Episode Summary
In this tragic episode, Song Yimeng learns the terrible truth that Nan Heng's life is tied to the script. A deadly confrontation at the city tower results in the deaths of Shangguan He and King Qianyu. Ultimately, Nan Heng is killed by Rong Hua, and a grief-stricken Song Yimeng is also killed while trying to fight back.
Spoiler Alert
"A Dream within a Dream" Episode 37 Spoilers
The episode opens with Song Yimeng confronting the screenwriter(King Qianyu) alone. She questions why he insists on recreating a "famous scene" at the cost of innocent lives. The screenwriter, casually roasting sweet potatoes, dismisses her concerns, stating that characters in a story can be altered at will and their lives are meaningless. He tells her that she is the one who isn't thinking clearly. Angered, Yimeng calls him a lunatic and a murderer. The screenwriter then reveals a critical plot mechanism: Nan Heng is ill, and any deviation from the original script will cause his death.
Meanwhile, Shangguan He and others arrive at the Song residence, only to find that Song Yiting is out. Yiting is with Zhou Xueyi, who has taken her to a temple to pray before the Matchmaker God for a smooth marriage. Touched by her sincerity, Yiting helps her hang a wishing rope. However, on their way back, their carriage driver, Feng Bo, is found dead. Rong Hua appears with the Qianyu Army and arrests both Song Yiting and her mother.
To force Yimeng's cooperation, the screenwriter threatens her with Yiting's finger, demanding she go to the city tower.
At the palace, the Emperor's health is failing, and the Imperial Concubine stays by his side. Upon waking, the Emperor learns that Chu Guihong is behind the recent chaos and grows worried for Nan Heng. He expresses his wish for Nan Heng to call him "Father Emperor." Overcoming the shadows of his childhood, Nan Heng finally does. The emotional turmoil causes Nan Heng to vomit blood. Just then, Fugui arrives with news that Song Yimeng has gone to the city tower with the King Qianyu. Nan Heng immediately gathers his troops to rescue her.
At the city tower, the captured Song Yiting warns Yimeng not to trust the King Qianyu, who urges Yimeng to cooperate with the plot. Yimeng promises her sister that she will be safe before allowing her hands to be tied. Shangguan He arrives, explaining he was ambushed while looking for Yiting. Nan Heng, learning that a large number of Qianyu Army troops have returned to the capital, sends Fugui to assist A Long and A Hu, while he and Shangguan He proceed to save the Song sisters.
As snow begins to fall again, the screenwriter holds a knife to the Song sisters' necks, trying to force Nan Heng to shoot an arrow and complete the infamous scene. Yimeng shouts to Nan Heng, intending to end her own life to save everyone, but he stops her. As she jumps from the tower, Nan Heng manages to catch and protect her. Shangguan He uses the opportunity to create a diversion among the Qianyu Army. He takes the King Qianyu hostage, demanding Rong Hua release Yiting. In a shocking twist, Rong Hua kills the King Qianyu, revealing their true target has always been Nan Heng.
The Qianyu Army surrounds Nan Heng, but Fugui arrives with the Xuanjia Army to protect him. In a desperate attempt to save Song Yiting, Shangguan He is killed by a volley of arrows. In his final moments, he shields Yiting and pushes her from the tower for Fugui to catch.
Back at the palace, Chu Guihong storms the Emperor's chambers. He arrogantly declares that Nan Rui has committed patricide and that Nan Heng is trapped at the city tower with no chance of survival.
On the battlefield, Yimeng sends Yiting away with Fugui and chooses to stay and fight alongside Nan Heng. Exhausted and weakened by his illness, Nan Heng is struck and killed by an arrow from Rong Hua. He dies in Yimeng's arms, comforting her by saying he is the male lead.
Devastated, Yimeng cannot accept his death. After gently laying him down, she is taunted by Rong Hua. Finding a new resolve, Yimeng picks up a sword, determined to control her own fate. She bravely walks toward Rong Hua but is cut down and killed by the Qianyu Army.
