A Dream Within A Dream Episode 8 Recap
> A Dream Within A Dream Recap
Nan Heng believed that Song Yimeng and Chu Guihong were trying to create chaos and frame him. Song Yimeng said she would have Chu Guihong join them, but Nan Heng refused, saying he wouldn’t take risks just because she was blinded by love. Hearing this from inside the wardrobe, Chu Guihong regretted ever doubting Song Yimeng.
Song Yimeng firmly believed Chu Guihong was righteous and would protect Li Shiliu from being controlled by Nan Heng—she would not allow anyone else to be hurt by Nan Heng again. Song Yimeng brought up the royal autumn hunt from sixteen years ago, believing that the death of the late Empress Chu Yurong was connected to Nan Heng.
Nan Heng fell into his memories—back then, the emperor blamed him for Chu Yurong’s death, and Chu Guihong began training in martial arts, becoming his lifelong rival. In truth, Nan Heng had been locked up and starved. He later shifted his focus to the battlefield, but was misunderstood as cold-blooded and ruthless, harming old friends. Song Yimeng tried once again to win over Li Shiliu, constantly praising Chu Guihong’s bravery. Nan Heng grew angry and refused to cooperate.
As he turned to leave, a noise came from the wardrobe. Nan Heng instantly released a hidden weapon, and Chu Guihong jumped out the window to escape. Song Yimeng saw two Li Shilius and couldn't tell which was real. Shangguan He wasn’t worried—he said the one with better martial arts must be the real one.
Nan Heng ripped off Chu Guihong’s mask, and Chu Guihong stopped hiding and grabbed Jixiang’s blade, aiming to stab Li Shiliu, but Song Yimeng suddenly rushed forward to block him. Not wanting the two sides to clash, Song Yimeng stepped in to mediate, hoping they could reconcile. Duan Shanhu brought up that Rong Hua had falsely accused him of stealing weapons. Song Yimeng moved closer to Chu Guihong to ask what was going on, but he said nothing.
Taking the initiative, she insisted it was all a misunderstanding and asked Chu Guihong to speak up for peace. When he didn’t respond, she turned to Li Shiliu and pleaded with him. Unable to bear the awkwardness, she dragged both of them into a room. Song Yimeng said that since they were about to work together against Nan Heng, there was no point in sulking. Chu Guihong wanted to see Li Shiliu’s real face.
Li Shiliu claimed he had facial injuries and it was inconvenient. Chu Guihong demanded he prove his innocence by accompanying him to confront Nan Heng. Song Yimeng didn’t believe Li Shiliu was one of Nan Heng’s men and stopped them from arguing. Not wanting to betray Song Yimeng’s trust, Chu Guihong agreed to believe Li Shiliu this time and said he would stall Nan Heng first.
Using an excuse, Shangguan He took Li Shiliu away and urged him to change back into Nan Heng’s attire before Chu Guihong discovered the truth. Nan Rui suspected that Chu Guihong had changed sides, but Chu Guihong said he was just playing along to lure the snake from its hole and had never truly trusted Li Shiliu. Nan Heng then arrived and chatted with Chu Guihong, using the opportunity to secretly swap out his Zhan Yue Blade.
Later, Nan Heng once again disguised himself as Li Shiliu to meet Song Yimeng. Shangguan He played the flute to create a romantic atmosphere for the two. Song Yimeng brought a gift for Li Shiliu. When he opened it, it was a rabbit mask. Song Yimeng told him she had made it herself to thank him for saving her last time.
Chu Guihong arrived to take Song Yimeng away, saying that Song Yude was waiting for her at home for dinner. Fu Gui couldn’t find Nan Heng. Seeing Nan Rui and the others leaving, he rushed over to question them but got no reply. After returning to the residence, Nan Heng read the letter Yao Qian had provided and learned that the emperor planned to grant Chu Guihong real authority over the capital and personally organize the Shangyuan Festival lantern fair.
Yao Qian suggested submitting a joint petition at court to pressure the emperor into withdrawing the decree, but Nan Heng ordered him not to act rashly. At morning court, Chu Guihong was appointed as the Prefect of the Capital. Yao Qian suddenly raised an objection, which angered the emperor, resulting in Yao Qian receiving twenty strokes and being demoted. Song Yimeng learned of Yao Qian’s demotion and realized this plot point hadn’t appeared in the original script.
Chu Guihong apologized for neglecting her due to military matters. Song Yimeng asked if he was willing to give up his official position, but Chu Guihong didn’t give a direct answer. Zhixia ran in frantically, saying something had happened. Song Yimeng went to check and discovered that members of the Qianyu Army had been injured while apprehending horse thieves. Chu Guihong was sure it was Nan Heng’s doing.
Hearing this, Song Yimeng wanted to stop Nan Heng as soon as possible. Meanwhile, Nan Heng had captured the eunuch who had beaten Yao Qian and forced him to reveal who had given the order behind the scenes. Just then, Song Yimeng suddenly showed up at the Canjiang Guildhall. Shangguan He hurried to clean up the scene, but she still walked in on them.
However, Song Yimeng didn’t think too much of it—she had come looking for Li Shiliu, already determined to kill Nan Heng. Li Shiliu refused, and upon learning that the Qianyu Army had been injured by an explosion, he asked Song Yimeng if she had confirmed the truth. But Song Yimeng had already decided it was Nan Heng’s doing.
