Subtitles by DramaFever
[Secret of the Three Kingdoms]
[Episode 44]
Are you cold?
There's warm wine.
I'll be fine after having some.
Head inside quickly. Here.
Here.
"A beauty from afar arises"
"with crescent brows and clear large eyes."
"By chance I meet her on the way, whom I’ll love until I pass away."
It's my greatest joy that we can meet up in open sight.
Nothing matters more than this.
Since Cao Cao left for war, the surveillance slackened a bit.
I wonder how long this will last.
A lifetime.
Ying, when we've defeated Cao Cao
I'll be sure to make it up to you with a glamorous wedding.
Defeating Cao Cao...
will by no means be easy.
Trust me.
It will be accomplished as long as I'm around.
Today, in bliss we are.
Tomorrow, forget not the times we shared.
There's an urgent military report.
Leave.
What is it?
Is it bad news?
It's hard to tell.
There's only so much one can do.
Your Majesty.
Are you cold?
Look at your hands.
They have turned pink.
The entire garden of plum blossoms has bloomed.
I'll go and arrange the flowers first.
Six months have crept by
since Cao Cao went on the expedition to Jiangdong.
We used to spend each day in fear.
I'd never felt that time went by so quickly.
Such tranquility... It seems that we were already unaccustomed to it.
I also find such tranquility slightly unreal.
But I do hope that Chancellor Cao can return a bit later.
Then I'll be able to keep you company for a few more days.
Your Majesty, the chancellor's administrative official, Sima Yi
seeks audience for an urgent matter.
Zhong Da?
He always says it's urgent.
Why don't you spend your days with him, then?
Go on.
Zhong Da.
Cao Cao was totally defeated at the Red Cliffs
by the alliance army of Sun Quan and Liu Bei.
But the Imperial Secretariat has yet to receive the military report.
This is true.
The scouts of the Imperial Secretariat aren't as fast as my family's horses.
This is absolutely accurate.
The alliance army consists of no more than 50,000 men.
How could they defeat Cao Cao's army of 100,000 some men?
Although Cao Cao outnumbers them in armed forces
the northerners aren't skilled in naval battle.
There are strong winds in winter.
Sun Quan and Liu Bei had his battleships burned.
He's now retreated to Jiangling.
The casualties are still unknown.
But there are bound to be many.
How many heroes will be recorded in history for this battle?
Sun Quan and Liu Bei gained a firm foothold from Cao Cao's defeat.
The world will be chaotic for yet another 20 years.
However, it is still the people who suffered the most in this battle.
Yi He.
Cao Cao is already 53 years old.
It's impossible for him to pacify the Jiangnan area.
If he had figured this out sooner
what do you think he would have done?
I understand.
Once there's no hope in unifying the nation
he'd focus solely on vying against the imperial family for power.
Perhaps then, he'd be willing to be an emperor of a fragmented nation.
You only collaborated with Cao Cao in hopes of unifying the nation sooner.
What about now?
Do you regret stopping me from killing Cao Pi then?
Zhong Da, you managed to escape death several times
because of Cao Pi's efforts.
Yi He, do you still place any hope on the Cao family?
We once fought together to defend Lulong.
We're like brothers.
Do you know who Cao Pi wishes to get rid of the most?
Cao Zhi.
So many brothers kill one another just to sit upon this throne.
The emperor's throne might be spacious, but only one man can sit on it.
What if it were us?
Would you fight over it with me?
If I wished to vie for it, how could anyone defeat me?
It isn't that special.
When Cao Cao returns...
it's going to get foul and bloody again.
Don't you forget that we're the most powerful when we join hands.
Yi He...
You might not agree with my methods.
What are you going to do?
I will defeat the Cao family!
Not only for your sake
but also so that my beloved can live under the sun.
The officials of the Imperial Secretariat will be here very soon.
Your Majesty, deal with them properly.
The good days are over.
Greetings, Chancellor.
I believe that you must have heard about the Battle of the Red Cliffs.
Victory and defeat are common in battles.
