A Dream Within A Dream Episode 8 Recap
> A Dream Within A Dream Recap
Believing Song Yimeng and Chu Guihong planned to cause chaos to frame him for Chu Guihong to gain political merit, Nan Heng, disguised as Li Shiliu, refused to cooperate with Song Yimeng. Song Yimeng had proposed Chu Guihong join them to take down Nan Heng, but Nan Heng declined, stating he wouldn't risk himself as a wandering martial nobody with her, the daughter of a high-ranking official, and Chu Guihong, a favored general.
Song Yimeng insisted she would take responsibility and expressed absolute trust in Chu Guihong, her fiancé, believing he would protect Li Shiliu if he joined them. She explained her trust came from knowing him well and sharing his deep hatred for Nan Heng, stating they would not allow Nan Heng to harm anyone else.
Song Yimeng referenced the royal autumn hunting nineteen years prior, where the late Empress Chu Yurong, Chu Guihong's beloved aunt, died in an assassination related to Nan Heng. She described Chu Guihong's dedication to martial arts after this tragedy to protect others, contrasting it with Nan Heng, who she claimed became a heartless killer after the Empress's death.
She highlighted Chu Guihong's sacrifices defending the borders and his desire to clear the names of fallen soldiers, asking if this wasn't enough reason to trust him. Nan Heng, still in disguise, interrupted her, summarizing her view that Chu Guihong was good and he was bad, and called her a poor partner, blinded by love. Song Yimeng denied being lovestruck. Chu Guihong, hidden in a closet nearby, overheard this and regretted ever doubting Song Yimeng.
Nan Heng, as Li Shiliu, refused to participate in what he called a life-threatening shenanigan and moved to leave. As Nan Heng was leaving, Chu Guihong, still in the closet, made a noise. This revealed Chu Guihong's presence. Nan Heng quickly reacted, and Chu Guihong broke a window to escape. Song Yimeng was left confused, seeing two individuals who appeared to be Li Shiliu. Shangguan He told others that the one with better martial arts was the real one.
Song Yimeng stepped between the two men, declaring that no matter the reason, they must not come into conflict. Song Yimeng tried to mediate, insisting it was all a "beautiful misunderstanding." She explained that Chu Guihong, perhaps misled by rumors, might have disguised himself as Li Shiliu to investigate the Nightwalkers, whom he mistook for mobsters. One of Li Shiliu's men mentioned that Chu Guihong had accused their chief of stealing Qianyu Army weapons.
Despite seeing Chu Guihong remain silent, Song Yimeng claimed he had explained everything to her via ventriloquism and the weapon theft was also a misunderstanding. She urged them to reconcile, shake hands, and make friends, pressuring both Chu Guihong and the "Li Shiliu" to make a gesture to ease the awkward situation. Frustrated by their silence and lack of cooperation, she called them stubborn and insisted they come with her to a room.
In the room, Song Yimeng told them they needed to unite against Nan Heng instead of arguing. Chu Guihong demanded to see the face of the "Li Shiliu" counterpart. " Li Shiliu" refused, claiming he had a scar on his face from childhood. Chu Guihong pressed him to prove his innocence by meeting Nan Heng, who was also in the Hall, arguing that Chu Guihong's disturbance was meant to prove "Li Shiliu's" connection to Nan Heng. "
Li Shiliu" refused again, citing the danger of offending a prince. Song Yimeng intervened, stopping the argument and reminding them their purpose was to oppose Nan Heng. She criticized them both, telling them to confront Nan Heng directly. When asked if the alliance was agreed upon, Chu Guihong said he would not cooperate with "Li Shiliu." Song Yimeng declared she would go confront Nan Heng alone.
Chu Guihong then stated that he would trust "Li Shiliu" because Song Yimeng trusted him, admitting he felt unworthy of her deep affection. He decided to go stall Nan Heng, who was still in the Hall. After Chu Guihong left, Shangguan He instructed the real Li Shiliu, the Chief Master, to quickly change his clothes as Chu Guihong was heading towards Nan Heng. Meanwhile, Nan Rui questioned his cousin, Nan Heng, asking if he was now partnering with Li Shiliu.
