The Female Prince

The Female Prince

Year: 1964

Runtime: 102 mins

Language: Chinese

Director: Chow Sze-Luk

MusicRomanceDrama

The film reunites Ivy Ling Po and Chin Han in a Huangmei opera tale. Siblings Ching Feng‑sheng and Ching Feng‑hsiao endure cruelty from their stepmother Hsia. Feng‑hsiao is betrothed to Li Ru‑lung, but Hsia frames and imprisons him. Disguised as a man, she travels to the capital, assumes Ru‑lung’s name for the imperial exam and tops it. The Emperor rewards her with marriage to Princess Fang Ying, whom she later reveals her true identity.

Hopeful
Happy ending
Moderately emotional
Medium intensity
Steady pacing
Moderate complexity

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Timeline & Setting – The Female Prince (1964)

Explore the full timeline and setting of The Female Prince (1964). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Ancient China, Imperial era

Set in a feudal, dynastic China, the film centers on the revered Imperial exam and the ascent of officials through merit. It highlights rigid gender roles, where women must mask themselves to pursue opportunities, and where loyalty to family drives daring actions.

Location

Imperial Court, Capital City

The story unfolds primarily within the Imperial Court and the surrounding capital, where politics, exams, and courtly intrigue shape the fate of families. The palace serves as the hub of power, tradition, and social expectations that drive arranged marriages and risky disguises. Court life is marked by scheming stepfamilies, ambitious scholars, and the constant pressure of official duties.

🏯 Imperial Court 🏛️ Capital City

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 19:03

Main Characters – The Female Prince (1964)

Meet the key characters of The Female Prince (1964), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Feng Xiao (Ivy Ling Po)

A virtuous young woman who disguises herself as Li Ru Long to pursue the Imperial exams. She endures danger and deception to save her fiancé and secure a future where they can be together. Her courage stems from loyalty to family and a strong sense of justice.

👗 Heroine ❄️ Disguise 💎 Courage

Feng Sheng / Qi Cai Sheng (Chin Feng)

The Feng family’s son who leaves home after being robbed and is later renamed Qi Cai Sheng after rescue by a general. He embodies resilience and adaptability, navigating identity shifts as events unfold. His pursuit of justice intersects with his sister’s quest for truth.

🧭 Brother 🗡️ Identity 💪 Resilience

Li Ru Long (Chin Ru Long)

The fiancé of Feng Xiao, framed for burglary by a scheming stepmother and imprisoned. He remains steadfast in his commitment and seeks release and justice through his fiancée’s clever gambit. His love drives the plot to its emotional climax.

💍 Fiancé 🛡️ Wrongly imprisoned 💫 Loyalty

Princess An Ning (Fang Ying)

The princess meant to wed Li Ru Long, whose reaction to Feng Xiao’s true gender becomes a turning point. She shows strength, forgiveness, and a pragmatic willingness to work with the couple to resolve the crisis. Her alliance helps shape the Emperor’s final decision.

👑 Princess 💖 Compassion 🤝 Alliance

Chun Lan (Li Ching)

Feng Xiao’s loyal maid who assists in her disguise and supports the search for Feng Sheng. She acts with quiet courage and practical intelligence, keeping faith with her mistress.

🧵 Confidante 🗺️ Ally 🕊️ Loyalty

Emperor Chu Hou-Tsung (Ching Miao)

The ruler who initially condemns and then forgives the rebels, balancing spectacle, mercy, and political calculation. His decisions shape the fates of both lovers and siblings.

👑 Emperor ⚖️ Authority 🌀 Mercy

Madame Hsia (Kao Pao-Shu)

The scheming stepmother whose machinations set the conflict in motion, targeting Feng Xiao and Li Ru Long. Her actions intensify the family’s struggles and test loyalties.

👗 Stepfamily rival 🧷 Schemer 🕊️ Ambition

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 19:03

Major Themes – The Female Prince (1964)

Explore the central themes of The Female Prince (1964), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

👗 Cross-dressing and gender expectations

Feng Xiao disguises herself as Li Ru Long to take the Imperial exams, challenging traditional gender roles. The disguise exposes the double standards that limit women's public lives while showcasing courage and resourcefulness. The plot uses her alter ego to explore what makes someone noble—the merit they earn or the roles they are assigned. The path reveals how disguises can empower individuals to alter their fate.

🏛️ Meritocracy and examination

The Imperial exams determine social rank and opportunity, giving Feng Xiao a chance to impact her fiancé's fate. Her top placement demonstrates that merit can trump birthright within the court's rigid hierarchy. The exams become a vehicle for justice, allowing the protagonists to confront the system. Yet the outcome also depends on imperial mercy and political cunning.

💞 Family bonds and loyalty

The siblings' bond drives the plot as Feng Sheng and Feng Xiao navigate separation, misrecognition, and reunion. Li Ru Long's imprisonment tests familial loyalty and the willingness to risk everything for loved ones. Chun Lan's steadfast support highlights loyalty that survives deceit and danger. The story frames affection as a force capable of overcoming imposture and injustice.

🕊️ Forgiveness and justice

The Emperor's harsh initial judgment is tempered by dialogue, Princess An Ning's pleading, and the siblings' petitions. The tale resolves with a double wedding that restores balance and completes the narrative arc of forgiveness. The theme emphasizes mercy within a strict legal system and the possibility of reform through compassion.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 19:03

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Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Movies with resourceful heroines in disguise like The Female Prince

Clever women adopt new identities to challenge injustice and find love.Explore movies like The Female Prince where clever women use disguise to fight injustice. If you enjoyed the story of Feng-hsiao impersonating her fiancé, you'll find similar tales of female empowerment, romantic tension, and triumphant justice in these films.

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Narrative Summary

Stories in this thread follow a pattern where a virtuous woman, facing a grave injustice, chooses to disguise herself—often as a man—to access privileges or spaces denied to her. Her journey involves maintaining the deception under pressure, proving her capabilities, and navigating complicated social or romantic situations, culminating in a reveal that affirms her true identity and secures a happy ending.

Why These Movies?

These movies are grouped by their shared core plot device—the female disguise—and the resulting themes of empowerment, justice, and romantic dilemma. They share a hopeful tone where cleverness and virtue triumph over adversity, creating a satisfying and uplifting viewer experience.

Steady-paced hopeful dramas like The Female Prince

Character-driven stories where resilience leads to a joyful resolution.Discover more movies like The Female Prince that blend drama with a hopeful, steady pace. If you liked watching Feng-hsiao's determined journey to justice, you'll enjoy these character-driven stories where loyalty and virtue lead to a triumphant and happy conclusion.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative arc in these films is one of sustained perseverance. The protagonist faces significant challenges—like betrayal or wrongful imprisonment—but the plot unfolds methodically without excessive twists or despair. The emotional weight is present but manageable, and the viewer is reassured by a clear moral compass, leading to a conclusion that rewarding and celebratory.

Why These Movies?

This grouping prioritizes a specific mood mix: a steady, engaging pace combined with a consistently hopeful outlook and a medium emotional weight. The movies share a feeling of virtuous determination prevailing, making them ideal for viewers who want drama without heavy despair, and a guaranteed uplifting ending.

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The Female Prince Summary

Read a complete plot summary of The Female Prince, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

The Female Prince Summary

The Female Prince Timeline

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The Female Prince Timeline

More About The Female Prince

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The Female Prince (1964) Plot Summary & Movie Recap

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