宫心计

Hong Kong's latest and biggest production "Beyond the Realm of Conscience" or "宫心计". I am actually watching it a few episodes later than the actual airing times in HK! And now I have finished all 33 episodes, and loving it!

The plot is exciting, and I do like some types of period dramas, such as palace or wuxia stories.

宫心计 literally translating to "Palace Scheme" is about 2 palace maids - Lau Sam Ho (Charmaine Sheh) and Yiu Gam Ling (Tavia Yeung), who came into the palace together when they were 6 with their mother, who was summoned into the palace for her exceptional jewelry making skills. Sam Ho was her daughter, and Gam Ling was their maid. However, due to a mistake committed by Gam Ling, Sam ho's mother was beaten up, and eventually died. Before she died, she asked the two little girls to grow up together like sisters. And Sam Ho (as her name literally suggests "3 goods") she was taught from young that she should "do good deeds, say good words, and have good thinkings".

They grew up as sisters, as promised. They are being accepted as palace maids but in different departments - Sam Ho was under Embroidery with their head Suet Ha (Michelle Yim); and Gam Ling was under Jewellery with their head Chui Wan (Susanna Kwan). However, whilst Sam Ho has always been kind-hearted and is contented for who sh is, Gam Ling wants to work her way to the top to be respected by other people (instead of her respecting people). Along the way, she applied little schemes to people when people are not nice to her. Soon, she got her way to become the concubine of Xuanzong (宣宗, not 玄宗) emperor (Moses Chan), together with Bo Hing (Selena Li). Concubines like to fight for the emperor's attention, therefore Gam Ling tries so hard, becoming more and more scheming and evil. And gradually, her relationship with Sam Ho became more distant because of Sam Ho's kindness, she cannot accept Gam Ling being so cruel.

Sam Ho has met the emperor once when she was 6 (and he was 10) and taught him what it's meant by "苦中一点甜", leaving a big impression on him. However, years later, Sam Ho and Hin Yeung (Kevin Cheung - also the emperor's most trusted general) met and fell in love. The Emperor chose to let them be since the both of them have saved his life. Sam Ho continues to practice good deeds and help everyone, therefore most people liked her and helps her when she encounters difficulties.

Of course, the story also involves palace villians such as the Head of Army, who is so scheming and always eyeing the throne and getting rid of Xuanzong. His role is pretty important in this drama because he is the one who can affect the emperor's decisions. Fortunately Xuanzong is a very clever ruler responsible to his people in the country.


Storyline is good - it teaches people that good people who does good deeds will have good returns in the end; whereas evil people will receive retrubution in the end.

Plus, there is a strong array of cast. Big big names such as Moses Chan, Kevin Cheng, Michelle Yim and Charmaine Sheh etc. And many other TVB veterans. Definitely worth a watch!