Subtitles by DramaFever
[Secret of the Three Kingdoms]
[Episode 25]
Let go of me!
Let--
I'm the Assistant Officer of the Ye City Guards.
I've heard about this man's case.
After I'm done interrogating him, I'll report to Assistant Governor Shen.
We're pleased to have caught him.
Assistant Officer, interrogate him well. Find out if he's a spy from the south.
Don't worry.
You carried out your duty to arrest the suspect.
I'll be sure to interrogate him thoroughly.
Escort this general out.
Note down his name.
I can then have him rewarded.
I'm just doing my duty.
Thank you, Assistant Officer.
Second Young Master, how are you holding up?
The Sima family did surrender to Yuan Shao after all.
This is Ye City.
If I reveal your true identity
what are the consequences?
Do as you please.
My father will definitely wipe out the entire Sima clan!
A young man your age is already making death threats.
How about this?
There's a path to survival.
It's your choice if you'll take it or not.
Tell me.
Why did you go to see Xu You?
It doesn't concern you.
We'll see if you care about this.
Sima Yi.
Do you think that torturing me can make me confess?
You think too little of me.
You're really not scared?
Don't dodge.
Leave now.
What are you looking at?
Do you want someone to carry you out?
Shen Rong and his men have been coming down on us even more now.
They won't even let us take the same path as they do.
They said to drive away all other miscellaneous people.
They even forced our servants to move to the old city.
How is that a place for people to live in?
They are really going too far.
Shen Rong insisted that I ran into his carriage yesterday.
He gave me a sound beating.
Sima Yi even cheered him on.
How is this tolerable?
Speaking of that Sima Yi, it makes me angry.
If it weren't for him, how could Brother Liu lose to a man like Shen Rong?
- Forget it. - Exactly.
If I lost, I lost.
It doesn't matter.
It certainly matters.
Shen Rong and Sima Yi.
One abuses his power to bully others
while the other plays up to those in power.
They are a bunch of despicable weasels.
Brother Liu, you're drunk.
Yes, Brother Liu.
You should lower your voice.
We have to be wary that the walls could have ears.
Brother Liu, why would someone like you be scared to speak your mind?
Did Sima Yi frighten you that much?
How could someone like him who fawns upon others frighten me?
It's just that a true gentleman won't lean against a collapsing wall.
A collapsing wall?
Brother Liu called Ye City a collapsing wall?
You're all very sensible people.
You've been in Ye City for such a long time.
May I ask which of you have already met Duke Yuan?
Duke Yuan and Cao Cao are fighting the battle in Guandu.
Yet he has kept us all in Ye City and won't allow us to leave.
What is he after?
I don't think we're here to study.
We're just hostages.
At the moment, Cao Cao and Duke Yuan are right in the midst of battle.
Should the situation in Guandu takes a turn
or your families go through certain changes
and this wobbly wall comes collapsing down
we'll be be crushed to bits.
Honestly, if I had known that it was so dangerous in Ye City
I wouldn't have come.
That sounds reasonable.
It sounds reasonable.
Unless...
What is it?
Forget it.
I might have been too sensitive.
Brother Liu, just speak your mind!
I don't think Shen Pei's true purpose is to drive away your servants
or other miscellaneous people.
But he's actually targeting all of you.
Us?
Give this some thought.
He's separated you from your servants.
The moment your servants leave the new city
you're only accompanied by very few people.
Then Shen Pei can do as he wishes.
You can only obey him and do as he asks.
Then...
he can order you about as he pleases.
You're right. That makes sense.
But why would they do so?
Separating those from Ji Province apart from those who are not
makes things easier for them when they carry out their tasks.
What tasks?
This...
It can't be.
Duke Yuan invited us here.
Exactly, we were invited here by Duke Yuan.
Shen Rong and his father wouldn't be so bold, would they?
That's hard to say.
What should we do?
- I think... - What should we do?
Exactly.
We'll need a perfectly sound plan.
We have to come up with a plan.
What should we do?
What should we do? Seriously.
Brother Liu.
I'll take my leave.
- Take care. - I take my leave.
Let's go.
We take our leave.
Take care.
We take our leave.
I'll take my leave.
The scholars really did believe in those words.
I'll teach Shen Rong to take some measures.
Then the scholars will all take your side.
Once Ye City descends into chaos
you can take over all the scholars of Hebei Commandery.
