The older generation's preference for girls is self-evident: they favored those who were dignified and well-behaved, speaking gently and softly, like Qing'er or Mei-jiejie.
A girl's strength also comes in various forms, such as being feisty.
"The Heavenly Sword Heroes" is a wuxia drama, and its heroine is also a martial arts practitioner. Her strength should be reflected in her righteousness and adherence to the just path.
Speaking of chivalry, Jiang Ling couldn't help but recall "The Valiant Maiden of Liaozhai," the heroine Mu'e, who abandoned romantic love for the sake of the world.
The greatest of chivalry is for the nation and its people, a concept applicable to both men and women.
The valiant maiden Mu'e, a remarkable figure who could effortlessly overshadow all sorts of melodramatic Mary Sues, was a true female protagonist.
If the gentleness of Qing'er and Mei-jiejie could be combined with Mu'e's strength, the character of Tang Ruoxuan would be truly perfect.
Jiang Ling shared this idea with Guan Suyin.
Guan Suyin's eyes lit up, and she exclaimed, "Brilliant, absolutely brilliant! The fusion of a lady and a valiant maiden, this character concept is exceptional."
A lady represents refinement, and a valiant maiden represents martial prowess.
The male lead, Xiao Ting, coincidentally bears the moniker "The Scholar of Civil Sword and Martial Arts."
With both the male and female leads embodying both refinement and martial skill, they were a match made in heaven.
Guan Suyin quickly contacted the editor to revise the script.
No major changes were needed; merely adjusting some of the heroine's lines in subtle details to strengthen her commitment to justice would solidify her image.
As for dignity and gentleness, that would depend on Jiang Ling's acting.
To portray ladies like Qing'er and Mei-jiejie well, one must first understand the ancient definition of a lady.
In a nutshell, it was: "Do not lean against doors when standing, do not shake your head when walking, do not reveal your teeth when smiling, and do not expose your knees when sitting."
Not leaning against doors when standing meant having proper posture and not leaning on doorframes, as in the past, only women in brothels leaned on doors to solicit customers.
Not shaking your head when walking meant walking at a slow pace with gentle movements. The ornate hairpins worn by ancient women were not just for beauty; they also served to restrain their behavior.
If they walked too quickly or their bodies swayed too much, the hairpins would become unstable.
It was a pity that many contemporary Chinese dramas did not understand the significance of hairpins. Heroines wearing them would wobble like convulsing snakes.
Not exposing your knees when sitting meant not casually lifting one's skirt to reveal their knees.
Not revealing your teeth when smiling meant smiling with pursed lips, and when truly smiling, one would cover their mouth with their hand or a fan.
However, Tang Ruoxuan's character had now been revised to embody both a lady and a valiant maiden.
A valiant maiden who fights against the strong and aids the weak would naturally engage in combat, involving large movements that would not suit ornate hairpins.
The "not shaking your head when walking" aspect was automatically disregarded. The other three points, however, needed to be strictly adhered to in order to portray the demeanor of a lady.
In "The Heavenly Sword Heroes," the opening scene depicted Qin Shi Huang forging the Heavenly Sword amidst widespread chaos and martial world vendettas.
Upon learning that the Tang family possessed the Five Heavenly Sword Seals, King Abhiroth immediately dispatched Hei Qiling, one of his Four Guardians, to seize them.
At this time, the Tang family was joyously celebrating Tang Ruoxuan's eighteenth birthday, marking her eligible age for marriage.
Amidst the festive atmosphere, Hei Qiling infiltrated, threatening the Tang family to hand over the Five Heavenly Sword Seals or face death.
The Tang parents, in order to protect their daughter, sacrificed themselves by setting their home ablaze. Tang Ruoxuan, wearing a necklace containing the Five Heavenly Sword Seals, escaped through a secret passage but was still pursued by Hei Qiling to the edge of a cliff.
At this critical moment, Xiao Ting descended from the heavens, sword in hand. Clad in white, his attire fluttered in the wind, his white hair and blue eyes captivating countless gazes.