A Dream Within A Dream Episode 9 Recap
> A Dream Within A Dream Recap
Chu Guihong felt disheartened, thinking about Rong Hua and the others who were injured. He entrusted Nan Rui with a task, wanting to look through the records of previous Lantern Festivals kept by the Ministry of Rites. Nan Rui smiled and agreed, believing that together they could accomplish anything. Separately, Rong Hua reported that foreign merchants had sent fireworks and suggested using them during the Lantern Festival. Meanwhile, Chancellor Gao had privately planted explosives, injuring the Qianyu Army.
Nan Heng was displeased, stating that if it weren't for his mother, he would have dealt with Chancellor Gao long ago. Fugui reassured Nan Heng not to worry, believing that Song Yimeng did not suspect Li Shiliu's true identity. Shangguan He suggested that Nan Heng, acting as Li Shiliu, write a letter to Song Yimeng asking her to come with a detailed plan.
Nan Heng agreed, saying he wanted to see if Song Yimeng truly had the capability to kill him. Three days later, Song Yimeng was rushing to meet Li Shiliu and didn't have time for breakfast. On her way, she coincidentally met Chu Guihong, who was arriving at her residence. Upon learning her destination, Chu Guihong went ahead to the Waning River Crescent Hall.
Song Yimeng arrived to find the two men arguing and speaking sarcastically to each other, nearly getting into a fight again. She quickly intervened, reminding them that they were there to discuss the plan to assassinate Nan Heng and urged them to be more broad-minded. Getting down to business, they began discussing how to carry out the assassination.
Song Yimeng suggested the first step should be to lure Nan Heng away from the protection of the Xuanjia Army and bring him to a pre-arranged location. Li Shiliu proposed the Jade River, noting it was crowded, which could help them escape if the assassination failed. Song Yimeng assigned tasks: she would be responsible for luring Nan Heng away by claiming to have news about the weapon forging method, a topic she believed he would agree to discuss.
Chu Guihong would have the Qianyu Army hold off the Xuanjia Army to ensure no one came to Nan Heng's rescue. The most crucial part was how to assassinate him. Song Yimeng proposed using a honey trap at the Lantern Festival. She planned to use her dancing skills to distract Nan Heng during the evening, and when he was not paying attention, shoot him with a hairpin dart to kill him.
Chu Guihong interrupted her, dismissing her idea as impractical and potentially dangerous. He was worried that if Nan Heng had impure intentions, he might harm Song Yimeng before she could act, insisting she should not put herself in such danger. Chu Guihong continued to criticize Nan Heng, calling him base and despicable, which Li Shiliu argued against. Chu Guihong then proposed a different approach: doing the opposite of what Nan Heng might expect.
He speculated that Nan Heng, seeing himself as a future ruler, would clear the streets during the Lantern Festival. Chu Guihong suggested he could then appear directly and catch Nan Heng off guard to kill him. Li Shiliu stepped forward, disagreeing with Chu Guihong's assessment of Nan Heng, stating he was not a coward who feared death. Song Yimeng added that Nan Heng was the "male lead" and had "plot armor."
Chu Guihong looked confused, asking what "male lead" meant, but Song Yimeng wasn't sure how to explain it. Li Shiliu then offered his refined plan: the assassination location would remain the Jade River. Chu Guihong's Qianyu Army would focus on city patrol, which would be necessary during the Lantern Festival anyway, and the Xuanjia Army would likely be sent to support the palace.
Song Yimeng would find an excuse to lure Nan Heng onto a leisure boat on the river and get him drunk, then slip away. Li Shiliu would personally carry out the assassination while Nan Heng was intoxicated. Song Yimeng was very satisfied with this plan and left feeling happy. Later, Shangguan He teased Nan Heng for having spent the entire day acting for Song Yimeng. Nan Heng told him to focus on business.
Shangguan He reported that the metallurgy room was ready and they had tried melting down and re-forging half of the Qianyu Moon-Cleaving Blade, but it was still brittle. Nan Heng was worried, admitting they hadn't succeeded in developing the weapon forging method over the years, and only Chu Guihong knew the proper technique. Nan Heng then revealed his intention to have Shangguan He impersonate Li Shiliu to completely dispel Chu Guihong's suspicions about Li Shiliu.
On the way back, Song Yimeng noticed Chu Guihong seemed troubled. He confessed that he still harbored doubts about Li Shiliu, citing his suspicions from their first encounter and Li Shiliu's uncanny knowledge of Nan Heng's situation during the planning session as particularly suspicious. Song Yimeng argued he was overthinking things and defended Li Shiliu, reminding Chu Guihong that Li Shiliu had saved her life and given her hope.
Chu Guihong expressed concern for her safety during the assassination, but Song Yimeng assured him she had a "killer move" and that Nan Heng could not harm her. She told Chu Guihong to simply patrol as usual on the day of the festival, suggesting he could reap benefits if the assassination succeeded or simply "slack off" if it failed. Chu Guihong reiterated that his concern was for her, not himself.
Song Yimeng replied that she understood, saying he was like the "male second lead" who would always stand by her and trust the female lead. She then left to go home. Separately, Song Yiting's mother feigned a serious illness, hoping to compel Song Yiting to attend the Lantern Festival, as she had specifically found out that Nan Rui would be present.
Song Yiting resisted the idea of being matched, stating she only wished to marry a kindred spirit and cared little for powerful officials. As the Lantern Festival began, Nan Rui rang the drum signaling the start of the event. Chu Guihong instructed the Qianyu Army to remain vigilant and increase patrols, especially since Nan Rui was representing the Emperor that night. At a painting boat, Nan Heng waited, complaining about Song Yimeng's delay.
Meanwhile, Song Yimeng was rushing through the crowded streets and tripped. Jia Ruru intercepted her, mocking her appearance and snatching her hairpin, which was the hidden weapon. As they struggled over the hairpin, they accidentally triggered its mechanism, and the dart shot out, hitting Nan Rui's wine cup. Nan Rui cried out about an assassin and demanded to know what Song Yimeng intended.
Nan Heng immediately stepped forward, shielded Song Yimeng, and took her away from the commotion, telling Nan Rui not to make a scene over a small matter. As Nan Heng led Song Yimeng away through the streets, both were silently contemplating their next move. They encountered an old woman selling river lanterns, who suggested they go release one at the Jade River. Song Yimeng recognized this as a familiar plot device.
Nan Heng offered to pay but realized he had no money, prompting the old woman to call him stingy. She eventually gave them a free lantern. As they walked away, Nan Heng commented that the lantern had small eyes and gave it to a child nearby. A butterfly unexpectedly flew out of the lantern, but they did not notice it.
