Episode Summary
In this episode, Song Yimeng realizes her adversary, Chu Guihong, is also aware of the time loop and has moved first to frame Nan Heng and seize the palace. After imprisoning the Screenwriter to control his own destiny, Chu Guihong forces Nan Heng and Song Yimeng to rally new allies, including their family and a private army. They launch a desperate, multi-pronged attack to rescue the Emperor and stop the coup, culminating in the Emperor's open defiance of his captor.
Spoiler Alert
"A Dream within a Dream" Episode 39 recap
Song Yimeng wakes up yet again, but this time she finds herself four hours before the tragedy, two hours earlier than her previous loop. She immediately rushes to find Nan Heng, urging him to send men to protect her family. A confused Nan Heng listens as Song Yimeng describes the events she foresees, and her prediction is confirmed when Shangguan He enters exactly as she described. Having already died twice, Song Yimeng is adamant that they must stop Chu Guihong's conspiracy immediately.
Meanwhile, the Screenwriter reminds Chu Guihong to stick to the plan. A butterfly flutters in, giving Chu Guihong a strange sense of familiarity and making him suspect that a time loop is occurring. The Screenwriter confirms this, calling it an "infinite loop" and revealing that Song Yimeng has experienced it before. Worried that his opponents now have memories of past events, Chu Guihong decides he must seize the advantage and strike first.
While peeling an orange for the Emperor, Nan Rui is struck by a feeling of déjà vu, though the Emperor remembers nothing. Suddenly, Chu Guihong bursts in, snatches the orange, and declares it's poisoned. He frames Nan Heng, claiming someone bribed a vendor to sell the poisoned fruit to Nan Rui. The accusation feels eerily familiar to Nan Rui, echoing words Nan Heng had said in a previous loop. The Emperor doesn't believe it, but Chu Guihong uses the opportunity to place the Emperor under house arrest, surrounded by the Qianyu Army.
The Emperor creates a diversion, allowing Nan Rui to escape through a doggy door. Chu Guihong then has Rong Hua pressure the captive Emperor to write an imperial edict calling for a crusade against Nan Heng.
Song Yimeng and Nan Heng arrive at the palace too late. Nan Rui quickly explains the situation, and Song Yimeng realizes with a sinking feeling that Chu Guihong must also be in the time loop, which explains how he keeps staying one step ahead of their plans. Nan Heng arranges for Fugui to move Nan Rui and the Imperial Concubine to a safe location.
The Screenwriter confronts Chu Guihong for deviating from the script. Chu Guihong declares he will defy his fate and take control of his own destiny, intending to trap the Screenwriter in this world forever. As the Screenwriter screams for help, the Qianyu Army, now loyal to Chu Guihong, seizes him and locks him away.
Nan Heng concludes their previous failures were due to a lack of manpower. His new plan is to find the Screenwriter and convince him to embrace his role as King Qianyu, believing they can only defeat Chu Guihong by uniting. However, the Screenwriter, terrified after learning he has already died twice, just wants to hide. With Nan Heng growing physically weaker and their forces outnumbered by the Qianyu Army, he remembers Gao Chang's 3,000 private soldiers stationed outside the city. He plans to use his status as the Crown Prince to win their allegiance and have them help quell the rebellion.
Song Yimeng tries to recruit more allies, sending A Long and A Hu to persuade court officials, martial artists, and common citizens, but they all refuse. After the Song family is moved to the safety of Can Jiang Yue, Song Yimeng and Nan Heng explain everything—the script, the loops, and Chu Guihong's true nature—to their families.
Nan Heng lays out a military strategy: he and Ye You Shen will lure Chu Guihong's army to the south city, creating an opening for Nan Rui to lead the Xuanjia Army into the palace and rescue the Emperor. Nan Rui proposes a riskier plan to ambush Chu Guihong himself, but Nan Heng sticks to his original strategy, entrusting Nan Rui with a sword and encouraging him as the "chosen one."
When the Song family learns of Chu Guihong's coup, Song Yude and Song Yiting immediately pledge their support. After a moment of hesitation, Zhou Xueyi also agrees. The household servants initially run away in fear, but to Song Yimeng's surprise, they return armed with tools, ready to join the fight against the rebels.
Before the battle, Song Yiting and Shangguan He hold a quick wedding ceremony. Nan Heng dons the gear of Li Shiliu, preparing for the fight. Song Yimeng believes that if they can just hold off Chu Guihong long enough for reinforcements to arrive, they can change their fate. Nan Heng's forces split into three groups to intercept the Qianyu Army. As the battle begins, Nan Rui, after a quick prayer, heads into the palace with Fugui. Inside, Rong Hua is still pressuring the Emperor, who finally picks up his brush and writes an edict—one that condemns Chu Guihong as a traitor.
