iQIYI drama My Queen, My Rules 不二之臣 has been making waves even before its official announcement. The show finally held its booting ceremony today, choosing a creative wedding invitation–style reveal to match its marriage-before-romance premise.
Ao Ruipeng plays the male lead Cen Sen, originally described in the novel as the black-bellied, domineering CEO. The 30-year-old actor’s sharp features and 188 cm height certainly fit what most viewers would picture for this role. Meanwhile, Shen Yujie who previously appeared in supporting roles like the niece in Only for Love and more recently Coroner’s Diary, where she and Ao Ruipeng actually played siblings, now returns as his female lead. Their reunion as an on-screen married couple is quite the unexpected twist. The 24-year-old actress plays Ji Mingshu, a wealthy heiress and accomplished designer who enters an arranged marriage.
Wang Duo has signed on as the second male lead. I’m excited for Ao Ruipeng, but oddly even more curious to see Wang Duo again. I first saw him in Bloody Romance, and here he is in another second-lead role. The 34-year-old actor shared that it was unexpected for him to sign on to a contemporary idol drama, but he hopes to leave everyone with “the best version of myself before I turn 40.” He plays Cen Yang, the adopted son who walks the line between good and bad.
Tian Xuning was rumored to be part of the cast, but his absence from the official announcement has sparked discussion, with some saying it was a tactic for early buzz. The cast brings together a mix of young actors and established veterans, including Wang Ruoshan, Vesta Ding Jiawen, Kevin Xiao Kaizhong, Fang Xiaodong, Gao Shuguang, Qiu Xinzhi, and more.
