The Road to Splendor (花开锦绣 / Hua Kai Jin Xiu), also known as Escape to Your Heart, is a 2026 Chinese historical romance drama starring Ding Yu Xi and Deng En Xi. Set against a backdrop of family conflict, political struggles, and adventure, the 36-episode drama follows Zhao Ling, a bold underground salt dealer, and Fu Tingyun, a noble heiress who is wrongfully accused of having an illicit affair. Forced to flee together, the two face dangers from both their families and the imperial court, with their shared hardships gradually bringing them closer. The drama premiered on Tencent on August 9, 2026.
Title: The Road to Splendor
Chinese Title: 花开锦绣 / Hua Kai Jin Xiu
Also Known As: Escape to Your Heart
Broadcast Date: August 9, 2026
Broadcast Network: Tencent
Genre: Historical, Romance, Adventure, Political
Director: Deng Ke, Gao Cong Kai
Screenwriter: Nan Zhen
Producer: Huang Jie, Zhang Ying Ying
Music Director: Jin Da Zhou
Editor: Peng Jing Sen
Dubbing Director: Wang Kai
Art Director: Shao Chang Yong, Zhu Han Bing
Action Director: Li Bao Liang
Stylist: Gao Qiu Wan
Production Company: Tencent Video, Youhug Media
Episodes: 36
Watch on YouTube
The Road to Splendor Synopsis
Zhao Ling is a bold and loyal underground salt dealer who comes from humble beginnings but has ambitions far beyond his circumstances. His life changes when he crosses paths with Fu Tingyun, a noble heiress who is wrongfully accused of having an illicit affair.
With Fu Tingyun forced to flee, Zhao Ling becomes involved in her escape. The two find themselves facing threats from Fu Tingyun’s family as well as the imperial court, leaving them with little choice but to rely on each other.
As they encounter one trial after another, their relationship gradually develops through the hardships they experience together. What begins as an unexpected alliance eventually grows into a powerful bond as Zhao Ling and Fu Tingyun fight against fate and the forces standing in their way.
The Road to Splendor Story Breakdown
The Road to Splendor follows Zhao Ling and Fu Tingyun as their lives become intertwined under difficult circumstances.
Zhao Ling is a salt dealer who operates outside the law. Although his background is humble, he is ambitious and determined to build a better future for himself. His encounter with Fu Tingyun draws him into a situation far more dangerous than his usual dealings.
Fu Tingyun is the ninth young lady of the Fu Family. Her position as a noble heiress does not protect her when she becomes the target of a false accusation. With her reputation and safety at risk, she is forced to leave the security of her family and escape.
Zhao Ling and Fu Tingyun’s journey takes them away from the familiar world of the Fu Family and into a wider conflict involving family interests, salt smuggling, government officials, military figures, and political forces in the capital.
Their journey also brings them into contact with people connected to the salt trade and powerful families. As they attempt to survive the dangers surrounding them, Zhao Ling’s experience and Fu Tingyun’s determination become important to their ability to overcome the challenges ahead.
The relationship between Zhao Ling and Fu Tingyun develops alongside the larger political and family conflicts. Through repeated hardships and dangerous situations, the two gradually come to trust and depend on one another, eventually forging a legendary love while attempting to change their fate.
The Road to Splendor Cast
Main Roles
Ding Yu Xi as Zhao Ling
A bold and loyal underground salt dealer who comes from a humble background but has ambitious goals. He becomes involved in Fu Tingyun’s escape and eventually joins her on a dangerous journey.
Deng En Xi as Fu Tingyun
The ninth young lady of the Fu Family. Wrongfully accused of an illicit affair, she is forced to flee and becomes closely connected with Zhao Ling.
Zhang Cheng Yi as Young Fu Tingyun
The younger version of Fu Tingyun.
