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Season 1 – The Rise of Phoenixes

Play trailer Poster for Season 1 – The Rise of Phoenixes Sep 2018 Drama Romance Play Trailer Watchlist
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Ning Yi is the calculating, ambitious sixth prince of the ruling kingdom but has learned to hide his true personality behind a carefree facade after corrupt officials charge his mother with high treason. Over the course of the next decade, Ning Yi establishes a secret information network and waits for the perfect opportunity to strike down his enemies and overturn the charges against his mother. He befriends Feng Zhiwei, who remains loyal to the reigning emperor until she is manipulated into thinking that the current kingdom was built upon the corpses of her loved ones. That leads her to take revenge against her enemies -- including her lover, Ning Yi.

Critics Reviews

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Joel Keller Decider 10/08/2018
If you're interested in the political intrigue and family dynamics involved in ancient Chinese dynasties, then The Rise of Phoenixes will be time well-spent. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Cynthia S @RT36227578 10/02/2023 Loved this series! Every plot was completely suspenseful and nerve racking! One tragedy after another - heartbreaking.... The only criticism I have, is that the ending could have been better. After so much sacrifice and sadness a happy ending would have been preferable. See more 07/02/2021 The Rise of Phoenixes. It's one of the best historical chinesse drama i've ever watched. And the fact is.. you will not have time to feel dissapointed about this drama in every episodes. What a deeply, smart, and conflicted historical drama. It is very recommended historical chinesse drama. See more 05/09/2021 Another actor good in this show is xin ziyan. He is always on support role but definitely a very experienced actor. Another show you can see his good performance that is similar to this is legend of miyue. See more 05/09/2021 My favorite and best show I have ever seen. There are a lot of episodes. You have to read subtitles, unless you know mandarin. Remember at the start there are a few flashback scenes. Don't worry if you don't catch everything. You will understand the main story. And don't worry if you can't (always) remember all of the character (multiple) names. See more 10/26/2020 Exceptional series, incredible acting and cinematography Heavy and beautiful exploring human nature, love and hate, manipulations and intrigue keeping the viewer on the edge The actors are magnificent and their dedication for the characters they are impersonating is exquisite, there is no flaw in their acting One of the best series available See more 09/25/2020 It's so good I couldn't stop watching. Gu Nanyi <3 See more Read all reviews
The Rise of Phoenixes — Season 1

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Episodes

Episode 1 Aired Sep 14, 2018 Episode 1 Wary of a power struggle, the Tiansheng emperor decides to send away Ning Yi, who spends his days weaving silk and ruing a traumatic event in his past. Details Episode 2 Aired Sep 14, 2018 Episode 2 Feng Zhiwei intervenes when Madam Yuhua bullies courtesan Zhu Yin; an assassination stirs the court; the other princes see Ning Yi as a growing threat. Details Episode 3 Aired Sep 14, 2018 Episode 3 Ning Yi keeps up his disguise when Zhiwei arrives at the Prince of Chu's residence; Zhiwei is forced by her mother to swear she'll never marry Ning Yi. Details Episode 4 Aired Sep 14, 2018 Episode 4 The emperor confronts his sons about the rumors regarding the Dacheng prince; Yuhua suspects a link between Zhiwei and the fallen Dacheng Empire. Details Episode 5 Aired Sep 14, 2018 Episode 5 Following Ning Chuan's campaign against the Bloody Pagoda, the suspicious emperor appoints Ning YI to investigate -- but Chief Gu's cooperation is key. Details Episode 6 Aired Sep 14, 2018 Episode 6 Chief Gu uncovers the conspiracy behind the Bloody Pagoda; Madam Yuhua goes to town and hears a story about Gu Heng and the infant Dacheng prince. Details Episode 7 Aired Sep 14, 2018 Episode 7 Ning Yi finds the document inscribed with information about Zhiwei and Feng Hao's identities; Qiu Shangqi sends out a