A Dream Within A Dream Episode 3 Recap
> A Dream Within A Dream Recap
Remembering a famous scene from a past banquet, Song Yimeng, who dislikes Nan Heng, spots Jia Ruru, her nemesis. Deciding to intentionally cause trouble and disrupt the script rule, she stops Jia Ruru and provokes her by claiming Nan Heng intends to marry her. Song Yimeng expected Jia Ruru to become jealous and confine her, but instead, Jia Ruru simply wanted to leave and warned her not to cause a scene in the palace.
During their struggle, Song Yimeng accidentally falls into the lake. Instantly, time stops, and she fears she is about to drown. After she falls, Nan Heng rushes out and jumps into the lake to save her. Song Yimeng, determined to avoid any connection with Nan Heng, desperately swims in the opposite direction but is still rescued and brought ashore by him. The incident attracts a crowd.
Nan Rui, mistaking Song Yimeng for her sister Song Yiting, rushes over to express concern, only to find both Song Yimeng and Nan Heng are the ones who fell in. Nan Rui reacts with surprise that Nan Heng also fell into the water. Knowing the plot is advancing, Song Yimeng refuses Nan Heng's offer of his cloak and instead directly confronts him, stating he should not have saved her.
She turns to leave, but the script rule triggers, taking control of her body and forcing her back to hold Nan Heng's hand and reconcile. Nan Heng finds her behavior irrational and also turns to leave, but his body is also controlled, forcing him to turn back and kiss Song Yimeng in front of everyone. As they kiss publicly, Fugui initially thinks he is mistaken. After a brief, immersive moment, Nan Heng pushes Song Yimeng away, appearing flustered and disheveled.
Song Yimeng teases him, suggesting it was his first kiss, which causes the crowd to laugh. The news spreads quickly from within the palace to the outside, and everyone hears that Nan Heng has "lost his innocence." Simultaneously, Song Yimeng's unique hairpin design becomes a bestseller throughout the city. Song Yimeng tries to comfort herself, believing it was just acting.
After much thought, she realizes the script's progression is intricately designed, and the existence of other characters is merely to facilitate her and Nan Heng's relationship development. Fugui, misunderstanding the situation, thinks Nan Heng employed a tactic to win Song Yimeng's heart, praising their close connection. Nan Heng denies this, believing Song Yimeng used some sort of enchantment on him.
Learning that Chu Guihong has remained unmarried because of Song Yimeng, Nan Heng decides he will no longer hide his intentions. Chancellor Gao Changyin returns from flood relief efforts and immediately meets with Nan Heng to discuss important matters. Nan Heng desires the method of weapon forging. Chancellor Gao suspects it is in Song Yimeng's possession because Chu Guihong frequently corresponded with her. Nan Heng sends gold and treasures to Song Yimeng.
Song Yimeng is initially happy but refuses the gifts outright upon learning they are from Nan Heng. Nan Heng believes she is playing hard to get and declares he will not give up. Wherever Song Yimeng shops, Fugui follows instructions, buying everything she likes, creating highly visible displays of affection. Song Yimeng becomes scared and hides in her residence, but even the servants and birds are talking about Nan Heng, making it impossible for her to escape his presence.
Song Yiting's mother advises her to spend more time with Nan Rui to create opportunities for them, but Song Yiting states she does not want to marry. Nan Heng visits the Song residence again. Zhixia stops him, claiming Song Yimeng is ill. Unexpectedly, Nan Heng opens his medicine box, presenting a large collection of fine medicines, and insists on seeing Song Yimeng.
Song Yimeng is puzzled, as the script does not include a plotline for such passionate pursuit and wonders if the script mechanism is forcing their emotional connection again. Minister Song requests Song Yimeng meet a guest. Song Yimeng discovers the guest is Nan Heng. Minister Song prepares fine snow-water tea for Nan Heng, praising his extraordinary qualities and deliberately belittling Song Yimeng as unrefined and unsuitable for him.
He also mentions his impending retirement, indicating his inability to assist Nan Heng. Nan Heng understands Minister Song's subtle message but declares that he and Song Yimeng are mutually in love. Song Yimeng arrives, feigning politeness and rationality, appearing to reject Nan Heng. Minister Song notices a change in Song Yimeng's demeanor and tone, feeling as though she is a different person.
Song Yimeng expresses her wish to have no further contact with Nan Heng, hoping this will sever their romantic connection. Nan Heng, seeing through her act, deliberately asks Song Yimeng to see him out. Outside the house, Fugui remarks that Song Yimeng genuinely dislikes Nan Heng and is not just playing hard to get. Outside, Nan Heng takes Song Yimeng's hand, wanting to test their connection again, believing he was controlled that day by the lake.
Song Yimeng does not explain, saying it was all a misunderstanding. She knows it was the script mechanism, but telling him the truth would be unbelievable. Nan Heng pulls out a knife, threatening her to reveal her intentions. Song Yimeng explains there is an external force, referring to the "scriptwriter," and proves her knowledge by accurately recounting Nan Heng's past experiences, including his difficult childhood in the cold palace and an injury sustained during training.
Nan Heng remains skeptical until Song Yimeng mentions Chu Guihong, recalling how they were childhood friends who became enemies after the death of the late Empress. She reveals she knows Nan Heng wants the method of weapon forging and offers to help him obtain it. Nan Heng accepts her offer, acknowledging her detailed knowledge of his past and his ambition to overthrow Nan Rui and the Emperor.
He puts away his knife, declaring them allies and asks her to find all the letters between her and Chu Guihong within three days, which he believes contain the method. Song Yimeng agrees, promising to help. Song Yimeng searches her extensive collection of letters from Chu Guihong, noting his prolific writing style. After a long search, she finds the method of weapon forging hidden within one of the letters.
Overwhelmed by the danger this knowledge brings, she tells her maids to arrange for her grave plot, preferring suicide to torture if caught. Meanwhile, Nan Heng's subordinate reports on Song Yimeng's background, confirming her reclusive nature and lack of interest in Nan Heng prior to the incident. The subordinate believes Song Yimeng might be telling the truth about her strange knowledge, but Nan Heng remains suspicious, wondering if she is working for Nan Rui or the Emperor. Regardless of her allegiance, Nan Heng decides her knowledge is too dangerous, and her mouth must be silenced.
