[1] As such, it is believed to be among the most expensive TV series in Chinese history,[2] beating the previous record of ¥280 million by Heroes in Sui and Tang Dynasties (2013).

During Tang dynasty's 2nd reign, Wu Ruyi (Fan Bingbing) enters the palace at age 14 as an innocent Cairen (Talented Lady) and aspires to serve Emperor Taizong (Zhang Fengyi) as his consort.

The Emperor Taizong soon takes notice of her and falls in love with her due to her resemblance to Empress Wende.

She survives by her wits and intelligence but is kept at arm's length by Emperor Taizong due to a prophecy foretelling a woman of Wu stealing the Tang dynasty.

Using that knowledge, she helped Li Zhi take back power from his Regent, and herself into the position of Empress meanwhile avenging her daughter's death.

Wu Hongliang, one of the producers, said the crew had more than 600 people, shooting lasted for almost 10 months, and several writers worked on the script for three years.

The crew went to great lengths to recreate the ancient capital of Chang’an, as well as the grand and imposing imperial palace of the Tang dynasty.

Considering the cost recovery and the busy post-production schedule, the production company invited the native composer Dong Dongdong.

[citation needed] The opening song was called Qian Qiu (Chinese: 千秋; lit.

The closing theme song was called Wu Zi Bei (Chinese: 无字碑; lit.

For TVB's broadcast in Hong Kong, the opening song was called The Empress (Chinese: 女皇), sung by Joey Yung.

Hunan Television said on its official Sina Weibo account that the TV drama will stop from Sunday on due to 'technical' reasons but will return to the screen on January 1, 2015.

[citation needed] Hong Kong free-to-air channel TVB Jade began broadcast of the drama on April 26, 2015.

The audiences praised the beautiful costume, but complained about the slow narrative rhythm[22] and said the plot turns dramatically without foreshadowing, as it's broken and not linked well at all.