Original subtitles

[A Dream Within A Dream]

[Episode 36]

Nan Heng,

the script world is governed by certain rules.

Apart from the two you know,

there are two more.

One is

about how I get back to where I'm from.

As long as Song Yimeng and you

finish all the iconic scenes

till the finale,

I'll be brought back to the modern times.

The other one is,

changes of iconic scenes will backfire

on those who induce them.

[Trouble finds those who change the iconic scenes]

Backfire?

Then Song Yimeng...

She'll be fine.

Think about it.

What has she changed?

She did fall into the water in the royal garden

as the script says.

She was rescued by a hero at the Lantern Festival

as the script says.

She did defy the Song family

as the script says.

She even caught you in bed with Song Yiting

as the script says.

The only change happened

on the wedding day,

when you used the script rules

to break the script rules.

So, Nan Heng,

in the script world,

you're the only one character

who can change the iconic scenes.

That's good.

Good?

If the upcoming plots go

further and further into the opposite direction--

for example, Song Yiting marries Shangguan He--

then you, who induced the initial changes,

will be hurt even worse,

till you die.

Understood?

So this is why you helped to forge a marital union

between Song Yiting and Shangguan He?

Hold on.

What did he tell you?

My uncle said,

based on his years of study on storybooks,

only an external force was needed to

compel Shangguan He to express his love for Yiting,

and that I was

this force.

I didn't mean to be this cruel to you,

but Song Yimeng stubbornly

refused to play along with the plots.

Nan Heng,

take my advice.

If you want to stay alive,

then just abide by

the rules of the script world.

If I had ever played by the book,

how could you have been brought here?

Still acting tough, aren't you?

To be honest,

if you still try to change the story,

you will die

in less than a month.

When that happens,

how do you think I will hurt Song Yimeng?

Or maybe I should just wait

till you die, huh?

Chu Guihong.

Do you know who you are protecting?

Someone who can help me return to the capital.

It's my father, of course.

Would your father ever

behave like this?

Open your eyes and look...

Nan Heng,

people would only believe what's in their best interests.

I'm no exception.

This is what you taught me.

Those who are seen as villains

will be praised for doing

just one good deed.

Now, Miss Song Yiting

and Shangguan He are engaged.

It was my father who helped to make

this beautiful thing happen.

And you...

You're just a loser who's slowly dying.

Dad,

the wind is rising.

Let's go.

You...

I already had Rong Hua figure out the truth.

At Pingrong Battle,

my father was indeed killed by Heyuan people.

He had no chance of survival.

Confess now.

Who really are you?

What does "character" mean?

What is "the script world"?

Also,

who am I?

Jixiang,

did you see?

Even Uncle couldn't formally conclude the long overdue engagement

between Yiting and He.

But I had it done

at my first attempt.

I really am Cupid in human form.

Your Highness, you don't have to talk

when you feel upset.

What's the matter with you?

Y-Y-You...

D-Don't call out my lie.

Your Highness!

Yiting?

Why are you out here?

Why did you help me

in the Waning River Crescent's Hall?

Yiting,

though it was Uncle's request for help that brought me here,

I did mean to do you a favor.

Actually, during these days,

I've done a lot of thinking.

It's time I stopped pestering you,

since you're way out of my league.

What do you mean?

Yiting,

no other girls in the capital...

No.

No other girls in Great Jing are better than you.

You have your own insights on everything.

You dare to go against conventions.

But what about me?

I'm just a silly boy

who has no opinions of his own

and hides behind his father all the time.

I'm neither knowledgeable,

nor astute

in politics.

I'm not good enough for you.

After thinking that through,

I actually felt relieved.

Now, I wish you and Shangguan He

a happy marriage.

Thanks for your blessings.

But, Your Highness,

you shouldn't sell yourself short.

Academic and political achievements

aren't enough to define a man.

Similarly, a woman shouldn't be judged

by her temperament and marriage status.

Your Highness was born into the royal family,

yet you're pure of heart

and kind.

Not everyone can be like you.

You are cheerful

and outspoken.

These traits are as valuable

and priceless as academic

and political achievements.

So, I believe Your Highness

will find a girl you love,

who truly loves you back.

Thanks.

Yiting.

Wait.

Did you say that because I'm stupid?

Your Highness is not stupid at all.

You're a man of great wisdom.

You reflect on yourself without others' reminders.

You're tolerant and generous.

You dropped a grudge that lasted for ten-odd years,

and peacefully accepted

that your brother became the crown prince.