Chancellor, you needn't be overly worried.
I might've been defeated at the Red Cliffs
but it caused no damage to our fundamental armed forces.
However, now that the tripartite division of China has been confirmed
it's inevitable that there will be years of frequent battles ahead.
I wish to appoint an heir among my sons.
When I'm away at war, my heir can then act as the vice chancellor.
The two of you are my confidants.
I'd like to know your opinions.
Second Young Master is skilled in both civil and military affairs.
His talent is unparalleled.
He truly is very outstanding.
However, Fourth Young Master is attractive and physically fit.
He has a great strength of character.
He's also full of enthusiasm and fervor.
He very much takes after the chancellor.
He's so remarkably outstanding that he stands out from all others.
What about you, Prefect Xun?
I share a similar opinion to that of Duke Cui.
Both young masters each have their own strengths.
However, in terms of magnanimity and generosity
I would say that Young Master Zi Jian has the advantage.
Zi Jian is still young.
If I choose to abolish my elder son and appoint the youngest...
it might cause some dispute.
I don't have any children.
I've adopted my late brother's daughter as my own.
Now that she is of marriageable age
I'd be happy to marry her to Fourth Young Master
if the chancellor doesn't object to it.
Duke Cui is the leading scholar of the Hebei gentries.
If so, there's no need to worry about any public dispute.
Good!
I'll order my men to pay a visit immediately
to see to the proposal of marriage.
Why do you wear your hair differently every day?
I dream of a snake every night that coils itself in a different shape.
I just style my hair according to what I saw in my dreams.
Should I get you a doctor for having such weird dreams?
This is quite good.
Snakes are even warmer than humans.
For half a day, I've seen you styling your hair and then undoing it.
Who are you dressing up for?
For myself.
Have you greeted Mother today?
- I have. - What did she say?
Zhi is engaged.
Mother said to have you congratulate him.
He's engaged?
Who is he engaged to?
He's engaged to Master of Writing Cui's niece.
Why didn't you inform me sooner of such an important matter?
You didn't ask.
Get dressed.
We're going to Mother's.
You can go alone.
I don't want to see you fighting back disappointment like a hypocrite.
Tell me.
Why should I be disappointed?
You're jealous of your brother for marrying a noble lady
but you can only marry a sinned woman.
You find yourself another step farther away from being the heir.
I already witnessed the brothers of the Yuan family fight to be the heir--
That's enough!
You're so cold and sarcastic every day.
What is it that you want?
Look at me.
Look at me!
There's nothing new to look at.
Whenever Yuan Xi felt as if he were dumb
he would have the same expression as you
and act just like you.
This makes you resemble him all the more.
If it weren't that I was once fond of you...
What is it that I want?
I want freedom.
I want to recite poems with you.
The newlyweds, ascend the steps!
The newlyweds, cleanse!
The newlyweds, enter the hall!
The newlyweds, take your seats.
Eat from the same plate!
Serve wine!
Drink the nuptial wine!
The newlyweds, bow to each other!
Bow in gratitude to the parents!
Bow in appreciation to the friends and guests!
The ceremony is concluded!
Mother, look how happy Zhi is today.
Marriage is the most important matter in one's life.
Your fourth brother has married a virtuous lady
so he surely is happy about it.
Both your second and fourth brothers are married now.
I wonder who you will be married to.
I don't want to get married.
I'll just keep Father and Mother company all my life.
We'd like to wish Fourth Young Master and Young Madam
conjugal bliss and harmony.
Thank you, Prefect Xun.
We wish you conjugal bliss and harmony!
Thank you, gentlemen!
It's my youngest son's wedding.
Thank you for attending and offering your kind wishes.
I have even more good news to share.
I'd like to use this opportunity to announce it to the officials.
The imperial decree is made.
Zi Jian, receive the decree.
The youngest son, Zi Jian, contributed to defending the people of Lulong.
He's conferred as the Marquis of Pingyuan.
- Thank you, Your Majesty! - Thank you, Your Majesty!
Thank you, Father!
