Subtitles by DramaFever
[Secret of the Three Kingdoms]
[Episode 52]
Fu Wan planned to revolt!
He already told you about it!
You actually kept this from me!
Why would 30 years of friendship lose to a phantom-like imperial family?
So many years have gone by...
I've been caught between you and His Majesty
constrained on both sides, and stuck in a dilemma!
I was doing all that I could to maintain that awkward balance!
It was just so that your aspirations
and my ambition could be realized together!
I...
I'm terrified.
I don't know what to write!
All the more, I don't know...
how I should face the people!
Birds of different feathers...
don't flock together.
As of today, Duke Cao...
You no longer need me as I once was.
It's time to bid you farewell today.
Cao Cao...
take care.
Why would all of my confidants...
become his?
Father.
Come in.
Father.
Prefect Xun passed away.
Nonsense!
I just met with him!
Military adviser Xun You came to report his death
saying that Prefect Xun burned a pot of incense in his room.
He burned many of his writings.
By the time they went in
Prefect Xun had already passed away, sitting right there.
I didn't tell him to die!
It's his revenge...
He did this to get back at me!
Father!
Father! Father!
Imperial physician! Summon the imperial physician!
Is anyone there?
Your Majesty.
You'll have all the time in the world to miss her and feel the pain.
I'll have to send the empress on her way.
When I pass away...
we shall be in the same home again.
Wait for me.
Xun Yu is dead.
Was it you?
You've made use of Fu Wan's death.
Why have you come here for?
I'm here to help you.
You're going all out to assassinate Cao Cao.
It's nearly impossible to succeed.
You're just being stubborn by fighting a hopeless battle.
Why don't I help you accomplish one tenth of what you wish for?
How?
Go on with your plan until Cao Cao has you killed.
Elder Statesman.
That is when your counterattack truly begins.
When you're dead
I'll turn your remains into the foundation of the imperial family.
What exactly are you talking about?
I'll need you to write two letters.
Write one to Xun Yu and the other to Yang Biao.
Invite them to participate in your plan.
But Grand Commandant Yang has already retired
and he no longer has any authority!
Xun Yu is even Cao Cao's confidant.
Why should I inform them?
Xun Yu is caught in a dilemma.
Although he won't betray Cao Cao
he feels guilty toward the imperial family.
Therefore, he won't expose you to Cao Cao.
He'll just keep quiet about it and feel even more torn.
This letter will bring about his death after you've died.
You...
Are you going to kill them?
Exactly.
I'm going to make use of Cao Cao to kill them.
Xun Yu is from a prestigious family of Yingchuan.
He's the leader of Yingchuan's gentries.
As for Yang Biao, he's from an influential family of Hongnong.
They are both leaders of the gentries.
If Cao Cao really has them killed
he will be severing all ties with the gentries nationwide.
He won't dare remain in the Central Plain any longer.
Nor will he be able to replace the imperial family.
All right...
You can take my life.
However, you must answer my question first.
Who exactly do you work for?
I'm just seeking vengeance.
Have you forgotten?
Xun Yu was helping us!
If Xun Yu goes on living, he's as good as a silkworm that spins itself to death.
He's useless to us.
He's only somewhat valuable if he dies.
Nearly all of Cao Cao's strategists were recommended by Xun Yu.
Once we kill Xun Yu, we will rid Cao Cao of his strategists.
He'll always be trapped under the imperial family.
What I wish is to save everyone in the world!
Every one of those lives out there!
Not just the imperial family.
Your Majesty...
I wonder if the deceased loyal subjects can still rest in peace
after hearing what you just said!
Don't worry.
The stab wound in my chest will keep me safe from doubt.
Zhong Da...
Our paths...
They will diverge in the end.
I can no longer use thousands of lives in exchange
for my victory over the Cao family.
I sent you to Cao Cao's side with that wound in your chest.
Use your own ways to manipulate the future of the Cao family.
Thank you, Your Majesty.
Your Majesty, take care.
This path that you've chosen will leave you fighting all alone.
I hope that you'll be able to persist.
I'll take my leave.
Zhong Da...
take care.
Mister Kong Rong was the Confucian scholar of our time!
The descendant of Confucius was now killed wrongfully.
His corpse was abandoned out on the streets!
His young sons were wrongfully killed!
Is there any justice in the capital?
What's left of the sage's teaching?
Officials were scared to recover his corpse
for fear of the treacherous subjects.
We will.
Should Cao Cao punish us for it
we'll follow in the footsteps of Mister Kong and sacrifice for justice!
Sacrifice for justice!
Who are those people?
Duke Cao, did you give such orders?
Scholars fish for fame.
I have to give them a warning.
Does your true nature lie in killing all who are righteous in the world?
They are rebellious!
Who have they rebelled against?
Let them do as they wish.
Let's go!
[Prefect of the Masters of Writing]
"They abused me for wearing orchids and cursed me for plucking orchids."
"It is what I longed for."
