Li Wenchuan

Biodata

Background / History

Great Qing

Born as the Fourth Prince of Great Qing, Li Wenchuan was the son of Emperor Li Yuan and Consort Yang, later the Yang Empress Dowager. His mother’s merchant background left him politically disadvantaged. He initially wished only to live as an idle prince and traveled the realm rather than pursue the throne. 1 7

His refusal to compete did not protect him. An assassination attempt at his residence revealed that his brothers considered him a threat, and Jiang Chengyu warned him that passivity would never spare him from court conflict. 7 Li Wenchuan ultimately removed the empress who sought to seize power, outmaneuvered his brothers, became Crown Prince, and ascended the throne as the Qingming Emperor, Li Yao. 1 40 197

As emperor, he spent eight years handling entrenched domestic problems, border threats, and drought risks. He died after remaining awake for three consecutive days of work. 1 His old knee injury originated when Emperor Li Yuan punished him by forcing him to kneel in winter after Li Wenchuan defended Jiang Chengyu from an imperial appointee; the resulting fever left lasting damage. 40

Li Wenchuan's imperial harem remained empty throughout his reign. The dangerous political climate contributed to his disinterest in selecting consorts, while Jiang Chengyu also repeatedly blocked memorials advocating for an imperial consort selection. 172 He aided his younger brother Li Yu's escape from Chang'an, knowing that Li Yu's relationship with Yelu Qi and the court's scrutiny would otherwise leave him no safe future. 93 225

Following Li Wenchuan's death, Jiang Chengyu—later historically remembered as Jiang Yan—upheld Great Qing's government and eventually served as regent for the next emperor. Historical accounts remember him as the unwavering pillar of the dynasty after the Qingming Emperor's sudden death. 38 162

Transmigration and Modern Life

After death, Li Wenchuan existed briefly as a ghost and watched Jiang Chengyu grieve for him, unable to make contact before his soul dissipated. He then transmigrated into the body of a struggling modern actor also named Li Wenchuan. 1

The original body’s owner had accumulated debt, damaged his career, and been manipulated by his former partner Jin Yue. Li Wenchuan inherited the consequences: a minor-celebrity career, public hostility, and severe financial strain. 1 2 Although he initially treats acting as a means of survival, he begins rebuilding his reputation through variety-show appearances, auditions, livestream work, and increasingly prominent productions. 3 5 32 136

Modern Li Family representatives later identify him as the heir to the family business and urge him to return home after a six-year absence. They provide him with an exclusive black-and-gold card and promise that he may return to the family if needed. 16 Dragon Soaring Group subsequently reveals that he is the eldest son of its chairman, publicly exposing his status as the Li Family's crown prince and refuting rumors that his career depended on a secret backer. 76 77

Li Wenchuan gradually becomes more at home with his modern family, including his father Li Zhengyuan, birth mother Gu Ranqiu, stepmother Liang Meng, and younger brother Li Mingyu. Although their relationships are not always openly affectionate, he comes to recognize that they have cared for him in their own ways. 121 217 265

The original Li Wenchuan had been an exceptional student, repeatedly winning academic awards before an unexplained collapse and hospitalization disrupted his studies. Li Wenchuan later resumes studying and conducting research in his spare time, participates in Kyoto University's academic exchange activities, and gains public recognition for his academic credentials and research achievements. 191 194 196 230

Appearance

Li Wenchuan is a slender young man whose appearance is repeatedly described as unusually striking, even among entertainers. His beauty can appear refined and almost ethereal, but his bearing changes sharply when he performs or confronts someone. 3 5

• High, straight nose bridge and deep-set eyes. 3
• Fair, luminous skin that requires little makeup. 3 15
• A smile compared to the first light of dawn. 3
• Often appears relaxed or disheveled off-camera, with little concern for maintaining a polished celebrity image. 14 17
• Can project innate nobility and intimidation when embodying imperial or commanding roles. 5
• His appearance in historical costumes is frequently compared to that of a genuine ancient noble or immortal figure rather than an actor in costume. 69 135
• As the God Venerable in Ode of Mountains and Rivers, he wears a divine forehead pattern and a mermaid's-tear ornament, giving him the appearance of a deity descended from the Sea of Immortality. 135
• His beauty remains striking even when dressed in women's historical attire for variety programming. 258

