Introduction
Republican-era Chinese dramas often center on revenge because this tumultuous period (1912-1949) was ripe with political chaos, family betrayal, and societal upheaval. This historical background is fertile for creating dramatic conflicts where protagonists seek justice for wrongs, explore deep loyalties (like filial piety), and fight against corrupt warlords or powerful enemies. The revenge theme is a compelling driver for epic stories of survival, honor, and nation-building.
Nonetheless, Marry Him in Her Place is not just another revenge drama set in the Republican era. In this drama, the Female Lead is forced to take a new face and adopt a new identity. She just makes use of the unfortunate situation that falls upon her, and she not only survives but manages to take revenge. The title below comes from the Female Lead’s statement, which becomes the central motifs: “The best mask in this world is another living face.” However, after watching the drama, I found out that there is more than one mask, as there is more than one revenge.
Drama Info
Drama title: Marry Him in Her Place (Native title: 娶而代之)
Alternative titles: Qu Er Dai Zhi
Genres: Historical, Romance, Drama
Aired: 28 Nov 28, 2025 - 5 Dec, 2025
Episodes: 24 | Duration: 17 min.
Directors: Dai Yi Ting (戴溢廷) and Zhou Mu Han (周暮寒)
Screenwriter: Bao Zi Zhou (包子粥)
Where to watch: WeTV
Trailer
Synopsis
On her wedding night, wealthy heiress Liang Yi is disfigured and thrown into the river by her husband Song Zhichu. Unexpectedly rescued, she is forced to take on a new face and live as Xu Yin, a courtesan. “The best mask in this world is another living face.” Thus reborn, she uses Xu Yin’s identity to get close to gang leader Lin Yun, setting off on her path of revenge. (Source: WeTV)
Characters
Main Characters
Liu Nian (刘念) as Liang Yi / Xu Yin
Ryan Ren/Ren Si Hao (任世豪) as Lin Yun
Supporting Characters
Song Zhi Chu (Wang Ze Xuan) – Liang Yi’s husband
Lu Man / Liang Yi (Wen Qing) – the original FL
Liu Xiu (Yang Bo Qi) – Lin Yun’s subordinate
Xiao Mu Dan (Bi Xue) – Xu Yin’s boss
Liang Wen Bin (Ren Zhong) – Liang Yi’s father
My Rating
My rating for this drama was based on MyDramaList’s scoring system, which is from 0.0 to 10.0. For any drama/movie/show I completed, I gave a minimum rating of 6.0 to appreciate the hard work of the production team, and to adjust to MyDramaList’s overall score base. From 6.0, this drama has additional scores of:
+0.5 for the plot.
+1.0 for the characterization.
+0.5 for the visualization.
I will elaborate on the plot, characterization/acting, and visualization of the reasons why I gave such ratings in my review below. My final rating is 8.0/10.
“With my blood, I’ll cover up the stain of your past.” (Lin Yun)
Review
Positives
Intriguing Plot
Basically, from the synopsis, we know it’s a revenge drama, but we don’t know what schemes Liang Yi/Xu Yin is into. For example, in one episode, >> MINOR SPOILER << she asked a courtesan to spread the rumors that Lin Yun was marrying a prostitute. At first, we didn’t know her reason, as the rumor could become a backlash to her. However, with some luck and risk-taking, Liang Yi/Xu Yin used the rumor to her advantage.
We also knew from the synopsis that her husband ruined her life, hence we knew who the villain was. However, the road to revenge was not straightforward. With some plot twists, the plot is intriguing to binge-watch.
“You told me in bed, that there isn’t any single good man in this world. I’ll show you there isn’t any women you can walk over either.” (Xu Yin/Liang Yi)
Cunning Female Lead
The leading actress Liu Nian played two roles, switching between the original Xu Yin’s innocence and the fake Xu Yin/Liang Yi’s coldness without any sense of incongruity. Her eyes were full of drama, and the actress grasped the sense of brokenness and the ruthlessness of revenge. Her micro-expression made the viewers’ goosebumps.
Xu Yin/Liang Yi is not only cold and cunning, but she’s brave and crazy. For example, >> MINOR SPOILER << when she cut herself to make a birthmark of the real Xu Yin. When she was an heiress, her father prepared her well with education and other stuff, for example, the skill to shoot a gun, to take over the Liang family business empire.
