01x09 - Episode 9

[bunniefuu]

[A Dream Within A Dream]

[Episode 9]

[King Qian Yu's Residence]

Cousin.

What are you thinking about all alone here?

Rong Hua and the others are fine,
just suffered some minor injuries.

Don't worry. Father will
never let today's events slide.

When Aunt passed,

I thought that was the last time.

When Father died in Pingrong City,

I thought that was the last time too.

I didn't expect that

only upon returning to the capital
would I see what treachery looks like.

Your Highness.

May I entrust you with something?

Come now, is there any need to
say "entrust" between us? Just say it.

I want to access

the records of past Lantern
Festivals from the Ministry of Rites.

Nan Heng doesn't want me to stay in the capital.

Alright, I will show him who gets the last laugh.

Great, Cousin, I'm glad to hear that.

As long as we two work together,
we can overcome anything.

Even 10 or 100 Nan Hengs
wouldn't be our match, right?

Come.

Why does this wine taste like this?

It's nothing compared to the
Fading River Moon's brew.

General, Your Highness.

Why are you here instead of resting?

Look over there.

This is...

This firework is custom-made
by foreign merchants.

I guarantee you've never seen them before.

General, the brothers have made up their minds.

This year at the Lantern Festival,

the Qianyu Army will put on an
unprecedented fireworks show for the people.

We'll let them know that the Qianyu
Army is a dragon on the b*ttlefield,

and a fierce tiger even when
we're guarding the capital.

Tell me.

What brilliant ideas do you two have?

Your Highness, I've said it
before, Song Yi Meng is full of deceit

and absolutely untrustworthy.

Mister Shangguan is
arrogant and self-opinionated.

Because of his twisted and despicable thoughts,

he came up with these unconstructive suggestions,

which led to this situation.

I suggest punishing Mister Shangguan

and keeping him away from Your Highness.

Fu Gui, we've been working
together for three years.

That's going too far.

At least I can help my master solve problems.

What can you do for His Highness?

As his top aide, his closest servant,

you didn't even uncover
Minister Gao's hidden expl*sives.

What good are you to His Highness?

Can you two say something useful?

What good are you two to me?

How dare Minister Gao take
action without my authorization.

If it weren't for my mother, I
would've dealt with him long ago.

Your Highness, you need not worry.

Song Yi Meng's actions

show that she has no doubts
about Your Highness's identity.

I think you can write to her
under the identity of Li Shi Liu

and ask her to come meet you with a detailed plan.

You're right. Song Yi Meng wants to k*ll me.

Let's see if she's got what it takes.

[Three Days Later, Song Residence]

Young Lady.

At least have some breakfast, right?

I don't have time to eat.

Today is my big day to conquer fate.

Either I'll lie down in triumph,
or I'll lie down six feet under.

Meng.

- General Chu. - Meng, where are you going?

Why are you in such a hurry?

I'm going to meet Warrior Li.

To meet Li Shi Liu?

How did you get here before me?

Can someone explain to me what's going on here?

General Chu, why don't you explain

why you're so flamboyantly dressed today?

You're no better.

Changing clothes and adding gold thread to them.

What's the point, though?

Fading River Moon operates
a wide variety of businesses.

As the owner of Fading River Moon,

what's so strange about me
changing a few sets of clothes?

Alright. Can you two stop
bickering every time you meet?

Be more magnanimous, you're both men.

Okay?

Meng, do you like men who are humble?

It's not about liking or...

- Surely she won't like someone who shows up uninvited.
- Warrior Li.

My fiancée is meeting someone of unknown origin.

How can I be at ease if I don't come?

If there isn't even basic trust between you two,

even if you get married,
you'll be a resentful couple.

You're overstepping.

A loser still dares to speak so arrogantly.

Stop.

Have you two forgotten why we're here today?

To assassinate Nan Heng.