Do you remember when we were in Wen County
we often drank and discussed affairs of the world?
Although we were only discussing in theory
we'd still end up getting into a heated debate.
Who knew that we'd actually join hands in stirring up a storm?
What are you getting so emotional for?
Did you have too much to drink?
We haven't even accomplished anything.
Go and tidy up quickly.
He'll be here soon.
Who's coming here?
Cao Pi.
[Zhen]
Young Master Sima?
Second Young Master finally returned.
I was thinking that you'd been arrested again.
You work for His Majesty?
Your Majesty told you to save me?
I didn't.
However, if you didn't make it back
I'd have had to ask Young Master Sima to rescue you again.
Why did the Ye City Guards arrest you?
I went out to investigate the situation in Ye City.
I went past a residence with exceptionally high security measures.
Out of curiosity, I went forth to ask about it.
I ended up being arrested.
Out of curiosity?
Yes.
Even Yuan Shao's manor isn't as heavily guarded.
Second Young Master should see to your wounds first.
Sure, I'll take my leave.
He's lying.
It seems that you have yet to escape from Guo Jia's clutches.
Guo Jia might not have included Cao Pi in his plans.
Perhaps it's because his brother's death
still weighs heavily on that child's mind.
However, before it can be verified, he is still our companion.
Companion?
He has been keeping some matters from us this whole time.
He's also the one who suggested coming to Ye City.
He's here to look for Xu You in Ye City.
Xu You...
What is so special about him?
He just said it.
Not even Yuan Shao's manor is that heavily guarded.
Let's go.
It's so late. Where are you going?
Ye City is a place of romance.
But my brother is still sleeping on the floor.
I feel bad for him.
Sima Yi!
Don't believe in such nonsense.
- We'll be back shortly. - Come!
Hurry up!
Isn't this similar to those times in Wen County
when we snuck out to play late at night?
Here's a quick test.
This is where Cao Pi was arrested.
Xu You's manor.
What do you notice?
There are three shifts of guards in all visible and concealed areas.
An official's residence is actually this heavily guarded?
Who exactly is Xu You?
You're not that stupid after all.
Shen Rong told me that Xu You's been kept under house arrest here by Yuan Shao
since Shen Pei accused him of corruption.
But look at those armed forces.
Does this seem like just placing an official under house arrest?
You're right.
If it's just a corrupt strategist
he can be thrown into prison or simply dismissed from office.
Why would they go to such trouble?
Either Shen Rong lied to you or there's another story to it.
Only one tenth of what Cao Pi said was true.
However, in that one tenth of truth, there are a few baffling factors.
Which words are those?
He said...
the security measures at Xu You's manor are slightly higher
than those of Yuan Shao's.
If Shen Rong didn't lie to you
Xu You must know of an incredibly important secret.
Only Yuan Shao and Xu You know about this secret.
You've improved.
This is what I find baffling.
I suddenly thought of a question.
What's Xu You's family origin?
Xu You...
The Xu family of Nanyang.
He's known for assessing talents.
He must know the officials of every gentry really well.
Many of Cao Cao's officials have already surrendered to Yuan Shao.
There must be someone by his side to assess and judge these new recruits.
Zhong Da, I've figured it out!
He must have the list that we're looking for!
Exactly.
Who is here so late at night?
Let's leave quickly.
Such degradation of morals.
Now, even men would...
Have you thought of what to do with the list when you get it?
I surely will use it to manipulate the situation secretly.
I'll make use of Yuan Shao to defeat Cao Cao.
Yuan Shao?
He's just a blown-up cowhide.
He's arrogant and just all show but no go.
The small Ye City is in such disarray under his governance.
His subordinates act on their own free will.
If the world is to fall in the hands of such a man
the heroes will find it a great pity.
Guo Jia said so as well.
You have to be wary of Guo Jia's words.
But the two of you said the same words.
We don't share the same purpose.
I know.
Assisting Yuan Shao is just my first move.
Next, I'll have to use this list and the scholars as my trick
to gain forces for the imperial family.
I have to stop this world from becoming the slaughterhouse of the feudal lords.
You're quite ambitious.
You used to be so frightened by thunder that you'd run into my room.
But now, all you speak of is the world.
I really wish that you could stay by my side
to work with me for the same goal.
I believe that with you around, I can accomplish great things.
Do you really think that there's no one spying on you?
Are you still concerned about Cao Pi?
