Against the Current (兰香如故 / Lan Xiang Ru Gu; 香气长传 / Xiang Qi Chang Chuan) is a 2026 historical romance Chinese drama starring Tan Song Yun and Liu Xue Yi. The story follows Shen Jialan, the granddaughter of a noble family whose life changes after her family is falsely accused of treason, forcing her to enter her former fiancé Lin Jinqi’s household as a servant. Refusing to accept her changed circumstances, Shen Jialan uses her resilience and intelligence to overcome the barriers placed before her, while working to clear her family’s name.
- Title: Against the Current
- Part 1 Chinese Title: 兰香如故 / Lan Xiang Ru Gu
- Part 2 Chinese Title: 香气长传 / Xiang Qi Chang Chuan
- Broadcast Date: September 11, 2026 (Part 1)
- Broadcast Network: CCTV, Tencent
- Genre: Historical, Romance
- Director: Huang Ying Xiang
- Co-Director: Chen Dan
- Screenwriters: Tong Hua, Xiao Lou
- Dubbing Directors: Bian Jiang, Wang Jing Er
- Production Companies: Tencent Video, Star Lotus Pictures
- Episodes: 31 (Part 1), 16 (Part 2)
- Watch On: WeTV
Against the Current Synopsis
Shen Jialan, once the granddaughter of a noble family, loses her status after her family is falsely accused of treason. Her fiancé, Lin Jinqi, abandons her, leaving her with no choice but to assume the identity of a servant in his household. Despite the change in her circumstances, Shen Jialan refuses to surrender to fate. Through resilience and wit, she gradually overcomes the barriers between different social classes, wins Lin Jinqi’s heart, and earns the respect of his family. Meanwhile, she continues working to uncover the truth and clear her family’s name.
Against the Current Story Breakdown
Shen Jialan is born into a noble family and grows up as the granddaughter of a respected household. Her life changes when her family is falsely accused of treason.
The accusation causes Shen Jialan to lose her former status. Her fiancé, Lin Jinqi, abandons her, and she is forced to enter his household under a servant’s identity.
Rather than accepting her circumstances, Shen Jialan relies on her intelligence and determination to navigate life within the Lin household. Her position places her on the other side of the class divide she once occupied, but she continues to stand her ground despite the difficulties she faces.
As time passes, Shen Jialan’s actions and character gradually change how Lin Jinqi sees her. Their relationship develops as he begins to recognize her resilience, intelligence, and refusal to surrender to her circumstances.
Shen Jialan also earns the respect of the Lin family while continuing to seek the truth behind the accusation against her own family. Her efforts eventually lead toward clearing the Shen family’s name and restoring the truth surrounding the case.
Against the Current Cast
Main Roles
- Tan Song Yun as Xu Lanxiang / Shen Jialan
- Liu Xue Yi as Lin Jinqi
- Li Meng as Zhao Xingtang
- Zheng He Hui Zi as Du Cuique
- Guo Ke Yu as Xue Guihua
- Niu Jun Feng as Han Liang
Supporting Roles
- Wu Tian Tian as Lin Xiuwan
- Ye Qing as Yu Chan
- Pu Tao as Lin Xiulai
- Song Fang Yuan as Xiao Lian
- Li Jia Xin as Gan Tang
- Liu Jia Xi as Lin Xiushu
- Su Ke as Lu Xie
- Hou Chang Rong as Lin Shaoxiang
- Chen Chuang as Xu Wanquan
- Kong Ling Mei as Qin Shunhua
- Wei Zi Xin as Du Changmin
- Wu Xiao Dong as Fang Yu
- Yan Xiao Pin as Old Madame Shen
- Zhang Shen as Shen Qihan
- Liu Mei Han as Lv Ji’er
- He Peng as Yuan Shaohui
- Jia Ze as Zheng Manyi
- Guo Jia Nan as Lin Jinlan
- Tang Meng Jia as Lv Ji’er
- Ma Fan Ding as Lin Xiuru
- Guan Chang as Fu Rong
- Zhao Qin as Wang Lingxiao
- Li Hong Liang as Prince Han
- Wu Tian Qi as Madame Tan
- Ke Lan as Madame Cui
- Dong Qing as Dong Qingzhu
- Shen Tai as Zheng Baichuan
- Kong Lian Shun as Emperor / Crown Prince
- Zhang Duo as Shen Boru
- Wu Jia Kai as Xie Zhao
- Ye Xiao Wei as Du Zheng
- Ma Wen Yuan as Qian Shaoze (voiced by Xu Yu Hao)
- Xin Peng as Lu Jian
- Yao Yi Qi as Liu Xiaochuan
- Zhao Zi Chong as Sun Yong
- Xin Hao Jiang as Zhang Shuizai
- Wang Jia Xuan as Lin Jinqiao
- Wang Yu Ning as Zhao Xuede
- Sun Zhong Qiu as Zhao Gang
- Zheng Wei Li as Mother Han
- Wang Yi Chan as Liu Yue’e
- Wang Ya Jun as Old Madame Lin
- Zhou Zhi as Second Madame Shen
- Xi Wang as Third Madame Shen
- Pan Yi Hong as Jiu Gao
- Wang Hong Xin as Nan Ke
- Shan Yu Hao as Lin Jinxi
- Ding Zi En as Tong Cao
- Zhao Shi Meng as Third Aunt Shen
- Zhang Cheng Yi as Lin Zhangcheng
