The Legend of Anle

"The Legend of Anle" tells the love story between Di Ziyuan and Han Ye, set against the backdrop of an inevitable power conflict between two founding noble families—Han and Di. The Han family rules over the Jing Kingdom, while the Di family, acting as its protector, also poses a threat to the imperial family's authority.

The story begins with Emperor Chang's imperial edict during the sixth year of his rule, ordering the execution of the Di family and its 80,000 soldiers due to their rebellion. Di Ziyuan, the daughter of the Marquis of Jing'an and previously betrothed as the Crown Princess by the late founding emperor in an attempt to unite the Han and Di families, is the lone survivor of the massacre. Subsequently, she is exiled to Mount Dai for life.

A decade later, assuming the identity of Ren Anle, a pirate leader, Di Ziyuan returns to the capital city with the goal of restoring the Di family's reputation, seeking justice for the deceased, and exacting revenge on the imperial Han family.

Crown Prince Han Ye, determined to fulfill the late emperor's edict by making Ziyuan his Crown Princess, embarks on a journey to the Southern Kingdom of Jing'an to quell the threat posed by the Dongqian pirates. His intention is to implore the emperor to lift Ziyuan's exile. During this mission, the Crown Prince crosses paths with Ren Anle, who defeats the Dongqian pirates using her naval forces.

Anle offers a dowry of 30,000 naval forces to become the Crown Princess. The emperor is delighted, as this gesture will strengthen the kingdom. Despite being enchanted by Anle's charm, beauty, and wit, the Crown Prince refuses her offer. His heart is set on making Di Ziyuan his Crown Princess. Nevertheless, Anle persists in her efforts to win the Crown Prince's affection.

In recognition of Anle's heroic accomplishments in defeating the Dongqian pirates—a significant southern threat—the emperor appoints her to a strategic position. In this role, she collaborates closely with the Crown Prince to uncover corruption among government officials, rectify injustices in favor of the underprivileged, and thereby enhance the emperor's reputation as a just and wise ruler. Throughout this process, a profound emotional connection blossoms between the Crown Prince and Anle, leading them to fall in love.

Luo Mingxi, the minister of justice, has been a supporter of Anle/Ziyuan since her exile. He orchestrates Ziyuan's replacement on Mount Dai and aids Ziyuan's transformation into Ren Anle. However, he grows concerned that Anle might waver due to her emotional attachment to the Crown Prince. Anle, however, assures him that the Crown Prince can be a useful tool for her revenge.

Anle successfully persuades the emperor to allow Ziyuan to return to the capital city and compete for the position of Crown Princess. She highlights that the Crown Prince, now of marriageable age, has been rejecting other potential matches and is likely to choose her as his Crown Princess due to their blossoming affection.

In due course, Princess Anning, who bravely defended the North from the Qing Empire's threat, returned to the capital. She quickly forms a bond with Anle. Like the Crown Prince, Princess Anning is a childhood friend of Ziyuan and is deeply affected by the massacre of the Di family and their soldiers. While the Crown Prince believes there is evidence of rebellion, Princess Anning possesses more knowledge but chooses to remain silent.

Ultimately, Anle reveals her true identity as Di Ziyuan during the confirmation ceremony of Di Cheng'en (the name given to the exiled Ziyuan upon her return) as the Crown Princess. This event coincides with Dowager Empress Yujun's 60th birthday celebration, the widow of the late Emperor Zian, and the mother of Emperor Chang. Two crucial witnesses from the Di and Han armies come forward seeking justice for the false accusation of Marquis Di Yongying's treason and the resulting deaths of 80,000 soldiers. Their testimonies unveil the troop movement to the capital, prompted by an imperial letter. The emperor denies writing the letter. It is revealed that the Dowager Empress, confirmed by Princess Anning's testimony, was the author of the letter, acting on behalf of Emperor Chang to eliminate the throne's threat. Despite admitting guilt, the Dowager Empress shows no remorse, asserting her actions brought peace and prosperity. She then commits suicide.

The exposure of these crimes forces Emperor Chang, urged by the imperial court and public demand for justice, to restore the Di family's reputation and honor the memory of the soldiers. The emperor publicly apologizes to rectify the injustice.

Tragically, this revelation strains the relationship between the Crown Prince and Ziyuan. Despite their love, the weight of the injustice inflicted by the Han family upon the Di family, particularly the wrongful deaths of 80,000 soldiers, makes it challenging for them to remain together. With heavy hearts, they opt to lead separate lives—Ye continues his role as a virtuous and wise Crown Prince, while Ziyuan returns to Jing'an, committed to protecting and defending the kingdom.

Seizing an opportunity amidst the kingdom's moral decline caused by internal struggles, the Northern Qin Kingdom, which had placed spies during times of peace, infiltrates high-ranking officials and stations Qi Prince Leng Bei as General Anning's bodyguard. Staging the death of Qin Princess Mo Shuang who participated in the search for the Crown Princess, they declare war and attack the weakened kingdom. General Anning, also a princess of the kingdom, returns to the North to defend the borders.

