Chinese dramas and films

Chinese streaming platform Tencent Video has announced the premiere date for the historical romantic drama «Blossoms Of Power» (百花杀). The series title references a poem by Tang dynasty poet Huang Chao, "Writing About Chrysanthemums After Failing the Imperial Exam": "When the ninth day of the ninth month arrives, my flower will bloom – and a hundred flowers will wither."

Starring Meng Zi Yi («The Princess's Gambit», «Blossom») and He Yu («Speed and Love», «Dashing Youth»), this marks their third on-screen collaboration, having previously worked together on «Blossom» and «The Legend of Heroes: Hot Blooded».

The story centres on a tale of revenge and the quest for power. The protagonist, Gu Qingzhi ( Meng Zi Yi), the sole survivor of her family's massacre, awakens under a new identity – Shen Xi He, Princess of the Northwest. Transformed into a cold and calculating figure, she is determined to take control of her destiny and become a key player in the political arena. Shen Xi He is a master of perfumery, capable of crafting scents that can detect lies, poison enemies, or set elaborate traps.

She is sent to the capital for a political marriage. The crown prince, Xiao Hua Yong, played by He Yu, appears frail and sickly on the surface, but in reality possesses a sharp mind and grand ambitions. Poisoned at the age of six, he has since secretly been investigating a conspiracy. As their fates intertwine, they fall in love, join forces against their enemies, and strive to protect the realm from corruption and poverty. Both protagonists maintain a public façade while concealing their true selves; their political marriage gradually deepens into a spiritual bond, and their complementary skills – perfume-making and poison-crafting – prove to be a formidable combination.

The production team has highlighted several innovative elements. First, "perfumery as a political tool" is a unique concept where fragrances become a means of navigating court intrigues. Second, the script moves away from typical female rivalry – instead, the heroine allies herself with female generals and other supporters, prioritising the struggle for power over romantic entanglements. Moreover, Shen Xi He adheres to the principle of "claiming both love and power", rejecting self‑sacrifice for the sake of sentiment. Her character is deliberately crafted as an anti‑heroine, which amplifies the theme of revenge and lends the story a sharper, more contemporary edge.

To date, the series has amassed over 2.2 million pre‑registrations on Tencent Video. 

The premiere is set for 9 July 2026 at 18:00, with international distribution rights acquired by Disney.

Teaser