It is nice that you've noted that Ren Ying Ying and Ling Hu Chung "smiled and walked away..." The title of the novel is Smiling Proud Wanderer, or State of Divinity. At the ending, Ren and Ling finally reached the State of Divinity.
As to her wish, perhaps she wants Ling to play the song Smiling Proud Wanderer with her, or maybe she wants Ling Hu Chung to sell kites? I don't think they were married yet, so maybe the wish is to get married...In every case, they will walk away from society's judgments, and live "xiao yau ji zai" (living coolly), "wu qu wu chu" (with no interference).
With regards to the throne, one of the main themes of the novel (and serial) is the worth and meaning of power. Zhuo Leng Chan, Yue Bu Quen, Ren Wo Xing, Dung Fang Bu Bai, Yu Chang Hai and many other characters all sought for power. In both the "zheng pai" (righteous side) or the "xie pai" (chaotic side), people killed each other for the throne.
In the novel, Dung Fang Bu Bai's character wasn't made as clear as the serial. The serial stated clearly in many ways why she/he didn't make use of his/her power.
She said to Yang Lien Ting, "Lets go to Japan together."
Something also made more clear in the serial is Ying Ying's perspective of power. In the serial, Ling Hu Chung said, "You have everything: good looks, money, power...What do I have to deserve your love?" Then, Ying Ying said, "What power do I have? I couldn't even cure your illness, and I have no power to make you stay with me."
Posted on Dec 22, 2000, 8:32 AM from IP address 24.64.247.214