Episode Summary
In this episode, Song Yimeng faces the Emperor's wrath but is defended by Nan Heng, who is then subjected to a cruel test of loyalty.The two are later locked in a room together, where their different perspectives on their "scripted" world clash. A rescue attempt by their friends is interrupted by the Emperor, but Gao Changrong intervenes to protect Song Yimeng. Finally, Song Yimeng makes the difficult decision to break off her engagement with a devastated Chu Guihong, leaving Nan Heng with conflicted feelings.
Spoiler Alert
A Dream Within a Dream: Episode 15 Spoilers
The Emperor summons Song Yimeng and immediately accuses her of creating a rift between the princes despite already being engaged. When she tries to defend herself, the Emperor, having read the popular novel "Capital's Tragic Love," sarcastically criticizes her for attracting too much attention. His anger escalates, and he orders her to be punished with twenty strikes.
Just then, Nan Heng bursts in to take the blame, claiming he was the one pursuing her. The Emperor, furious at this admission, accuses Nan Heng of hurting his brother, Nan Rui. Nan Heng explains that Nan Rui provoked him and insulted his mother, but the Emperor refuses to listen. In a twisted test of loyalty, he hands Nan Heng a sword and tells him to cut off his own hand.
The tense standoff is broken when news arrives that Nan Heng's mother, Gao Changrong, has collapsed and is asking for them. It's a ruse to get them out of a dangerous situation. However, they are led to a chamber decorated with roses and locked inside for the night.
Unfazed, Song Yimeng sees this as a classic "scripted" plot and calmly prepares for bed. Nan Heng, however, is troubled by her nonchalance. He questions if she truly believed he would harm himself, and she dismisses his rescue as a "script mechanism." Disappointed, he gives her the bed and takes the sofa himself.
Meanwhile, their friends Fugui, Chu Guihong, and Song Yude disguise themselves and sneak into the palace to rescue them. The next morning, they burst into the room, only for the Emperor to arrive moments later. The four rescuers hide as the Emperor confronts Song Yimeng. But this time, Gao Changrong arrives to defend her, publicly revealing that the Emperor forced her into marriage years ago and declaring she will not allow history to repeat itself with Song Yimeng.
Later, back home, Song Yimeng decides she must end things with her fiancé, Chu Guihong. She finds him and returns his jade pendant, telling him she cannot marry him. She confesses that she is not the same Song Yimeng he fell in love with and that they are no longer suitable for each other. Heartbroken, Chu Guihong refuses to accept it, showing her letters she once wrote to him. Overwhelmed, Song Yimeng flees the conversation.
Elsewhere, Nan Heng is clearly bothered by the news of Song Yimeng's potential marriage but tries to hide his feelings from Shangguan He, claiming he is only interested in an alliance with the Song family.
