Subtitles by DramaFever
[Secret of the Three Kingdoms]
[Episode 18]
Your Majesty! Princess Consort Tang sent me to report to you
that Court Adviser Zhao killed himself.
He rammed his body into Man Chong's sword.
Was Guo Jia there as well?
Yes.
We understand. You are dismissed.
I still failed to save him.
From the moment he returned to the capital
he chose death.
No one could have saved him.
So many loyal subjects have died.
Don't you feel anything for them at all?
Your Majesty, do you think that my hands...
are stained with blood?
In the past, these were the hands of a young girl.
I used them to play the zither and pick flowers.
I fed fish and birds with them.
I used them to help my mother with needlework.
I also helped my father hand out porridge and pastries with them.
Until...
Until the late emperor held them.
Since then...
I could no longer see an ordinary world.
These hands...
They can only wield the sword for the imperial family now.
I'm sorry.
I was wrong.
I shouldn't have said those words.
No.
Your Majesty isn't at fault.
It's the turbulent times that can't tolerate Your Majesty's compassion.
Eunuch Zhang and Court Adviser Zhao...
They were both loyal subjects.
They would sacrifice their lives under the late emperor's orders.
However, this time...
the sacrifice they made for Your Majesty is different.
Join me in changing the turbulent times.
Stop sacrificing the innocent.
How?
Are we to tell Cao Cao?
Are we to tell everyone?
Not everyone is like Zhao Yan.
Not everyone will believe in you!
If we wish to defeat Cao Cao, we have to wage a war!
If there's a war, blood is bound to spill!
Lives will be sacrificed!
Your Majesty!
Sima Yi... is right.
Empress, your tears made me realize...
deep down, you're just like me.
Empress, I ask that you trust and assist me.
We'll pacify the turbulent times together.
And then...
I'd like to hear tunes of the zither played by these hands.
General Dong, how have you been?
Libationer Guo, this way, please.
Is this all that the commandant's office can do?
They even had to ask Guo Jia to interrogate me personally.
Why would I need to use instruments of torture?
I've only come here today to catch up on old times with a friend
and ask a few questions.
General Dong.
My men...
You already had them all captured and killed.
My daughter also died at your hands.
As an official of the imperial family, I have nothing to say to you!
What a pity.
You've always kept the imperial family on your mind.
However, you didn't even know that you'd just be their abandoned pawn.
Zhao Yan is dead.
Haven't you killed enough loyal subjects?
Before Zhao Yan died, he was investigating a matter.
It was a bizarre matter.
I believe that General Dong must be well aware of this matter.
This matter is... the truth behind the palace fire.
What truth?
I don't know.
Zhao Yan knew of the truth.
He knew of the truth before he died.
He also knew that the truth was related to His Majesty.
That was why he trespassed into His Majesty's private quarters.
Unfortunately, when he walked out of there
his tongue was sliced off.
Since General won't have the drink...
the deceased can enjoy it.
Zhao Yan, Zhang Yu, and Sun Yi...
And your daughter.
Anyone who came close to finding out the truth is dead.
Don't you find that strange, General Dong?
What do you mean by that?
Yang Xiu betrayed you but His Majesty still holds him in high regard.
Who were you sacrificed for?
The night has yet to come to an end.
General Dong, why don't you give it some thought?
You should know what Minister Steward Kong's temper is like.
After his student left my quarters, he died by the sword of Lord Man.
I couldn't pacify him when he came in such grief and indignation
to impeach you both.
I'm also very curious.
Why was Court Adviser Zhao's tongue sliced off when he left your quarters?
I'm also quite curious.
Why would Libationer Guo lead the guards of the commandant's office
to wait outside the Ministry of Works late at night?
I'm at fault this time.
I'm happy to admit defeat.
If Young Master Yang wishes to lead the palace guards again
why doesn't Your Majesty summon him back?
Libationer Guo, you'd let Young Master Yang lead the palace guards?
The palace guards are yours, Your Majesty.
Your Majesty can decide for yourself.
But now, Dong Cheng confessed that he only rose in rebellion
because Young Master Yang deceived you.
Next time, before Your Majesty recruits anyone
it's best to verify and confirm first.
As for how Dong Cheng confessed, it depends on the commandant's office.
If Your Majesty is concerned that Dong Cheng was tortured into confessing
you can see for yourself.
Libationer Guo would allow me to visit him?
Your Majesty keeps making me feel uneasy today.
Who am I to hold Your Majesty back from wherever you wish to go?
If you wish to visit Dong Cheng
how about summoning Young Master Yang over right away
and arranging transportation?
Sinned subject greets Your Majesty!
General Dong, do rise.
General Dong.
You've suffered for my sake.
I'm incompetent.
Your Majesty trusted me but I let you down!
I deserve to die!
General Dong.
