Palace of Devotion

Orphaned as a child Liu E travels to the capital Kaifeng where she catches the eye of Zhao Heng. She enters the imperial circle as a concubine but quickly proves herself attentive to the realities of ruling, weighing in on statecraft and diplomacy rather than merely pleasing the emperor. When Zhao Heng ascends the throne, Liu E is crowned empress and steps into a governing role that guides the realm during the final years of his reign. After that she continues to hold sway, ruling in her own right for more than a decade before her passing, shaping the course of the Song dynasty.

Directed by Zeng Nian Ping and created by Li Shaohong and Zhang Yong Chen, Palace of Devotion arrived in 2021 as a high profile drama that centers on real policy tension and palace life within the Song era.

The show’s focus on Liu E’s political acumen and her governance highlights a power dynamic rarely explored from a female perspective. Viewers encounter themes of loyalty, legitimacy, and the moral complexities of ruling when the empire is under pressure from court factions.

Liu Tao’s portrayal of Liu E anchors a production that fits into a wider trend of historical dramas that examine women in power. The series gives texture to court intrigue and the era’s political landscape, inviting reflection on leadership and memory.