Although the flow of events is generally similar to that in the novel, Yu Wanting's role is greatly emphasised, with him being the primary antagonist instead of the Qianlong Emperor.

"Yu Wanting" is actually the alter ego of the exiled prince Yintang, a younger half-brother of the Yongzheng Emperor.

Yintang fakes his death at one point and allows his godson, Chen Jialuo, to succeed him as leader of the Red Flower Society.

However, within the society, the Chang brothers, Wei Chunhua and Shi Shuangying are the only ones who know that "Yu Wanting" is still alive, and they serve as his spies by watching over Chen and the others.

The series has been criticised on Guangzhou Daily by viewers, who feel that the story deviates the most from the original source among all the film and television adaptations of Louis Cha's works.