This isn't your fault.
Get up quickly.
Guo Jia has my every action and word under surveillance.
Your Majesty shouldn't have come here.
You rose in rebellion under my decree but unfortunately failed.
Since you were imprisoned, I've been worried about you.
How could I leave you in distress?
My deteriorating body isn't worthy of Your Majesty's grace.
Rest assured, Your Majesty.
Even if my life is at risk, I'll never give Cao Cao any chances.
Your life won't be at risk.
I've come here today to tell you that I'll rescue you.
Man Chong.
It's about that time.
Go and escort His Majesty out of there.
The prison of the commandant's office is indeed as impressive as said.
I thought that finding out about any matter in the world
was but a piece of cake for Libationer Guo.
You didn't have to stoop to such unpleasant tactics.
I'm just too lazy.
I like to assign some tasks to people who don't pay attention.
No wonder you overlooked something so important.
What a pity.
Young Master Yang is referring to your reinstatement?
You won't notice day and night in here.
Why would Libationer Guo even bother pretending to be kind?
Since returning to the capital
you've disassembled His Majesty's confidants
as if pulling out a rotten stump.
You've separated me from His Majesty.
Zhao Yan's death has set you back on your heels.
It's just like making one single mistake at the end of a winning game
and losing everything.
I find that quite a pity as well.
Young Master Yang is certain that the game has come to an end
because you heard that I'm heading back to Guandu?
I'm such a nuisance to Young Master Yang.
It saddens me to know that.
No, no.
Libationer Guo's efforts went down in vain.
When you return in victory, we can bet on another round
with the world as the chessboard and stars as the pawns.
I'll take my leave.
It's unlike Libationer Guo to fly into a rage out of humiliation.
Young Master Yang is so anxious to end this round.
I won't hold you up much longer.
Your Majesty, please come in.
Libationer Guo, what is this about?
I'm sorry for asking Your Majesty to come to such a filthy place.
We might as well get everything done here.
Bring him in!
Young Master...
This is a setup.
Is it?
Deng Zhan was captured by Yuan Shao in Wen County.
Young Master, didn't you send him to contact them for you?
Young Master Yang, how resourceful you are.
It's just that you overlooked something very important.
It's just like making one single mistake at the end of a winning game
and losing everything.
I also find it such a pity.
Young Master...
I've let you down.
This is a setup!
I won't admit to anything.
Libationer Guo.
If you're really going to try this case
don't interrogate them in such a place.
How about a joint trial with the Ministry of Justice
the Censorate, and the Judicial Court of Review.
Why would we make a fuss over such a small case?
It will also make Young Master Yang look bad.
Your Majesty, this way, please.
We'll leave Young Master Yang to catch up with his acquaintance.
Libationer Guo.
Are you going to punish Young Master Yang for colluding with Yuan Shao?
He's been appointed by Your Majesty.
I won't dare to punish him.
However, this is a very serious matter.
We'll have to at least keep him here for an investigation.
He is Grand Commandant Yang's only son.
Libationer Guo, please act in prudence.
Rest assured, Your Majesty.
Take care, Your Majesty.
Yang Xiu should behave this time.
We can't let our guard down yet.
I'm very sorry.
I haven't been able to find any evidence
to prove that Yang Xiu colluded with Yuan Shao.
Libationer Guo, how did you capture that spy?
Deng Zhan was taken away by Yuan Shao's army.
It was good since he could then stay among them.
I had him investigate for me.
Deng Zhan is acting as a spy?
Will Yuan Shao's men trust him?
It's like playing cat and mouse.
I'll let him leak some trivial information.
It's just a small trick.
Libationer Guo is indeed resourceful and astute.
I'll be sure to make Yang Xiu reveal all of the details.
Now that there's a witness acting as solid evidence
even His Majesty won't be able to save him.
No, don't torture him.
There's no need to interrogate him either.
It's useless to torture someone like him.
We might as well just keep him locked up like this.
We'll make them hesitant in taking the next steps.
But...
we'll have to use both carrot and stick on His Majesty.
If you back His Majesty into a corner, what can you gain from it?
But His Majesty is acting without even the slightest scruple.
He promised Dong Cheng to save him.
His Majesty is going to save Dong Cheng?
I overheard him.
Your life won't be at risk.
I've come here today to tell you that I'll rescue you.
That can't be right.
I thought that His Majesty betrayed Dong Cheng.
But His Majesty actually wants to save Dong Cheng?
If he truly means it, he's a bit too naive.
If he's just pretending
hasn't he improved too much in his acting?
It's Yang Xiu's turn.
Guo Jia is too frightening.
I'm really concerned about Young Master Yang's safety
in a place like the commandant's office.
Our plans are already kept as confidential as they can be.
However, when placed before Guo Jia
it's no more than a spider web that's full of loopholes.
