01x05 - Episode 5

[bunniefuu]

[A Dream Within A Dream]

[Episode 5]

Your Highness, have you
been sitting here all this while?

She has left.

Our agent is following her. It'll be fine.

Your Highness, don't you
think you should get changed?

As for what happened today,

do not tell anyone about it.

Yes, Your Highness.

But I don't understand something.

Why did you do what you did today?

I wish to know the cause as well.

I wish to know how Song Yi Meng is related to me.

So, Your Highness, you didn't try
to k*ll Song Yi Meng and save her

at the very last moment of your own accord, huh?

She must be a witch.

But I...

This won't do.

I need to head to Mount Longhu
and hire some celestial Taoists...

Look at the state I'm already
in. Stop making me angry.

Yes, Your Highness.

I thought something was off when
we were at the Imperial Garden.

Initially, I wanted to k*ll her
amidst the chaos in the forest

and frame Chu Gui Hong for it.

I didn't expect it to end up like this.

But now, it seems like

whenever Song Yi Meng is in danger,

no matter where I am,

I'll go to her rescue uncontrollably.

So, Your Highness, according to you,

not only can we not deal with her,

but we also have to be wary so
that people won't use her against us.

If Prince Nan Rui and Chu Gui Hong find out,

- we'll...
- That's why you have to keep this a secret.

Yes, Your Highness.

And, we have to find a solution as soon as possible.

But Song Yi Meng is Chu Gui Hong's fiancée after all.

If they're in cahoots, we...

You're right.

If Chu Gui Hong remains in the
capital, he'll always be a threat to us.

What about this?

Summon Yao Qian, the imperial censor.

Yes, Your Highness.

Stop right there.

You may pass.

Other people enjoy themselves
when they travel into a novel or script.

But me? I face all kinds of suffering.

Why am I so unlucky?

The capital is strict with checking access.

Why did you stop me?

How many times have I told you before?

The gatekeepers have to keep their eyes peeled.

Don't you know the person who was behind the girl?

That's the commandant of the Armored
Soldiers. He serves Seventh Prince.

You mean the girl who passed
us just now was Song Yi Meng?

I think she came from the prince's residence.

It's this late, yet the two of them were together?

Seems like there's something going on.

Cousin, you should take a hot water
bath and relax when you get back.

If you feel unwell, just tell me.

- What about this? I'll go back and...
- Meng!

- Chu Gui Hong?
- Meng.

What's with the...

I'm fine. I'm totally fine.

You...

Are you out of jail?

This time, I'm officially released.

That's great.

It's good as long as that evil Nan
Heng isn't putting you on the spot.

Don't worry about me.

Speak for yourself.

He took you away after we met in the morning.

I was worried about you.

Let me see. He didn't bully you, did he?

I'm fine.

I'm fine.

- General, Chu, you must...
- Meng.

Since when were we this distant?

If so...

I'll call you Hong.

Hong,

Nan Heng is cruel and
vicious. He's hard to deal with.

You were finally released
from prison after so long.

You should stop going against him in court, okay?

Meng, tell me the truth.

He did bully you today, didn't he?

[Indeed.]

[The second male lead is always the fan favorite.]

[They're the best.]

- Isn't this the...
- This auspicious jade piece

was granted to me by my aunt,
the late empress, when I was born.

It kept me safe while I was on the b*ttlefield.

We're going to get married soon. I'll give it to you.

May it protect my beloved in the future.

Even if it's Nan Heng, he doesn't
dare to act recklessly when he sees this.

But you're giving it to me.

What about you?

I have the scented pouch you gave me.

That was what sustained me during the dark days

in the imperial prison.

But your gift is so precious.

The scented pouch I make is cheap.

If so, you should make more of them for me.

Let me hang them on my waist.

Wherever I go, people will smell them.

This way, everyone will know

that your man has arrived. Is that okay?

You finally smiled.

You're so beautiful.

When General Chu sees Miss Song,

he's just like a peacock spreading its tail.

Miss Song.

Greetings, Your Highness.

You and my cousin have been engaged since young.

Marriage is supposed to be
an affair between two families.

Only death will do them part.

But now, my cousin's career has been affected.

People have been spreading
rumors of you and Nan Heng as well.

Does this marriage still count?

Your Highness, that's our personal affair.

But I'm your cousin.

Even so, you're still an outsider.

Cousin!

