# Empresses in the Palace

Empresses in the Palace (simplified Chinese: 后宫·甄嬛传; traditional Chinese: 後宮·甄嬛傳; pinyin: Hòugōng Zhēn Huán Zhuàn; lit. 'Inner Palace: The Legend of Zhen Huan') is a 2011 Chinese television series based on the novel of the same name by Liu Lianzi. Directed by Zheng Xiaolong, it stars Sun Li in the title role.

## Premise

In the later years of the Kangxi Emperor's reign, then-Fourth Prince Yinzhen and his eight brothers are embroiled in a bitter power struggle for the Qing throne. With the help of powerful allies, Yinzhen becomes the Yongzheng Emperor and the brothers who fought against him are either killed or imprisoned.
Despite becoming emperor, Yinzhen grows increasingly paranoid of being usurped and vows to not follow his father's footsteps.
Prior to his ascension, he was deeply in love with his first wife, Empress Chunyuan, who died; her younger sister became his second wife. The sisters are Yinzhen's maternal kinswomen, as is his mother, Empress Dowager Renshou, who is also a member of the Ula-Nara clan.

## Plot

Six months after his ascension to the throne, Empress Dowager Renshou organizes a selection to bring newer members into the Imperial Harem of the Yongzheng Emperor. Despite not wanting to be selected, the titular Zhen Huan is forced to join the selection and ends up being chosen due to her resemblance to the late Empress Chunyuan. She joins the Imperial Harem alongside her childhood friend Shen Meizhuang, and the low-born An Lingrong.
Zhen Huan attempts to avoid the Imperial Harem's politics but ultimately falls in love with the Emperor, resulting the other consorts in plotting various schemes against her and Shen Meizhuang as retaliation. Due to some misunderstandings and her own sensitive and suspicious personality, as well as out of jealousy toward Zhen Huan, An Lingrong also begins plotting against her and works alongside higher-ranking imperial consorts, notably the Empress, Ula-Nara Yixiu.
While avoiding the pitfalls of such schemes, Zhen Huan befriends the neglected Fourth Prince Hongli, promising to care for him when she can. She also learns the reason behind the Emperor's favor toward her, and this disillusionment ultimately leads her to become a nun at Ganlu Temple. There, her relationship with Prince Guo secretly blossoms and the two become intimate with each other.
Despite the two planning to elope, Prince Guo is sent away to Tibet by the Emperor and presumed to be dead. Now seeking both revenge and protection, Zhen Huan convinces the Emperor to bring her back into the Imperial Harem. She takes on a new identity as Consort Xi, or Niohuru Zhenhuan, Hongli's biological mother who had supposedly spent years away from the palace praying at Ganlu Temple, and she formally adopts Hongli. With her new status, Zhenhuan gains more allies.
Prince Guo is revealed to be alive, but he and Zhenhuan have to cease their relationship now that she has returned to the Imperial Harem. Despite doing what she can to remain favored by the Emperor and distance herself from Prince Guo, the Emperor's suspicion towards their relationship escalates as time passes and Zhenhuan is ordered to kill Prince Guo but the latter commits suicide instead.
The Empress begins to lose favor as her schemes against Zhenhuan backfire and she ultimately confesses to her role in her sister's death and several other crimes. The Emperor attempts to depose her as punishment, but the will of the Empress Dowager, who wishes to maintain the influence of the Ula-Nara clan, forbids him from doing so; he unwillingly puts the Empress under house arrest instead.
The Emperor is slowly poisoned by Zhenhuan and she meets with him one final time to narrate the infidelities of some of his concubines, before announcing his death.
Hongli becomes the Qianlong Emperor and Zhenhuan is granted the coveted title of empress dowager. Although the Empress should have also become an empress dowager upon the Yongzheng Emperor's death, a loophole in the previous Empress Dowager's will forces her to remain empress indefinitely instead.
Zhenhuan spends the rest of her life serving as the sole empress dowager: planning the next selection for the Imperial Harem, advising the Qianlong Emperor on state matters, and warning his imperial consorts about the consequences of harming each other.