search party to catch Zhiwei. Details Episode 8 Aired Sep 14, 2018 Episode 8 After making a fateful pact, Chief Gu and Ning Yi involve Qiu Shangqi and Qiu Mingying in a scheme to ensnare Ning Chuan. Details Episode 9 Aired Sep 14, 2018 Episode 9 Zhu Yin helps Ning Yi get to the bottom of the killings linked to the Bloody Pagoda; Headmaster Xin suggests a ploy for Ning Chuan to test Ning yan. Details Episode 10 Aired Sep 14, 2018 Episode 10 Ning Chuan reveals to Headmaster Xin his plans to overpower Duke Chang; disguised as a man, Zhiwei begins work at the House of Lanxiang. Details Episode 11 Aired Sep 14, 2018 Episode 11 Ning Yan falls for Headmaster Xin's sorcery trick, confirming Ning Chuan's suspicions -- and Headmaster Xin increasingly gains Ning Chuan's trust. Details Episode 12 Aired Sep 14, 2018 Episode 12 Zhi Yin and Zhiwei suspect a plot by Ning Chuan to poison Ning Yi, but the emperor also falls ill; Duke Chang struggles to regain Ning Chuan's trust. Details Episode 13 Aired Sep 14, 2018 Episode 13 A mysterious new bodyguard stalks Zhiwei; Ning Yi sends Zhiwei to the East Palace to swap an artifact, resulting in grave consequences for Ning Yan. Details Episode 14 Aired Sep 14, 2018 Episode 14 Ning Yi confronts Ning Yan about his role in Ning Qiao's downfall; Ning Sheng suspects Ning Yi is involved in the scandal surrounding the wooden figure. Details Episode 15 Aired Sep 14, 2018 Episode 15 Headmaster Xin brings the sorcerer to Ning Yan, but an imposter hides behind the mask; the guilt-ridden emperor scrutinizes Ning Chuan's story. Details Episode 16 Aired Sep 21, 2018 Episode 16 Princess Shao Ning complains to Ning Chuan about her encounters at Qingming Academy; Ning Yi struggles to solve the mystery behind his illness. Details Episode 17 Aired Sep 21, 2018 Episode 17 Ning Chuan sees the ring on Zhao Yuan and thinks it's a trap; Ning Yi orders his men to find Zhiwei, but Duke Chang is a step ahead. Details Episode 18 Aired Sep 21, 2018 Episode 18 Ning Chuan plans a staged Bloody Pagoda assassination, but a counterscheme is in motion; Zhiwei appears at the imperial ceremony to select top scholars. Details Episode 19 Aired Sep 21, 2018 Episode 19 At court, Chief Gu reveals Ning Chuan's Bloody Pagoda connections; disillusioned with Ning Yi, Zhiwei ingratiates herself with the emperor. Details Episode 20 Aired Sep 21, 2018 Episode 20 The emperor gets to the bottom of Ning Qiao's case; Shao Ning unknowingly helps Zhiwei identify the culprit behind an attempt to poison Ning Yi. Details Episode 21 Aired Sep 21, 2018 Episode 21 Ning Yi warns Zhiwei about the Chang clan and confronts the emperor over his mother's death; Duke Chang and Ning Sheng try to conspire with Ning Chuan. Details Episode 22 Aired Sep 21, 2018 Episode 22 Ning Yi anticipates Duke Chang and Ning Chuan's next move; Zhiwei struggles to convince Ning Yi to spare Ning Chuan's life. Details Episode 23 Aired Sep 21, 2018 Episode 23 The courtiers pass verdict on Duke Chang's fate, but Ning Yi takes matters into his own hands; Shao Ning asks Qiu Shangqi about Zhiwei's past. Details Episode 24 Aired Sep 21, 2018 Episode 24 With Ning Yi's help, Zhiwei forces Qiu Shangqi to retract his ultimatum and cave into her demands; Shao Ning is determined to avenge Ning Chuan. Details Episode 25 Aired Sep 21, 2018 Episode 25 Ning Qi's return worries his mother, Lady Wang; Zhiwei comes up with a solution when Ning Qi expresses concerns about the horse market to the emperor. Details Episode 26 Aired Sep 21, 2018 Episode 26 Suspecting intrigue, Ning Yi secretly sends a crew to capture corsair Chen Shao, who's accused of assassinating courtier Lin Renqi. Details Episode 27 Aired Sep 21, 2018 Episode 27 Qiu Mingying pressures Zhiwei to resign from the court; Ning Yi helps Ning Qi realize that he's become Ning Sheng's scapegoat in the Chen Shao case. Details Episode 28 Aired Sep 21, 2018 Episode 28 Zhiwei encounters Helian Zheng on her way back to the Qiu household; Chen Shao tells Ning Yi how he became a mercenary of the corrupt Lord of Minhai. Details Episode 29 Aired Sep 21, 2018 Episode 29 Posing as Ning Yi, Ning Sheng uses Noble Consort Chang's hairpiece to deceive Zhan Bi, whom Ning Yi confronts about the death of his mother, Ya Le. Details Episode 30 Aired Sep 21, 2018 Episode 30 Zhan Bi