A Dream Within A Dream Episode 20 Recap
> A Dream Within A Dream Recap
Upon discovering the sword, Song Yiting left a note requesting Li Shiliu meet her at the Song residence the following day. To her surprise, Shangguan arrived instead. Song Yiting demanded to see Li Shiliu, but Shangguan claimed the Chief was too busy and had entrusted him with the matter. Shangguan intended to retrieve the item, but Song Yiting threatened to inform Chu Guihong how they obtained his precious sword.
She warned Shangguan to stay away from her, calling his presence a source of bad luck early in the morning. Inside, Shangguan and his companions worried about failing to retrieve the sword and the Chief finding out. Recognizing the need for a different approach when dealing with an official's family, Shangguan decided he had to step in again by disguising himself as Li Shiliu. When Shangguan returned dressed as Li Shiliu, Song Yiting's demeanor shifted to one of warmth.
She affectionately called him 'Yiting'. He asked how he could get back the item she had in her possession, referring to it as stolen. Song Yiting corrected him, calling it a small return gift for the seventy-three paintings she had given him. She suggested he trade something else for it if he was reluctant to give it back. He stated that offering himself in marriage was out of the question, as Waning River Crescent did not engage in such transactions.
Song Yiting clarified that she wasn't proposing marriage outright but requested they spend three days together to understand each other's lives, given their vastly different backgrounds from the martial arts world and noble families. She proposed that if he didn't develop feelings for her after three days, she would return the sword, but if he did, he must propose to her parents.
He expressed surprise at the high stakes, but she challenged him, asking if such a small request frightened him after all he had experienced. Meanwhile, Song Yimeng spent a sleepless night, disturbed by discussions suggesting Nan Heng might consider marrying both sisters, believing he intended for them to co-serve him. She felt this was a predetermined path she needed to break to protect Song Yiting. The next day, Song Yimeng went to Fanghua Hall to see Gao Zhangrong.
She feigned regret for not cherishing Nan Heng sooner and thanked Gao Zhangrong for giving her a chance to marry him. She then fabricated a story, claiming Nan Heng had become distant after meeting other noble ladies and expressing fear that he might take a concubine, leaving her insecure.
She dramatically faked a coughing fit, implying illness, and pleaded with Gao Zhangrong to allow her to stay at the Prince's residence to care for Nan Heng, claiming she could neither eat nor sleep worrying about him and might die before the wedding. Gao Zhangrong, expressing concern, agreed to her request. Afterwards, Song Yimeng discussed her acting with her maids, acknowledging it wasn't perfect but satisfied that she achieved her goal.
She instructed her maids to keep a close watch on Song Yiting while she focused on Nan Heng. Song Yimeng arrived at the Prince's residence. An advisor commented to Nan Heng that Song Yimeng's desperate actions indicated deep affection. Nan Heng directly questioned Song Yimeng about telling his mother, Gao Zhangrong, that she wanted to come and serve him personally.
Song Yimeng confirmed she did, explaining her need to learn how to care for him as his future wife and contribute to having children. Nan Heng saw through her pretense but played along. He initially told her to leave, but Song Yimeng put on a show of heartbreak, claiming he didn't want her there and she would leave forever.
Nan Heng stopped her, remarking that her acting was poor but since she had already spoken to his mother, she should stay in the residence. He instructed her not to venture outside, saying it was unsafe. Song Yimeng readily agreed, calling him the best fiancé, and went to settle in. Later, Futai interrupted Nan Heng, informing him that Chancellor Gao and his advisors were waiting.
Futai, confused by the situation, questioned Song Yimeng's presence after Chu Guihong's recent intrusion and Song Yiting's stay. Nan Heng dismissed Song Yimeng's stated reason for being there as untrue but instructed Futai to watch over her while also ensuring her needs were met. Futai found these instructions contradictory, but Nan Heng told him to be flexible.
Meanwhile, Song Yimeng, suspecting Nan Heng might be trying to connect with Song Yiting through hidden messages, went to the study looking for something. Futai saw her entering the restricted area. Song Yimeng gave a flimsy excuse, claiming she was just exploring the surroundings as Nan Heng had instructed. Nan Heng met with Chancellor Gao and his advisors.
An advisor argued that becoming Crown Prince was the only legitimate way for Nan Heng to avoid receiving a provincial assignment after his marriage, a custom from the previous dynasty. He pointed out Nan Heng's limited support and expressed concern that seeking the Crown Prince title now would make Minister Song Yude believe Nan Heng's marriage to Song Yimeng was purely for political gain. The advisors insisted that marrying Minister Song's eldest daughter "was" the purpose.
