Original subtitles

[A Dream Within A Dream]

[Episode 33]

[Male Lead's Mansion]

Nan Heng.

Nan Heng.

You don't have a fever.

Didn't the physician say

you'd be fine as long as there's no fever?

Why aren't you waking up?

What's gone wrong?

Why are you still bleeding?

Is the wound inflamed again?

Nan Heng!

-Your Highness. -You're awake?

You're awake?

Let me check on you.

Can't you read the room?

Don't mind us.

Carry on.

What are you doing?

I need to serve His Highness.

-Go, go. -Your Highness, it's me!

I'm Fugui!

Let me look after you,

Your Highness!

He doesn't need you,

you idiot!

Let go of me.

I may press on your wound.

You're finally awake!

Have you been awake for a while?

Why didn't you tell me

when you woke up?

Everyone was worried sick all night.

I didn't even dare

close my eyes once.

I was so scared something might happen to you!

You know that?

Yet you

woke up and didn't say a word.

What's wrong with you?

Sorry.

Did I hurt you?

-You scared the hell out of me. -I'm sorry.

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry.

You think "sorry" fixes everything?

You think that's enough?

Okay, okay.

I made you worry.

Don't bite, don't bite.

If you ever lie to me again,

I'll bite you to death.

Fine.

I won't do it again.

You scared the hell out of me.

Just now,

the two of them

were…

Enjoying their married life

as newlyweds.

So I didn't need to blame myself at all.

Look,

even though the wedding

got interrupted by an assassin,

nothing actually got delayed in the end.

His Highness really is something.

Wounded like that,

but still full of energy.

Fugui,

in the coming year,

we need to work hard

and try to get a raise,

but we still need to be careful with spending.

Why?

My guess is,

by this time next year,

we'll be bringing a full-month gift

to His Highness's baby.

His Highness's baby?

His Highness really doesn't waste time.

Now that it's finally clicked for him,

he's like a late bloomer making up for lost time.

Come.

Okay.

Mr. Wang, you're back.

Tie it tighter.

All right.

Father?

My good son,

you're finally awake!

Father.

Son.

Father.

Father!

Son,

you're strong.

Chop the firewood for me.

Your Highness,

you're finally up and about.

I've been bored out of my mind

these past few days.

You…

Slow down.

Careful.

It's fine.

You can't even lift your arm.

How are you supposed to eat?

Yeah,

how am I supposed to eat?

Fugui.

Feed His Highness.

Okay.

No, no, that's not necessary.

Well,

he's too clumsy.

Your Highness, don't tell me

you want me to feed you instead.

No need for that.

But if you're offering,

I wouldn't say no.

Alright.

I'll do it.

Thank you.

Here,

open your mouth.

Wait.

It's too hot.

You want me to blow on it for you?

Come on, you're like six-foot-three,

and you're acting all cutesy with me?

Oh, just blow on it already.

It's not a big deal. I'll do it!

If you blow on it, how am I supposed to eat it?

But

isn't it hot?

Still, I don't need you to blow on it.

Fine.

I'll do it. I'll do it.

I'll blow on it.

Happy now?

Wait a moment.

Go out.

You guys eat.

I want some pickled veggies.

Go buy some for me.

We already have so many pickled veggies.

You want more?

Well, I'm craving

the ones from that shop in the south of the city—

Xu's Pickled Veggies.

You've never had them.

Let him go buy some so you can try too.

That's too far.

I'll have Zhong ride a horse over.

You go. Don't send someone else.

But, Your Highness,

I haven't seen you for so long.

We'll be seeing a lot of each other.

Can't you spare this one morning?

Go now!

Go!

Alright, Your Highness.

Can you finally have some porridge now?

Open your mouth.

Slow down.

Chief.

This is Waning River Crescent's expense report for this month.

Please take a look.

Go fetch Song Yimeng.

Song Yimeng?

You…

You're putting me to work right after we got married?

Aren't newlyweds

supposed to go on a honeymoon?

What's a honeymoon?

It's…

going on a trip together.

There'll be plenty of chances to travel.

But you're the crown princess now.

It's your duty to help the crown prince

with state affairs.

No one told me this was part of the deal.

I kinda regret it now.

My wound suddenly started hurting.

I'll read it.

I'll read it, okay?

It's just reading.

"Table river water branch…"

Right to left.

[Waning River Crescent's Ledger, 1st of March]

Top to bottom.

Don't you know how to read?

I do!

"Expenses."

"Water tank main…"

"Water tank…"

"Water tank main…"

Nan Heng,

what's this character?

