- Drama Title: The Vendetta of An
- Also Known As: 长安二十四计, Chang An Er Shi Si Ji
- Director: Lin Feng
- Cast: Cheng Yi, Liu Yi Jun, Wang Jin Song, Zhou Qi, Tong Meng Shi, Xu Lu
- Screenwriter: Shuang Cheng
- Genres: Suspense, Mystery, Historical
- Number of Episodes: 28+1 special episode
- Date of Release: December 12, 2025
- Original Network: CCTV, Youku
- Where to Watch: Youku, Netflix
Dear readers… Happy New Year! Let’s start 2026 with optimism and happiness. May your days be gentler, your nights be quieter, and your commute be shorter. I certainly haven’t forgotten to wish you coffee that stays hot and Wi-Fi that stays strong.
Thank you for staying with us through sleepless nights, emotional turmoil, and long rants that turned into essays. It’s only because of you that our daily chaos feels like a shared adventure rather than a solo mission.
We promise to keep writing as long as you keep reading. Even if you don’t, we’ll probably still rant anyway. Now, let’s get back to business. This is the review of The Vendetta of An, one of my favorite Chinese dramas released in 2025. Happy reading!
The Vendetta of An Synopsis
During the Wencheng reign, the young emperor, Xiao Wen Jing, was under the control of Yan Feng Shan, the commander of the Huben Army. Four years after his ascension, chaos soon erupted in the city of Chang’an.
The feudal lord and the late emperor’s first son, Xiao Wu Yang, seized power from his younger brother. When he ascended the throne, the deposed emperor vanished and Yan Feng Shan quietly retreated from the capital.
To remove the biggest threat to the country, Xiao Wu Yang ordered Xie Huai’an to destroy the Huben Army and kill Yan Feng Shan. There’s no one more suitable for the task than Xie Huai’an, the son of the Huben Army’s founder.
Years ago, he witnessed Yan Feng Shan massacre his entire family. His father died protecting him, leaving Xie Huai’an with nothing but grief and hatred. Since then, he was keeping low profile while patiently planning his revenge.
His goal was simple and clear. He wanted to avenge the death of his family. He joined hands with Gu Yu, the Marquis of Northguard, Ye Zheng, a Jianghu swordsman, and Han Zi Ling, a sharp-minded strategist. Together, they waged war against the powerful Huben Army. But will Xie Huai’an set aside his plan of revenge when Chang’an is in danger?
The Vendetta of An Drama Review
Dear readers, let’s start 2026 with a suspense drama. I promised myself that I would be more adventurous this year. I will toughen up a bit and try different genres instead of sticking only to romance.
I watched The Vendetta of An, just a few days before 2025 ended. I watched it for two simple reasons: Cheng Yi and the fact that it only has 29 episodes.
Cheng Yi is popular and a well-established actor in Cdramaland. Although he did well in modern-romance drama like South Wind Knows and historical-romance like Immortal Samsara.
But I enjoy his performance the most in mystery dramas like The Lost Tomb 2 and Mysterious Lotus Casebook. He did great on those dramas. Unfortunately, 2025 wasn’t a good year for Cheng Yi’s fan like me. He starred in two big-budget dramas, but they flopped due to the story issues.
I tried to watch Sword and Beloved and The Journey of Legend, but I dropped it halfway though. It wasn’t his fault. The stories just didn’t work. ☹️
The second reason is the number of episode. For someone who often stay awake and survives a full 40-episode marathon, 29 episodes feels like… 11 episodes shorter. Actually, it should be a treat. But after I watched this drama, it didn’t feel like short at all 😅.
The Vendetta of An deserved a high rating. The story, even though feel slow and jumpy at times, was packed with surprises and plot twists. You really couldn’t skip an episode, or you will miss important things. Keep your hand off the fast forward button too.
It is your worst enemy while watching this drama. The Vendetta of An is like a hot coffee meant to be sipped slowly. You could feel the bitterness at the back of your tongue with every sip. Still, you just can’t stop enjoying it.
