
In the late Jiajing period of the Ming dynasty when corrupt officials almost ruled the government, a secret police officer called Lu Yi, played by Ren Jialun, was ordered to investigate the missing of the funds earmarked for building river embankments in Yangzhou. He got help from Yuan Jinxia, a female constable of Liushanmen. They then became emotionally involved with each other. Later, they got accidentally drawn into multiple conspiracies.
As the reign of the Ming Dynasty’s Jiajing Emperor approaches its end, trouble finds its way into the palace. Funds which had been set aside for the repairs of the river in Yangzhou, have disappeared. Commissioned by the emperor to investigate the incident, Lu Yi (Allen Ren), of the Jing Yi Wei, is determined to find those responsible and bring them to justice. But he’s not working this case alone.
A talented constable in the secret police, Yuan Jin Xia (Tan Song Yun), is an obvious choice when it comes to assisting Lu Yi on the case. There’s just one problem, the hot-tempered constable has encountered Lu Yi in the past and the disagreement that followed is not one either has forgotten. Despite their less-than-pleasant past, the two must work together to find those responsible for the missing government funds.
Putting their differences aside Lu Yi and Jin Xia learn to get along, making them a formidable team. As they dig deeper into the case, their feelings for each other begin to take root, eventually blossoming into a beautiful relationship. But all that comes crashing down when Jin Xia uncovers a dark and disturbing truth about her past.
Adapted from the novel of the same name by Lan Se Shi, “Under the Power” is a 2019 historical mystery romance drama directed by Yin Tao.
Lu Yi is a cold, ruthless and authoritative high-ranking officer of the Ming Dynasty’s Jinyiwei (also known as the Brocaded Guards for their elaborately embroidered uniforms). The Jinyiwei are part of the Emperor’s elite bodyguards that also serve as the secret police, and Lu Yi is one of the best at his job.
He meets Yuan Jin Xia, a smart, feisty and tom-boyish female officer from the Police’s 6th Division, and they clash over a case that the both of them were involved in. Their paths continue to cross unpleasantly over a series of minor cases until Lu Yi was commissioned by the Emperor to secretly investigate the disappearance of funds that have been set aside for river repairs in Yangzhou.
Part of the small team accompanying him includes Yuan Jin Xia, and as the two of them work together to solve the case, they find themselves uncovering a conspiracy involving high court officials while their feelings for each other slowly change from dislike to respectful friendship to love.