Original subtitles

[A Dream Within A Dream]

[Episode 9]

[Qianyu Mansion]

Guihong.

What are you thinking about here

all alone?

Rong Hua and the others are all okay.

They just suffered some superficial injuries.

Don't worry.

Father will certainly not stand by and do nothing

about what happened today.

When Aunt passed away,

I thought it was the last time.

When my father died in Pingrong City,

I also thought it was the last time.

I never expected that only after returning to the capital

would I truly understand how treacherous people's hearts can be.

Your Highness,

may I entrust you with something?

Look at you.

There's no need for such formalities between us, okay?

Go ahead.

I want to go to the Ministry of Rites and look through

the records of previous Lantern Festivals.

Nan Heng doesn't want me to stay in the capital?

Fine.

Let's see

who'll have the last laugh.

Good.

Guihong.

Now that you've said that, I feel relieved.

As long as we two cousins are united,

we can overcome any obstacle.

Even if there were 10, or even 100 Nan Hengs,

they still wouldn't be a match for us.

Right?

Here.

Why does this wine taste like that?

It can't hold a candle to the wine of Waning River Crescent.

General.

Your Highness.

Why are you here

instead of resting and healing your injury?

Look over there.

What's this?

These are fireworks specially made by foreign merchants.

I guarantee you've never seen anything like this before.

General.

We've decided.

For this year's Lantern Festival blessings,

the Qianyu Army will present the people

with an unprecedented fireworks display.

To let them know

that our Qianyu Army is like a dragon on the battlefield,

and while stationed in the capital,

we are still fierce tigers.

Go ahead.

What wise opinions do you have, gentlemen?

Your Highness.

I've said it before,

this Song Yimeng

is full of evil intentions

and cannot be trusted at all.

As for Mr. Shangguan,

he's stubborn and self-opinionated.

Due to his own dark and despicable thoughts,

he came up with those useless suggestions,

leading to this situation.

I suggest

punishing Mr. Shangguan

and keeping him away from Your Highness.

Fugui.

We've been colleagues for three years after all.

That's not an appropriate thing to say, is it?

At least I can help Chief Master solve his troubles.

What can you do for His Highness?

As his personal informant

and most trusted attendant,

you even failed to find out that Chancellor Gao

had secretly buried explosives.

What use are you to His Highness?

Can you two say something useful?

What good are you two to me?

But this Chancellor Gao actually dared

to make decisions behind my back without permission.

If it weren't for Mother,

I would have taken care of him long ago.

If you ask me, Your Highness,

you need not worry about this matter.

The fact that Song Yimeng acts this way

precisely indicates

that she has no suspicion

about Your Highness's identity.

I actually think

we could write her a letter in Li Shiliu's name,

asking her to come see you with a detailed plan.

That would work.

Doesn't Song Yimeng want to kill me?

Well, I'd like to see

if she has what it takes.

[Three days later]

My Lady.

My Lady.

At least have some breakfast.

I don't have time for that.

Today is a big day for me,

the day I conquer my fate.

If I succeed, I no longer have to struggle anymore.

If I fail, I might have to lie low underground.

Yimeng.

General Chu.

Where are you going, Yimeng?

Why are you in such a hurry?

I'm on my way to see Mr. Li.

You're going to see Li Shiliu?

How come you got here before me?

Can anyone explain to me

what's going on here?

Why don't you explain to us, General Chu,

why you're dressed

so flamboyantly today?

You're not looking too shabby yourself.

You keep changing your clothes

and even have gold threads sewn in,

but what's the point?

My Waning River Crescent deals in a wide variety of businesses.

As the owner of the Waning River Crescent's Hall,

changing outfits frequently

is not strange at all.

Alright, alright.

Can you two stop

being at each other's throats every time you meet?

You're both men.

Be a little more open-minded,

okay?

Okay?

Yimeng likes humble people.

This has nothing to do with what I like...

So surely she wouldn't like

someone who shows up uninvited.

Mr. Li...

My fiancée is meeting with a stranger of unknown origin.

If I didn't come,

how could I be at ease?

If there's no basic trust

between two people,

even if they get married,

they'll be a resentful couple.

You're overstepping your bounds, don't you think?

You're my defeated foe,

yet you still dare to speak so boldly?

Stop!

Have you two

forgotten why we're here today?

For the assassination of Nan Heng.

If anything goes wrong,

not to mention the three of us,

even the Song family,

the Qianyu Army,

and the Nightwalkers

will all have to die.

