Episode Summary
Episode 16 is driven by a series of comedic misunderstandings where Song Yimeng becomes convinced that Li Shiliu (Nan Heng's alter ego) is gay.The episode ends with Nan Heng deliberately provoking Chu Guihong by embracing Song Yimeng, causing Chu Guihong to attack him with an arrow.
Spoiler Alert
A Dream Within a Dream: Episode 16 Spoilers - A Kiss of Chaos
A web of misunderstandings, political schemes, and romantic confessions takes center stage in the latest episode. As Nan Heng grapples with his dual identity, Song Yimeng finds herself caught between a forced engagement and her growing feelings for the mysterious Li Shiliu.
The episode kicks off with Nan Heng deeply unsettled by Song Yimeng's impending marriage. His advisor, Gao Changyin, suggests a political solution: marry Song Yimeng's sister, Song Yiting, to secure an alliance with her family. He even proposes marrying both sisters, an idea Nan Heng flatly rejects. Gao Changyin reminds him that the struggle for the crown prince position should outweigh personal romantic entanglements.
Meanwhile, a misunderstanding brews at Can Jiang Yue. Song Yimeng arrives with a public notice about the "Satin Blade technique," seeking answers. Nan Heng quickly transforms into his alter ego, Li Shiliu, and confronts Shangguan He for letting the information leak. Song Yimeng witnesses their close proximity and immediately jumps to the wrong conclusion about their relationship.
Heartbroken, Song Yimeng retreats to a rooftop to drink away her sorrows. She laments that Li Shiliu must only see her as a "sister" and that she stands no chance.
Elsewhere, a new romance begins to blossom. Song Yiting, frustrated by her mother's attempts to marry her off, is captivated when she sees the masked Li Shiliu fly across the rooftops. She immediately asks her maid to find out everything about the mysterious man.
The next morning, Song Yimeng awakens with a headache and no recollection of the previous night's kiss.Deciding she can no longer be a "bad person" by stringing along her fiancé, she resolves to break off her engagement with Chu Guihong. Her plans are interrupted when Chu Guihong himself arrives at Can Jiang Yue with the Qianyu Army. He intends to arrest Li Shiliu for trespassing at the Song residence and posting unauthorized notices.
Li Shiliu is secretly pleased to hear of Song Yimeng's decision to end the engagement. Chu Guihong, however, produces their wedding invitations, declaring the marriage is non-negotiable. This prompts Li Shiliu to make a bet: he wagers that Chu Guihong will voluntarily call off the wedding within ten days.
The situation grows more complex as Nan Heng (in his true identity) uses knowledge of Li Shiliu's mechanical arm to pressure Song Yimeng, but she stands firm, openly declaring her love for Li Shiliu and warning Nan Heng not to harm him. Her attempts to get her father, Song Yude, to help cancel the engagement fail when he threatens to take his own life.
In a final strategic move, Nan Heng invites Song Yimeng to go horse riding at the royal grounds, intending to publicize their association and provoke his rival. The plan works perfectly. When Chu Guihong arrives and sees Nan Heng deliberately embrace Song Yimeng, he flies into a rage and fires an arrow directly at the prince.