Nan Heng dismissed them, stating he had his own plan. Chancellor Gao remained and reminded Nan Heng that his initial reasons for marrying Song Yimeng were to dismantle the Song-Chu alliance and gain Song Yude's backing. He noted the Song-Chu engagement was broken, weakening their alliance, but expressed concern about Song Yimeng's unpredictable nature. He advised Nan Heng to seek Song Yiting's hand instead. Nan Heng refused, stating political struggles belonged in court and his marriage was an external matter.
Chancellor Gao questioned if Nan Heng harbored feelings for Song Yimeng and then declared that Song Yimeng would become a significant problem if not removed. Song Yimeng continued her inquiries about Nan Heng's activities, asking servants if he frequented the Song family or saw Song Yiting. When Nan Heng appeared, she shifted her focus to him, making playful remarks.
He questioned her presence in places like the stables and study, and she offered weak excuses about wanting to know everything about him or familiarizing herself with the residence. Nan Heng told her to be serious and return to her room. Despite a servant's suggestion to test Song Yimeng's intentions, Nan Heng dismissed him. Undeterred, Song Yimeng continued searching in the study, feeling Nan Heng was hiding something significant. She touched a mechanism on the wall.
Nan Heng appeared and stopped her, asking what she was doing. She provided another excuse, claiming she was checking if his bed was firm, as it's better for his back. Nan Heng told her she should just ask directly for what she wants and that he disliked being suspected, especially by her. He then activated the mechanism, revealing a hidden box containing a mask.
In the gambling house, Shangguan, as Li Shiliu, hoped to deter Song Yiting by showing her the rougher side of his life and using her as a wager. He described his pursuit of pleasure and wealth. When she grew bored, she suggested a larger bet. Another gambler offered his valuable Mountain Cleaver sword, property, and his hands. Shangguan demurred, claiming he had nothing to offer. The gambler then suggested wagering Song Yiting, finding her worth the risk. Shangguan agreed.
Song Yiting was surprised he would use her as a wager but accepted, insisting that if she was the wager, she would control the cards. She gambled and won against the opponent's 'Double axes' with a 'Royal flush'. She instructed the items she won, including the sword, to be delivered to her residence, taking the gambler's hands as payment for his labor. She commented that gambling skill was just mathematics.
She then told Shangguan to remove his hat, revealing his disguise, stating she had recognized the man he used in the setup and suggesting he use new faces next time. She then instructed him to accompany her shopping the next day. Later, Shangguan expressed his frustration to the Second Master and other companions, lamenting how difficult Song Yiting was and that he had lost the sword and his possessions. The next day, Shangguan, still disguised, accompanied Song Yiting shopping.
At a clothing store, Song Yiting showed him a new outfit. Shangguan harshly criticized it as ugly, saying she looked vulgar and was trying to seduce someone. He rushed her, citing responsibilities with Waning River Crescent. Song Yiting declared he had succeeded in making her hate him and told him not to accompany her anymore before leaving angrily. The shopkeeper then showed Shangguan the outfits Song Yiting had ordered, including a matching men's outfit.
The shopkeeper revealed that Song Yiting had ordered these clothes for Li Shiliu specifically half a month ago, describing the care taken in making them suitable for someone who fights often. She noted that Song Yiting, a regular customer, had never shown such attentiveness to anyone before, expressing disdain for Shangguan. Song Yimeng visited a clinic, seeking a medicine that would make a man abstain from women and become clear-minded.
Later, at the Prince's residence, she presented Nan Heng with a large bowl of medicine, calling it a potent tonic for his health. Nan Heng was suspicious, implying she might be trying to poison him. Song Yimeng denied it, urging him to drink it for her future happiness. When she offered to feed him, Nan Heng playfully insisted she sit on his lap. After some initial hesitation and protest, she complied.
As she attempted to feed him, Nan Heng deliberately feigned a slip, spilling the medicine. Song Yimeng accused him of doing it on purpose. Nan Heng made a parting comment suggesting her attempt at physical closeness was ineffective because she wasn't dressed more elegantly. Song Yimeng was clearly frustrated. Shangguan drank alone, consumed by guilt over how he had treated Song Yiting, feeling he had callously discarded her genuine feelings.
The Second Master and other companions attempted to comfort him, saying he was merely following orders and didn't intend to be cruel. They felt Song Yiting's feelings, stemming from a brief encounter, couldn't be very deep and expected her to forget him quickly. Shangguan argued that she was different. One of the companions asked Shangguan, the Second Master, if he would have developed feelings for Song Yiting under different circumstances.
Shangguan replied that she was drawn to a false persona, and as someone like him could never marry, such questions were pointless. His companions lamented their own single status, joking that perhaps they should become monks instead of continuing their search for the sword. Nan Heng, listening from outside the door, overheard their conversation and specifically heard them discussing the lost sword.
