A Dream Within A Dream Episode 21 Recap
> A Dream Within A Dream Recap
Concerned about the loss of the Qianyu Moon-Cleaving Blade and the potential exposure of his involvement in weapon forging, Nan Heng speaks with Shangguan He, who is still disguised as Li Shiliu. Shangguan He defends Song Yiting, arguing that torturing or killing Song Yimeng's sister would inevitably lead to an investigation that could trace back to "Li Shiliu."
Nan Heng stresses that retrieving the blade is the priority, not assigning blame, but warns Shangguan He that failure to recover it or causing further trouble will result in consequences for him, even if Song Yiting is spared. Shangguan He initially intends to wait until the three-day deadline but agrees to go immediately at Nan Heng's insistence. Noticing Shangguan He's focus on Song Yiting, Nan Heng asks if he has developed feelings for her, a possibility Shangguan He quickly denies.
Nan Heng then cautions him that romantic attachments can be a weakness. Meanwhile, Song Yiting is seen repeatedly painting. Her attendant, Yin Zhu, urges her to stop, believing the paintings won't change "Mr. Li's" mind. Song Yiting explains she paints not for him, but to remind herself of her own foolishness, particularly recalling the moment he saved her.
She tears up the completed works, aiming to forget him, and declares that she will never allow herself to be consumed by love, asserting there are many options in the world. Unseen by them, Shangguan He observes her distress. At the Seventh Prince's mansion, Song Yimeng dines with Nan Heng, noticing his unusually good mood and appetite, wondering if it relates to Song Yiting. She remarks on his pickiness, suggesting he might be upset with Song Yiting.
Nan Heng asks if she misses her family after being away for ten days. Song Yimeng suspects he is only asking because he is eager to see Song Yiting. Nan Heng clarifies that after they marry, her family will be his, but Song Yimeng remains suspicious, believing he has ulterior motives. He then inquires if Song Yiting has a suitor and what kind of man she prefers, further fueling Song Yimeng's distrust, who inwardly calls him a "scumbag."
Feigning a sudden stomachache, she quickly excuses herself. A group of women, including Jia Ruru and Liu Huaiyi, are gathered, discussing recent events. Liu Huaiyi spreads rumors about Song Yimeng, criticizing her for moving into the Seventh Prince's residence before marriage and claiming she purchased special medicine for Nan Heng. The conversation turns to Song Yiting, who is present but quiet. Jia Ruru asks why she seems distracted.
Nan Rui, the Eighteenth Prince, arrives and announces he is there to court Song Yiting. He delivers a passionate speech, declaring he is drawn to her true self beyond her superficial qualities and offers to marry her, promising to handle the "liking" part if she will simply remain herself. The other women remark that this is precisely what Song Yiting has always wanted to hear.
Song Yiting takes Nan Rui aside and confronts him, asking who coached him to say those words. He claims they are his sincere feelings developed from liking her for a long time, but Song Yiting discovers notes he copied, revealing his declaration was not original. After Song Yiting leaves, Liu Huaiyi immediately starts gossiping about her, claiming she pretends to be aloof but actively seeks the attention of men like the Eighteenth Prince.
Jia Ruru defends Song Yiting, calling Liu Huaiyi jealous. Liu Huaiyi retorts, calling Jia Ruru a follower. Suddenly, a stone is thrown from the bushes, shattering Liu Huaiyi's cup. When she demands to know who is interfering and learns they are defending Song Yiting, Liu Huaiyi escalates her accusations, stating Song Yiting is skilled at seducing any man. Shangguan He, hidden nearby, continues to throw stones at Liu Huaiyi as punishment.
As Shangguan He leaves the area, Song Yiting appears and stops him. He is wearing the Li Shiliu disguise. She asks why he came, noting he always seems to "pass by" when she is involved. He admits he couldn't stand by while they spoke ill of her. Song Yiting questions why he understands her so well yet deliberately pushes her away.