"Maintenance."

"Water tank maintenance."

"Water tank maintenance."

"Yangtze dolphins…"

"Yangtze dolphins…"

"Chui…"

"Chui…"

"Chui…"

"Chui and Ben."

"Daily food expenses: 20 taels."

"River cleaning…"

This character…

Your Highness,

I can't do this job.

I never got the hang of

semi-cursive script in school.

And anyway,

why do I have to read it?

I feel dizzy,

and my vision's blurry,

which means I can't read,

so you have to read it for me.

Why not let him read it?

Don't point at me.

The one who started the trouble has to fix it.

W-Why am I dizzy?

Because I got injured.

Why did I get injured?

Because of you.

Because of me?

You're just being unreasonable.

It was the script rule that made you take the hit for me.

How is that my fault?

Besides,

if I hadn't acted fast that night

and told Mr. Zhao to stop the bleeding,

you'd be long gone by now.

Do you realize that?

Yes.

But what about the next morning?

The next morning,

didn't you suddenly…

Fine.

I'll read it.

I'll read it, okay?

Hold on. Let him finish.

What did you do to him?

Nothing.

What does it matter to you what she did?

Why don't you go out?

I'll teach her myself.

No, I've got actual business

to report.

The Axe Gang

came to mess with us again.

It's just the Axe Gang.

You're the Second Master of Waning River Crescent,

and you need me to step in for something like that?

Get out.

Go deal with it.

Get out.

Go deal with it.

So nosy.

Continue reading.

I'm telling you,

I wasn't feeling you up that day.

I was checking on you.

Don't bring it up again.

[Xu's Pickled Veggies]

You got kicked out too?

Have a seat.

Let's drink together.

Looks like His Highness

cares less about us now.

Cares less?

He doesn't care for us at all.

Song Yimeng is the only one he cares for now.

What about us?

Ever since he got married,

he's been head over heels in love

and has long forgotten about us.

I've wanted nothing more than to support His Highness.

But in the end?

I've ended up in the same boat as you.

However,

to be honest,

you haven't had it easy these past few years.

Look at you,

not very bright,

and always putting on airs.

But your loyalty is truly rare.

You're not so bad yourself.

Without your help these years,

His Highness wouldn't have made a comeback

and become the crown prince.

I can't take credit for that.

I only did all those things

because Chief forced me to.

I just wanted to coast through life.

If I'd known we'd both end up in the same boat,

I wouldn't have wasted time butting heads with you.

You mean that?

Of course.

Shangguan,

here's to you.

In the past,

I was being petty.

I have to admit

you're quite capable.

You flatter me, Fugui.

In this world,

there aren't many sincere people.

But you

deserve to be called my friend.

Here's to you.

It's a great honor for someone like me

to be friends with you,

a famous figure in the martial world.

I'm just a nobody.

I never thought I'd be drinking

with the Deputy General

of the Xuanjia Army.

Cheers!

Cheers!

We've been

through hard times together.

Why don't we become sworn brothers?

Sworn brothers?

Sure.

Two poor souls

and one pot of wine.

Well,

no time like the present.

From this day forward,

we'll call each other brothers.

Cheers!

I swear,

from now on,

your friends are my friends,

and your enemies

are my enemies.

I swear,

from this day forward,

Shangguan and I

will stay single forever

and dedicate our lives to protecting His Highness.

What's wrong?

Why do we need to stay single forever?

What do you think?

Look at His Highness.

Ever since the wedding,

he's been ignoring both of us.

That's why the two of us

must never be the kind of men who abandon friends for women.

Okay, fine, I get that.

But don't you think "stay single forever"

sounds a bit dramatic?

What do you mean, Shangguan?

Are you already in love with someone?

No!

No?

Is she

Miss Song Yiting?

No!

I knew it!

No wonder Yunlong and Shanhu call her

Mrs. Shangguan every time they see her.

So

you two are secretly engaged, aren't you?

No, no, no!

Fine.

You

and His Highness,

you two,

well done!

Have you ever considered my feelings?

Fine.

From this day forward,

I, Fugui, am sworn enemies with the Songs!

Drink by yourself!

The magic of love spins and spins.

Thinking of you makes me burst with joy day and night.

But I'm worried that

love only lasts a moment…

You're done washing?

Father.

Father.

There are so many things I've wanted to ask you today.

Go ahead.

During the Pingrong Battle,

many soldiers witnessed your death in battle.

How come you're still alive?

And if you were alive,

why didn't you come back for me?

