The Chinese historical drama Zhu Yu is drawing major attention after achieving a new peak heat index, surpassing the previous record set by Story of Kunning Palace. The milestone has quickly become a hot topic among fans of Chinese period dramas.
One interesting detail is that actor Zhang Linghe plays the male lead in both productions. He previously impressed viewers with his role as Xie Wei in Story of Kunning Palace, which aired in November 2023. The drama, adapted from the novel Kun Ning by Shi Jing, became one of the most popular costume dramas of that year.
The story of Story of Kunning Palace revolves around Jiang Xuening, portrayed by Bai Lu. In her previous life, Xuening used every possible method to become empress, only to be caught in palace turmoil and ultimately forced to take her own life. When fate gives her a second chance, she decides to change her destiny and avoid the power struggles that once consumed her.
However, her plans are complicated when she becomes the student of imperial tutor Xie Wei, the man she feared most in her past life. The drama also features key characters such as Zhang Jia, played by Wang Xingyue, and Yan Lin, portrayed by Zhou Junwei.
Meanwhile, Zhu Yu premiered on March 6, 2026, and quickly gained strong viewership. The series marks the on-screen pairing of Zhang Linghe with actress Tian Xiwei, who is often nicknamed the “costume drama doll” thanks to her delicate appearance and natural fit for historical roles.
The drama is adapted from the novel Hou Fu Ren Yu Dao Mo Zhu Rou by Duan Zi Lai Ji. The story follows Fan Changyu, played by Tian Xiwei, a butcher’s daughter who lost her parents at a young age but grew up strong and determined. She is driven by a desire to protect her family and uncover the truth behind her parents’ deaths.
In contrast to Changyu’s humble background, Xie Zheng—played by Zhang Linghe—is a powerful marquis who suffers a devastating fall from power and must hide his identity while seeking revenge for his family. The two meet on a snowy night when Changyu rescues him. What begins as a fake marriage for personal motives gradually evolves into genuine love as they face wars, political intrigue, and dangerous conspiracies together.
With Zhu Yu surpassing the peak heat index of Story of Kunning Palace, discussions comparing the two female leads—Tian Xiwei and Bai Lu—have once again intensified across Chinese social media platforms.
For the production team, the new record is seen as a strong sign of success. At the same time, it highlights the growing popularity of the pairing between Tian Xiwei and Zhang Linghe, whose chemistry in the historical romance genre continues to captivate audiences.