- Drama Title: Flourished Peony
- Also Known As: 国色芳华, Guo Se Fang Hua
- Director: Ding Zi Guang
- Genres: Romance, Historical
- Cast: Yang Zi, Li Xian
- Number of Episodes: 32
- Date of Release: January 7, 2025
- Original Network: Hunan TV, Mango TV
- Where to Watch: Mango TV, Viki
- Adapted from the web novel: “Guo Se Fang Hua” by Yi Qian Chong
February is the month of love. So, let’s start with Yang Zi and Li Xian’s Chinese romance drama, Flourished Peony. This drama was one of Chinese dramas released in January 2025, and has been praised by many for its stunning visuals and heartwarming story. But does it live up to the hype, or is it just another gorgeous historical romance drama? Let’s find out. Happy reading, dear readers! 😘😘
Flourished Peony Drama Synopsis
This is the story of a woman’s struggle in business and love during the flourishing Tang Dynasty. He Wei Feng is the daughter of a merchant who has a special skill in cultivating peonies.
He Wei Feng, often called Mu Dan (Peony), was forced to marry Liu Chang for the sake of her mother’s health. However, her married life was miserable. Mu Dan’s husband, Liu Chang, despised her. Her in-laws only sought her wealth and treated her like a cash cow. The clashing personalities also became a problem for the couple.
The situation changed when Liu Chang’s first love, who holds a royal identity, intended to marry him. Mu Dan becomes an obstacle for the Liu family to achieve fame and glory. When the truth behind the unhappy marriage was revealed, Mu Dan realized that she must leave the Liu family. So she hatched a plot against the Liu family and finally won her freedom.
It was not easy for Mu Dan to make a fresh start in her life and to embark on the path of business. She crossed paths with Jiang Chang Yang, who was famous for his reputation as the most corrupt and unruly official in Chang’an. However, he helped Mu Dan to re-establish herself.
Relying on her skills in cultivating peonies and her keen business sense, Mu Dan led a group of women to open a flower shop. They worked together to build a solid business, empowering other women with difficult lives and creating a thriving cosmetics brand.
In time, Mu Dan learns that behind Jiang Chang Yang’s flamboyant facade, he is a dedicated official who devotes himself wholeheartedly to serving the country. The genuine camaraderie between them deepened. Will their feelings blossom into something as beautiful as peonies?
Flourished Peony Drama Review
A Feast for the Eyes
The first thing that struck me about Flourished Peony was the stunning visuals. It was the kind of aesthetic that would make you reluctant to turn your eyes away from it. The sets were set up in a very detailed way.
Whether a dilapidated courtyard or ornate palace, this show is a visual masterpiece. Although I am not a fan of the yellowish hue of this drama, the cinematography was flawless. The lighting was perfect and the camera angles were anything but boring.
But the costumes and the makeup stand out the most. I am not a fan of flowers over hair, let alone the flowers on the man’s hat. But this one is an exception. I love the huge flower on Li Xin’s head. It was obvious that the design team had paid special attention to every detail.
They used fabrics that flowed elegantly when the actors moved. And the accessories! Oh, the accessories! I never thought I’d be obsessed with dangling hairpins. But now I realize that I am obsessed with them.
The makeup on the female characters reminded me of Sabrina Carpenter’s blush blindness trends. I did a little research on the Internet about this type of makeup. The women in the Tang Dynasty were actually used to this red makeup style.
The Story-Less Business, More Flirting
In terms of plot, Flourished Peony offers a classic tale of a woman struggling to gain a foothold in a man’s world. In many historical Cdramas, women’s lives were limited by the social structure. Their lives were controlled by men. When they were single, they had to obey their father.
After marriage, her husband controlled her life. And when the husband died, she had to obey her son. A woman’s marriage was arranged by her father. Divorce is a situation that brings humiliation to the family. So they have to endure as much as they can. Very suffocating, I must say.
In addition, women were not allowed to show their faces in public. Those women who worked as merchants/business owners were looked down upon by many, especially those of high status. Even though China was highly developed in the Tang Dynasty. Not all women had access to education. Those who lived in the countryside suffered more.
Mu Dan came from a wealthy family. She had access to education and lacked nothing. However, she came from a merchant family, which was seen by people as those who only focused on material wealth. Meanwhile, Liu Chang’s status is higher than hers because he came from a highly respected literary family.
So the Lius deceived Mu Dan. They got her to marry into their family and “donate” her wealth to the household. The Liu family thought it was a fair exchange. In their eyes, Mu Dan was lucky to be married into an official family because of her initially low status.
But being born into a merchant family gave Mu Dan more advantages when she was alone. Mu Dan is an intelligent and courageous woman who does not fear the real world. Because Mu Dan has a good business acumen, she embarked on a business path. Her special skill was growing peonies. So she decided to open a flower shop.