## Cast
### Main

| Played by | Role | Introduction |
| Sun Li | Zhen Huan (甄嬛), later Niohuru Zhenhuan (钮祜禄·甄嬛) | Lady Zhen → First Class Attendant Wan → Noble Lady Wan → Concubine Wan → Nun → Consort Xi → Noble Consort Xi → Empress Dowager Chongqing The titular protagonist who becomes a favored imperial consort. She is very clever, socially skilled and well-educated, and has a keen eye for strategy. She is the biological mother of Hongyan, Longyue, and Lingxi and the adoptive mother of Hongli and Jinghe. |
| Chen Jianbin | Aisin-Gioro Yinzhen (爱新觉罗·胤禛) | Yongzheng Emperor → Emperor Shizong The emperor of the Qing dynasty who is still deeply in love with his first wife, Empress Chunyuan despite favoring various imperial consorts throughout the series. He is suspicious of his women due to paranoia against the Imperial Court. |
| Ada Choi | Ula-Nara Yixiu (乌拉那拉·宜修) | Empress → Mistress of Jingren Palace Initially appearing to rule the Imperial Harem as a benevolent empress, her true nature is shown over time as she removes anyone favored by the Emperor who is deemed a threat to her plans, especially Zhen Huan. She is Empress Chunyuan's younger half-sister and the adoptive mother of Hongshi. |

### Supporting
#### Imperial Harem

Ranking System: Lady-in-waiting → Second Class Attendant → First Class Attendant → Noble Lady → Concubine → Consort → Noble Consort → Imperial Noble Consort → Empress In the series, it is considered a huge honor to be bestowed a title rather than using one's own surname for one's rank.
| Played by | Role | Introduction |
| Jiang Xin | Nian Shilan (年世兰) | Consort Hua → Noble Consort Hua → Consort → Consort Hua → Second Class Attendant → Noble Consort Dunsu → Imperial Noble Consort Dunsu The Yongzheng Emperor's favorite consort at the beginning of the series. Due to her family's status in the Imperial Court, she is arrogant and gets away with acting impudently. |
| Lan Xi | Shen Meizhuang (沈眉庄) | Lady Shen → Noble Lady → Noble Lady Hui → Second Class Attendant → Noble Lady Hui → Concubine Hui → Consort Hui → Noble Consort Hui Zhen Huan's childhood friend and ally in the Imperial Harem. She is the biological mother of Jinghe. |
| Tao Xinran | An Lingrong (安陵容) | Lady An → Second Class Attendant → First Class Attendant → Noble Lady → Concubine → Consort Li Originally Zhen Huan's friend, she grows jealous and tries to scheme against her due to pressure from her family to win the Yongzheng Emperor's favor, as well as the manipulation of other imperial consorts. |
| Yang Fanghan | Feng Ruozhao (冯若昭) | Concubine Jing → Consort Jing → Noble Consort Jing → Dowager Noble Consort Jing A high-ranked imperial consort who is unfavored by the Yongzheng Emperor, and Zhen Huan's close friend and ally. She is the adoptive mother of Longyue. |
| Li Yijuan | Qi Yuebin (齐月宾) | Consort Duan → Imperial Noble Consort → Dowager Imperial Noble Consort A high-ranked imperial consort who is unfavored by the Yongzheng Emperor. She is the adoptive mother of Wenyi. |
| Zhang Yameng | Li Wanting (李婉婷) | Consort Qi A high-ranked imperial consort who is unfavored by the Yongzheng Emperor. She is the biological mother of Hongshi. |
| Chen Sisi | Cao Qinmo (曹琴默) | Noble Lady → Concubine Xiang An unscrupulous low-ranking imperial consort. She used to work for Imperial Noble Consort Dunsu. She is the biological mother of Wenyi. |
| Tan Songyun | Fang Chunyi (方淳意) | Lady Fang → First Class Attendant Chun → Noble Lady Chun The youngest imperial consort to enter the palace at the beginning of the series. |
| Cui Manli | Yu Ying'er (余莺儿) | Palace Maid → Lady-in-waiting → Second Class Attendant → Commoner Initially a palace maid in the imperial garden, she witnesses the first encounter between the Yongzheng Emperor and Zhen Huan, and later enters the Imperial Harem by pretending to be Zhen Huan during that encounter. |
| Liu Yitong | Qiao Songzhi (乔颂芝) | Senior Maid of Consort Hua → Palace Maid → Second Class Attendant Zhi Consort Hua's loyal maid who joins the Imperial Harem to consolidate the former's failing power. |
| Tang Yixin | Gūwalgiya Wenyuan (瓜尔佳·文鸳) | Lady Gūwalgiya → Noble Lady Qi → Concubine Qi → Noble Lady Qi → Commoner A consort who tried to accuse Zhen Huan and Wen Shi Chu of having an affair. |
| Rayzha | Ye Lanyi (叶澜依) | Lady Ye → Second Class Attendant → Noble Lady Ning → Concubine Ning A horse trainer who is forced to join the Imperial Harem after gaining the Yongzheng Emperor's attention. |
| Wan Meixi | Lü Yingfeng (吕盈风) | First Class Attendant Xin → Noble Lady Xin → Concubine Xin → Dowager Concubine Xin |
| Ying Er | Xia Dongchun (夏冬春) | Lady Xia → First Class Attendant An obnoxious imperial consort who picks on An Lingrong and offends Consort Hua with her brazen ways at the beginning of the series. |
| Zhao Qin | Fuca Yixin (富察·仪欣) | Lady Fuca → Noble Lady A consort who is responsible for manipulating An Lingrong. |
| Li Jiaxuan | Fei Yunyan (费云烟) | Concubine Li |
| Mao Xiaotong | Caiping (采萍) | Maid → Second Class Attendant Ying → First Class Attendant Ying → Noble Lady Ying Initially a maid at Prince Guo's Mansion, she is gifted to the Yongzheng Emperor by Huanbi. |
| He Yanan | First Class Attendant Kang (康常在) | |
| Guo Xuan | Concubine Zhen (贞嫔) | |

