Resumen del episodio 2 de Secret of Three Kingdoms
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In the imperial sleeping chambers, Fu Shou tearfully informed Liu Ping that he had arrived too late; his brother, Emperor Xian, had already passed away that morning. Liu Ping stared blankly at his deceased twin, overcome with grief. Fu Shou explained to Tang Ying that Emperor Xian had succumbed to a sudden, unremitting high fever in his sleep. She had kept his death a secret all day, fearing the chaos it would unleash.
The shared goal of restoring the Han Dynasty had forged a bond between Fu Shou and Tang Ying. Addressing Liu Ping directly, Fu Shou then referred to him as "Your Majesty," revealing the true purpose of his presence: to impersonate his brother and become the Emperor. Fu Shou clarified that this was Emperor Xian's dying arrangement. She presented the imperial decree, which explicitly stated that Liu Ping was to succeed him to protect the Han Dynasty.
Overwhelmed with sorrow, Liu Ping questioned whether they truly believed he could play the role. Fu Shou explained the gravity of the situation: if Cao Cao discovered Emperor Xian's death, he would install a weak, easily manipulated puppet, leading to the Han Dynasty's complete collapse. Only Liu Ping, she insisted, could bear this immense responsibility. Understanding his brother's last wish, Liu Ping silently accepted. Fu Shou solemnly bowed to him and handed him the imperial jade seal.
Meanwhile, in the autopsy room, Man Chong regarded a headless corpse with a sinister smile. Fu Shou meticulously applied makeup to Liu Ping, making him resemble Emperor Xian. She instructed him to feign illness, allowing her to handle the imperial court. Liu Ping questioned her motives, to which Fu Shou responded that it was all part of Emperor Xian's final wishes.
Liu Ping pointed out the inherent risks of such an elaborate deception, citing his former identity as a minor eunuch and the Emperor's body as significant loopholes. Unfazed, Fu Shou gestured towards Emperor Xian's body, declaring it to be that of the eunuch who entered the palace. She then produced a dagger and ordered everyone out. Liu Ping was horrified at the thought of desecrating his brother's body, but Fu Shou firmly stated that this, too, was Emperor Xian's arrangement.
After Liu Ping and Tang Ying departed, Fu Shou tearfully addressed Emperor Xian's body, expressing her deep affection and her resolve to fulfill his dying wish for the sake of the Han Dynasty. With no further hesitation, she picked up the dagger. Fu Shou personally set Emperor Xian's body ablaze, creating the impression of a palace fire. She then led Liu Ping out of the burning chambers.
This fire was merely the beginning, setting in motion a series of events for everyone involved. Amidst the spreading flames and shouts, Xun Yu, the Director of Secretariat, arrived at the palace gates. He rushed to the disheveled Empress and Liu Ping, urging them to take refuge in the Imperial Secretariat. Though loyal to Cao Cao, Xun Yu also harbored loyalty to the Han Dynasty.
As Xun Yu arranged for guards to escort the Emperor and Empress, Man Chong, undeterred by the blaze, entered the burning palace. This alarming act prompted Fu Shou to cry out for Man Chong to be rescued, but Xun Yu intervened. Man Chong emerged, shouting orders to seal off the palace and summon General Cao Ren.
Fu Shou angrily challenged his actions, asking if he intended to lock the Emperor inside, insisting the fire was merely an accident caused by her spilling a charcoal stove. Cao Ren arrived, casting a cold glance at the burning palace before clearing a path for Fu Shou and Liu Ping to leave. That night, outside Xudu's city gates, Sima Yi bribed a military officer to gain entry. Inside the Imperial Secretariat, Xun Yu inquired about the fire's origin.
Fu Shou explained that it was caused by Tang Ying accidentally knocking over a medicine cauldron while burning fragrant herbs. She credited the eunuch who accompanied Tang Ying for sacrificing his life to save them. Xun Yu then proposed summoning an Imperial Physician to examine the Emperor. Fearing exposure, Fu Shou quickly objected. Liu Ping then spoke up, asserting that revealing his illness would harm Lord Cao's military morale. Xun Yu reluctantly dropped the matter.
After Xun Yu left, Kong Rong, Superintendent of the Privy Treasury, and Court Adviser Zhao Yan approached him, concerned about Emperor Xian's condition. Kong Rong, known for his loyalty to the Han Dynasty, complained bitterly about the chaos in Xudu's defenses under the Ministry of Works and the insecurity of the Imperial Palace, directing his dissatisfaction towards Cao Cao.
Once the others departed, Xun Yu mused about the ominous celestial sign of a comet attacking the Purple Star, wondering if the recent events were natural disasters or human machinations. Man Chong then appeared, revealing his discovery: the body of the "eunuch" had died before the fire, indicating the fire was no accident. Xun Yu cautioned him to consider Cao Cao's interests and not stir up trouble.
Man Chong, however, suspected that the Emperor's actions were linked to the imminent Battle of Guandu. In the palace, Liu Ping, looking at his reflection, joked to Fu Shou that she should be grateful to Zhongda, or he might have been crippled and unable to impersonate Emperor Xian. Liu Ping wished to send a message to Zhongda (Sima Yi, his foster brother), but Fu Shou immediately rebuked him.
They discussed the precarious situation in Xudu and the formidable generals under Cao Cao. Fu Shou reminded Liu Ping that Emperor Xian, burdened by his responsibilities, never smiled at officials. She began instructing him on how to effectively portray Emperor Xian. In Xudu's streets, Sima Yi inquired with local beggars about the best rice shop, eventually finding a contact associated with "Zhang Rice Shop." He questioned an old beggar about the previous night's events in Xudu.
Meanwhile, Man Chong informed Xun Yu that the deceased "eunuch" was not a true eunuch and likely someone they all knew, leading him to suspect a deeper conspiracy. In the great hall, ministers awaited the Emperor's morning court.
Inside, as Liu Ping donned his imperial robes, Fu Shou gave him three crucial instructions for his appearance: first, if she did not object, he should simply approve suggestions without further inquiry; second, he must not smile; and third, he was to convey a message to Dong Cheng: "Don't let me down with what I've entrusted you to do."
