Subtitles by DramaFever
[Secret of the Three Kingdoms]
[Episode 45]
My daughter.
What's the matter?
Is the food not to your liking?
I don't have much of an appetite.
You're being picky with food again.
It will be difficult for us to share a meal like this again
after you're married.
When that time comes, you'll miss the taste of home.
Have a bit more to eat.
Mother...
It says in the "Book of Odes"
"Out of affection love begins, with courtesy it should be controlled."
What does that mean?
That means to tell us...
If two people share a mutual affection
that violates what is regulated in the rites
they should put an end to it.
They must not transgress what is right.
Why would you ask about that?
Then...
if someone falls in love with his sister-in-law...
can they be together?
Jie!
What story from the markets are you telling now?
You'd better be careful not to make Mother angry.
Where did a young girl like you hear this from?
What exactly is troubling you?
Such an immoral scandal must never happen in our family!
Mother, stop taking wild guesses.
Jie isn't talking about Zhi.
Mother.
What on earth are you talking about?
Forget it. I'm done eating.
This...
You... you're all--
What are all of you talking about?
You gave me such a fright.
Mother, shouldn't you at least know that Zhi wouldn't fancy Zhen Fu?
Pi!
Mother, you shouldn't be worried.
Jie has grown up and likes to listen to such romantic tales.
She's caught up in the story.
A grown daughter can't stay single for long.
Is it the emperor that she--
It's useless even if she likes him.
His Majesty has the empress.
It's too late.
Keep this safe.
Pi, are we right to do so?
You saw how Jie was.
Who knows what trouble she will get herself into if she keeps it on her?
When we were in Lulong
I'd already figured out that she was fond of His Majesty.
His Majesty's bearing back then was indeed very attractive to ladies.
If a woman falls in love with a man, she'll do anything to have him.
Since she now knows that His Majesty and the empress aren't husband and wife
she'll all the more have her hopes up.
If she makes a scene and Father finds out about this
nothing we do can redeem us.
We mustn't keep it.
I'll have it burnt.
You mustn't either.
If Jie finds the pouch missing, it'll still be a disaster.
I think it's best to let His Majesty know about this soon.
He should appease Jie himself.
Pi, you have a point.
I'll hand over the pouch to His Majesty.
Remember to do so in a quiet and less frequented place.
Pi, rest assured.
This won't do.
I mustn't keep the letter.
Where has it gone?
Why is it missing?
Young Mistress.
Madam and Fourth Young Madam are ready.
They are urging you along to visit the empress.
Fourth Young Master just got married
so I've prepared some humble gifts to add to their wedding gifts.
Thank you for your graciousness, Your Highness.
Jie, why have you lost your manners as you've gotten older?
Thank you, Your Highness.
It's all right.
Miss Cao need not stand on such ceremony at my place.
You should all get up.
Miss Cui is a newlywed.
Why are her accessories so plain?
Your Highness might not have known
but Duke Cao comes from a prestigious family
that is strict with family rules.
No ladies of the household are allowed to dress up.
A woman's prime lies in her year as a newlywed.
"A woman will doll herself up for he who loves her."
It's still better to dress up prettily during this period of time.
Bring me my jewelry box.
I'll choose a piece for her.
How pretty.
Thank you, Your Highness.
Your Highness is too kind to me.
It's getting late.
We won't impose on Your Highness.
We'll take our leave.
So soon?
Well... I won't keep Madam here.
Jie.
Mother and Fourth Sister-in-law can head home first.
I'd like to speak to Her Highness.
What would a child have to say?
Don't impose on Her Highness.
It doesn't matter.
Miss Cao and I pulled through some difficult times together.
It'd be nice to get reacquainted.
Yes.
You mustn't impose on Her Highness for too long.
See Lady Bian out of the palace.
- Yes. - Yes.
We'll take our leave.
You are dismissed as well.
Yes!
What's wrong?
Miss Cao, what is the matter?
I know that... Your Highness and His Majesty aren't husband and wife.
Miss Cao, you must be joking.
Before Libationer Guo passed away, he left me a pouch.
It contained the secret of His Majesty's identity.
His Majesty and the late emperor are actually twins.
Miss Cao, watch what you say!
I don't care about what your relationship should be.
I know that His Majesty loves only Your Highness.
