Original subtitles

[A Dream Within A Dream]

[Episode 31]

Nan Heng!

Nan Heng!

It's...

Snowing?

Goose feathers.

Lotus flowers.

[Official Land Deed Document]

Land deed.

This is

a dog that looks like a cat,

and a cat that looks like a dog.

I want

a dog that looks like a cat,

a cat that looks like a dog,

and a Heavenly Horse that can fly.

I also want a big house,

with cedars to admire in summer,

lotuses in winter,

and a life without work all year round.

No endless PPTs,

no mental manipulation,

no self-important guys on the street,

and no keyboard warriors online.

As for the person I like,

he should be sweet and cuddly like a puppy by day,

but fierce and wild like a little wolf by night.

And in his spare time,

he needs to help me walk that dog which looks like a cat.

♪ If frost etched traces of weariness ♪

♪ 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 ♪

According to the Classic of Mountains and Seas,

♪ If every dream must be awakened ♪

two hundred li northeast of Mount Bei,

there dwells a beast shaped like a white dog with a black head.

♪ How much of the past can we recognize? ♪

Upon seeing humans, it takes flight.

It's known as the Heavenly Horse.

♪ In a single thought lies tenderness ♪

Although I don't know

what the Heavenly Horse looks like,

this one

♪ Look at the sky, flowers bloom and fragrance fills the air ♪

is the closest one I could find.

You also said

you want to not work all year round,

♪ The sound of heartbeats resonates in the passing time ♪

with no endless PPTs

or mental manipulation.

Although I don't know

what PPT and mental manipulation are,

I do understand the word "work"

♪ Look at the way you're going, destiny has it all planned out ♪

to some extent.

Mr. Song said that since childhood,

you've never liked needlework.

So when we're together,

♪ We lead remarkable lives in this mundane world ♪

you naturally won't have to do it.

Also,

I want you to have the land deed

for Waning River Crescent,

as well as my salary.

You can buy whatever you want,

and do whatever you want.

I won't let anyone

mistreat you.

As for

self-important guys

and keyboard warriors,

I know nothing about them.

About being like a sweet puppy or a fierce wolf,

I'm also completely clueless.

Although you always say things that I don't understand

and you always have concerns and thoughts

I can't figure out in your heart,

no matter what,

I want to protect you for a lifetime.

♪ Look at the way you're going, destiny has it all planned out ♪

So,

♪ We lead remarkable lives in this mundane world ♪

will you give me another chance

and marry me?

No.

I know

everything you’ve done is

exactly what I want,

but Nan Heng,

please don't do these things for me anymore.

Why not?

Because I really can't marry you.

I really can't!

Song Yimeng!

-What's going on? -What's this about?

Song Yimeng.

Song Yimeng.

Why won't you marry me?

Please stop asking, will you?

No, wait.

Song Yimeng,

what's the real reason?

Can't you tell me?

Fine.

Since you're so eager to know the reason,

I'll tell you today.

How could this be?

Everything has been done perfectly.

Don't women like these things?

Could she not be a woman?

[Slacker Escape Plan]

Don't you want to know

why I have to leave and

why I can't be with you?

This is the answer.

[Slacker Escape Plan]

What is this?

These

are all iconic scenes from the script.

I've told you

this is a world inside a storybook.

All the stories written in storybook

will happen.

In this world,

everyone's birth

is part of a storybook written in advance,

one that ultimately

leads to an ending

you can never change.

So the storybook

is the script you spoke of?

How is that possible?

You mean

the world we are in now

is just a storybook?

But you and I are both living people.

Why won't you trust me?

Think about it,

why was I able to see through

all your secrets the moment I got here?

The method of weapon forging!

Am I right, Your Highness?

Why did I already know there would be

a great fire during the Lantern Festival?

And the Zijin Pavilion.

It's all because I had read the script in advance.

Whenever I'm in danger,

you'd come to save me uncontrollably.

Whenever the plot is changed,

[Ultimate Emptiness, Profound Tranquility]

the sound of typing

would echo in our minds

for no reason at all, wouldn't it?

In the end, the story inevitably returns to the main plot.

Think about it carefully, Nan Heng.

Isn't it exactly like that?

That day,

you controlled me.

You were controlled too...

It seems that no matter

what danger Song Yimeng is in

or where I am,

my body just moves uncontrollably to save her.

So in the end, Song Yimeng's warning

about the chaos last night actually came true.

Don't you find it a bit suspicious?