I'll be careful.
Answer me.
What exactly is it between you and Fu Shou?
Why are you still sleeping on the floor?
Well, we're not really married.
Are you going to keep doing this for life?
You're the emperor.
Yet you sleep on the floor in celibacy.
Be honest with me.
Do you like her?
It's getting late. I'll head back in.
If you don't fancy her, why are you so eager to head inside?
I don't know if she likes me.
Besides...
she's my sister-in-law.
I haven't seen you for a month and you've become so remarkably silly.
Women are extremely shy and sensitive.
Are you expecting her to beckon you to bed?
You're the emperor.
She's the empress.
Why would you care about those ethics?
If it were up to me, I'd say you should make it official tonight.
I'll teach you. Come here.
Come here!
Do you understand?
I'll decide for you!
Go!
- Zhong Da-- - Go on!
Hurry up!
You're so wishy-washy.
Quickly!
Where have you been?
Zhong Da and I took a look outside Xu You's manor.
I say... Are you both really going to keep living like this?
How does this concern you?
Zhong Da, that's enough.
His Majesty's offspring will affect the monarch's reign.
How does this not concern me?
According to the tradition
if no offspring is produced in the current harem
the officials will suggest selecting new concubines.
How about this?
Why don't I suggest one?
Who are you suggesting?
Here's the deal.
I saw Cao Cao's daughter at the ritual before.
She's young and beautiful.
Moreover, she seems to be very fond of you.
Why don't you just take her to be your concubine?
You can even use her to keep Cao family in check.
That's killing two birds with one stone.
It depends on whether His Majesty likes Cao Cao's daughter.
How could I have the intention to take any concubine
when the nation is still in peril?
Zhong Da, that's enough.
What's the harm in having the emperor
make such a sacrifice for the imperial family?
Indeed. There's no harm in doing so.
Once we return to the capital. I'll select concubines for His Majesty.
As long as His Majesty is happy, it can be either Cao Cao's daughter
or any girls from the Sima family.
We can have them all marry into the harem.
I've heard that the Sima clan is exceptionally strict.
I believe that Miss Sima must be well-mannered
and suited to produce offspring.
Your Majesty, what do you think?
Why are you uttering nonsense just like Zhong Da?
When did I say that I wanted a concubine?
Zhong Da, you'd better head back.
Leave quickly!
Don't let Shen Rong find out. Go now!
Listen, your wife is a lot more capable than you are.
You'd better be careful.
Get going.
Answer me.
Can you really get into Yuan Shao's manor?
Someone will show me in.
You're still so resourceful.
Isn't it all because of you?
Ying has to stay in the prison for a few more days.
How will you pay me back for that?
I can always bestow marriage to the two of you.
You... you'd better move your blanket back onto the bed first.
Get going!
Zhong Da was just joking.
Don't take it to heart.
I do think that he has a point.
I never once thought of having a concubine.
Besides, Miss Cao is still a child.
Don't think too much about it.
Do you really not like her at all?
Haven't you ever held her hand?
Haven't you touched her at all?
I only regarded Cao Jie as a baby sister.
Don't misunderstand me.
Then...
what about back in Wen County?
When you were out fooling around with Sima Yi
did you not fall for some young girl of gentry in the countryside?
Don't keep brooding over it.
It isn't what you think.
The Sima family is disciplined in rites and highly educated.
I'm also a man of manners.
What about this?
Have you done this before?
Yes.
I only did so with you.
A lifetime together...
Is that so?
Empress...
Whose empress am I?
Deep down...
I'm still your brother's empress.
Am I not?
Just give me some time.
What good is time?
In another 10 years...
100 years...
I'll still just be Emperor Liu Xie's empress, not yours.
You're just acting upon your brother's posthumous edict to deceive everyone!
My father and the imperial family...
They only want an empress who kills herself to stay chaste.
A lifetime of marriage...
An abundance of children and grandchildren?
I'll never be allowed to fulfill those wishes.
Is that so?
It isn't what you think it is.
I've been thinking about our future.
It's just...
I'm trying to come up with the perfect plan.
It was brusque of me to do so.
Neither of us should be saying such words.
Your Majesty, please get some sleep soon.
[Yuan Shao's manor]
Zhong Da!
Zhong Da, I'm late.
- You must be anxious. - Not at all.
I've prepared a birthday gift for Madam Yuan.
That won't be enough.