Do you know that

I, Rong Hua,

and all the Qianyu soldiers have been waiting for you?

I knew you'd ask me these questions sooner or later.

But first,

you have to understand the logic of my character

and how hard it's been for me.

Father,

what do you mean?

Who am I?

An invincible commander of Great Jing,

undefeated on battlefields for decades.

Everyone had high expectations of me.

But I personally caused

the tragedy at Pingrong.

When I woke up,

I truly wished I had died

rather than go on living in shame.

You understand how I felt, don't you?

I do, Father.

But the shame of defeat

weighs just as heavily on all the Qianyu soldiers.

No matter what, you shouldn't

have abandoned the Qianyu Army in the capital.

Do you have any idea

what kind of hell we've been through?

Of course I do.

The truth is…

I struggled with it

more than you can imagine.

But Guihong,

under the wings of Lord Qianyu,

you could never truly stand tall.

Only by stepping away

could I give you the space to grow.

Look at you now.

Aren't you doing just fine?

As your father,

I'm genuinely proud of you.

You truly mean that, Father?

Are you truly…

proud of me?

Creating you

is what I'm most proud of in my life.

In the past 20 years,

you've never acknowledged me like that.

It's different now.

If not for you,

I'd still be hesitating about coming.

One day, the two of us, father and son,

will take back everything

Nan Heng took from us.

30 taels of this.

Eggs.

20 taels.

Eat something.

Sesame oil.

Eggs.

20…

Have some water.

Don't talk to me. Be quiet.

Sugar.

What was the amount again?

This is your fault!

I was doing just fine with the math.

Then you talked,

and I lost track of everything.

How is this my fault?

I've already told you

I don't like reading Archaic Chinese,

and I hate math.

But you still… you still forced me

to deal with your stupid ledgers.

You're getting impatient already?

I just wanted

to spend more time with you.

Besides,

you're the crown princess now.

Someday you'll be Empress,

Mother of the Nation.

I just wanted you

to learn more about my world.

It's not a bad thing.

I quit.

I don't want to be the crown princess anymore.

Find someone else.

What do you mean you don't want to be the crown princess?

You've made me so upset

that my wound is starting to hurt.

You're not worried at all?

Go on.

Keep acting.

I'll just watch you act.

I really don’t know what to do with you.

Fine.

Let's call it a day

if you don't want to learn anymore.

We'll pick it up tomorrow.

Really?

Really.

That's great.

Thank you, Your Highness.

I'm going to bed.

Come back.

You're just leaving me like that?

I'm a patient now.

I really can't move.

Help me.

Look at you,

always acting.

The blanket is not on properly.

Pull it up for me.

The pillow isn't comfortable either.

Adjust it for me.

You're just

holding a grudge because I used to bully you,

so now you're finding ways

to get back at me.

When we're alone together,

can we forget you're a prince for a moment?

Maybe it can feel more real to me that way.

What do you mean?

I mean,

I want this life to feel real.

Well,

you know,

the iconic scene in the script

didn't happen,

and the male and female leads

live happily ever after.

It feels a bit unreal to me.

It's because this prince here…

It's all thanks to me.

But if I hadn't given you intel,

how could you, a fictional figure,

have changed the ending?

Alright.

I'm just a fictional figure.

But

have you ever considered this:

maybe you're a fictional figure too.

What if the world you lived in

wasn't real either,

but just another

scripted story someone made up?

You have a point.

It's possible that

the modern world

is also just a world in a script.

Or maybe

a world in a game

or a dream.

And the whole universe

is just one giant

Russian nesting doll.

You get what I mean?

Not really.

But I think it's similar to the meaning of

Zhuangzi's butterfly dream

or the saying,

"Nothing really exists."

Anyway,

no matter where we are,

just don't drag me into any rat race.

Rat…

race?

I mean,

don't make me work,

and don't boss me around.

I don't have

great ambitions.

My only life philosophy is that

life is about staying still.

If I can lie down,

there's no way I'm sitting up.

I get it now.

You're complaining that I'm making you learn things.

I just thought

it'd help you fit into my world sooner.

Why should I be the one to fit into your world?

Why can't you fit into mine?

I can do that.

But only if

you teach me as patiently as I've been teaching you.

You said it.

Come on.

Let's study!

Now?

What's this?

It looks kind of like

the method of weapon forging.

Not bad.

Math and science are all connected.

You've got a good eye.

Last time,

I showed you chemistry.

Today I'm teaching you math.

Pay attention.

This

is a math equation.

Repeat after me.

These are Arabic numerals.

