The Glory of Tang Dynasty

Shen Zhenzhu is an intelligent, empathetic woman whose fate brings her into the inner court as a concubine. Once inside palace walls she uses patience, political savvy, and personal influence to improve ordinary people's lives while dealing with court intrigues and rivalries. The series follows her evolving relationships, moral choices, and the strategies she uses to push reforms without betraying her principles. Romance and power intersect as allies and enemies form around her, and the story keeps focus on day to day governance, social needs, and the hard choices demanded by life at the center of authority, all without spoiling key turns.

Released in 2017, the show was created by Yin Tao and Cang Min Shui and stars Jing Tian as Shen Zhenzhu with Ren Jialun as Li Chu, Wan Qian as Dugu Jingyao, Qin Junjie and Ma Cheng Cheng in major roles, presented as a historical drama series.

Audience and critical response was mixed, reflected in a user score around 6.2 out of 10. Viewers often pointed to strong leads and lush production values, while some critics noted slow pacing and melodramatic moments. The series treats themes of duty versus private desire, the responsibilities of power, social welfare, and what influence can realistically achieve inside an entrenched system.

As part of a wave of palace dramas set in Tang-era or similar courts, the show contributed to continuing interest in period storytelling that centers a female protagonist with political agency. Its costume and court set design attracted fan attention, and its portrayal of an active concubine who cares about ordinary citizens fed conversations about historical women and leadership in popular media.

The series did not become a major winner on international award circuits. Its recognition was mostly at the audience level and in regional discussions, rather than through widely publicized global prizes.