Introduction
Tigers Sniff the Rose reunites Meng Ziyi and Li Yunrui after their previous pairing in Blossom (九重紫). Expectations were pretty high because viewers were hoping to see their chemistry together again.
Unfortunately—after watching too many dramas—I already forgot what Blossom was about and the characters these two actors played. Maybe I should revisit my own articles to refresh my memory: Blossom: Drama Details and Character List and Blossom: Recap Part 1 (Episodes 1 to 17).
Thus, with my drama amnesia, I approach their second collab with a clean slate. So my review below doesn’t compare the romance, the actors’ chemistry, their characters, or their acting between the two dramas.
Now regarding the title. “Taking down the fish”—”fish” here is plural— means defeating their villains. Princess Mu Wanyao cleverly embroidered a beautiful scene of a murky pond (with many water weeds) and various fish swimming in it. Outsiders would never know that the “fish” are her enemies, and once she made a bite oath with Yan Shang (as seen in Episode 9), she reveals them to him and us. If you’re curious who these “fish” are, I list them in the Spoiler section at the end of this review article. I will not spoil who the other enemies are. You’d better watch the drama for the surprises, and if you get stuck, you can get guidance from my recap articles starting with Tigers Sniff the Rose: Drama Recap Episodes 1 to 6. Enjoy!
Drama Info
Drama title: Tigers Sniff the Rose (Native title: 尚公主)
Alternative title: Shang Gong Zhu, Princess Shang
Genres: Historical, Romance, Political
Aired: 23 Oct, 2026 - 11 Nov, 2026
Episodes: 40 | Duration: 45 min.
Director: Zoe Qin (秦榛)
Screenwriters: He Fang (何妨) and Cao Ting Yue (曹听月)
Adapted from the web novel "Shang Gong Zhu" (尚公主) by Yi Ren Kui Kui (伊人睽睽).
Where to watch with subs: WeTV, Viki, or iFlix
Where to read the novel in English:
dilaayse2003 (EPUB and PDF), readthedrama, or mydramanovel
OSTs
我護我 (“I Protect Myself”) by Zhang Bi Chen (张碧晨) – Mu Wan Yao theme song
同我 (“Same As Me”) by Hu Xia (胡夏) – Yan Shang theme song
蔷薇青竹 (“Rose and Green Bamboo”) by Zhang Yuan (张远) and Huang Xiao Yun (黄霄雲) – ending theme
金風玉露 (“Golden Wing and Jade Dew”) by Duan Ao Juan (段奧娟) – insert song
吉时春 (“Auspicious Spring”) by Xiao A Qi and Zhang He Xuan (張赫煊) – insert song
同风起 (“Rise With the Wind”) by Wang Xiao Kun (王啸坤) – insert song
Trailer
Synopsis
After traveling to pray for her late mother, Princess Dan Yang Mu Wan Yao is stranded on a treacherous mountain road when her carriage axle breaks. A chance encounter with Yan Shang, a brilliant scholar from a humble background, sparks an unlikely connection as she recognizes his sharp intellect. With the princess’s support, Yan Shang enters the imperial court in Chang An, where he rises in prominence for his brilliance and ambition. However, when the empire is plunged into internal strife and foreign peril, Yan Shang and Wan Yao combine their keen instincts and resources to dismantle corruption and repel invaders. As they navigate the perils of a kingdom in turmoil, their bond continues to strengthen, only solidifying their mission to save their people. (Source: Viki)
Characters
Relationship Chart
There is no English translation, but I will explain about every character below:
Main Characters
Meng Zi Yi (孟子义) as Mu Wan Yao / Princess Dan Yang
Mu Wanyao is the legitimate princess of Danyang of Dahuai. Naïve in her youth, she was sent to the barbaric North Jing for a political marriage at the age of fifteen, enduring countless humiliations and hardships. After her husband’s death, she miraculously returned to Dahuai. Seeing through the murky political struggle in the capital, Sheng’an, Mu Wanyao resolved to use her status and power to protect herself. In Lingnan, she met Yan Shang. The two eventually became allies and lovers.
Li Yun Rui (李昀锐) as Yan Shang
Yan Shang was originally a descendant of a disgraced official and a poor scholar who lived in the country. He met Mu Wanyao by chance in Lingnan and, with her help, went to the capital to take the imperial examination. He passed with flying colors and entered the court. He was patient and resourceful, avenging his mother’s and brother’s deaths while becoming allies with Mu Wanyao. They navigated the court’s intrigues step by step, working together to eliminate treacherous officials and stabilize the borders.