#### Imperial Family

| Played by | Role | Key storyline |
| Leanne Liu | Uya Chengbi (乌雅·成壁) | Empress Dowager Renshou → Empress Xiaogongren The Yongzheng Emperor's mother. She protects the Empress throughout the series in order to maintain the power of the Ula-Nara clan, and it is also suggested that she favours her younger son, Yunti, over the Emperor. |
| Liu Yan | Yuan Yanran (阮嫣然) | Dowager Consort Shu → Master Chongjing Prince Guo's biological mother. She was the favored imperial consort of the Kangxi Emperor and became a nun after his death. |
| Li Dongxue | Aisin-Gioro Yunli (爱新觉罗·允礼) | Prince Guo of the Second Rank → Prince Guo of the First Rank → Prince Guoyi of the First Rank The Yongzheng Emperor's favored younger half-brother. A free-spirited prince who did not participate in the power struggle for the throne and only indulges in literature, playing the flute and horse riding. He falls hopelessly in love with Zhen Huan. |
| Lan Yingying | Huanbi (浣碧), later Niohuru Yuyin (钮钴禄·玉隐) | Maid of Lady Zhen → Maid of Noble Consort Xi → Lady Niohuru → Secondary Consort of Prince Guo of the First Rank → Primary Consort of Prince Guoyi of the First Rank Zhen Huan's dowry maid and illegitimate half-sister. She later falls in love with Prince Guo and becomes his secondary consort. |
| Yang Qi | Meng Jingxian (孟静娴) | Lady Meng → Secondary Consort of Prince Guo of the First Rank Duke Pei's daughter. She is in love with Prince Guo and becomes his secondary consort. |
| Duan Shaonan | Aisin-Gioro Yuanche (爱新觉罗·元澈) | Eldest son of Prince Guo of the First Rank → Heir of Prince Shen of the Second Rank Prince Guo's son by Meng Jingxian. He is later adopted by Yurao and Prince Shen. |
| Wang Min | Aisin-Gioro Yunki (爱新觉罗·允祺) | Prince Heng of the First Rank The Yongzheng Emperor's younger half-brother. |
| Tan Limin | Lady Tatara (他他拉氏) | Primary Consort of Prince Heng of the First Rank |
| Tian Xiping | Aisin-Gioro Yun'e (爱新觉罗·允䄉) | Prince Dun of the First Rank The Yongzheng Emperor's younger half-brother. |
| Tian Pujun | Lady Borjigin (孛兒只斤氏) | Primary Consort of Prince Dun of the First Rank |
| Kang Fuzhen | Aisin-Gioro Yunxi (爱新觉罗·允禧) | Prince Shen of the Third Rank → Prince Shen of the Second Rank The Yongzheng Emperor's younger half-brother. He marries Yurao, Zhen Huan's youngest sister. |
| Xu Lu | Zhen Yurao (甄玉娆), later Niohuru Yurao (钮钴禄·玉娆) | Lady Zhen → Lady Niohuru → Primary Consort of Prince Shen of the Second Rank Zhen Huan's youngest sister. Despite catching the attention of the Yongzheng Emperor, she falls in love with and marries Prince Shen. |