The story felt heavy. The revenge is ruthless in the way the power moves and how lives are taken. Yet, it also leaves some space for a sense of humanity. There is also a touch of fantasy in its imagination. But the pain and cruelty felt so real. I cried a lot while watching the drama. Cheng Yi, with his red-rimmed eyes, was more than capable of stirring up my emotions.
WHAT? Is there any romance, you ask? NOPE. I waited through more than half of the drama with a glimmer of hope. But nothing happened. 😭😭
When you click the start button, expect nothing but a heavy and serious drama. There are no comedy bits or funny scenes that would make you laugh. At most, you might get a slight smile over a dry joke.
The story was heavy, full of anger, sadness, and grief. It will slowly consume your emotions and squeeze you dry. And at the end of the day, you’ll be very exhausted but craving for more.
Another thing that needs to be praised is the acting. I am sure you already knew how strong Cheng Yi’s acting was. But he was not the only star in this drama. Beside him stands a stellar cast. You might find Xiao Wu Yang’s face familiar.
That’s because he played Wei Yuan in Guardians of Dafeng (a drama I still regret not reviewing). Wang Jing Song, who played Wu Zhong Heng, has a very LONG filmography.
He appeared in Nirvana in Fire, The Advisors Alliance, Legend of Fu Yao, In Class of Her Own, Youth in the Flames of War, The Ingenious One, and Interlaced Scenes. His upcoming projects are just as packed. We might still see him in many dramas in 2026.
Then there’s Ni Da Hong, who act brilliantly as Yang Mi’s father in This Thriving Land. Movie star Zhang Han Yu delivered a perfect performance as Yan Feng Shan. Liu Xiao Hai who played Liu Zi Yan, the most powerful assassin of the Huben Army, also appeared in urban romance Why is He Still Single.
And Huang Jue who played Xie Huai’an father, is another familiar face. He played important roles in Legend of Zhang Hai, Regeneration, Reset, and Ode to Joy series.
Those are senior actors. Now let’s talk about the younger one. My favourite characters in this drama aside from Xie Huai’an are Gu Yu and Han Zi Ling. Gu Yu was played by Ye Zu Xin who also appeared in Northward, Blossom, and Youth in the Flames of War.
Liu Yi Tong who played Han Zi Ling started his drama career in Love Better than Immortality. Zhou Qi, who played Xiao Wen Jing/Zhang Mo, also act in Legend of Zang Hai, White Cat Legend, and The Flame’s Daughter. Tong Meng Shi, who played as Ye Zheng the swordsman, also appear in Sword and Beloved, The Journey of Legend, Flourished Peony, Joy of Life and Dashing Youth.
Xu Lu, who played the sweet Bai Wan, was famous for her role in Hello, I’m at Your Service with Miles Wei. The last is Wang Zi Xuan. She played Shen Xiao Qing, Ye Zheng’s junior sister. She once played Wu Fei, Yang Mi’s assistant who steal her position in She and Her Perfect Husband drama. That drama is still my comfort watch whenever I was in a bad mood. Watching Yang Mi and Xu Kai acting lovey-dovey never fails to cheer me up 😁.
The strong harmony between main leads and supporting roles was one of the reasons I really enjoyed The Vendetta of An. Even though some supporting characters feel stuck in one emotional mode, those who hold important political positions understand their roles.
They portrayed quiet menace rather than exaggerated villain behaviour. For instance, Yan Feng Shan is the antagonist because he killed Xie Hua’an’s family. But aside from his oppressing presence, he never resorts to theatrical villain laugh of dramatic stares. He stays calm, and that was exactly that makes him truly frightening.
However, because this drama was short, I feel that some characters lacked explanation. There were some snippets or flashbacks from the past that will help you understand them. Yet, while some are enough. Others require you to think and connect the dots.
If only they added 11 more episodes, the story would be much easier to understand. But that would also mean more time for me to finish watching and writing this review. So, maybe we could call it a blessing in disguise? LOL
As for how everything wrapped up, keep your expectations low, dear readers. This kind of drama rarely has a happy ending. And it was proven. The Vendetta of An has an open ending that screams for a second season. Let’s just hope that the producers feel generous and take pity on us, their loyal viewers.
