Princess Agents (, also known as "The Legend of Chu Qiao") is a Chinese tragic television series based on the novel written by Xiao Xiang Dong Er and directed by Wu Jinyuan. It stars Zhao Liying, Lin Gengxin, Shawn Dou, Li Qin, Deng Lun, the drama was filmed in Hengdian World Studios and in Inner Mongolia which aired on various channels from 5 June 2017 to 1 August 2017.
Synopsis The story is set during the Northern Wei dynasty, a period marked by political instability, kidnappings, and violent power struggles. Chu Qiao (also known as Jing Xiaoliu), a slave, is cast into a forest with other captives to be hunted for sport by aristocrats, including Yuwen Huai, Zhao Xifeng, Wei Shuye, Yan Xun, Prince of Northern Yan, and Yuan Song, the 13th Prince of Wei. Chu Qiao is the sole survivor.
She is subsequently assigned as a chamber maid to Yuwen Yue, where she undergoes rigorous training alongside her adopted siblings. During this period, she forms a close bond with Yan Xun. She later encounters Yuan Song and Xiao Ce, the Prince of Liang; both develop romantic feelings for her and support her, though she does not reciprocate their affections. Throughout these events, Yuwen Yue emerges as her primary protector and eventual romantic partner.
Political intrigue escalates when nobles of Western Wei, led by Yuwen Huai and Wei Shuyou, falsely accuse the Northern Yan royal family of treason. Acting on these accusations, the emperor orders the execution of Yan Xun’s relatives. Yan Xun and Chu Qiao are imprisoned, and the massacre of his family transforms Yan Xun into an ambitious and ruthless figure determined to seek revenge, initially with Chu Qiao’s support.
Chu Qiao is later promoted to archery instructor and transferred to the Xiaoqi Camp, where she encounters officers of the Xiuli Army of Northern Yan. Although Yan Xun initially views them as traitors, Chu Qiao persuades him to spare them. Yan Xun maintains lingering regard for Yuan Chun, his childhood companion. When the emperor orders their marriage as part of a plot to assassinate Yan Xun, Yan Xun anticipates the betrayal and launches a rebellion. Yuan Chun pleads unsuccessfully to save him, and their bond is ultimately severed.
After ascending the throne as king of Northern Yan, Yan Xun grows increasingly distrustful of Chu Qiao and distances himself from her while pursuing power through morally questionable means. Disillusioned, Chu Qiao withdraws from him and grows closer to Yuwen Yue, deepening their romantic relationship. Yan Xun eventually orders Yuwen Yue’s assassination, prompting Chu Qiao to formally sever ties with Yan Xun and oppose his campaign of revenge.
Chu Qiao later learns that she is the daughter of Luo He, leader of the Fengyun Order, an intelligence network opposed to slavery and feudal warfare. Trained from childhood in advanced combat techniques, including the Cold Ice skill, Chu Qiao had been forced into hiding after her mother’s assassination, during which she lost her memory and was sold into slavery. Mr. Wu later reveals that Luo He’s death resulted from internal betrayal linked to the Wei and Liang factions and offers Chu Qiao her mother’s former position, which she declines.
As conflict intensifies in the north, Yuwen Yue is lured into a military trap and isolated on a frozen lake. After resisting capture, he is gravely wounded when Yan Xun personally orders an attack. Chu Qiao attempts to reach him but is forcibly separated as the ice collapses. As Yuwen Yue sinks beneath the lake, he urges Chu Qiao to survive. The event devastates her and marks her transformation into a resolute and independent force.
Cast
Main Actor Character Introduction Zhao Liying Chu Qiao / Jing Xiaoliu / Xing'er She is an intelligent, brave and resilient young woman. That after being forced to watch helplessly while her loved ones died, she strives to find a path that allows her to change and thus destroy the injustice that surrounds them. Her true identity is later revealed, as the daughter of Luo He, the master of Feng Yun's order. After she nearly drowns, she loses her memory and is raised by her adoptive family, the Jings. Later along with her adoptive siblings they become slaves of the Yuwen family. When she meets Yuwen Yue she begins to train with him to become a spy and they eventually develop feelings for each other. Chu Qiao is the only one willing to believe in the Xiuli army, which once caused the fall of two of North Yan's largest cities. Lin Gengxin Yuwen Yue He is the fourth master of the Yuwen Mansion and the heir to the Eye of God. He is a cold man of few words, intelligent, observant and an expert in martial arts. He is a powerful and high noble, who only cared about obeying his grandfather and following the strict rules of his family, however he is gradually influenced by Chu Qiao to be more kinder and soon becomes a fair and empathetic ruler. Yuwen Yue plays an important role in establishing peace in the new world, and although he loves Chu Qiao, he cannot show it openly due to the difference in their ranks, however he is always by her side when she needs him most. Shawn Dou Yan Xun Prince of Northern Yan.He is the prince of North Yan, he is a prudent man and aware of his actions despite his cheerful and carefree facade, it caused him misfortune and pain for the loss of his entire family due to his identity as a captive prince. He forms an alliance with Chu Qiao and learns to trust her during the most difficult times. He also had a beautiful friendship and affection with Yuan Chun (who has always wanted to marry the prince); however, when he witnesses the destruction of his entire clan at the hands of the Wei Empire, he swears revenge and becomes in a bitter and cruel man, he uses Yuan Chun and distances himself from her, he has a great hatred towards the wei empire even the princes that he is willing to kill them, except for princess Yuan Chung (Chun'er) who was kind, attentive and caring with him, Yan Xun considers it and decides never to hurt her, but to take care of herself and be protected. Li Qin Yuan Chun / Chun’er Princess of Western Wei.She is the princess of Western Wei, she is a kind, considerate, tender, simple and capricious young woman who is in love with Prince Yan Xun, however a series of circumstances, Yuan Chun changes her mind and refuses to marry him due to Yan's uprising. Xun, she suffered at the hands of Yan Xun's soldiers for rape and mistreatment, Yuan Chun believes that she was betrayed by her father who used her in her wedding with Yan Xun, the person who mattered most to her, this humiliation and pain causes her to become in an unrecognizable person, bitter, cold, vindictive and cunning, he starts to hate the wei emperor, Yuan Chun forms an alliance with Wei Shuye organizes an army to finish off the Xiulu troop, Yuan Chun manages to escape death several times due to sacrifice What do the people who love her do, so much is their suffering and pain that Yan Xun caused, she decides to kill him but she does not succeed, at the end of seeing Yan Xun again he sees him sad, asks her to forgive him and to please take care of herself much to him or that she cries so sadly remembering the moments together, she leaves and forgets it.