Supporting Characters
Yang Si (Ken Wu) – Crown Prince’s close friend and Mu Wanyao’s childhood sweetheart
Liu Wen Ji (Quan Yi Lun) – Yan Shang’s long-time friend
Wei Shu (Li Xiao Qian) – Yan Shang’s friend from Imperial Academy and No. 1 Scholar.
Chun Hua (Shen Jia Yu) – Mu Wanyao’s loyal maid
Yu Cheng An (Yu Ai Lei) – Head Eunuch, Duke of Zhao, Cavalry General of Shence Army
Meng Zai Shi (Tang Xiao Tian) – Military Governor of Zhongzhen
Mu Xun (Xu Hai Qiao) – Crown Prince, Mu Wanyao’s older brother
Feng Xian Yu (Yan Zi Dong) – Yan Shang’s friend from Imperial Academy
Liang Ling Yi (Zhang Yue) – Princess Consort Jin
Mu Ning Shuang (Myolie Wu) – Grand Princess Liu Liang, Emperor’s sister
Other supporting characters in the Relationship Chart:
On the far left, wearing a royal robe: Emperor Mu Yu (Liu Jun)
The woman on the top row: Zhao Lingfei (Bai Bing Ke) – Yang Si’s cousin
The one-eyed man on the top row: Zhang Renjing (Sha Bao Liang) – Yu Cheng An’s henchman, Captain of Shence Army
The three people on the far left are Yan Shang’s family: his father Yan Zhan Zhi (Gong Lei), his older brother Yan Da Lang (Ji Ling Chen), and his younger sister Yan Xiao Zhou (Pei Jia Xin)
The first man on the bottom row: Prince Jin / Mu Ti (Wu Bi) – Mu Wanyao’s younger brother.
The last man on the bottom row: Meng Baiyu (Shao Feng) – Meng Zai Shi’s uncle, former Military Governor of Zhongzhen, and Mu Wanyao’s late husband
The Meaning of the Drama Title
The drama’s English title “Tigers Sniff the Rose” is not a translation of its native title. The native title 尚公主 (Shàng Gōngzhǔ) literally to “to marry a princess” (specifically, for a non-royal to wed an imperial princess). It’s also the novel’s title.
In classical Chinese historical context, shàng (尚) means to hold a high position or to be matched/bestowed with royalty, referring to a man marrying a princess. The character Shang (尚) is also part of the male lead’s name, Yan Shang (言尚).
Where does “Tigers Sniff the Rose” come from? It was famously translated and popularized in Chinese literature as “心有猛虎，细嗅蔷薇” (In the heart, a fierce tiger; yet gently sniffing the rose), capturing the harmony between ambition and refinement.
Thus, the English title mirrors the dynamic between a formidable, high-ranking princess (Mu Wan Yao) and a cunning, sharp-witted scholar (Yan Shang) who soften and unite through political and romantic trials.
Review
What’s Good
The Main Couple’s Chemistry
Meng Ziyi and Li Yunrui look good together. Their reunion after Blossom was one of the biggest reasons I was excited about this drama!
A Strong Female Lead
Mu Wanyao isn’t your typical sweet, gentle princess. She’s proud, outspoken, ambitious, and knows what she wants. I appreciate that she’s not written as a helpless heroine. She also knows how to shoot and ride a horse.
Mu Wanyao: a tiger
A Clever Male Lead
Yan Shang relies on intelligence, patience, and strategy rather than physical strength. He’s also diplomatic and resourceful. He’s not your usual powerful general or overbearing prince.
Yan Shang: a crane
The Couple Working as a Team
It’s enjoyable watching the two leads use their brains to outsmart their opponents. They use their strength differences to create great teamwork and cover the other’s weaknesses with their strengths.
Besides their mutual goal to take down the enemies, they each have their own goals instead of simply revolving around their romance.
Political Schemes and Revenge
There’s plenty of plotting, manipulation, power struggles, and enemies to deal with. The story offers more than just romance. I generally don’t like palace politics, but this drama has intriguing political subplots.
Political struggle in the palace: who lasts till the end?
Interesting Supporting Characters and Villains
I think the compelling political schemes I mentioned above work well thanks to the supporting characters, friends and foes alike. Even certain antagonists have their own background stories. Some characters are morally grey; at certain points, you don’t know if they will become villains or stay on the right path, and vice versa.
Quan Yi Lun gave his best acting in this drama
Outstanding Production Values
The historical settings, costumes, and cinematography give the drama an attractive visual presentation.
The Imperial Sheng’an sets largely on massive soundstages and palace backlots at Hengdian with Tang Dynasty epic.
Worth mentioning are real filming locations for the country setting. In contrast to the rigid court environment, the early episodes utilize lush, natural locations in Yangchun, Guangdong Province, to establish the softer, more rustic atmosphere of Lingnan where the leads first meet.
