A Dream Within A Dream Episode 32 Recap
> A Dream Within A Dream Recap
Nan Heng brought Song Yimeng to the matchmaker tree, explaining his purpose was to make a solemn vow. He promised Song Yimeng that he would resolve all her future worries and fears, take care of her and the Song family, and never fail her in this lifetime. When Song Yimeng noted his previous disbelief in deities, he responded that he would believe since she did. Song Yimeng remained concerned that the fate written in the script was unchangeable.
Nan Heng countered by pointing out how much people, including himself, Song Yimeng, Nan Rui, and the Emperor, had already changed from their roles or potential selves depicted in the script. He argued that if the characters could change, the story's ending might not be fixed either. He told her he was making one final effort to express his feelings and was willing to wait if she still had concerns.
Song Yimeng, understanding his intent, agreed to be brave once more this time, accepting his marriage proposal. Following their conversation, Song Yimeng suggested they skip the traditional wedding ceremony and processions, proposing they instead proceed directly to becoming officially married and entering the bridal chamber. She explained her concern about the script's prediction of Chu Guihong interrupting the wedding procession, which would lead to conflict and the infamous "three-way circling stab" scene.
She described the outcome of this scene as, "The one who injures her dies, the one who injures him dies, everyone dies today." Nan Heng recognized the scene description but was confused by the details of how they would stab each other. Song Yimeng admitted the absurdity but insisted it was written in the script.
Nan Heng mused about the conflict between the script's mechanism where iconic scenes must happen and the other mechanism where he was compelled to save the female lead when she was in danger (and vice-versa), wondering what would happen if both occurred simultaneously. He then reassured her, telling her he would handle everything from that point on and she should focus on preparing for the wedding. Nan Heng then went to the Emperor to request Chu Guihong's transfer.
He asked that Chu Guihong and the Qianyu Army be stationed in Pingrong. He explained that as the Crown Prince, the capital's defense should shift to the Xuanjia Army, and keeping the Qianyu Army in place could cause friction. The Emperor, seeing through his official explanation, noted that Nan Heng's requests always seemed to involve Song Yimeng.
Nan Heng admitted his concern about Chu Guihong's lingering feelings regarding the dissolved engagement and felt it would be best if Chu Guihong was far away as his wedding approached. The Emperor then inquired about Nan Heng's relationship with Nan Rui, noting their limited interaction and expressing worry that transferring Chu Guihong, Nan Rui's close cousin, might upset him, especially after not being named Crown Prince. Nan Heng realized he should have consulted Nan Rui first, admitting his oversight.
Unexpectedly, the Emperor revealed that Nan Rui had also approached him with the same suggestion, hoping to give Chu Guihong a new post away from the capital as he was concerned Chu Guihong was trapped by past obsessions and unable to move forward. The Emperor noted that Nan Rui seemed more stable than before. Seeing that the brothers shared the same view, the Emperor granted the request and decreed that Chu Guihong should depart for Pingrong soon.
Chu Guihong received the imperial decree ordering his transfer. He was enraged, blaming Nan Heng for stealing Meng'er (Song Yimeng), bewitching his cousin (Nan Rui), and holding him responsible for Nan Heng's uncle's actions that led to the death of Chu Guihong's father and brothers. He saw the transfer as Nan Heng trying to completely destroy him and drive him out of the capital after becoming Crown Prince and marrying his fiancée.
Rong Hua advised caution and suggested going to Pingrong to lay low and recover for a few years, then potentially return. However, Chu Guihong was defiant and determined not to let Nan Heng's plan succeed, believing Nan Heng intended to prevent him from appearing at the wedding. Three days before the wedding (or just before), Chu Guihong and the Qianyu Army made a show of departing from Yan Gate.
Nan Rui watched from the city wall, wishing him to take care. Meanwhile, Shangguan He instructed Yunlong and Shanhu to keep a close eye on Chu Guihong to prevent him from returning to the capital and causing trouble for their Big Boss's (Nan Heng's) wedding. The day before the wedding, Song Yimeng visited the spirit tablet of "mother" in the script, specifying she should call her "Song Yimeng's mother."
She apologized for not fulfilling the supposed wish to see Song Yimeng marry a good person for a life of ease and wealth (not specifically Chu Guihong) but asked her to watch over her from heaven. Thinking of her own father and mother who were also in heaven, she asked the script's mother to convey a message to them: their daughter, Song Xiaoyu, was grown up and getting married the next day.
She acknowledged it might not be the decision they would have chosen but affirmed it was the bravest choice "she" had made because here she had caring friends, a father who supported her, a sister and madam who treated her like family, and Nan Heng, who had removed all her worries.
Her own father (Song Yude) assured her that if Nan Heng ever bullied her, he would personally come to the Crown Prince's mansion, which was not more than ten li away, to bring her home. On the wedding day, Song Yimeng emerged dressed in her wedding attire. Nan Heng waited outside to receive his beloved bride. Shangguan He, Yunlong, and Shanhu followed Chu Guihong's army to the inn, keeping watch all night.
