Sssnoopyyy

That’s a fair point. I will say the drama did a good job despite the changes from the original, they did their best packing in as many of the main events and characters as possible. Time was just not on our side to have every detail shown (which would have been beneficial for a deeper dive on plot and character development - GRR to the 40 episode rules).

I can’t speak for others who were not a fan of the change where HY completely lost it with XJ having to save her from getting hit by the enemy. But as someone who has read the novel (and trying hard to think of the stories as standalones), I think I would’ve appreciated if they allowed HY to shine and stand more on her own as a character. For example, I think they should’ve kept her QingLang sword separate from the Xiao family (like it originally was - it was her own) so it doesn’t look like part of her success relied on Xiao’s. Even tho XJ did mentor her on swordsmanship for a short time at school, she fought to get
everything else on her own. Also when she thought XJ died, she was distraught but also angry and starting taking down more enemies while frantically trying to find him - which is pretty in character because she always fought to protect her loved ones and is ruthless towards enemies on the battlefield.

All in all, I can see either situations happening so am not mad about the scene in the drama, but I think the point is to see her development as a general and for
her to shine on her own like in the novel

Love them too! I loved each and every one of them in the novel, where we also got a back story for them. There were actually two other friends in the group but they didn’t make it to the drama version

She is the only one <3

They definitely focused more on the romance, unlike the novel (which was more of a slow burn), probably to please viewers who usually love romance

Yeah looks like they moved the sequence of some things / lines from the novel around to suit the changes made in the drama

YESS PLEASS

In the novel, shen muxue (girl who likes XJ) reveals it. Emperor is not shocked because XJ made preparations ahead of time and informed him in a letter (making up a love story and wanting to keep her by his side in the army) . In the end the Emperor gave them a marriage decree

Has anyone watched his other works? I didn’t realize he is quite young, maybe needs some more acting experience ?

The hua you xian arc was also not developed, thrown into the story and then wrapped up. I know her only purpose in this series was to tell XJ that the “HRF” he went to school with was a girl, but still, that backstory was so fun because we get to see more about the main characters and their lives as young teens. it’s a shame there is no time to develop any of the side stories. They are just randomly put in

Time was not on their side, too many plots to tell in so little time. I can see they did their best trying to fit everything and every character possible but because of that there is no time to develop things properly. I agree that they did a job casting the lead roles, even the supporting characters

It sucks because all the side stories were more significant and well developed in the novel because there was time to flesh it out there, I think they tried their best cramming everything in here but with only 36 eps and editing, it ends up being random and choppy

Usually they film the drama in parts, I guess it depends on the scene, setting, etc for efficiency

Yeah! Apparently CL said it was a memorable line/scene too, because it was the last.

Interesting because that was the line said towards the end of the novel

Hmm they didn’t kill him off in the novel so it would be a big change to do so here. If they go down this route, maybe it’s to give his character a heroic/redemption arc?

she's adorable!

LOL yeah he was an interesting character in the novel. I feel like they're not using him in the plot properly here

I'm a bit confused with the trajectory of his character. There was so much potential in the beginning and I thought they had done a good job with the cast. Not sure if it's the script or the acting?

He seems kinda like a lost mopey puppy most of the time, following HY everywhere. CZ was someone who had a gentle (albiet political) smile, good at strategizing/scheming. He is supposed to be a layered character. Where is all that? Maybe they're giving him a redemption arc or just simply using him as a romantic plot device at this point? A draggy love triangle is not needed here.

Some notes from today's episodes (that deviated from the novel):

- Yan He being friendly with XJ??? LOL that was a little weird to see because I was prepared to see him still being competitive and petty with XJ just like in the novel. Always trying to pick a fight!

- They decided to have HY's brothers find out about her identity earlier on vs in the novel huh. LOL I knew that someone had seen her in a dress when she left the camp as XJ's 'wife' for the Jiyang arc (there was no way they left unnoticed). Regardless, I still love the bond they have - just missing Hong Shan and Shi Tou (2 other friends she also had in the novel). Their teamwork and her swordsmanship were done well. Kinda want to see more, so sad that time is limited in this drama otherwise we would've seen more. can't get enough of her action scenes. Go HY!

- I'm guessing the chat XJ had with the Emperor was about HY being a woman - we did not get to see this because in the novel, he had prepared by sending a letter/notice to the Emperor before her identity got revealed in the palace.

- I'm not sure where they are taking CZ's character here. I was initially excited because I thought we would see a morally grey character, someone more scheming and good at hiding his true emotions. Yes, he had feelings for HY in the novel, but it wasn't to the extent where he would follow her around like a puppy like this. I still don't know if it's just the script or the acting but CZ always looks like a sad little puppy. There seems to be something lacking here. Perhaps they want to paint him to be a better person here?

- I love XJ but I also am not very used to seeing him expressive like this. His conversation with HY after she found out her 6 deputy generals were killed was touching, but I cannot imagine him voicing out his feelings over his past pains/struggles like this (XJ is not someone who would ever confide in others - he was such a tsundere). I think they wanted to show more of his gentle side in the adaptation but kinda miss his sarcastic/stoic side (which made him funny at times).

- I know Song Tao Tao ended up with HY's brother (brother from her 2nd life) in the novel, but she and Cheng Li Su are kinda cute. Maybe because they meshed some of Lin Shuang He's personality in there so it makes it more fun - Cheng Li Su being less childish.

Anyway just some things I noticed as a novel reader. Not mad about some of the changes, they have been faithful to most of the events so far (apart from the sequence).

Ah ok, I’m always curious about those who didn’t read the book just to see what they think. I’ve heard a mixture of things. I feel like knowing what happened in the novel allows me to fill in gaps that I would otherwise have missed (tbh I think watching this with no context would have left me confused with a whiplash on how fast things happen). Maybe you can read it after the drama ends!

Haha I love chatting with others on the forum. I think we are all allowed to share our opinions as long as we are being respectful and not bashing the actors or each other