Sakan08

It depends. As it is airing now, I suggest to sit tight and watch. Read the novel after the drama finish for comparision if u like. From my experience, reading it before or during airing of the show ruins the drama you're watching. Case for example is The legend of the female general. The drama left a bad taste for me. It didn't stand up to my expectation. Sometimes u don't need the book as the adaptation is good enough.

I can't say it's a massive success yet as we're still early on the show. But if this turns out to be one. I'll attribute it mostly to the whole production team especially the director (Zeng Qing Jie) his track record doesn't lie and the scriptwriter. I'm actually watching this coz I'm curious if the director can pull another successful idol drama after Blossom - with a better budget and actors that can act. This will prove that you don't need traffic stars to build a successful drama. All you need is a freaking good story/script and translating that story to your audiences with amazing visuals. It helps that ZLH acting has improved here and TXW is born to play chang yu. Director Zeng skills is amazing at maximizing the visual impact and aesthetic beauty of the leads. The framing (longshot, wide, angle, focus-you name it) of ZLH is almost ethereal ✨️ 😍 💕 and the way he makes him peek at that freaking window is like telling us - we're only allowed that, a sneak peek a bit of a time and no more. Lol

As of ep. 09. I don't see any major changes. Except Li Huai an (He's supposed to be a scholar in the novel not a trained fighter). He's also not supposed to be aware of ML identity and FL being married - too early. But major time line still the same.

I bet this is where the novel and drama will differ. Seeing as Deng Kai is 3rd bill. I doubt they'll kill him.

I saw the BTS. They built the village inside the studio so they're making the best use for it for several episode. The director is producing the best angling, lightning and cinematography and best of all those tantalizing close up shots of ZLH, Tempting you to lick your tv screen if your watching netflix. 😂🤣😅😍🥰😘Also on the 1st ep. TXW lifted a freaking real pig with the help of some hoisting ropes on it.

Yes. I'm doing a re-read like a refresher course for the characters lol

In the Novel several as fas as I can remember. The PM uncle Wei Wan - with massive back story why he did it. He even have extra chapters to go back to the past and redo his life - in extension changes everyone life as well. I love that alternate ending. Grand Tutor Li + the grandson Li Huai An (I think they're the main enemy). The paranoid old emperor

Yup the timeline when rebel invade the little town/village is near.

It's simulcast. Wake up around 2.30s PST in the morning. Lol. I did a marathon saturday going to sunday and it's around that time.

I read in the comment about the mom's selfishness in committing suicide. In the novel there's an explanation to that. It was meant to save his son and xie clan in general from complete annihilation by the old emperor + something else on the his maternal uncle side that the mom's discovered.. Some complex political maneuvering going on. I wonder if they will explore this on the drama.

I can recall Qi Min in the novel. Oh I remember the princess. It was Qi Shu.

I don't know whether to thank you for the previews or to curse you. Those previews are so good that it it will be a painful and tortuous long wait.

Watch his other work. He's got amazing cinematography works. His recent one that also popular was Blossom 2024. He made the leads popular after the drama aired in my opinion.

Im no fan of ZLH but of TXW and the director Zeng Qing Jie's work. He makes a good job of actors owning their character as if they are born for the role . Good example were the actors in Blossoms. ZLH seems to morphed into one. He nailed Xie Zheng characters out from the novel. I admit defeat, he's amazing in this 1st 7 episodes.

If we follow the novel. She'll be FL BFF and Gongsun Yin [Headmaster of Liu Yuan Academy of Heijian] love interest. She was briefly shown as the cross dressing scholar in the earler episode with the gryfalcon. Unless they change her storyline.

I haven't seen that one. Let me search and put it on my watchlist. Thanks!

Correct! Same director on this one. So I have a high expectation. Also watch a familiar stranger. Another drama of his, low budget but well done.

I'm so looking forward for the scenes where she goes to war to look for his missing husband. I can't wait for these scenes to unfold.

Shout out to the Production team. Director Zeng Qing Jie 👏 👏 👏 I'm impressed with you track record. I've watched up to ep 7 and so far so good. Pls do not disappoint. I'm still waiting with your signature ML sliding on his knees towards the FL for a hug lol.

ROFL on the licking the screen.