- Drama Title: The Princess’s Gambit
- Also Known As: 桃花映江山, Peach Blossom Overturning the Country, Tao Hua Ying Jiang Shan, Tao Hua Zhe Jiang Shan
- Director: Yi Jun
- Cast: Liu Xue Yi, Meng Zi Yi
- Screenwriter: Su Ni
- Genres: Romance
- Number of Episodes: 36
- Date of Release: June 25, 2025
- Original Network: Tencent Video
- Where to Watch: WeTV, Tencent Video, Netflix, Viki
- Adapted from the web novel “Peach Blossoms Reflecting the River and Mountains” by Bai Lu Cheng Shuang
Dear readers, the weather was a bit gloomy today. I was thinking of staying in bed all day. But my mind was packed with this The Princess’s Gambit drama since I just finished the last episode yesterday. The characters wouldn’t leave me alone and the twists kept replaying in my head.
So here I am, wrapped in a blanket, with a glass of hot coffee, busy pouring my thoughts onto the screen because this drama deserves to be talked about. So without further ado, let’s dive into the emotional storm of The Princess’s Gambit through this review, that will make your heart beat a little bit faster. Happy reading!
The Princess’s Gambit Synopsis
The State of Beiyuan is in chaos because they were threatened by war. The Emperor of Beiyuan has been in a frail condition far too long, and the heir is too young. To stabilize the situation, the emperor’s concubine stepped out and took the throne as the regent.
In an effort to bring peace with Qi, Jiang Tao Hua, also known as Princess Chengping, was sent to Qi for a political marriage. Jiang Tao Hua accepted the mission because Empress Lv threatened her with her brother’s life.
Initially, Jiang Tao Hua was supposed to marry the fourth prince, Mu Wu Xia. But after a scheme, she ended up becoming the concubine of the Left Chancellor, Shen Zai Ye, who was infamous as a cold and ruthless person. Their relationship was far from blissful; they kept each other at bay.
Shen Zai Ye was wary of Jiang Tao Hua because he believed she had an ulterior motive. Meanwhile, Jiang Tao Hua tried her best to complete her mission of stealing his secrets while protecting her life.
She realized that the most effective way to complete her mission was to work with Shen Zai Ye. So, she proposed an alliance. Both Jiang Tao Hua and Shen Zai Ye later realized that their objectives might be in line with one another’s.
Gradually, a sense of trust and emotional connection grows between them. However, in this tumultuous world, can Jiang Tao Hua and Shen Zai Ye escape from the clutch of the enemy that has been lurking in the shadows?
The Princess’s Gambit Drama Review
I’ve been watching The Princess’s Gambit closely since it premiered. I stuck to it until the 12th episode before deciding to watch Dream Within A Dream. Why? Because Dream Within a Dream offered a new kind of story plot that was more intriguing than this one.
While I could enjoy a good laugh brought by the comical duo Li Yi Tong and Liu Yu Ning and the unexpected plot, I feel that The Princess’s Gambit’s story was heavier and gloomier. Therefore, I choose to continue The Princess’s Gambit after Dream Within a Dream ended.
It turned out to be a right decision for me because I was craving for something light after burying myself with The Legend of Zang Hai. FYI, if you like a revenge plot, you should watch that drama. Or, you could read my review here The Legend of Zang Hai drama review.
So, what was my first impression of this drama? Visually, The Princess’s Gambit is impressive. But the story was a bit off. Too many familiar tropes for me. But it happens because I’ve been swimming for too long in this Cdramaland.
Those who just jump into the pool might find this drama interesting. Because in Cdramaland, there were so many exciting tropes. The possibilities are endless and no matter how wild the tropes were, it was all part of the fun!
There were usual tropes in Cdramaland, such as enemy-to-lover, love triangles, childhood friends reuniting, or the classic Cinderella style of rich man and poor girl. Then, there were slightly dramatized tropes that is still plausible to accept, like hidden identity, memory loss, terminal illness, twin swap, or scheming villainous relatives.
After that, here comes the fantasy tropes where people could time travel or become an immortal cultivator, rebirth, possession, or where girls disguise themselves as man and yet no one seemed to notices (Is that you Eternal Love: Ten Miles of Peach Blossom?).
The wildest tropes that I ever encounter in this Cdramaland are when people could transmigrate into a game or novel world (there were many in Cdramaland, for instance are Love Game in Eastern Fantasy, Story of Kunning Palace, or Mr. Bad) and love between human and non-human such as demon or merman (just like in The Demon Hunter’s Romance or The Blue Whisper).
The Princess’s Gambit features several recognizable drama tropes that include enemy to lover, hidden identity, memory loss, and scheming villainous relatives. All woven into a revenge-political theme.
There were plot twists that spiced up the story, though I find plot holes popped up her and there. The story was a bit draggy after the second arc when Jiang Tao Hua suffered from memory loss. But this could be my personal preference because I’ve never been fond of the memory loss trope. 🤷🏻♀️
What I did enjoy about this drama is the pace. It was fast, and it works well for someone who easily gets distracted like me. Some characters have good character development. While the rest seemed to be forgotten by the writer 😁.
The Princess’s Gambit has more potential to be something greater. I like to see that both main leads were intelligent people. Liu Xue Yi delivers a solid performance as Shen Zai Ye.
Meng Zi Yi was shining in Blossom drama, but I wasn’t convinced by her portrayal as Jiang Tao Hua. The chemistry between our main leads, Liu Xue Yi and Meng Zi Yi, was quite good, but sadly, nothing special.
Gao Han was fit for the role of the ethereal Mu Wu Yin. I used to like him who acted as the righteous 3rd Prince in Love Like Galaxy. But this time, watching his calm and soft appearance but with a ruthless and cunning personality sent a chill down my spine.
I immediately thought that this kind of layered and hidden enemy is what I need to see in more dramas. Mu Wu Yin’s personality is complex. His true self was deep and hidden from the outside world.
I had to say that my favourite actors in this drama, aside from Liu Xue Yi, were Liu Ling Zi, who played Meng Zhen Zhen. The cold and composed Meng Zhen Zhen is the legitimate wife of Shen Zai Ye. She came from a noble family and was very smart. She always keeps an icy composure throughout, yet you could still sense the depth of her hidden affection and pain.
Liu Ling Zi didn’t show much emotion outwardly, but her eyes told a thousand story. I could felt her pain when she had to watch the one she loved slowly fall in love with another woman.
The Story – A Grand Start, A Wobbly End
The Princess’s Gambit story began with a promising and dramatic start. From the very first episode, we were shown how pitiful Jiang Tao Hua’s life is. A princess who grew up in the palace was sent far away to marry a stranger. What’s more, she was forced under the threat of her brother’s life.

