Episode Summary
Song Yimeng discovers Li Shiliu's true identity is Nan Heng, leading to a painful confrontation where she stabs him in the arm out of a sense of betrayal.The political intrigue deepens as Nan Heng and Chu Guihong accuse each other in court over their connections to the Can Jiang Yue organization and the prisoner Shangguan He. The Emperor orders Shangguan He's execution, appointing Nan Heng as the supervisor. Determined to save her friend, Song Yimeng, with her sister's help, devises a rescue plan with the Night Wanderer group to delay the execution, even if it means opposing Nan Heng. The episode culminates at the execution ground where, just as the sentence is about to be carried out, the Night Wanderer group makes a dramatic appearance to intervene.
Spoiler Alert
A Dream within a Dream: Episode 24 Spoilers
The episode opens with a shocking revelation for Song Yimeng: the man she knew as Li Shiliu is none other than Nan Heng.Stunned and feeling utterly betrayed, she confronts him. Nan Heng, struggling to find the right words, can only offer a heartfelt apology. Believing he used her feelings for Li Shiliu as part of a larger scheme, a heartbroken Song Yimeng turns to leave. When Nan Heng grabs her hand, pleading for forgiveness, she drives a dagger into his arm, declaring her hatred for him before walking away, leaving him bleeding and alone.
Shortly after, Song Yimeng sees Rong Hua leading the Qianyu Army to raid Can Jiang Yue. She turns back to give a warning but is intercepted by Rong Hua. Meanwhile, Nan Heng is confronted by another unwelcome visitor: Gao Changyin. Seeing the Li Shiliu disguise, Gao Changyin questions how long Nan Heng intended to keep up the charade. The two argue over past grievances, including Gao Changyin's embezzlement of disaster relief funds and his potential involvement in the Battle of Pingrong, which he denies.
The conflict escalates to the imperial court. Chu Guihong accuses Nan Heng of colluding with the Can Jiang Yue organization and tampering with the case of the "Night Wanderer," Shangguan He, demanding to search Nan Heng's residence. Nan Heng fires back, accusing Chu Guihong of being the one colluding with outlaws, presenting a mask from a past assassination attempt as proof. The Emperor, tired of the bickering, orders Shangguan He's case to be dealt with immediately. Gao Changyin manipulatively suggests that Nan Heng should be the one to oversee the execution.
Distraught, Song Yimeng locks herself in her room until her sister, Song Yiting, arrives, begging for help to save Shangguan He.Song Yimeng realizes the only way is to prove his innocence by investigating an old case, and she decides to seek help from the Night Wanderer group. She and her sister present a rescue plan to members Duan Shanhu and Po Yunlong, asking them to help delay the execution. Song Yiting reminds her that reopening the old Jiangnan case will put her in direct opposition to Nan Heng, but Song Yimeng, despite claiming not to care, is clearly conflicted.
At the execution ground, the tension is palpable. Gao Changyin threatens Nan Heng, demanding he carry out the sentence. Nan Heng attempts to stall for time, having secretly positioned his Xuanjia Army to create a diversion. Just as the order is given, Shangguan He makes a final request for a drink. At that critical moment, the Night Wanderer group appears, surrounding the entire area and bringing the execution to a dramatic halt.