Personality

Li Wenchuan presents himself as a “slacker” who values rest, comfort, health preservation, and earning enough money to live well. His apparent laziness is deliberate rather than simple incompetence: he understands the value of effort when circumstances require it and approaches work pragmatically. 3 8 9

He is sharp-tongued, observant, and difficult to manipulate. He quickly recognizes Jin Yue’s calculated public concern, blocks his attempts at contact, and responds to insults with concise but cutting remarks. 2 8 14 His imperial upbringing also makes him composed around status and wealth; he neither fawns over major stars nor appears intimidated by the modern Li Family’s display of power. 16 18

Despite his guardedness, Li Wenchuan is considerate toward ordinary people and those he sees as vulnerable. He treats production staff to breakfast, helps Su Mingwei during the rural recording, listens sympathetically to Old Chen, and cares for Jiang Hansheng when the latter becomes ill. 15 20 26 37

Li Wenchuan is principled in his judgments of others. He rejects superficial assumptions about people based on their reputations, grades, or appearances, and he applies the same standard when assessing mysteries and professional disputes. 184 He is also capable of considerable patience and restraint during public-relations crises, preferring to allow evidence and timing to expose an opponent's scheme rather than react impulsively. 74 75

His confidence can become provocative when he is certain of his position. He confronts Windshow Magazine over its breach of contract, persuades Ruili to work with him, and directs the resulting public-opinion battle with the calm of someone accustomed to political maneuvering. 142 144

Li Wenchuan is notably poor at cooking. His repeated attempts at preparing meals result in kitchen fires, ruined cookware, and Jiang Hansheng's increasingly resigned supervision. 188 221

Abilities & Skills

Acting

Li Wenchuan’s acting ability emerges abruptly after his transmigration, overturning his prior reputation as a performer valued only for his appearance.

• His portrayal of Mu Yuan in the reunion program You and Me Back Then draws the audience into chanting his name and throws Jin Yue out of character through an improvised line. 3 4
• He convincingly performs an unfavored prince’s transformation into an emperor, displaying distinct shifts in bearing while barely leaving his seat. 5
• He can use his own former experiences of court conflict and rulership to understand historical or imperial roles. 5 12
• During a murder-mystery game, he improvises an apparently weak and aggrieved Princess Chen before revealing that his character is the culprit. 35 36
• His portrayal of the Crown Prince in The Crown Prince's Strike Log is convincing enough that crew members and viewers see a genuine imperial prince in his bearing. 69
• As the God Venerable in Ode of Mountains and Rivers, he helps develop the character beyond a flat obstacle for the leads, portraying a deity whose suppressed selfish desire leads him toward madness. 136 151
• He excels at eye acting and can convey the God Venerable's compassion, detachment, and hidden emotional depth even beneath heavy special-effects makeup. 151
• He takes on the more challenging role of Tang Ruoliu in Moonlit Night on the Spring River, working to portray the character's progression from a naive young Daoist to a sharpened and mature figure. 233 235
• He can coordinate dialogue, fighting, and physical performance naturally enough to make a modern-clothed audition read as an authentic historical confrontation. 234

Martial Arts and Health Practices

Li Wenchuan retains physical skills from his previous life and practices traditional exercises in the modern era.

• Performs tai chi precisely enough to lead and teach elderly residents in his neighborhood. 2 6
• Uses the Shadowless Hand technique to kill mosquitoes too quickly for ordinary observation. 39
• Defeats Wang Qiao by redirecting his punch, striking his chest, and following with an elbow strike. 49
• Can ride horses and shoot arrows, though he lacks opportunities to use those skills in the variety show’s setting. 44
• His old knee injury remains a physical weakness and is a source of concern for Jiang Hansheng. 39 40
• Helped Li Yu escape by incapacitating multiple guards with only a wooden sword while avoiding discovery. 93
• Performs demanding wirework and combat stunts for film, and can complete certain action shots without wires after demonstrating that the sequence is safe and within his ability. 248 249 250

Political Judgment and Strategy

As a former emperor, Li Wenchuan is experienced in power struggles and recognizes when strength, timing, and leverage matter.