Supporting Yuwen Manor Actor Character Introduction Kwok Fung Yuwen Zhuo Master of the 1st household, Yuwen Yue's grandfather. He is crippled due to a sacrifice he made for his loved one when he was young. Chin Shih-chieh Yuwen Xi Master of the 3rd household, Yuwen Huai's grandfather. A creepy old man who preys on young female slaves. Wang Dong Yuwen Hao Yuwen Zhuo's son. Wang Yanlin Yuwen Huai Young master of the 3rd household. He is a sinister and manipulative man who is Yuwen Yue's biggest rival in power struggle. He was killed by Chu Qiao after saving the Xiuli Army. Xing Zhaolin Yue Qi Yuwen Yue's trusted right-hand man; a loyal and capable warrior who fights alongside him. Sun Yi Yue Jiu Yuwen Yue's guard. Yuan Quan Yue Shiwu Yuwen Yue's guard. Li Ang Zhan Mou Yuwen Zhuo's trusted confidante. Fu Jia Zhu Shun Housekeeper of Yuwen household. He is under the control of Yuwen Huai and helps him execute his schemes. Rain Lau Madame Song Head steward of Yuwen household. She is cruel and abusive toward Chu Qiao and the slaves. Cao Xiyue Jin Zhu A maid at Qing Shan Court. She is actually a spy from Hong Shan Court and works for Yuwen Huai. She often picks on Chu Qiao due to her jealousy toward Chu Qiao and Yuwen Yue's relationship. Wang Yu Jin Si A maid at Qing Shan Court; Jin Zhu's sidekick. Li Chunyuan Ah Luo A maid at Qing Shan Court, who is on good terms with Chu Qiao. Liu Yuqi Ying Tao'er An assassin sent by Yuwen Huai to kill Yuwen Yue. Jiang Yiyi Curly Hair A maid of Yuwen Manor who was killed on the hunting ground.
Western Wei Actor Character Introduction Tian Xiaojie Emperor of Wei King of Wei. His distrust and suspicious nature caused him to destroy Yan Xun's family and kingdom. Sun Ning Royal Consort Wei (Ning'er) Yuan Song and Yuan Chun's mother. She formed a friendship with Yuwen Zhuo, and often aids Yuwen Yue and Yan Xun. Jin Kaijie Yuan Qi (Prince Mu) Third prince of Wei. Jin Jia Yuan Che (Prince Xiang) Seventh prince of Wei. He is raised by Royal Consort Wei and is good friends with Yuwen Yue. He is also known for his war experience. Niu Junfeng Yuan Song (Prince Yu) Thirteenth prince of Wei. He is bright, cheerful and kind-hearted. He likes Chu Qiao, despite all odds and circumstances thrown at him. Huang Haige Yuan Yang Fourteenth prince of Wei. Son of Consort Zhao. He was used as a political tool by Yuan Chun. Ying Lingjie Yuan Hao Fifteenth prince of Wei. Son of Lan Shuyi. Nan Sheng Lan Shuyi A lady sent by Yuwen Huai to stay by the Emperor's side as a spy. She knows Chu Qiao's true identity and was entrusted by Luo He to take care of Chu Qiao. Chen Yuanyuan Jin Xin Royal consort. Zheng Shengli Wei Guang Head of Wei Pavilion, Royal Consort Wei's brother. Jurai Wei Shuyou Young master of Wei family, Wei Guang's son. Chen Sihan Wei Shuye Young master of Wei family, Wei Shuyou's cousin. He treats Yan Xun as his true friend, and has a one-sided love for Princess Yuan Chun. Shi Jiantao Zhao Gui Head of Zhao Pavilion. Jin Han Zhao Xifeng Young master of Zhao family, Zhao Gui's son. He is two-faced and manipulative. Liu Yuan Zhao Dongting Young master of Zhao family, Zhao Xifeng's brother. Zhang Rui Jing Han A cruel lord. Lu Yongjun Eunuch Wang Emperor's personal eunuch. Yang Liu Cai Wei Yuan Chun's personal attendant.
Northern Yan Actor Character Introduction Li Haohan Yan Shicheng Duke of Northern Yan. Yan Xun's father. He was sworn brothers with Emperor of Wei, but the latter's suspicions caused their relationship to turn sour. Li Ying Bai Sheng Yan Shicheng's wife, Yan Xun's mother. Wang Yitong Yan Hongxiao Yan Xun's sister. Li Ruojia Zhong Yu Leader of Northern Yan's pugilistic forces. She is fiercely loyal to Yan Xun and aids him in his rise to power. She is in love with Wu Daoya. Wang Zijie Feng Mian Yan Xun's personal attendant. Hu Chunyoung Cheng Chi A general serving under Yan Xun. A ruthless man. Wei Tianyang Sun He A general serving under Yan Xun, Cheng Chi's assistant. Liu Kenan Ah Jing Yan Xun's subordinate.
Southern Liang