Episode Summary
Nan Heng recovers from his injuries, leading to tender and playful moments with Song Yimeng that culminate in a kiss and her teaching him English.In a shocking turn of events, King Qianyu is revealed to be alive and convinces a stunned Chu Guihong to join him in a plot against Nan Heng. The Emperor solidifies Nan Heng's status by making him Crown Prince and also arranges a future for Nan Rui and Song Yiting. King Qianyu, now posing as a village mystic, cryptically suggests to Chu Guihong that the Emperor's downfall is key to their success.
Spoiler Alert
"A Dream within a Dream" Episode 33: A Kiss, a King, and a Crown
The story picks up with Nan Heng waking to find Song Yimeng asleep by his bed. He playfully pretends to remain unconscious, and when she leans in to check his wound, he pulls her into a hug. Their moment is briefly interrupted by a concerned Fugui, who is quickly ushered away by Shangguan He to give the couple some privacy. Overcome with fear and relief, Song Yimeng tearfully tells Nan Heng never to frighten her like that again.
Later, the group celebrates Nan Heng's recovery with a meal prepared by Fugui. Nan Heng, milking his injury for all it's worth, feigns weakness, hoping Song Yimeng will feed him. She indulges him, carefully feeding him spoonfuls of porridge. To get some time alone with her, Nan Heng sends the ever-loyal Fugui on a ridiculously long errand to buy pickles from the south side of the city.
The responsibilities of power soon intrude when Shangguan He presents the financial records for "Can Jiang Yue." Nan Heng immediately delegates the task to Song Yimeng, reminding her of her duties as the future Crown Princess. However, she struggles to decipher the classical script, muttering that she's not cut out for the job. Nan Heng again pretends his head hurts from his injury, leaving her with the ledgers. Kicked out of the room, Fugui and Shangguan He commiserate over their perceived fall from grace. Fugui suggests they become sworn brothers, an idea Shangguan He agrees to until Fugui adds a vow to renounce love. Shangguan He's refusal makes Fugui suspect he has feelings for someone, and he leaves, dejected.
Meanwhile, a major twist unfolds: Chu Guihong awakens to the stunning sight of a very much alive King Qianyu. The King explains he faked his death because he couldn't bear the shame of the defeat at Pingrong. While Chu Guihong argues that he abandoned the Qianyu Army, the King insists it was a necessary trial to foster his growth. Moved by the King's words of pride, Chu Guihong listens as the King proposes they join forces to take back everything that belongs to Nan Heng.
Back at the residence, Song Yimeng's frustration with the ancient texts continues. As they lie in bed together, she teaches Nan Heng some English, surprised by how quickly he learns. In the middle of her impromptu lesson, Nan Heng leans in and kisses her.Their world is about to change further, as the Emperor officially establishes the Eastern Palace and decrees that Nan Heng, as Crown Prince, will move in.
The Emperor also turns his attention to other matters, considering a marriage for Nan Rui and suggesting that Song Yiting enter the palace to assist him, a move that a distracted Song Yude reluctantly accepts after losing a game of chess to the monarch.
In another part of the land, King Qianyu has adopted the persona of a village mystic, earning the gratitude of locals by helping them prosper. Chu Guihong is skeptical, viewing it as trickery. The King, however, claims he gained the ability to see the future after a near-death experience, which is how he was able to save Chu Guihong. He cryptically hints that the entire political landscape will shift if something were to happen to the Emperor, a heavenly secret he cannot fully reveal.