| Wu Lipeng | Aisin-Gioro Hongshi (爱新觉罗·弘时) | Third Prince Consort Qi's son. He is later adopted by the Empress. Despite being the eldest surviving imperial prince as well as being a legitimate son, he is not favored by his father due to his lack of intelligence and awareness. |
| Wang Wenjie | Aisin-Gioro Hongli (爱新觉罗·弘历) | Fourth Prince → Prince Bao of the First Rank → Qianlong Emperor Originally neglected as a result of being born to a palace maid from the Imperial Gardens, he is later adopted by Zhen Huan and registered as her biological son. He devotes himself to studying and ultimately impresses his father. |
| Yuan Yi | Lady Fuca (富察氏) | Lady Fuca → Primary Consort of Prince Bao of the First Rank → Empress Hongli's primary consort. She is chosen by Zhen Huan. |
| Zhang Yan | Ula-Nara Qingying (乌拉那拉·青樱) | Lady Ula-Nara → Secondary Consort of Prince Bao of the First Rank → Consort Xian The Empress's niece. Originally a candidate for Hongshi's consort selection, she is rejected due to being rude toward Longyue. Out of anger, the Empress bestows her as a secondary consort to Hongli. |
| Duan Shaonan | Aisin-Gioro Hongyan (爱新觉罗·弘曕) | Sixth Prince → Heir of Prince Guo of the First Rank Zhen Huan's son by Prince Guo. He is Lingxi's twin brother. |
| Yao Wan'er | Aisin-Gioro Wenyi (爱新觉罗·温宜) | Noble Lady Cao's daughter. She is later adopted by Consort Duan. |
| Yang Xinyi | Aisin-Gioro Longyue (爱新觉罗·胧月) | Zhen Huan's eldest daughter. She is adopted by Consort Jing. |
| Ding Xiaomei | Aisin-Gioro Lingxi (爱新觉罗·灵犀) | Zhen Huan's daughter by Prince Guo. She is Hongyan's twin sister. |
| Zhang Zhixiang | Aisin-Gioro Jinghe (爱新觉罗·静和) | Shen Meizhuang's daughter by Wen Shichu. She is adopted by Zhen Huan. |

#### Imperial Court

| Played by | Role | Introduction |
| Wang Biao | Zhang Tingyu (张廷玉) | A minister proven to be loyal only to the Yongzheng Emperor. |
| Zhang Yi | Tunggiya Longkodo (佟佳·隆科多) | A minister who greatly helped the Yongzheng Emperor in the fight for the throne. |
| Shen Baoping | Zhen Yuandao (甄远道), later Niohuru Yuandao (钮钴禄·远道) | Zhen Huan's father. |
| Li Dan | Yun Xinluo (云辛萝) | Zhen Huan's mother. |
| Ma Weifu | Gūwalgiya Emin (瓜尔佳·厄敏) | Concubine Qi's father. |
| Sun Ning | Nian Gengyao (年羹尧) | Consort Hua's elder brother and the Yongzheng Emperor's leading general. |
| Li Hongrui | Moge (摩格) | Khan of the Dzungar Khanate. |
| Xing Hanqing | Ji Weisheng (季惟生) | Assistant director of the Imperial Bureau of Astronomy. |
| Liu Boting | A'jin (阿晋) | Prince Guo's personal attendant. |
| Sun Boyang | Xia Yi (夏刈) | Head of the Yongzheng Emperor's personal group of assassins. |

