Chinese historical drama The Palace Stewardess (司宫令) is one of Tencent Video’s highly anticipated upcoming costume dramas. Combining palace intrigue, romance, political maneuvering, and culinary artistry, the series stars Song Zu Er and Ding Yu Xi in a story inspired by the popular novel Si Gong Ling by Mi Lan Lady.
With its Song Dynasty setting, richly detailed court life, and strong female-centered narrative, The Palace Stewardess has already attracted significant attention among C-drama fans.
The Palace Stewardess (司宫令) Drama Information
Chinese Title: 司宫令
English Title: The Palace Stewardess
Genre: Historical, Romance, Palace, Food, Mystery
Episodes: 32
Original Network: Tencent Video
Production Company: Tencent Video, Zhuoyuan Pictures (卓圆影视)
Based On: Si Gong Ling (司宫令) by Milan Lady (米兰Lady)
Filming Location: Hengdian World Studios, China
Filming Period: Began March 16, 2026
Language: Mandarin Chinese
The Palace Stewardess Plot Synopsis
The Palace Stewardess follows Wu Zhenzhen (played by Song Zu Er), an orphaned young woman who enters the imperial palace under a false identity while seeking justice for her mother. Gifted in culinary arts and possessing exceptional intelligence, she gradually rises through the ranks of the palace administration.
Her path crosses with Zhao Ai (Ding Yu Xi), the second prince of Nanzhao, who returns to court after years away as a political hostage. Initially suspicious of one another, the pair become unlikely allies as they uncover conspiracies, navigate dangerous power struggles, and confront corruption within the royal court.
Through numerous life-threatening challenges, Zhao Ai and Wu Zhenzhen develop a deep bond built on trust and shared purpose. Together, they work to restore order to the kingdom while protecting those they care about. By the end of her journey, Wu Zhenzhen rises to become the Palace Stewardess, overseeing the Six Palace Bureaus and establishing her own legacy.
The drama blends political intrigue with culinary culture, highlighting the role of food and palace administration during the Song Dynasty.
The Palace Stewardess Cast
Lead Cast
Song Zu Er as Wu Zhenzhen
Ding Yu Xi as Zhao Ai
Supporting Cast
Ye Zu Xin as Zhao Xi
Rao Jia Di as Ling Fengxian
Yan Xu Jia as Zhao Hao
Gao He Yuan as Lin Hong
Yang Shu Yi as Yin Ge
Kang Ke Ren
He Rui Xian
The Palace Stewardess Production Team
Director: Wang Cheng Xin (王成欣) directs the series.
Screenwriter: Wang Hong (汪洪) (writer of Fight for Love)
Original Author: The drama is adapted from the novel Si Gong Ling by Milan Lady (米兰Lady), a writer known for historical fiction set during the Song Dynasty.
Filming and Production
Tencent Video officially launched production of The Palace Stewardess in mid-March 2026. Principal photography began on March 16, 2026, at Hengdian World Studios, China’s most famous filming base for historical dramas.
Industry reports indicate that the production is scheduled for approximately 120 filming days. The drama emphasizes authentic Song Dynasty aesthetics, palace culture, and culinary traditions, making food an important narrative element alongside romance and political intrigue.
Why Fans Are Excited about The Palace Stewardess
Several factors have contributed to the growing anticipation surrounding The Palace Stewardess:
- The popular pairing of Song Zu Er and Ding Yuxi.
- A rare combination of palace politics and culinary storytelling.
- A strong female-lead growth narrative.
- Detailed Song Dynasty costumes and cultural elements.
- Adaptation of a well-known historical novel.
- Tencent Video’s large-scale production investment.
Fans have also expressed excitement about the drama’s focus on food culture, a theme rarely explored in major Chinese historical dramas.
Release Date
As of now, Tencent Video has not announced an official premiere date for The Palace Stewardess. Following its 2026 filming schedule, the drama is expected to premiere after post-production is completed.
More details regarding broadcast dates, trailers, and promotional materials are expected to be released by Tencent Video in the coming months.
Articles About The Palace Stewardess
Song Zu Er and Ding Yu Xi’s new drama ‘The Palace Stewardess’ starts filming – cast photos drop
About the Author
