Sssnoopyyy

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

Yeah I think if fleshing out all the side stories is a challenge, the amount of time they had should have been dedicated to just the main characters’ story. I guess it is what it is. Just sad at the potential because I genuinely like the ppl they casted. I love the leads

Are you referring to the scene in the trailer? Tbh this doesn’t happen in the novel, XJ would never punch CZ (he is way too proud even though he was jealous of seeing CZ and HY together at one point, he would never beat someone who doesn’t know martial arts lol).

But I believe in the drama, it was because of HY, because I heard rumours that CZ will try to marry HY

I understand how you feel. I try to see this as a standalone storyline unrelated to the novel. The way it played out in the novel was just too good, because they developed the plot up until that major reveal. I am sad with the route they took in the drama but I feel like that’s all they could fit in - they have tried to cram in all the story’s events (which I do appreciate - they tried to be faithful where they could) into a short series that there is no room to flesh things out properly. Even the Hua You Xian arc felt random.

This drama simply needed more than 40eps

Ohoho wow perfection huh, does he fall in love first?

Ooooh haha so opposite in terms of personality lol. XJ is more unbothered and sarcastic/savage (his sarcasm only evolved to be doting/teasing after falling in love with HY). But flirty and lethal? Whew that is dangerous haha

How would you describe the ML in the malicious empress vs the novel Xiao Jue?

It’s moments like these that I am grateful for reading the novel because I have context and am able to appreciate the events more even though they may appear random/abrupt with the editing. It’s unfortunate because you can see they tried to incorporate as much of the novel as possible but with the limitations of time and censorship and having to edit things, it’s all jumbled up with no proper intro (and a quick wrap up)

Yes! Both XJ and HY were lonely souls. They both had a rough and lonely childhood. Even though XJ had his parents and brother, he wasn’t around them most of the time because he was training hard in the mountains with his shifus to be his father’s heir.

He was a lonely moon and she was a lonely wanderer, and they found each other. He lit her path and she showed him a bright world.

No one understands them, but they see each other’s hearts

Lol the cold war prob won’t last long considering how fast things happen in this drama.

Man now I wonder if I should read the novel, a lotta chapters though haha. Dunno what motivated me to read the female general (and also reread parts lol).

How was the male lead in malicious empress vs XJ (novel version)?

Also are they planning to make an adaptation for malicious empress? Saw rumours about Reba playing the FL??

Wow i agree haha. The 8 is mainly cuhs the lead actors did a great job (which is a pretty good rating with all things considered and the unfortunate events that delayed the drama airing)

Yeah same. I immediately thought of this drama when I saw the announcement. LOL can you imagine if they kept the rebirth (assuming this is still against the rules) and all the characters and details from the novel???

I think dramas that are plot heavy will benefit from this change for sure! Or ones with stories like Lost You Forever (where everyone had to wait a whole year to watch part 2 - crazy!)