The Way of Heaven Collapses: Defy Fate for Splendor

In short: 12 episodes, in English, original audio — episodes 1–10 play right here.

Su Tang was a modern office worker. She was hit by a car and drowned in a river. When she opened her eyes, she had become Princess Su Tang—the most hated adopted daughter of the Great Xuan Dynasty. Worse still, today was the day Xiao Lin, the abandoned prince she used to bully, ascended the throne. She had to survive. She decided to change her ways and win over the new tyrant—at all costs. Using the Empress Dowager’s favor, she tried clumsy gestures to please him: she fell into his bath, nearly poisoned his eunuch with pastries, and repaired a childhood doll that held their shared memories. Her transformation confused Xiao Lin. But after testing her, he realized she was the same girl he had carried in his heart for years. Su Tang only cared about staying alive. She remembered the novel’s plot: the rightful heroine, Lin Wan, would appear, Xiao Lin would fall for her, Lin Wan would betray him, and he would kill Su Tang in his rage. To avoid this, Su Tang played matchmaker—saving Lin Wan, praising her to Xiao Lin, and pushing for the concubine selection. Her matchmaking drove Xiao Lin mad with jealousy. He had long fallen for her. One drunken night, as Su Tang felt bittersweet over Lin Wan’s freedom, Xiao Lin confessed his love and leaned in for a kiss. She passed out. Su Tang and Lin Wan grew close. With Su Tang’s help, Lin Wan saw through her father’s hypocrisy—a man who doted on his concubine and abused his wife. She cut ties with him.

At the autumn hunt, General Zhao Chengjun, commanding a hundred thousand troops, fell for Su Tang at first sight. He took her rejection gracefully. Xiao Lin burned with jealousy. Lin Wan never wanted to entangle with the emperor. But her father colluded with the rebel Marquis to seize the throne. They threatened her twin sister’s life. Forced into being a spy, Lin Wan pretended to seduce Xiao Lin, framed Su Tang for murder, and staged the Empress Dowager’s death, plunging Xiao Lin into despair. The coup began. Su Tang blamed Lin Wan for Xiao Lin’s collapse and risked her life to save him. At the last moment, Lin Wan discovered the truth: Su Tang was her long-lost twin sister. They joined forces. General Zhao led his army to rescue the throne. Together with Xiao Lin, they crushed the rebellion. All secrets came to light. The sisters reunited. The misunderstandings cleared. Xiao Lin finally won Su Tang’s heart. Under the frail Empress Dowager’s tearful gaze, they rewrote their fate—ruling the empire together, embracing a happiness they had fought for against destiny itself.

Study tip: the first 10 episodes set up every conflict that the remaining 2 episodes pay off — watch them back to back before you decide whether to continue.