Xiaozhuang Mishi

Xiaozhuang Mishi ("Secret History of Xiaozhuang"), also known as Xiaozhuang Epic (孝庄秘史), is a 2003 Chinese historical drama television series produced by You Xiaogang. The series is the first instalment in a series of four television series set in the early Qing dynasty. It was followed by Huang Taizi Mishi (2004), Taizu Mishi (2005) and Secret History of Kangxi (2006), all of which were also produced by You Xiaogang. The series romanticises the life of Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang.

Dayuer is a Khorchin Mongol princess who is deeply in love with Dorgon, a son of the Later Jin khan Nurhaci. Yet, she soon becomes the concubine of Dorgon's half-brother Huangtaiji. Huangtaiji has already married Dayuer's aunt, Jerjer, to secure an alliance between the Khorchin Mongols and Later Jin. Huangtaiji initially has feelings for Dayuer, but realises that she only loves Dorgon, so he directs his affection to her sister, Harjol.

With support from Dorgon and his brother Dodo, Huangtaiji succeeds their father as khan and establishes the Qing dynasty to replace the Later Jin. However, Dorgon and Huangtaiji have a strained relationship because of Dayuer and the forced suicide of Dorgon's mother, Lady Abahai.

After Huangtaiji's death, Dayuer's son Fulin takes the throne while Dayuer becomes empress dowager, with Dorgon ruling as regent. As Fulin grows older, he becomes increasingly distrustful of Dorgon after discovering his mother's ongoing secret affair with Dorgon. After Dorgon's sudden death, Fulin strips him of his honours.

Fulin himself dies shortly after the passing of his beloved concubine, Consort Donggo, leaving his young son, Xuanye, to succeed him as emperor. Now grand empress dowager, Dayuer provides guidance and support to her grandson.

Xiaozhuang Mishi first aired on HNETV (湖南經視綜合頻道) on 31 December 2002. It reached first place in audience measurement in some provinces of China.^[1]

• (in Chinese) Xiaozhuang Mishi on Sina.com
• Xiaozhuang Mishi at IMDb