Fourth Young Master, congratulations to you on the double bliss.
You should drink to that!
The youngest son was conferred instead of the older one.
Duke Cao is a hero of his times.
However, when it comes to family
he is still blinded by his own preference.
Zhong Da, do you know
how Zi Jian's marital bond with the Cui family came about?
Duke Cui is a leader in the Hebei Commandery.
By tying this marital bond, Duke Cao not only wins over Hebei
but also promotes the reputation of the Fourth Young Master.
It kills two birds with one stone.
Why wouldn't he do so?
His Majesty was assisted by Duke Cui in Hebei several times.
How could Duke Cui not report to His Majesty about
tying this marital bond with our family?
If His Majesty is pleased with this arrangement
I'm afraid Duke Cao might not have consented to it.
His Majesty and Zi Jian survived the battle at Lulong.
It's only natural that he has expectations for Zi Jian.
His Majesty had a say in both my marriage and my brother's.
His Majesty and the empress arrive!
Greetings, Your Majesty!
Greetings, Your Highness!
Do rise.
Fourth Young Master and Miss Cui have just gotten married.
I've come with the empress to congratulate you.
Thank you, Your Majesty!
The empress made this belt herself.
As the ancient poem goes
"A pair of gorgeously colored mandarin ducks"
"cut out to make a quilt of joyous union."
"One touches its countenance longingly."
"As the hem is bound, so your bond will not break."
How could we trouble the empress with such intricate embroidery?
Your Highness, you have such deft hands.
The mandarin ducks were embroidered as if they could come to life.
Your Majesty. Your Highness.
Please have a seat.
Mother, you didn't know about this, but when we were in Lulong
Her Highness sewed an emperor's imperial gown overnight
and that helped resolve the crisis.
It was because Fourth Young Master commanded the army well.
You flatter me!
Your Highness, don't you think that
Her Highness was the one who turned the tide?
Definitely.
The empress ranked first in the previous battle for her merits.
Your Majesty, all you do is tease me.
I should thank Your Majesty.
You put yourself in danger to save two of my children.
I should die thousands of times over for that.
Chancellor, you pacified the Wuhuan Tribe for Great Han.
You're my meritorious subject.
It's Fourth Young Master's wedding.
Why would you speak words of such ill luck?
I should be punished for it.
Here!
Your Majesty.
Your Majesty, please have a seat.
You're the chancellor's preferred heir.
The chancellor won't like it if you're too close to His Majesty.
You must be wary of that.
Why is the younger sister upset that her brother has gotten married?
Your Majesty.
What has upset you?
Tell me.
I might be able to help you.
As the chancellor's daughter, I'm well fed and clothed.
Your Majesty, what do you think I could be upset about?
It's been known that all young girls have their own troubles.
It says so in this poem
"The girls' hearts are sad and heavy."
"Will their young lord return?"
Your Majesty.
I'm sorry.
I've misbehaved.
Your Majesty is actually right.
Actually...
I've actually been fond of Your Majesty.
Miss Cao, are you fond of me as you're fond of Cao Pi and Cao Zhi?
Your Majesty, you needn't worry.
I've heard that my father tried to force you to marry me.
Although I'm fond of you
I don't want you to be forced into marrying me.
You can just be like an older brother to me.
You're right.
The empress is indeed the only woman I love.
Even if you were to stay by my side
I'm afraid I would only do you wrong.
Your Majesty is right.
It doesn't seem to be that bad now that I've said it out loud.
You'll understand when you get older.
Such romantic feelings will go away really quickly.
As for you, you'll surely find a man who will spend a lifetime with you.
I should head back inside.
It won't be good if anyone notices that the emperor snuck out from the banquet.
Take care, Your Majesty!
- Zi Huan. - Present.
You should head back first.
I have to speak to Zi Jian.
Yes.
You should all retire for the night.
- Yes! - Yes!
What is on your mind, Your Majesty?
Nothing much.
I know that Your Majesty is fond of Cao Zhi.
Cao Zhi is young and pure-hearted.
It will be great if he becomes Cao Cao's heir.