Nan Heng denied changing his plan, stating he still suspected Li Shiliu's collusion with him. He called his strategy "drawing the snake out of its hole," identifying Song Yimeng as the "beautiful snake." Nan Heng then met with Chu Guihong over a meal. Their conversation was tense, with veiled remarks. Chu Guihong stated his disguise as Li Shiliu was indeed to test Nan Heng's connection to Li Shiliu. Nan Heng denied colluding with a "lowly ruffian." Chu Guihong left.
Nan Heng confirmed that his weapon had been successfully swapped. Later, Nan Heng, disguised as Li Shiliu again, met with Song Yimeng while Shangguan He played a flute to set the mood. Song Yimeng gave "Li Shiliu" a rabbit mask she had made herself, thanking him for saving her life previously.
Chu Guihong arrived and insisted Song Yimeng leave with him, telling her that her father, Song Yude, was waiting for her at home for dinner, despite her protests that she hadn't eaten. Back at Nan Heng's mansion, Fugui searched for Nan Heng (referred to as the Seventh Prince), encountering Nan Rui's group but receiving no information.
Nan Heng reviewed a memorial from Yao Qian reporting that the Emperor, along with the Eighteenth Prince, planned to announce the appointment of Chu Guihong to oversee the Lantern Festival the next morning. Yao Qian interpreted this as the Emperor granting Chu Guihong real power over the capital and palace defenses.
Yao Qian proposed organizing censors to submit a joint petition in the morning court to force the Emperor to withdraw the order, warning that Chu Guihong and the Eighteenth Prince's power would become insurmountable if Chu Guihong gained more authority and military success. Nan Heng, however, ordered Yao Qian not to act without his explicit command. In the morning court the next day, the Emperor confirmed Chu Guihong's appointment as Capital Prefect responsible for the Lantern Festival.
Censor Yao Qian suddenly objected, arguing that despite being exonerated, Chu Guihong was unsuitable given the unavenged fallen soldiers and existing refugees, warning it would upset heaven and urging the Emperor to reconsider. Other officials echoed his objection. Angered, the Emperor reaffirmed Chu Guihong's appointment and punished Yao Qian for malicious intent, sentencing him to twenty strokes of the cane and demotion to invocator of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices.
Song Yimeng learned of Yao Qian's demotion and noted that this event was not in her original expected storyline, wondering if the plot was changing. Later, Chu Guihong spoke with Song Yimeng, apologizing for neglecting her due to his military duties and acknowledging her deep affection. He mentioned wanting to move south with her after everything was settled. Song Yimeng asked if he would be willing to give up his official position and leave the political world.
Chu Guihong responded by asking if she knew him well, referring to his commitment to the Qianyu Army and his desire to protect those around him, but also hinting that being involved inevitably leads to someone getting hurt. Soon after, a girl rushed in reporting trouble. Song Yimeng investigated and found injured Qianyu Army soldiers, including Rong Hua, who explained they were ambushed at an abandoned mine by bandits who used explosives.
Chu Guihong immediately believed this was a demonstration from Nan Heng. Song Yimeng felt they needed a different approach to stop him. Meanwhile, Nan Heng was interrogating a eunuch, demanding to know who instructed him to inflict severe injuries during Yao Qian's caning. Song Yimeng unexpectedly arrived at the Waning River Crescent Hall. Shangguan He quickly ordered his men to clean up and stall her. Song Yimeng was briefly distracted but pressed on to find the Chief Master, Li Shiliu.
After initial attempts by Shangguan He to stall her with talk of poetry and chess, Song Yimeng conveyed that she had urgent, life-or-death business with Li Shiliu. Speaking with him in private, she proposed they kill Nan Heng. Li Shiliu refused, stating he would not agree even to fight Nan Heng, let alone kill him, and told her not to involve him in her desire for death.
Song Yimeng explained the Qianyu Army ambush at the mine, stating Nan Heng was responsible and innocent people could have died. Li Shiliu questioned if she had verified this claim, but she was certain, citing the witness (Rong Hua), the motive, and the circumstances. After more debate, Song Yimeng admitted she was selfishly trying to use him to eliminate Nan Heng.
She then threatened to expose his human trafficking operation at the Hall to her father and Chu Guihong if he refused, ruining his years of effort. Li Shiliu protested that it was an accident, but she insisted she didn't care, as it happened at his Hall, making them liable.
