Secret of Three Kingdoms Episode 11 Recap
> Secret of Three Kingdoms Recap
Magistrate Man patrolled Xudu and met General Cao Ren, who had just returned victoriously after Grand Minister Cao defeated Liu Bei at Xuzhou. General Cao Ren inquired about Dong Cheng's rebellion. Magistrate Man reported that Dong Cheng stubbornly refused to confess, claiming sole responsibility for dispatching troops and refusing to implicate His Majesty or admit collusion with Yuan Shao.
Regarding the assassins, Magistrate Man confirmed Wang Fu was one, and stated he had a good idea who the other female assassin was, but lacked sufficient evidence for now. General Cao Ren then introduced Colonel Deng Zhan of the Tiger-Leopard Cavalry, explaining that Libationer Guo Jia had sent him to assist Magistrate Man with the assassin. Magistrate Man, relieved at the mention of Guo Jia, asked about his well-being.
Deng Zhan relayed Guo Jia's message that he would arrive soon and that, contrary to expectations, "the more chaotic Xudu is, the better." Empress Fu Shou successfully persuaded Liu Ping to return to the Sikong Mansion for a ritual. She told him, "Today, you have to walk with me to the ritual. I'm sorry that you'll have to bear the hardship," to which he readily agreed. Meanwhile, Director Xun Yu visited the scholars he had promoted, observing their studiousness.
He noticed Sima Yi was absent and learned from the other scholars that he was still sleeping. Xun Yu found Sima Yi and expressed concern that he might have stayed up all night studying. Sima Yi admitted his discomfort was due to worries about his younger brother, Yang Ping, and that he hadn't been able to sleep.
Xun Yu advised him to prioritize his studies and mentioned that General Cao Ren had returned but found no one among the captured thieves who admitted to robbing Yang Jun. Sima Yi was surprised by Cao Ren's swift return. Sima Yi then stated his family would continue to investigate and, if needed, his father would seek Lord Cao's help.
Xun Yu dismissed these worries, telling Sima Yi to go and observe the upcoming imperial sacrifice, meticulously prepared by Superintendent Kong Rong, as it would be a valuable learning experience. Cao Pi was inspecting soldiers when he spotted his sister, Cao Jie, disguised as a male recruit. He subtly acknowledged her by gently tapping her head without exposing her identity.
Later, at the ritual ceremony with Liu Ping and Fu Shou, Director Xun Yu announced that since Grand Minister Cao was absent, General Cao Ren, having recently achieved great merits, should perform the final offering as a reward. Liu Ping readily agreed, stating that as Cao Ren would represent Grand Minister Cao, no one would dare to compete for the honor.
However, Fu Shou subtly advised Liu Ping to be respectful and submissive to avoid further suspicion from Cao Cao's faction. Liu Ping, resistant to appearing weak, responded, "If I become that submissive, will I not be like me anymore?" The ceremony was briefly interrupted when Adviser Zhao Yan stepped forward, causing General Cao Ren to draw his sword.
Director Xun Yu quickly diffused the tension by explaining it was a planned arrangement by Superintendent Kong Rong, allowing the ritual to proceed. As Liu Ping performed the wine offering, Wang Yue, the legendary swordsman, suddenly burst in and seized Cao Pi, declaring his intent to avenge his younger brother, Wang Fu. Magistrate Man confronted Wang Yue, arguing that Wang Fu was punished by national law for rebellion.
Wang Yue countered that "traveling warriors like us only recognize blood relationships and not laws," asserting his right to kill Cao Pi in retaliation for his brother's death at the hands of Cao forces. Cao Pi, undaunted, declared that even if he were killed, the Cao family's bloodline would not be easily severed, as he had seven other brothers.
Liu Ping intervened, appealing to Wang Yue as the Emperor to release Cao Pi, promising justice and stating that Cao Pi had no involvement. At this crucial moment, Sima Yi stepped forward and revealed that Wang Fu had been killed by Princess Consort Hongnong, Tang Ying, during a struggle after being wounded and attempting to take her hostage. This unexpected revelation enraged Wang Yue, who, upon hearing Tang Ying's name, vowed to kill Cao Pi first, then Tang Ying.