Your Highness,

in this world,

the person I'm least likely to
get involved with is Nan Heng.

Forget about being a couple.

We can't even be normal friends.

It's because no one knows how much

of a two-faced devil he is better than me.

Therefore, Your Highness, don't worry.

As long as Hong doesn't abandon me,

I'll never let him down.

Miss Song, I never expected
you to be this sincere and devoted.

Excellent!

Not at all. Those were my heartfelt words.

If you guys like that, I can continue.

Sure.

Meng, that's enough.

It's already late. Let's go.

Your Highness, see you again.

You guys are leaving already?

They're a match made in heaven.

Excellent.

[Laiyi Abode]

Be gentle!

That hurts.

Young Lady, you rushed out just like that.

And, you came back injured.

You've never suffered such
grievances since young, you know?

My life was supposed to be fine, yet
I got involved with the God of k*lling.

Listen, I won't be able to live for long.

I might die very soon.

Don't spout nonsense like that.

That hurts!

- It hurts.
- Hey, I'm the one who's wounded.

Why are you shouting?

Your Highness, you may be wounded,

but my heart is broken!

You've never suffered such
grievances since young, you know?

That's enough.

It hurts!

[According to the plot,]

[Nan Heng is plotting against everyone]

[in order to be the next heir apparent.]

[He tried to k*ll Chu Gui Hong in Mumian Forest]

[so that he could get rid of
Prince Nan Rui's trusted aid.]

[He tried to k*ll me amidst the
chaos so that he could silence me.]

[I know that much.]

[If so, why was he trying to
save me after trying to k*ll me?]

[Could this be one of the Script Mechanisms?]

So, even if it wasn't written in the script,

the law of the male lead rescuing
the female lead still stands, huh?

[Nan Heng, Song Yi Meng]

[Script Mechanism]

If that's the case, Nan Heng won't be able to k*ll me.

Yes!

This is great!

Mr. Scriptwriter, thank you so much.

You've finally done something humane for once.

Thank you so much.

[According to the script, Nan
Heng picks on Chu Gui Hong.]

[He was wounded, stripped
of his position, and framed.]

[In the end, after Nan Heng ascends the throne,]

[Chu Gui Hong storms the palace
with the remaining Qianyu Army.]

[However, he fell for Nan Heng's ambush.]

[Dream of Qingning, Episode 36 Scene 6]

Chu Gui Hong,

I've ex*cuted most of the Qianyu Army.

These are the men you have left.

You still intend to go against
my Armored Soldiers, huh?

You don't know what's good for you.

Nan Heng, you traitor.

You m*rder*d your father, usurped the throne,

and k*lled your own siblings!

You don't deserve

to sit on the throne!

Today,

I shall hunt you down on the people's behalf!

Hunt me down?

You stormed the palace with your soldiers.

To the people,

this is a rebellion. This is a joke.

I'm merely k*lling you in the name of justice.

Chu Gui Hong,

your woman is a part of my harem now.

I've k*lled your brothers as well.

Now, I shall take your life.

If you want to blame someone for this,

you should blame yourself for
picking the wrong side from the start.

Young Lady, as per your
instructions, it's time for your tonic.

You startled me.

Xia, you're so nice to me.

But don't you think these tonics

are a bit excessive?

Not at all.

The Lantern Festival is nearing.

People used to say that having
ginseng during the Lantern Festival

would ensure a smooth year ahead.

What did you say just now?

The Lantern Festival?

[Iconic Scenes]

[2: Rescuing the damsel in
distress during the Lantern Festival]

[Yao Qian]

The evening breeze stirs the
candle's deep-shadowed glow.

His Highness leans over the
desk, resting not upon a pillow.

At half past the second watch,

when neither roosters crow nor dogs bark,

Your Highness, may I know why you've summoned me?

Just come inside.

I stationed you at the Imperial Censorate

so that you could keep an eye
on what's happening in the palace.

You should know

that I dislike useless individuals.

I deserve to die!

I deserve to die for my incompetence!

Your Highness, please give me one more chance.

I'll surely give it everything I have.

I shall work tirelessly, day and
night, just like you, Your Highness!

I'll definitely gather all evidence

of Chu Gui Hong's crimes
without omitting any of them!

All right.

I'll give you another chance.

You should know what to do for
tomorrow's morning court session.

Yes, Your Highness.

His Majesty has arrived!

