The Book and the Sword (2008 TV series)

The story generally follows the novel in terms of the flow of events. However, unlike in the novel and earlier adaptations, Yu Wanting is the primary antagonist instead of the Qianlong Emperor. "Yu Wanting" is the alter ego of the exiled prince Yintang, a half-brother of the Yongzheng Emperor. The power-hungry Yintang seeks vengeance and wants to usurp the throne from the Qianlong Emperor. Yintang knows the truth that the Qianlong Emperor is not the Yongzheng Emperor's biological son, and constantly threatens the Qianlong Emperor with the evidence he holds. He secretly forms the Red Flower Society and instigates the society and some tribal people in Xinjiang to oppose the Qianlong Emperor.

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

The series also feature a different ending from the novel, with many of the society's members meeting their ends at the hands of Yintang. The surviving ones, under Chen Jialuo's leadership, confront Yintang to put an end to his ruthless ambitions.