A Dream Within a Dream
When Song Xiaoyu is unexpectedly pulled into a scripted world as a tragic heroine fated to be discarded by the villainous male lead, she tries to escape, only to be trapped in an endless loop of fatal outcomes each time she strays from the plot. No matter how hard she resists, the story keeps pushing her toward Nan Heng, the cold and calculating lead. As she navigates this paper-thin world where every character is bound by fate, Song Xiaoyu must fight not just for her survival, but for control over her own story.
Episodes
During the script-reading for a period drama, Song Xiaoyu feels that it's unfair for Song Yimeng, the female lead. On the other hand, a click on the keyboard sends Song Xiaoyu into the script of Dream of Qingning.
After crossing over into Song Yimeng's body, Song Xiaoyu is surprised to find out that she has arrived six months before her wedding. It seems she now has enough time to gradually change the course of the story.
Nan Heng jumps into the water as soon as he hears Song Yimeng falling into the water. While Song Yimeng is struggling, she sees Nan Heng who looks exactly like Nan Feng. Her first reaction is to never go through the plot with him.
Song Yimeng doesn't know that Nan Heng is determined to kill her. She tries to bargain for her life with the Duan Blade Technique.
Song Yimeng intends to be on good terms with Chu Guihong, who was just released from prison. She tells him how Nan Heng is going to put him on the spot in the imperial court.
Fading River Moon is a guild hall opened in the capital by Nan Heng three years ago in secret. He has another secret identity, which is...
Shangguan He advises Nan Heng to use his identity as Li Shiliu to get closer to Song Yimeng and sabotage the marriage alliance between the Song and Chu families.
The real and fake Li Shiliu duke it out in Fading River Moon until the real one knocks the mask off of Chu Guihong. Only then could the people see...
Li Shiliu watches as Song Yimeng lets the scroll of the Plan to Kill Heng, covered in writing, slip to the ground. A flicker of tension tightens between his brows.
Nan Heng watches Song Yimeng make a wish sincerely. He tells Song Yimeng that if she can help him get the Duan Blade Technique, no matter what her wish is, he'll help her fulfill it.
Concerned about the raging fire at the oil mill, Li Shiliu leads the members of Fading River Moon into the heart of the blaze to help.
Under the guise of his dual identity, Nan Heng joins Song Yimeng in rebuilding the southern district. In the process, he finally uncovers the reason behind her hatred toward him.
When Nan Heng visits his mother, Noble Consort Gao, he accidentally finds clues about the Duan Blade Technique in her old belongings.
Song Yi Meng is in love with Li Shiliu. She refuses to marry Chu Gui Hong.
The emperor interrogates Song Yimeng for instigating the two princes into starting a conflict. To protect Song Yimeng, Nan Heng barges into the imperial study room and bears the blame.
Li Shiliu pays a secret visit to the Song Residence at late night. As he departs, his striking figure beneath the moonlight catches Song Yiting's eye and sparks her curiosity.
To protect Chu Guihong, the emperor makes a deal with Nan Heng to cancel the marriage between the Song and the Chu families. Nan Heng and Song Yimeng feel happy about the decision but the emperor also grants a marriage between Nan Heng and Song Yimeng.
Song Yimeng wants to kill Nan Heng again. She has made up her mind to protect the Song family from getting wiped out by Nan Heng.
Noble Consort Gao invites a group of noble ladies and their daughters to Fanghua Hall. She says that she's going to help Nan Heng choose a concubine. In reality, she's trying to stir Song Yimeng's feelings for Nan Heng.
To keep her sister from being deceived by Nan Heng, Song Yimeng resolves to take action against him.
Shangguan He tells Li Shiliu everything about the blade and Song Yiting. Li Shiliu wants Shangguan He to disguise himself as Li Shiliu for one last time tomorrow and retrieve the blade.
Zhou Xueyi continues to force Song Yiting to get married. She has had enough and decides to have a union with Li Shiliu when he comes for the sword. Nan Heng dresses up as Li Shiliu to meet her. He then realizes that Song Yiting has lit a drugged incense that causes him to be paralyzed.
The capital is trying to arrest the Night Wandering Gods. Li Shiliu goes to their hiding spot and announces their disbandment. But they think that he's trying to protect them by saving Shangguan He himself. Due to that, they aren't willing to leave.
Learning Shangguan He is going to be executed, Song Yiting asks Song Yimeng for help.
Song Yimeng is stopped by Nan Heng as she leaves the execution ground. She refuses to listen to his explanation and instead demands that he give an answer to the Night Wandering Gods, who were still desperately defending him even on the eve of the execution.
Nan Heng rushes over when he finds out that Song Yimeng is in danger. He fights the men in black despite his injuries.
Song Yimeng hears about Gao Changying's death. Song Yude says that the rumors circulating in the Capital have pinpointed Nan Heng as the culprit. Song Yimeng insists that Nan Heng won't do something like that.
Long and Hu are caught and interrogated by Chu Guihong, who resorts to brutal torture just to make them testify against Nan Heng.
Chu Guihong accuses Nan Heng of ordering the assassination of Luyi. Nan Heng refutes the claim, stating that the testimony is fabricated and that the witnesses can be summoned at any time for cross-examination.
The Gao Residence has been sealed off. His accomplices and everyone in his party are exiled to Han Bei. Nan Heng returns the Tiger Tally of the Armored Soldiers to His Majesty. His Majesty hands him the Crown Prince appointment decree. Nan Heng refuses by saying that he has sinned.
Nan Heng arranges for a proposal at Fading River Moon. However, Song Yimeng rejects him unwillingly after his confession.
Nan Heng brings Song Yimeng to the God of Matchmaker's Temple and vows to protect her and her family. Touched by his confession, Song Yimeng agrees to marry him.
Nan Heng wakes up from his injury. The emperor orders the Eastern Palace to be built on the side of the inner palace for Nan Heng.
Chu Guihong returns to the capital city with King Qian Yu. While Song Yimeng is waiting for Nan Heng at Fanghua Hall, she accidentally runs into King Qian Yu who calls himself the Screenwriter.
Song Yimeng takes King Qian Yu to Fading River Moon to let him experience the interesting place. At the same time, she tries to convince him to respect the characters and allow them to live as they please.
King Qian Yu tells Nan Heng that according to the rule of scripted world, anyone who changes their fate will suffer backlash.
Song Yimeng rushes into King Qian Yu's residence and asks him if he is involved in the poisoning of the emperor and the framing of Nan Rui...
Song Yimeng wakes up from a dream-like death scene. She realizes that she is back at the crown prince's residence. She is thrilled when she sees that Nan Heng is still alive.
Chu Guihong changes his plans. He frames Nan Heng in advance for the poisoned mandarins the Emperor was having. He intrudes upon the Emperor's bedchamber to do the deed.
The group sets up an ambush in the streets to intercept the Qianyu Army. King Qian Yu shows up and persuades the Qianyu soldiers to switch sides.