Long live Your Majesty!

All of you may rise.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

Father.

Rui, do you have a memorial to submit?

Father, in my opinion, although
the Qianyu Army did suffer defeat,

Chu Gui Hong has rendered
military merit for many years.

He's an excellent general.

How can we make him bear an empty title?

Therefore, Father, I hereby request you

to reinstate Chu Gui Hong's position

and let him command the Qianyu Army again

so that we can conquer Heyuan.

Let him command the Qianyu Army again?

Who else besides General
Chu could hold such a position?

But didn't he just lose in a w*r?

Yeah.

How could we employ a general who had lost before?

Young Lady.

How did it go?

I've handed your scented
purse to Rong Hua, his attendant.

He's quite tall and muscular.

But when you look at him
from the front, he resembles...

Did I ask you about Rong Hua?
He's not the main point here.

I'm asking you about Chu Gui
Hong. Has he seen it or not?

He has. It was quite the coincidence.

Right after General Chu finished reading it,

he was summoned to the palace by His Majesty.

Young Lady, what message did you write for him?

General Chu had a weird
expression on his face after reading it.

It's good that he has read it.

Luckily, I remember the plot.

If not...

Heng, what do you mean by this?

You brush off everything I said.

Are you that bent on k*lling my cousin?

Heng,

since you think that the position
mentioned by Rui was inappropriate,

in your opinion,

what kind of position should I grant to Chu Gui Hong?

Your Majesty,

in my opinion, the people's welfare
should be the foremost priority.

If we grant Chu Gui Hong an important
position based on our preference,

we'll be placing personal
interests above public duty.

You're saying that appointing
someone suitable for the task

is placing personal interests above public duty.

Does that mean we have to omit
everyone except for the royals and nobles?

Is that considered prioritizing
the people's welfare?

Your Majesty, you must be joking.

Zhou Gong's humility and devotion
to recruiting talents is impressive.

Your Majesty, it's our dream to
recruit all the talents in the world

for you and our state.

Your Majesty,

Chu Gui Hong held quite a reputation
among the common people before this.

But after the Battle of Pingrong,

tens of thousands of our soldiers
had perished because of him.

Countless people in the three
border cities were slaughtered.

Now, he no longer holds a good
reputation among the people.

I'm afraid the people will
be disappointed if we do so.

Your Majesty!

- Greetings, Your Majesty.
- Spare the formalities.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

Your Highness,

how did you conclude that I was
notorious among the common people?

Naturally, it's through the
investigation of the Imperial Censorate.

Your Majesty,

please summon the imperial censor

and allow him to bring folds of Chu
Gui Hong's impeachment into the court.

Please let him explain everything.

Why are you doing this? You
actually came prepared, huh?

Summon him.

Your Highness,

may I know how long will it take for
the folds of impeachment to arrive?

Yeah, Heng. It's almost the hour of Wu.

Don't tell me you ordered your
men to write the folds on the spot.

Your Highness, something's off.

Should we put this on hold?

Seems like I'm hungry now.

I know it's important for talents to
be utilized for the sake of the state.

However, Father's health is even more important.

If we keep on waiting,

I suppose our lunch will turn into dinner.

Enough.

Since you all have no objections to
the reinstatement of Chu Gui Hong,

I shall appoint him as the Capital Magistrate,

also known as the Commanding General,

to take charge of the Qianyu
Army and guard the capital.

He may act with discretion and
flexibility if the situation is urgent.

He may bring his sword with him
to the palace and meet me directly.

Congratulations, General Chu.

No.

Now, I should address you as
Commanding General and Capital Magistrate.

Now that I hold important
positions, I dare not slack off.

In the future, I hope you all

- will guide me.
- Your Highness.

Lord Yao was blindfolded and beaten up just now.

He was dumped at an abandoned
mine in the western suburbs.

When we arrived, the crime scene was all cleaned up.

There's no need to investigate it.

I'm sure it's the work of Chu Gui Hong.

But I don't understand

how he managed to track down Yao Qian.

Your Highness, our men were
keeping an eye on Miss Song last night.

She encountered Chu Gui Hong on her way back.

This morning, her maidservant
visited the Chu family in secret.

Don't you think they're...

Lord Song.

Come. Please have a seat.

I remember that your favorite
snack was this Crystal Jelly

when you visited us when you were a kid.

Hurry and try them.

Yes, sir.

