The Lament of Autumn › Novel
The Lament of Autumn novel: 玉簟秋 by Ling Xi
The drama adapts 玉簟秋 by Ling Xi (灵希), a Republican-era romance serialized on JJWXC (晋江文学城) in July 2010 and published the next month by Culture and Art Publishing House. It runs about 207,000 characters and is the last of the author's "Republican trilogy", a companion to 良辰好景知几何. Baidu Baike: the novel 玉簟秋
What does the title mean?
It comes from a line by the Song dynasty poet Li Qingzhao, 红藕香残玉簟秋: the red lotus has lost its scent, and the jade mat feels the autumn chill. A 簟 is a woven summer sleeping mat; when it turns cold, summer and the love that came with it are over. That's where the English title's "lament" comes from. Baidu Baike: the novel 玉簟秋
How the novel ends
Per Baidu Baike's entry on the book: after Jiang Xueting returns, Yu Changxuan uses his power to split them up and keeps Ye Pingjun with him, and years of control leave her desperate to get out. She eventually escapes and struggles to survive, worn down in body and spirit. Once, by chance, they pass each other in the street: he doesn't recognize the frail woman as the Ye Pingjun he's been looking for, and that is their only chance to meet again. Her illness worsens and she dies alone; Yu Changxuan marries and has children. Baidu Baike: the novel 玉簟秋
The same entry says Jiang Xueting turns dark out of insecurity and jealousy, and Tao Ziyi, who never wins Yu Changxuan, is pushed into a political marriage with Jiang Xueting. Baidu Baike calls the book a classic of the Republican "BE" (bad ending) style.
The chapters
The novel is written like a classical chaptered novel: ten chapters with paired couplet titles, an epilogue and three extras. Chapter 7's title, 烈焰冲天慈母成隔世 ("flames to the sky, a loving mother gone"), matches the fire in episode 22. Baidu Baike: the novel 玉簟秋
Does the drama follow the novel?
Up to the mother's death, broadly yes. After that, the drama's official synopsis goes its own way: the two split up, each works to save the country, and years later they reunite in wartime and fight side by side. Ling Xi, under her real name Quan Ying, co-wrote the screenplay. See the ending explained. Baidu Baike: synopsis, cast, crew and release rules
Is there an English translation?
We couldn't find an official English translation when we checked on October 26, 2026. The original is on JJWXC, and a new print edition came out in August 2026. Please avoid pirated translations; they hurt the author.
Other adaptations
An audio drama version came out on Ximalaya in 2017. On Douban the novel has a reader score of 6.7, per Baidu Baike. Baidu Baike: the novel 玉簟秋
FAQ
How does The Lament of Autumn novel end?
Tragically. Ye Pingjun escapes Yu Changxuan, the two pass each other once without him recognizing her, and she dies alone of illness; he marries and has children.
Is there an English translation of the novel?
Not officially, as far as we could find on October 26, 2026. The original 玉簟秋 is on JJWXC and in print.
Who wrote the novel?
Ling Xi (灵希), real name Quan Ying (全颖). It was serialized on JJWXC in 2010; she also co-wrote the drama's screenplay.
Does the drama have the same ending as the novel?
It doesn't look like it. The drama's official synopsis has the couple reunite years later and fight side by side, instead of the novel's ending where she dies alone.