Subtitles by DramaFever
[Secret of the Three Kingdoms]
[Episode 4]
- Your Majesty. - Come in.
Your veteran servant, Zhang Yu, greets Your Majesty.
Greetings, Your Highness.
Chief Eunuch Zhang, His Majesty hasn't summoned you.
What brings you here so late at night?
I'm puzzled about one matter.
I'd like to ask Your Majesty and Your Highness for an answer.
Speak.
Where is His Majesty?
How dare you?
Isn't His Majesty right before your eyes?
He isn't the emperor.
I watched His Majesty grow up.
I know him all too well.
I've noticed that this man isn't him.
Where exactly have you hidden His Majesty away?
How insolent!
You're considered a veteran servant.
Yet you barge into His Majesty's private quarters making up lies and accusing him!
Your Highness, please appease your anger.
I've served His Majesty for 18 years.
From Luoyang to Chang'an, and then to the current capital
we've endured so much hardship.
I never once left his side.
No one knows His Majesty better than I do.
This man...
He isn't the emperor of the Great Han dynasty!
Nonsense!
I'm sitting right here alive and well.
Who am I if not the emperor?
I was about to ask who you are.
Although you're almost identical to His Majesty
you can't fool my eyes!
When did you notice that His Majesty was absent?
When the fire broke out...
I noticed that something was amiss.
Today, I served by his side all day.
I'm utterly positive that he isn't His Majesty!
Why didn't you expose him on the spot?
Who am I to expose him to?
To Cao Cao's men?
I don't wish for His Majesty and Your Highness to be harmed.
All I wish is to ask Your Highness for an explanation
and make sure that His Majesty is safe and sound!
This means...
you haven't told anyone of your suspicion.
I haven't.
I'm afraid that it might put His Majesty in danger.
Very good.
You've done very well.
Since you already figured it out, I might as well tell you the truth.
His Majesty had this planned.
Palace Steward, Zhang Yu, receive the decree!
Yes, Your Highness!
You mustn't!
Let go of me!
- Let go of me! - You mustn't!
Who exactly are you?
Why did you stop the empress from killing me?
I, the royal one, don't wish to...
I don't wish to see anyone die wrongfully again.
The royal one?
You dare to address yourself so...
Where exactly is His Majesty?
Your emperor...
My older brother...
He has passed away.
His Majesty passed away?
Your Majesty...
I am at fault!
All right, now.
Your Majesty...
What are you doing?
I have to go to bed.
I haven't slept at all since last night.
Before the mastermind of this plan gets here
won't you let me get some sleep?
You mustn't assume that I won't dare to kill you.
If I had gone around telling everyone that Yang Ping was in the palace
it'd be fine for you to kill me.
But I'm just going to sleep right here under your nose.
What harm could I cause you?
Could it be that you'd prefer to have me sleep inside instead?
Any serious problem seems to be nothing after a good night's sleep.
Yi He...
let's meet in my dream.
This is the posthumous edict that my brother left me.
"I, without virtue, pass down the throne to my brother, Liu Ping."
"Restore glory to the imperial family of Han dynasty."
Your Majesty...
You had such a tough life!
Your Majesty...
Is this to say that you're His Majesty's twin brother?
It's no wonder that you're so alike.
Although I inherited the throne somewhat unconformed to the rites
it was done for the sake of the imperial family
and it was my brother's last wish.
If so, the late emperor's body...
Where have you hidden it?
It's that of the young eunuch's.
What?
Then...
That...
His Majesty is the emperor!
How could you... As the empress
how can you feel at ease having desecrated His Majesty?
Burning down his private quarters and disguising his body
was all planned by His Majesty!
What His Majesty endured during his lifetime
and after his death...
isn't it all for the sake of the imperial family of Han?
Was His Majesty's body properly buried?
Man Chong took it away and kept it in the commandant's office.
I'll put pressure on Xun Yu and Man Chong to make them bury the late emperor.
Your Majesty!
Your Highness, I already learned the truth.
I mustn't hinder the late emperor's plan in any way.
It's just that I...