It's also Meng's favorite snack.

She loved to steal mine

when she was young.

That was rude of me.

Lord Song, please forgive me.

Not at all.

Your father and I have been
great friends for many years.

You and Meng have been engaged since young.

Naturally, I see you as my own son.

There's no need to be courteous.

- Your knife.
- My Lord.

It's dull.

Yes. I'll sharpen it when I head back.

[Song Residence]

Your Highness, Chu Gui Hong is here as well.

Young Lady, I thought you feared Seventh Prince.

He's already at our doorstep.
Why aren't you flustered at all?

I knew that he would come after I
delivered the message to Chu Gui Hong.

Don't worry. He cannot k*ll me now.

I do not fear him.

- Your Highness.
- Your Highness.

How could you serve our esteemed guest

such lowly tea?

Ying Qiu, bring me the
top-quality ginseng tea I have.

- Yes, Young Lady.
- Zhi Xia.

Where are the snacks?

You have to prepare both
sweet and savory snacks for him.

Hurry. Bring them here.

Go now.

Your Highness, please wait a moment.

Your tea will be served soon.

My goodness.

Look at how reddish his ears are.

Fu Gui, I'm not trying to criticize you here.

But you have to be better at serving your master.

The weather is cold, yet you didn't
even prepare a mink coat for him.

You should've done your job.

Here, Your Highness.

You can warm your hands with this.

Please warm yourself up.

Fu Gui, leave the room.

Leave.

Just leave.

Let me ask you this.

Have you met Chu Gui Hong?

Indeed.

Chu Gui Hong and I are engaged.

Do I need to report our meeting to you?

What? Your Highness, can't I
get married when I'm serving you?

How dare you speak to me in such an erratic manner?

Don't you fear me?

I do.

I'm terrified of you.

I'm so terrified of you.

Your Highness, here's a knife.

Hurry and take my life.

Oh, my goodness. I forgot.

I think you cannot k*ll me.

No matter how hard you try,

in the end, you'll only hurt yourself.

By the way, Your Highness,

do the three wounds on your
back still hurt from the darts?

Night Wandering Gods?

Sounds like a pugilist organization.

Indeed.

I heard that they were
originally a group of pugilists.

Three years ago, they were recruited
and trained by a mysterious figure.

Now, they're a group of elite pugilists.

The leader of the Night
Wandering Gods is quite resourceful.

This person secretly formed the
Night Wandering Gods internally

and used the Fading River
Moon Guild Hall to pave the way

for operations in inns,
gambling dens, and taverns.

Whatever that can't be done out in the open,

it's possible within the
walls of Fading River Moon.

I've heard of it before as
well when I was imprisoned.

Fading River Moon is located in a
place teeming with all sorts of people.

All hell breaks loose at night.

And, they do the unspeakable from time to time.

The so-called Guild Hall might just be

a cover used by the Night Wandering Gods.

That's why the imperial
court is fretting over them.

My Lord, you mean...

Wise boy,

you need to learn

to hear the wind

and yet, not hear the wind when it blows.

My Lord, thank you for your guidance.

I didn't say much.

Indeed.

My Lord, you said nothing.

I just figured something out by myself.

If I'm able to identify the leader of the guild

and the motives of the Night Wandering Gods,

I'll render a huge merit.

It'll be greatly beneficial to Prince Nan Rui

and my career in the future.

I was wondering why you weren't afraid of me.

So, you figured that out, huh?

However,

the two maidservants just now,

their names are Ying Qiu and Zhi Xia, right?

I heard that you three grew up together.

I may not be able to k*ll you.

But I can k*ll them with a lift of my finger.

A villain will always be a villain.

They love to blackmail
people with their weaknesses.

Zhi Xia and Ying Qiu never did anything to you.

Won't your conscience be in pain

if you involve them in our feud?

What do you mean by this?

Your Highness, can't you tell?

All of these are loaded with poison arrows.

She's aiming at herself.

What are you up to?

What am I up to?

I want you to take off your clothes,

kneel, and call me Daddy Client.

Do you have a death wish?

- What Daddy?
- What do you mean?

Of course I'm referring to the esteemed clients.

Will you take off your clothes or not?

You're not willing, huh?

I'm a prince.

I'll only kneel to Heaven and
Earth, the emperor, and my kin.

I won't kneel in front of anyone else.

Change it.

Fine.

You can do something simpler.