What I wish to say is...
that pouch has gone missing.
Your Majesty.
There's rarely anyone in the Imperial Household Department.
Why would you choose to have a chat with me here?
I have half of the late Prefect of the Household Cai's last works
and I heard that the other half was kept here
so I couldn't wait until they verified it.
It's said that Fourth Young Master is remarkably talented in literature.
Now that I've seen you here today, it is indeed so.
I also have questions about some texts to ask you.
Your Majesty, Fourth Young Master, this way, please.
Palace stewards, please do wait out here.
I need to speak to His Majesty in private.
Yes.
Who else knows about this apart from you?
There's also my fourth brother.
Did he take it away?
And...
my second brother.
Cao Pi?
Is anyone there?
Your Highness, what can I do for you?
Where is His Majesty?
Fourth Young Master, what is the matter with you?
Young Master Yang.
It's actually true...
I don't quite understand what you're trying to say.
This was left by Libationer Guo in a pouch.
It revealed the identity of Your Majesty.
Your Majesty...
is this true?
Yes.
What do you intend to do next?
Are you going to tell Chancellor Cao?
Has Your Majesty considered that this substitution will be exposed someday?
What will Your Majesty do then?
In terms of kinship, I should fulfill my brother's last wish.
In terms of responsibility
I should protect the officials and people of the Han Empire.
Making such a choice would have been no different from what I did in Lulong.
You also have a father and brothers.
Putting yourself in my shoes, may I ask what you would do?
I...
I might not be as strong-willed as Your Majesty.
Back in Lulong
I already acknowledged you as the emperor of Great Han.
You're also my emperor.
You're indeed quite different from your father.
I came here today to tell Your Majesty...
that I'm ashamed.
After my sister found out about this secret
she became very agitated and found it hard to accept.
She'd just fallen in love for the first time.
She had a crush on Your Majesty and I'm worried that she...
might not be able to keep this a secret.
It'd be best for Your Majesty to calm her down.
Thank you for the reminder.
Miss Cao is very kind and pure-hearted.
I believe that she won't expose this secret.
Moreover...
I also know how you will handle this pouch.
Father!
Hand it over!
Father!
This isn't what you think it is!
Please allow me to explain!
Father!
Chancellor Cao.
You are in the palace.
Please conduct yourself with respect.
Do you think that you're entitled to speak to me in such a manner?
You deceived me!
You even won over my favorite son!
You hoaxed him into helping an outsider deceive his father!
Chancellor Cao, why don't you read what Libationer Guo said in his letter?
Father! His Majesty is truly of the imperial bloodline!
Is he?
Sima Yi!
My father now knows about His Majesty's identity!
The guards will be here to arrest you!
The guards also already set out to arrest your father and brothers!
You still have one last chance to confess.
I can plead for you!
This is your last chance to save the Sima clan!
Sima Yi!
You know that I'm a man of my word.
If you can make me a promise, I'll be sure to repay you someday.
Tell me quickly. I'll be sure to do so.
Hurry up!
Please inform my father and Lang to escape with our family.
I'll be grateful!
Why?
As long as you tell the truth, I can keep the Sima family safe!
Death is knocking on your door! What can you withhold for him?
How does he deserve this?
I have nine lives.
I won't die.
Sima Yi...
Sima Yi!
Young Master Sima, come with us.
I know the way to the commandant's office.
Let's go.
Take him away to await my decision.
Father! Father!
Father!
Father, hear me out!
Father!
How exciting!
"One who steals a hook, he is put to death."
"Another who steals a state, he becomes its prince."
Young Master Yang not only stole a state and usurped the throne
but you even won over my son and my officials.
You've played a great game of deception.
Yang Ping was Liu Ping's alias.
The late emperor and I are twin brothers.
We both inherited the imperial lineage.
Although I succeeded the throne in quite a haste
I'm still the rightful emperor
according to the posthumous edict.
The posthumous edict?
The late emperor passed away and the empress took hold of the seal.
Since the empress is your accomplice
don't you get to write the imperial decree as you so please?
Since you said so
I'm afraid you've misunderstood what Libationer Guo wrote.
Besides, with half of the letter
how can you use it to slander the emperor?
Chancellor.
Sima Yi was already arrested by Man Chong.
We've already sent our men to Wen County to arrest Sima Yi's father and brothers.
