LayarHijau – Chinese costume drama Spring of the Blade (一瓯春), starring Xu Kai and Zhou Ye, premiered on September 17, 2026. The drama is available on Youku and iQIYI, combining a search for the truth with family intrigue and a government corruption case. Xu Kai plays Shen Run, while Zhou Ye portrays Xie Qingyuan, the daughter of a concubine in the Xie family who faces injustice from those around her. The two first meet when they are young and struggling to survive, eventually making a pact with a silver coin. Years later, they meet again under very different circumstances. Xie Qingyuan returns to the Xie household to uncover the truth about the injustice suffered by her mother, while Shen Run has risen to become a calculating court official. Here are three highlights of Spring of the Blade based on the drama’s introduction.
1. Zhou Ye’s Character Embarks on a Revenge Journey
One of the drama’s main highlights is the development of Xie Qingyuan, played by Zhou Ye. As the daughter of a concubine, Xie Qingyuan faces injustice within the Xie family. After returning to the household, she sets out to uncover the truth surrounding her mother’s suffering while dealing with the conflicts within the family. Her experiences gradually turn her into a more calculating and strategic woman. Xie Qingyuan is portrayed as a “black lotus” (黑莲花), a term commonly used to describe a female character who may appear gentle on the surface but is intelligent, formidable, and capable of using strategy to achieve her goals.
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2. Family Intrigue Runs Alongside a Government Corruption Case
The story of Spring of the Blade goes beyond the conflicts within the Xie family. The drama also features a political storyline involving an investigation into corruption within the government. While Xie Qingyuan returns to the Xie household to uncover the truth behind the injustice suffered by her mother, Shen Run becomes involved in political affairs and an investigation into the misuse of disaster relief funds in Qiantang. These two storylines unfold alongside each other, bringing family intrigue and government affairs into the same narrative. When Xie Qingyuan and Shen Run meet again years later, their relationship becomes intertwined with the conflicts surrounding them. Amid the family and political struggles, the two also find themselves helping and saving each other in difficult situations.
3. Song-Era Aesthetics and Veteran Actors
Another highlight of Spring of the Blade is its visual style, which draws on the aesthetics of the Song era. The setting helps establish the drama’s atmosphere as the story moves between the lives of the Xie family and conflicts within the government. The drama also features veteran actors including Fu Dalong and Miao Pu. Their presence adds to the ensemble alongside leads Xu Kai and Zhou Ye. With its revenge-driven female character, parallel family and political conflicts, and Song-era visual style, Spring of the Blade combines several elements within its costume-drama setting. Spring of the Blade premiered on September 17, 2026, and is available to stream on Youku and iQIYI.
