Original subtitles

[A Dream Within A Dream]

[Episode 13]

It's so late.

What are you doing here, loitering in the

noble Seventh Prince's Residence

instead of going back to your own den?

His Highness's got something on his mind and wants to talk to me.

If His Highness has troubles,

why wouldn't he talk to me?

This won't do.

I'm going to ask him right now.

He's currently troubled by love

and feeling very distressed.

You'd better not get on his bad side.

Troubled by love?

Is it about that Miss Song again?

Fugui,

shouldn't the Seventh Prince's concerns

be your concerns too?

As His Highness's favorite,

shouldn't you help

ease His Highness's troubles,

Fugui?

Don't worry.

When it comes to His Highness's troubles,

I, Fugui, will take care of it.

[Gentle Breeze and Auspicious Clouds]

[Bookstore]

Have you remembered

everything I told you?

Don't worry, Sir.

We've been working with

Mr. Shangguan for years.

And with these firsthand materials you provided,

plus the best writers I have in the capital,

creating this "Exceptional Love"

will be

a piece of cake, Sir.

Remember,

this matter

has absolutely nothing to do with

Shangguan the Useless.

If His Highness asks,

do you know how to respond?

Understood. Understood.

All credit goes to you, Mr. Fugui.

Take this.

Thank you, Sir.

You may go.

Thank you, Sir.

[Fanghua Hall]

My Lady.

Please be careful.

His Majesty doesn't like preserved fruits.

They're too sweet.

Someone,

remove the preserved fruits.

[Fanghua Hall]

Your Highness.

Mother.

[Noble Consort Gao Changrong]

Heng.

The imperial physician told me that

your leg condition has flared up

and you cannot walk.

But you...

Your Highness,

[Prudence and Lasting Virtue]

Her Ladyship has only

been able to leave her bed today.

Your Highness may not know this,

[Prudence and Lasting Virtue]

but His Majesty hasn't visited

Fanghua Hall for three years,

and Her Ladyship had no choice

but to resort to this measure.

[Prudence and Lasting Virtue]

Enough.

All these years,

although

his heart belongs only to Ms. Chu,

out of respect for the Gao family,

he still granted me

the title of Noble Consort.

As long as someday,

I can be buried in the imperial tomb

next to him,

that will be enough.

Mother,

what nonsense are you talking about?

Alright, alright.

I'll stop talking about it.

Heng.

Have court affairs been taxing lately?

You look

much thinner.

It's just I've just returned to the capital.

Besides,

His Majesty has assigned me many duties.

But it's okay.

His Majesty is willing to entrust you with work now?

Yes.

Since my return to the capital this time,

His Majesty has shown me much favor.

That's good.

Since His Majesty has changed his mind and shown you favor,

then you

must perform your duties well, Heng.

By doing so,

you can please him.

I understand.

The capital is quite different from the frontier.

Besides His Majesty's orders,

you should also listen to your uncle more.

The Gao family

has been in decline since the previous generation.

If it weren't for your uncle reviving the family name,

who knows what hardships we would have endured?

You Gaos are so shameless,

making your mother enter the palace to be His Majesty's consort

and trying to steal my aunt's spotlight.

There's not a single decent person in the Gao family.

Don't you agree?

Your mother is a good person.

She has never wronged me.

His Majesty doesn't come to visit you

only because he's angry with Chancellor Gao.

I understand, Mother.

Heng.

Since His Majesty treats you pretty well,

after all these years,

shouldn't you

start calling him Father?

Shut up!

I don't want to hear

you calling me Father!

I have my own plans regarding this matter,

so you needn't worry, Mother.

I'm more worried about you.

You must take good care of your health.

If you

worry too much,

then when His Majesty comes,

it would be inappropriate.

All right.

By the way, Mother,

do you still have my childhood toys

and belongings?

Your Highness, please.

Since Your Highness left the palace for the battlefield,

Her Ladyship ordered everything to be kept here,

and no one was allowed to touch them.

What is Your Highness looking for?

I can help.

I'll look for it myself.

You may leave now.

Yes, Your Highness.

[Ode to the Horse Green fields lie fresh and lush. Starry eyes gaze high at clouds. Waiting for the day to transform into a dragon. Leaping upward to the sky.]

[Horse, horse, horse oh horse.]

[Horse, horse, horse oh horse.]

[19 years ago]

Ode to the Horse.

Green fields lie fresh and lush.

Horse.

Starry eyes gaze high at clouds.

Waiting for the day to transform into a dragon.

Leaping upward to the sky.

Let me copy it.

Ode to the Horse.

I'll give you the Qianyu Military Manual.

Do you want it?