You also kindly helped a girl fight for her true love,

though she had rejected you before.

Not everyone

is capable of doing these.

Right.

I always know it.

I’m still the remarkable chosen one,

who symbolizes good fortune.

Well, Yiting,

will you

be friends with me, the man standing for

auspiciousness?

It'll be my honor to be friends

with Your Highness.

That's great.

I've told you the gist.

In the script world,

Nan Heng is the male lead.

He will kill his brother and ascend the throne at last.

As for you, the cannon fodder...

I mean the second male lead.

You will be killed by Nan Heng

and completely vanish

after he becomes the Emperor.

He has done tons of evil,

including causing my father's death

and stealing my fiancée away.

He'll even tread me under foot in the end?

Why?

Because he's the male lead.

Then what about me?

Why can't I be the protagonist?

How am I inferior to him?

Y-Y-You...

You're not inferior to him.

W-W-Well...

How about...

How about this?

If you play along

with the plot of choosing one out of the two hostages,

I'll change the ending

w-when I'm back to the modern times.

I'll make you the male lead!

As it turns out,

you'd like to make a deal with me.

Do you know

what I want now?

Of course I do.

You want to kill Nan Heng

and help your cousin Nan Rui ascend the throne, right?

I do want Nan Heng dead.

But I also want to hold my fate

in my own hands.

In this vast world,

nobody can constrain me anymore.

You want to ascend the throne yourself?

What are you doing?

You...

Don't do anything stupid.

What exactly are you going to do?

If you are to make a deal with me,

meet me in two hours

in Qianyu Mansion.

How am I supposed

to go back this way?

You're sick!

You make me sick!

I didn't

portray him as a crazy guy in the script.

[Iconic Scenes in the Script]

[No. 6: The classic-- choosing to save one out of the two hostages on the city tower]

Heng suffered a lot in the cold palace when he was little.

He then spent years on the dangerous battlefield.

[Moral Cultivation]

Now, he has finally come back alive from the borders.

His life has just become safer and better.

How did this misfortune suddenly befall him?

I've ordered an investigation.

Song Yude said,

when the servants in the Song Residence discovered Heng,

he had sunk into a coma.

Nobody was around him.

Your Majesty.

Your Ladyship.

Your Majesty.

Your Ladyship.

The royal physicians have rushed to the crown prince's residence.

They said His Highness had a medical emergency.

Physician Qin is performing acupuncture on His Highness now.

There will be results soon.

Yes.

Don't worry.

Heng is a blessed child.

He'll surely get better.

His unfortunate life is attributed to me,

his useless mother.

The biggest regret of my life

is not being a good enough mother to Heng.

It is I

who owe him a lot,

not you.

Do you ever plan to tell me the truth?

You used to deceive me with two identities.

Now, you've been seriously wounded.

Why are you still withholding the truth?

I...

Seeing me act like a fool

and worried sick about you,

are you happy?

Is it fun to you?

I...

I'm not...

I just haven't recovered

from being stabbed twice

on our wedding day.

Why are you still lying?

Physician Qin has told me

that your wounds this time

are completely different from the previous ones.

I'll tell you the truth then.

I was attacked...

by Lord Qianyu.

Lord Qianyu?

Did he meet you in private?

He failed to persuade you,

so he came to talk to me.

I refused to collaborate and play along with the plots,

so he poisoned me,

trying to coerce me into a concession.

That means

there's poison in you now?

Where is the antidote?

Does Lord Qianyu have it?

I've attained the antidote.

I'll recover in just a few days.

You...

Do you really have the antidote now?

Are you lying to me or not?

I'm not.

Well,

I'd better ask Physician Qin about it.

Come back!

The scriptwriter is here.

This is a secret.

Letting it out won't do

any good.

Besides, think about this.

I'm the male lead he created.

He won't let me die so easily, will he?

He's just punishing me

for refusing to cooperate

and

to go through the plots.

Is that all?

Nothing else?

Nothing.

Then tell me.

In the Waning River Crescent's Hall,

why did he try so hard to fix

Yiting and Shangguan He up?

If Song Yiting marries Shangguan He,

then you, who induced the initial changes,

will be hurt even worse,

till you die.

Understood?

I think

he was roping Shangguan He and the Nightwalkers

into fighting me.

Is he stupid or what?

What makes he think Shangguan He would betray you?

He just assumes everyone here is naive.

You and I won’t obey him.

Shangguan He will definitely not betray us either.