Empress, you're...
I haven't practiced in a long time.
My techniques are still a bit rusty.
Would you like to hear me play?
Yang Xiu is arrogant and conceited by nature.
He won't admit to anything.
Guo Jia is sure of it more than anyone else.
It's just an deliberate act of warning.
Your Majesty mustn't panic.
Otherwise, you'll walk into his trap.
The Yang family served as one of the Three Excellencies over four reigns.
They know how to protect themselves.
If we don't take any action, Yang Xiu will mean...
nothing to Guo Jia.
I am still out of practice.
I'll be sure to practice diligently from now on.
Thank you, Empress.
I know what I should do.
It's almost time for my lectures.
Prefect Xun should be here soon.
If the king can have his people enjoy the same pleasure as he does
that is true kingship.
We should end the lecture here.
Your Majesty is clever.
It's a blessing to our nation.
Thank you, Prefect Xun.
If there's no other matter, I'll take my leave now.
Your Majesty, please take care.
Prefect Xun, just a moment.
I have a question that's unrelated to our studies.
Minister Cao and Yuan Shao will soon face each other in war.
Who do you think has the upper hand?
Libationer Guo once told Duke Cao that he had 10 victories over Yuan Shao.
Yuan Shao is defeated by 10 weaknesses.
It should be... Duke Cao who has the upper hand.
Prefect Xun, please be honest with me.
If we are to compare the figures
isn't Minister Cao at a slight disadvantage?
In terms of armed forces
Yuan Shao claims to have 100,000 soldiers.
Duke Cao is outnumbered.
However, Duke Cao has a just cause and the favor of our people.
That's what Yuan Shao can't surpass.
I've heard that Yuan Shao is gathering large numbers of scholars in Ye City
to win over the people.
Prefect Xun, what's your opinion on that?
Yuan Shao tried to win over the gentry
but he still can't surpass Duke Cao's just cause in suppressing rebels.
If I choose to lead the army personally to consolidate Duke Cao's justified cause
how does that sound?
Your Majesty, you mustn't!
"Sons of wealthy families don't sit under the eaves."
It's dangerous on the battlefield.
It's not where the emperor should be!
It's just as I had thought.
I'm just an emperor who is only fit to sit in the palace.
The battlefield...
It still belongs to the two generals.
The capital of Xu...
It still belongs to Prefect Xun and Lord Man.
I'll just remain restricted to my designated area.
Have I been too domineering?
I...
Have I...
Am I too domineering?
Your Majesty...
Do you think...
I am... too domineering?
"They abused me for wearing orchids, and cursed me for plucking orchids."
I have behaved inappropriately.
Please let Duke Cao know that I meant every word I just said.
Yes, Your Majesty.
"They abused me for wearing orchids, and cursed me for plucking orchids."
Empress, did you overhear?
I just told Xun Yu that although Qu Yuan was upright and loyal
he was slandered by treacherous men.
"It was what I have longed for."
"I’ll not regret even if I die several times."
What Your Majesty meant was the latter half of the poem?
I really can't keep anything from my empress.
You won't regret dying for your ambition.
However...
Your Majesty tries to persuade Cao Cao's confidant
with Qu Yuan's "Sorrow of Parting."
Isn't that a bit too naive?
I believe that someone who proposes holding the emperor in power
to control the rebellious subjects
couldn't possibly disregard the imperial family completely.
Having spent these days with him
I think that his conduct is noble and unsullied like the moon.
He couldn't possibly remain unaffected by what I just said.
"It is what I longed for."
"I’ll not regret even if I die several times."
Master, you don't look well.
Why don't you head back to the manor?
I'm fine.
We'll head over to the Imperial Secretariat.
I left you alone all night.
Are you angry at me?
Yesterday and today, Libationer Guo killed without hesitance.
How very impressive.
Why would you need any affection?
Don't you pity me for running around all night cold and starving?
The beauty is still the most thoughtful one.
You even prepared breakfast.
Come, we'll have it together.
Report!
Libationer Guo, it's urgent!
- Leave it. - Yes.
I'll do it.
See to that serious matter first.
You're the only serious matter.
What urgent report is this?
It actually took the smile off Guo Jia's face.
That's never happened before.
It's because a flying dragon in the sky can bring forth rain and storm.
That frail and young emperor is finally making a move?
His Majesty is leading the army to war.
I think he's just bored in the capital
so he wants to stay in Ye City.
His Majesty is very clever.
I believe that he made this suggestion for a certain purpose.
Who cares?
Since His Majesty is so eager about it
we might as well take this chance to use him as our human shield.
If Yuan Shao dares to fire his arrows, he proves himself to be a rebel.
Isn't that great?
General, you're not to say such treacherous words again!
Judging by Prefect Xun's indication
are we to send His Majesty over to Yuan Shao?