#### Servants

| Played by | Role | Introduction |
| Lee Tien-chu | Su Peisheng (苏培盛) | The Yongzheng Emperor's head eunuch since the latter's youth. He eventually marries Jinxi. |
| Li Lubing | Xiao Xiazi (小厦子) | The Yongzheng Emperor's eunuch and Su Peisheng's disciple. |
| Sun Qian | Cui Jinxi (崔槿汐) | Zhen Huan's fiercely loyal senior maid. She ultimately falls in love with Su Peisheng and becomes his wife. |
| Zhan Jingyi | Liuzhu (流朱) | Zhen Huan's dowry maid. |
| Luo Kang | Xiao Yunzi (小允子) | Zhen Huan's head eunuch. |
| Zhai Beibei | Pei'er (佩儿) | Zhen Huan's maid who later serves Concubine Xin, but remains loyal to her former mistress. |
| Zhao Hailong | Kang Luhai (康禄海) | Zhen Huan's head eunuch to Concubine Li's service. |
| Guo Zihao | Xiao Yinzi (小印子) | Zhen Huan's eunuch who moves to Concubine Li's service. |
| He Mengting | Huasui (花穗) | Originally in the service of Yu Ying'er, she later becomes Zhen Huan's maid. |
| Li Qun | Bin'er (玢儿) | A maid at Zhen Mansion, and later at Gūwalgiya Mansion. |
| Cheng Nan | Feiwen (斐雯) | Zhen Huan's maid. |
| Li Yang | Xu Jinliang (徐进良) | The eunuch who manages the Yongzheng Emperor's sleeping arrangements. |
| Du Xiang | Huang Guiquan (黄规全) | The first director of the Imperial Household Department who is distantly related to Consort Hua. |
| Zhang Zhiwei | Jiang Zhongmin (江忠敏) | The second director of the Imperial Household Department. |
| Quan Baojun | Head Eunuch Gou (苟总管) | The third director of the Imperial Household Department. |
| Zhang Zhiwei | Liang Duorui (梁多瑞) | The fourth director of the Imperial Household Department. |
| Liang Yixin | Baojuan (宝鹃) | An Lingrong's senior maid. |
| Hu Xinhui | Baoque (宝鹊) | An Lingrong's maid. |
| Li Mengyang | Juqing (菊青) | Originally a maid in the service of Zhen Huan, she is later sent to An Lingrong. |
| Xu Lei | Xiao Guizi (小贵子) | A eunuch working for An Lingrong. |
| Liu Yin | Jixiang (吉祥) | Consort Duan's senior maid. |
| Han Yuting | Cuiguo (翠果) | Consort Qi's maid. |
| Tian Shumei | Sun Zhuxi (孙竹息) | The Empress Dowager's senior maid. |
| Yang Jingfang | Fangruo (芳若) | Originally a maid in the service of the Yongzheng Emperor, she later moves to the Empress Dowager. She is also the guidance maid to Zhen Huan and An Lingrong upon their selection as imperial consorts. |
| Yang Kaichun | Jianqiu (剪秋) | The Empress's trusted senior maid. She tries to poison Zhen Huan but poisoned Meng Jingxian instead. |
| Li Yingya | Huichun (绘春) | The Empress's maid. |
| Liu Yang | Jiang Fuhai (江福海) | The Empress's head eunuch. |
| Wang Yiming | Zhou Ninghai (周宁海) | Consort Hua's capable head eunuch who helps her in many schemes. |
| Wang Xiaoming | Suxi (肃喜) | A eunuch working for Consort Hua. |
| Sun Fei | Fuzi (福子) | A palace maid sent to spy on Consort Hua by the Empress. |