It's one thing that you two

dress up so flashily every day,

but can you focus a bit on the task at hand?

Can you?

Alright,

let's get down to business.

Next,

let's have a proper discussion about

[Grace & Elegance]

the plan to assassinate Heng.

Nan Heng.

I know this guy far too well.

This person

is meticulous,

but also quite distrustful.

Therefore,

if we want to kill him in one strike,

we absolutely cannot let any information leak out.

The first step

is to lure him away from the protection of the Xuanjia Army

and take him to the place we've prepared in advance.

Well, as for the location,

I suggest the Jade River.

The Jade River

runs through the city,

which is densely populated.

Even if the assassination fails,

we can blend into the crowd

and escape smoothly.

[Plan to Assassinate Heng]

When it comes to assassination,

Mr. Li, you're indeed an expert.

As for luring Nan Heng away,

I'll take care of it.

When the time comes, I can say

that I have news about the method of weapon forging,

and I can invite him over for a chat.

I'm sure he'll agree.

As for you, Chu Guihong...

I can have the Qianyu Army hold off the Xuanjia Army,

ensuring no one comes to his rescue.

Excellent.

Now we're moving on to

the most crucial part:

how to execute the assassination.

Bravo! Bravo!

Bravo! Bravo!

Who's that courtesan?

She's so beautiful.

That's the eldest daughter of the Song family.

Look how beautiful she is.

Bravo! Bravo!

Bravo! Bravo!

She's looking at me.

Bravo! Bravo!

[Peace & Prosperity]

You're here, Your Highness.

Careful, woman.

You're playing a dangerous game.

Didn't you say you have the method of weapon forging to share?

Why did you

put on such a show?

It wouldn't be any fun

if I just told you.

But

before we get down to business,

Your Highness,

I want to do something interesting

with you first.

You little demon.

Are you trying to kill me?

Your Highness.

There's no rush.

There are too many people around.

It's not very convenient.

I object!

Bro.

I was just getting into character.

Yimeng,

I think this plan is inappropriate.

You...

He...

I...

In short,

this absolutely won't do.

What exactly is wrong with it?

Do you think my performance just now

was too exaggerated?

Then let me do another take.

I'll do a cute version.

That won't be necessary.

Yimeng.

You don't know men.

Men aren't as simple as you think.

Especially a despicable man like Nan Heng.

What if his intentions are impure,

and he does something improper to you

before you can make your move?

What if he...

Chu Guihong, don't be ridiculous.

Who do you think Nan Heng is?

He's a prince of the current dynasty.

He's seen all kinds of women.

In your eyes, is he just a lust-driven scoundrel

who loses his mind at the sight of beauty,

and can't move an inch

when he sees a young girl dancing?

Aren't all men like that?

They're all like that.

Yimeng.

I'm not like that.

Anyway,

regardless of whether Nan Heng is a scoundrel or not,

I absolutely cannot let you put yourself in danger, Yimeng.

This assassination

is fraught with danger.

I think we should call it off for now,

figure out some other way,

and think it through further.

What's there to think through?

Count on your fingers and see

how many days are left until the Lantern Festival.

What's with that look you gave him?

At this point,

how can you still not trust Mr. Li?

Yimeng.

You've misunderstood.

-It's not that I don't trust him. -Am I deaf to you?

Now,

let's have General Chu tell us

how you intend to assassinate him.

I...

Go ahead, tell us.

I've known Nan Heng for many years.

I've always known him to be treacherous and cunning,

and full of schemes and tricks.

As the saying goes,

"all warfare is based on deception."

Too much calculation

can be easily seen through by him.

If we really want to do it,

perhaps we should do the opposite of what he expects.

Sunflower seeds! Get your sunflower seeds here!

Steamed buns!

Fresh steamed buns, just out of the steamer!

Calligraphy and paintings for sale!

Fine calligraphy and paintings!

Fugui.

When did the capital become so crowded?

Understood!

The Seventh Prince is passing through!

All unauthorized personnel, clear out immediately!

Go away, all of you!

Move it, move it!

Stand aside!

Get out of the way!

Move quickly!

Is this to Your Highness's satisfaction?

Please.

Move along, move along!

[Qianyu Moon-Cleaving Blade, Expanded Version]

It's you.

All the past grudges

will be settled today.

Nan Heng.

I'm sorry that I have to kill you.

But tonight,

your life

is mine to take.

Protect me!

Fugui!

No, no, don't kill me!

I'll give you anything you want.

Don't kill me, don't kill me.