Nan Heng,

you must promise me

that from now on,

you won't keep your plans from me anymore.

If I ever find you have lied to me again,

I'll condemn you

to eternal punishment.

Got it.

You have my word.

What is it now?

I'll feed you medicine soup.

Why that smile?

You're feeding me medicine from a small bowl.

I'm adapting to it.

This...

Come on.

Open your mouth.

Here it goes.

Dear,

eat the medicine soup.

Slow down. Easy with it.

I didn't realize until recently

that Your Grace is from another world.

You've not only spared me from death,

but also advanced my relationship with my beloved woman.

I'm grateful

for Your Grace's generosity.

How come it seems to me

that you have a different purpose?

Nothing can escape Your Grace's observation.

You see,

tiny story characters

can't hold a candle to gods, can they?

I'm here today

to show fealty to Your Grace.

If Your Grace

deigns to let me join you in your future action,

I promise I'll be at your disposal.

"Deign" is too strong a word to be used here.

Despite my poor choice of words,

I do mean everything I said.

You're working to get the storyline back on the right track.

How may I be of service?

I long for your instructions.

He's probing for information.

To be honest,

when Nan Heng was busy dealing with various forces in the palace,

I already took the reigns

of the Waning River Crescent.

So, all you need to do now

is point out a target for me.

Then I'll go after it.

Take me with you on every mission.

You'll surely be benefited.

If I point at the sky,

can you fly up high?

If I point at the earth,

can you burrow into the depths?

This entire world was created by me.

If you want to stay safe and sound,

just remember one thing.

What is it?

That is,

never to ask questions.

[Righteousness]

Don't feel obliged.

It's really late now.

You're not familiar with the mansion,

are you?

Let me walk you out.

No need for this. No need.

How can I trouble you

for such a trifle?

It'll make me seem inconsiderate, won't it?

Go get some rest!

Okay.

I'm going back then.

[Righteousness]

I'm drunk.

Bye bye!

What

a tight-lipped old man.

[Huaipu Hall]

Off-the-books Qianyu troops?

[Study of Crown Prince's Residence, at about 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.]

Right.

Fugui checked the plans of garrison defenses.

There are no records of Qianyu Army being deployed last night.

Shanhu then asked some friends

in relevant fields,

and found out that those people

were soldiers secretly transferred

from the borders by Chu Guihong.

I recall it now.

According to the script,

after Nan Heng ascends the throne,

the ostracized Chu Guihong comes back to the capital without permission

and deploys troops in secret,

hence leading to the iconic scene of choosing one out of the two hostages.

Does it mean

the plots will remain the same?

Don't worry.

We've beaten down our fate once.

We can definitely do it again.

Now, as long as we get hold of the proof

that Chu Guihong illegally deployed troops,

we can strike first and defeat him.

Are you alright?

I'm fine.

Is Yiting involved in the next iconic scene

you just mentioned?

Yes.

Listen,

write a letter to your father

and ask him to bring Song Yiting to the palace.

The palace is heavily guarded.

This might deter Chu Guihong and his father.

As long as Yiting and you don't show up on the gate tower at the same time,

they won't be able to carry out their plan.

Got it.

However...

If Chu Guihong’s reinforcements have arrived,

I'm afraid the guards and Xuanjia soldiers in the capital

can't fight them off.

Don't worry.

I'll go meet the Emperor

and ask him to quickly transfer more Xuanjia soldiers to the capital.

Even if they can't arrive in time,

the Nightwalkers will keep

the palace safe for some time.

Later, can you

tell me in detail

about what will happen

on the day of the next iconic scene?

Only after the iconic scenes happen as scheduled

can I go back to the modern times

and write a perfect ending for you.

Where is this moth from?

The wind has risen again.

This is

just a new beginning.

Great!

Bravo!

There you go.

Thanks.

Here you are.

Let's go, Jixiang.

To the palace.

General Chu,

I've done what you asked.

Aren't you going to ask

why I'm doing this?

You must have untellable but solid reasons

for taking these moves against the Emperor

and the Eighteenth Prince.

General Chu,

you saved my life

on the battlefield.

At the moment you rescued me,

I already made up my mind

to do anything

you ask me to

in the future.

Even if you tell me to die,

I'll do it without asking a question.

Good.

Rong Hua,

you're the only one

I can trust now.

Remember,

if my father gives you any tasks,

just take on them.

But

you don't have to follow every word.

Physician Qin found

the crown prince just oddly fell ill,

as if he had suddenly had a drawn-out illness

and suffered from poor blood circulation.