I can't stand having his body defiled by those scoundrels.
Your Majesty!
Please allow me to resign and retire to my hometown.
I'll head over to the commandant's office and have the late emperor cremated.
Then I'll take his ashes back home with me to be buried.
Your Majesty, Your Highness, please consent to my request!
Sir.
Have you found anything?
I've just verified the smell of the corpse's stomach contents.
That man had taken medication shortly before his death.
What medication did he take?
Well... I'm not trained in pharmacology.
I can't be sure yet.
Right now in the capital
Imperial Physician Zhao knows best concerning medical practice.
Let him take a look.
But Imperial Physician Zhao is His Majesty's doctor.
If he is to examine this...
Take my badge and set out now!
Yes.
Sir, those men we sent to Dong Cheng's manor
have all gone missing.
Missing?
How many of them?
Five of them.
We found none of them, dead or alive.
I've sent my men to watch them, but we've yet to find the missing men.
It's rare to see Dong Cheng clean up so efficiently.
Stay here and welcome Imperial Physician Zhao on my behalf.
Cooperate with his examination and inform Prefect Xun if anything comes up.
Yes!
Set out!
Commandant of Xu's office is heavily guarded.
Can you accomplish this task?
I might've been born of a lowly status...
but I've been the Palace Steward for decades here in the palace after all.
You must take great caution.
Once you've attained my brother's ashes
be sure to head over to Zhang's Maize Store tomorrow
and they will escort you out of the city.
What is that place?
That's where the Sima family planted their men in the capital.
They will help me.
Your Majesty, is this the time for that?
Zhang Yu is already recognizable.
How can we draw more attention to him?
I'll send Wang Fu to escort him.
I'm just worried that Chief Eunuch Zhang will be alone.
I can't set my mind at ease.
Have I made a mistake again?
Your Majesty, please rest assured.
Do not be worried, Your Highness.
I will know how to handle the situation.
However...
I'd like to ask Your Highness about one other matter.
Speak.
Will you remain as husband and wife permanently?
This is what the late emperor instructed.
I understand.
What I mean to ask is...
will the late emperor be replaced permanently
and remain hidden away with a concealed identity
never to be worshiped by his descendants?
Definitely not.
My brother made such a huge sacrifice for the imperial family.
I'll surely establish a shrine so he can be worshiped.
You're so different from the late emperor.
You're so unlike him.
I know that.
I'm not as bold and resolute as my brother.
If you were His Majesty, you'd have me killed
or make me take my own life.
His Majesty never would have placed himself in any danger
or shown any concern for the lives of eunuchs.
Even so, you're still deeply loyal to my brother.
Your Majesty.
The burden of the imperial family will weigh too heavily on you.
For the imperial family, your kindness will be...
The kindness in you might not be the best for you.
I now... take my leave.
Your Majesty, take care!
Your Highness, take care!
Five men...
They are all gone without a trace.
It's unlike what Dong Cheng would do.
You mean...
Are they going to make a move?
If they aren't pressed for time
they can just sit tight and keep up with the pretense.
They wouldn't have killed anyone.
General Cao Ren is keeping watch.
No one can stir up any trouble here in the capital, Xu Chang.
Since we waged war upon Yuan Shao this year
there have been some rumors.
Be it those officials in the capital or those next to Duke Cao
some of them have been secretly contacting Yuan Shao.
The great battle will soon be upon us.
There's a huge disparity between us and our enemies.
Yuan Shao is powerful.
Some people can't make up their minds and have mingled on both sides.
That's inevitable.
I don't think that Lord Man and Libationer Guo could be infiltrated
by Yuan Shao's men without noticing, do you?
What if the emperor is among those men?
After the fire, His Majesty ordered Dong Cheng to reassign palace security
and the chief of the guards.
Those are people who can approach the emperor directly.
They form the first line of defense closest to His Majesty.
They are also the first troop that can be deployed by His Majesty.
You must ensure that the head of the guards is of no threat to us.
I'm sorry.
I was just worried about his safety.
It's too dangerous for him to venture into the commandant's office.
