Poster of The Heir, a TV series about Anhui's centuries-old ink-making industry.[Photo provided to China Daily]
For centuries, ink has occupied a unique place in Chinese literary culture, revered as one of the "four treasures of the study" alongside the brush, paper and inkstone. But behind the elegant black strokes of classical calligraphy lies a demanding craft shaped by smoke, pine soot and generations of family labor in Anhui province — once the historic center of China's tribute ink industry.
That world returns to the screen in The Heir, a new costume drama that premiered on Sunday on China Central Television's CCTV-8 and the streaming platform iQiyi, weaving together family rivalries, political intrigue and the artistry of traditional ink-making.
Set during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), the series opens with a scandal involving tribute ink supplied to the imperial court, an incident that upends Huizhou's once-thriving ink trade. The prestigious Li family, long respected for its craftsmanship, falls from grace, while the rival Luo family rises to prominence before becoming ensnared in political turmoil of its own.
A poster featuring actress Yang Zi.[Photo provided to China Daily]
At the center of the story is Li Zhen, the youngest daughter of the eighth lineage of the Li family, portrayed by actress Yang Zi. Forced to make a living after her family's decline, she enters the male-dominated ink trade and gradually emerges as an unlikely force within the industry. Her path crosses with Luo Wenqian, the ambitious second son of the Luo family, whose attempts to restore his family's fortunes reshape the ink business landscape.
A poster featuring actor Han Dongjun.[Photo provided to China Daily]
While the drama follows the conventions of historical family sagas, it also displays Anhui's regional cultures, showcasing Huizhou Opera, Anhui cuisine, ornate wood and stone carvings, and the white-walled, black-tiled architecture that defines traditional Huizhou villages.
Told largely through a woman's perspective, The Heir reframes a world historically dominated by men, portraying Li Zhen not simply as a survivor of family collapse, but as a determined woman seeking independence through craftsmanship — a theme producers hope will resonate with contemporary audiences.