At dawn, they realized they had only watched the front and rushed to the back, finding activity there. They realized they had been outmaneuvered, as Rong Hua had likely created a diversion (lure the tiger out of the mountain) while Chu Guihong departed through the front. Meanwhile, as the wedding procession traveled, Nan Heng inwardly resolved that if any unforeseen events occurred, he would never let Song Yimeng be harmed.
Suddenly, Chu Guihong appeared in the crowd, declaring his intention to take "this demon's life," calling Nan Heng a "killing god/evil spirit," to avenge his father and brothers and reclaim his bride. Nan Heng challenged him to try. Song Yimeng, inside the sedan chair, tried to stay calm and not go out to avoid triggering the "three-way circling stab" scene. However, she heard a keyboard sound, compelling her to rush out.
As Chu Guihong attacked Nan Heng, Song Yimeng intervened first, stabbing Chu Guihong. Nan Heng, appearing uncontrollable, drew his sword, but then used his body to shield Song Yimeng from Fugui, resulting in Fugui stabbing Nan Heng instead of Song Yimeng. Nan Heng collapsed, spitting blood and unconscious, and Song Yimeng was overcome with grief.
After the attack, Imperial physicians examined Nan Heng, stating he had two critical stab wounds in vital spots and was "beyond recovery," fearing he wouldn't survive the night. Song Yimeng refused to accept this. She insisted on completing the wedding ceremony with the unconscious Nan Heng, exchanging vows and drinking the wedding cup, declaring they were now truly husband and wife and she would never leave him.
She tearfully demanded he wake up, hoping for fate to allow her more time with him in his world or find a way to bring him to her world. In an attempt to provoke him, she jokingly threatened to only give him this one night; if he didn't wake up by morning, she would "finish him off," inherit his wealth, and marry someone else. Fugui, angry at the physicians' inability and disbelief, was calmed by Song Yimeng.
Song Yimeng then asked Fugui why he had stabbed "her". Fugui revealed that Nan Heng had instructed him the previous night that if Chu Guihong appeared and caused an uncontrollable incident during the wedding, Fugui should stab "Song Yimeng". Nan Heng's plan was to use the "female lead in danger, male lead must save" mechanism to override the "iconic scene must happen" mechanism, thus protecting Song Yimeng, even at the cost of his own injury.
Fugui explained that Nan Heng had used his life to prove he was trustworthy. Nan Rui arrived with Zhao Bo, described as a "divine doctor" from the Qianyu Army, claiming he could save Nan Heng, mentioning Zhao Bo's skills, like rejoining broken arms at the border. Fugui was hesitant and suspicious because Zhao Bo was from the Qianyu Army, the same group as the attacker.
Zhao Bo offered to treat Nan Heng, stating he wanted to redeem guilt for his young general (Chu Guihong), and requested a pardon for Chu Guihong's attempted assassination if he succeeded. Fugui was furious, accusing them of taking advantage. Song Yimeng stepped in and accepted Dr. Zhao's terms as the Crown Princess. She promised that if Nan Heng woke up safely, she and he would not pursue Chu Guihong's crime.
However, she added a stern condition: if Zhao Bo failed, she would ensure not only Chu Guihong faced the Emperor's wrath, but every member of the Qianyu Army, including Zhao Bo and Nan Rui, would suffer consequences. Zhao Bo performed a surgical technique overnight, successfully stopping the bleeding and stabilizing Nan Heng's condition. He stated that the Crown Prince's life was temporarily saved as long as he didn't develop a fever overnight.
Nan Rui asked Zhao Bo how he knew about the Crown Prince being stabbed and not saved by Imperial physicians and arrived so quickly with a doctor. Zhao Bo replied vaguely that someone had sent him a message and he was not at liberty to say who. Nan Rui wondered if it was a coincidence.
The Emperor, upon hearing about the attempt on the Crown Prince's life, was enraged and ordered Chu Guihong's immediate arrest for treason, stating it was a crime punishable by exterminating nine generations. Nan Rui pleaded with his father for clemency for Chu Guihong, citing the late Empress's affection for her cousin and concern for her spirit if Chu Guihong was executed. The Emperor agreed to have Chu Guihong apprehended and brought back first before deciding his fate later.
Separately, Song Yiting visited the Noble Consort to relay the news that the Crown Prince was out of danger and her sister was caring for him. The Emperor was present and commented favorably on Song Yiting, believing her to be more sensible and appropriate than Song Yimeng after seeing the way Nan Rui looked at her. He asked her age and if she was married.
Song Yiting replied she was twenty-two and had someone in mind, stating she had decided on him and had no room for anyone else in her heart, even though they hadn't exchanged birthdate information yet. The Emperor was displeased, but the Noble Consort smoothly mediated, explaining Song Yiting's straightforward personality like her sister's.
The Emperor then conveyed a message to Song Yimeng through the Noble Consort, urging her to take care of herself during the Crown Prince's recovery so he wouldn't have to worry about her. Nan Heng woke up and saw Song Yimeng sleeping beside his bed.