Four.

Four.

This is 35.

35.

This is two.

Two.

94.

And this symbol here

stands for…

12.

How did you know that?

Chickens and rabbits in the same cage—

35 heads above,

94 feet below.

The answer is

23 chickens

and 12 rabbits.

The classic chicken-rabbit problem?

That's how you understand this?

Let me tell you how I figured it out.

Enough.

No need.

I don't want to hear it.

Not interested at all.

Math is not my strength.

I'm good at English.

My English is amazing.

There's no way

you're good at English too.

English?

You mean the word you mentioned once—

"abandon"?

Oh my god.

How do you remember everything?

You're so clever.

Yeah.

Abandon.

Copy it down first.

What does this word mean?

This word?

It means "give up."

Give up?

So back then,

you were thinking about giving up on us?

What's your zodiac sign?

You really hold a grudge.

I don't wanna learn this.

Teach me something else.

Alright then.

You pick something.

I'll write it down for you.

I want to learn how to say

"everlasting love"

and "unwavering devotion."

Can you teach me?

"Everlasting love?"

"Unwavering devotion?"

Ever…

I remember now.

"Everlasting love…"

Bai…

is "white."

Shou…

is "head."

Tong…

is "same."

Xin…

I know that one.

It's "heart."

When you were in school,

you never paid attention in class, did you?

Who told you that?

Didn't I just tell you

my English is amazing?

Repeat after me.

White.

White.

Head.

Head.

Same.

Same.

Heart.

Heart.

Heart.

Good!

Now I'll read it for you all together.

"White head same heart."

Smooth, right?

Why are you laughing?

This is the American accent.

Let's read it one last time.

White.

White.

Head.

Head.

Same.

Same.

Heart.

Heart.

Heart.

R.

The "R" sound.

Heart.

♪ If frost etched traces of weariness ♪

Repeat after me.

Why are you staring at me?

♪ If surging clouds hid the stars ♪

♪ The gaze you once cast upon me ♪

♪ Does it still remember love and hate? ♪

♪ If the rising wind scatters the dust ♪

♪ If every dream must be awakened ♪

♪ How much of the past can we recognize? ♪

♪ In a single thought lies tenderness ♪

♪ Look at the vast heavens, letting rain fall, indifferent to all ♪

♪ Watch how time quietly waits for stories to take root ♪

♪ Look at the road ahead, in the end, there will be guiding lights ♪

♪ We lead remarkable lives in this mundane world ♪

[Everlasting Love]

[Pure of Heart]

Crown Prince Heng,

since taking the position as heir,

has devoted himself tirelessly to matters of state,

gradually becoming proficient in both internal and external affairs.

However, he still resides outside the palace,

which goes against protocol.

Attending court daily

exhausts his energy.

Therefore, beside the inner palace,

a new Eastern Palace shall be established

to align with protocol

and help him attend to state matters better.

[Righteousness and Virtue]

Good.

You all look spirited.

Listen up,

be quick and sharp later.

Move!

Yes!

To think—me, Fugui,

descended from three generations of poor commoners,

climbing step by step from a remote mountain village

to the Seventh Prince's Residence.

How did I make it?

Through my abilities!

I thought I'd reached the peak of my life.

But who'd have known?

There's even a higher peak.

Now I'm moving to the Eastern Palace.

Jixiang,

we're both servants, but our fates are so different.

Choices

always matter more than hard work!

[Jixiang]

I'm not finished!

Get back here!

Are you deaf? Come back!

Come on.

Put it on the cart.

Careful, careful.

It's precious. Don't drop it.

Okay.

What do you need this plaque for?

I'm taking it to our new home.

To our new home?

His Majesty will give this mansion to someone else later,

and the Crown Prince's Residence has its own plaque.

You don't understand.

No one else

can use this plaque.

Only you can.

Think about it.

[Male Lead's Mansion]

Zhixia, Yingqiu.

Why…

Get in the carriage.

Why are you being so mysterious?

[Male Lead's Mansion]

Your Highness,

everything is ready.

Shall we depart?

Y-Your Highness,

what's wrong?

The plaque actually reads "Male Lead's Mansion."

[Male Lead's Mansion]

How did I never notice this before?

I don't recognize this font.

Male lead?

Isn't that what Her Highness

calls you?

Your Highness,

what is a male lead?

Could you explain it to me?

Your Highness.

Your Highness!

We've struck gold!

Hurry, hurry!

We've struck gold!

We've struck gold!

This is incredible!

Mr. Chu!

Mr. Chu!