You wanted to contact Sima Yi, didn't you?
Over the past 10 years, the Sima family has protected me well.
Without Zhong Da by my side, I find it hard to do anything.
Whenever you worry about them, you put them at risk.
It was so with Zhang Yu.
As well as Yang Jun.
It was so with Sima Yi.
Then there's me.
If you truly wish to save them
the only way to do so is to forget them.
Behave more like an emperor.
I understand.
It's no wonder my brother didn't like to smile.
You don't either.
Why didn't you pull your arm away from me?
I think it's quite good to have you let off some steam.
You're too tense.
You need to get some rest.
I can't sleep until Zhang Yu's task is done
and the late emperor's body is properly handled.
A whole day and night...
That's long enough for Man Chong to figure out many matters.
What about Sister Tang?
Is it safe for her?
Will Man Chong keep a close eye on her?
After all, the fire in the palace started after she got there.
She has the ability to tackle them.
This is too tough on a woman like her.
It's been hard for all of you.
If we manage to succeed in the end
I'll surely hold the proper funeral that he rightfully deserves.
I'll also reward Sister Tang with honor and respect.
It's best that you focus on your current predicament.
Neither the late emperor nor Tang Ying cared for gratitude.
But I do.
His Majesty conveyed an oral decree.
His Majesty conveyed an oral decree!
Eunuch Chen Rong Er died rescuing the emperor.
His courage and loyalty are commendable.
An honor should be conferred!
Hence, Palace Steward Zhang Yu is to deliver his ashes to his hometown
to be buried according to the rites of a scholar.
Step forth.
Chief Eunuch.
It isn't that we dare to defy the imperial decree
but while Lord Man is away
we can't make any decision on our own.
Lord Man has gone to Prefect Xun's residence.
I'll send someone to fetch him now.
How many important matters do I have to get done tonight?
You'd even hold on to a mere eunuch's corpse?
Or do you simply have no regard for His Majesty's imperial decree?
You've misunderstood me, Eunuch Zhang.
I'm too lowly to make a decision.
How could anyone here in Commandant of Xu's office be lowly?
I suppose it's because His Majesty's imperial decree
and my words are of no importance to you?
My subordinate died for the nation.
You even had him defiled so.
Today, if I don't wait here until Lord Man returns
are you also going to arrest me?
Chief Eunuch, what are you talking about?
What am I talking about?
It's plain and simple!
I've announced the imperial decree.
His Majesty's oral decree doesn't even matter more than Lord Man's words?
If that is so, I'll be too ashamed to face His Majesty again!
Even if Eunuch Zhang punishes me for this
I'll still have to ask you to wait until Lord Man returns.
Utter nonsense!
Step forth.
Carry the body out of here and have it cremated.
Eunuch Zhang, please wait for a while.
What are you doing?
How dare you?
Fine.
Fine!
You. Go and take a look.
Find out which officer is on duty tonight and bring him to me!
Yes.
You're not to behave disrespectfully!
Chief Eunuch Zhang.
Colonel Chong, what a coincidence.
I've been demoted to the security division of the commandant's office.
I have a question.
I'm here upon the oral decree of His Majesty to cremate
the young eunuch who rescued His Majesty.
However, these officers refused to comply with the decree.
I'd like to know if I have any say in this matter.
With His Majesty's oral decree and the fact that
eunuchs serve under the Inner Palace
Chief Eunuch Zhang definitely has the authority.
Good!
Thank you, Colonel Chong.
You really are some very insolent coroners!
How dare you defy an imperial decree!
I'll punish you on behalf of His Majesty first!
- Guards! - Present!
Take the young eunuch's corpse out to be cremated!
- Yes! - Yes!
Slowly! Slow down!
This way, please.
You suspect Yang Jun?
The robbery was just as phony as the fire in the palace.
It also happened on the same day.
I think these two accidents must be somehow connected.
Prefect Xun, I ask to interrogate Yang Jun.
His Majesty, the empress, and Princess Consort Tang...
None of them can be fiddled with.
Yang Jun is the most suspicious one we can deal with.
Report.