Your Majesty wants evidence.
Why don't you join me to see...
what Yang Ping's godbrother has to say?
Sure.
Go easy on me.
We're old acquaintances now, aren't we?
Who could have known? I'm quite drawn to this place.
Here I am again.
Greetings, Your Majesty.
Greetings, Chancellor.
Your Majesty.
Please forgive me for my lack of etiquette
in my current condition.
Sima Yi.
Tell me.
Who is he?
Chancellor, you've really baffled me.
Fine.
Man Chong.
Interrogate on my behalf.
Yes.
Young Master Sima.
Where is Yang Ping now?
Yi He came to the capital with his father that year.
They ran into bandits on the way.
He was robbed and unfortunately killed.
It's been a few years now.
Right, Lord Man was the one who examined his corpse.
The face of that corpse was completely destroyed.
His identity remained questionable.
There was no evidence to prove that it was Yang Ping.
Then I wouldn't know all the more.
Lord Man told me back then that Yang Ping was dead.
But now, Lord Man is telling me that that wasn't Yang Ping.
Lord Man, do you mean that my godbrother is still alive?
Lord Man, please tell me where my godbrother is right now.
The criminal is unyielding.
I ask to use the tools of torture.
Lord Man...
You lost track of a man, but you're torturing me for information.
What theory is this?
Sima Zhong Da...
Do you know that the soldering iron is already the lightest torture?
Lord Man, your tools are no more than toys to me.
I know.
But it might not be so for His Majesty.
Do it!
Stop it.
Since the ancient times
torturing techniques haven't been used on scholars.
Moreover, there's no evidence in this case.
How can you abuse your power to torture an official?
What could Your Majesty do to acquit Sima Yi?
I've heard that it's been some time
since the chancellor had any regard for the emperor.
Today, you really are bullying the emperor to do as you wish.
It's indeed better seen than heard.
Do it!
Your Majesty, I'm innocent!
Scald him again.
Yes.
Hold on.
- I-- - Stop it!
I have a few words to say.
Go ahead.
Chancellor, you've brought His Majesty to such a filthy place.
You're forcing His Majesty to witness such a sight.
You're just trying to make His Majesty speak out of compassion.
Then...
you'll use those words to your advantage.
How is this any different from treason?
- Scald him again. - Head back to the palace.
Your Majesty, do halt!
Chancellor.
Do you plan to keep me here in the commandant's office as well?
Chancellor, the audience has left.
Should the actors continue with the show?
Don't be so full of yourself yet.
We're still short of some others.
In three days when you're reunited with your father and brothers
we'll put on another great show!
Your Majesty.
Rest assured, Your Majesty.
I will look after Sima Yi.
His Majesty returns to the palace!
Did Cao Cao torture Zhong Da?
Yes.
Zhong Da was tortured and is covered with bruises.
He must have sent his men to Wen County already.
Yes.
It takes only three days on a return journey to Wen County from the capital.
They will surely keep torturing Zhong Da over the next three days.
In three days, the lives of the entire Sima clan will be taken.
This won't do.
We have to send out our troops.
Your Majesty!
Your Majesty! Your Majesty.
Your Majesty, your mind is jumbled.
Yes.
My mind is jumbled.
If we raise a rebellion in the capital
it's bound to end up causing great chaos.
I can't allow that to happen.
We still have three days.
We can come up with a solution.
Sima Yi is still hanging in there despite the torment.
He's trying to buy you some time!
You're right.
Both you and Zhong Da have risked your lives many times to help me.
This time...
I will go all out to save Zhong Da.
We will save him together.
My empress...
You've always been more strong-willed than I am.
I've only become strong-willed since I met Your Majesty.
How I wish I could take you to a place with beautiful mountains and rivers.
Where no one knows who we are.
We'd just be a farming couple.
We'd have a few more children.
We'd spend our lifetime there together.
That dream...
We've had that dream for years.
See there, amid the clouds resides a mate.
The way to Heaven is too long, I hate.
The orchid flower for whom do I wear?
Having declined the feast, I’m filled with despair.
Father.
Tell me.
Why did you do so?
It isn't that I had the audacity to deceive Father.
I think that judging by the current situation
we mustn't confront the imperial family head on.
