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The Shadow Sovereign

The Shadow Sovereign
★ 8.0/10•2026•PG13•Drama
Similars

A low-born scholar rises to power to avenge his father, only to find an unexpected alliance and deep love with the defiant princess he once vowed to destroy.

Deng Zhanneng · Director

Chu Chu · Screenplay

StatusEnded
LanguageZH
First Air DateJul 23, 2026

Episodes

Episode 1 - The Beautiful Man turns into the Top ScholarE132m

The Beautiful Man turns into the Top Scholar

Princess Zhaoyang, acting on the Crown Prince's orders, destroys the examination papers of humble scholars, cutting off their path to official office. Left with no other choice, the humble scholar Shen Xiao disguises himself as a courtesan to approach Zhaoyang in the hope of securing her recommendation.

Jul 23, 2026

Episode 2 - Impeachment in CourtE225m

Impeachment in Court

At the Scholar's Banquet, the new Top Scholar, Shen Xiao, impeaches Zhaoyang for being extravagant and suggests the Crown Prince take charge of repairing the Yongtong Canal for disaster relief. The suggestion is accepted by His Majesty.

Jul 23, 2026

Episode 3 - Kill Three Birds with One StoneE323m

Kill Three Birds with One Stone

The Crown Prince is furious at Zhaoyang because of the Yontong Canal. To ease the Crown Prince's suspicions, Zhaoyang proposes a plan for him to replace money with grains. Not only can she use this chance to drive a wedge between the Crown Prince and the Second Prince, but she can also use this chance to eliminate Qing Luo, the mistress who set her up.

Jul 23, 2026

Episode 4 - Princess from the Cold PalaceE424m

Princess from the Cold Palace

Shen Xiao learns from the Recluse Le Sheng that Zhaoyang once struggled to survive in the Cold Palace, leaving him even more intrigued by her. As he honors his promise to spend every night with Zhaoyang, he finds himself relentlessly pursued by Princess An Le.

Jul 24, 2026

Episode 5 - Your Highness, Will You Protect Me?E523m

Your Highness, Will You Protect Me?

Shen Xiao mourns his father. Zhaoyang hints that his father's death is suspicious. Shen Xiao decides to investigate the truth.

Jul 24, 2026

Episode 6 - Private Treasury Break-InsE625m

Private Treasury Break-Ins

Shen Xiao notices that the Crown Prince is pocketing the grains given for the canal repair. He decides to investigate the Crown Prince's private treasury.

Jul 25, 2026

Episode 7 - More than a Male CompanionE729m

More than a Male Companion

When Shen Xiao finds out about the past between Zhaoyang and Cui Jinzhi, he understands that the marriage is out of self-preservation. The Seventh Prince returns to the capital and gains favor from the Emperor with three gifts. It sends the Crown Prince's faction on alert.

Jul 25, 2026

Episode 8 - Blade and TrapE825m

Blade and Trap

Ordered by the Emperor to lead the grain donation effort, Zhaoyang finds herself caught between a rock and a hard place. To get out of the predicament, she devises a scheme that provokes Shen Xiao into seizing the grain.

Jul 26, 2026

Episode 9 - If I Die, Will You Mourn Me?E927m

If I Die, Will You Mourn Me?

Shen Xiao is thrown into prison, and the Second Prince shifts the blame onto him to protect himself. To clear her own name, Zhaoyang is ordered by the Eastern Palace to enter the prison and silence Shen Xiao forever.

Jul 26, 2026

Episode 10 - The Princess Is ImprisonedE1030m

The Princess Is Imprisoned

Shen Xiao knows that Le Sheng is the Seventh Prince. He also finds out that Zhaoyang is the person who's secretly funding those from humble families. Zhaoyang admits it and gives Shen Xiao a hint about where the Crown Prince's granary is.

Jul 28, 2026

Episode 11 - Before Falling Off the CliffE1129m

Before Falling Off the Cliff

Cui Jinzhi finds out that the Crown Prince is planning to silence Zhaoyang. He then intervenes to save her and take the blame for the crime. The Yongtong Canal is finally completed. Zhaoyang, Shen Xiao, and the Seventh Prince have officially formed an alliance.

Jul 29, 2026

Episode 12 - Letting You Use Me Was My Own ChoiceE1229m

Letting You Use Me Was My Own Choice

Zhaoyang and Shen Xiao survive a fall from a cliff. On a rainy night, they finally confess their feelings to each other. After learning of Zhaoyang's fall, Cui Jinzhi realizes his feelings for her. After nearly losing her, he tries to repair their marriage.

Jul 30, 2026

Episode 13 - No Dignity LeftE1327m

No Dignity Left

Shen Xiao and Le Sheng trespass into the Princess Residence to rescue Zhaoyang. Realizing she can't just sit back and await her fate, Zhaoyang decides to enter the palace at night to meet the emperor.

Jul 31, 2026

Episode 14 - Shen Xiao, I Found You a Good MarriageE1425m

Shen Xiao, I Found You a Good Marriage

To maintain the Cui family's support, the Crown Prince forces his younger sister, Princess An Le to marry Cui Jinzhi.

Aug 1, 2026

Episode 15 - Levee BreachE1525m

Levee Breach

The levee repaired by the Crown Prince is breached. Zhaoyang sees it as an opportunity to get rid of him. Shen Xiao prioritizes the flood victims. Both of them argue over this.

Aug 2, 2026

Episode 16 - Refusing the MarriageE1625m

Refusing the Marriage

Shen Xiao defies the imperial decree by refusing the marriage and requests a demotion, volunteering to accompany the Seventh Prince to the Yellow River to tackle the flood crisis.

Aug 4, 2026

Episode 17 - Faking His DeathE1731m

Faking His Death

An Le poisons Emperor Zheng Yuan to help the Crown Prince take over the throne. Cui Jinzhi confines Zhaoyang and tells her that Shen Xiao is dead. Zhaoyang tries to escape but is surrounded by the Crown Prince's troops.

Aug 5, 2026

Episode 18 - The Dust Hasn't SettledE1829m

The Dust Hasn't Settled

Emperor Zheng Yuan appoints the Seventh Prince as the Crown Prince. The noble families try to kill Shen Xiao by accusing him of forging an edict.

Aug 6, 2026

Actors

Li Hongyi

Li Hongyi

Shen Xiao

Kong Xue'er

Kong Xue'er

Princess Zhaoyang

Liu Xuwei

Liu Xuwei

Cui Jinzhi

Hana Lin

Hana Lin

Princess Anle

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