Episode Summary

In this episode, Song Yimeng's attempt to escape her feelings by leaving for Jiangnan is interrupted by an injured Nan Heng. After a painful confrontation, she discovers his wound too late. Simultaneously, Nan Heng defies the Emperor to protect his mother and is placed under house arrest. As Yimeng departs, she is ambushed. Nan Heng comes to her rescue, and they are chased to a cliff, where Yimeng makes the drastic choice for them to jump to survive. They land in water, and after a tense moment, Nan Heng awakens, with new dangers surrounding them.

Spoiler Alert

"A Dream within a Dream" Episode 26 Spoilers

Haunted by her past with Nan Heng, Song Yimeng finalizes her plans to leave for the southern region of Jiangnan. Her father, Song Yude, in a moment of drunken honesty, urges her to reconsider, suspecting her departure is a way to avoid Nan Heng.Yimeng confesses that the issue isn't a simple misunderstanding but a deep-seated conflict within herself; she despises her own feelings. Seeing her resolve, her father agrees to arrange her journey.

The farewells are emotional, but the quiet departure is shattered when an injured Nan Heng sneaks into the Song residence. He confronts Yimeng, pleading for another chance and apologizing for his past actions. In a moment of anger, Yimeng shoves him away, unknowingly aggravating a wound on his back. Though she speaks harsh words, claiming she will never forgive him, her heart aches as he leaves in despair. It's only when she discovers blood on her hand that she realizes he was hurt and rushes out, but he has already vanished.

Meanwhile, the court is a whirlwind of intrigue. Nan Heng's mother, Gao Changrong, desperately pleads with the Emperor to spare her brother, Gao Changyin. The Emperor presents a cruel ultimatum: he will spare Gao Changyin only if Nan Heng surrenders command of the formidable Xuanjia Army. Nan Heng refuses, stating the army is the only thing protecting his mother, which results in the Emperor placing him under house arrest. In a separate plot, the exiled Gao Changyin manipulates Chu Guihong, falsely claiming he destroyed a crucial letter during the Battle of Pingrong to ensure the defeat of the Qianyu Army.

As Yimeng sets off at night, her carriage is ambushed by masked assassins who kill her guards. She recalls a similar scene from the "original script," where Nan Heng staged an attack to win her back, but this time, the danger is real.

Downstream, Yimeng drags an unconscious Nan Heng to shore. Crying, she begs him to wake up, confessing she hasn't truly forgiven him yet. He finally stirs, coughing up water.Safe for the moment but exposed, Yimeng and Nan Heng know they must find shelter quickly.