Dreaming Back to the Qing Dynasty Episode 16 Recap
> Dreaming Back to the Qing Dynasty Recap
Wei was wandering through the palace when she encountered Yinxiang, who had orchestrated an attempt to recreate her dream of a man emerging from a mist. Unfortunately, his eunuch Shun'er’s clumsy use of a brazier created chaotic smoke, making Wei furious. She accused Yinxiang of making a mockery of her precious memories and stormed off. Afterward, Wei ran into Yinti and vented her frustrations, also sharing her profound loneliness in the palace.
Yinti consoled her and offered to help find the mysterious place from her past. Later, claiming he had found the location, Yinti directed Wei to an abandoned courtyard. She went, hoping to find her dream man, but was devastated to find Yinxiang waiting there instead. Believing this was another cruel game, she lashed out, feeling he was no different from other self-serving princes who disrespected others' emotions.
She questioned his sincerity, recalling how he had once pushed her towards Yinzhen and repeatedly trampled on what she held most dear. Hurt, Yinxiang asked if an "illusory thing" like her dream was more important than his genuine affection. Exasperated, Wei told him to end their relationship, desiring only peace and quiet. Understanding Yinti's manipulative role in orchestrating the disastrous meeting, Yinxiang confronted him.
Yinti feigned innocence, claiming he only wished for Yinxiang to see Wei’s true feelings, suggesting her heart belonged to someone else and she didn’t truly want to marry Yinxiang. Consort De summoned Yinxiang to finalize his wedding date with Wei. Yinxiang, still affected by his argument with Wei, tried to postpone it, citing the need for more preparations.
Consort De insisted, and when Wei, feigning illness to avoid Yinxiang, did not arrive to serve tea, Consort De urged Yinxiang to visit her. Meanwhile, in the kitchen, Wei was distracted. Her mind elsewhere, she accidentally knocked over a pot of medicine, scalding her ankle. Yinxiang rushed in, immediately concerned, and despite her protests, he gently carried her away. Wei insisted she didn't need his care and accused him of always acting on impulse without considering her feelings.
Heartbroken, Yinxiang ordered Shun'er to throw away a special trotting horse lantern he had made for Wei. Shun'er, Quan'er, and another eunuch named Zhu'er, worried about Yinxiang and Wei's future, decided to intervene. They strategized to present the lantern to Wei, emphasizing that Yinxiang had crafted it himself.
Their plan worked; Wei’s curiosity was piqued, and upon seeing the detailed depictions of their shared memories on the lantern, she began to understand Yinxiang's true feelings and realized she had misjudged him. The next morning, the three eunuchs anxiously informed Wei that Yinxiang was on his way to see Kangxi to annul their engagement. Wei rushed to intercept him. Yinxiang, looking desolate, told Wei he was going to let her go, believing it was what she desired.
Wei challenged his assumption, demanding to know if he had ever bothered to ask what she truly wanted. She made it clear she did not want him to cancel the engagement, confessing that she loved him and that her past struggles and anger were precisely because of her profound feelings for him. She then boldly proposed, asking him to marry her. Overwhelmed, Yinxiang asked if she truly meant it.
Wei reaffirmed her love, declaring she would marry him in every lifetime. Yinxiang readily agreed, promising to face any challenges with her. He joyfully shouted his intention to marry Wei, and she echoed her excitement. Meanwhile, Yinti was drinking alone, bitter over the impending marriage. Ming Hui approached him, subtly mocking his predicament while offering her "help."
Yinti, consumed by his resentment over losing Wei, impulsively kissed her but then angrily told her to "get lost," recognizing her attempt to manipulate him. Ming Hui, unfazed, challenged his pride, questioning his courage to play her game. Yinxiang then led Wei to their new residence, the Marshal's Mansion Garden, a gift from Kangxi. Wei delightedly envisioned future renovations, like transforming a scenic spot into a glass-walled dining room.
Yinxiang promised to fulfill all her wishes, leading her to sketch a "flush toilet," which he comically mistook for a small well. Wei suddenly felt a wave of dizziness, recalling her dream man had said similar things. Yinxiang quickly reassured her, promising to be even better than her dream man. As they discussed further designs, Wei felt another dizzy spell. This time, as images of her dream man flashed in her mind, she cried out Yinxiang's name in a nightmare.
She resolved to commit fully to Yinxiang, acknowledging the illusory nature of her dream. On her wedding day, as Wei prepared, Yinti confronted her one last time. He expressed regret for his past deceptions, wondering if their paths would have been different had he not lied. Wei unequivocally stated that even if it wasn't Yinxiang, she would never have chosen him. Yinti, heartbroken and desperate, declared he would rather be hated than forgotten by her, then forcefully dragged her from the room.