Prefect Xun, Lord Man.
Palace Steward Zhang Yu acted upon His Majesty's oral decree
to cremate the young eunuch's corpse.
He said he's taking the ashes to be buried in his hometown.
His Majesty sure is concerned with that young eunuch.
Sir, please rush back to take a look!
That's not necessary.
By the time I get back, he'll have turned into ashes.
Reporting to Prefect Xun!
It's an urgent military report from Xu Province.
Bring it over.
Xu Province.
Liu Bei took over Xu Province after all.
The capital is now surrounded by enemies.
Prefect Xun, why would you still have any scruples
and stop me from taking action?
All right.
Arrest Zhang Yu and Yang Jun tomorrow morning.
Yes, Sir.
You can't stay up all night.
Ease your mind and sleep.
I'll sleep on the floor.
Is there still no news of Zhang Yu?
Your Highness.
Chief Eunuch Zhang Yu has reported back.
All is well.
I heard you.
Make a decree to Wang Fu.
Tell him to escort Zhang Yu out of the capital tomorrow morning.
Yes, Your Highness.
Is there some other matter?
Your Highness, please retire for the night soon.
I'll take my leave.
Can you set your mind at ease now?
Only when Zhang Yu leaves the capital safely tomorrow
can I truly ease my mind.
Leng Shou Guang was right.
You should get some rest.
If you stay up all night
you'll be too frail to attend the imperial court tomorrow.
Should I summon anyone to assist you in removing your attire?
Don't bother.
I'm too tired.
I don't wish to see anyone.
Help me remove my accessories.
May you see my brother in your dream.
Zhong Da...
Where are you?
Do you know where I am now?
[Prince of Hongnong Shrine]
Yang Xiu.
You know who I am?
It had to be either Grand Commandant Yang or Yang Xiu.
What's there to guess?
Here, take a seat.
Don't stand on ceremony.
Excuse me.
I slept here for one night and usurped the hostess's role.
Please have a seat.
You really did find your way here.
Since you now know just how capable I am
you'd better tell me right away where my younger brother is.
All I can tell you is that Yang Ping is with the imperial family.
They need him.
Then all I can tell you is that I want my brother back.
Why should it concern me to care about what the imperial family needs?
If you truly have his and the Sima family's best interest at heart
you should forget what you found out here.
A scholar who lives out in the countryside won't understand
what is happening in this place.
Since you know that I'm Yang Ping's guardian
and he has the entire Sima family to protect him
are you still trying to keep him under your control?
We have 1,000 men in our household.
We guard and protect the Henei Commandery.
Even Minister Cao sought reference from my father.
If you are to go against such a family
is it wise for the declining imperial family to do so?
The Sima family?
Do you think that I don't know what your father is like?
Since Dong Zhuo terrified him out of his wits
he retired back to his hometown to save his own neck.
In the past few years
Minister Cao has invited him to resume an official post several times.
Yet he rejected with the excuse of old age and illness.
Do you think that he'd go against the imperial family for a foster son?
Although you boasted shamelessly
you are but one man of foolhardiness.
Apart from the last bit, you were right about everything else.
Although I've come here all alone
it's enough to topple everything that the imperial family has planned.
Since you bragged so shamelessly
why don't we play a game?
I'll give you a day to figure out what we're trying to do.
If you guess right, I'll take you to Yang Ping.
Do we start counting down right now?
It starts now.
See you tomorrow.
Are you just going to let him leave?
This man must die.
But we can't be the ones to do it.
Who then?
If he dies at the hands of Cao Cao's men
will Sima Fang choose to serve the imperial family?
Will Liu Ping hate Cao Cao even more?
Some people are worth more dead than alive.
It is so for all loyal subjects and the chivalrous.
It's too early. We're not open for business yet!
The millets, both the early sown and the late.
With other grain, the hemp, the pulse, and the wheat.
Which one would you like?
I want millet.
It's Second Young Master?
Second Young Master.
All personnel changes in the palace are recorded in these.
Please take a look.
Shopkeeper Zhang.
I'll also need a map of the capital.