If anything goes wrong, not just the three of us,

but the Song family, the Qianyu Army,

and even the Night Wandering Gods will all die.

I don't mind if you two dress
so flamboyantly every day.

But can you at least focus on the task?

Can you?

Alright, back to business.

Next, let's talk about...

[The Plan to k*ll Nan Heng]

The plan to k*ll Nan Heng.

Nan Heng.

I know this person very well.

He's meticulous, but extremely suspicious.

If we want to k*ll him in one strike,

we must not reveal the slightest hint.

The first step is to lure him away
from Armored Soldiers' protection

and take him to a pre-arranged location.

For the location,

I suggest choosing the Biyu River.

The Biyu River runs through
the city and is always crowded.

Even if the assassination fails, we
can blend into the crowd and escape.

k*lling is definitely your specialty.

I'll be responsible for luring Nan Heng away.

I'll tell him I've heard news
of Duan Blade Technique

and ask him to meet to discuss it.

He'll surely agree.

As for you, Chu Gui Hong...

I can have Qianyu Army hold back Armored Soldiers

to ensure no one comes to rescue him.

Brilliant!

Now we come to the most important part.

How to assassinate him.

Good!

Who is that courtesan?

She's so beautiful.

That's the eldest daughter of the Song family.

She's gorgeous.

Nice!

She's looking at me.

Nice!

You're here, Your Highness.

Woman, you're playing with fire.

Didn't you say you had information
about Duan Blade Technique?

And now you're putting on this show.

What is your intention?

It wouldn't be fun if I told you.

However, before we get down to business,

I would like to

do something interesting

with Your Highness first.

You little enchantress. Are you trying to k*ll me?

Don't rush, Your Highness.

It's not very convenient with so many people here.

I object!

Brother, I just got into character.

Meng, I don't think this plan is appropriate.

You...

He...

I...

This is absolutely not going to work.

What's wrong with it?

Do you think my performance was too exaggerated?

I'll give you another take.
I'll do a cute version instead.

No need.

Meng, you don't understand men.

Men are not as simple as you think,

especially a despicable man like Nan Heng.

If he has malicious intentions,

what if he acts improperly towards
you before you even make your move?

- If he... - Chu Gui Hong, don't be ridiculous.

Who is Nan Heng?

He's a prince.

He's seen all kinds of women.

Do you think he's just a lecher
who loses his mind over beauty,

and can't move his feet when
he sees a young girl dancing?

Aren't all men like that?

All men are like that.

Meng, I'm not like that.

Regardless of whether Nan Heng is a scoundrel,

I cannot let Meng put herself in danger.

Assassination is fraught with peril.

I think we should temporarily set it aside,

reconsider it and find another method.

Reconsider what?

Count the days.

How many days are left until the Lantern Festival?

Why are you looking at him like that?

Do you still not trust Warrior Li at this point?

Meng, you've misunderstood.

- It's not that I don't trust him.
- Do you think I'm deaf?

Alright, let's have General Chu tell us.

How do you want to k*ll him?

- I... - Go ahead.

I have known Nan Heng for many years.

I know well that he's cunning and full of schemes.

As the saying goes, warfare is the art of deception.

Too much planning only makes
it easier for him to see through it.

If we're really going to act,

perhaps we should take the opposite approach.

Sunflower seeds, get your sunflower seeds!

Fresh buns...

Just out of the steamer!

Calligraphy and paintings for sale!

Top-quality works!

Fu Gui.

When did the capital become this crowded?

Understood.

The Seventh Prince is passing
through. Clear the way now!

Get out of here!

Get lost! Move!

Stay off to the side!

Your Highness, are you satisfied?

This way, please.

Go now.

[Expanded version of Qianyu Zhanyue Blade]

It's you.

All past grudges will be settled today.

Nan Heng, I'm sorry to k*ll you,

but tonight...

I have to take your life.

Protect me!

Fu Gui!

Don't k*ll me...

