character DescriptionMinistersZhao Lixin Xin Ziyan (辛子砚) Headmaster of Qingming Academy, trusted advisor to the Crown Prince and mentor to Ning Yi. He was also close to the late Prince Ning Qiao.Wang Ou Hua Qiong (华琼) Daughter of a family who fell victim to Chang Yuan, the Duke of Min. She allies with Ning Yi and Wei Zhi to bring Chang Yuan to justice and later becomes Zhiwei's best friend. Yin Zhusheng Chang Yuan (常远) Duke of Min, head of the Chang family and powerful general, helped found Tiansheng Kingdom. As the emperor’s biggest threat, he wields vast court influence and is uncle to the Crown Prince and second prince. Xu Wei Chang Hai (常海) Uncle of the Crown Prince and second prince, and the Duke of Min's younger brother. A loyal ally of the Crown Prince. Lu Yong Qiu Shangqi (秋尚奇) Commander-in-chief of the infantry and leader of the Flying Shadow guards, he seems allied with the Crown Prince but is a cautious opportunist who prioritizes his own safety. He’s Feng Zhiwei’s maternal uncle.Wang Ce Gu Yan (顾衍) Head of the Royal Guards, formerly second-in-command of the Bloody Pagoda, who betrayed his organization to serve the Tiansheng Kingdom. Qin Yan Yao Ying (姚英) Grand Secretary of Internal Affairs. Ning Yi's ally. Chang Cheng Peng Pei (彭沛) Ministry of Penalty. Ning Sheng's ally. Ren Luomin Ge Hongying (葛鸿英) Assistant minister. Ning Yan's ally. Zhao Chengshun Chunyu Hong (淳于鸿) Chunyu Meng's father.ServantsHou Yansong Zhao Yuan (赵渊) The emperor's trusted head eunuch. In charge of the Internal Affairs Department.He Lei Ning Cheng (宁澄) Ning Yi's loyal bodyguard.Liu Yun Manchun (曼春) Ning Yi's personal attendant. Rong Fei Wu Ying (吴英) A eunuch sent by the emperor to spy on Ning Yi, who stays loyal to the prince after learning the truth behind his plans. Chen Liang Ah Chou (阿丑) Gu Yan's trusted aide.
People of Tiansheng Kingdom Actor Character Description Hu Ke Dahua (大花) Xin Ziyan's wife. A very jealous woman who also deeply loves her husband. Xu Jian Yan Huaishi (燕怀石) Son of the influential Yan clan of Minhai, he enters Qingming Academy alongside Feng Zhiwei (disguised as Wei Zhi) and befriends her, aware of her true identity. He is betrothed to Hua Qiong. Liu Haoyan Chunyu Meng (淳于猛) Son of a powerful warrior. He is loyal to Ning Yi and aids him in his conquest. Mao Yi Yao Yangyu (姚扬宇) Son of Yao Ying. He is the top student at Qingming Academy, and is unruly and arrogant. Wang Jiaqi Zhuyin (珠茵) Daughter of one of Ning Qiao's trusted generals. She is a courtesan at Lanxiang court who collects intelligence for Ning Yi.Qiu clan Liu Mintao Qiu Mingying (秋明缨) Sister of Qiu Shangqi and wife of Gu Heng, former Fire Wind commander and Bloody Pagoda leader. She raises Zhiwei as her own. Yang Ziya Madame Qiu (秋夫人) Qiu Shangqi's wife. Deng Sha Yuhua (玉华) Qiu Shangqi’s fifth concubine, who suspects the truth about the Feng children’s identity. Xu Ge Qiu Yuluo (秋玉落) Qiu Shangqi’s spoiled daughter, betrothed to Ning Yi by the Emperor. She tries to humiliate Feng Zhiwei and her brother but often ends up bullied by them.Chang Long Feng Hao (凤皓) Qiu Mingying’s biological son and decoy for Feng Zhiwei, the Dacheng Remnant. A cheeky manchild devoted to his mother and sister, he ultimately sacrifices himself to save them.
Cheng Dynasty Actor Character Description Bai Jingting Gu Nanyi (顾南衣) An assassin of the Bloody Pagoda and Feng Zhiwei’s loyal bodyguard, who sees her as the most important person in his life. Xiu Qing Zong Chen (宗宸) A Bloody Pagoda leader and mentor to Gu Nanyi, he poses as a private school teacher but is a master of martial arts and medicine. Hei Zi Gu Heng (顾衡) Previous leader of the Bloody Pagoda. Feng Zhiwei's foster father; Qiu Mingying's husband. Tan Kai Emperor of Da Cheng (大成皇帝) Feng Zhiwei's father. Zhang Dinghan Empress of Da Cheng (大成皇后) Feng Zhiwei's mother.
Jinshi Tribe Actor Character DescriptionZhang Xiaochen Helian Zheng (赫连铮) Heir of Jinshi, a northern nomadic kingdom, who seeks Zhiwei’s hand. Captivated by her strength, he’s willing to do anything to support her dreams—clashing with Ning Yi’s plans. Li Jingjing Liu Mudan (刘牡丹) Grand Royal Consort. Helian Zheng's stepmother, who raised him after his mother's death. Qin Yong San Sun (三隼) General of Jinshi. Zhou Kui Helian Lie (赫连烈) Helian Zheng’s uncle and the late Jinshi King’s twin brother, who declared himself King Regent after his brother’s death. Deng Hanyu Helian Tu (赫连图) Current King of Jinshi, the younger half-brother of Helian Zheng. Used by Helian Lie as a puppet king.
Kingdom of Yue Actor Character DescriptionYuan Hong Jin Siyu (晋思羽) Third prince of Yue, the Prince of An. Shen Xiaohai Zhanbi (占壁) A spy of the Kingdom of Yue, Yale's lover.