What’s Not So Good
A Rocky Opening
The first few episodes feel slow to set up Mu Wanyao and Yan Shang’s—especially their striking differences—and some supporting characters. This character setup makes it hard for me to get hooked on the drama right away.
But believe me, the second half pays off with intense political intrigue and emotional weight!
The Female Lead’s Attitude
Mu Wanyao’s arrogance and harsh treatment of ordinary people—especially Yan Shang—particularly early in the story, a little bit hard to watch.
Thank goodness I didn’t start the drama right away, but I read comments from early-bird viewers. So I’m prepared to watch Mu Wanyao’s harsh behavior. Gradually, after her past is revealed, I’m kinda understand why she behaved like that. No worries, Mu Wanyao has the greatest character development, and Meng Ziyi did the heavy lifting in bringing that gradual character change to life.
Mu Wanyao and Chun Hua: Sismance through life-and-death
Plot Holes and Logical Consistencies
Without spoiling readers who haven’t watched the drama yet, there are several plot holes, pacing shortcuts, and logical inconsistencies. I think this is because the drama sacrifices internal logic for melodrama and fast-tracked romance between Mu Wanyao and Yan Shang.
Supporting Characters Disappearances
Its 40-episode cap caused several supporting characters to suddenly vanish, get killed off abruptly, or drop out of major court arcs in the final stretch.
Besides the episode cap, I think their disappearances are also caused by:
- Pacing Bottlenecks. Because the adaptation spent significant screen time on early romantic beats and repetitive capture-and-rescue loops, the final eight episodes had to compress years of political maneuvering into rapid montages.
- Shift to Off-Screen Storytelling. For example, when Yan Shang is exiled to Lanyang to serve as magistrate, the drama cuts away from his entire supporting circle and local political rise, jumping straight to his return as Chancellor.
Bittersweet / Heavy Aftertaste
This is subjective and depends on our experience watching historical Chinese dramas. In my opinion, without spoiling, the ending leaves a bitter or heavy emotional toll due to the heavy sacrifices and collateral damage experienced by supporting characters.
If you’re curious about the ending, I put spoilers about the leading characters and some supporting characters at the end of the article.
The rebellion
My Rating
I used my rating system with additional scores of:
- + 1.0 for the palace politics and dark plot
- + 1.0 for the supporting characters setup, sizzling chemistry between Meng Ziyi and Li Yunrui
- + 1.0 for the production value
Total rating 9.0/10.
Conclusion
All in all, Tigers Sniff the Rose is a story of love, ambition, political games, and taking down one troublesome enemy after another. Mu Wanyao and Yan Shang make an interesting team, and watching them use their brains to outsmart the “fish” and all the other schemers is certainly entertaining. The chemistry between the leads is a plus, and the beautiful costumes and historical setting make the journey easy on the eyes.
Of course, the drama isn’t without its thorns. The rocky start, logical inconsistencies/plot holes, and a princess whose attitude can sometimes test your patience. The bitter aftertaste depends on your experience watching historical Chinese dramas.
Still, there are enough clever schemes, unexpected twists, and satisfying moments to make it worth watching. After all, someone has to catch those fish, deal with the troublemakers, and keep the kingdom from falling apart!
Is it another Blossom? Perhaps not. But it has its own charm. I’d say give it a chance, keep your expectations reasonable, and enjoy watching this power couple take on the world, one enemy at a time!
Spoilers
Who are the “fish”?
The big one is, of course, Yu Cheng’an. The rest are the influential people around him: Yu Xianyao (Yu Cheng’an’s adopted son), Zheng Xing (Yu Cheng’an’s personal attendant), Qiu Shuo (Shence Army general), and Wei Qiao (advisor).
What is the ending? [short answer]
Happy ending for Mu Wanyao and Yan Shang
How does it end? [long answer]
Mu Wanyao and Yan Shang got married. The Emperor, the Crown Prince, and Prince Jing died, so Chun Hua’s young son became the new emperor. Yan Shang became Prime Minister, and Mu Wanyao became Grand Princess Regent. They don’t have a child, but take Si’er (the young emperor) as their godson, teaching him about common life while in Lingnan with Yan Shang’s family (they’re all alive) and Fang Tong. Wei Shu became a high-ranking official.
Who dies?
Liu Wenji, he committed suicide and died in Chun Hua’s lap after he killed Prince Jin.
Yang Si died during the rebellion led by the Crown Prince. Mu Wanyao delivered a final shot to ease his suffering.
Other supporting characters from the Relationship Chart died in different episodes.
