Secret of Three Kingdoms Episode 10 Recap
> Secret of Three Kingdoms Recap
Sima Yi informed Liu Ping that Fu Shou and their faction never truly considered him an ally, whether in matters of government or personal affection, and questioned why he should be hurt by them. Liu Ping, filled with sorrow, asked Fu Shou if her intimate actions the previous night were also dictated by the late Emperor Xian's will. Sima Yi laughed, remarking on their intimacy and suggesting that a man is most easily controlled in bed.
Fu Shou, suppressing her emotion, confirmed that it was all a deception, adding that she wouldn't be so "cheap" as to be intimate with another man days after the former Emperor's death. Liu Ping, his heart broken, no longer hesitated and resolutely decided to leave with Sima Yi.
Tang Ying tried to stop them, but Fu Shou cried out that the Han Dynasty did not need such a coward and declared that she, as the Empress of Han, was still there to protect it. As Fu Shou returned to the palace, she was stopped by General Zhang Xiu and his men. Zhang Xiu, having just taken over the Chamber Guards, insisted on verifying everyone entering and exiting the palace to avoid being lax in his new duty.
Leng Shouguang stated that all eunuchs were under his management and there were no issues, but Zhang Xiu still refused to let them pass. Suddenly, Cao Pi, wielding a sword, rushed out, intent on avenging his elder brother, Cao Ang, who he believed died at Zhang Xiu's hands. Zhang Xiu protested that he had sincerely surrendered to Cao Cao, who had already forgiven him.
Cao Pi remained enraged, identifying a general by Zhang Xiu's side as Hu Che'er, the man who led the army that killed his brother and Dian Wei years ago. Hu Che'er stated that he was merely serving a different master at the time. As Cao Pi prepared to strike, Fu Shou urged him to consider the current situation in Xudu.
Cao Pi then commanded Zhang Xiu and his Xiliang Army to leave Xudu, telling him to send Magistrate Man Chong to see him if he objected. Fu Shou later thanked Cao Pi for intervening, which spared her from potential humiliation by Zhang Xiu. She expressed sympathy for his plight, implying that Cao Cao might not truly mind if Cao Pi sought revenge by killing a mere soldier, especially since Han laws did not punish a son for seeking vengeance.
Cao Pi confirmed that Hu Che'er was indeed the killer of his elder brother, a memory he could never forget. Meanwhile, Kong Rong and other officials came to Xun Yu with a revised draft of rites for the upcoming offering ceremony, requesting an audience with Liu Ping.
Xun Yu initially tried to deflect them, citing the Emperor's ill health, but the officials insisted, reminding him that the grand ceremony required His Majesty's personal input and questioning if he was trying to keep them from the Emperor again. Xun Yu relented and agreed to take them to the Residence of the Grand Minister of Works, promising to try to secure an audience.
Back in the mourning hall, Fu Shou stood over Dong Fei's body, blaming herself for Dong Fei's death and asking her to convey to the late Emperor that she would fulfill his last will. Leng Shouguang then informed Fu Shou that Kong Rong and others were seeking an audience.
Distressed by Liu Ping's departure, Fu Shou wept, but quickly composed herself, telling Leng Shouguang that the Emperor would only be away for a few days and they must protect the palace for him. Yang Xiu, angered that Fu Shou allowed Liu Ping to leave, confronted her. Fu Shou shouted that the Han Dynasty did not need a weak Emperor and that she, the Empress, was still here.
Fu Shou then personally met with the officials, explaining that the Emperor was deeply distressed after enduring too many terrible events since the capital moved, including the deaths and unrest caused by Dong Zhuo, Li Jue, and Guo Si, and that he was currently embarrassed to face them. The ministers, understanding the impact of Dong Cheng's failed rebellion, finally agreed to retreat, promising to wait for the Emperor's edict regarding the ceremony.
