The Story of Ming Lan cast and characters
知否知否应是绿肥红瘦 · Zhi Fou Zhi Fou Ying Shi Lü Fei Hong Shou
Who plays whom in The Story of Ming Lan, and how the 15 characters are connected. Identity reveals stay closed until you open them.
Main cast
How they are connected
Grouped around the main characters. Connections that give away a twist are hidden.
Sheng MinglanZhao Liying
Old Madam Sheng 盛老太太Played by Cao Cuifengrandmother
Sheng Hong 盛纮Played by Liu Junfather
Wei Shuyi 卫恕意Played by Liu Xiyuanmother
Sheng Molan 盛墨兰Played by Shi Shirival sisters
Xiaotao 小桃Played by Wang Ziweimaid
Gu TingyeFeng Shaofeng- Sheng Minglan 盛明兰Played by Zhao Liyingcourtship → marriage
Lady Qin 小秦氏Played by Wang Yinanstepmother
Zhu Manniang 朱曼娘Played by Li Yixiaoformer companion
Plot revealShow 1 hidden connection
- Lady Qin 小秦氏Played by Wang Yinanplots against him
Qi HengZhu Yilong- Sheng Minglan 盛明兰Played by Zhao Liyingfirst love
Princess Pingning 平宁郡主Played by Chen Jinmother
Sheng MolanShi Shi
Lin Qinshuang 林噙霜Played by Gao Lumother
Sheng RulanZhang Jianing
Wang Ruofu 王若弗Played by Liu Linmother
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Who's who
- Sheng Minglan (Zhao Liying): the sixth Sheng daughter, born to a concubine. She is observant, patient and much cleverer than she lets anyone see.
- Gu Tingye (Feng Shaofeng): the second son of the Marquis of Ningyuan's family, notorious for his past, who becomes a powerful general and pursues Minglan with real determination.
- Qi Heng (Zhu Yilong): the gentle son of Princess Pingning, Minglan's first love, who can't overcome his mother's objections.
- Old Madam Sheng (Cao Cuifen): Minglan's grandmother, a sharp, private woman who becomes her protector.
- Sheng Hong (Liu Jun): Minglan's father, a cautious official who values his career above everything.
- Madam Wang (Liu Lin): Sheng Hong's principal wife, hot-tempered and often outwitted.
- Concubine Lin (Gao Lu): Sheng Hong's favorite, a manipulative woman who has Sheng Hong's ear.
- Sheng Molan (Shi Shi): Concubine Lin's daughter, as ambitious as her mother.
- Sheng Rulan (Zhang Jianing): Madam Wang's spoiled but loyal daughter, Minglan's closest sister.
- Lady Qin (Wang Yinan): Gu Tingye's stepmother, a gentle face hiding long-term plans.
Identity Reveals
Ending spoilerShow identity reveals
There are no hidden identities in the fantasy sense, but the drama keeps several secrets. The truth about how Minglan's mother died, and who blocked help from reaching her, drives much of Minglan's long game against Concubine Lin. Lady Qin's kindness toward Gu Tingye turns out to be a long-running cover for schemes on behalf of her own son. And the final reveal is political: Gu Tingye's disgrace and reported death were a trap.