In my opinion, the business plot of this drama is unrealistic. The same goes for Mu Dan’s optimism. Obviously, the writer had dramatized this part of the story. I couldn’t help but frown at the unbelievable growth of Mu Dan’s business. The unrealistic financial success and the instant growth were the reasons why her success could only be achieved in Cdramaland.
Mu Dan was fortunate to meet Jiang Chang Yang, who was willing to be her business sponsor. And I am sure that Jiang Chang Yang was impressed by her from the beginning. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have dared to invest so much time and money in a businesswoman who was a first-time entrepreneur.
Mu Dan’s positive attitude while she was doing her business was unrealistic as well. There are so many businessmen who have a lot of stress at the beginning of their business. There were so many things to do, so many thoughts. But Mu Dan always seemed to be too positive, too optimistic, so that it seemed so unreal to me.
But even though Mu Dan’s business plays an important role in the story. The writer and director clearly focused on the romance side. There wasn’t much business shown in this drama. And I was glad about that. Because I was here for the romance, not the business.
The Story-Now Let’s Talk About the Romance
The romance in Flourished Peony is the central element of this drama. And it’s a common Cinderella story, where the woman comes from a common class and the man sits near the top of the world. Luck plays an important role.
If Liu Chang and Li You Zhen hadn’t fallen in love, she wouldn’t have come to Luoyang and brought Jiang Chang Yang with her. If Mu Dan had never married Liu Chang, she would never have met Jiang Chang Yang. In a roundabout way, the four of them met again in Chang’an after being separated in Luoyang.
There are 2 central couples in this drama. The first is Mu Dan and Jiang Chang Yang. The second is Liu Chang and Li You Zhen. Mu Dan was Liu Chang’s ex-wife. Li You Zhen was Liu Chang’s first love. Jiang Chang Yang was the ideal son-in-law for Li You Zhen’s father.
Li You Zhen’s father, Prince Ning, didn’t approve of his daughter’s relationship with Liu Chang. And it happened because, ironically, Liu Chang’s status and position level were too low for a county princess like Li You Zhen. After the failed relationship, Li You Zhen married her husband, who later died.
Prince Ning wanted to arrange her second marriage with Jiang Chang Yang, but neither of them agreed. So the single Li You Zhen went to Luoyang to win back her old lover, Liu Chang.
During his marriage with Mu Dan, Liu Chang was drowned in the illusion of his love for Li You Zhen. He never realized that after 3 years of separation, the love had faded. And it was only after Li You Zhen’s arrival that he became attracted to Mu Dan’s charm.
The romance between Mu Dan and Jiang Cheng Yang moves at a snail’s pace. All they did for 32 episodes was tease each other. No intimacy whatsoever. But we still knew that Jiang Cheng Yang was flirting with Mu Dan because his feelings for Mu Dan were crystal clear. We could see that he had care, affection, and protection for Mu Dan behind his smiling, childish, and careless demeanor.
Do I enjoy it? Yes. Sometimes watching the “getting to know each other” stage, or what we know as the flirting stage, was much more interesting. Especially with Cdramas. Because this is where you can find the comedy. And with Li Xian and Yang Zi, the comedy was well balanced. Li Xian always played the bold one, while Yang Zi was the modest one.
The excellent chemistry between Yang Zi and Li Xian highlighted the romance. Fluorished Peony drama is not the first drama in which the two of them have been paired up as the main leads. Before that, there was Go Go Squid! And I think the chemistry between Yang Zhi and Li Xian was much better in Fluorished Peony drama.
It was also surprising to see that Miles Wei was able to act as a despicable and annoying person such as Liu Chang. However, he did it so well that I felt a strong emotion of hatred whenever he appeared on screen.
The Story-The Touching Side of Sisterhood
I must say that Flourished Peony really warmed my heart. I love the way the writer portrayed the warm sisterhood between Mu Dan, Qin Sheng Yi, Zhu Fu, and Xiao Chun. Their story made me sob and laugh at the same time.
I cried mostly because of Qin Sheng Yi. Her story of resilience lingered in my mind, and the tragic ending made me weep. Before she met Mu Dan, Wu Niang didn’t even have a name. She was never free of emotional shackles and toxic people. She was controlled by her husband, manipulated by her closest relatives, and suffered endless pain.
Such a story belongs to a woman who has endured the torment of an abusive marriage.
Mu Dan saw something in Wu Niang, a compassionate soul who deserved a better life. She helped Wu Niang get a divorce and gave her a new name, Qin Sheng Yi. It’s a silent prayer for her to have a smooth life without worries. With Mu Dan’s support, Qin Sheng Yi rebuilt her life and rediscovered herself. Unfortunately, the damage was too deep. It was hard for her to escape the emotional scars because the painful past never really left her.
I hate this part because it was so incredibly real. 😭
The Story-The Plot Twist in the End
Flourished Peony moved me with its heartwarming story. The story was strong and the characters were vivid. From the beginning to the last episode, I was emotionally involved in this drama.