I'll give you anything you want!

Don't kill me, please don't kill me!

Enough!

So in your hearts, Nan Heng

is this kind of person?

Is there a problem?

What do you think?

Know your enemy and know yourself,

and you can fight 100 battles without defeat.

If he's really as you say,

a coward who fears death,

how has he survived in the court until now?

You wouldn't understand even if I told you.

He's the male lead.

He can escape from death

and turn misfortune into fortune.

He has a cheat code.

What do you mean by "male lead?"

How should I put it?

Let me explain it this way...

Alright,

are we going to kill him or not?

If we're going to do it, listen to me.

What brilliant ideas do you have?

Haven't you always thought

I had some connection with Nan Heng?

Will you really listen to my ideas?

[Relay & Receive]

Here's the plan.

The location of assassination

will still be set at the Jade River.

When the time comes, your Qianyu Army

will be responsible for patrolling the capital.

To prevent accidents during the Lantern Festival,

the Xuanjia Army will surely be sent to support the palace.

By then,

Nan Heng's entourage during outings

will definitely be sparse.

And then, Miss Song,

just find any excuse

to lure Nan Heng

onto a leisure boat in the river.

Bravo! Bravo!

One more!

Bravo! Bravo!

Your Highness,

you really can hold your liquor.

Bravo!

Bravo!

-Cheers. -Cheers.

Who are you?

The one who's sending you on your final journey.

♪ I offer up my vow, wishing to tread through waves of good and evil ♪

♪ With one heart, side by side, facing the ups and downs ♪

♪ Gazing toward the end of the eternal night, suddenly the sky ignites ♪

♪ Do not blame my reckless gaze at the heavens ♪

♪ I offer up my vow, wishing to embrace countless hardships upon my soul ♪

♪ With my own body, I vow not to live in vain ♪

♪ Resolutely choosing to break through all the myriad phenomena ♪

♪ When I suddenly look back, calling out, all is well ♪

I don't know how this happened.

The Seventh Prince was such a nice person.

Who on earth would bear a grudge against him?

I feel so terrible.

Miss Song.

My condolences.

No one wants

this kind of thing to happen.

Disperse. Disperse.

I feel so bad.

Disperse.

Brilliant.

It's truly brilliant.

This plan is excellent.

From execution to aftermath,

everything has been thought out for us.

As expected, working with Mr. Li

brings much peace of mind.

Your knowledge of Nan Heng

and the defenses of the city and even the palace is quite impressive.

It truly makes me see you in a new light.

If I didn't know better,

I'd think you had held a position in the court.

If I didn't know much,

how could I manage the Waning River Crescent?

Anyway,

with Mr. Li's help,

our chances of success have greatly increased.

As long as Nan Heng dies,

all our troubles

will finally be resolved.

Come on.

The plan to assassinate Heng

officially begins.

Bye-bye, Mr. Li.

Bye-bye.

To have our Chief Master

put on an act for an entire day,

it has to be Miss Song.

What's wrong?

Why aren't you saying anything?

Silence means consent.

Consent

means accepting this love.

Talk business.

The metallurgy room is ready,

waiting for your inspection.

Don't stand too close to me

when you talk to me from now on.

You shouldn't hit so hard from now on, either.

Will it work, melting half of the Qianyu Moon-Cleaving Blade?

We'll know once we try.

Why is it so brittle?

Our blades are still not up to par.

After years of studying the method of weapon forging,

there's still no progress.

How about we invite

some metallurgists from Jiangnan again?

Haven't we brought in plenty of masters these past few years?

Without the proper method,

it seems

we still can't succeed.

What about sending someone to infiltrate the military camp again?

No need.

The only person who knows the method of weapon forging now

is Chu Guihong.

Let's discuss this matter further later.

By the way,

about the assassination,

is it still going according to the original plan?

Everything will proceed according to the original plan,

but not entirely.

You might as well have said nothing.

What's that supposed to mean?

You just asked me

not to stand so close when talking to you.

Cut the crap.

Are you kidding me?

How can this possibly work?

Don't worry.

It's almost certain.

But I...

Now Chu Guihong is extremely cautious of me.

If we don't take drastic measures,

I'm afraid it's difficult to completely dispel

his suspicions about Li Shiliu.

What's wrong?

Why do you look so troubled?

Yimeng.

Actually, what I said in the hall today

wasn't sincere.

I've had doubts about Li Shiliu

since our first encounter.

Today, when we discussed the plan to assassinate Heng together,

he actually knew every detail

about Nan Heng's situation.