The Story – A Slow Burn of Grief and Steel
“So what if half of my life is hardships? What matters is the rest (of my life) brims with sweetness”
-young Xie Huai’an-
The Vendetta of An works because the vendetta itself is clear and grounded. The story was long, intricate, and full of twists and turns. But it was clear and never lost direction.
You would understand why Xie Huai’an was so patient with his plan. He is like someone building a house, laying each brick slowly and carefully. Because he knows the whole structure depends on it. One mistake could bring everything down.
In The Vendetta of An, the director and screenwriter managed to balance the ruthlessness with fragility. Behind the schemes and the political games, you see regret, grief, helplessness, and fear.
Most of the characters stand in high positions. Xiao Wen Jing and Xiao Wu Yang are emperors. Yan Feng Shan and Gu Yu are mighty generals. Xie Huai’an enters Chang’an because the emperor needs him.
Yet, their heart are no stronger than anyone else’s. They still feel fear, regret, doubt, and longing. All of it hidden quietly behind those cold façades, calculated moves, and ruthless determination.
The story was complicated. Deception after deception appeared as the best strategic minds clashed and schemed against each other. Death after death was inevitable. As the plot moves forward, the cruelty only grows heavier.
The Vendetta of An showed how ugly the world is. Bad people hide everywhere, while good people were scarce. People betray each other. Brothers turn against one another, friendships collapse, lovers deceive, and trust becomes a luxury. In a world like this, survival demand constant caution. And kindness feels painfully fragile.
Xie Huai’an begin his journey with one clear goal: to kill Yan Feng Shan, the man who massacred his Liu family. Liu Zi Wen died protecting his children. Xie Huai’an (at that time his name was still Liu Zhi) fled with his sister.
Xie Huai’an’s mother was nowhere to be seen, though her fate was revealed later. Xie Huai’an’s little sister, Liu Li, was separated from him. She went on to live a better life and no longer remembered him. Yet, Xie Huai’an always secretly protects her as she was his only remaining family.
To accomplish his mission, Xie Huai’an was surrounded by several people. Zhu Zhi Long, an old but talented physician always stays by his side. Mr. Long has two disciples, Ye Zheng and Shen Xiao Qing.
While Ye Zheng lived as a swordsman, Shen Xiao Qing inherited his mantle and become a young physician. Then there’s Xie Huai’an’s pageboy, Zhang Mo. He is a cheerful and kind. He is the only one who feels out of place among them. Therefore, Xie Huai’an planned to send him back to his hometown instead letting him follow a dangerous path.
When Xie Huai’an returned to Chang’an. The throne has already changed hands. The young emperor, Xiao Wen Jing, who was weak and controlled by Yan Feng Shan, has been deposed.
The one who sat on the throne now is his older brother, Xiao Wu Yang. He is a powerful general who command the army. The emperor was supported by his trusted men, Chancellor Gao Fan and General Gu Yu.
If you watched Legend of Zang Hai, you should know that the drama also focused on a journey of revenge. However, Xie Huai’an’s path was very different from Zang Hai’s.
Both Xie Huai’an and Zang Hai fled from massacre when they were still children. Zang Hai was then raised by mentors, Gao Ming and Xing Dou. His life was difficult, but at least he still grew up with father figure by his side.
Xie Huai’an had none of that. He survived on his own. From the beginning to very end, he remained the same person. Emotionally reserved, brave but desperate, and terribly lonely. He never had the luxury of Zang Hai’s life.
Zang Hai was alone, but never truly alone. He found a new family and someone to love. Xie Huai’an’s life was empty. He still has a sister, yet he was too afraid to let her know who he was. The stakes were too high.
It was the same with Ye Zheng and Shen Xiao Qing. Xie Huai’an regarded them as family. Therefore, he hides many things from them. He knew that they would protect them without hesitation.
As Xie Huai’an walked on his chosen path, death and pain followed closely. Instead of breaking him, those only sharpen his edges. His scheme grew colder and more ruthless.
But behind that cold and indifferent façade, lies a fragile heart. Xie Huai’an was always ready to give up his life for the bigger picture and for those he held dear. When Gu Yu was trapped, Xie Huai’an understood that Gu Yu mattered more than he did. Chang’an couldn’t afford to lose a general. So, he was prepared to die.
