A Dream Within A Dream Episode 9 Recap
> A Dream Within A Dream Recap
Chu Guihong was filled with melancholy as he thought about Rong Hua and the others getting injured. He entrusted Nan Rui with a task—he wanted to investigate the Ministry of Rites’ archives. Nan Rui smiled and agreed, saying the two of them were a formidable pair and could get it done. Rong Hua mentioned that foreign merchants had brought fireworks and suggested using them during the Shangyuan Festival Lantern Fair. Gao Zhangyin secretly planted explosives, injuring the Qianyu Army.
Nan Heng was displeased—if not for his mother, he would’ve dealt with him long ago. Fu Gui tried to console him, believing Song Yimeng hadn’t suspected Li Shiliu’s identity. Shangguan He suggested that Nan Heng, posing as Li Shiliu, write a letter to Song Yimeng, inviting her to bring her detailed plan. Three days later, Song Yimeng skipped breakfast, preparing to meet Li Shiliu, only to bump into Chu Guihong arriving at her residence.
After learning the situation, Chu Guihong rushed to Canjiang Guildhall first. Song Yimeng saw the two on edge and exchanging sarcastic remarks, nearly starting another argument, so she quickly intervened. Returning to the main topic, they began planning the assassination of Nan Heng. Song Yimeng wanted to use a giant poster to write out the plan. She believed they should first lure Nan Heng away from the protection of the Xuanjia Army and then strike.
Li Shiliu proposed doing it at Biyu River, saying the crowds would make things easier. Song Yimeng divided up the roles—she would use the "Duan Blade technique" to lure Nan Heng to a meeting, while Chu Guihong was responsible for having the Qianyu Army stall the Xuanjia Army. The key was how to carry out the assassination.
Song Yimeng suggested using seduction—she would perform a dance during the Lantern Fair to distract Nan Heng, then launch a concealed hairpin weapon at him when he was off guard, aiming to take his life. Chu Guihong stopped her, breaking her fantasy. He thought the plan was too risky and worried that Nan Heng might cross the line with Song Yimeng. He wouldn’t allow her to risk herself.
Chu Guihong condemned Nan Heng for being impure in thought, which offended Nan Heng. Chu Guihong then proposed doing the opposite of what was expected. He believed Nan Heng wanted to dominate the underworld, and during the Lantern Fair, he would surely clear the streets. Taking advantage of that, Chu Guihong would strike him unexpectedly. Li Shiliu couldn’t listen anymore and stepped in, saying Nan Heng wasn’t the kind to fear death.
Song Yimeng claimed Nan Heng was the protagonist and had plot armor. Chu Guihong was puzzled by the term “male lead,” and Song Yimeng didn’t know how to explain. Li Shiliu shared his opinion—hold the assassination at Biyu River, have the Qianyu Army manage city defenses, and Song Yimeng would lure Nan Heng to the art studio and get him drunk, then slip away. Li Shiliu would then appear in person and assassinate him while he was intoxicated.
Song Yimeng was satisfied with the plan and left cheerfully. Shangguan He teased Nan Heng for having feelings for Song Yimeng, pointing out he’d acted with her all day. Nan Heng told him to get serious. Shangguan He reported that the metallurgy workshop was ready to melt and reforge the Zhan Yue Blade, but it remained fragile. Nan Heng was troubled—years of studying sword techniques hadn’t paid off, and only the “Duan Blade technique” held by Chu Guihong could work.
Before the assassination, Nan Heng instructed Shangguan He to disguise himself as Li Shiliu, to dispel Chu Guihong’s doubts about Li Shiliu. On the way back, Song Yimeng noticed Chu Guihong looked preoccupied. Chu Guihong was still suspicious of Li Shiliu, but Song Yimeng thought he was overthinking and continued to speak up for Li Shiliu. Chu Guihong was worried for her safety. Song Yimeng said she had a trump card—Nan Heng wouldn’t be able to kill her.
Zhou Xueyi pretended to be sick, hoping Song Yiting would attend the Lantern Fair. She had purposely found out that Nan Rui would be there. Song Yiting didn’t want to go on a matchmaking date—she just wanted to marry someone who understood her and didn’t care about high-ranking officials. Nan Rui struck the lantern drum, signaling the start of the Shangyuan Lantern Fair. Chu Guihong told the Qianyu Army to remain vigilant and strengthen patrols.
At the art studio, Nan Heng waited but Song Yimeng was late. She complained about the crowd and rushed over, only to trip and fall. Jia Ruru stopped her, mocking her for dressing so flamboyantly, and snatched her hidden weapon hairpin. In the scuffle, a mechanism was triggered, and the concealed weapon shot into Nan Rui’s wine cup. Nan Rui shouted that there was an assassin and asked Song Yimeng what she was doing.
Nan Heng stepped in to protect her and whisked her away. As they walked down the street, both were full of hidden thoughts. Song Yimeng didn’t know how to start the conversation, while Nan Heng was thinking how to guide her into getting to the point. Suddenly, an old woman selling river lanterns invited them to Biyu River. Song Yimeng guessed it was part of the plot. Nan Heng tried to pay, but had no money.
The old woman mocked him for being stingy and eventually gave them a free lantern. As they left, Nan Heng got angry at the lantern’s small eyes and gave it to a child nearby. A butterfly flew out from the lantern, but neither of them noticed.