Because it's written in the script.

The script again.

He's the male lead.

He can escape from death

and turn misfortune into fortune.

He has a cheat code.

Jump down with me.

Are you crazy? We'll die if we jump!

Just trust me this once.

Jumping off a cliff in this world

definitely won't kill us.

Yeah right, like I'd trust you...

Darn it!

Why is it so high?

So

I'm the main character of this storybook,

and you...

That's right.

I'm the female lead

who got inexplicably dragged into this.

Just think of me as someone

from another world.

Nan Heng.

I know this is all hard for you to accept,

but this is the truth.

If we keep being together,

not only will you turn me into a human pig,

but the whole Song family

will be executed.

[Iconic Scenes in the Script]

So you're distancing yourself from me

and trying to leave here

because you want to protect the Song family?

Song Yimeng.

Although I don't fully understand

everything you're saying right now,

I hope you

can give me some time.

I'll go figure something out.

But before that,

please don't leave,

okay?

That was a brilliant move.

I've lost.

Your Majesty lost...

I don't think you've lost.

Your skills have improved greatly.

Look more carefully.

I barely won.

Since you've beaten me,

you must agree to a request of mine.

Your Majesty, let's play another round.

Regarding Song Yimeng's marriage,

what are your thoughts now?

You cunning old fox,

cut the sneaky stuff.

She was once betrothed to Chu Guihong,

and has wasted many years waiting in her chamber.

Now, looking throughout the entire capital,

besides Heng,

who else could you find

that would be a suitable match for her?

Let me tell you,

this crown prince of mine,

whether it's his scholarly work,

martial skills,

or character,

is exceptional in every way.

What else could you possibly want?

Your Majesty.

My daughter

has a terrible temper

and really isn't fit to be the future empress.

Her character is indeed flawed.

Exactly.

But she's quite open-minded.

I actually find her

quite admirable now.

Your Majesty, that's not what you used to think.

What's in the past

need not be mentioned anymore.

The young may be ignorant,

but the old should know better.

The two of them

have stirred up so much trouble together.

They've stormed the palace and

escaped execution,

and they share love

and affection.

Sometimes these young people,

they need us parents

to give them a little push.

Don't you agree?

[Qianyu Mansion]

Jixiang.

When we see Guihong later,

he's bound to be angry with me

over the crown prince issue.

Keep a close eye on him, alright?

I don't mind letting him

blow off some steam.

But if he really goes all out,

you must protect me.

Do you hear me?

My wine!

How could you...

You...

Guihong.

Have you lost your mind?

Nan Heng is the crown prince now.

Trying to assassinate him would be considered treason!

When did I ever say I wanted to assassinate Nan Heng?

We've been cousins for over 20 years.

How could I not know

what you're thinking?

Rong Hua.

Rong Hua!

Did you even hear what I said?

Your Highness.

What you stumbled upon tonight was an accident.

Go home now, get some sleep,

and forget everything that should be forgotten.

You don't need to worry about anything.

What nonsense are you talking?

How could I stand by and do nothing,

seeing you heading toward death?

If my life really mattered to you,

then why did you go see Nan Heng

before the Three Bureaus' Joint Interrogation?

I...

I...

I was trying to help you!

I don't need it!

When I returned to the capital in defeat months ago,

you failed to help me.

When Nan Heng almost forced me out of the capital,

you still weren't able to do anything.

This so-called help of yours,

were you really helping me,

or were you helping Nan Heng instead?

I... I...

I just wanted to...

No need to explain.

I don't need your help, either.

I don't even care

whose side you're on.

I just want those

who are incapable

to act like it.

Just like before, hiding behind me,

standing off at a distance with that silly, clueless look.

Is that too much to ask?

I...

Apologize.

Jixiang.

Guihong was right.

Ever since we were little,

he's always been the one protecting me.

Guihong.

I'm sorry

I wasn't able to help you

with what happened before.

But this time,

I really don't want you to make another mistake.

Forget it, Jixiang.

Let's go.

Come check it out!

Fresh off the cart!

Candied hawthorn skewers!

I've told you

this is a world inside a storybook.

How is that possible?

But you and I are both living people.

Floral print umbrellas!

Floral print umbrellas for sale!

Passing by? Don't miss out!

♪ Without ups and downs, the fireflies in the dark would mean nothing ♪

All the freshest and best items just in!

No problem.

Fruits!

Fresh fruits!