Jiang Tao Hua was supposed to marry the powerless Mu Wu Xia. But due to a scheme orchestrated by Mu Wu Gou, she ended up in bed with Shen Zai Ye instead. Mu Wu Gou intended to use her as a pawn to bring down Shen Zai Ye. However, Jiang Tao Hua refused to be used and manipulated.
Because no matter what, Jiang Tao Hua has to protect the marriage alliance, or it will cost her and her brother’s lives. In the end, the one who has to bear the brunt is Shen Zai Ye. He had no choice but to take the Beiyuan princess as his concubine.
And so, their story began.
At first, everything felt fresh and engaging. Although the trope was familiar, I still watched it intently. However as the story progressed, it became fairly predictable.
I Could already tell that a harem fight is brewing, and that Shen Zai Ye will surely fall for Jiang Tao Hua despite already having a wife and two concubines. And surely enough, some backyard intrigue did happen but thankfully, it didn’t drag on too long.
The main conflict and the most interesting part of this drama is the power struggles. The Beiyuan State’s emperor once had an empress, she is Jiang Tao Hua and Jiang Chang Jue’s mother. However, she died at the hands of the emperor’s concubine, Lv Yuan Hua.
Later, Lv Yuan Hua rose to become the regent Empress Lv when the emperor fell ill and the heir was too young. Lv Yuan Hua didn’t have children, so the sole heir to the throne was still Jiang Chang Jue. But clearly Lv Yuan Huan unwilling to hand over the throne to him.
Meanwhile, the Emperor of the Qi State has 4 sons. The first is Wu Mu Gou, the legitimate prince and also the heir to the throne. He came from the most powerful clan in the country. The second is Mu Wu Hen, who was supported by the second-largest clan in the country.
The third prince is the calm and unambitious Mu Wu Yin. Unfortunately, I didn’t recall his background at all. The last one is Mu Wu Xia, who is soft and kind. However, he was not favoured and didn’t have a backing at all. Jiang Tao Hua was originally supposed to marry the powerless Fourth Prince.
The First Prince, Mu Wu Gou, has backing from the powerful Meng family. However, Mu Wu Gou is a stupid person. He is stubborn, arrogant, and lacking in wisdom. He will be doomed several times if there were no Meng Huai Jin as his advisor.
Meng Huai Jin is Meng Zhen Zhen’s brother. He has been the prince’s study companion and the one who understands him. Meng Huai Jin is smart and calculative. But because of the prince’s stupidity, he lost his life. I never feel as heartbroken because a villain is dead. Because in my opinion, Meng Huai Jin could be a good opposition for Shen Zai Ye.
This is when I started to doubt the drama. Honestly, The Princess’s Gambit’s main forte did n ot lie in the story. There were many plot holes and inconsistencies that left me puzzled throughout my binge-watching hours.
The ending, especially, feels like a different story when Jiang Tao Hua’s master suddenly reappeared to help tie up the plot. I was vaguely remembered the scene when he was introduced in the story, but his return felt random and unearned.
All in all, although the ending was a happy ending, I don’t see myself putting The Princess’s Gambit in my rewatch list. Still, I wouldn’t discourage you from giving this one a try because maybe you might enjoy it more than I did.😉
The Visual – Almost Perfect, Except the Gravity Glitch
I had to say that this drama has all the thing I wanted to see in the visual department. The Princess’s Gambit is visually breathtaking. One of the strongest points in this drama was how cohesive the visual of the sets, lighting, costumes, makeup, hairstyle, props and the color tone were consistent throughout the drama, from start to finish. This creates an elegant and cohesive visual style.

