Previously I lamented that there's hardly anyone on this thread and I was talking to myself so I am very happy to see new commentators! But please do remember to use spoiler tags. Its more fun that way, especially when the spoiler tags contain pictures of Yong. It's like xmas came early! So if you are on your mobile, you just need to add the spoiler tags like this --> add your comments between the 2 spoiler tags [ SPOILER ] [ /SPOILER ]
I didn’t expect so many comments so rather than copy and reply individually, I am adding my comments and thoughts here and hopefully they addressed charbydis, hkstars and stylchick 's questions...
the internet novel
As mentioned previously, there were 2 novels “蘭陵皇妃" and “蘭陵王妃" names written by 2 different authors. But some links have credited “蘭陵王妃" as written by 杨千紫 and sometimes the links contain the story of “蘭陵皇妃" and sometimes “蘭陵王妃" and sometimes nothing but porn pictures that unfortunately do not involve Yong. The endings for both novels are different.
It appears that “蘭陵皇妃" as written by 杨千紫 first's edition novel ends
click to show/hide spoilers with a cliff scene where Shuo kinda gives her declaration to Yong
Thereafter, the internet novel continues and ends with that spoiler I first gave MysticDust in
post #50.
I later read comments to an addition to the ending which charbydis confirmed in post
#62
This ending can apparently be found only in the revised book edition. Unfortunately I have not been able to source this book edition online.
Yan Wan in the Internet Novel
Expanding on hkstars comment
click to show/hide spoilers IIRC This was right after that scene where Shuo ended up in the pond/ lake. She was actually very ill and Yong had not left her bedside at all while she was sick. Because of Yuwen Hu's insistence, Yong went to Hu's house to pick up Yan Wan and brought her back to his residence. There was no official marriage ceremony like Yong's and Shuo. In the book, it was implied that Yong was not interested in bringing Yan Wan back but Hu had insisted strongly. She would later on become the terror in Yong's harem killing off concubines she did not like. She later tried to assassinate Shuo too. Her storyline continues with other characters in the book commenting on her. She actually does not make any appearance after a banquet scene in Yuwen Hu's house.
諸葛無雪 aka Green Dragon Guy in the Internet Novel
click to show/hide spoilers He said to be a descendant of 諸葛亮 (Zhu Ge Liang) and he rules this “land” that borders Zhou and Qi. their story briefly - he thought Shuo was a guy and fell in love with him. But later when he finds out Shuo is actually a girl, he still loves her. He dies protecting her.
Previously I said the novel's pretty good cos it was easy to read, tends to flow well with most points wrapped. However, the characters did not have much depth. This is quite different from the screenplay where we see that the characters have much more depth and there's more backstory. Certain events have been added which I believe creates more interest in the show. However, certain events have been omitted which I feel should have been added cos its too good!
The Romance in the Internet Novel vs Drama
click to show/hide spoilers In the novel, Duan Mu Ling in the present seems to have a fascination on LLW. Then she gets transported back in time where she becomes Qingshuo and is married to Yuwen Yong. She encounters LLW and her fascination appears to develop into a crush. There is a scene which looks like the drama would incorporate which makes Shuo realise that all along, LLW has not responded to her affection / declaration. It was always her who made the first move. This lead her to give up on LLW and her romance with Yong develops further.
Towards the end (and yah I suddenly went WTH!) Its explained that Luo Yan and LLW aren’t humans & LLW is under a spell that makes him love only Luo Yan. However, LLW seems to be able to have feelings for Shuo .
So in the novel, there was no backstory to the 3 leads. We do not have the 青梅竹马 ( ie childhood sweethearts) between LLW & QS as in the drama. Usually when there's a 青梅竹马storyline, the tendency is that this couple will end up together. However, Yong and Shuo had an event when they were younger too! That event impacted Yong so much it created a lifelong phobia! I would say that's a really big impact for a guy!
I would actually say that in the drama, the relationship is up for grabs cos both male leads had a childhood experience with her, both have a finance they are going to marry, both have their fair share of love scenes with her (LLW's ones are coming up) and both have their scenes where they both hurt Shuo...
btw, in the drama, we see Shuo calling Yong 'Fu Jun'. In the novel, Duan Mu Ling/ Shuo explains only the first wife is allowed to call the husband 'Fu Jun' so she does it to indicate that their relationship is that of a husband and wife. Totally love that Yong lets her mess around with him.
sorry for such a long post! i shall save my thoughts on the ost for another day!