Royal Betrothal (Wu Jin Yan and Chen Zhe Yuan) Chinese Drama

Royal Betrothal is a 2026 Chinese historical political romance drama starring Wu Jin Yan and Chen Zhe Yuan. Adapted from the novel Jiang Shan Wei Pin by Xing Yan Yan, the series follows a brilliant young woman who makes history in the imperial examinations and an emperor who secretly fights corruption beyond the palace.

Title: Royal Betrothal

Chinese Title: 御廷瑶 / Yu Ting Yao

Also Known As: The Empire as Betrothal (江山为聘 / Jiang Shan Wei Pin)

Broadcast Date: 28 July 2026

Broadcast Network: Hunan TV, Mango TV

Genre: Historical, Political, Romance

Director: Zhang Yan Jie

Screenwriter: Liu Ting Ting, Fei Bi (菲比), Wang Xin Yi, Feng Yue Chi (凤悦池)

Watch on: Viki, YouTube

Royal Betrothal Synopsis

The Great Daning Dynasty is in turmoil, plagued by internal strife, external threats, and collusion between corrupt officials and powerful criminal organisations. As the empire teeters on the edge of chaos, an unlikely alliance emerges to challenge the forces threatening the nation’s future.Meng Tinghui, an orphan raised on the streets, makes history by becoming the first woman to earn the prestigious “Triple First” honour in the imperial examinations. Her achievement secures her a vital position within the Court of Oversight, where she begins investigating corruption at the highest levels of government.

Meanwhile, the young emperor Ying Gua skillfully balances the rival factions of two powerful chancellors while secretly disguising himself as a sword-wielding vigilante who delivers justice to the common people. Together, Meng Tinghui and Ying Gua launch a relentless campaign against corruption that reaches from the imperial court to the streets, uncovering dangerous conspiracies that threaten the entire dynasty.

Royal Betrothal Story Breakdown

Born with neither status nor privilege, Meng Tinghui rises through determination and intelligence to accomplish what no woman has achieved before—claiming the highest honours in the imperial examinations. Her remarkable success places her at the heart of the imperial government, where she quickly becomes involved in exposing corruption and abuse of power.

At the same time, Emperor Ying Gua leads a double life. While maintaining political balance within the palace, he secretly patrols the streets as a masked swordsman, protecting innocent citizens and investigating the criminal networks operating beyond the reach of the law.

As their paths converge, Meng Tinghui and Ying Gua combine their talents to dismantle corrupt officials, confront powerful enemies, and challenge the criminal alliances undermining the Great Daning Dynasty. Along the way, mutual trust gradually develops into romance as they fight to protect both the empire and its people.

Filled with political intrigue, thrilling action, and emotional character development, Royal Betrothal tells the story of two exceptional individuals determined to reshape the future of their nation.

Royal Betrothal Cast

Main Roles

Wu Jin Yan as Meng Tinghui

Chen Zhe Yuan as Ying Gua

Supporting Roles

Yan Yu Chen as Shen Zhishu

Zhang Nan as Shen Zhili

Song Qi as Huang Bo

Huang Zu Xin as Di Nian

Zhao Bin as Shen Wuchen

He Qiang as Chief Attendant You

Fan Lei as the Late Emperor

Hugo Ng as Xu Ting

Zhao Qing He as Huo An

Dylan Kuo as Gu Qin

Gao Zhang Bo as Gu Qin (Young)

Kuang Yu Ting as Situ Xue

Qian Yi as Yu Manchun

Guo Dong Xing as Shun Zi

Sheng Yi Lun as Ling Yunfei

Zhou Jia Shun as Ling Yunfei (Young)

Zhao Zhao Yi as Yan Fuzhi

Wang Zi Yun as Madame Yan

Guo Jun as Master Yan

Chen Zhi Yi as Xi’er

Ding Kun as Hai Tang

Xiang Xia as Ding Chong

Zhang Ke Ying as Jiang Mei’er

Yan Jia Ying as Ding Fengjiao

Wang Yin Xiang as Judge Wang

Qi Hang as Feng Lu

Guo Ye as Sixth Hall Master

Guo Ni Er as Bao Dating

Liu Jia Xi as A Xiang

Tian Xiao Yi as A Xia

Chen Xin Hao as Mister Song

Liang Yong Qi as Yin Qing

Lv Xing as Xu Heng

He Du Juan as Yuan Lingyi

Yu An as Zhao Hui

Wang Li as A Niu

Wang Xuan Nan as Si Qin

Wang Lu as Hao Wenming

Wang Yi Fan as Northern Jian General

Ning Hao Ran as Pan Wenhai

Bai Yi Ru as A Cheng’s Wife

Liu Yu Qi as Fu Meng

Qu Zhi Han as An Qing

Xiang Nan as Xu Runze

Liu Zhong Ru as Black Shadow

Sun Jing Jing as Liu Ruyan

Xu Zhen Yan as Liu Ruyan (Young)

Liu Yao Yang as Zhong Wan Emperor

Wang Zi Xi as Tanned Beauty

Shen Xiao Man as Dou Kui

Li Guang Bin as Lieutenant Li

Li Mu Zi as Xiao Yue

Li Le Chuan as Jin Bao

Xiao Yuan Xi as A Luo

Yang Yi Kai as A Cheng

Du Hao Dong as Si Qi

Li Jia Ming as Xue Leng

Song Pei Ze as Mister Zhao

Chen Cheng Jun as Si Hua

Zhang Jing Shuo as Wen Ruozheng

Zhang Mu Chi as Xue Zhe

Min Chun Xiao as Zeng Canshang

Li Zheng Lin as Xu Lin

Xiao Si Ying as Si Si

Li Qing Er as Zuo Qiurong

Shao Jun Ze as Lv Er

Zhang Bin as Wei Mingxian

Shen Xue Wei as Dong Shoucai

Li Jing Mu as Master Wen

Li Jia Xiang as A Gui

Zhou Yun Shen as Wen Tao

Gong Zheng Nan as Liu Che

Shun Ji as Mo Yuhan

Zha Jie as Northern Jian Second Prince

Xu Dong Yi as A Yue

Guo Dong Hai as Fang Huai

Gao Yang as Northern Jian First Prince

Xu Ling Ruo as Jiang Lanchan

Hai Yang as Lv Da

Yuan Man as Wan Kai

Sheng Jie as Zhao Cai

Cui Yi as Madame Xu

Cao Zi Shuo as Si Jian

Xie Tian Tian as Lin Qingwu

Xu Yi Suo as Mister Liu