"I’ll not regret even if I die several times."
Prefect Xun, you stayed true to the promise you made me that day.
A subject as such...
A bosom friend as such...
It's my blessing.
Prefect Xun, what you sought was peace in the nation.
I certainly won't let you down.
I thank Your Majesty on behalf of my father for attending his funeral.
We knew each other for more than 20 years.
The one who knew me best...
was certainly Prefect Xun.
My deeds...
May you see them from Heaven.
May you scrutinize them.
Duke Cao, after the funeral
I'll escort my father's coffin back to Yingchuan.
I will mourn for three years.
Our clan misses my father and wishes not to be apart from him.
Duke Cao, please allow my family to remain in the capital.
None of you wish to come with me to Ye City?
Duke Cao, please fulfill our wish!
What is your opinion, Your Majesty?
A noble man can't give up his own ambition.
Each has his own ideal.
I will allow it.
Thank you, Duke Cao!
Your Majesty.
You've won.
You made my most trusted confidant oppose me.
Duke Cao, do you really think that I'd sacrifice them to fight against you?
Duke Cao...
I'd advise you to leave the capital soon.
If you continue to stay here
I can't guarantee what might happen next.
Neither of us would want the capital to become a battlefield again.
Father.
Cousin.
- Father. - Cousin.
Father!
Father...
- Meng De... - Father!
Meng De!
Father...
Meng De!
- Father! - Meng De!
Can't you even find one medical officer who can ease Duke of Wei's pain?
The tumor has already spread deep into his brain.
The pain really can't be easily relieved by medication.
Find Hua Tuo...
Didn't they say that Hua Tuo is a miraculous doctor?
Go in search of Hua Tuo.
Meng De...
Have you forgotten?
You had Hua Tuo killed 10 years ago.
I forgot about that.
Indeed...
I did kill him.
All those who are competent...
are killed by me.
Go and decoct the medication.
Yes.
- Jie... - I'm right here.
- Jie. - Yes, Father.
I'm still going to Ye City.
Would you like to stay in the capital?
I'm willing to go to Ye City with Father.
I'll always stay by your side.
The gods didn't give me enough time to replace the imperial family
and make you a carefree princess.
But I still have the ability to fulfill your wish.
Marry him.
Be his empress.
I don't want to!
I'd rather not see him ever again!
Listen to me. Listen!
Meng De.
Meng De!
I'm all right.
Marry him.
This is for your sake.
It's also for the sake of the nation.
If he marries you...
it will ease my mind a little.
I won't have to kill so many people.
I actually never wanted to kill so many people.
It's just that we...
If we didn't, we'd have to suffer.
You're my daughter, after all.
Greetings, Your Majesty.
Do rise.
Thank you, Your Majesty.
My father is unwell, so he sent me to report to Your Majesty.
Within a month, he will move out of the capital as promised
and establish his fiefdom in Ye City.
However, before he leaves, he'd like Your Majesty to consent to a request.
Is Duke Cao still threatening me?
No.
My father is asking Your Majesty to do him a favor.
The capital has been through such a long period of bloodshed.
My father already understands that he can't defeat Your Majesty.
However, the imperial family is too weak to annihilate my family.
This endless struggle for power will only make us sacrifice even more.
This time, he's proposing to tie a marital bond with Your Majesty.
The marital bond between the royal Liu family and the Cao family
can stop many obstinate veteran officials from resisting my father.
Once Your Majesty is the son-in-law of the Cao family, we'll also behave.
From then on, the imperial family and Ye City will act independently.
Your Majesty asked us for peace.
Please also demonstrate your sincerity.
Your father killed my wife for the sake of this collaboration.
My father started his career from battles.
In his position, there are battles that he has to fight
and people he has to kill.
But Your Majesty knows my youngest sister well.
She's innocent.
I hope that Your Majesty won't vent your anger at her.
Your Majesty, Miss Cao seeks audience.
Invite Miss Cao in.
Miss Cao, please come in to seek audience!
Duke of Wei's daughter greets Your Majesty.
Miss Cao, please do rise.
Pi, I know what brings you here.
You should head home first.
I'd like to speak with His Majesty in private.
Father means well.
I know.
I'll take my leave.
You must hate my father, don't you?
Both your father and I are caught up in this battle.
We have no other way out.
You don't have to feel guilty about it.
There's nothing you can do to change it.
Let me marry you!
This is unfair to you.
If I had destroyed Guo Jia's pouch, none of this would have happened.
Her Highness...
She wouldn't be...
This isn't your fault.
It's just that the imperial court is too malicious for you.
Some conflicts can't be avoided.
Even if it wasn't you, it would've been someone else.
But it wasn't someone else. It was me!
Your Majesty.
I really can't stop blaming myself.
I even thought of killing myself.
However, if I die in such a way
I'll still be too ashamed to face Her Highness even in the underworld.
I don't need you to love me.
We don't have to be a real couple either.