Cao Cao has had him in mind.
We can only hope that our friendship with him won't get him into trouble.
Do you know that
your father-in-law has been interacting with His Majesty secretly?
Could it be that His Majesty has intended
for me to join the Cui family through marriage?
Cui Yan wouldn't support you without a good cause.
It's just that you're still young and inexperienced.
You do need his support.
Therefore, I consented to this marriage.
I understand.
I know that you shared weal and woe with His Majesty.
You're fond of him.
However, the Cao family and the imperial family can't coexist.
You're my son.
You must bear this in mind.
I think that by respecting the emperor, it gives us an open and just cause.
Before unifying the nation
it's not worth offending the imperial family.
Since the revolt of Dong Zhuo
I've been fighting battles for 20 years.
I'm now in my old age.
As for unifying the nation...
it can only be entrusted to you.
Zi Jian...
In times of emergency, you must remain level-headed.
Father, you've fought battles all over the nation.
I should stay by your side to share your burdens.
Father, you're now at your prime.
Please don't say such words of ill luck.
Among all of my 25 sons...
you take after me the most.
I have high expectations of you. Don't let me down.
We stayed up so late last night.
Not even our parents are awake yet.
Why are you up so early?
I couldn't sleep.
My silly sister.
Why would you make yourself feel so bad?
I don't feel bad about myself.
I witnessed it last night.
I also overheard you.
I know how painful it is to yearn for something
that you're destined not to have.
Don't keep it bottled up.
Cry out loud if you wish.
Pi...
I really...
I am really fond of His Majesty.
Libationer Guo tried to fix you up with His Majesty.
I wonder if he left you any good ideas before he passed away.
He didn't.
But... he left me a pouch.
What kind of a pouch is it?
Libationer Guo said that it contains a secret that could affect the world.
What secret could it be?
I don't know either.
However, Libationer Guo did say that the message in the pouch
can only be opened and read by me.
Pi, what's the matter?
Deep in my heart...
there's also a secret that I didn't dare to tell anyone.
I'm worried that the pouch given to you by Libationer Guo
might be somehow related to this secret of mine.
What secret is it?
Can you tell me?
I promise not to tell anyone.
Do you know...
Cao Ang died in Wan City because...
because of our mother.
She bribed Jia Xu and Zhang Xiu.
She made them raise a rebellion on purpose.
No, that's impossible!
Why would Mother do so?
She already admitted it to me.
She did it for me.
She did it for Zhi.
If Ang were still alive...
it's without question that he would be the legitimate heir.
Mother took such a risk for us.
Why would I not risk this life to make up for Mother's sins?
I investigated Jia Xu and Zhang Xiu in secret.
Guo Jia found out about it.
Judging from his words...
he must have figured it out.
Perhaps, he left the pouch to you...
out of his sympathy for Mother.
Perhaps...
compared to your brothers, who are vying to be the heir
you can judge more fairly.
Jie...
Will you hand over the pouch to Father?
Pi, why do you sound so estranged?
Mother dotes more on me than any of my brothers.
How could I give the pouch to Father?
Besides, I don't even know what's written in the pouch yet.
Pi, don't be too worried.
If it's not related to our family
why would he give you the pouch?
I can open the pouch.
But Zhi will also have to be present.
Sure.
I see...
I understand everything now.
Yang Ping of the Sima family isn't dead.
Yang Ping is the current emperor.
We can't keep this letter.
We know His Majesty very well.
Even if there's any doubt about his succession
he's the late emperor's twin, so he didn't usurp the throne!
We've witnessed His Majesty's bravery and wisdom!
He's a wise emperor, which is hard to come by.
This letter must be burnt.
No!
Pi, don't you wish to protect His Majesty?
It isn't so.
Zi Jian.
We mustn't act recklessly.
This means His Majesty and the empress...
are actually in-laws?
Then...
Then they...
Zhi, Pi.
I promised Libationer Guo that I'd safeguard this pouch.
Can I keep this letter with me for safekeeping?
This is what we should do.
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