Surprisingly, the actors appear without heavy filters in their face. You know, some dramas tend to go overboard with the post-production touch ups. In some dramas the actor’s complexion appeared too flawless, even pore less. The skin often looked blurred. Sure, it makes them appear ethereal and doll-like, it doesn’t feel right to me. I didn’t mind to see some flaw on their skin because I like the actors to appear like a real human. That will make the story more grounded and believable.
The camerawork is very detailed, and each frame looked stunning. The director, Yi Jun, really outdid himself. He was the creative mind behind Lost Track of Time drama which has a good story telling, Yi Jun definitely improved his work with this drama since I am not fond of Lost Track of Time’s visual, yet I find The Princess’s Gambit visual is s very good. You should read my review about Lost Track of Time drama here.
But I do have one complaint. I ‘ve been paying attention to drama’s green screen scenes lately, especially after I saw something about it on The Legend of Zang Hai. Unfortunately, The Princess’s of Gambit also didn’t escape from the glitch either. The scene when Jiang Tao Hua fall from the cliff was truly a disappointment for me.
When Jiang Tao Hua fall, the camera captured her from above. You can see that her braided hair stays motionless on her shoulder and her dress was fluttering gently. It just looked so unnatural. If someone fall from a high cliff, the hair and dress should flail due to the air resistance and wind pressure. They wouldn’t just “fluttering”. I know scenes like this are common in many dramas, but this was the first time I noticed braided hair staying motionless mid-fall. I couldn’t help but point it out.😆
The Characters
Jiang Tao Hua / Princess Chengping (Played by Meng Zi Yi)
Jiang Tao Hua is a princess, but she has no power. For years, she and her brother lived under the suppression of the empress while their father was clueless about it. Jiang Tao Hua is trying hard to protect Jiang Chang Jue, her younger brother.

All she asked for was his safety and well-being. Others see her as a docile, reserved, fragile, and meek princess, so her life in the palace was worse than that of a servant. Jiang Tao Hua hides her ability because she knows that the empress will kill her if she sees her true self. If Jiang Tao Hua died, Jiang Chang Jue’s life would be in danger, too. So she did everything she could to keep the empress off guard.
Beneath the façade of a weak princess, Jiang Tao Hua is an adept strategist and a master of manipulation. Her intelligence level is exceptionally high. Combined with her photographic memory, Jiang Tao Hua is truly a worthy adversary for the cunning Shen Zai Ye.
Her cautious nature was shaped by years of hardship and suppression. And it was reflected in her meticulous analysis and calculation. Those who closed with Jiang Tao Hua knew that her defining trait was not her intelligence. But her strong mental fortitude and resilience. Although she appears devious, Jiang Tao Hua is also a kind and protective person, especially towards her loved ones.
Shen Zai Ye / Xie Jing An (Played by Liu Xue Yi)
The thirty-year-old Shen Zai Ye, who held the position of the Left Chancellor, has a humble origin. Shen Zai Ye gained the emperor’s favor after saving him. However, it is his capabilities that made the emperor keeps him by his side.