After they left, Fu Shou collapsed to the ground, overcome with emotion. On a forest road, Sima Yi tried to comfort Liu Ping, encouraging him to forget everything and proposing they travel to Jiangnan to escape danger, where they could enjoy a peaceful life. Liu Ping was surprised that Sima Yi would leave his family in Henei for him. As they rode, Sima Yi painted an idyllic picture of Jiangnan. However, Liu Ping's mind was still on Fu Shou.
They then witnessed soldiers brutally beating Dong Cheng's family on the roadside. Sima Yi warned Liu Ping not to intervene, stating he couldn't save them. But Liu Ping stood firm, declaring his intention to return to save everyone.
Sima Yi argued that Fu Shou and the others were cunning and ruthless, capable of taking care of themselves, but Liu Ping insisted that Fu Shou and the others—Princess Consort Tang, Supreme Commander Yang, his father, and Dong Cheng—were not power-hungry but had sacrificed their lives for the Han Dynasty, and because he shared Han blood, he felt compelled to return.
Sima Yi warned Liu Ping that the path back was one of "blood, lies, and deceptions," and if he chose it, he would never be able to live the life he once desired. Liu Ping, unwavering, accepted this. Seeing his resolve, Sima Yi advised him that to succeed, he must have his own convictions and never become a puppet, before they parted ways. Meanwhile, Hu Che'er, drunk in a street tavern, regretted coming to Xudu.
Cao Pi ambushed and stabbed him from behind, wanting him to experience betrayal. As Hu Che'er lay dying, he revealed that Cao Ang was actually killed by Yuan Shao's men, not by Zhang Xiu, advising Cao Pi to seek out Xu You in Yecheng for confirmation. Liu Ping, now back among Dong Cheng's family, assured them that Dong Cheng's grievances would eventually be cleared. Sima Yi then discussed with Liu Ping how to revive the Han Dynasty.
He promised to secretly pave the way for Liu Ping, who only needed to focus on being a good emperor. They agreed not to meet again until their efforts had succeeded, with Sima Yi promising to reappear in a different identity at that time. Cao Pi found Fu Shou in a somber mood and consoled her by sharing his own past grief over his elder brother's death, which he had to hide.
He thanked her, saying her encouragement had helped him overcome a nightmare, and pledged to protect her regardless of changing circumstances. Driven by his affection, Cao Pi offered to perform a sword dance for her. However, his mother, Lady Cao, arrived and angrily reprimanded him, striking him for driving away Zhang Xiu and thereby disrupting Cao Cao's grand plans. Fu Shou tried to speak in Cao Pi's defense, but Lady Cao wouldn't listen. Just then, Liu Ping returned.
Cao Jie, Cao Pi's sister, playfully teased her brother about trying to impress the Empress only to be saved by the Emperor. Liu Ping presided over the morning court, announcing that the next day's offering ceremony would proceed as planned, as he had made all necessary preparations. He later sought out Fu Shou, telling her he merely wanted to speak.
Fu Shou questioned why he returned, suggesting he could have forgotten everything and resumed his life as Master Yang, which she believed was his original desire. Liu Ping asserted that he could no longer forget, feeling the Han blood flowing through him, and declaring Xudu as his home. Fu Shou then pulled out her hairpin, challenging him to kill her with it, proving he had discarded his weakness, and blame her as the mastermind behind Dong Cheng's rebellion.
Liu Ping reinserted the hairpin into her hair, declaring that he would no longer be manipulated by them. He stated he would use his own methods to revive the Han Dynasty and save her. Fu Shou, agitated, threw the hairpin to the ground, asserting she didn't need his saving and that he shouldn't save someone who had tricked him.
She stressed the preciousness of every life and urged him to stop belittling his own, vowing not to allow such sacrifices again. She demanded he stop being affectionate with her when they were alone, as it was an insult to her after what had been said. She reminded him that in chaotic times, human lives were trivial, and many had their chastity tainted to end these times, urging him not to take their sacrifices lightly. Outside the Residence of the Grand Minister of Works, Sima Yi sat on his horse, gazing at the gate, reflecting on Liu Ping's decision.