Don't you find all this

very fishy?

So you've been putting on

an act all day long?

Come on.

People from the Great Jing shouldn't lie to each other,

okay, bro?

You...

Fine.

Even if all of these are mere coincidences,

assassinating the current prince—

the lightest sentence is imprisonment,

and the worst is execution

and implication of the entire family.

Why would he agree to join the assassination

after just a few brief encounters?

Wrong.

Not only did he not immediately agree to my proposal,

but he also repeatedly

turned it down.

So what?

Perhaps it's all just a ploy to gain your trust.

Or maybe

he's planning something bigger in alliance with Nan Heng.

These are all your speculations,

aren't they, General Chu?

But Mr. Li once saved my life.

It felt like

you were walking in a long,

pitch-dark tunnel,

and suddenly someone shone a light on you,

telling you there's still hope for everything,

reassuring you not to lose heart.

So,

why can't we trust him?

I know

you're worried that I might get tricked.

But

even if there's only a one-in-a-million chance now,

I still have to try.

Because all the plot

revolves around Nan Heng.

If we don't break it,

both of us will lose our lives.

Do you understand?

Both of us losing our lives?

You mean on the day of the Lantern Festival?

Yimeng.

Don't worry.

No matter what happens next,

I will protect you.

No, no.

On that day, you should just

patrol as usual.

If the assassination succeeds,

you and the Eighteenth Prince

can reap the benefits.

If it fails, it's okay too.

You can just find any excuse

and slack off a bit.

Yimeng.

What I'm worried about now isn't myself at all,

but you.

I understand.

I understand.

You're the second male lead, after all.

You'll always stand by my side.

But please trust me.

I have an ace up my sleeve.

Nan Heng can't touch me.

Alright, alright.

Loosen up a bit.

As the second male lead, you should act like one.

Handsome, sweet,

and having trust in the female lead.

Alright, I'm going home now.

Yimeng...

Bye-bye.

I feel so awful.

My Lady.

Mother.

Mother.

What's wrong with you?

I might

not have much time left this time.

Yiting.

Can I

see you get married

before I

close my eyes forever?

That's the only wish I have left.

Mother.

Father

has been fooled by this trick of yours

for over 20 years, hasn't he?

So clumsy

as to be a laughingstock!

Don't you dare take a step!

Oh, why is my life

so miserable?

The daughter I carried for 10 months

is even colder than ice.

Let me die!

Let me just die!

-Madam, please don't! -Please don't, Madam!

Let me die!

Madam, please don't!

Don't stop me!

If you really do this,

Her Ladyship will lose her mother.

Madam, she's turned around.

She's turned around.

She's turned around.

I knew you cared about me.

I've found it out for you.

On the Lantern Festival,

the Eighteenth Prince will represent His Majesty

to watch the lanterns from the Imperial Tower.

This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

The Lantern Festival

is to pray for blessings for the Great Jing.

It's not for matchmaking.

I

don't care at all about the fate of the Great Jing.

As long as you can get married,

that would be my blessing.

Mother, there's no need to waste your efforts.

In the noble families of this world,

there are plenty of men with numerous wives and concubines,

while women helplessly comply

and engage in the sordid business of vying for beauty and favor.

But I don't want to live like that.

If I can meet

a kindred spirit in this life,

we might enjoy the beautiful sceneries together

and live a poetic life.

But if there's no kindred spirit to accompany me,

I can enjoy life on my own.

Why would I need a man?

The Lantern Festival

starts now!

Are you alright?

I'm okay. Thank you, sir.

Everyone, stay alert.

Don't be careless.

Tonight, the Eighteenth Prince is here to watch the lanterns on behalf of His Majesty.

No mistake is allowed.

Yes, Sir!

Gentlemen.

-Your Highness. -Long time no see.

I'd like to offer a toast to you both.

Cheers.

What time is it?

It's now exactly 8 PM.

We agreed to take action at 7 PM,

yet there's still no sign of them.

With how these two are dawdling,

they think they can assassinate me?

What a joke.

You've asked this several times tonight.

Why are you in such a hurry to get assassinated?

Impressive!

Your Highness,

they're here.

The walking bouquet has arrived.

What walking bouquet?

Excuse me, coming through.

Excuse me.

The evening rush hour in ancient times

is also quite a nightmare too.

Please, please make way.

Make way.

Coming through, excuse me.

Hurry, hurry.

Sorry, sorry.

I apologize, I apologize.

It's you.

