Episode Summary
In this episode, Song Yimeng's attempt to annul her engagement with Nan Heng backfires when Gao Changrong schemes to make her jealous by pretending to select a concubine for her son.A misunderstanding arises when Yimeng overhears a conversation that suggests Nan Heng might marry her sister for political power. The episode concludes with Song Yiting accidentally discovering a secret laboratory containing the broken Zhanyue Blade.
Spoiler Alert
A Dream within a Dream Ep. 19: A Scheming Defense and a Secret Revealed
The drama escalates as Song Yimeng, determined to end her engagement, accepts an invitation from Gao Changrong to stay at Fanghua Hall. Gao Changrong, however, is equally determined to see the marriage through and fully supports the union between Yimeng and her son, Nan Heng. When Yimeng directly states her intention to cancel the wedding, Gao Changrong masterfully stalls, insisting such a serious matter requires careful consideration.
Worried that Yimeng might actually succeed, Gao Changrong devises a cunning plan: she decides to pretend to find a concubine for Nan Heng.Her hope is that a spark of jealousy will make Yimeng reconsider her decision to leave him. The scheme is set in motion when Yimeng thoughtfully prepares and brings Gao Changrong a cup of pearl milk tea. Seizing the moment, Gao Changrong summons the wives of several high-ranking ministers, putting them on the spot to recommend their daughters. The ladies, including Zhou Xueyi and Mrs. Jia, are terrified of their daughters being chosen and cleverly deflect, eventually turning on Yimeng. They accuse her of being petty and narrow-minded, unable to tolerate the idea of sharing a husband.
Just as the atmosphere becomes unbearable for Yimeng, Nan Heng makes a dramatic entrance. Fresh from supposedly interrogating a prisoner, he exudes a dangerous aura that immediately silences the room. He fiercely defends Yimeng, declaring that her dignity is his own and warning the gossiping women that any further disrespect will have severe consequences.The terrified ladies fall to their knees, begging for forgiveness.
The tension shifts when Gao Changrong suddenly clutches her stomach in pain. Nan Heng quickly realizes the pearl milk tea Yimeng made contained milk, an ingredient Gao Changrong is intolerant to. Horrified by her mistake, a panicked Yimeng personally brews medicine to atone. Watching her, Nan Heng is visibly moved but cautions her to be more careful, as such an incident could easily be twisted into an accusation of attempted murder. Yimeng, bemused by the palace intrigue, mutters that the situation feels like a "brain-dead drama" before quietly thanking him. She knows he protected her intentionally, but when she asks for an explanation, he demurs, stating that the world has already branded him a villain.
Meanwhile, another complicated situation is unfolding. Song Yiting, determined to meet the mysterious Li Shiliu, arrives with a portrait she drew. She first encounters Shangguan He, whom she dismisses as a lecher, only for him to realize the portrait is of himself. Intrigued and wanting to handle the persistent Yiting, Shangguan He decides to impersonate Li Shiliu. During their meeting, he tries to discourage her, but Yiting boldly confesses her feelings, undeterred by class differences. Her earnest words leave the disguised Shangguan He flustered, and he makes a hasty retreat, promising to consider it.
Later, Yimeng overhears a conversation between Nan Heng and Gao Changyin, who suggests that marrying Song Yiting would be a strategic move to secure the Song family's power. This conversation triggers a painful memory for Yimeng of the "original story," in which Nan Heng and her sister, Yiting, had an illicit affair.
After waiting all night for a reply from "Li Shiliu," a dejected Song Yiting decides to leave. As she does, she accidentally triggers a hidden mechanism on a wall, revealing a secret laboratory. Inside, she makes a shocking discovery: one half of the legendary broken Zhanyue Blade.