• Survived imperial succession conflicts and seized the throne after eliminating competing threats. 1
• Understands that his current celebrity status is too weak to reject every compromised opportunity, leading him to accept a male-lead role in an obscure web drama after losing the For the Phoenix audition. 9
• Identifies public-opinion manipulation behind Jin Yue’s seemingly conciliatory Weibo post. 2
• Maintains emotional control when confronted with Jiang Hansheng’s resemblance to Jiang Chengyu, concealing his thoughts even while unsettled. 14
• Allows the casting-couch allegations against him to develop long enough for the responsible party and their methods to be exposed conclusively. 74 75 76
• Uses Dragon Soaring Group's resources, industry intelligence, and his own influence to turn Windshow Magazine's contract breach into a successful partnership with Ruili. 142 144

Academic and Cultural Knowledge

Li Wenchuan's education, imperial experience, and later modern research give him unusually broad academic and cultural knowledge.

• Conducts modern academic study and research in his spare time, building upon the original body's strong educational foundation. 191 196
• Participates in Kyoto University's academic exchange conference under Professor Liao and remains composed when his qualifications are publicly challenged. 194
• Handles difficult questions during a public academic lecture with confidence and tact. 197
• Demonstrates deep familiarity with Great Qing history, court customs, Daoist bearing, and the historical relationship between Li Yao and Jiang Yan. 197 230 238
• Uses philosophical and political reasoning to dismantle scripted ghost-story scenarios, repeatedly forcing NPCs to abandon their intended horror narratives. 108 111 261

Rural and Practical Knowledge

Li Wenchuan’s past travels across Great Qing gave him familiarity with common livelihoods.

• Knows that pigs can be fed grass mixed with rice and bran. 28
• Considers ways to improve village income after learning about Old Chen’s hardships. 26
• Is capable of adapting to rural work, livestream selling, and ordinary village life despite his imperial background. 26 32
• Takes responsibility for Coo Coo's welfare and moves her to the Li Family villa garden when his schedule becomes too busy for proper care. 80 81
• Is markedly incapable of ordinary cooking despite repeated attempts to improve. 188 221

Equipment / Items

• Thermos — Used for his idiosyncratic health regimen; he steeps goji berries in Sprite. 8
• Exclusive Li Family card — A luxurious black-and-gold card given by the Li Family’s representatives. 16
• Phone and Weibo account — Used to respond indirectly to public attacks, including the post that launched the “plastic bag” trend. 2
• Coo Coo — Li Wenchuan's pet hen, whom he personally cares for before moving her to the Li Family villa garden. 34 39 80 81
• Cats — He and Jiang Hansheng keep several cats, including Mooncake, who later brings home an additional orange stray. 240