As long as I can help ease the strife between you and my father
and protect you on behalf of Her Highness
I will feel a bit better.
I don't need you to make such a sacrifice.
You're still very young.
You should have a loving husband and a normal life.
However it is with your father
I can't make you sacrifice for our power struggle.
It's only a sacrifice if I'm unwilling to do it.
I'm willing to do so wholeheartedly.
Your Majesty, you said that I don't know about war.
But I can soothe it.
Your Majesty, just see this as fulfilling my wish.
Please?
When the king established his empire, a position to assist him was created.
Sages shall act as his role model.
He shall be wed.
Duke of Wei's daughter, née Cao.
Born of a prestigious family.
Elegant and virtuous.
She's qualified to lead the harem.
She is to be conferred as the empress!
Have you adapted to life here?
It's much more carefree here than in the palace.
His Majesty still made the right decision in the end.
If you choose to stop Cui Yan, Fu Shou will surely have to die.
But I can't allow so many young lives to be sacrificed
for the sake of someone's scheme.
What is it?
Are you going to give up Fu Shou?
What is this?
This is Leng Shou Guang's drug.
It can feign death for several days.
I planned to keep it for myself when I abdicate the throne.
You should use it to save the empress first.
Why would you dare to hand this drug over to me?
I'm the one who hates you the most.
Aren't you afraid that I'll hand it to Cao Cao and sabotage your way out?
Or even swap this for a real poison?
I am well aware of what my godbrother is like.
After this deed is done, Cao Cao will keep you as his confidant.
You wish to be at his service, so I'll help you with it.
No one can manipulate me.
Or command me.
Even if you're the emperor.
Zhong Da.
I used to be the one to obey you.
This time... you have to obey me.
But as long as Cao Cao shall live, you can never meet up with her.
I yearn for her, but we can't meet.
That will be your revenge on me.
It's also the punishment that I should endure.
Yi He...
when have you ever obeyed me?
It makes me laugh whenever I recall how serious he looked.
He's just being obstinate.
In order to see you, I'm afraid he'd trade 10 thrones.
Are you really not going to tell him where you are?
I don't want him to carry the burden of more sacrifices.
[The memorial tablet of my late father, Duke Fu]
As for your father...
I don't hate you for it.
I knew that... I couldn't stop him.
However, His Majesty might not forgive you too easily.
I'll move to Ye City with Cao Cao.
I have to set out right away.
You're also leaving?
Then His Majesty will be left without a kin.
His Majesty conferred an empress today.
It's Cao Jie.
This time, will the sacrifice be...
the prime of a young woman?
You're actually upset for Cao Cao's daughter and your husband's new wife?
It does seem that you've spent too much time with him.
What about you?
I grew up with him.
He can't influence me.
Nor can I influence him.
Cao Cao is setting out right now.
I'll take my leave.
I'll see you out.
I've always wanted to ask if you bought this house for Sister Tang.
I had planned to remain in the capital to assist him
after the imperial family won this battle.
Tang Ying always preferred tranquility.
Therefore, I bought this house out here amidst a scenic view
where it's not too far from the capital.
I had it renovated and furnished in hopes of giving her a surprise
when that day came.
I thought then...
if I were to live here
I'd have to wake up early to make it to the imperial court every morning.
For someone like me who likes to sleep in late
it's too much of a hassle.
I'd need to cuddle up to her long enough before leaving.
I'm sorry.
You were her only friend.
Having you live here in her stead...
is quite lovely.
Ying...
I also wish to be with you always.
[The tomb of Tang Ying]
Even if I were to just stay here and miss you quietly.
But I have to go on living.
I have to avenge you.
I have to see on your behalf what it will be like
after the turbulent times are over.
[The tomb of Tang Ying]
I have to go now.
The 18th year of the Jian An reign
Cao Cao was conferred the Duke of Wei.
He left the capital.
He established his fiefdom in Ye City with hundreds of officials.
The imperial family and the Cao family that had been in a tangle for decades
were finally separated.
They each regained freedom.
Come and take a look! It's fresh!
Come and take a look!
Madam, what would you like today?
I'm having wantons, so I'll get some radish.
Madam, you were right to come here.
Look, my radishes are so big, but they only cost five pennies each.
- So cheap? - Yes.
This radish looks so much like a baby.
Madam, are you thinking about having babies?
We have a particularly good harvest this year.
All food, vegetables, and meat are cheap.
Indeed, it's because there's no war here in the capital.
His Majesty also cares greatly about us.
He doesn't recruit men for war and keeps the tax low.
Shouchun and Ye City are always recruiting soldiers for battles.
Look over there. Look!
So many more refugees have fled into the capital.
His Majesty didn't ban them from coming and even handed out rations to them.
In the past, we didn't even dare to think that there would be such an emperor.
Exactly. In the past--
People in other areas are all envious of us here in the capital.
Madam, how about a bunch of garlic chives?
Sure. This one as well.
The garlic chives are fresh!
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