Whatever you want, I'll give
it to you. Just don't k*ll me.

Whatever you want, I'll give
it to you. Just don't k*ll me!

Enough!

So this is the image you all have of Nan Heng?

- Is there a problem with that?
- Is there a problem with that?

Know yourself and your enemy,
and you'll never lose the battles.

If he really were such a coward as you say,

how could he have survived in
the imperial court all this time?

You wouldn't understand even if I told you.

He's the male lead. He can escape death,

turn misfortune into good fortune,

and he has plot armor.

What is a male lead?

How do I explain it?

- Let me put it this way... - Alright.

Are we k*lling him or not? If so, then follow my plan.

What brilliant plan do you have?

Haven't you always suspected
that I'm related to Nan Heng?

Would you even listen to my idea?

Let's do this.

The assassination location
will still be the Biyu River.

Qianyu Army will be responsible
for patrolling the capital.

In order to prevent accidents
during the Lantern Festival,

Armored Soldiers will surely be
deployed to the palace for security,

leaving Nan Heng lightly
guarded during his outing.

At that time, Miss Song, just find any excuse

to lure Nan Heng onto the pleasure boat.

Nice.

Let's do another one!

Your Highness, you sure can hold your liquor.

Nice!

Nice!

- Come. - Come.

Who are you?

The one here to send you on your way.

I don't even know how this happened.

Seventh Prince was such a good man.

Who could possibly have an enmity with him?

I feel awful.

Miss Song, please accept our condolences.

This wasn't your fault.

- Let's go. - So sad...

It's over.

Brilliant.

Truly brilliant.

This is a great plan.

Everything from the action to the
cleanup is already thought through.

Working with a true hero
really puts the mind at ease.

You know so much about Nan Heng,
the city's defenses, even the palace.

I must say, I'm impressed.

If I didn't know better, I'd think
you once served the imperial court.

How could I manage Fading River
Moon without knowing these things?

With a hero like you on our side,
our odds of success have soared.

Once Nan Heng is dead,

all our troubles will be resolved.

Come on.

The plan to k*ll Nan Heng officially begins.

Goodbye, Warrior Li.

Goodbye.

Only Miss Song could get our boss to act through

an entire day of charade.

What's wrong? Why aren't you saying anything?

If you don't say anything, I'll take that as a yes.

It's a yes.

A yes to this love.

Get back to business.

The smelting room is ready for your inspection.

In the future, don't stand
so close when you talk to me.

Then don't hit me so hard next time.

Will melting half of the Qianyu Zhan Yue Blade work?

Won't know till we try.

Why is it so brittle?

Our blades still aren't up to par.

We've been researching sword forging
for years and still made no progress.

Should we invite some more
smelting masters from Jiangnan?

Haven't we invited enough
masters these past few years?

Without the proper method,

it seems it's still impossible to succeed.

Let's send someone to
infiltrate the military camp again.

No need.

Only Chu Gui Hong knows Duan Blade Technique now.

We'll need to rethink the plan.

By the way,

are we still going with the
original assassination plan?

Everything will proceed as planned,

but not exactly as planned.

That makes no sense.

What do you mean?

You just told me not to stand so close when talking.

Cut the nonsense.

Are you kidding me? It won't work.

Don't worry, it's almost certain.

- But I... - Chu Gui Hong is now extremely wary of me.

If I don't give him a heavy dose of misdirection,

he'll never drop his suspicion toward Li Shi Liu.

What's with you? You look really bothered.

Meng.

Actually, I wasn't telling
the truth at the Hall today.

From my very first fight with Li Shi
Liu, I was suspicious of him already.

Today, during our discussion
about the assassination plan,

he knew every detail about Nan
Heng like the back of his hand.

Don't you think all this is very strange?

So you've been acting all day today?

Come on.

Jing people don't deceive Jing people, alright?

- You... - Fine.

Even if it's just a coincidence, we're
talking about assassinating a prince.

