A Dream Within A Dream Episode 31 Recap
> A Dream Within A Dream Recap
Song Yimeng arrived at Waning River Crescent looking for Nan Heng and found a land deed for the property, along with unusual animals – a dog that looked like a cat and a cat that looked like a dog. She reflected that everything she had wished for, Nan Heng was bringing to life.
Suddenly, Nan Heng appeared, riding what he described as the closest representation he could find of a "Heavenly Horse that can fly," as mentioned in the Classic of Mountains and Seas. Wearing a rabbit mask, he confessed his feelings again, presenting her with the deed to Waning River Crescent and his own salary. He vowed to cherish her always, ensuring she would never have to do needlework or be mistreated, and asked for another chance to marry him.
Others witnessing the scene, including Shangguan He, were moved, believing Song Yimeng would accept. With tears in her eyes, Song Yimeng refused, pleading with Nan Heng to stop doing these things for her because she truly could not marry him. She then ran away, and Nan Heng pursued her, desperate to understand her reason.
Song Yimeng showed him a copy of the script, pointing out specific "iconic scenes," and explained that their world was merely a storybook, with events predetermined by the script leading to an unchangeable ending. Nan Heng was bewildered and struggled to believe their reality was fake.
Song Yimeng reminded him that her detailed knowledge of future events, such as his secrets like the method for forging knives, the fire during the Lantern Festival, and the Zijin Pavilion incident, came from having read the script. She also pointed out how he was uncontrollably compelled to save her whenever she was in danger, and how typing sounds appeared in their minds when the plot deviated, always pulling the story back to the main track.
She revealed that she was the female lead inexplicably dragged into this world and that her refusal to marry him and desire to leave was to protect the Song family from potentially being executed, referencing a fate described in the script if they remained together. Nan Heng, finding it hard to fully comprehend her words about the storybook world, asked for time to think and begged her to stay.
Meanwhile, the Emperor played chess with Song Yude, praising his improved skill. Using Song Yude's win as leverage, the Emperor brought up Song Yimeng's marriage. He assumed Song Yude was hesitant about Nan Heng, pointing out Nan Heng's virtues as the newly appointed Crown Prince in scholarship, martial arts, and character, and stating that given Song Yimeng's past betrothal to Chu Guihong, Nan Heng was the most suitable match now.
Song Yude explained that he understood his daughter's difficult temper and felt she was not fit to be the future Empress. The Emperor, however, dismissed his concerns, saying he now saw her openness as a positive trait and believed it was up to parents to give young lovers a push after all they had been through. Song Yude remained conflicted. Nan Rui went to Qianyu Mansion to see his cousin Chu Guihong and stumbled upon Rong Hua handling weapons.
Assuming they were planning to assassinate the Crown Prince Nan Heng, Nan Rui frantically tried to dissuade them. Chu Guihong dismissed Nan Rui's concerns as nonsense and lashed out, accusing him of never truly helping him or standing with him. He called Nan Rui incapable and told him to go back to hiding behind others like he used to. Jixiang, present during the confrontation, couldn't bear to listen any longer and stepped forward, demanding Chu Guihong apologize to Nan Rui.
In response, Chu Guihong struck Jixiang, knocking him down. Nan Rui immediately shielded Jixiang, pleading with Chu Guihong not to continue making mistakes and admitting he regretted not being able to help in the past. However, Chu Guihong remained resolute and dismissive, leading Nan Rui and Jixiang to leave with heavy hearts. Confused and unable to accept Song Yimeng's claims about their world being a storybook, Nan Heng walked outside into a sudden downpour.
He smiled bitterly and desperately tried to cut his hand, needing to feel something real to test the world's authenticity. Fugui found him soaking in the rain. When Nan Heng asked him hypothetically what he would do if they lived in a storybook world, Fugui simply replied that as long as he could eat enough (specifically, eight steamed buns per meal) and stay by Nan Heng's side, doing what he wanted, it didn't matter if it was real or fake.
This simple perspective enlightened Nan Heng, who realized he was needlessly troubling himself. Even in a storybook world, he could still strive to do what he wanted – to be the Crown Prince, build a strong nation, benefit the people, protect those he wanted to protect, and be the male lead who controlled his own destiny. (Although not explicitly shown in dialogue, the plot summary indicates Nan Heng discussed the script world with Song Yude later).
Knowing Song Yimeng's deepest fears and conflicting feelings, Song Yude accepted the imperial decree for the marriage, effectively pressuring Song Yimeng to agree. Upset, Song Yimeng rushed out. Song Yiting, pretending to need company for shopping, deliberately led her sister to Nan Heng's mansion. Song Yimeng quickly realized Nan Heng had gained the support of her family members. Nan Heng told her he understood she couldn't agree "now" but was willing to wait, stating he had plenty of time.
He had prepared a tempting hot pot meal to entice her to stay. Nan Heng suggested she stay for a few days, and Yingqiu and Zhixia arrived with her luggage, explaining that Song Yude had sent them over because the wedding date was set for ten days later and there would be much to discuss, implying she would be staying until then.
The maids also encouraged her, mentioning how marrying the Crown Prince would allow her to live the life of leisure she desired and how well-matched she and Nan Heng were, but Song Yimeng insisted she would go home after eating. Speaking with a confidante from Waning River Crescent (implied to be Shangguan He), Nan Heng expressed his reluctance to force Song Yimeng into marriage. He felt he could not marry her until he had completely resolved her fears.
To address her primary concern about the Song family's safety, Nan Heng went to the Emperor and recommended Song Yude for the vacant Chancellor position, citing his impartiality and merit.
Acknowledging that this might raise concerns about favoritism since Song Yude would become his father-in-law, Nan Heng made an unprecedented request to counterbalance himself: he asked the Emperor to issue a decree stating that if he, the Crown Prince, should ever act improperly, Song Yude could lead the officials in having him removed.
He explained this was a promise to Song Yimeng, ensuring that no matter what happened between them or how the political landscape changed, the Song family would be protected and Song Yude would never have to compromise his principles or Song Yimeng her integrity because of their relationship. The Emperor, though angered by Nan Heng's focus on personal affection over state affairs and calling him foolish, ultimately granted the request, acknowledging Song Yude's worthiness as well.
Upon learning that Song Yude had been appointed Chancellor and, more significantly, that Nan Heng had also persuaded the Emperor to secure an Imperial Pardon Certificate (commonly known as a Death-Exemption Plate) for the Song family – a rare honor unmatched since the dynasty's founding – Song Yimeng was stunned. Song Yude explained the significance of this, emphasizing how far Nan Heng had gone for her sake regarding the "nonexistent future" she feared, demonstrating the depth of his feelings.
He pressed her to articulate what she was truly afraid of regarding the marriage. Song Yimeng admitted her fear of an unknown outcome, the possibility of leaving this world which would devastate Nan Heng, and also feared letting him down. Song Yude then shared a poignant memory of her mother, who passed away shortly after Song Yimeng was born. He reflected that falling in love with her mother, despite her humble background, was the bravest thing he had ever done.
Not being able to spend a lifetime with her was his greatest regret, but the time they shared was the most beautiful of his life. He told Song Yimeng that love isn't always about achieving a perfect outcome, and leaving a relationship with regrets can be more painful than simply not growing old together. He suggested Nan Heng likely felt the same way.
