Hailan is a favorite character from the hit Chinese television show, the Qing-inspired Ruyi’s Royal Love in the Place.
Come along and dig deeper into this character, including the historical personality behind it all.
Track along her storyline and see how she becomes one of the most important characters.
Spoilers are everywhere, though, so maybe skip this if you haven’t seen the show just yet.
Historical Concubine Yu
Noble Consort Yu (“愉貴妃” or Yú Guìfēi) was a real historical person. Her biography in the hit show resembles her real life.
She was a Gemini born on June 15, in the year 1714. She was 3 years younger than her future husband.
When she eventually married Prince Hongli, she wasn’t an official wife (main wife, second wife, or third wife). As a result, we don’t know “when” she married him.
However, we do know she rose through the ranks.
When Hongli became the Qianlong Emperor in late 1735, she became a First Attendant (“常在” or Chángzài).
This is the seventh-rank consort, and her title name was “Hai” (“海” or Hǎi).
Upon giving birth to Yongqi (“永琪” or Yǒngqí) and once he turned 9 months (considered safe from infant diseases), her name was once again changed.
This time, she became Concubine Yu (“愉嬪” or Yú Pín), which is the fifth consort rank.
And when her son was about four, impressing his father, she was promoted. She became a Consort (“妃” or Fēi), which she retained until her death in 1792.
Posthumously honored, including her current title, she was buried in the Yu Mausoleum.
Hailan in the Show
In “Ruyi’s Royal Love in the Palace,” Concubine Yu is “Hailan” (“海蘭” or Hǎilán).
Hailan starts out as a timid character who gets bullied by evil concubines, including the Empress (indirectly).
Immediately, though, she becomes close friends with Ruyi, the future Step Empress, the woman the Emperor really loves.
She’s also friends with a few others, including Lüyun (Concubine Chun).
Hailan’s relationship with Ruyi becomes strong after Ruyi saves her life from Xiyue (Concubine Gao).
They become best friends, and Hailan later saves Ruyi’s life several times.
As the show progresses, Hailan becomes a dominant force, outliving all of them.
Saving Ruyi
Hailan transforms from a timid, simple concubine to a beautiful leading lady to help Ruyi.
While Ruyi is in the Cold Palace, Hailan endangers her life and that of her unborn child to help the Emperor free Ruyi.
Later, when Ruyi is accused of infidelity, which could get Ruyi executed, she rushes against time to save her best friend.
She does this by once again endangering her life. Hailan tampers with state evidence to clear Ruyi’s name.
Toward the end of the show, she helps Ruyi mount revenge against Yanwan (Concubine Ling).
Ruyi’s Heart
Throughout the show, Ruyi has very few she can count on. We do realize that she has a good friend in Hailan, though.
Later, Ruyi befriends Ling Yunche (凌雲徹). He becomes someone she can count on, too.
However, we get the feeling that whereas Ling Yunche is more external (brain type) of help, Hailan is the heart.
Ruyi forgives her even for the unthinkable when Hailan is forced to kill Ling Yunche to save Ruyi.
You slowly realize that Hailan does things she would never do for herself… only for Ruyi.
Final Thoughts
We have not seen characters like Ruyi and Hailan in the past. Chinese drama tends to create terrible women.
However, this show was very interesting. It really combined what we love about the drama with heart.
And Hailan is a big part of that.
Enjoy the show!
Li Xiu Ying is a travel writer and is the author of Beijing Travel. She writes about China for Caravanzers.
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