- Quickly, bring me the map. - Yes.
Shopkeeper Zhang.
This map isn't good enough.
Not only do I need the streets, markets, and local government offices marked
but also the security layout and concealed buildings.
Second Young Master, what are you going to do?
Stay out of it.
Assign more of our men to monitor Grand Commandant Yang Biao's manor.
Record all the visitors of Yang Biao and his son, Yang Xiu.
By the way, do we have any of our men planted in the Imperial Secretariat?
Second Young Master.
The emperor is now staying in the Imperial Secretariat.
That was why I asked about it.
Indeed...
Master only set up this store to scout information on the officials
and the situation in the capital to avoid getting our household implicated.
Now, we also have to monitor officials and inquire about the imperial family?
Is this an order from Master?
It's mine.
Yes.
Have there been any strange events here in the capital?
Just the fire in the palace.
The emperor moved into the Imperial Secretariat.
Mister Yang Jun was robbed by bandits outside the city.
I already knew about those events. Is there anything else?
There was an urgent military report last night.
Liu Bei betrayed Cao Cao and took over Xu Province.
Xu Province...
Guandu...
Wan City...
Jing Province...
The capital, Xu Chang, is surrounded by enemies.
What a coincidence.
[Imperial Secretariat]
Palace Guard Wang Fu acts upon the decree
to escort Zhang Yu out of the capital.
Thank you, General Wang.
This way, please.
Eunuch Zhang!
- Court Adviser Zhao. - Eunuch Zhang.
You're leaving so early?
Yes.
I think it's best to wait in my humble home for half a day
until my mentor returns before making up your mind.
I'll carry this for you.
No, no! No.
I wouldn't dare trouble Court Adviser Zhao.
I've failed to perform my duties.
I'm too ashamed and therefore wish not to meet friends.
His Majesty is now in his prime.
He shouldn't be burdened by me.
Thank you.
Zhong Da, what are you doing now?
If you were here
what would you come up with to escort Eunuch Zhang out of the city?
Your Majesty!
Your Majesty...
Your Majesty!
Empress!
- Your Majesty... - Empress?
Empress?
Did you have a nightmare?
What did you dream of?
It's nothing.
I wonder if Zhang Yu made it out of the city.
Do you think that Man Chong would dare to stop Zhang Yu from leaving
after we dismissed him for stalling the rescue of the fire
by closing the palace gates?
Only two people matter to Man Chong.
One is Cao Cao.
The other is Guo Jia.
Dismissing Zhang Yu and reforming the palace security measures...
The officials will surely seek audience for that.
Your Majesty, you must be very careful this time.
Eunuch Zhang, please halt!
Lord Man?
Eunuch Zhang.
Eunuch Zhang is a veteran official.
How could you leave so quietly?
The commandant's office has prepared a farewell banquet.
Please join me for a drink.
Lord Man!
What are you trying to do?
Commandant of Xu's Office is in charge of investigating the fire in the palace.
I'd like to invite Eunuch Zhang over to clear up some doubts of mine.
Lord Man.
His Majesty made a decree.
Zhang Yu is to leave the capital today.
Eunuch Zhang will just have to spend some time in my office first.
I'll go to His Majesty now to ask for a decree.
I'm only carrying out the orders.
You can come and get him after you obtain the decree.
Am I to ask General Wang for Eunuch Zhang
only when I obtain the decree after he leaves the capital?
Why don't I just keep Eunuch Zhang here first
and General Wang can impeach me before His Majesty for this?
Eunuch Zhang.
You're just returning to your hometown.
There's nothing urgent that you have to do, is there?
Lord Man!
Court Adviser Zhao!
Lord Man, I understand what you just said.
May I bury my fellow villager first?
Good.
Thank you, Lord Man.
I know what the commandant's office is.
- You-- - Lord Man!
Isn't it too rude of you to do this?
Eunuch Zhang.
Please feel free to do as you wish.
Eunuch Zhang, let me help you.
Your Majesty.
We've just received a report.
Eunuch Zhang was taken to the commandant's office by Man Chong.
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