Supporting Roles
Zhang En Shuo as Young A Sen
Li Ze Yu as Older A Sen
Wu Hao Chen as Jin Yuanbao — Salt shopkeeper
Zhang Jing Wei as Yang Yucheng — Former confidante of Jiu Wei Jiao
Yuan Ruo Hang as Biao Zi
Guo Pei Yu as Da Chuan
Zhao Yuan Yuan as Third Lady Zheng — Woman saved by Fu Tingyun
Fu Jia as Zheng San — Lady Zheng’s husband
Fu Family
Chi Peng as Old Madame Fu
Ma Yue as Eldest Master Fu — Magistrate of Huaying County
Deng Ying as Eldest Madame Fu
Yu Yi as Fifth Master Fu — Tingyun’s father
Shi Yue Ling as Madame Jie — Fifth Madame Fu and Tingyun’s mother
You Jing Ru as Madame Zuo — Eldest granddaughter-in-law
Li Xin Ze as Fu Tingzhuo — Seventh young master and Tingyun’s older brother
He Miao as Nanny Li — Old Madame Fu’s maidservant
Chang Su Sheng as Yu Wei — Tingyun’s maidservant
Xiao Shi Yu as Mo Xiang — Tingyun’s maidservant
Zhou Rui Rui as Han Yan — Madame Zuo’s maidservant
Capital
Bai Shu as Sixteen Master — The Crown Prince
Yu Bo as Mr. Zhao
Zhang Cheng He as Mo Yi — General
Xu Sheng Jin as Qin Feiyu
Wang Jin Hao as Lian Sheng
Yu Family
Tan Kai as Yu Guodong — Left Censor-in-Chief
Wen Zheng Rong as Madame Yu — Wife of the Left Censor-in-Chief
Dong Zi Fan as Yu Jingxiu — Young master of the Yu Family
Fan Shi Ran as Fan Yake — Fan Kun’s daughter, Tingyun’s childhood friend and Yu Jingxiu’s wife
Hu Xiao Ting as Nanny Shu — Madame Yu’s maidservant
Shi Xin Tong as Mo Zhan — Fan Yake’s maidservant
Yang Zhi He as Cheng Xin — Yu Jingxiu’s servant
Other Roles
Shi Dan Jiang as Lord Liu — Right Vice Censor-in-Chief
Zhang Meng as Tian Wanyi — Daughter of Grand Secretary Tian
Zhao Ke as Madame Yan — Wife of the Commissioner of the Western Capital Salt Bureau
Qian Yong Chen as Lord Yan — Commissioner of the Western Capital Salt Bureau
Wei Zi Xin as Wang Yi — Gandu Circuit Commander
Sun Zhi Hong as Li Mao — Gandu Circuit Military Advisor
Zhu Jian as Lu Dahu — Deputy Battalion Commander and General Mo’s brother-in-law
Fan Tian Tian as Madame Mo — General Mo’s wife
Dong Wei Jia as Concubine Lu — General Mo’s concubine
Li Rui Chu as Miss Mo — General Mo’s daughter
Lu Xiao Lin as Madame Wang — Commander Wang’s wife
Li Bai Hui as Second Miss Wang
Li Mei Yi Bing as Young Second Miss Wang
Ru Tian as Lin Xiaoqi’s family member
Cui Shao Han as Master Tuo — Salt smuggler
Ji Chen Mu as Fan Kun — Esteemed schoolmaster and Fan Yake’s father
Wang Xing Han as Fourth Master Feng — Salt merchant
Wang Run Ze as Zuo Junjie — Madame Zuo’s younger brother
Zhao Wen Hao as Jiu Wei Jiao — Salt bandit
Yu Xin Tong as Madame Tang
Ai Xiao Qi as Madame Zhu
Tian Miao as Old Madame Wei
Liu Ya Peng as Master Zhu
Liu Yu as Ni Qiu
Zhang Yang (张扬) as Lord Zhou
Zhang Jing Tong as Madame Zhou
Li Fei Er as Madame Wu
Qi Ling as Lin Xiaoqi
Zheng Xi Long as Yu Huaian
Luo Lei as Lord Qin
Guo Chang as Lord Li
Xi Wang as Yu Xiaoqi’s family member
Cao Yi Xin as Madame Ye
Cui Zhi Gang as Pavilion Elder Tian
Mei Bao Lai as Empress Zhang
Fu Dong Nuan as Madame Shen
Han Dong as Wei Donglin
Xie Ming Yu as Sun Xiaoqi
Mu Li Yan as Grand Empress Dowager
Wei Chen Fei as Xiu Zhu’s family member
Su Qi (苏颀) as Cai Rong
Zhong Li Li as Miss Wu
Tao De Yan as Madame Tian
Li Yi Can as Huang Lian
Zhao Yi Qiao as You You
Huang You Liang as Fu Tingzhuo’s son