Relationships

• Jiang Chengyu / Jiang Yan — Li Wenchuan’s former prime minister, trusted ally, and eventual regent. Jiang Chengyu protected him during the succession struggle and managed many affairs of the Crown Prince’s residence; after Li Wenchuan's death, he upheld Great Qing as regent and became historically known as Jiang Yan. 1 7 38 40 162
• Jiang Hansheng — Jiang Chengyu's modern reincarnation and Li Wenchuan's eventual life partner. Initially a major actor and variety-show guest whose resemblance to Jiang Chengyu deeply unsettles Li Wenchuan, Jiang Hansheng later becomes his most consistent supporter, Tianchen Group's representative in backing him, and his confirmed partner. Jiang Hansheng retires from acting at forty and Li Wenchuan at forty-five; both publicly confirm their relationship in later interviews. 12 14 74 75 97 230 265
• He Meng — His inexperienced but fiercely protective modern manager. Their relationship develops from mutual exasperation into trust, with Li Wenchuan often guiding her through industry decisions; she later grows into a capable senior agent with Yang Xuan's support. 2 6 9 251
• Jin Yue — His ex-boyfriend and former co-star. Jin Yue previously manipulated the original Li Wenchuan and continues attempting to control both his career and public image; Li Wenchuan rejects his reconciliation attempts. Jin Yue becomes humiliated and increasingly fixated on Li Wenchuan after learning of his Dragon Soaring Group identity. 1 6 13 14 77
• Wang Yiwen — His former manager, who abandoned him after his conflict with a director and later favors her new artist Han Shiye over him. Li Wenchuan eventually cuts off all contact with her. 1 8 216
• Li Zhengyuan — Li Wenchuan's modern father. Though stern, busy, and initially emotionally distant, he consistently worries about Li Wenchuan's living conditions and later recognizes his professional efforts. 10 121 265
• Gu Ranqiu — Li Wenchuan's modern birth mother. Their relationship is not especially close, but she is deeply distressed by his earlier unexplained hospitalization and remains concerned for him. 196 265
• Li Mingyu — Li Wenchuan's younger brother, who becomes an outspoken supporter and helps investigate attacks on Li Wenchuan's reputation. 4 75 121
• Li Yuan — His imperial father. Their relationship was defined by political manipulation, emotional distance, and Li Yuan’s failed attempts to compensate for years of neglect. 7 40
• Consort Yang / Yang Empress Dowager — His mother in his former life. Her low status shaped his early political position, while their relationship remained emotionally restrained; before her death, she expresses regret over failing to show him greater affection. 7 96 230
• Li Yu — His younger brother in Great Qing. Li Wenchuan helps him flee the capital so that he can escape political persecution and live freely with Yelu Qi. 93 225
• Su Mingwei — A younger fellow guest whom Li Wenchuan treats with protective, older-brotherly affection. 20 34
• Old Chen — A village elder who treats Li Wenchuan warmly and advises him when Jiang Hansheng becomes ill. 26 37
• Tang Jingran — A fellow actor and loyal friend who publicly supports Li Wenchuan during the casting-couch rumors and later frequently works alongside him in variety programming. 74 257 261
• Xie Yuan — A wealthy admirer of Li Wenchuan's work who becomes his friend and uses his resources to support Li Wenchuan and Ruili during the Windshow dispute. 115 144
• Bai Lu — An actress who learns that Li Wenchuan is gay after unsuccessfully attempting to flirt with him. His blunt warning and indirect encouragement help motivate a major improvement in her acting. 168 170 251
• Yang Luo'er — A wealthy young actor who admires Li Wenchuan and envies Jiang Hansheng's closeness with him. Li Wenchuan treats him with patient indulgence despite his tendency to create rumors and trouble. 240 242 249
• Li Qingluan — A demanding director who recognizes Li Wenchuan's exceptional historical bearing and casts him as Tang Ruoliu after an unconventional audition. 233 235 238

Story Role / Major Arcs

Rebuilding a Ruined Career

Li Wenchuan enters You and Me Back Then alongside Jin Yue while burdened by the original owner’s reputation. His performances as Mu Yuan and an unfavored prince reverse public expectations, earning recognition from viewers and industry veteran Jiang Hansheng. 2 3 4 5

After losing the For the Phoenix role through Wang Yiwen's favoritism toward Han Shiye, Li Wenchuan pragmatically accepts the male lead in the low-budget web drama The Crown Prince's Strike Log. His performance as the Crown Prince becomes a decisive step in transforming him from a controversial minor actor into a recognized performer. 8 9 69

The Li Family Revelation

A recording of Li Wenchuan’s ordinary life creates a “poor celebrity” narrative online, only for six Li Family representatives to publicly demand that he return and inherit the family business. 15 16 17

When Sun Min engineers a casting-couch scandal around photographs of Li Wenchuan entering a luxury car, Tianchen Group first supports him through its ambassador announcement. Dragon Soaring Group then publicly identifies him as the chairman's eldest son, exposing the false allegations and destroying Sun Min's scheme. 74 75 76 77

