Li Wenchuan

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Li Wenchuan (李闻川)
Alias(es)	Qingming Emperor; Fourth Prince; Crown Prince; Yu'an (used by Jiang Chengyu) 7 39 40
Species/Race	Human
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Great Qing imperial court (former); Li Family (modern era) 1 16
Occupation/Role	Actor; former Emperor of Great Qing 1 2
Status	Alive; a transmigrated soul inhabiting the body of a modern actor with the same name 1
First Appearance	Chapter 1

Background / History

Great Qing

Born as the Fourth Prince of Great Qing, Li Wenchuan was the son of Emperor Li Yuan and Consort Yang, whose 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. 1 40

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

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, and livestream work. 3 5 32

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 — A companion Li Wenchuan brings along during the rural recording and cares for personally. 34 39

Relationships

• Jiang Chengyu — 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. 1 7 40
• Jiang Hansheng — A major actor and variety-show guest who strongly resembles Jiang Chengyu. Li Wenchuan becomes increasingly close to him, though he remains uncertain whether Jiang Hansheng recognizes their past connection. 12 14 39 42
• 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. 2 6 9
• 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. 1 6 13 14
• Wang Yiwen — His former manager, who abandoned him after his conflict with a director and later favors her new artist Han Shiye over him. 1 8
• 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 — His mother in his former life. Her low status shaped his early political position, and Li Wenchuan remained deeply attached to her. 7 40
• 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

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

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

*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

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

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
• 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