#### Imperial Physicians

| Played by | Role | Introduction |
| Zhang Xiaolong | Wen Shichu (温实初) | Zhen Huan's childhood friend and most trusted imperial physician. |
| Qin Yiming | Wei Lin (卫临) | Wen Shichu's disciple and the subsequent head imperial physician. |
| Huang Ningsheng | Zhang Mi (章弥) | An imperial physician who supervises Zhen Huan's first pregnancy. |
| Du Xiaotao | Jiang Cheng (江诚) | Brother of Jiang Shen. He works for Consort Hua. |
| Yang Xiaobo | Jiang Shen (江慎) | Brother of Jiang Cheng. He works for Consort Hua. |
| Guo Chen | Liu Ben (刘畚) | An imperial physician who is ordered by Consort Hua and Noble Lady Cao to win Shen Meizhuang's trust during their stay at the Imperial Gardens. |

#### Ganlu Temple

| Played by | Role | Introduction |
| Hai Yan | Jing'an (静岸) | Head Nun of Ganlu Temple, she is soft-hearted and often manipulated by Jingbai. |
| Zhao Qianzi | Jingbai (静白) | Only second to the Head Nun, she uses her authority to abuse and humiliate Zhen Huan during her stay at Ganlu Temple. |
| Wang Lihan | Moyan (莫言) | A straightforward nun who often berates but helps Zhen Huan and defies Jingbai's orders. |

#### Special appearance

| Played by | Role | Introduction |
| Liu Lianzi | Liu Lianzi (刘莲子) | One of the candidates of the Imperial Selection in the first episode. The character served as a cameo for the original author. Most of the scenes outlining her character profile were deleted from the final cut, but were shown during the author's own wedding. |

## Production

* Publisher: Zheng Xiaolong, Zhong Yi, Dun Yong, Li Ruigang
* Producer: Cao Ping, Dun Qi, Xu Xiaoou
* Supervisor: Liu Zhiyuan, Wang Xiaodong, Zhang Suzhou, Chen Liang, Tang Rang, Zhang Ping, Li Junming, Zhang Ping, Zhao Hongmei, Chen Yaping
* Director: Zheng Xiaolong
* Assistant director: Dong Xiaoyun, Liu Le, Zheng Hanqing
* Screenwriter: Liu Lianzi, Wang Xiaoping
* Photographer: Li Zhiqiang, Li Qiang, Yu Fei, Zhang Yuanshou, Feng Yucheng, Wang Lindong, Zhao Hao, He Lichun, Chen Jianwei, Wei Liangliang, Li Meng, Yang Jinbo
* Music: Liu Huan, Meng Ke, Ding Ji, Zhao Liang, Song Lei, Wang Songyang, Wan Xiaoyuan, Li Wei, Sui Jing, Asian Philharmonic Orchestra, Huang Lijie
* Editor: Jin Ye, Jiang Jimei, cao translation
* Props: Wang Yue, Liu Yuanfei, Wang Guiqing, Wang Shili, Gao Guiyong, Liu Jiye, Zhang Yanlong, Fang Jie, LiBiao, Cao Yongli, Wang Yanhua, Su Huizhi, Gao Yashi, Gao Xian, Lv Qiang, Zhang Fengjun
* Casting: Li Yang
* Voice acting: Liao Jing, Zhang Wei
* Art: Chen Haozhong, Luan Hexin, Wang Yongkang, Yang Kun
* Modeling: Chen Minzheng, Li Yuanyuan, Wang Yingkai, Kou Hainan, Yang Jia, Sun Yue, Guo Yang, Min Cong, Zhang Rongbin, Qin Yiping, Wen Lulu, Xing Lu
* Wardrobe: Chen Tongxun, Shi Dongling, Ji Doni, Zhu Yuxiang, Tang Biyun, Liu Xiaohu, Chen Guanglin, Guo Sheng, Shi Jianmin
* Visual effects: Beijing Huacai Shengtang Mathematics Technology Co., LTD
* Lighting: Li Tianlei, Zhang Xin'an, Zhang Cun, Wang Zhonghai, Xu Wanfei, Zhang Feng, Lin Shucong, Wu Tianzhao, Zhang Yunling, Meng Xudong, Chen Guofu, Xu Bing, Zhang Jiayu
* Recording: An Wei, Liu Xinghe, Lin Xin
* Script supervisor: Guo Guanhua, Yu Feng
* Issuing: Cheng Ting