Trust me. I'm the best at pleasing Madam Yuan.
Come.
These are just some small tokens of my father's well wishes.
It is to wish Madam longevity.
Madam, please accept them.
Duke Shen has gone to such trouble.
This is Wen County's Sima Zhong Da.
He's now assisting my father in maintaining Ye City's security.
Zhong Da heard that Madam's birthday was around the corner
so he kept reminding me to bring him here to congratulate you.
I've heard Duke Shen mention Young Master Sima.
You're indeed a man of striking appearance.
Greetings, Madam Yuan.
This is a humble gift that I've prepared for Madam Yuan.
May Madam be blessed by the gods and live in longevity.
I'll accept your kind gift.
Madam, you might not have heard that
Zhong Da's godbrother, Yang Ping, is of the same clan as Grand Commandant Yang.
In a way, Zhong Da is related to Duke Yuan.
This is such a coincidence.
When I have the chance, I'll put in a good word for you before my husband.
Thank you, Madam.
Zhong Da, what's wrong?
I must have eaten something to upset my stomach.
I'm embarrassed.
It matters not.
Someone?
Madam.
Show Young Master Sima the way to the restroom.
Yes.
Young Master Sima, please follow me.
Thank you, Madam.
Young Master, it's right ahead.
I'll take you there.
I won't trouble you.
It reeks of filth.
Just point out the direction and I can get there.
It won't be appropriate.
You're so well-mannered and educated.
After you go through this door, turn left and it's there.
- Make it back quickly. - Thank you.
Thank you.
Who is it?
What are you doing here?
Sima Yi greets Young Madam.
I've never met you.
How did you recognize me?
No outsider has ever been allowed in here.
How did you get in?
You'd better come clean or I'll yell for the guards.
Young Madam, you must have misunderstood.
I'm here to congratulate Madam Yuan for her birthday
and I ended up in here as I was going to use the restroom.
I didn't mean to intrude on Young Madam.
You had to use the restroom?
It's outside.
Why did you come in here?
Out with it!
Can't we talk in a civilized way?
Do we have to resort to violence?
You might be able to fool Madam Yuan, but not me.
Yuan Xi said that it's not very safe in Ye City.
I think you must be Cao Cao's spy.
You're here to steal something, aren't you?
Nothing gets past Young Madam.
I'll be honest with you.
Before I came to Yuan Manor, a friend of mine kept reminding me
to take something away from here.
You really are a thief.
Tell me. What is it that you're going to steal?
If it's interesting, I can help you steal it.
Young Madam, you'd surely be interested.
However...
Sister Lü, let go of him.
Young Madam! Don't get yourself into trouble again!
Wait for me in my room.
I know what to do.
There are quite a few strange women in Yuan Manor.
Tell me. What are you going to steal?
It's right here before my eyes.
You... How shameless you are.
Guards--
He was almost killed because of you.
But you're not grateful for it.
What a miserable and hopeless romantic he is.
What did you say?
Your companion is--
Who is he?
Young Madam met him in front of the Ye City Guards' Office.
Have you forgotten him?
Words alone are no proof.
Why should I believe you?
He opened his heart for the bright moon to shine on
so you'll know for certain when you see him.
You want me to come with you?
On horseback and over the wall, a secret date with the lady.
How can he see you if you won't leave the manor?
If he is sincere, he should try to get in.
You're really making it hard for him.
This manor is heavily guarded.
How can a scholar like him get in here?
If he can't even manage that
why would he think of meeting on horseback?
If he wants something, he can come and get it.
If you take another step forward, I'll have them break your legs.
I dislike sweet talkers like you the most.
Guards!
This young master has lost his way.
Young Master, this way, please.
Zhong Da.
You'd actually mess up as well?
Madam Yuan was quite fond of you.
That Young Madam is really something.
You're already quite lucky.
If Yuan Xi saw you talk back to Zhen Fu
he'd have had you cut up.
I heard that the second young master of the Yuan family dotes only on his wife.
No other woman attracts him but Zhen Fu.
Forget it. Don't brood over it.
I'll ask my father to recommend you to Duke Yuan when there's a chance.
- I'll take my leave. - I'll take my leave.
Zhong Da, who knew that you'd be thwarted as well?
I know.
I keep losing to women lately.
Don't get on her nerves.
Sima Yi, why have you brought us here?
We've been followed.
I saw her outside your inn once.
