Drama Source Material ( novel ) Discussion

I read all the intimate scenes it’s just that some of the English translations are inaccurate or confusing but there are better ones 

Can’t really answer this because they changed it from the novel. 

In the novel, the resentment does subsides but the uncle betrayed the family. Idk how they’re going to execute it in the drama

I read this thread with interest and started to read the novel. It is not different than other historical romances I have read in the past. Reminds me of many romances I read back in the 90s. The sex scenes are tame compared to romances I have read, trust me on this. Overall, a good story. 

 Anoif:

Think the novel’s plot is better towards the end, the drama kinda summarised/shortened it and also toned down a lot of things, like his hatred, revenge, and also the political/strategy arcs….. 

I agree. I so would have liked to see when Wei Shao met his daughter. 

 Anoif:

I also think that they made the romance a little too cliche and rosy in the drama…. I think the ML’s redemption and the development of the plot in the novel was more logical. I mean, why wouldn’t the FL leave? I feel that in the drama (and actually in the novel as well to some extent) they kinda failed to address how the FL feels. It’s partially because they toned down the whole ML’s character. But I actually thought the ML in the novel felt more like a real person, like with flaws and just like every human being. and it was perfect that there was a scene whereby she asked to leave, to go home because she was tired….. I think that is a natural human response…. The FL in the drama just became someone who is hopelessly in love with the ML although it was an arranged marriage? That’s super random. I don’t know, was kinda weird for me because I completed the novel way before the drama ended and I actually think the novel was more relatable.

One thing movies and show's adaptations lack is the inner monologue of what the characters feel. 

Also, in the novel there is the whole rebirth arc that was scrapped from the drama. I mean, even WS at the end of the battle has a dream of his previous life. Perhaps because XQ had told him of her nightmares? We don't know, but it affected him when he woke up. It would have been interesting if the adaptation had added the whole rebirth arc, because that is what moves XQ to act. 

 Anoif:

Ah yes, that bit too. In the novel itself I already questioned the never ending selflessness of the FL, but I felt it flowed more naturally and I can sort of relate to her, or at least imagine someone else being that way. But in the drama as it progressed, I just found things weird. Like the ML’s development was also odd, esp when he didn’t blame her regarding her uncle. I’m like…… but wouldn’t most people blame her? Or at least they would in their hearts? So what happened to that whole revenge thing which was so dear to him? lol, at that point I kinda was like, shitz, maybe I shouldn’t have read the novel. 

Repeat after me: the novel is usually better than the adaptation *grins* 😁

Now, maybe is because of censors, but why can't C dramas show a couple can have sexy times (like they do in the novel) before falling in love? They don't have to be graphic, but a mention should suffice to mean = "I don't really love you, but we're married, let's get to it." It would be more real than the whole "waiting 1 year due to mourning" thing. Yes, he was rough with her at the beginning, but eventually they find their own rhythm in the bedroom (or the office, or the desk, or the bathroom).  Another peeve I have with historical C dramas: the hair always stays up. Like, seriously? 

I've never read a chinese novel before but I've started to read this one because I enjoyed the drama so much. 

So far i'm on chapter 60 and I'm enjoying it especially since I can visualize the scenes that happened in the drama and put a face to the characters. Liu Yuning is the perfect Wei Shao and Song Zuer is a beauty indeed.

It was interesting reading everyone's opinion on what they thought about the main couples dynamic. Ngl I was quite shocked reading the explicit scenes in the novel because the drama Wei Shao was a lot more gentle and less forceful... I wanted to add my comment to the earlier discussion and have to say I did feel a little uncomfortable sometimes reading their sex scenes because Xiao Qiao clearly said no many times and described how painful it was for her in the novel. I would say it was quite borderline rape but I do understand the historical context of it, it was normal for women back then to obey their husband and submit to their needs. Does it make it ok? no (from modern standards) however I don't think Wei Shao is an evil man who never cared about her feelings and a rapist. He is young, a bit forceful, and immature at times but he truly does treasure her. 

I definitely prefer the Xiao Qiao in the drama than the novel because they made her more intelligent and strategic instead of the novel version who is very simple and idle. (again i'm only on chapter 60 so maybe too early to say what she's really like in the novel) 

novel was a smut. dark sexy male lead fantasy.