This title is a reflection I wrote years ago when I was reading Chen Duansheng's "Rebirth of Fate". The article is called "Actually, it's my confession to Meng Lijun. (Beating)". XD
After many, many years, I finally finished reading the three volumes written by Liang Desheng. XD
And I must sincerely say that Liang Desheng's fan fiction is really well-written. She truly does justice to the original work and the original author. I feel like I owe Liang Desheng an apology just for not emphasizing it enough. XD
Just like when I finished reading the first seventeen volumes of Chen Duansheng's original work, I think Liang Desheng's writing direction is understandable, and one could even say that it couldn't have gone any other way. Chen Duansheng had already paved the way, and Liang Desheng simply guided the characters onto those paths. She not only completely follows the hints and implications left by Chen Duansheng in terms of the plot, but also takes care of the characters' emotions as much as possible. In terms of the positioning of her continuation, I think she has covered all aspects.
Liang Desheng's writing is very delicate. She describes herself as "searching for the remaining sound of a lost story," and I think she is indeed very careful not to miss anything. The characters' psychological states have enough time to develop, and the changes in the environment can be seamlessly integrated with the characters. It is clear to see how the characters living in this world face the changes in their lives. As a result, the whole story has a certain structure and carries a hint of gentleness, making it more acceptable. (laughs)
In fact, there are several paragraphs that amazed me with Liang Desheng's thorough understanding of the story, the characters' states, and even Chen Duansheng's intentions. And she agrees with them.
I think Liang Desheng's attitude towards the continuation is very faithful. Although there are inevitably her personal comments in it, she does not deviate from the original work. I think there is an important reason for this, which is that Liang Desheng's thoughts were not in conflict with Chen Duansheng's in the first place. Therefore, it was not difficult for her to continue the story. Or rather, because Liang Desheng actually affirms and supports Chen Duansheng, she is able to write such a continuation.
In my opinion, her continuation can be seen as a kind of commentary, except for intentionally emphasizing her love for Su Yingxue, the rest is mostly in agreement.
Especially for Meng Lijun, I think she is also deeply attracted to her, so she can't help but defend her. Liang Desheng not only reproduces the pride and hatred of Meng Lijun and Chen Duansheng, but also says: their attitude towards society is also understandable. I think this is also Liang Desheng expressing her own thoughts. After all, in real life, no one has the power of a protagonist. Even the characters in the book are ultimately "constrained" by "external forces". Chen Duansheng lamented this in the seventeenth volume, and what Liang Desheng tried to achieve can be said to be settling her mind and body, trying to find a way to not be overwhelmed when facing various "unavoidable" situations.
Here are a few impressive paragraphs.
At the end of the eighteenth volume, when Meng Lijun was temporarily imprisoned, she reflected in her heart: "I pity you. Tomorrow, you will have to change from being a charming woman... Zhitian, oh Zhitian. You now rely on your compatriots. It's difficult to escape the pressure of Mount Tai. Thanks to the Empress Dowager, she helped you break my plan. It's not because of your cleverness. It's not just Lijun boasting. I will show off my literary talent. A warrior like you is nothing special. The glory depends on me, the heroic woman."
At the beginning of the nineteenth volume, when Meng Lijun returned home, she said to her parents: "I have no intention of being involved in the mortal world. I will serve my elderly parents in seclusion. I will avoid the secular world and learn the true way on the immortal mountain. If you want to know about the affairs of the Huangfu family, although I am not married yet, the report is already deep." And when she returned to her room to change clothes, she thought in her heart: "The hatred is growing. I secretly scold Zhitian. Four years of hard work returned to the East Sea like dust. Ah, Meng Lijun, Meng Lijun. What a great dream." Furthermore, she wrote a scene where Meng Lijun had never pierced her ears.
When Meng Lijun waited to thank the emperor, the emperor wanted to summon her to the Golden Palace to see how she looked in women's clothing. However, he was hindered by the officials in the court and the fact that Guo Jiu and Ting Shan were present. So Meng Lijun went directly to the Empress Dowager's palace. Meng Lijun said, "I heard the joy in my heart. I thank the king for his deep grace. If I were to enter the Golden Palace today, how could I face my colleagues, civil and military officials? The purple robe and jade belt would suddenly become a red dress and green hairpin. If I had been summoned just now, how embarrassing it would be. Should I bow or show my gratitude? Should I bow or greet with warmth? Moreover, Shaohua is also among the officials. Moreover, most of them are disciples. The emperor's heart is meticulous and considerate. Today, I can be said to have received his favor."
And then there is the conversation between the emperor and Huangfu Changhua, where it is mentioned: "Whether it's a man or a woman, as long as he/she is talented and decisive, it won't hinder his/her official duties. Why bother to annoy the Empress Dowager." Later, Liang Desheng also emphasizes Meng Lijun's princess demeanor, "Just like the emperor entering the palace." She writes that even Huangfu Changhua is "bewitched" and "moved by the precious jade and pitying the fragrance".
In this way, I felt the precision of Liang Desheng's reading and writing.
And Liang Desheng repeatedly emphasizes that Meng Lijun's toughness is inevitable.
In the twentieth volume, Liang Desheng speaks for Meng Lijun through her favorite character, Su Yingxue: "It's not her fault. It's really a situation where she has no choice... It's also because she has no choice." Even in the criticism by Huangfu Jing at the end of the book, Liang Desheng still says "It's not your fault."
I think Liang Desheng is quite satisfied with her own continuation, and I believe she deserves to be confident.