♪ Never once doubting the net of fate that traps us both ♪

♪ Someone wrote the story, and now it's running through our veins ♪

♪ The future hangs by a thread, caught in the cycle of karma ♪

♪ The signs are always there, but the ending remains unknown ♪

♪ Everything passes like a flicker— all just smoke and bubbles ♪

♪ All those wild rumors somehow feel true, you said ♪

♪ I'm not who I used to be, just playing a part ♪

Is this world fake?

♪ Eyes dulled, enduring all the scorn ♪

♪ Pages curled, spare me more thorns ♪

♪ I've seen through every illusion ♪

♪ The future is hazy, I wander with the flow ♪

♪ Why does the pain run deep as I seek the path back ♪

♪ In a single night, all turns to hollow sorrow ♪

♪ The plot twists and turns, forcing me to show weakness ♪

♪ Who takes and who gives, how can we go with the flow? ♪

♪ Not weak in nature, I write defiantly against my fate ♪

♪ This unyielding spirit won't be controlled by someone else's writing ♪

♪ I'd rather be myself, unwilling to stay silent ♪

♪ Eyes dulled, enduring all the scorn ♪

♪ Pages curled, spare me more thorns ♪

♪ I've seen through every illusion ♪

♪ Strip the paint, let me choose what's true ♪

♪ If the heart has glimpsed the fire on the plain ♪

Your Highness, I've finally found you.

Where have you been?

♪ Then let me be the moth again ♪

What exactly happened?

Your Highness, why are you injured?

Say something, will you!

Are you worried about me?

Of course!

Why?

We've grown up together since childhood,

been through life and death together for so many years,

and you've treated me so well.

If I don't care about you, then who else would I care about?

Your Highness.

Let's get back first and talk about it later.

Sit.

Let me ask you,

what if all of this is fake?

Fake?

I mean hypothetically,

if this world we live in

is actually inside a storybook,

what would you do?

In a storybook?

Well...

If we're in a storybook,

is Your Highness's kindness to me real?

It is real.

Can I still eat my fill every day?

Yes.

Can I still have eight steamed buns at each meal?

You can.

Can I still stay by Your Highness's side,

ranking one level higher than that Shangguan He?

Of course you can.

Then that settles it.

As long as I can stay by Your Highness's side

and do what I want to do,

what does it matter whether I'm in a storybook or not?

Even you can figure this out,

why am I still troubling myself over nothing?

♪ Beyond my control, powerless to resist ♪

Even if this is a world inside a storybook,

♪ Yet still I dig deep, questioning fate ♪

being able to do what I want is enough.

♪ That is the meaning behind my defiance ♪

So,

Your Highness,

what do you want to do?

♪ Even doomed for eternity, I still have the courage ♪

♪ For you, I'd step into the uncertainty ♪

♪ If you believe in fate ♪

I want to be the crown prince.

I want to build homes in the Great Jing,

♪ No words can cage a heart full of wounds ♪

bringing prosperity to all the people.

♪ I shake the heavens and plains through the storm ♪

I also want to

♪ A promise is made, and I don't fear death anymore ♪

protect those I care about.

♪ Even dreams are pleasant ♪

♪ Is it obsession, or chosen pain? ♪

Even if this is a storybook world,

♪ Is it pride, with no shame? ♪

I

still want to be

♪ To give you a love etched into the bones ♪

the male lead who takes fate into his own hands.

♪ Then it's not something to grieve over ♪

Father.

You knew very well that I didn't want to marry Nan Heng.

So why did you still accept

the imperial edict for this marriage arrangement?

The current Seventh Prince

has been officially appointed crown prince by His Majesty.

He's no longer the Seventh Prince who was out of favor.

Things have changed.

Father.

Just because Nan Heng is now the crown prince,

you no longer care about my feelings?

Isn't social climbing

supposed to be Mrs. Song's character setting?

Song Yimeng.

Let me be honest with you.

His Majesty has given me an ultimatum.

Either

you obediently marry the crown prince and be his wife,

or

I lose my position as minister.

If you want the whole family to starve,

I'll enter the palace right now to defy the imperial edict for your sake.

I...

I'll go check on her.

I didn't give myself away, did I?

The crown prince

has really presented me with a difficult challenge this time.

By the way,

just now

when she accused me of social climbing,

what were you doing?

Why didn't you defend me?

Is that really the point?

Song Yimeng.

[Natural Talent]

Where are you going?

Just going out for some fresh air.