## Impact

Chinese traditional arts
According to the Overseas Chinese Language and Culture Education Online website, the "Filigree Inlaid Metal Art" (花丝镶嵌), an accessory craft skill that can be traced back to the Spring and Autumn period became a phenomenon due to being featured in the series.
Donkey medicine
A traditional remedy derived from donkey-hide gelatin had its profile increased through product placement in the show.

## Ratings

Ratings on Anhui Television and Dragon Television :
| Broadcast date | Episode | CSM42 City Anhui Television ratings | CSM42 City Anhui Television ratings | CSM42 City Anhui Television ratings | CSM42 City Dragon Television ratings | CSM42 City Dragon Television ratings | CSM42 City Dragon Television ratings |
| Broadcast date | Episode | Ratings | Audience share | Rank | Ratings | Audience share | Rank |
| March 26, 2012 | 1–2 | 0.813 | 2.17 | 3 | 0.601 | 1.61 | 8 |
| March 27, 2012 | 3–4 | 0.959 | 2.57 | 3 | 0.677 | 1.82 | 5 |
| March 28, 2012 | 5–6 | 0.854 | 2.22 | 3 | 0.727 | 1.88 | 6 |
| March 29, 2012 | 7–8 | 1.058 | 2.75 | 3 | 0.844 | 2.19 | 5 |
| March 30, 2012 | 9–10 | 1.087 | 2.72 | 3 | 0.930 | 2.32 | 4 |
| March 31, 2012 | 11–12 | 1.005 | 2.67 | 3 | 0.894 | 2.37 | 4 |
| April 1, 2012 | 13–14 | 1.080 | 2.85 | 3 | 0.910 | 2.41 | 4 |
| April 2, 2012 | 15–16 | 1.097 | 2.98 | 2 | 1.018 | 2.77 | 4 |
| April 3, 2012 | 17–18 | 1.008 | 2.76 | 3 | 1.036 | 2.86 | 2 |
| April 4, 2012 | 19–20 | 1.110 | 2.91 | 2 | 1.050 | 2.75 | 3 |
| April 5, 2012 | 21–22 | 1.105 | 2.95 | 2 | 1.081 | 2.88 | 3 |
| April 6, 2012 | 23–24 | 1.090 | 2.83 | 2 | 1.009 | 2.63 | 3 |
| April 7, 2012 | 25–26 | 1.281 | 3.30 | 1 | 1.035 | 2.67 | 4 |
| April 8, 2012 | 27–28 | 1.147 | 2.90 | 3 | 1.233 | 3.12 | 2 |
| April 9, 2012 | 29–30 | 1.332 | 3.46 | 2 | 1.315 | 3.42 | 3 |
| April 10, 2012 | 31-32 | 1.309 | 3.49 | 1 | 1.174 | 3.12 | 2 |
| April 11, 2012 | 32–34 | 1.428 | 3.76 | 1 | 1.296 | 3.41 | 2 |
| April 12, 2012 | 35–36 | 1.407 | 3.68 | 1 | 1.272 | 3.32 | 2 |
| April 13, 2012 | 37–38 | 1.377 | 3.66 | 1 | 1.262 | 3.36 | 2 |
| April 14, 2012 | 39–40 | 1.411 | 3.73 | 1 | 1.189 | 3.18 | 2 |
| April 15, 2012 | 41–42 | 1.330 | 3.32 | 1 | 0.897 | 2.29 | 4 |
| April 16, 2012 | 43–44 | 1.422 | 3.80 | 1 | 1.294 | 3.45 | 2 |
| April 17, 2012 | 45–46 | 1.519 | 4.06 | 1 | 1.410 | 3.78 | 2 |
| April 18, 2012 | 47–48 | 1.571 | 4.02 | 1 | 1.416 | 3.76 | 2 |
| April 19, 2012 | 49–50 | 1.625 | 4.28 | 1 | 1.513 | 3.99 | 2 |
| April 20, 2012 | 51–52 | 1.567 | 4.03 | 1 | 1.552 | 4.00 | 2 |
| April 21, 2012 | 53–54 | 1.652 | 4.43 | 1 | 1.570 | 4.23 | 2 |
| April 22, 2012 | 55–56 | 1.562 | 4.16 | 1 | 1.512 | 4.00 | 2 |
| April 23, 2012 | 57–58 | 1.687 | 4.23 | 1 | 1.444 | 3.82 | 2 |
| April 24, 2012 | 59–60 | 1.760 | 4.54 | 1 | 1.618 | 4.18 | 2 |
| April 25, 2012 | 61–62 | 1.753 | 4.68 | 1 | 1.609 | 4.30 | 2 |
| April 26, 2012 | 63–64 | 1.954 | 5.37 | 1 | 1.570 | 4.37 | 2 |
| April 27, 2012 | 65–66 | 1.720 | 4.59 | 1 | 1.670 | 4.47 | 2 |
| April 28, 2012 | 67–68 | 1.806 | 4.79 | 1 | 1.684 | 4.48 | 2 |
| April 29, 2012 | 69–70 | 1.878 | 5.21 | 1 | 1.525 | 4.25 | 2 |
| April 30, 2012 | 71–72 | 1.853 | 5.15 | 1 | 1.696 | 4.75 | 2 |
| May 1, 2012 | 73–74 | 1.770 | 4.68 | 1 | 1.710 | 4.52 | 2 |
| May 2, 2012 | 75–76 | 2.11 | 5.75 | 1 | 2.063 | 5.60 | 2 |
| Average ratings | Average ratings | 1.480 | 3.89 | 2012: 14th | 1.340 | 3.53 | 2012: 23rd |
* Highest ratings are marked in red, lowest ratings are marked in blue.