What...

What kind of gibberish is this?

The method of weapon forging?

You must be joking.

This Qianyu Military Manual

was given to me by Chu Guihong when we were little.

Later, I was banished to the cold palace.

Lord Qianyu sent people to search for it,

and this must be what they were looking for.

But even if this is the method of weapon forging,

look at these and symbols.

They're so peculiar.

We can't understand any of it.

How can we decode it?

But we do know someone

who's quite peculiar themselves.

Who?

You?

How can it be me?

Song Yimeng.

Song Yimeng.

This Song Yimeng often has

strange and peculiar things to say,

and she firmly promised before

to help me find the method of weapon forging.

Perhaps she really can decode it.

That makes sense.

Why didn't I think of that?

As expected of you, Chief Master,

thinking of her right away.

You'll also get to spend more time with her

while decoding those symbols.

It's killing two birds with one stone.

Hey, I'm talking about serious matters here.

I'm calling her here strictly for official business,

with absolutely no personal motives.

Fine.

I won't call her here.

You decode it for me.

Come on, you decode it.

I can't do it.

Only Miss Song can handle this task.

She alone won't be enough.

Look.

When Song Yimeng is researching the method of weapon forging,

someone needs to monitor her.

This way,

if those symbols truly are the method of weapon forging,

we can record her entire process

to avoid missing any details.

I didn't expect the height to be so perfect.

Well, there's no other way then.

This challenging task

has to be entrusted to you.

Me?

I...

I monitor her?

It's not appropriate for me to spy on

the woman you like, right?

I definitely can't do it.

I'm Li Shiliu now,

and I have to be a good guy.

So

this kind of dirty work

has to be entrusted to you.

I...

[Keep Calm]

Stop shaking me.

[As Always]

Whatever it is,

it can wait until after I wake up.

Father, it's only noon.

Please don't sleep yet.

Guihong has

already finished renovating the southern part of the city.

When will you lift my house arrest?

There's no rush.

After this turmoil passes,

I will help you with it.

Alright.

So my matter is settled.

But what about

Heng's matter?

He went to the Song Residence a few days ago.

He's secretly colluding with court officials.

He's trying to steal my position as crown prince!

Rui.

Let me ask you,

do you have any evidence

that he's conspiring with court officials to seize your position?

I...

Look, Father.

You know how cunning and devious Heng is.

How could I possibly have any evidence?

Besides, Father,

don't you trust me?

I trust you,

but do all the court officials trust you?

Rui,

you're not a child anymore.

You always act childishly when problems arise,

forcing me to stand up for you.

What if one day I'm gone?

How will you secure your position,

command the officials,

and protect the empire?

Well, at that time I could, um...

I mean, I could...

I...

This is so frustrating!

Your Highness...

[As Always]

Let him go.

Since his mother passed away,

I've favored him in everything.

I never expected

that I would raise him

to be so impulsive and temperamental.

He's also narrow-minded and lacks ambition.

Tell me,

was I wrong?

Your Majesty.

Your Majesty.

The Seventh Prince requests an audience.

Let him in.

[Pure of Heart]

I

pay my respects to Your Majesty.

The renovation in the southern part of the city is complete.

All these memorials

were submitted by your people,

yet they were all praising Chu Guihong's achievements.

Why is that?

I wouldn't dare to secretly collude with officials to submit memorials.

For this renovation,

Chu Guihong deserves the most credit,

and should be rewarded.

The officials' memorials

reflect the general consensus.

There's no need for such pretense

in front of me.

You're someone who never acts without gain.

What do you

want this time?

Your Majesty.

I visited Fanghua Hall yesterday.

Mother has been bedridden for days,

refusing food and drink.

I believe it's because

she misses Your Majesty.

I earnestly beseech Your Majesty to

visit Mother

after tomorrow's court session.

Your Majesty.

The Lantern Festival matter is settled.

At tomorrow's morning court session,

I'll personally propose the request

that you lift Rui's confinement, Your Majesty.

When the time comes,

Rui

can join me

in attending the Qingtan Musical Banquet.

Are you negotiating terms with me?

Requesting merit for Chu Guihong

and asking to lift Rui's confinement,

all just to have me

visit

your mother?

Brothers should be friendly and respectful to each other,

and spouses should live in harmony.

These were Your Majesty's teachings,

which I have engraved in my heart

and dare not forget for a moment.

Therefore,

I humbly request Your Majesty

to go and visit Mother.

You know about brotherly

and marital harmony,

yet you don't understand

the principle of filial piety!

Negotiating terms with me,

is this the attitude you should have towards me?

Your Majesty is the sovereign.