Shen Zai Ye understands the emperor well and knows when to advance or retreat. He has long been the emperor’s sword, never hesitating to destroy enemies. Yet, Shen Zai Ye hides a big secret from the emperor. He never knew that Shen Zai Ye’s real identity is Xie Jing An. He is the sole heir of Xie family, which was destroyed because of a witchcraft case involving Consort Shu, Mu Wu Xia’s mother.
Shen Zai Ye was infamous for his coldness and lack of emotion. His poker face hides all his emotions from the world since he is the master of self-control and never shows any vulnerability.
Shen Zai Ye always thinks ten steps ahead of anyone else, and his mind works quickly and strategically. He never easily trusts anyone and people regard him as ruthless chancellor. Wherever he goes, Shen Zai Ye exudes authority and a commanding presence.
However, after falling in love with Jian Tao Hua, Shen Zai Ye’s personality changed. He is no longer the cold, emotionless chancellor. He is a devoted lover. We could always see him stealing glances at Jian Tao Hua. She became his weakness, so he tried his best to protect her.
Initially, his feelings caused him to struggle between logic and these new, confusing feelings. The inner conflict was real, but he managed to get through it.
Mu Wu Xia / 4th Prince (Played by Bian Cheng)
Mu Wu Xia, also known as the Fourth Prince, is young and energetic. Unlike his brother, he was not loved by the emperor. This happened after his mother, Consort Shu, was involved in a witchcraft case. Away from the scrutiny or favor of his father, Mu Wu Xia grew up unambitious and carefree. He is softhearted and somewhat childish.

One of Mu Wu Xia’s best qualities is that he has a righteous heart and a strong moral compass. He is different from his brothers, who were ambitious and selfish. However, Mu Wu Xia was too young and idealistic. He needs more experience to hone his wisdom. He already has courage, compassion, and decisiveness. However, to become a great leader, he needs guidance to develop a good vision and strength.
Mu Wu Yin / 3rd Prince (Played by Gao Han)
Mu Wu Yin is the third prince. He is a carefree prince who is not involved in the power struggle. This made the emperor fond of him. Mu Wu Yin is a courageous man unafraid to argue with the emperor, especially regarding Taoism.

Whenever he goes, Mu Wu Yin always exudes an ethereal aura with his calm and collected demeanor. however, nobody realized that Mu Wu Yin is a mysterious person whose true personality is concealed beneath an assumed persona.
Xiang Qing Ying (Played by Fan Jing Wen)
Xiang Qing Ying is Shen Zia Ye’s younger sister. She is a typical teenager who is stubborn, prone to faults, wants to be regarded as an adult, but is still childish and adorably naïve. Xiang Qing Ying is emotional, impulsive, and loves to play as a heroine, but lacks calculation. But she is pure-hearted and very easy to love. All in all, Xiang Qing Ying is a cute troublemaker.

I love it when she returned to the Shen mansion, the guard would scream, “It’s terrible! Miss Qing Ying is back!” followed by the lined servants who greeted her with, “Heroine, welcome back!”
Meng Zhen Zhen (Played by Liu Ling Zi)
Shen Zia Ye’s legitimate wife is Meng Zhen Zhen. She is the eldest daughter of the influential Meng family. Born as a noblewoman, Meng Zhen Zhen’s background is prestigious and not to be trifled with. Her cousin is the crown prince, and her older brother, Meng Huai Jin, serves as the Crown Prince’s trusted advisor.

However, despite her status, Meng Zhen Zhen had a difficult life. For Meng Zhong Yan, Meng Zhen Zhen was nothing more than a political pawn. It pained her because her father is the person she admired the most.
Yet he was deeply biased, valuing only his son while overlooking Meng Zhen Zhen’s intelligence and capabilities. He never realized that his daughter was just as talented and sharp as her brother.
The marriage between Meng Zhen Zhen and Shen Zai Ye cannot be regarded as a harmonious union. Both knew that they stood on opposite sides. For the Meng family, Meng Zhen Zhen was a tool to spy on and control Shen Zai Ye.
Surely Shen Zai Ye also realized this, so he is always guarded against her. Meng Zhen Zhen also shows cautiousness when it comes to Shen Zai Ye. Yet, deep down inside, Meng Zhen Zhen’s heart started to lean more toward her husband. This blossoming feeling was one-sided and became the source of her inner conflict.
The Conclusion
The Princess’s Gambit may not be a perfect drama, and surely this one is not my cup of tea. However, this one has beautiful visuals, and the theme was quite good. The romance is slow burn, but it was intense.
If you are looking for something to pass the time, this drama is perfect for you. You might have guessed the tropes and the ending. But the plot twist and layered story made this drama intriguing. And I am sure you’ll find something worth enjoying if you put this into your watch list.
Well, that’s all for today, dear readers. I hope this review helps. I’ll see you in another drama review and ending explained post. Happy watching!