At best, it's imprisonment.

At worst, it's decapitation and the
extermination of nine generations.

Why would he agree to join the assassination

- after only meeting you a few times? - Wrong.

He didn't agree immediately.

He rejected my proposals multiple times.

So what?

It could all be part of a long con to win your trust.

Or he could be working with Nan
Heng on a much bigger scheme.

That's all your speculation, right, General Chu?

But Li Shi Liu once saved my life.

It's like

when you're walking alone in a pitch-black tunnel,

and suddenly someone shines a light on you

reassures you that everything will be okay,

and tells you not to give up.

So, why can't we trust him?

I know you're just worried I'll be fooled.

But even if there's just a 0.0001%
chance, I have to give it a try.

Because this whole story revolves around Nan Heng.

If we don't break the pattern,
we'll both end up dead.

Do you understand?

Both end up dead?

You mean on the day of the Lantern Festival?

Meng, don't worry.

No matter what happens, I'll protect you.

No. On that day, you just
patrol like usual, nothing more.

If the assassination succeeds,

you and the Eighteenth
Prince will reap the rewards.

If it fails, it's no big deal.

Just make an excuse and stay out of trouble.

Meng.

I'm not worried about
myself. I'm worried about you.

I get it.

I get it.

You're the second male lead.
You'll always stay by my side.

But please trust me,

I have got a trump card.

Nan Heng won't be able to harm me.

Alright, alright. Relax.

The second male lead should
act like a second male lead.

Be charming, gentle, and
supportive of the heroine.

I'm going home now.

- Meng... - Goodbye.

So uncomfortable...

Young Lady Yi Ting.

Mother.

Mother, what's wrong?

I may not have much time left.

Yi Ting.

Could you let me see you married

before I close my eyes?

It's my only wish left.

Mother.

You must have used this same trick
to deceive Father for over 20 years.

It's too obvious. Truly laughable.

Don't you dare move!

Why is my life so miserable?

The daughter I carried for


Just let me die!

Let me die!

- Madam, no! - Madam, no!

Let me die!

Madam, no!

Don't stop me!

If you die, Young Lady Yi Ting will become an orphan.

Madam, she's turned around.

She's turned around.

I knew you still care about me.

I've already scouted it out for you.

During the Lantern Festival,

the Eighteenth Prince will represent His Majesty

and watch from the Imperial Pavilion.

This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

The Lantern Festival is for praying
for the nation, not for matchmaking.

I'm not worried about the fate of Jing at all.

As long as you can get
married, that will be my blessing.

Mother, there's no need to waste your efforts.

There are too many noble households

where men take multiple wives and mistresses,

and women can only endure,

vying for attention in a mess of filth.

But I don't want that life.

If I meet someone who truly understands me,

maybe we'll share poetry and scenery.

If I can't find a kindred
spirit, I'll enjoy life alone.

Why should I need a man?

The Lantern Festival begins.

- Are you alright? - I'm fine. Thank you, sir.

Stay alert, everyone. Don't let your guard down.

Tonight, Prince Nan Rui is
here in His Majesty's place.

Nothing can go wrong.

Yes.

- My Lords. - Your Highness.

It's been a while.

Here's a toast to you both.

Come on.

What time is it?

It's the first watch of Xu hour.

We agreed to act at the start of
Xu hour, and no one has shown up.

And with these two dragging their
feet, they think they can assassinate me?

What a joke.

You've asked several times already tonight.

Why are you in such a hurry to be assassinated?

Awesome.

Your Highness, she's here.

- Here comes the embroidered ball.
- What embroidered ball?

Excuse me...

The ancient version of rush hour is brutal.

Excuse me. Coming through.

Excuse me.

Quick.

Sorry.

It's you.

You did that on purpose.

Wearing all flashy like an embroidered ball.

Are you rushing off to get married?

Do you know how expensive my fabric is?

