The costume drama The Rise of Ning, starring Zhang Wanyi and Ren Min, has concluded, leaving viewers with unforgettable moments of intense family rivalry. While the TV adaptation removed the reincarnation theme from the original novel, the drama still delivered thrilling conflicts between Ren Min’s character and her four main opponents. However, compared to The Story of Ming Lan, the battles in The Rise of Ning felt simpler, mainly due to the focus on the female lead’s business ventures in the latter part of the series. Here, we break down Ren Min’s four biggest rivals, with the most aggravating opponent being none other than her father!
Luo Yilian: Surprisingly Easy to Defeat
Luo Yilian, the daughter of concubine Qiao Xiaoniang, holds a lower status as a concubine’s child compared to her legitimate half-sister Luo Yining. When Luo Yining returns to the family, Luo Yilian attempts to sabotage her several times. However, Luo Yilian’s lack of intelligence and rash decisions often lead to her downfall. Despite her father’s favoritism, she proves to be the weakest of Ren Min’s adversaries.
Qiao Xiaoniang: The Conniving Mistress
Qiao Xiaoniang is the one who drove Luo Yining out of the family estate. She cleverly framed Luo Yining for causing her miscarriage, which led to Luo Yining’s banishment. While Luo Yining was away, Qiao Xiaoniang had complete control over the household. Upon Luo Yining’s return, Qiao Xiaoniang tries to eliminate her once again, but fails. Eventually, the truth about the miscarriage comes out, and Qiao Xiaoniang faces punishment, banished to live out her days in obscurity.
Chen Lan: The Mastermind Behind the Chaos
The real villain of The Rise of Ning is Chen Lan, the first wife, whose seemingly righteous demeanor hid deep-seated grudges. She was behind the death of Luo Yining’s mother, driven by jealousy and revenge after her son died, believing that Luo Yining’s mother was responsible. Chen Lan’s manipulative ways make her the ultimate antagonist in this dramatic household battle.
Luo Chengzhang: The Biased Father
Perhaps the most frustrating character is Luo Yining’s father, Luo Chengzhang. Despite his position as the head of the family, he shows blatant favoritism toward Qiao Xiaoniang and her daughter Luo Yilian, neglecting Luo Yining. His indifference and bias cause much of the drama, and though it is eventually revealed that Luo Yining is not his biological daughter, his treatment of her still leaves a bitter taste. It’s no wonder Luo Yining’s heart grew cold towards him.
In summary, while The Rise of Ning may not have as intricate a conflict as The Story of Ming Lan, it provides its fair share of dramatic family feuds. Luo Yining’s resilience against manipulative family members keeps the story engaging, despite the simpler challenges posed by her rivals.
