I read the book before watching the drama and I have to say that I had a strange experience of watching the drama. The drama is an adaptation of the novel but I feel like the novel is the better adaptation of the drama.
The novel mentioned but failed to explore several intriguing relationships while the drama completely omitted said relationships and instead added new relationships that were never mentioned in the novel. Also, the script really messed up the characterisations of most characters which I did not enjoy. Other characters especially members of the Su family were omitted and why did the script even have to change the origin of the betrothal?
I also hate how Su Jinbei was made into a Mary Sue character that couldn't even get angry with a white lotus who tried several times to destroy her lie.
All in all, I think I would have enjoyed this drama more if I didn't read the novel before watching.