Hot Male Lead
As a gang boss who always has to be vigilant and suspicious, Lin Yun is not stupid. He is a character with a complex past and his own agenda. At some point, Xu Yin/Liang Yi has to be up with her schemes to outsmart both Lin Yun and Song Zhi Chu, because of her hidden identity and her mission to take revenge on Lin Yun’s best friend.
I saw Ryan Ren for the first time as the Male Lead in yet another Chinese short, Marry Me Again (请再和我结婚吧), and I even wrote a review article about it, lol! (Marry Me Again: After Two Proposals and Two Dozen Kisses). I knew this actor could kiss! And the kissing scene in this drama, although not as many as in his prior drama, is so good!
An example of their hot kissing scenes, I put it in a spoiler tag, just in case you don’t want to see it, lol!
The actor’s eye contact was very expressive, and he also acted well. >> MINOR SPOILER << For example, his conflicted expression when Xu Yin/Liang Yi screamed and ordered him to flog her in front of the gang member (yet another of her schemes).
The Cinematography
Because of the characters’ rich family backgrounds, expect luxurious, detailed sets and costumes reflecting a historical Republican era, with a focus on traditional Chinese grandeur.
The lighting is also dark and moody, befitting the theme of revenge and hidden identities suggests chiaroscuro, shadows, and dramatic lighting to build suspense and mystery.
There are also scenes involving gang activities with dynamic camera work and staging to highlight conflicts.
The Ending
I don’t want to elaborate on the ending to spoil you, but I liked the ending. You can see the ending spoilers at the end of this article.
Negatives
Some illogicalities
This is common in Chinese short dramas, because there is no time to accurately explain logics due to the duration. I will give you an example. >> MINOR SPOILER << Later in the drama, Xu Yin/Liang Yi emerges as the wealthy heiress Liang Yi with Xu Yin face, and people just accept her identity.
Violent and bloody
It’s the Republican era, it’s bloody. In addition, Lin Yun is a gang boss and deals with gang violence, either within the gang or with the bad guys. Moreover, in the beginning, when Lin Yun suspects Xu Yin/Liang Yi is not the original Xu Yin and questions her motives to approach him, he uses a lot of chokeholds. But no worries, once he falls for her, it’s a different story.
Conclusion
Marry Him in Her Place establishes a theme of survival against all odds after being discarded by those loved or trusted most. For Xu Yin/Liang Yi ‘s case, she loved and trusted Song Zhi Chu. Therefore, the drama focuses heavily on her calculated schemes to dismantle her betrayer’s life. It juxtaposes her cold pursuit of revenge with her growing connection to Lin Yun, the powerful gang leader in the city, exploring whether love can exist alongside a vendetta.
Although a short drama, Marry Him in Her Place suggests that despite losing her face and status, the protagonist’s core will to survive and seek truth remains intact, messaging that a person’s worth is not tied to their external appearance.
Spoilers
As per synopsis: why is Liang Yi forced to be Xu Yin?
Because Xu Yin’s boss, Xiao Mu Dan, wanted to sell Xu Yin to a rich man to be his concubine. Since Xu Yin killed herself and Xiao Mu Dan found another body that is still alive, Liang Yi’s, Xiao Mu Dan captured Liang Yi and forced her to undergo plastic surgery and take Xu Yin’s identity.
Who is the original Xu Yin?
She is Lin Yun’s betrothed. It doesn’t seem Lin Yun loves the original Xu Yin, the betrothed is bound by duty. Her father saved Lin Yun’s life, so when the father died, he entrusted Xu Yin to Lin Yu’s care. Xu Yin went missing, possibly captured by Xiao Mu Dan because she was pretty, and forced to be a courtesan. Unable to accept her fate and face Lin Yun, the original Xu Yin killed herself.
Why Liang Yi/Xu Yin wants to use Lin Yun?
Lin Yun attended the wedding, and her husband, Song Zhi Chu, introduced Lin Yun to her as his best friend. By being close to Lin Yun, she can approach Song Zhi Chu.
Who is Lu Man?
She is Liang Yi’s doppelganger, found and hired by Song Zhi Chu to be a puppet Liang Yi, while he took over the Liang Family’s business.
What is the drama ending? [short answer]
Happy ending.
How does the drama end? [long answer]
The villain and master villain are dead, and Liang Yi/Xu Yin gets her sweet revenge. Lin Yun and Liang Yi/Xu Yin become real husband and wife. Lin Yun dissolved the gang and lives leisurely with Liang Yi/Xu Yin, while she is busy as the head of the Chamber of Commerce, lol.
