Episode Summary
In this episode, the execution of Yeyoushen is halted by Nan Heng and the Song sisters, who expose a three-year-old conspiracy involving embezzled relief funds and the corrupt official Gao Changyin.He accepts a brutal punishment and renounces his title as a prince, while his enemies conspire to take away his remaining power.
Spoiler Alert
A Dream Within a Dream: Episode 25 Spoilers
The episode opens on a tense scene at the execution grounds where Yeyoushen is scheduled to be put to death. Just as Chu Guihong orders his Qianyu Army to carry out the sentence, Nan Heng intervenes, summoning his own formidable Xuanjia Army to create a standoff.
The stalemate is broken by the timely arrival of the Song sisters, Yimeng and Yiting. Having worked through the night, they are ready to expose the truth. Yimeng confronts Chu Guihong, revealing that the original case file was conveniently damaged and that he has proceeded based only on the final guilty verdict. She presents a petition signed by numerous citizens who were once saved by Shangguan He, begging the authorities to uncover the truth and not execute an innocent man.
Yimeng lays the conspiracy bare: three years ago, during a devastating flood, Shangguan He discovered that the imperial relief funds had been embezzled. In a desperate act of justice, he tried to steal the money back to distribute it among the starving populace. However, he was caught by Nan Heng, who was investigating the matter but was unaware of the larger conspiracy. The corrupt local governor at the time, Gao Changyin, suppressed the truth and had Shangguan He arrested. The crucial evidence, an official token belonging to Gao Changyin, was later found in the governor's mansion by Yeyoushen.
Yimeng fiercely accuses Chu Guihong of ignoring the real crime to pursue a personal vendetta. She then turns her anger on Nan Heng, calling him a hypocrite for protecting Gao Changyin and endangering Yeyoushen. She declares that the only man she remembers is the righteous Li Shiliu, not the compromised prince standing before her.
Swayed by the revelations, Nan Heng proposes that Yeyoushen be taken back into custody until a full investigation can be presented to the Emperor. He steps in to protect Yeyoushen from a rough arrest by Rong Hua, vowing to set things right.
The drama moves to the imperial court, where the Emperor is furious over Nan Heng's unexcused absence. His rival, Nan Rui, seizes the opportunity to accuse Nan Heng of fleeing from his duties, demanding that he be stripped of his command over the Xuanjia Army. Chu Guihong eagerly supports the motion.
Just then, Nan Heng makes a dramatic entrance. He presents the complete case file on the Jiangnan embezzlement scandal. In a stunning climax, Nan Heng kneels before the throne and makes a shocking confession: he is Li Shiliu, the true leader of the Yeyoushen vigilantes.He accepts full responsibility, asking to be punished with sixty lashes and to have his royal status as a prince revoked. The Emperor agrees.
Song Yude, who had earlier advised caution, witnesses Nan Heng’s sacrifice and finally understands his true character. He later explains to Chu Guihong that Nan Heng took all the blame upon himself primarily to shield Song Yimeng from being implicated in the affair.
Meanwhile, Song Yimeng reflects on the day's events, realizing that the major plot points of the "script" she knows are unfolding as destined. To mend fences and express her true feelings, she prepares a large dinner for her family, reconciling with Zhou Xueyi and bringing a moment of harmony.
The episode concludes with Nan Rui and Chu Guihong, undeterred, plotting their next move. They plan to use the Consort’s deep affection for her disgraced brother, Gao Changyin, as leverage to force Nan Heng to voluntarily surrender his military power.