## Accolades

List of Accolades :
| Award | Category | Recipient(s) | Result |
| China TV Golden Eagle Awards | Outstanding Television Series | Empresses in the Palace | Won |
| International Emmy Award | Best Actress | Sun Li | Nominated |
| Shanghai Television Festival | Best Director | Zheng Xiaolong | Won |
| Shanghai Television Festival | Best Actress | Sun Li | Nominated |
| China TV Drama Awards | Best Television Series | Empresses in the Palace | Won |
| China TV Drama Awards | Best Director | Zheng Xiaolong | Won |
| China TV Drama Awards | Best Actress | Sun Li | Won |
| China TV Drama Awards | Best Supporting Actress | Jiang Xin | Won |
| China TV Drama Awards | Best New Actor | Li Dongxue | Won |
| China TV Drama Awards | Most Popular Actress (Hong Kong/Taiwan) | Ada Choi | Won |
| Macau International Television Festival | Best Drama | Empresses in the Palace | Won |
| Macau International Television Festival | Best Director | Zheng Xiaolong | Won |
| Macau International Television Festival | Best Actress | Sun Li | Won |
| Huading Awards | Best TV Actor | Chen Jianbin | Won |
| Chunyan Awards | Best Director | Zheng Xiaolong | Won |
| China Hengdian Film and Television Festival | Best Television Series | Empresses in the Palace | Won |
| China Hengdian Film and Television Festival | Best Director | Zheng Xiaolong | Won |

## International broadcast

The series first aired in China in 2011 on Shaoxing News, a regional channel. As it gained popularity there it was picked up by national television channels and first aired nationwide in 2012.
In April 2015, the series was added to Netflix US and has since been taken off and put on Amazon Prime Video. It was edited down to six episodes, each with a 90-minute duration. The original audio was kept intact with the addition of closed captions in English.
In Thailand, the series was first aired in 2016 on Channel 7 and in 2018 on One31 and LINE TV.
The series was uploaded on YouTube by LeTV in 2018.