Take off your clothes and call me Boss.

Once all of these arrows fire,

no matter how noble you are,
you'll still be riddled with holes.

I...

Fine. I'll do it.

What's taking you so long?

Where's your belt? Take that off as well.

Princes like you all

wear so many layers of clothing.

Isn't that exhausting?

Don't stare at me like that.

Listen, Nan. I'm not trying to
take advantage of you here.

I'm teaching you how to be a good person.

I'm teaching you how to respect people.

Don't think that you can get your
way just because you're the male lead.

What did you call me just now?

Did you just call me Nan?

You don't say?

You expect me to call you Song?

This is a warning.

Stop approaching me.

Where did all of that arrogance go?

Didn't you tell me to take off my clothes

and kneel in front of you?

Fine.

I'll take it off too.

Now, you're afraid.

Even if you take off your clothes, I won't...

Song Yi...

Your Highness, I beg your pardon?

Say that again.

Come on, Your Highness.

You're a girl. Where did you get all this stuff?

Of course I have to be prepared
when dealing with a devil like you.

Are you seeing this? It's a b*mb.

Once I light the fuse,

you'll be blown to bits.

Aren't you afraid that you might perish as well?

Save your breath.

Agree to my condition.

If not, I'll perish together with you right now.

What condition?

Allow me to be married to Chu Gui Hong.

Impossible.

Shut up.

I haven't uttered a single word yet.

I'm sure you have nothing good to say.

Young Lady said Seventh Prince was an evil person.

Since you serve him, I'm sure you're evil too.

How am I evil just because he's evil?

Ying Qiu, Zhi Xia, is Meng inside?

- Is Nan Heng here too?
- No!

- He's not!
- Impossible!

Chu Gui Hong?

Say,

your fiancé is right outside.

What if he sees us in this state?

What will he think of us?

- What are you up to?
- What do you think?

No!

- Get up!
- Don't move!

I won't let you leave!

Song Yi Meng, you better get up!

I won't!

Don't move!

Song Yi Meng!

Chu Gui...

I told you to keep quiet! Are you deaf?

Chu Gui...

[Scream all you like. You
won't be able to make a sound.]

[I'll stop criticizing TV dramas again.]

[This move is indeed
effective at the right moment.]

What are you guys doing?

You see, the two of them are stopping you.

Let go of me.

Tell your master

that he can come at me regarding state affairs.

Tell him to stay away from Meng.

Hong? Why are you here?

Meng?

Hong, let's admire the flowers in the garden.

- Let's go.
- Meng?

- Let's go.
- But Meng...

Meng.

[A Few Moments Ago]

That was the third time.

What do you mean by "third time?"

Your Highness,

don't tell me you're dwelling on
these thoughts at home every day.

I guess so.

We first kissed at the Imperial Garden.

We kissed again under the residence's lake.

And now, this is the third time we've kissed.

It's fine. You're a man. You
should be more open-minded.

A kiss is a kiss.

At least I'm pretty, you know?

Shut up!

Your Highness, when you tell me to shut up,

were you telling me to shut my mouth with yours?

Don't be so petty.

It's not like you're that handsome.

- Why are you so fierce?
- Stop it.

Listen up.

Hand me the things I want in three days,

and I'll let you get married to him.

If not,

I can repeat what I did in Mumian Forest 100 times.

I may not be able to hurt you,

but I have plenty of ways to
make Chu Gui Hong beg for death.

But,

don't you think three days are too short?

Why don't we negotiate a deal?

- What about five days?
- Two.

- That's no fun.
- One day.

Fine. Two days it is.

But Your Highness,

can you please leave through that window

when you leave later?

Over there.

Your Highness, aren't we
here to deal with Song Yi Meng?

Don't you think you're giving her
too much respect by leaving like this?

She even made you climb through
the window and use the back exit.

Your Highness, you...

What's with that?

Did Song Yu De invite Chu Gui Hong here?

Yes, he did.

They had a long chat in the study room.

Seems like the Song family intends to participate

in the fight for the heir apparent's position.

If we don't get rid of Song Yi Meng now,

she'll become a huge threat in the future.

Your Highness, Song Yi Meng is crafty and cunning.

And now, you're at her mercy.

How can we...

Although I cannot k*ll her,

that doesn't mean I cannot deal with her.

Tell Fading River Moon

that it's time for them to prove their worth.