falls for Ning Sheng's plot to dishonor Ning Yi in front of the emperor, but the scheme backfires when Zhiwei intervenes. Details Episode 31 Aired Sep 28, 2018 Episode 31 Helian Zheng tells Ning Yi he intends to ask for Zhiwei's hand in marriage -- right in front of Wei Zhi; Zhiwei urges Shao Ning to keep a low profile. Details Episode 32 Aired Sep 28, 2018 Episode 32 As the Censorate chief, Ning Yi presents to the emperor evidence incriminating Lord of Minhai in Lin Renqi's case -- but Chen Shao ruins his plan. Details Episode 33 Aired Sep 28, 2018 Episode 33 Zhiwei objects when Lord of Minhai asks the emperor for permission to train Ning Sheng; Headmaster Xin aims to put distance between Ning Yi and Zhiwei. Details Episode 34 Aired Sep 28, 2018 Episode 34 Ning Yi brings up Lin Renqi's case when the emperor mentions Lord of Minhai's return to his dominion; Shao Ning suspects Ning Yi caused the blood marks. Details Episode 35 Aired Sep 28, 2018 Episode 35 Shao Ning and Noble Consort Chang collude to keep Lady Wang silent about a past scheme against Ya Le; Wei Zhi is asked to guard the golden box. Details Episode 36 Aired Sep 28, 2018 Episode 36 Helian Zheng discovers Wei Zhi's secret; Zhao Yuan reports to the emperor that Shao Ning has been orbiting around Noble Consort Chang and Ning Sheng. Details Episode 37 Aired Sep 28, 2018 Episode 37 Ning Yi visits Ya Le's old home, Yilan Palace, and encounters a former servant; Noble Consort Chang arrives soon after -- and thinks she's seen a ghost. Details Episode 38 Aired Sep 28, 2018 Episode 38 During an imperial gift ceremony, Lady Wang is agitated by false accusations -- and Ning Yi seizes the chance to reveal the truth about Ya Le's death. Details Episode 39 Aired Sep 28, 2018 Episode 39 After Ning Sheng fails to access the golden box, Shao Ning and Peng Pei plant another distraction -- but someone else lurks in the shadows. Details Episode 40 Aired Sep 28, 2018 Episode 40 Ning Yi gets wind of Ning Sheng's charade -- and a plan to take Wei Zhi's life; Shao Ning swaps the emperor's scroll, falling for Ning Yi's trap. Details Episode 41 Aired Sep 28, 2018 Episode 41 Wei Zhi advises the emperor to send an envoy to Minhai; Shao Ning asks Ning Qi to help her obtain the emperor's approval to wed Wei Zhi. Details Episode 42 Aired Sep 28, 2018 Episode 42 Headmaster Xin scrambles to keep Wei Zhi from blowing her cover; after rejecting Shao Ning's proposal, Wei Zhi makes a shocking revelation at court. Details Episode 43 Aired Sep 28, 2018 Episode 43 As Zhiwei's execution looms, Qiu Mingying draws up a dangerous rescue plan with the Bloody Pagoda, but Ning Yi intervenes just in time. Details Episode 44 Aired Sep 28, 2018 Episode 44 Ning Yi sends Qiu Mingying a message through Chief Gu; against her father's orders, the Chang brothers set out to block Ning Yi's arrival in Minhai. Details Episode 45 Aired Sep 28, 2018 Episode 45 Chang Zhongxin sets a trap for his brother, Zhongyi, and turns against his own father; Feng Hao steals an artifact from Qiu Mingying's closet. Details Episode 46 Aired Oct 5, 2018 Episode 46 Zhongxin puts on an act to cover up his crime and prepares his troops for a rebellion. Zhiwei encounters Yan Huaishi's fiancée, Hua Qiong. Details Episode 47 Aired Oct 5, 2018 Episode 47 Zhongxin takes advantage of Ning Yi's illness to put his plan in motion, but Yan Huaishi convinces Zhou Xizhong to help thwart Zhongxin's ambitions. Details Episode 48 Aired Oct 5, 2018 Episode 48 After Feng Hao escapes from jail, Peng Pei seeks information on the Qiu family's link to the former dynasty -- and reports his suspicions to Ning Qi. Details Episode 49 Aired Oct 5, 2018 Episode 49 After confronting Qiu Mingying about Feng Hao's identity, Headmaster Xin falls for Ning Qi and Peng Pei's trap, and Qiu Mingying is apprehended. Details Episode 50 Aired Oct 5, 2018 Episode 50 Ning Qi orders his men to capture Master Zong. Qiu Mingying tells Headmaster Xin the only way to protect Zhiwei is to sacrifice herself and Feng Hao. Details Episode 51 Aired Oct 5, 2018 Episode 51 Zhiwei forces her way into the emperor's court to defend her family; Ning Yi arrives soon after and implores the emperor to spare Zhiwei's life. Details Episode 52 Aired Oct 5, 2018 Episode 52 Master Zong tells Zhiwei the truth about her birth