Everyone knew that Xie Huai’an was determined to kill Yan Feng Shan and bring down the Huben Army. Yet he never escaped his father’s shadow. The instinct to protect Chang’an was etched into him.
So even though he moved forward with his vendetta, Xie Huai’an was also quietly guarding the city. Because in protecting Chang’an, he was in fact protecting the monarch and the nation.
I especially enjoyed the interaction between Ye Zheng and Shen Xiao Qing. They are not blood-related, but their bond feels like that of real siblings. To them, Xia Huai’an is a family. He is more like an older brother for them, especially for Shen Xiao Qing. And Xie Huai’an, having lost everyone else, did his best to protect them in return.
The only character whose growth I waited patiently is Xiao Wen Jing. He is frustratingly foolish and easy to manipulate. Even though he has conscience, he was too weak and timid to act on it. his arc is one of the most interesting to follow.
From an Emperor reduced to a Pageboy. From luxury to learning how to work for food. He learned a lot from Xie Huai’an and his friends. Yet fear always holds Xiao Wen Jing back. At times his actions made me angry enough to scold the screen.
The complexity of human’s heart and the depth of secret it could hide, is what makes this drama so compelling. Just as I could never fully predict Xie Huai’an’s strategies, I also could not guess which character would switch sides. There were too many surprises, and honestly, this is what makes The Vendetta of An so gripping.
The Visuals
The Vendetta of An showed the different side of Chang’an. The packed alleys and the simplicity of its people could be seen everywhere instead of the majestic palace.
The set felt lived-in rather than decorative. And what impressed me the most was the Changsui River. The place felt crowded and dirty. But you could see that everything was neatly arranged and every set was filled with thoughtful details.
I loved the make up showed real human skin. Wrinkles, smile lines, eye bags, stubble, all of it. The hair was dishevelled instead of overly neat. You could see it clearly when the camera moved in for close up shots. And I couldn’t be happier about that.
I always love to see some honesty in how characters were presented on screen. The lighting was superb. It was often dim, soft, and uneven, as if it is coming from natural source instead of arranged light. There’s nothing more satisfying than to see how reality was brought into the story.
The Characters
Xie Huai’an / Liu Zhi (Played by Cheng Yi)
Liu Zhi is the son of Liu Zi Wen, the founder of Huben Army. He was born with white hair, which later turned black as he grew older. After his family was massacred, Liu Zhi changed his name into Xie Huai’an.
From that moment on, he planned his revenge meticulously, while silently protecting the last remaining member of his family, his younger sister.
Xie Huai’an is intelligent, observant, and a talented strategist. He is calm and restrained, always thinking several steps ahead. He did everything carefully because he constantly measuring consequences.
Emotionally, Xie Huai’an is deeply repressed. He buried all his resentment, anger, and grief beneath a cold and indifferent façade. Yet, his conscience remains intact. Having lost so much, he values life even more.
Especially the lives of those close to him. he knows where to stop and never harms the innocent. But when it comes to his enemy, he shows no mercy. He is ruthless and dangerous.
Despite being surrounded by loyal companions, Xie Huai’an’s heart feels empty. He longs for his family, but he forced himself to deny his own blood ties. He is a lonely soul walking in a rough path. Time and time again, Xie Huai’an lets others take the path to life while he walks towards the dead end.
Xiao Wen Jing / Zhang Mo (Played by Zhou Qi)
Zhang Mo is Xie Huai’an’s page boy. While Xiao Wen Jing is the deposed emperor. Unfortunately, Zhang Mo was killed by Xiao Wen Jing who had lost his senses after being imprisoned.
Later, to conceal Xiao Wen Jing’s identity, Xie Huai’an made him disguised as Zhang Mo. From then on, the young emperor who once sat on the dragon throne was reduced to a page boy who cooked, cleaned, and ran errands for Xie Huai’an.
Although it was not an easy job, Xiao Wen Jing (now called by name Zhang Mo) never complained because he regretted what he did to the real Zhang Mo and tried to atone for his sin.