None of you understand me.

I'm going shopping anyway.

Come with me.

Father isn't someone who chases power,

but he's not a fool either.

Everything you've done for the Seventh Prince

is clear to anyone with eyes.

Saving him doesn't mean I like him.

Even if I do like him, it doesn't mean

I have to marry him.

Keep denying it all you want.

You're just worried that marrying him

might bring

disaster to our family,

causing everyone to be executed.

Song Yiting.

How did you know that?

Nan Heng told Father about it.

Since Father already knows everything,

why is he still helping Nan Heng?

Father has been an official his whole life,

how could he not understand this?

He's willing to help Nan Heng

all for your sake.

He hopes

you can face your true feelings,

afraid you'll regret it in the future.

But if one day

the Song family were to suffer

because of my choice,

I'd truly regret it.

When you

risked opposing His Majesty,

struck the petition drum,

and desperately protected Nan Heng,

why didn't you think about

implicating the Song family then?

Song Yimeng.

Making excuses to avoid things is easy,

but you can never fool your own heart.

[Male Lead's Mansion]

The air outside

is indeed quite nice...

Male Lead's Mansion?

Song Yiting.

So Nan Heng bought you off too?

Didn't you say

you couldn't stand staying at the Song Residence for another minute?

This is a perfect chance

to get a change of scenery.

Go by yourself.

Miss Song.

Stop grabbing me.

Let me go!

Song Yiting.

Song Yiting!

You pulled my hair.

Can't you be a little gentler?

I can walk by myself.

Your Highness.

Just a few days apart,

and you've already bought off my entire family.

That's the solution you came up with?

I don't quite understand

what you're talking about.

However,

since you're here,

why not stay for a few days?

Who wants to stay at your place?

[Drawing from Collective Wisdom]

All the carriages from my residence have been sent out.

If you want to go home,

you'll have to walk,

and it's quite far.

Nan Heng.

All this is pointless.

I...

I really can't agree to marry you right now.

Just because you can't now

doesn't mean you won't in the future.

I have all the time in the world,

and I'm willing to wait.

Playing the hopeless romantic?

That kind of act rarely works.

Well,

what kind of character do you like?

I can learn to be that.

No matter what character you adopt now,

it won't change what's going to happen.

You won't get it.

I was just about to have lunch.

Why don't you

stay and join me for a simple meal?

No need.

I don't have an appetite.

Please eat something.

I've got it all prepared.

Don't you love hot pot the most?

There's no dipping sauce.

It's not enjoyable.

And without bubble tea,

I can't really enjoy hot pot either.

How about now?

Is it enjoyable now?

It's been so long since I've had hot pot.

I've absolutely been craving it.

In just 10 days,

it will be our wedding day.

During this time, if there's anything you want to eat,

anything you need,

or anything you want to drink,

just tell Fugui anytime.

Stop right there.

After I finish this hot pot,

I'm going straight home.

My Lady!

We're here!

[Gentle Breeze]

Why are you two here?

We...

Your Highness.

Your Highness.

My Lady, you don't care about us at all,

moving into His Highness's residence

without even telling us.

When did I ever say I was moving in here?

Master told us everything, My Lady.

He said your wedding matters a lot,

and there are many things you need to discuss,

so you've moved in here first.

[Gentle Breeze]

My Lady.

You'll be family soon anyway.

What's a few days' difference?

Your Highness.

Where is Her Ladyship staying?

Over there.

-Let's go. -I just don't get it.

Who do you two serve anyway?

My Lady, look.

These hairpins are even more exquisite than those in the palace.

My Lady, look.

This place looks just like Laiyi House.

No thanks.

What's so special about these things?

It's not like our Song family can't afford them.

My Lady.

Don't you love a life of lounging around and counting money?

If you marry the Seventh Prince

and become the Crown Princess,

you can live the life you want every day.

That's right, My Lady.

Just think about it.

You like the Seventh Prince,

and he likes you too.

You two make such a perfect match.

If a relationship is doomed

to end badly,

rather than both getting hurt,

maybe it's better not to start it at all.

Our men from Waning River Crescent asked me to check with you

if there's anything they can do

to help with your wedding.

For example, we could prepare more

celestial cats and dogs and such...

No need.

There's no need to prepare anything.

Actually, I asked Song Yiting about it.

Song Yimeng isn't uninterested in you.

Besides, the imperial edict has set the wedding date,

and she's already here with you.

Is there really any chance this will change?