The acting was so good that I could feel almost every emotion the actors showed. I laughed when they laughed, cried when they cried. And there were times when I wanted to rush into the screen and slap the villains’ heads.
I was hoping for a good plot twist in the story to spice things up. But this one burns me up too much. The open ending left me aghast. And the plot twist was: This drama was split into 2 seasons. So we had to wait for months to know what was going to happen between Mu Dan and Jiang Chang Yang. Let’s pray that it won’t be a whole year according to the Chinese government’s regulations.
After I finished this drama, I felt a sense of deja vu all over again. I feel the same frustration when I watch Lost You Forever S1 ending. And guess what, Yang Zi is also the lead in this drama 😆.
The Characters
He Wei Fang / Mu Dan
He Wei Fang (played by Yang Zi) inherited the skills of peony cultivation from her late mother, who also loved this flower. That is why her nickname is Mu Dan (Peony). Those close to her would immediately call her by that name. It was also a good name because it didn’t associate her with the He family. Mu Dan wanted to protect her father. She didn’t even tell him that she was alive.
Mu Dan is a resilient, hardworking individual. She’s an honest businesswoman, but that doesn’t mean she’s not capable of scheming and plotting to get what she wants. Watching her get revenged on Wang Qing was one of the most satisfying parts of this drama.
Mu Dan is a smart, brave, determined, and creative person. Her business acumen as well as her personality have been honed during her hard time in Chang’an. Right now, Mu Dan was focused on business. Love was something that could wait a little longer.
Well, no one could blame her. Being with a scum like Liu Chang could be a traumatic experience for any woman in terms of love and marriage.
Jiang Chang Yang / Sui Zhi
Jiang Chang Yang (played by Li Xin) is a flamboyant character. He loves to indulge in wine, women, food, music, and entertainment. Oh, and he loves money as well. It is no wonder that he has been labeled as the most corrupt official in Chang’an.
But that was all just pretending, you see. The real Jiang Chang Yang is a double agent. He was close to the Emperor, but also to Prince Ning. As the story unfolds, you will be able to see to whom he has pledged his true loyalty. Jiang Chang Yang is a man dedicated to the country. He is a good official, even if he tries very hard to show that he is not.
As a person, Jiang Chang Yang could be considered a complicated person. He was like a layered onion. At the surface, he was a playboy. Underneath, he is a good businessman with a clear goal: money and more money.
But Jiang Chang Yang turned out to be a kind and generous orphanage patron. Those who work for him are loyal to him because he treats them well and treats them fairly. When Mu Dan asked Jiang Chang Yang to help, Jiang Chang Yang seemed cold and calculating.
But it was also because he respected her decisions. He would help her if Mu Dan needed it, but he wouldn’t assert his power if she didn’t allow it. Although he seemed to be in love, his painful past made Jiang Chang Yang very cautious when it came to love. Still, he could not hide when the sourness of jealousy hit. 😆
Liu Chang / Zi Shu
Liu Chang’s main characteristic was his proud nature. He looked down on others and considered himself a righteous scholar. In reality, Liu Chang (played By Miles Wei) was a self-pitying person who considered himself a victim of circumstances. He just didn’t want to be responsible for his own life.
Mu Dan was right, Liu Chang’s feelings for her were not love. He just couldn’t let go of his possession. On the other hand, Mu Dan’s status was lower than his, so he wouldn’t feel terrible when he was with her. His bad personality came from his despicable and greedy parents who were hypocritical and deceitful.
Li You Zhen / Princess Ji’an
Li You Zhen (played by Zhang Ya Qin) is the precious daughter of Prince Ning. She had a noble status as a country princess. Born into the royal family and surrounded by wealth, power and people who adore her, Li You Zhen is a proud person.
Prince Ning spoiled her, so she grew up to be a stubborn, selfish, and ruthless woman. Li You Zhen longs for Liu Chang’s love and would do anything to have him by her side. She didn’t want to admit that Liu Chang’s love for her was already fading.
The Conclusion
Flourished Peony drama must be watched on a daily basis. The visuals were too stunning and it would be a shame if you couldn’t enjoy it slowly. The story was not too complicated, but it would make you feel like you were in a roller coaster of emotions. Be prepared to cry or laugh because the comedy was right there, but you would also feel tormented by the heartbreaking plot.
This Flourished Peony drama has been split into 2 seasons. So proceed with caution. If you didn’t like the feeling of frustration because of the open ending. You might want to delay this drama until season 2 is aired 😉.
Well, that’s all for today’s Flourished Peony drama review, dear readers. I hope this review will help you decide whether you want to watch this drama or not. Don’t forget to tell me your opinion about Flourished Peony. I would love to find them in the comments section. Thanks for stopping by, I’ll see you in another post of drama review. Ciao!
