Episode Summary
Nan Heng endures a public flogging as part of a larger, painful strategy, but his actions are misinterpreted by Song Yimeng, who resolves to expose his supposed rebellious plans, believing it will lead to his death. The source of Chu Guihong's intense hatred for Nan Heng is revealed to be a past military betrayal. This culminates in a confrontation where Nan Heng captures Chu Guihong in his study and burns the coveted Qianyu Military Strategy before his eyes. Meanwhile, Song Yude fails to persuade Nan Heng to annul his engagement to Song Yimeng, and other romantic subplots continue to develop.
Spoiler Alert
A Dream within a Dream: A Painful Gambit
In a brutal display of imperial power, Nan Heng is publicly flogged thirty times by Eunuch Liu at the Emperor's command. The punishment, which soaks his clothes in blood, is endured under the silent watch of Song Yude, and serves as a stark message to Chu Guihong, who now concedes defeat. The Emperor shows no sympathy, callously pressing on Nan Heng's wounds and complaining that the blood has ruined his birthday celebration. Fugui feels the injustice of the situation, but Nan Heng understands the Emperor's actions are about more than just seizing military power.
Despite his severe injuries, Nan Heng is undeterred. Worried that his influence will wane after being sent to his fiefdom, he disguises himself as Li Shiliu and slips into the Song residence to find out what Song Yimeng is up to. He finds her enjoying a meal in the woodshed and joins her. When she notices his fine clothes, he mentions they were ordered by Shangguan He, which only deepens her existing misunderstanding of their relationship.
Meanwhile, a drunken Chu Guihong reflects on his deep-seated hatred for Nan Heng. He recalls the Battle of Pingrong, where his pleas for reinforcements from Nan Heng went unanswered, leading to the defeat and death of King Qianyu. Before his death, the king had warned Chu Guihong against sentimentality and ordered him to destroy the Qianyu Military Strategy to prevent Nan Heng from obtaining the Satin Blade technique.
Later, Song Yimeng discusses her plan with Li Shiliu (the disguised Nan Heng): she intends to expose Nan Heng's private research into the Satin Blade technique to reveal his "wolfish ambitions." A heartbroken Nan Heng asks why she remains so prejudiced against him. Song Yimeng explains that while she understands his difficult upbringing, she believes he is destined to rebel. For the sake of the common people, she feels she must sacrifice him, though she admits self-preservation is also a motive. Nan Heng accuses her of believing in baseless fantasies, but she insists on her course of action, even when he points out it will mean his certain death. As he leaves in despair, Song Yimeng reflects that she doesn't truly want him to be harmed, but feels trapped by the "script's mechanism."
Back in his own residence, a devastated Nan Heng drinks to numb his emotional pain. His friends, Duan Shanhu and Po Yunlong, worry about him. Shangguan He arrives to offer counsel, reminding Nan Heng that his current gambit is self-sacrificial and warning him not to let his feelings for Song Yimeng cause him to abandon his plan.
Elsewhere, the subplots thicken. Song Yude visits Nan Heng, bringing medicinal herbs as a pretense to ask him to call off the wedding. Nan Heng refuses, stating he wouldn't have taken the punishment without selfish reasons, nor would he have surrendered military power without genuine feelings. He wants to ask Song Yimeng her intentions one more time. Chu Guihong, meanwhile, sneaks into Nan Heng's study searching for the Qianyu Military Strategy but finds nothing.
In another thread, Nan Rui's attempts to court Song Yiting are repeatedly rebuffed. He explains he only wants to marry to fulfill his late mother's wish, but Song Yiting is unimpressed by this "mama's boy" reasoning. In a case of mistaken identity, Song Yiting mistakes Shangguan He for a scoundrel when she sees him helping a stranger in the rain. When Shangguan He complains to Nan Heng, he is advised to stay away from Song Yimeng's sister.
Sensing his study has been infiltrated, Nan Heng sets a trap by pretending to be away. When Chu Guihong breaks in again, Nan Heng catches him red-handed. In the ensuing fight, Nan Heng throws the Qianyu Military Strategy into a brazier, burning it to ashes and fueling Chu Guihong's rage to a new height.
