Tencent Video is poised to launch a major historical drama in 2026, Against The Current (兰香如故), a series already stirring excitement among genre enthusiasts. Headlined by the talented Tan Songyun (谭松韵) and Liu Xueyi (刘学义), the story springs from the novel Lan Xiang Yuan (兰香缘) by renowned author Tong Hua (桐华), celebrated for crafting intense emotional and political narratives. This production immerses viewers in the Ming Dynasty, with sets and costumes rigorously designed to reflect historical accuracy, including dozens of exquisite, hand-stitched garments. It presents a compelling narrative of a privileged woman’s catastrophic fall and her clandestine struggle for justice and love, all while living under a borrowed identity. The combination of a revered source material, a dedicated cast, and visual splendor sets the stage for a memorable viewing experience.
Star-Studded Ensemble
Tan Songyun takes on the demanding dual role of Shen Jialan (沈嘉兰), the cherished granddaughter of a Grand Secretary, and later, the unassuming maid Xu Lanxiang (许兰香). Her performance traces a heartbreaking arc from opulent comfort to gritty survival, requiring her to masterfully depict both dignified grace and concealed intellect. The audience witnesses her character's inner strength as she endures the humiliation of servitude while secretly plotting a comeback. This transformation is central to the drama’s emotional pull.
Portraying Lin Jinqi (林锦岐), Liu Xueyi embodies a man initially bound by cold familial pragmatism. His decision to break an engagement for political safety marks him as an antagonist, yet the script gradually unravels his layers, revealing regret and a desperate need for atonement. His chemistry with Tan Songyun becomes a driving force, creating a tense push-and-pull dynamic that evolves from misunderstanding to a complex, fraught connection. Their scenes together promise to be a highlight, charged with unspoken history and burgeoning feeling.
The supporting cast adds rich texture to the world. Li Meng (李梦) enters as Zhao Xingtang (赵星棠), a captivating figure whose unpredictable nature spices up the courtly intrigues. Zheng Hehuizi (郑合惠子) plays Du Cuique (杜翠雀), a general's daughter whose spirited presence offers a different kind of female agency. Familiar performers like Niu Junfeng (牛骏峰) and Ye Qing (叶青) provide grounded performances, while Kong Lianshun (孔连顺) in a special dual role underscores the political stakes hovering over the personal drama.
This careful assembly of actors ensures every subplot resonates. From the subtle malice of a housekeeper to the conflicted loyalty of a servant, each character feels integral. The cast’s collective skill transforms the Lin household from a mere setting into a living, breathing ecosystem of power and emotion, where every glance and whisper carries weight.
Power and Survival
The narrative begins with Shen Jialan’s perfect world shattering. After her family is falsely accused of treason and exterminated, she is rescued by former family servants who give her the identity of their deceased daughter, Xu Lanxiang. Thrust into the Lin household as a lowly maid, she must instantly shed all traces of her noble upbringing. The daily grind of servitude, coupled with the constant fear of discovery, forms the crucible in which her new identity is forged. This stark premise sets up a relentless undercover mission within the very walls of a family that once betrayed her.
Life as a maid is fraught with peril. Shen Jialan, now Xu Lanxiang, faces suspicion from overseers and jealousy from other servants. Each day is a tactical exercise in humility and observation. She learns to navigate the intricate social hierarchy of the estate, using her innate education and wit to solve problems and avoid pitfalls. Small victories, like gaining a modest favor or overhearing a crucial conversation, become significant triumphs in her silent war for vindication.
Complicating her mission are inevitable encounters with Lin Jinqi, her former fiance. He moves through the halls with authority, oblivious to the true identity of the quiet maid serving him. These moments are loaded with dramatic irony and visceral pain for Shen Jialan, who must swallow her pride and history. Their dynamic creates a fascinating study in perspective and hidden knowledge, laying groundwork for the intense reckoning to come.
Her journey is ultimately one of reclamation. Through patience and intelligence, she not only gathers evidence to clear her family’s name but also earns unexpected respect within the Lin family. The story avoids simple revenge, instead focusing on strategic perseverance and personal growth. Her final ascent to a position of power and influence is a testament to resilience, offering a satisfying conclusion where she masters the very systems that once sought to destroy her.