Marriage is a serious matter

that requires mutual affection.

I don't want to force her.

As long as she still has reservations,

I cannot marry her.

I'm afraid your Yimeng

is just like her sister.

Once she's made up her mind,

she's so stubborn that not even 90 oxen could pull her back.

Therefore,

only by completely resolving her fears

can I dispel her concerns.

[Imperial Study]

Crown Prince.

What brings you here today

on purpose?

Your Majesty.

The position of Great Jing's Chancellor has been vacant for a long time.

I would like to recommend someone

to fill this position.

I wonder

which worthy talent you wish to recommend, Crown Prince?

The Minister of War, Mr. Song.

Song Yude has always adhered to the Doctrine of the Mean.

Since entering court,

he has never formed factions or shown favoritism,

making him the best candidate for Chancellor indeed.

However,

you've just become Crown Prince

and now want to recommend your father-in-law.

I'm afraid it'll be hard to convince the crowd.

Your Majesty is right.

I dare not act out of personal interest.

However,

if this appointment

would cause discontent among officials,

I humbly request Your Majesty

to issue another imperial edict

to check my power.

How would this check work?

If in the future I

should act improperly,

Mr. Song may, with the support of officials,

have me removed from office.

Nonsense.

If that were the case,

wouldn't our empire change hands?

Your Majesty.

The empire our ancestors established

should be entrusted to worthy hands.

Only then can it be preserved.

With this imperial edict,

Mr. Song can offer frank advice in the future

without any concerns.

I

will also be diligent in state affairs

and dare not show the slightest slack.

You're doing this

because of Song Yimeng's influence, aren't you?

I don't believe

that if someone else

were appointed as Chancellor,

you would act the same way.

Your Majesty is right.

I'm also doing this

for the sake of Song Yimeng.

I don't want

Mr. Song to try to please me

because of his daughter in the future,

nor do I want Song Yimeng

to compromise because of her father.

Therefore,

please consider this as a promise

I make to Song Yimeng.

No matter what she does in the future,

it will not affect the Song family.

You're being ridiculous!

You're the noble crown prince,

yet your mind is filled with nothing but romance.

How dare you say you have no selfish motives?

For the sake of a woman,

you've actually gone to such lengths,

even coming to request

an official position for her father.

Your Majesty.

Mr. Song

is truly a pillar of the state

and worthy of the position of Chancellor.

I earnestly request Your Majesty

to grant my request.

I've heard you.

Get lost.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

[In Memory of Our Roots]

[In memory of the late Duchess of Anping, Wang Nianmei]

Father.

I rushed back as soon as I heard the news.

Why are you hiding over here?

Is this

the imperial edict appointing you as Chancellor?

[Left Vice Minister of the Imperial Secretariat & Minister of War, Song Yude]

[With deeds known at home and afar, loyal and steadfast, pillar of the court]

His Highness entered the palace today,

and besides recommending me as Chancellor,

he also persuaded His Majesty to issue an edict,

granting the Song family

the Imperial Pardon Certificate.

The Imperial Pardon Certificate?

Is it

the Death-Exemption Plate?

That's right.

When the Crown Prince ascends the throne,

no matter how the political situation changes,

and whether your relationship with him

is good or bad,

everyone in the Song family

can be spared from execution.

This royal favor

has never been granted to any noble family

since the founding of the Great Jing.

Yimeng.

For the sake of what you call

a nonexistent future,

Nan Heng has gone to such lengths.

It clearly shows his feelings for you.

Regarding your marriage,

you've been reluctant to agree.

What exactly are you afraid of?

Perhaps

I'm afraid of

an unknown ending.

Fate is in our own hands.

Why fear something

that hasn't even happened yet?

Indeed.

I'm worried Nan Heng will hurt me,

but I'm also worried I'll let him down.

Because I don't belong in this world.

What if...

What if one day, I have to leave this place?

What should Nan Heng do then?

I've

never been a brave man,

but falling in love with your mother from humble origins,

marrying her, and having you

were the bravest things I've ever done.

Father.

I think this is the first time

you've ever talked to me about my mother.

Your mother passed away

just days after giving birth to you.

Not being able to grow old with her

is my greatest regret.

But the time I spent with your mother

was also the most beautiful time of my life.

Yimeng.

Love in this world isn't always

about seeking perfection.

In matters of the heart,

regret hurts more than

not being able to spend a lifetime together.

I'm sure Nan Heng

feels the same way.