origins; to protect Zhiwei, Ning Yi gives the emperor a life-or-death ultimatum. Details Episode 53 Aired Oct 5, 2018 Episode 53 After granting permission for Helian Zheng to marry Zhiwei and return to Jinshi, the emperor orders Ning Yi to accompany them on the way. Details Episode 54 Aired Oct 5, 2018 Episode 54 Ning Yi meets with the prince of Dayue with a proposal for an alliance; the emperor orders Gu Heng to keep a close eye on Ning Qi and Peng Pei. Details Episode 55 Aired Oct 5, 2018 Episode 55 Helian Zheng confronts Helian Lie with an edict to dispute the succession, but Liu Mudan intervenes; Ning Yi investigates the Liu and Si families' past. Details Episode 56 Aired Oct 5, 2018 Episode 56 Ning Yi frees a prisoner in order to help Zhiwei and Helian Zheng; Ning Qi orders fragrance-maker Yueling to replicate the emperor's incense box. Details Episode 57 Aired Oct 5, 2018 Episode 57 Zhiwei grabs Liu Meiduo's sleeve and foils Helian Lie's plot against her and Ning Yi; Helian Zheng learns the truth about his father's death. Details Episode 58 Aired Oct 5, 2018 Episode 58 Yueling steals a talisman from Ning Sheng's box before handing it to Ning Qi; unrest in Jinshi interrupts Zhiwei and Helian Zheng's nuptials. Details Episode 59 Aired Oct 5, 2018 Episode 59 Yueling overhears the emperor's conversation with Lingying, Ya Le's former servant; Ning Qi uses Shao Ning to frame Ning Yi. Details Episode 60 Aired Oct 5, 2018 Episode 60 Ning Yi finds a way out of Zongzheng Temple and takes Lingying with him; to ferret out the real Zhiwei, Jin Siyu makes a deal with Zhiwei and Hua Qiong. Details Episode 61 Aired Oct 12, 2018 Episode 61 Lingying tells Ning Yi a secret about his mother; Yueling hands the talisman to a man connected to the Dacheng Empire and schemes to expose Ning Qi. Details Episode 62 Aired Oct 12, 2018 Episode 62 Jin Siyu identifies the real Zhiwei; to aid in Zhiwei's escape from the Puyuan, Ning Yi asks Jiarong to deliver the map of a secret exit to Helian Zheng. Details Episode 63 Aired Oct 12, 2018 Episode 63 Zhiwei wakes up with little recollection, and Jin Siyu leads her to think she's his consort; Ning Yi demolishes Puyuan with his rescue plan. Details Episode 64 Aired Oct 12, 2018 Episode 64 The emperor refuses to grant Ya Le's wish to see Ning Yi and plans to make Ning Qi his successor; Yueling and Zhang Sunhong plot to undermine Ning Qi. Details Episode 65 Aired Oct 12, 2018 Episode 65 Ning Qi delivers gift chests to Ya Le's residence -- but it's a Trojan horse; Ning Cheng arrives at the scene and clashes with Master Zong. Details Episode 66 Aired Oct 12, 2018 Episode 66 After overhearing Zhang Sunhong and Ning Qi, Gu Nanyi takes matters into his own hands -- with fatal consequences; two murders stir the palace. Details Episode 67 Aired Oct 12, 2018 Episode 67 Zhiwei asks Zhang Sunhong to let go of the past; Headmaster Xin mentions Ning Qi's imminent revolt to Ning Ji, who doesn't intend to pursue the throne. Details Episode 68 Aired Oct 12, 2018 Episode 68 Flanked by courtiers, Ning Qi rounds up troops outside the emperor's room, but Ning Yi and Zhao Yuan walk through the gate with a shocking announcement. Details Episode 69 Aired Oct 12, 2018 Episode 69 Zhang Sunhong turns Zhiwei against Ning Yi, and Yueling leverages Ning Qi's grudge; Ning Cheng stops Zhiwei and Helian Zheng on their way to Jinshi. Details Episode 70 Aired Oct 12, 2018 Episode 70 Gu Nanyi asks Yueling to tell Zhiwei the truth about Helian Zheng's fate; Zhiwei accepts Ning Yi's offer to make her empress, but she has other plans. Details Episode 88 Aired May 7, 2025 When a secret from the past rears its head, respected warrior Feng Zhiwei is forced to choose between revenge and her loyalty to ruling prince Ning Yi. Details Episode 106 Aired May 27, 2025 When a secret from the past rears its head, respected warrior Feng Zhiwei is forced to choose between revenge and her loyalty to ruling prince Ning Yi. Details Episode 108 Aired May 29, 2025 When a secret from the past rears its head, respected warrior Feng Zhiwei is forced to choose between revenge and her loyalty to ruling prince Ning Yi. Details
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Season Info

Network
Netflix
Rating
TV-14
Genre
Drama, Romance
Original Language
Chinese
Release Date
Sep 14, 2018