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《蘭陵皇妃》 This book started when I was in the first year of school. I was invited to write a novel and I looked at some history and decided to write the story of Lanling Wang and so this book 《蘭陵皇妃》was borne. Although much later Yuwen Yong snatched away much of Lanling Wang's scenes, the story's leading man at the beginning was supposed to be Lanling Wang.
At the present, looking back on this book, at that time when I was younger, a lot of things were handled inadequately/ imperfectly. But it is precisely because of this, that it seems that emotions were more sincere. There is a message on a forum that I feel is very meaningful so I quote it here.
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Every female in their life would encounter different kinds of men, 《蘭陵皇妃》 refers obliquely to them. Let's talk about them.
諸葛無雪 Zhuge Wuxue refers obliquely to abnormal love / attachment
The use of abnormal isn’t because (of my) despise. On the contrary, I understand the basics of any kind of love, including homosexuality, longing for regrettable love, extramarital affair and even incest.
But understanding is one matter, society’s approval is another matter. So in the view of society, this will always be abnormal.
On occasion, this type of love might happen. This (person) who will never let a female touch him, thought he had fallen in love with another man. But once he discovers that Qing shuo is actually a female, he never looks back because this love has (become) deep. (1)
Actually those kind of so-called abnormal love, it is just a type feeling of reliance only, unrelated to whether it is normal or abnormal, at least they never harm anyone.
(1) In the novel, Zhuge Wuxue's character likes men. When he subsequently discovers QS is a female, he ends up sacrificing his life for her. Not that it helps much because she dies in the end.
香無塵 Xiang Wu Chen refers obliquely to a close male confidant , who is distinguished and accomplished with an unconventional lifestyle
Everyone has to grow up, and when you are older, you cannot always immense yourself in emotional love. When older, you have to walk and confront everything located outside. In the complicated, confused world, you will meet one kind of person. Having nothing to do with romance, but (between you and him) there's a spark. In the eyes of everyone, both of you seem to have no relation but when you are within his reach, and you encounter difficulties, (one) can only say one sentence. Those that harmed you will be in trouble.
香無塵 is this type of person. He is 100% (妖精) evil/ mesmerizes woman, bringing a charming personality trait, letting people recalled that verse '天下三分明月夜,二分無賴是揚州.' (2) This man who loves beauty seemingly (is one who) loves deeply, purely and (makes) others incapable of hating (him) forever.
(2) This is from a Tang Dynasty poem. Explanation available here sorry for not translating that explanation but its beyond my capabilities.
宇文毓 Yuwen Yu refers obliquely to (the one) who secretly loves you the deepest
Perhaps you never discovered, that wherever you go, there inevitably is a pair of gaze that watches you attentively. However if you were to turn around quickly, that gaze would unconsciously evade (you). After you and your lover quarrel, he will feel disappointed alone, he will look at you tenderly, he will steadily approach your side unobtrusively expressing concern. He will treat you so well that it creates guilt in you. You will also treat him well however you will never fall in love with him because he is not the destined one decreed by fate.
This is Yuwen Yu, (a) virtuous (man) who endures silently, (who) doesn’t have any enthusiastic feeling, only occasionally exchanging dialog, vague and (yet) profound, letting people hard to forget.
蘭陵王 Lan Ling Wan refers obliquely to First Love
Which young girl doesn’t yearn for love? In every female's heart, there exists a figure to open her door to romance.
Regarding the first love, perhaps it is a crazy kind of appreciation / admiration, perhaps it is a kind of worship / adoration, perhaps it is when she is at her weakest and (he) steps forward bravely (to assist), from then on, (it is) engraved in her heart and becomes an existence that is incapable of being erased.
To the woman, that person might not love her but she is unable to not care, she is also unable to refuse him. Lanling Wang seems to be this kind of figure.
Perhaps because the author seems to like Lanling Wang a lot, despite his outstanding image, his words and actions and demeanor from the beginning to the end are unable to exhibit his proper nature.
宇文邕 Yuwen Yong refers obliquely to True Love
There exists one type of man, who seems right from the beginning to have a grudge with you, but one day you will realise that the rapport that you have with him is not replicable with others, and one day when you realise that you are in danger, this person who used to make you angry is the first to rush up to protect you, perhaps you will discover that you both do not really dislike each other, even (discovering) that you love one another deeply, but you escape because you are afraid (of) losing, and you will wait, wait until he discovers one day, wait until one day he decides resolutely to confess (his feelings), (and at that moment) that is a woman's happiest moment is her life. Yuwen Yong is this type of person.
The author categories Lanling Wang as extremely beautiful proud and aloof and Yuwen Yong as a callous man who is scheming and profound but to me, Lanling wang is gentle and soft, proud and aloof is more appropriate on Yuwen Yong. As he wasn’t in love with Qingshuo at the beginning but when he fell in love later, he wouldn’t let go, even willing to pay with his life to capture the other party, to use his everything to give her what she wants, this is true love.
It would appear that Lanling Wang pales in comparison.
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Honestly speaking, when I wrote this book I wasn’t thinking much. (It was) simply letting the story flow. This story now that I recollect, perhaps 《蘭陵皇妃》 consolidates all my comprehension of love at that age. In a blink of the eye, it has been many years since this book was first published, the first run was sold out. Those who read the book back then and to those who are about to read the book, I hope you will like everyone in the book.
Off course I wish that you will look at my other books, to explore romance and the true meaning of life, let us grow together.
Yang Qian Zhi
2013 February 25
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