Only when the capital is peaceful
can Father be at ease and suppress Sun Quan and Liu Bei.
Only by letting go of your past grudges and reconciling with the emperor--
Ridiculous!
You would have me reconcile with a fake emperor?
What predicament would you have landed me in?
Father.
I once shared weal and woe with the emperor.
If it weren't for the emperor's virtue
I'd have long been buried in the ground by now.
However the emperor succeeded the throne
it was His Majesty who showed me the hope that glitters as of stars in the sky.
I also believe that Libationer Guo left the pouch to Jie
because he also couldn't bear for such hope to dim.
Father, you've risked life and limb every day.
You've spent half your lifetime in battles.
Did you not do so for the welfare of all the people and the nation
but for the personal gains and the desires of the Cao family?
Shut up!
I have 25 sons...
I thought that you could accomplish great things.
I had wanted to make you my heir...
Who could have known...
you'd let me down completely.
Father!
I meant every word from the bottom of my heart!
Father, please reconsider!
Jie!
Jie, hear me out!
Jie!
Don't go and make things worse.
I kept that pouch.
Father should punish me instead!
Don't you understand?
Pleading for him won't make any difference now.
Father hates that Zhi betrayed him for the emperor.
Why would Zhi steal my pouch to hand to His Majesty?
Why couldn't he just tell me?
Pi!
Pi, tell me!
Did you tell him to do so?
Yes.
I told him to do so.
We were both worried that it might do the emperor harm if you kept the pouch.
How could it?
Why did you keep it?
Why?
It's because deep down
you don't think that His Majesty and the empress should be together.
Am I right?
What have I done?
What have we done?
Indeed.
We're all sinners.
Jie.
Heed my advice.
Don't go and see Father.
Don't tell Father about any of this.
Father won't listen to our plea.
The more people betray him...
the more it will provoke him into fighting against the emperor.
But he isn't a fake emperor.
He was born of the imperial lineage.
He has the late emperor's posthumous edict to prove it!
I can pledge my life to prove it.
Silly girl.
Will Father change his mind if you die?
What is Father like?
Would you want me to be killed alongside the emperor?
Father will spare Zhi.
But he won't spare me.
All right, don't be too worried.
Father doesn't have any concrete evidence yet.
His Majesty has his own forces now.
In politics, it's always a gamble of authority and benefits.
Neither he nor Father will put a knife to each other's throat.
Young Mistress.
Madam asks that you go to her room immediately.
We hear you.
Come.
You should go to Mother's.
Don't tell her anything.
Don't do anything either.
You have me here.
Go on.
After all that hassle, the emperor is actually an impostor.
Libationer Guo already knew that His Majesty was Yang Ping.
Yang Ping is His Majesty.
But why didn't he tell us?
Aside from the Marquis of Pingyuan, Libationer Guo was also hoodwinked.
Chancellor, why would you go easy on him?
I'll lead the soldiers to arrest him.
We'll interrogate him and that will clear things up.
Uncle, we mustn't.
We don't have any evidence yet.
If we were to raise an army to invade the palace now
it would give others a chance to criticize us.
We'll capture those around him.
We'll beat them up and question them one by one.
With Lord Man's abilities, won't they all be confessing soon?
Man Chong?
Yes.
We must get hold of Sima Fang and his sons.
I must get rid of these people once and for all.
- Yes. - Yes.
Before we do so
you must gather the armed forces to strengthen our defenses
and lock down the palace.
Before we get hold of the solid evidence
we must not reveal a word of this.
You also must not be disrespectful to His Majesty in any way!
This is to prevent anyone from having something on us
to use against us and stir up trouble.
Yes, Chancellor.
Bo Ning, Zi Xiao, you are dismissed.
We'll take our leave.
Bo Ning.
The letter.
Lord Man rarely forgets his manners.
It seems that Libationer Guo's actions had a huge impact on him.
- Zi Huan. - Yes.
Zi Jian was conferred a marquis before you.
Do you hold a grudge against me for it?
I wouldn't dare!
Your brother was conferred a marquis.
You were the only one who was left out.
Have you contemplated what this truly means?
Father...
I've said...
you're the son who truly takes after me.
I won't ever let Father down.
I know that you admire Sima Yi greatly.
One must cherish men of talent.
But at this very moment...
we must not miss the woods for the trees.
I understand.
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