I dare not overstep my bounds.

Since you dare not overstep,

very well,

kneel here

and copy the "Classic of Filial Piety" 10 times,

then I'll visit your mother at Fanghua Hall.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

♪ The mortal world entangles, so much sorrow and chill in the mist ♪

[Guangde Gate]

♪ Our fates intertwine and weave into a story ♪

♪ Listening to the wind whispering by my ear ♪

♪ The schemes of the dark night ♪

♪ Eyes guarding a single sunrise ♪

♪ When will there be a way home? ♪

♪ Time brings life and death, binding life but not the heart ♪

♪ Stepping into the ranks of fate, each pain a prelude ♪

♪ Transformed in a fleeting moment, like a dream, elusive and near ♪

♪ How can love and hate be hidden? ♪

♪ Time brings life and death, binding life but not the heart ♪

It was you who led the assassins here,

wasn't it?

Father,

♪ Making all moves in life cautiously, joy and sorrow already destined ♪

it wasn't me.

This path doesn't lead to the palace!

Why did you take this path?

♪ If one dares oppose Heaven, how can the ending be rewritten? ♪

Tell me!

Mother brought me here...

To...

To catch wild rabbits.

♪ So close yet still, we part ways ♪

Liar!

Father!

Shut up!

Don't let me hear you call me Father ever again!

The thing I regret most in my life

is giving birth to a beast like you!

Your Majesty.

As things stand,

he is still of royal blood.

Besides, he's still a little boy.

He can't possibly be the mastermind.

♪ Time brings life and death, binding life but not the heart ♪

♪ Stepping into the ranks of fate, each pain a prelude ♪

♪ Transformed in a fleeting moment, like a dream, elusive and near ♪

♪ How can love and hate be hidden? ♪

♪ Time brings life and death, binding life but not the heart ♪

♪ Making all moves in life cautiously, joy and sorrow already destined ♪

♪ If one dares oppose Heaven, how can the ending be rewritten? ♪

♪ So close yet still, we part ways ♪

♪ If one dares oppose Heaven, how can the ending be rewritten? ♪

What is this place?

The weapon forging room.

Since the assassination attempt on the boat failed,

Chief Master has been thinking about

how to free you from the Seventh Prince's control, Miss Song.

Therefore, he wanted to invite you here

to work together on

this method of weapon forging.

Mr. Li

is also looking for the method of weapon forging?

The world's sharpest blade

means the strongest military power.

Chief Master is doing this for your own good.

That's weird.

I clearly remember it's written in the script that

the method of weapon forging is a royal secret.

So how did the Nightwalkers

find out about it so easily?

Miss.

You may not trust me,

but don't you trust Chief Master?

The Lantern Festival last time

and the South City incident this time,

wasn't he the one who resolved every crisis?

That's true.

If Mr. Li were a villain,

there would be no good guys left in the script.

Letting him get the method of weapon forging

is better than Nan Heng getting it and harming the people.

Here's the clue we went to great lengths

to gather.

Miss, you can give it a try.

When Chief Master comes back,

if there's good news,

I'm sure he'll be very happy.

Hold on.

Fe₂O₃?

Why is it a chemical equation?

You actually know it.

Shangguan.

Shangguan!

Oh no.

I'm terrible at chemistry.

This is a historical drama.

Why is there a chemical equation?

Could this really be a clue left by the screenwriter?

If it weren't because I couldn't balance chemical equations,

how would I have ended up choosing liberal arts?

If I hadn't chosen liberal arts,

how would I have become an actress?

If I hadn't become an actress,

how would I have traveled back here?

And yet here, I still have to deal with chemistry.

What kind of fate is this?

What is she muttering about?

What's this?

This should work.

I guess I can add a bit more.

Like this.

This should work now.

It should be fine, right?

Oh no.

This... This won't explode, will it?

Miss Song!

Miss Song!

Are you alright?

Miss Song!

Such strong toxic fumes!

Could it be an assassination attempt

by another gang?

Let's go!

You are...

Miss Song?

I've told you

that I'm not good at chemistry.

Why did you have to

make me do this?

What happened here?

How did the explosion happen?

Chief Master, it's like this.

We had someone do a fortune reading,

and they said Miss Song has fire energy in her destiny,

so wherever she goes, things catch fire.

It's true.

But Chief Master, don't worry.

We started our business with water transport,

and you have strong water energy in your destiny,

which can keep it under control...

Enough. Shut up.

You tell me

what happened.

Miss Song is

a master.

She's capable of destroying an entire city on her own.

Go away.

Alright, they're gone.

You can come out now.

How did Song Yimeng

cause such a commotion?

Chief Master.