I also saw her once outside Yuan Manor.
I followed her here before she disappeared.
Does she work for Cao Cao?
I've already closed down Guo Jia's base in Ye City.
However...
She does seem to be working for him.
Guo Jia's subordinate?
Is she here?
That's why I've brought you out here for a walk.
I want to see if we can lure her out.
Let's go.
Excuse me.
There's a gorgeous beauty in town.
Is that so?
Second Young Master Yuan is in there listening to her play the zither.
Indeed.
I heard that she's pretty!
That should be Guo Jia's subordinate.
Why are there so many people here?
Could Yuan Shao's men have found her before we did?
It doesn't seem like it.
Stop pushing and let me have a look.
May I ask what's going on in there?
We heard that a dazzling beauty just arrived here.
Second Young Master Yuan is in there listening to her play the zither.
Take a look!
She seems to be coming out here.
Young lady, your skills are unlike any other.
That must be Guo Jia's scout.
Thank you for your compliment, Young Master.
That woman?
Exactly.
I'll trouble you to perform at my mother's birthday banquet.
So that's Second Young Master Yuan?
Didn't you say that Yuan Xi loves only Zhen Fu?
Who knows?
Let's go.
All right, stop staring.
What are you doing?
Let's go.
Let's leave.
Sister Ren.
We met again.
You actually know each other?
Aren't you afraid that it's poisoned?
Guo Jia doesn't resort to such despicable means.
That's because you don't know Guo Jia well enough.
Dong Cheng was poisoned by Guo Jia with a chronic poison.
Your Majesty and Your Highness are always together.
I'm so envious.
Sister Ren, could Guo Jia already have found out that we're in Ye City?
We don't have to keep mentioning him.
I'm not acting upon his orders.
He doesn't know that I'm here.
I don't think he knows.
You've seduced Yuan Xi outright.
I believe he will find out very soon, won't he?
Sister Ren, what brings you here?
I'll be there to perform a dance at Madam Yuan's birthday banquet.
I know that you also want to get into Yuan Manor.
I also need to take something from Yuan Manor.
If you help me, I'll help you in return.
What is it?
I think it must be a person.
A young girl in cuffs.
Guo Jia said that Young Master Sima was outstandingly wise.
Now that I've met you today, he was indeed right.
Zhong Da.
Who exactly is she?
A young lady serving by Zhen Fu's side.
When I saw her yesterday, I found it quite strange.
Therefore, I asked Shen Rong about her.
Take a guess. Who do you think Sister Ren is going to rescue?
Who is she?
Lady Lü.
Lü Bu's only child.
Sister Ren is going to rescue Lü Bu's daughter?
Who are you then?
Are you such a fool?
Look at Sister Ren's gorgeous face.
You should be able to make out her identity.
It's no wonder that I don't think of Sister Ren as a courtesan.
Sister Diao Chan.
I've long admired you.
Diao Chan?
You're Diao Chan, who drove a wedge between Dong Zhuo and Lü Bu?
I haven't heard anyone mention this name for a very long time.
So you really are Diao Chan?
I got it right.
I've long heard that Diao Chan is the most gorgeous beauty in the world.
Who knew that I'd actually meet her here?
Minister over the Masses Wang used the ploy of double snare
to drive a wedge between Dong Zhuo and Lü Bu.
I thought that you were pretending to comply with them.
Why would you still rescue Lü Bu's daughter now that he's dead?
Did you only stay with Guo Jia in order to get close to Cao Cao
so that you could have a chance to avenge Lü Bu?
After Dong Zhuo died, did you end up marrying Lü Bu?
Was Marquis Lü of Wen especially kind to you?
What exactly is it that the two of you wish to know?
Lü Bu was said to stand out among all men.
Sister Diao Chan had been with Marquis Lü of Wen.
Is it very boring to be with the sickly Guo Jia now?
As the empress just said
you don't know Guo Jia well enough.
That's enough.
Cao Cao seized Lü Bu and had Xiapi flooded.
Those orphans you adopted must be from Xiapi.
Their families were all killed by Cao Cao.
I made an oath.
I must kill Cao Cao to avenge the innocent souls of Xiapi.
You're heroic and magnanimous.
I've always respected you greatly.
Who knew that you were the legendary lady who killed Dong Zhuo
with the double snare ploy to save Chang'an?
I thank you on behalf of the imperial family and the people.
We'll surely help you.
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