The Lament of Autumn (Cheng Lei, Xu Ruo Han) (2026) Chinese Drama

The Lament of Autumn (玉簟秋 / Yu Dian Qiu) is a 2026 Chinese Republican-era romance drama starring Cheng Lei and Xu Ruo Han. Set during the turbulent period of the Republic of China, the story follows Ye Pingjun, a student who takes a job at a meeting house in western Hunan to pay for her mother’s medical treatment. On her first day, she becomes entangled in an attempted assassination involving the fifth son of the Yu family. Wrongfully accused, she makes a bet with Yu Changxuan, giving him ten days to find the real culprit. As he begins courting her, Yu Changxuan conceals his true intentions.

Title: The Lament of Autumn
Chinese Title: 玉簟秋 / Yu Dian Qiu
Episodes: 40
Broadcast Date: 12 October 2026
Broadcast Network: Hunan TV, Mango TV
Genre: Republican, Romance
Director: Ju Jue Liang, Guo Hao, Wang Hui
Screenwriter: Ye Yang, Lin San Qian (林叁千)
Producer: Jiang Zhi Fang
Executive Producer: Zhou Hai, Zhao Jin Wen (赵锦汶), Lu Hai Bo, Yang Huai Dong, Zhang Zhi Hong, Wan Lin, Liu Mu Tian, Ren Xu
Art Director: Niu Ran Ran
Stylist: He Qian
Production Company: Sheng Xi Hua Shi, Hunan TV, Mango TV
Watch On: YouTube

The Lament of Autumn Synopsis

During the period of the Republic of China, amidst the fragmentation caused by the warlords, Ye Pingjun, a student, takes a job at a meeting house in western Hunan to raise money for her mother’s medical treatment. On her first day of work, she finds herself involved in an attempted assassination against the fifth son of the Yu family. Wrongfully accused, she makes a bet with Yu Changxuan: he has ten days to find the true culprit. Yu Changxuan sees this as an opportunity to get closer to Ye Pingjun and begins courting her, although he hides his true intentions.

Story Breakdown

Ye Pingjun’s Search for a Way Forward

Set during the turbulent Republican era, Ye Pingjun is a student who takes a job at a meeting house in western Hunan. With her mother’s medical treatment requiring money, she accepts the position in an effort to support her family.

An Attempted Assassination

On her very first day at work, Ye Pingjun becomes involved in an attempted assassination targeting the fifth son of the Yu family. The incident places her in a difficult position, and she finds herself wrongfully accused.

The Ten-Day Bet

Determined to address the accusation, Ye Pingjun makes a bet with Yu Changxuan. She gives him ten days to discover who is truly responsible for the attempted assassination, setting a time limit on his search for the culprit.

Yu Changxuan’s Hidden Intentions

Yu Changxuan sees the bet as an opportunity to get closer to Ye Pingjun. He begins courting her, but his intentions are not entirely clear to her because he keeps his true motives hidden.

Romance Amid Republican-Era Turmoil

Against the backdrop of warlord fragmentation and political instability, Ye Pingjun and Yu Changxuan’s relationship develops alongside the mystery surrounding the attempted assassination. Their connection begins with an accusation and a wager, while Yu Changxuan’s concealed intentions add another layer of uncertainty to their interactions.