*This Is Life* Rural Recording

Li Wenchuan joins the countryside variety show This Is Life, where his practical knowledge, casual demeanor, and interactions with Jiang Hansheng attract renewed attention. He participates in village work, livestream selling, and a murder-mystery game. 18 19 28 32 35

Wang Qiao and Wu Chen Incident

Li Wenchuan and Jiang Hansheng uncover Wang Qiao and Wu Chen’s scheme. When Wang Qiao attempts to flee, Li Wenchuan defeats him in a brief fight before the police take the group in for questioning. The incident becomes a major Weibo controversy. 49 50

*Ode of Mountains and Rivers*

Li Wenchuan accepts the role of the God Venerable in Ode of Mountains and Rivers. Although the role initially has limited screen time, he proposes expanding the character's emotional descent after Mountain Sparrow's death, helping turn the God Venerable into one of the drama's most discussed figures. 94 135 136

His performance makes the series a major success and establishes his ability to carry morally complex, emotionally restrained characters rather than merely historical roles built around his natural imperial bearing. 151 155 186

Windshow and Ruili Dispute

After Windshow Magazine breaks its contract with him, Li Wenchuan openly criticizes the publication rather than accepting its attempt to control the narrative. He reaches an agreement with Ruili, provides information exposing Windshow's biased conduct, and turns the conflict into a high-profile underdog campaign that secures public support for Ruili's cover issue. 142 144

Academic Recognition

Li Wenchuan returns to research and scholarship while maintaining his acting career. His participation in Kyoto University's academic exchange and his public lecture on Great Qing history reveal an academic side previously unknown to much of the public. 194 197

The subsequent exposure of his educational achievements and research progress leads fans and scholars alike to reassess him as both an actor and an intellectual. 196 230

*Moonlit Night on the Spring River*

Li Wenchuan auditions for and receives the role of Tang Ruoliu, a young Daoist investigating supernatural events in the palace. The role requires him to portray youthful innocence and gradual maturation, presenting a new challenge after his earlier cold, calculating, or imperial characters. 233 235

Under Li Qingluan's direction, he undertakes intensive bearing, action, and wirework training. His stunt scenes later go viral after viewers learn that portions were filmed without wires under controlled conditions. 238 248 249 251

Scripted Horror and Dreamscape Programs

Li Wenchuan repeatedly overturns the intended structure of supernatural variety-show scenarios through fearless deduction, political rhetoric, and philosophical argument. He leads teammates against scripted ghosts, uncovers clues in the school-bullying mystery, and convinces a dreamscape ghost to reassess her own grievances. 108 111 177 184 261

These appearances further strengthen his public image as an unflappable, unusually educated celebrity whose greatest weapon is often his ability to make an NPC abandon the script. 108 261

Later Life

Li Wenchuan and Jiang Hansheng eventually retire from acting at forty-five and forty respectively. After years of guarded public behavior, they confirm their relationship during interviews and continue their lives together beyond the entertainment industry. 265

Notable Quotes

“If I said I only wanted to be an idle prince, would anyone believe me?” 1

“We're all working people. I'll do my job properly.” 3

“What brand of plastic bag is this? It holds so much.” 2

“Don't casually define people you don't understand.” 184

Trivia

• Li Wenchuan’s tai chi practice became popular enough to trend under #LiWenchuanDoesTaiChiInTheSquare. 6
• His indirect “plastic bag” Weibo post unexpectedly reached the top five trending topics and gained him followers. 2
• His appearance on You and Me Back Then created the trending topic #LiWenchuanHeartArsonist. 3
• He has a noticeable sweet tooth and chooses sweet tofu pudding. 28
• He initially struggles with some modern technology and entertainment, including 3D films. 11
• He is much better at martial arts, historical etiquette, and political strategy than cooking; his cooking has caused fires and destroyed cookware. 188 221
• Coo Coo is a hen rather than a conventional household pet. 80 81
• Despite his public “slacker” image, he is regarded by scholars and former classmates as academically gifted. 196 230