A Dream Within A Dream Episode 4 Recap
> A Dream Within A Dream Recap
Fugui reports to Nan Heng that Song Yimeng seems genuine and doesn't appear to be spying on him. Nan Heng, however, suspects she works for either Nan Rui or the Emperor because she knows so much about him. He decides her knowledge is dangerous and plans to kill her when her father, Song Yude, is away on business, admitting his offer of an alliance was just a delay tactic.
In the imperial prison, Chu Guihong is visited by Nan Rui, who expresses concern about the harsh conditions and assures him the Emperor is arranging his release. Nan Rui talks incessantly and takes the wine he brought. Chu Guihong finally gets a word in, expressing his belief that the defeat at Pingrong was planned.
He recounts the situation where Heyuan used civilians as hostages, his argument against opening the city gate due to lack of supplies and the risk to his troops and the city's people. He notes how Heyuan seemed prepared when he snuck into their camp. He directly points out that Nan Heng benefited most from the defeat, and Nan Heng was eager to convict him. Nan Rui confirms the Emperor also suspects Nan Heng of treason but there's no evidence.
Chu Guihong states that upon his release, he will find proof of Nan Heng's treason. Nan Rui advises caution and waiting for the official release decree. Nan Heng arranges for prison guards to spread gossip that he has taken a liking to Song Yimeng and is showering her with gifts. Chu Guihong is shown overhearing this. Song Yimeng, an actress navigating a story world, and her maid discuss the plot.
They describe Nan Heng as the villain, Chu Guihong as the hero, and Song Yimeng as the heroine whose life is in danger because the villain wants her treasure, the Method of Weapon Forging, which is now missing. They ponder what Song Yimeng should do. The maid suggests replacing the treasure since no one has seen the Method of Weapon Forging anyway, which Song Yimeng thinks is a good idea.
Song Yimeng is then shown struggling to write the method all night, frustrated by the difficulty. Song Yimeng decides to escape before Nan Heng can act, but as she leaves through the back door, she is intercepted. Meanwhile, Nan Heng is informed that Chu Guihong has escaped prison by force, and Nan Heng's men, pretending to resist, let him go. Nan Heng orders troops to assemble. Song Yimeng finds herself pulled into the wilderness by Chu Guihong, who just escaped.
She asks him how he got out and immediately questions him about the Method of Weapon Forging. Surprised, Chu Guihong draws his sword and points it at her, telling her she is not the Song Yimeng he knows, arguing the real Song Yimeng would not ask about Qianyu Army secrets or associate with someone like Nan Heng. He accuses her of being a spy sent by Nan Heng.
Fearing for her life, Song Yimeng desperately tries to recall details from the script to prove she is Song Yimeng. She asks Chu Guihong about a specific token she gave him before he left for battle, describing a wooden pouch with red and one purple kapok leaf. Chu Guihong produces the described pouch, confirming it is hers and acknowledging her identity as Yimeng. He tells her where and when she gave it to him.
Still feigning doubt, Song Yimeng insists that to prove "he" is the real Chu Guihong, he must reveal the contents of the Method of Weapon Forging. Chu Guihong refuses, stating he cannot reveal that secret. At that moment, Nan Heng and his Xuanjia Army appear. Nan Heng accuses Chu Guihong of illegally escaping prison, and Chu Guihong realizes he has been set up. Song Yimeng warns him that Nan Heng tricked him into escaping to justify his execution.
Nan Heng confirms the charge and orders his soldiers to kill Chu Guihong. Chu Guihong pushes Song Yimeng away, urging her to flee. Nan Heng raises his bow to shoot an arrow at Song Yimeng, but his body acts against his will, causing him to rush forward and shield her, taking the arrow himself. Nan Heng is shocked by his own action, believing Song Yimeng used sorcery on him.
He attempts to strangle her, but his own hand forces his attacking hand away, preventing him from harming her. Nan Rui arrives with his men, immediately tending to Chu Guihong's injuries. Nan Rui confronts Nan Heng, accusing him of misusing his position and the Xuanjia Army for a private conflict. Nan Heng claims he was invited by Song Yimeng and brings up the agreement between them to try and explain the situation.
Song Yimeng realizes the events are deviating from her script. She attempts to mediate, insisting it was all a misunderstanding and no one was trying to kill anyone. She urges Chu Guihong to leave quickly as his official release decree is imminent, and Nan Rui supports this. Chu Guihong expresses concern for her, but she assures him she will be safe, mentioning her father knows her whereabouts and Nan Heng is too smart to harm her.
Nan Rui insists the injured Nan Heng return to recuperate. Song Yimeng leaves with Nan Heng. Inside the carriage, Nan Heng removes the arrow from his body. Song Yimeng is visibly nervous. Nan Heng warns her, leveraging the fact that Chu Guihong's illegal escape is now a secret he holds, and tells her to be obedient. His man asks if he should take her home, but Nan Heng says she is coming to his mansion instead.
Arriving at Nan Heng's mansion, Song Yimeng notices the plaque reads "Seven Prince's Mansion" and jokes about the writer labeling it the "Male Lead's Mansion." She is informed the plaque was there when the Emperor granted the mansion to Nan Heng. Meanwhile, back at the imperial prison, an imperial decree is read, officially releasing Chu Guihong and pardoning him for the recent military defeat, citing his years of service.
Chu Guihong is released and met by Nan Rui, who gives him a protective talisman to ward off bad luck, explaining the Emperor pushed for his release to bring him back to court. At Nan Heng's mansion, Song Yimeng is shown tied up in the courtyard. Nan Heng is seen contemplating how to handle her, asking his subordinate, Fugui, how she manages to affect him. Fugui brings Nan Heng a crossbow, explaining it is lethal.
Nan Heng decides it is too extreme and asks for other weapons. Fugui presents alternatives, including darts. Nan Heng chooses a dart, but as he prepares to use it, his body again moves on its own, shielding Song Yimeng from the projectile. Fugui suggests giving up, but Nan Heng refuses. He instructs Fugui to get poison from the physician, specifically ordering that it must not be deadly. Later, at a meal, Song Yimeng is given suspiciously colored food.
Recognizing it is poisoned, she refuses to eat. Fugui tries to make her eat. Nan Heng insists she eat or she cannot leave. He attempts to force-feed her the poisoned food, but his hand uncontrollably puts it into "his" own mouth instead. He is immediately poisoned, causing his mouth to swell. Furious and still determined, Nan Heng, despite his injuries, locks himself in a room and chains himself up, ordering Fugui to finish off Song Yimeng.
Fugui leads Song Yimeng to a pool and pushes her in. As Song Yimeng struggles in the water, Nan Heng, against his will, breaks free from his chains, rushes out of the room, and dives into the pool. He pulls Song Yimeng out of the water and gives her mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. Song Yimeng wakes up, sees Nan Heng, pushes him back into the water, and swims to the edge of the pool.
From the side, she laughs, seemingly taunting him and implying he cannot harm her. Fugui then tells Song Yimeng she can leave and instructs his men to escort her out, ensuring her safety but warning her to keep silent about the day's events or Nan Heng will still pursue her, even if she finds what he wants. Song Yimeng is shown being taken away, complaining about being left in the wilderness without transport.