As an emperor, Xiao Wen Jing was not particularly sharp. Otherwise, he wouldn’t be under Yan Feng Shan’s control for years. But he wasn’t stupid either. He was simply weak. He still had a conscience, but his timidity was hard to overcome. And it ultimately shaped the choices he made.
Xiao Wu Yang (Played by Liu Yi Jun)
Xiao Wu Yang is the eldest son of the late emperor. He commands the army and a very powerful general. He is a righteous man who overthrow his own brother for the sake of the people.
Xiao Wu Yang is a wise and resolute. He didn’t really care for the throne because in his heart the peaceful of the nation and the safety of its people were far more important than power.
Wu Zhong Heng (Played by Wang Jin Song)
Wu Zhong Heng is the King of Tiemo. He is a determined yet deeply patient. He was willing to wait for years until the right moment arrives. Wu Zhong Heng spent his time hiding inside a prison for years and concealing his identity with great care.
Wu Zhong Heng is a nostalgic person. the suffering he went through since he was young stayed with him and it slowly shaped the man he is today. Wu Zhaong Heng is a cautious person. Every move he makes was calculated far in advance, sometimes planned years ahead. But he didn’t mind the long wait.
Wu Zhong He is a dangerous person. Even if he smiles on the surface, it didn’t erase the vigilance in his eyes. Making those who stood around him act with cautious because he could kill them easily.
Ye Zheng (Played by Tong Meng Shi)
Ye Zheng is a swordsman from Jianghu and Xie Huai’an aide. Ye Zheng’s background is unknown. but he has followed his master Zhu Zhi Long for years.
Together with his junior sister, Shen Xiao Qing, they form a bond that feels like a family. Ye Zheng is smart, kind, and his swordsmanship was unparallelled. But his most valuable trait is not his skills, but his loyalty.
Bai Wan / Liu Li (Played by Xu Lu)
Bai Wan came from a humble family. Because of her intelligence, she was sent to study in Chang’an under the tutelage of Yang Xuan. Bai Wan’s real identity is Liu Li, Liu Zhi’s younger sister and the daughter of Liu Zi Wen.
She and her brother escaped the massacre. However, she later got separated from Liu Zhi and ended up as an adopted daughter of family. She forgot all her memory, her name, her origin, and also the young man who always by her side.
Gu Yu (Played by Zu Xin)
Gu Yu or the Marquis of Northguard is the commander of Baiwenhu Army. He could easily recognize because he used wheelchair and always accompanied by his subordinate, Wu Mei. At first glance, Gu Yu looked like a nice and soft-hearted person.
But his real nature is cold and ruthless. He is a capable commander and an excellent general. His loyalty to the emperor is unquestionable. He would rather die than being a traitor for Chang’an.
Yan Feng Shan (Played by Zhang Han Yu)
Yan Feng Shan was once a subordinate and disciple of Liu Zi Wen. He is now the commander of Huben Army. He has controlled the imperial court for so many years that the people secretly called him Emperor Yan. Yan Feng Shan is a determined person.
For him nothing is more important than his position and the Huben army. Everything else can be sacrificed. After he control the court, Yan Feng Shan didn’t rush to grabs the power. Instead, he chose to control who sat upon the throne. He was supported by brilliant strategists.
One of them is Wang Pu, a young but ruthless subordinate whom he regarded as a son. Yet, no matter how close he appears to others, Yan Feng Shan never let down his guard. His cautious nature was rooted from his painful past when he was imprisoned by the people of Tiemo.
The Conclusion
The Vendetta of An is a drama you shouldn’t miss, dear readers. Although this one might not be everyone’s cup of tea. But believed me, once you press the start button, you will slowly pull into its complicated yet intriguing story.
But if you want to put this drama on your watchlist, be careful. This isn’t a 3-day binge watching material. This one need at least a week time to finish. You should watch it slowly. Let the story sink in and savour each episode. Trust me, when you reach the final episode, it will feel worth the time you spent.
So, have you decided to give it a try? if you do, don’t forget to share your thoughts in the comment box below. I would love to read your impressions on this.
Anyhow, thank you for stopping by dear readers. I’ll see you in another drama review. until then, goodbye!