The emperor assigns the task of leading the army to reinforce General Anning's forces to the Crown Prince and Mingxi. Ziyuan's Di army marches North to aid General Anning in repelling the invaders. During their journey, Ziyuan's forces are ambushed. The Crown Prince and Ziyuan both receive intelligence about Ziyuan's dire situation. The Crown Prince and his troops change course to assist Ziyuan, while Mingxi orders his troops to do the same. Regrettably, this diversion results in the abandonment of General Anning, who subsequently falls to the overwhelming enemy forces. Consequently, Mingxi faces a court-martial and is executed to maintain soldier morale for the impending battle. Devastated by Mingxi's death, Ziyuan leads her army to recapture the lost cities and defeat the Qin invaders. However, Emperor Chang resorts to sending assassins to eliminate Ziyuan due to his fear of her growing influence and potential threat to his rule and the Crown Prince's position.

In the final showdown with the Qin, the Crown Prince outsmarts the emperor's assassins and Prince Leng Bei by arranging a meeting with Ziyuan (she visits Mingxi who is alive as the execution is staged by the Crown Prince) at strategic Mount Qingnan. He convinces the assassins to join forces with him against the Qin army. Tragically, although the Crown Prince emerges victorious, he sustains grievous injuries and plunges off a cliff. By the time Ziyuan arrives, it is too late to save him.

Ziyuan is deeply affected by the loss of the Crown Prince and remains comatose for days. When she finally awakens, her hair has turned white. However, she discovers that her long-lost younger brother, Di Jinyang, was saved by the Crown Prince and has become his assistant, Wen Shou. Ziyuan has grown fond of Wen Shou since her arrival in the capital. Upon learning Wen Shou's true identity, Emperor Chang decides to separate the two. Ziyuan assures the emperor that the Di family poses no threat to imperial power. Ziyuan and her brother meet their Grand Aunt, Di Shengtian, one of the founders of the Jing kingdom, at Fuling Mountain.

When the emperor becomes aware of their visit, he goes to see Di Shengtian to confirm something. He has long believed that his father, Emperor Zian, and Shengtian chose Yongying to lead the kingdom, as he was seen as a better leader. However, Shengtian reveals to him that the reason she did not claim power after the massacre of the Di family was that she had promised the late emperor she would never set foot in the capital and seize control. This promise is sealed with a letter hidden in the late emperor’s sword. When the emperor reads the letter left by Shengtian, he realizes the extent of his wrongdoing.

The Crown Prince survives and is taken care of by the Qin Princess Mo Shuang. However, he turns blind. He returns home and seeks healing from Di Shengtian. When Ziyuan hears about it, she rushes to Fuling Mountain to nurse the Crown Prince as a mute servant. However, the Crown Prince ignores her even though he already knows her identity. But Ziyuan is determined to help him regain his sight.

Mingxi delivers the Flower of Longing, which is rare in the capital, to Shengtian. Ziyuan fails to make it grow, as it can cure the Crown Prince's blindness. The flower symbolizes the care and love of Linlang towards Mingxi, who had saved and supported her. Unfortunately, Linlang is killed while defending Mingxi from an assault by Leng Bei, who was later captured by Ziyuan and the palace guards.

Mingxi is given a pendant by Zuyian's father, with instructions to take care of Ziyuan as his future bride. However, the edict issued by the late emperor renders this promise powerless. Nevertheless, Mingxi continues to care for Ziyuan and even tells her a lie about his father's words. Mingxi understands Ziyuan's deep affection for the Crown Prince. With this knowledge, he presents the Flower of Longing to heal the Crown Prince.

Di Shengtian tells the Crown Prince about her relationship with his grandfather, Emperor Zian, and how their stubbornness to part ways, even though they were in love, led to the bloody massacre of the Di family. She wishes him not to repeat their mistakes. But the Crown Prince still thinks that leading separate lives will better protect Ziyuan, as the burden of being a part of the Di family serving the Han family is unbearable to carry.

Mingxi and Ziyuan are set to get married. Crown Prince Ye regains his sight, but he refuses to attend the wedding. He is convinced that Mingxi is the better man for his beloved Ziyuan. In the end, he rushes to the wedding to stop it, using the edict of the late Emperor Han Zian to claim Ziyuan as his Crown Princess. To his surprise, it is not the wedding of Mingxi and Zuyian. Instead, it is the wedding of Wen Shuo and Yuan Qin. Eventually, Ye and Ziyuan marry and rule the Jin kingdom with justice, prosperity, and peace.

"The Legend of Anle," like other Chinese historical drama movies, not only showcases China’s rich culture, traditions, and history with its beautiful traditional cities, dresses, and customs, highlighting its magnificent mountains and natural gardens, but also explores universal themes such as love, conflict, sacrifice, and triumph, making them relatable across cultures. This shared human experience creates a sense of connection and empathy.

The narrative particularly delves into the political struggles that transpired during the nation's birth, vividly portraying the internal conflicts among members of the imperial court. It skillfully depicts the corrupting influence that accompanies absolute power and the intricate dynamics of the "game of thrones." Additionally, the story serves as a reminder of the peril posed by internal discord, which can be exploited by external forces to instigate war. Furthermore, the narrative extensively explores political intrigues, nobles' gossip, and the pervasive corruption among government officials, among other compelling themes.