Okay - they clearly are laying the groundwork for the book ending. I'm not saying that's how it's going to end,…
I think it'll be close to the book ending based the 24 ep we've seen so far. They have followed the main themes so far just how it's adapted is different.
Take ep 24. CP still gets shot close to the heart with an arrow by guard/general and other prince puts the bait to attract wolves to get rid of the body. It just didn't follow the book timeline, weather, etc.
Princess still tries to kill QinWan, just that horse did not die and I don't know if YanChi will kill the princess favourite horse as payback. Up to the scriptwriters to adapt. Although we know who the primary villan is, so getting rid of him would still be the main objective plus all the pieces that must fall to get there too.
Take ep 24. CP still gets shot close to the heart with an arrow by guard/general and other prince puts the bait to attract wolves to get rid of the body. It just didn't follow the book timeline, weather, etc.
Princess still tries to kill QinWan, just that horse did not die and I don't know if YanChi will kill the princess favourite horse as payback. Up to the scriptwriters to adapt. Although we know who the primary villan is, so getting rid of him would still be the main objective plus all the pieces that must fall to get there too.