For the sake of all the years I've risked my life for you,

please spare Song Yimeng,

and spare me too!

Whenever you two try to do something, I'm always the one who gets hurt.

Last assassination attempt nearly got me killed,

and this time I almost lost my eyesight.

I'm not Shangguan the Useless.

I'm more like the Unlucky Useless!

Song Yimeng.

I'm not here!

Mr. Li.

It really is Mr. Li.

What's wrong?

You're not even afraid of setting fires,

yet you're scared of applying ointment?

I... Let me clarify again,

I wasn't setting a fire,

I just

added a tiny bit of special ingredients.

Alright.

Come on,

turn around.

Let me apply some ointment for you.

Mr. Li.

You can just leave the ointment here.

I'll do it myself.

Please leave.

I'm not Nan Heng.

Why should you be afraid?

If you were Nan Heng, I wouldn't be afraid at all.

Come on, turn around. Be good.

I-I-I can't.

Mr. Li...

It's fine, come on.

Mr. Li, my face really isn't presentable today.

It's okay.

Really, please step outside.

Be good.

I already told you, Mr. Li.

My face isn't presentable today.

♪ Look up in the sky ♪

♪ I see diamond little stars ♪

♪ Dancing and shining ♪

♪ Look into your eyes ♪

♪ I see tiny little diamonds ♪

♪ Glowing and sparkling ♪

♪ In the mirror of your sight ♪

♪ I can see the changing world ♪

♪ Like the rhythm of our heart ♪

♪ I can feel the dancing stars ♪

♪ Look into your eyes ♪

♪ I see tiny little diamonds ♪

♪ Glowing and shining ♪

♪ In the world and in heaven ♪

♪ Among the stars, our love is forever ♪

[River Dolphin Chuichui] [River Dolphin Benben]

♪ In the world and in heaven ♪

♪ Among the stars, our love is forever ♪

Um.

Your face is blushing.

How could this be?

I have such thick skin.

I never blush at all.

See for yourself.

It's just high-altitude flush.

It was my fault this time.

I'll accompany you next time.

There's going to be a next time?

The thing is,

as long as we don't obtain the method of weapon forging,

we have no way to fight against Nan Heng.

That's true.

Do you think in this world,

there are truly fathers and sons who hate each other?

The method of weapon forging

is the trump card His Majesty left for the Eighteenth Prince to protect himself,

but Nan Heng has always wanted to get it.

Why is that?

Because he wants to rebel.

Rebellion

means that

many people will die.

So even if I obtained

this method of weapon forging,

I wouldn't give it to him.

How can you be so certain

that he wants it for rebellion?

Because it's written in the script.

The script again.

If he does plan to rebel,

what do you plan to do?

I don't know.

I haven't made up my mind yet.

Just stopping him is difficult enough right now.

But I still want to find another way,

a way that can help Nan Heng

let go of his hatred.

Have you considered

what if I told others

about everything you've told me?

What would you do then?

That's impossible.

You're Mr. Li.

You're the person I trust

most in this world.

Miss Song.

You can never truly know what's in someone's heart.

Being so quick to trust others

will only end up hurting yourself.

I am not a good person,

nor am I

the virtuous man you make me out to be.

Mr. Li.

I'm not someone who trusts others easily,

but you're different.

I'm no different from anyone else.

In a moment,

I'll have Shangguan He escort you back.

I have matters to attend to, so I'll take my leave.

Mr. Li.

Mr. Li!

That's weird.

What's gotten into him?

Chief Master.

I've escorted her back.

Look at you.

You're the one who drew her in,

and you're the one pushing her away.

What are you really thinking?

Take a look at this.

Isn't this that strange symbol

from the method of weapon forging?

She completed it?

I didn't expect that either.

However, this symbol

differs from the one in the Qianyu Military Manual,

so it might not be the method of weapon forging.

Well then.

I want you

to go search for

scholars across the land in secret immediately

to see if anyone recognizes these characters.

Understood.

Hold on.

I'm planning

to hold the Qingtan Musical Banquet

at Waning River Crescent.

Why?

These days, our Nightwalkers

have been gathering information everywhere

and searching for clues about the method of weapon forging,

which has consumed enormous funds.

I originally intended

to transfer funds from my mansion,

but unfortunately, every outgoing transaction of the mansion

has to be monitored by the Imperial Household Department,

and every movement of funds requires documentation

and proof.

So you want to use

the opportunity of hosting the Qingtan Musical Banquet

to transfer funds here?

Exactly.

Do you know how big that banquet will be

and how many people we'll have to invite?

It will take a lot of time to prepare.

And you know, those young masters

and noble ladies are difficult to deal with.