Mr. Chu,

you really are something else.

Yeah!

How did you know there was a ginseng field

behind the West Mountain?

And it's all thousand-year-old ginseng!

Mr. Chu,

take this. It's good for your health.

Come to think of it,

it's quite strange.

My family has lived here for generations,

but we've never heard

of this land being able to grow ginseng.

That's because the universe keeps its secrets.

And sometimes,

it sends you the right person

to clear the fog and show the way.

Mr. Chu, we shall leave.

Let's go.

Let's go.

Your Majesty,

you've given my second daughter many gifts lately.

I'm deeply grateful.

Does she like them?

She does, very much.

If it's from Your Majesty,

it's bound to be the best.

It's just that

I noticed a pair of wild geese

among the gifts.

Now that

Heng is married,

it's time to consider Rui's marriage.

I'm no longer as healthy as I used to be.

Before I close my eyes for good,

I hope to see both princes married.

So, Your Majesty, you wish…

to arrange a marriage

between Yiting and the Eighteenth Prince?

Don't you always pride yourself on being fair?

Now that your eldest daughter is the crown princess,

your wife

must've given you quite an earful.

If you ask me,

why not let both your daughters

marry into the palace?

We'd become family in every sense.

Your Majesty, don't tease me like that.

Besides, Yiting is far inferior to Yimeng.

My second daughter

is hot-tempered and impatient,

and she's got a mind of her own.

S-She's not…

She's not…

I think she's great.

She has a strong character,

perfect for supporting Rui

and straightening that useless boy out a little.

But

Yiting doesn't have feelings

for the Eighteenth Prince.

I know.

She's already in love with someone else.

Then why did you send the engagement geese?

Rui has feelings

for Miss Yiting.

From the way he acts,

that's not just a casual crush.

But…

But he…

he can't just like her and marry her!

I mean...

he's gotta ask if she agrees first.

I only have two daughters.

I can't marry them both into your family!

Isn't that how it should be?

That's forced marriage!

You're the Chancellor.

Shouldn't you help me with my concerns?

And also,

why are you glaring at me?

You also yelled at me.

Are you trying to offend your emperor?

I wouldn't dare.

I apologize.

You placed your piece there?

No take-backs.

I win.

You're terrible at this.

This tastes really good.

Father.

Don't you think you owe me

an explanation for what happened today?

Yesterday, you told me why you didn't return to the capital,

and I understand that.

But how could you pretend to have superpowers

and live off trickery in the village?

Watch your language, young man.

Don't be so judgy.

Let me ask you—

did the villagers dig up real ginseng?

And was that ginseng already in the ground?

Lying about things that don't exist—

that's a scam.

But I'm seriously

helping the villagers get rich.

But

how did you know there was ginseng there?

With a feather fan in hand

and a quick divination,

I reveal the future…

with the power of prophecy.

If you really had the power of prophecy,

how would we have lost the Pingrong Battle?

Hey,

do you have to keep bringing up the Pingrong Battle?

It's been so long.

It's time you let it go.

Let it go?

Father,

you've changed.

The man you used to be would never have let go of

the 20,000 Qianyu soldiers we lost,

nor would he believe in such supernatural nonsense.

Son,

have you ever heard that

people can awaken certain gifts

on the brink of death?

Take me, for example.

I awakened the gift of prophecy.

If it hadn't been for saving you,

why would I have come here in advance,

befriended the villagers,

and helped you out during your escape?

So you knew in advance

that I'd flee here?

Yes.

Not just that. I also know

you were rejected by the Song family,

that Song Yimeng fell for Nan Heng,

that His Majesty no longer trusts you,

and that Nan Rui has given up on the throne.

Now you're isolated,

and you feel like no one in this world

can understand what you're going through.

Am I right?

You really do know everything?

You've been watching over me this whole time?

Of course I have.

You're my son.

Now that we've reunited,

you're not alone anymore.

As for the assassination,

I sent Physician Zhao ahead of time to save Nan Heng

so they'd spare you from punishment.

Also,

I sent letters to Rong Hua

and Nan Rui yesterday.

From now on,

you'll have nothing to worry about.

Father, you've really done so much for me.

I'm sorry.

I failed to carry out

the responsibilities you entrusted me with.

I've let you down.

As long as you trust me,

nothing else matters.

Guihong,

His Majesty seems to have turned his back on you,

but once something happens to him,

that will be our chance

to make a comeback.

Something will happen to His Majesty?

Father,

do you know something?

Some secrets cannot be revealed.

Son,

just wait for the good news.