You even stepped on my dress!

Sorry, I lost my balance and knocked you over.

I can't talk now. I'm looking for someone.

Stop! You think a "sorry" is enough?
Compensate me for the dress.

- You... - Ru Ru.

There are many people here. Don't cause a scene.

I'm helping you.

She's dressed so flamboyantly,
who knows what her intentions are?

What do you want?

Give me this as compensation.

This won't do! Let me give you something else.

- I want this. - This is really not good.

Just give it to me, this is not good.

I want this.

There's an assassin!

Ji Xiang, quick, protect me!

Oh, no.

Your Highness, the plan has changed.

What do we do now?

- No. - Your Highness.

Assassin.

Your Highness, hear me out, I'm not an assassin.

This is just a regular hairpin.

Please believe me.

This is just a misunderstanding.

Misunderstanding? This is a big...

What's going on here?

This is a royal event. So many people are watching.

Why are you making a fuss over a small matter?

- Aren't you ashamed?
- Heng, don't just falsely accuse me.

What did I say? I just wanted
to ask Miss Song a question.

Ask what?

All that education,

and you need to ask others
every time something comes up.

It's not that I want to scold you.

Even a rat has its dignity.

Be more prudent in the future.

I...

You.

Come with me.

I am the chosen one.

I'm the lucky son of fate!

What's wrong with asking questions?

Can't I ask questions?

What did he mean by that rat thing?

What rat? Rat?

Is he insulting me?

I'm the victim!

[How do I lure him to the river now?]

[Would it be too abrupt if I just said it directly?]

[There was already a mishap just now, ]

[and he's cunning and malicious.]

[It would be bad if he saw through it.]

[I already intervened to protect her just now.]

[This move was truly too obvious.]

[I mustn't show any sign I knew ahead of time.]

[I need to make her think of
luring me to the Biyu River herself.]

Lanterns for sale.

Beautiful lanterns! Flower lanterns!

- [How do I bring it up?]
- [How do I bring it up?]

Sugar figurines!

- Blowing sugar figures! - Come and see!

If we keep walking, we'll be out of the city.

You've been quiet. What are you thinking about?

I...

I'm thinking about your heroic
stance when you saved me just now.

You were like a warrior from heaven, brave and bold,

saving me from danger.

Song Yi Meng, since when are you so chatty?

If you have something to say, just say it.

Since you're asking,

I do have something.

Then...

Just say it.

Your Highness...

Your Highness...

You...

Your Highness, your hairline

has moved back a bit since I last saw you.

Hairline?

Hairline.

Young man.

Take your wife to the Biyu
River and release a lantern.

Lanterns for sale!

[Classic romantic drama assist.]

Two taels of silver for a pair
of mandarin duck lanterns.

What kind of lantern is so expensive? Two taels?

They're lucky couple lanterns.

Even Aladdin's lamp isn't that pricey.

Why? Too expensive?

Miss.

I've been married for 40 years.

If you are young and willing to
spend money, good fortune will follow.

You're the Minister's
daughter but you're so stingy.

Take it, I'll buy it for you.

No money?

A man can't even spare two taels?

I've been selling lanterns for 60 years,

and I've never seen anyone as stingy as you.

- No, I... - Give me that.

[Big-eyed Fish Lantern]

[Small-eyed Fish Lantern]

I'm giving it to you.

Here.

Thank you, Granny.

Girl, when choosing a partner,
you must keep your eyes wide open.

Don't worry.

Look at this lantern.

With its squinting eye, doesn't
it look like your stingy self?

- No, I... - I'll give it to you.

May you continue being stingy!

Bye.

Who are you calling stingy?
Who are you calling squinty-eyed?

Your Highness, she didn't say you have small eyes.

Your Highness, let's go before
we miss the lantern release.

Let's go release the lantern.

Come.

You have small eyes. Take it.

Thank you, sir.

It's so pretty.