Just thinking about it gives me a headache.

You should find another venue.

Alright then.

We can hold it at your mansion instead.

Let's hold it at Waning River Crescent after all.

February 6th. Windy.

The scent of plum blossoms carried on the breeze.

No desire to enjoy the fragrance, thinking only of Miss Song.

February 7th. Light rain.

Raindrops tap against my lonely heart,

yet nothing compares to Yiting's gentle swaying steps.

I miss you, Miss Song.

Take these out and burn them,

far away so they don't dirty my courtyard.

Yes.

Don't burn them.

This time, I've inquired about it for you.

The Eighteenth Prince will also attend

the Qingtan Musical Banquet.

You're skilled in poetry and music.

Isn't this a heaven-sent

opportunity to showcase yourself in front of His Highness?

What exactly do you take me for, Mother?

Playing music, writing poetry, showing off talents—

am I just a plaything on stage for others' amusement?

What's the meaning of all this?

Of course it has meaning!

Think about it.

If it weren't for these accomplishments,

how could you possibly

stand out among so many daughters

from wealthy families

and marry a noble husband?

So my existence in this world

is only for the sake of marriage?

If not for marriage, then what?

Don't tell me you want to take

the imperial exams and become an official.

Why not?

Even if that were possible,

you'd have to become the Empress first

and have the Emperor change the system for you.

It will leave a scar.

It won't leave a scar.

Scar.

No scar.

Easy.

It hurts so much, Xia.

Better a moment of pain than prolonged suffering, My Lady.

He hadn't even finished applying the ointment for me yet.

Why did he suddenly leave?

You're talking about Li Shiliu, aren't you, My Lady?

But what matters most right now

isn't really Mr. Li's attitude.

But My Lady, you'll have to marry someone eventually.

Before,

we thought it would be General Chu Guihong.

Who would have thought Li Shiliu would come along,

as well as the Seventh Prince.

Those words, "Seventh Prince,"

how could they even come up here?

Bad luck.

"Exceptional Love" is already written like that.

There's no need to play dumb with us anymore, My Lady.

What love?

What love are you talking about?

"Exceptional Love."

"Exceptional Love?"

These past two days, the servants in the mansion

have been secretly passing it around,

[Exceptional Love]

saying you and the Seventh Prince are meant for each other,

a perfect match.

Stirring up gossip?

Marketing?

Like he did with "Illusory Dream."

I'm used to it by now.

Nothing surprises me anymore.

It's not the first time

he's pulled these cheap tricks.

How can you be so sure it's the Seventh Prince's doing, My Lady?

You still don't know villains well.

What kind of person is Nan Heng?

A scheming snake,

full of dirty tricks.

I'm telling you right now,

if he's not behind this,

I'll eat my hat.

I knew these rumors couldn't be trusted.

I know you only have Li Shiliu in your heart, My Lady.

Don't talk nonsense.

Nothing's even started between us yet.

Besides, his attitude towards me

is always so unpredictable,

I really can't read his mind.

Then why don't you

just ask him directly, My Lady?

If

I were to

take the initiative and ask him,

wouldn't it seem a bit...

What's there to ask?

Haven't I told you already?

It's just a partnership, a partnership.

That makes sense.

How could you possibly like Mr. Li, My Lady?

You haven't even seen his face yet.

For all we know,

he could be covered in sores,

oozing pus everywhere,

bald and toothless.

And if you think about it,

he might be of poor character,

robbing and killing, pillaging and looting.

He might even...

Stop, stop.

What nonsense are you talking about?

He's upright and kind,

loyal to his friends,

tall and wealthy,

and owns property.

Although his job isn't stable,

no matter what,

he could be considered

a small entrepreneur, right?

You say you don't like him,

but you can't stand hearing even half a flaw about him.

My Lady.

You'll be turning 25 by spring.

When do you plan

to confess your feelings to Mr. Li?

The wedding dress definitely has to be the latest style.

Should we choose the shop in the south

or the one in the north of town?

And the invitation cards, they must be...

Stop.

Can you two please not start talking

about my love life the moment you appear?

Don't you know that in Hong Kong dramas,

"just find a man and get married"

is actually an insult?

Talking about

marriage all the time.

Will it ever end? So annoying.

My Lady, Master wants to see you.

What for?

To talk about your marriage.

This writing is neither clerical nor seal script,

but rather resembles the ancient ritual bronze inscriptions.

What could its meaning be?

Father.

Why do you have this?

What happened to your face?

It's nothing, just a small scratch.

Where did you get this note?

You recognize this?

Word on the street says

this is

the formula for the method of weapon forging.