The physicians can't think of a suitable therapy right now.

They can only make some prescriptions to help His Highness feel better.

Keep the truth from the Noble Consort for now.

Your Majesty.

Your Majesty,

the Eighteenth Prince is here.

Let him in.

Yes.

Father.

Father,

I heard Heng got sick.

You must be upset.

I didn't know what I could do to help,

so I bought some red tangerines for you.

Aren't they your mother's favorite?

Yes.

Mother's death anniversary is in a few days.

Now, you're worried about Heng's condition.

I thought these red tangerines

could bring you some comfort.

You've really grown up, Rui.

Look how attentive you are now.

Come on.

Sit down.

Father,

let me peel a tangerine for you.

Okay.

Father...

You're a grownup now,

but you can't even peel a tangerine right.

Well...

When Mother was alive,

she'd always peel tangerines for me.

I've never

peeled a tangerine for anyone.

Look how clumsy you are.

Let me peel it.

Okay.

Father, you eat it first.

Tastes sweet.

Only because I bought it.

I feel like you grew up

in just a blink of an eye.

Physically, I'm stronger now.

But intelligently, I'm not.

I did a lot of silly things before

and let you and Mother down.

Saplings can't grow into big trees

without proper cultivation.

Saying that you didn't turn out well

is denying my ability to act as a decent gardener.

Maybe

I'm not a wise ruler,

but at least I should be a good father.

As long as you are healthy and safe,

I won't

feel ashamed when I meet your mother again

in heaven.

Father,

where-

where is this pessimistic talk from?

Father,

Heng's condition must worry you

so much that you are

feeling too tired, lethargic

and even depressed.

Father,

I've actually

asked the Imperial Astronomical Bureau in private.

Heng fell ill

probably because he was invaded

by something evil.

To cure him,

we must use the righteousness deep within our souls

and heartfelt joy

to suppress the evil.

I was going to suggest you

issue an imperial edict

to forbid disheartening remarks

in the palace,

as a way to pray for Heng

and for Great Jing.

Liu Mingxi.

I think I have over ten memorials to read.

Fetch them now.

Yes.

Father, why are you ignoring me?

Did I say anything wrong?

It's not that.

I'm just eating this tangerine.

It's so delicious.

Okay then.

Very tasty.

That's good.

Father,

will you issue

an imperial edict

to draw that evil thing out of Heng?

Father, are you alright?

You must've chocked on that tangerine.

Have some water.

Father,

what's happening to you?

Father.

Father!

Father!

Father!

I'm worried.

Father!

Royal physicians!

Your Majesty!

What's wrong?

I'm frightened!

Guards!

The Eighteenth Prince poisoned the Emperor!

Help!

The Eighteenth Prince poisoned the Emperor!

Help!

No.

No.

I didn't.

Father...

Run...

Ask Heng for help...

Your Highness.

Jixiang, Jixiang!

People are chasing after me.

They said I poisoned Father,

but I didn't.

I really didn't!

I know.

Let's go

find the crown prince.

Okay.

Guihong,

you came just in time.

Father somehow got poisoned.

Come with me to check it out.

Qianyu Army is ordered to defend the sovereign

and seize the culprit who poisoned the Emperor.

Take him down!

Back off!

Nan Rui, you're the culprit.

Are you defying the order?

I...

He did nothing wrong.

He's not the culprit.

How is he defying the order?

What a stubborn offender.

Qianyu Army

will still carry out its duties.

When swords are wielded,

there may be

bloodshed.

Strike!

Jixiang...

Jixiang.

Jixiang.

Jixiang.

Don't trust Chu Guihong.

Your Highness,

go find the crown prince now.

I know.

I know.

Stop talking.

Where are the royal physicians?

Royal physicians...

Where are the royal physicians?

Get me a royal physician!

Jixiang.

Jixiang!

Let go of me!

Jixiang!

Jixiang!

Please don't die,

Jixiang!

I've lost everything.

You're all I have now, Jixiang!

Jixiang!

Let go of me!

Jixiang!

Guihong...

Why?

Why?

Why are you doing this to me?

Do you have something to do with Father being poisoned?

Answer me.

Answer me now!

Give me an answer!

Xuanjia Army is here executing

the crown prince's order to take the Eighteenth Prince away!

General Chu,

free the prince now.

Release him.

Your Highness,

what should we do

in this critical moment?

I beg for your instructions.