Duke Wen He, what is your opinion?
Please do speak your mind.
How can there be trust if there is no doubt?
When naughty children misbehave, they always try to act obedient
to avoid being punished.
You mean that His Majesty made a huge fuss in the capital
and now that Yang Xiu was arrested, he's frightened?
He doesn't really want to go to Guandu.
It's just gesture politics.
He intends to win Duke Cao's trust with this method.
His Majesty...
How could he be some young and naughty child?
Prefect Xun, why do you keep speaking up for His Majesty today?
You mustn't forget that he's been trying to go against Duke Cao in every way.
The emperor's tutor is in a tight spot!
Prefect Xun has exerted all his strength and wisdom into assisting His Majesty.
Isn't that too exhausting?
Libationer Guo.
What do you think about Mister Jia's opinion?
Jia Wen He is old and cunning.
This time, he's also fallen for His Majesty's tricks.
Feng Xiao, what's your opinion?
The emperor's slightest move could affect everything.
His Majesty wishes to lead the army to war.
We're not the most anxious ones.
Yuan Shao?
I'll give you a ride.
Was that what you really think?
What do you think?
I knew it, you cunning old fox.
You deliberately kept some words to yourself.
Can you say it now?
It can't be good to be Guo Feng Xiao's target.
I also know that you find it strange.
You already assumed that Yang Xiu betrayed Dong Cheng
upon the emperor's orders.
You also assumed that the emperor has long been in contact
with Yuan Shao through Yang Xiu.
Even if Yang Xiu is arrested
their contact is unlikely to break off.
However, if it is so
why would His Majesty try to provoke Yuan Shao by leading the army?
How is His Majesty a misbehaved child?
How rare it is to see you racking your brains.
Indeed, if one lives long enough, one gets to witness many things in life.
I'm really comforted.
Libationer Guo, it's an urgent report from Guandu!
The Minister of Works asks that you make plans immediately.
I heard you.
Reply to Duke Cao to have him await good news from me.
Yes!
You're busy with both Guandu and the capital.
It surely isn't easy to get wages from Duke Cao.
I thought that I could have a few days off.
That doesn't seem possible.
I can only brace myself and get back to work.
Where is Your Majesty going?
I'm going to the Imperial Household Department.
Why are you going to the Imperial Household Department?
I'm the emperor.
I should at least go and read up on my ancestors.
I'm afraid Your Majesty is going to read up on leading the army.
I thought you didn't overhear that.
You're trying to avoid me.
Don't you know that it's caused a huge commotion in court?
Is this what you mean by saying you know what to do?
I won't really be leading the army.
I only said that for Yuan Shao.
What?
By announcing that I'm leading the army
I've given Cao Cao the right to suppress Yuan Shao.
Yuan Shao is bound to be anxious.
He'll send someone to contact the imperial family.
I can then make use of Yuan Shao to save General Dong and Young Master Yang.
Guo Jia cut off all your contacts
in order to force you into making mistakes.
Your so-called plan is simply to drive the tiger into swallowing the wolf!
How do you know if it will work unless you give it a try?
Why are you so angry?
Did Elder Statesman throw a temper at you?
You smack me.
Can you stop being mad at me?
Conduct yourself with respect, Your Majesty.
You're not angry anymore?
I'll head over to the Imperial Household Department.
I have to write my own decree for the expedition.
Your Majesty.
No one has been inside the Imperial Household Department in ages.
I didn't know that Your Majesty was coming here today
so I went to the washroom.
Please forgive me for not welcoming Your Majesty in.
I'm here to look for a few books from the imperial collection.
Just open it up.
Yes.
This way, Your Majesty.
It's too dirty in here.
Your Majesty, please wait here for a moment.
I'll bring you the books that you need.
It's fine.
I'll look for them myself.
Your Majesty, this way.
There are records of all previous emperors.
I'll take a good look around.
Yes.
You're not Yang Ping.
You're Liu Ping.
Your biological father isn't Yang Jun.
It's the deceased Emperor Ling!
Your mother is Beautiful Lady Wang.
The reigning emperor is your older twin brother.
Empress He was ruthless by nature and poisoned Beautiful Lady Wang.
She was even going to kill the prince!
Fortunately, Empress Dowager Dong was there in time to save the prince.
Beautiful Lady Wang didn't give birth to only one son
but two!
[Emperor Xiao Ling]
Where are the records on the concubines?
Your Majesty, they are at the back in the west chamber.
It's my fault that the records of previous emperors are covered in dust.
I'll have this place cleaned up right away.
Your Majesty, where are you going next?
I'll go with you. It really is too dirty in here.
Don't bother.
You can stay here and clean it up.
I'll go and take a look around.
Yes.
[Records of Emperor Xiao Ling's harem]
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