Princess Shang (尚公主) Confirms October 23 Premiere — Meng Ziyi and Li Yunrui Reunite in Historical Romance

Well, this is one reunion historical romance fans have been waiting for.

Meng Ziyi (孟子义) and Li Yunrui (李昀锐) are reuniting in Princess Shang (尚公主), officially scheduled to premiere on October 23, 2026, exclusively on Tencent Video in China.

Tencent Video and the drama's official account confirmed the date on October 17, releasing a new trailer and promotional posters introducing the two leads and their intertwined destinies.

For viewers who enjoyed their pairing in Blossom (九重紫), this announcement offers another chance to see the actors share the screen—this time in a story involving a powerful princess, an ambitious scholar, and the political maneuvering that comes with falling in love in the imperial world.

And judging by the premise, neither character plans to sit quietly while other people decide their future.

Meng Ziyi and Li Yunrui Reunite After Blossom

One of the biggest attractions of Princess Shang is its leading pair.

Meng Ziyi plays Mu Wanyao (暮晚摇), a princess navigating a world where status brings power but certainly doesn't guarantee freedom.

Li Yunrui portrays Yan Shang (言尚), a scholar from a humble background determined to make his way into the political establishment.

Their social positions are dramatically different, but the story brings them together as their ambitions and personal circumstances become increasingly connected.

After their memorable pairing in Blossom, the reunion naturally creates expectations for another compelling romantic partnership.

Of course, familiar chemistry is a promising starting point. What matters is whether the new story gives that chemistry enough room to develop.

What Is Princess Shang About?

Adapted from the novel Shang Gong Zhu (尚公主) by Yi Ren Kui Kui (伊人睽睽), the drama centers on two individuals attempting to shape their own destinies.

Mu Wanyao is a princess whose position places her in the middle of courtly expectations and political struggles.

Yan Shang begins from a very different place. Coming from a modest background, he pursues advancement through determination and intelligence.

Their paths cross despite their contrasting circumstances, creating a relationship in which political ambition and personal attachment may become difficult to separate.

The official promotional campaign presents the princess as a fierce, strategic figure and Yan Shang as a principled man determined to rise.

Rather than introducing two characters simply waiting for romance to happen, the premise suggests two people pursuing their own goals who must learn what it means to stand beside one another.

And a determined princess paired with an equally determined scholar? There should be plenty of room for sparks.

October 17 Announcement Includes New Trailer and Posters

The premiere announcement arrived alongside a new promotional campaign highlighting the leads' different personalities.

The imagery uses a tiger to represent Mu Wanyao's strength and ambition, while a crane symbolizes Yan Shang's composure and principles.

The newly released trailer emphasizes their meeting and the connection that develops as their lives become intertwined.

Both actors and their studios also shared announcements confirming the October 23 date.

The promotional material gives viewers a glimpse of the atmosphere and central relationship, although it does not establish how faithfully the final drama will follow the source novel.

Princess Shang Surpasses 5 Million Pre-Release Reservations

The anticipation surrounding Princess Shang (尚公主), also known as Tigers Sniff the Rose, continues to grow.

On October 17, the production announced that the drama had surpassed 4.5 million combined reservations across Tencent Video and Weibo. Just one day later, on October 18, its official account confirmed that the total had crossed 5 million reservations.

That's quite a crowd waiting to see Meng Ziyi and Li Yunrui reunite. And considering how much attention their pairing received in Blossom (九重紫), I can't say I'm surprised.

Of course, reservations aren't the same as actual episode views, unique viewers, or proof of a streaming hit. The real test begins when the drama premieres on October 23, 2026.

Where Can You Watch Princess Shang?

Princess Shang premieres October 23, 2026, on Tencent Video in China.

The official announcement identifies Tencent Video as the exclusive Chinese streaming platform.

For international viewers, including those in the United States, actual episode playback, English-subtitle availability, and the applicable release schedule still need to be confirmed through authorized services.

A Chinese premiere announcement does not automatically establish simultaneous U.S. availability.

We will update this information when the international release arrangements can be verified.

Will Princess Shang Have a Happy Ending?

For romance viewers, this is naturally one of the biggest questions.

The story promises a relationship between two intelligent, determined characters whose personal goals intersect with political realities.

But the television adaptation's final ending has not been verified.

There is also no confirmed episode-by-episode information establishing when the couple officially gets together, whether they experience a prolonged separation, or how much romantic payoff the completed series provides.

For now, it is best to treat Princess Shang as a highly anticipated historical romance rather than make promises about its ending.

Final Thoughts

A strong female lead, an ambitious male lead, political intrigue, and the return of Meng Ziyi and Li Yunrui as an on-screen couple?

That's certainly enough to put Princess Shang on the radar.

The reunion alone will attract attention, but the real test will be whether the drama delivers a relationship worth investing in beyond its promotional campaign.

Princess Shang (尚公主) premieres October 23, 2026, on Tencent Video in China.

We'll be watching for verified international streaming information and, eventually, the answer to the question romance fans care about most: Does this couple actually get their happy ending?

Sources and further information

• Tencent Video and Princess Shang official premiere announcements, October 17, 2026, reproduced in Sina's announcement coverage.
• Official trailer and actor-studio announcements, reproduced in Sina's promotional coverage.
• Official production-account announcement of 4.5 million combined reservations, October 17, 2026, reproduced by Sina.
• Official Princess Shang production-account announcement, reproduced by Sina — October 18, 2026; 5 million reservations milestone.