The Ministry of Justice has interrogated the red tangerine vendor.

The eunuchs guarding outside the Emperor's bed chamber and Liu Mingxi

have all given their statements.

It is proven that the Eighteenth Prince

personally fed those tangerines to the Emperor.

This...

This is solid evidence.

Your Highness.

What's the situation like?

Your Highness,

the royal physicians have carefully examined

the poison found in the Eighteenth Prince's residence

by Qianyu Army.

It is identical to the poison in the red tangerines.

I'm asking about the Emperor!

His Majesty is unconscious

with shallow breaths now.

According to Physician Qin,

this poison is highly toxic.

It is likely...

It is likely to endanger His Majesty's life!

Go tell Physician Qin

to save the Emperor's life

with whatever potent drugs

or by any means necessary.

I'll bear all the consequences

that may lead to.

Yes.

Here comes the crown prince.

Your Highness.

Your Highness!

Your Highness,

there are witnesses and physical evidence.

The Eighteenth Prince Nan Rui is a rebel who attempted to murder the Emperor.

This is an unpardonable offense.

Your Highness must punish him severely.

Yes.

The court is in turmoil now.

Danger is lurking around.

Your Highness must take decisive measures now,

or the court will be mortally disturbed

and the country deeply shaken...

Shut up!

Nan Rui is my brother.

No one knows him

better than I do.

No matter who asks me,

be it an official, a citizen,

or anyone else,

I'll give the same answer.

That is, Nan Rui can't be the culprit.

Do you hear me?

Your Highness,

should the Ministry of Justice

investigate this case or not?

Keep investigating it,

till the truth is revealed.

Yes.

What are the odds?

Shortly after Nan Heng fell ill,

the Emperor was poisoned.

How could it have been done by Nan Rui?

Your Highness!

The royal kitchen has sent you food three times.

Please eat something.

No, I don't have an appetite.

There must be hidden secrets.

Even so,

you can't proceed with the case

with an empty stomach.

Word from the royal medical office

says the Emperor might die tonight.

When the crown prince ascends the throne,

there will be many issues

for Your Highness to attend to.

Ascend the throne?

How could I forget about this?

By the time the hostage situation happens,

Nan Heng has become the new emperor.

Nan Heng!

[A Dream of Qingning] [Scene 19, Episode 37]

You don't deserve the throne

for persecuting faithful officials

and committing regicide and patricide!

If you want to save these women,

then take your own life right here!

How dare you threaten me?

Zhixia,

where is Shangguan He?

He has gone to the Song Residence to pick up Miss Yiting.

Have someone deliver him a message.

Tell him to protect Yiting

and to stay close to her.

Do you get it?

Go do it now!

Yes.

Yingqiu,

go borrow a Xuanjia troop for me.

I have something to do outside the palace.

Yes.

Jixiang...

couldn't make it.

As for the Emperor,

Physician Qin has done his best.

I'm afraid

Father won't make it through the night.

I believe you are innocent.

I'll also get to the bottom of this case for you.

But before the truth is out,

you must stay here,

in case anyone stirs up chaos again.

Do you hear me?

It is you who caused

this dire situation.

Who are you showing

this self-defeating attitude to?

Heng.

Don't go.

You gave me advice before.

So did Jixiang.

But I still chose to believe Guihong.

What happened in the end?

Father is dying because of me.

Jixiang lost his life also because of me.

They are the ones

who care most about me.

Don't you think

I should just die?

At this point,

what's the use of saying all this?

Will the situation be improved

because you beat yourself up?

What can I do now?

Look at me.

I'm a giant failure!

A giant failure!

I've never

accomplished anything in my life.

I've never done anything right.

I'm stupid and ignorant.

I caused Jixiang's death.

Father is dying because of me.

Why must they die?

Shouldn't I be the one to die?

Why?

Why?

Why?

Why? Why? Why?

Why must they die?

Why?

Why?

Would anything change if you died?

Could it bring Jixiang back to life?

Could it cure Father?

Listen, Nan Rui.

If there's any resolution left in you,

then pull yourself together

and stand with me

to solve the crisis.

But...

I'm seen as a perpetrator now.

What exactly can I do?

All you need to do now

is think about

if there has been anything suspicious

since you bought the red tangerines,

so you can prove your innocence.

What's more,

I need you now.

I need you to work the problems out

and to bring Father back to health with me.

Do you understand?

Heng,

can I make it?

You're a prince of Great Jing

and my brother.

I believe you can make it.

Do you hear me?