You did that on purpose, didn't you?

Dressed up like a walking bouquet,

are you rushing to get married?

Do you know how expensive this fabric is?

You've even dirtied my clothes.

I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry.

I lost my balance

and fell into you.

I can't chat now. I'm in a hurry to find someone.

Stop right there.

You think a simple "sorry" will suffice?

Compensate me for my dress.

You...

Ruru.

There are many people here. Don't make a scene.

I'm trying to help you.

She's all dolled up.

Who knows what she's up to?

What do you want from me?

I'll take this as compensation.

Not this one.

Can I give you something else instead?

It has to be this one.

This really won't do, sis.

Give it back to me. This really won't do.

It has to be this one.

There's an assassin!

Jixiang!

Quick, quick, protect me!

I'm done for.

Your Highness.

The plan has changed.

What should we do now?

Don't. Don't.

Your Highness.

The assassin.

Your Highness.

You... Listen to me.

I'm not an assassin.

This is just an

ordinary hairpin.

Really, trust me.

This is just a misunderstanding.

Misunderstanding?

You're so...

What's with all this commotion?

This is a royal ceremony.

So many eyes are watching.

Making such a fuss over a small matter,

how inappropriate.

Aren't you ashamed?

Heng, don't throw accusations around.

What did I say?

I just wanted to ask Miss Song...

What's there to ask?

Was all your studying for nothing?

You only know to ask questions when faced with a situation.

I'm not criticizing you,

but even rats have skin.

Be more cautious in the future.

I...

You,

come with me.

I'm the chosen one!

I'm the son of auspiciousness!

I... What's wrong with me asking?

I can't even ask questions now?

What did that flowery sentence mean?

The "mice"

or "rats," he said?

He was insulting me, wasn't he?

I'm the victim!

How should I get him to the riverside?

If I just say it directly,

wouldn't that be too abrupt?

There's already been an unexpected plot twist.

And this guy

is both cunning and slyly wicked.

It would be bad if he sees through it.

I've already stepped in to defend her just now.

This action was indeed too obvious.

Next,

I must not show any sign of prior knowledge.

I must find a way

to make her lead me to the Jade River on her own.

Lanterns for sale!

Lanterns, beautiful lanterns!

How should I bring it up?

Sugar figurines!

Blown sugar figurines!

Come and take a look!

If we keep walking,

we'll be out of the city.

You've been quiet for a while.

What are you thinking about?

I...

Of course I'm thinking about

Your Highness's heroic figure when you saved me just now.

You were just like

a god descending from heaven,

incredibly brave,

rescuing me from dire peril.

Hey, Song Yimeng,

since when did you become so talkative?

If you have something to say, just say it directly.

Since Your Highness is so eager to know,

I do have something to say.

Then you...

Then go ahead and say it.

Your Highness.

Your Highness,

you...

Your Highness, your hairline

seems to have receded a bit

compared to when I last saw you.

Hairline?

Hairline.

Young man,

why don't you accompany your lady to release a river lantern at the Jade River?

Lanterns for sale!

A classic soap opera assist.

Two mandarin duck lanterns,

two taels of silver, no change.

What kind of lanterns are these? So expensive.

Two taels?

They're mandarin duck lanterns, with blessings for perfect couples.

Even the Aladdin's magic lamp wouldn't be that expensive, right?

What's the matter?

Feeling the pinch?

Miss.

I've been married for 40 years.

If you're young

and willing to spend money,

good fortune will follow.

Look at you, the dignified daughter of a minister,

being so stingy.

Take them.

I'll buy them for you.

You don't have money?

You, a man, can't even

afford to pay two taels of silver?

I've been selling lanterns for 60 years,

and I've never seen anyone as stingy as you.

Hey, I...

Give them back to me.

[Big-eyed Fish Lantern] [Small-eyed Fish Lantern]

This one

is for you.

Here.

Thank you, granny.

Miss,

when looking for a man,

you must keep your eyes wide open.

Don't worry.

Look at this lantern,

squinting its eyes.

Doesn't it look like your stingy face?

Hey, I...

I'll give this to you for free.

I wish you

to keep being stingy!

I'm off.

Who are you calling stingy?

Who are you calling small-eyed?

Your Highness.

She didn't mean you. Your eyes aren't small.

Let's go, Your Highness.

If we don't release the lanterns soon, it'll be too late.

Quick, let's go.

Let's go release the lanterns.

Come here.

Your eyes are small. Here, take this.

Thank you, sir.

It's so pretty.