He distinguishes knowing her from liking her, stating she is special and deserves kindness, even if he does not have feelings for her. Song Yiting challenges his sincerity, demanding he truthfully answer if he ever felt anything for her, invoking a curse if he lies. Shangguan He definitively states that Li Shiliu has never felt anything for her. Angered and hurt, Song Yiting interprets his actions as an attempt to discard her and push her toward the Eighteenth Prince.
She criticizes his lack of understanding of love and calls him hypocritical, stating she no longer likes him and finds him more contemptible than others. She instructs him to return her belongings, including her paintings, the next day at Zijin Pavilion, saying she doesn't want her things soiled by him.
Nan Rui witnesses Song Yiting and Li Shiliu talking and is visibly upset, believing them to be together and feeling humiliated that his confession, which used Li Shiliu's words, made him a laughingstock. He blames Li Shiliu for deliberately embarrassing him and vows to prove to Song Yiting that Li Shiliu is not a good person. Back at the Song residence, Song Yiting's mother (Madam) discovers Yin Zhu burning paintings.
She questions Yin Zhu, demanding to know who the man in the paintings is and where Song Yiting has been going. When Yin Zhu refuses to speak, the Madam orders her beaten. Song Yiting rushes in to stop the beating. Her mother confronts Song Yiting, accusing her of improper behavior and disrespectful language. Song Yiting defends her actions and challenges her mother's rigid view of propriety, particularly how it is applied differently depending on the man involved.
Enraged and worried about Song Yiting's reputation, the Madam slaps her. Song Yiting dismisses reputation as a "shackle" and leaves with Yin Zhu. Separately, Song Yiting's father (Song Yude) discusses Song Yiting's recent defiance with Song Yimeng, mentioning her attachment to a stranger and refusal of the Eighteenth Prince, causing turmoil at home.
Song Yimeng becomes concerned and seeks out Shangguan He (addressing him as Li Shiliu), believing she needs his help as she suspects Nan Heng intends to harm Song Yiting. While discussing this, Song Yimeng tests Shangguan He, asking if he now believes she likes women after a previous interaction. She then kisses him while he is still wearing the Li Shiliu mask, asking if he believes her now. Surprised, he is speechless.
She questions what their relationship is if not friendship, noting his mask during the kiss. The scene cuts away. Later, Nan Heng finds Shangguan He troubled. Nan Heng teases him about being consumed by love, contrasting it with his own past feelings for Song Yimeng. Shangguan He admits he made a mistake and hurt Song Yiting. Nan Heng advises him to reveal his true identity to Song Yiting to resolve the situation.
Song Yimeng urgently confronts Song Yiting, warning her about the man she is involved with. Song Yimeng describes him as deep, secretive, and potentially having dark motives, questioning if Song Yiting understands the danger. Song Yiting acknowledges she knows he has something he wants from her but trusts her own judgment, seeing him as more authentic than others in the capital. Song Yimeng desperately tries to dissuade her, stating she can like anyone else but "not" him.
Song Yiting questions this restriction, asking if it's simply because he isn't the Eighteenth Prince, and challenges Song Yimeng's right to interfere in her life. Song Yimeng pleads with her to trust her, issuing a dire warning that being with this man will lead to her death. Nan Rui rushes to report to Chu Guihong, agitated about seeing Song Yiting and Li Shiliu together.
After investigating Li Shiliu's associates when he found nothing on Li Shiliu himself, Nan Rui claims he discovered that Shangguan He, an associate of Li Shiliu, is an escaped death-row prisoner from three years ago. Chu Guihong immediately orders the Qianyu Army to search for him. Chu Guihong confronts Shangguan He, identifying him as Shangguan Baihe, the notorious 江南 hero who faked his death after committing serious crimes three years prior. Chu Guihong moves to arrest him.
However, Shangguan He, still disguised as Li Shiliu, resists the arrest, stating that Chu Guihong cannot take him simply on his word. Chu Guihong asserts his authority from the capital prefecture office, but Shangguan He refuses to allow Shangguan He to be taken without his permission, daring Chu Guihong to try and take him by force.