In the ensuing commotion, Cao Pi seized an opportunity to fight back. Wang Yue managed to escape, but Cao Pi sustained severe injuries to his throat. Empress Fu Shou confronted Sima Yi, accusing him of endangering Princess Consort Tang by revealing her involvement in Wang Fu's death. Sima Yi immediately requested permission to protect Princess Consort Tang to atone for his actions, then departed with General Sun Yi. Meanwhile, Cao Pi was severely injured with a cut throat, bleeding profusely.
His sister Cao Jie tearfully pleaded with Liu Ping to save her brother. Liu Ping, remaining calm, took charge and called for clean water, cloth, and sword injury medicines, then skillfully began to treat Cao Pi. The sight of the Emperor's unexpected medical prowess surprised the officials, prompting one to remark on Liu Ping's newfound agility and medical knowledge after a long illness.
Fu Shou quickly interjected, explaining that Liu Ping had been learning a health regimen to strengthen his body, and it was natural for him to have gained some medical knowledge from his prolonged illness. When Adviser Zhao Yan expressed skepticism, Eunuch Leng Shouguang stepped in, demonstrating how to properly bandage the wound and emphasizing that Liu Ping was only learning superficial knowledge.
Leng Shouguang then explained that he had taught Liu Ping a guidance technique called the "Five Catch Act" to preserve his health, which had miraculously improved the Emperor's well-being. Liu Ping, playing along, feigned clumsiness, effectively dispelling the growing suspicions. True to Sima Yi's prediction, Wang Yue immediately went to Princess Consort Tang Ying to seek revenge. He confronted her, asking if she had killed his younger brother, Wang Fu.
When Tang Ying confirmed it, Wang Yue furiously accused her of ingratitude, reminding her that Wang Fu had saved her life when she was destitute. They engaged in a fierce sword fight. Sima Yi arrived with a contingent of soldiers, but instead of immediately intervening, he watched the duel for a period before finally ordering his men to protect the Princess Consort.
During the intense fight, Wang Yue recognized a distinct style in Tang Ying's swordsmanship and questioned her connection to the Xiyuan Guards and Dongfang Chun. Lying wounded nearby, General Sun Yi heard the mention of "Xiyuan Guards" and called out to Sima Yi for assistance. Without hesitation, Sima Yi swiftly killed Sun Yi with his sword. Back at the ritual site, General Cao Ren thanked Liu Ping for saving his nephew.
Liu Ping modestly attributed the success to common medical methods and Cao Ren's panic, suggesting the true thanks should go to Eunuch Leng Shouguang. Fu Shou privately admonished Liu Ping, questioning why he would display his martial and medical skills so openly, given the pervasive surveillance of the Xudu Guards. Liu Ping replied that it was an urgent, instinctive reaction to prevent harm to Cao Pi, whom he saw as a child.
With the situation temporarily under control, Liu Ping and Fu Shou left the ceremony. Meanwhile, at the Hongnong King's Ancestral Temple, Wang Yue easily overpowered and killed all of Sima Yi's accompanying soldiers. Sima Yi then bravely shielded Tang Ying from Wang Yue's blade, sustaining an injury himself.
He urged Wang Yue not to kill Tang Ying, arguing that doing so would incur the eternal resentment of his younger brother, Wang Fu, who had sincerely loved and died to protect her. To prove this, Sima Yi instructed Tang Ying to demonstrate the Wang Clan sword technique, which Wang Fu had taught her. Witnessing her proficiency in their family's secret martial art, Wang Yue was finally convinced of Wang Fu's deep affection for Tang Ying.
Sima Yi further reasoned that Wang Fu had intentionally sacrificed himself to protect Tang Ying, charging into her sword to preserve a swordsman's dignity. Killing the person he died to protect would dishonor his memory. Tang Ying then declared that she owed Wang Fu a life but could not die yet, asking Wang Yue to return for her after she completed her mission.
Convinced, Wang Yue spared Tang Ying, cutting a lock of her hair as a symbolic gesture and vowing to return for revenge in the future. Standing over the fallen soldiers, Sima Yi murmured that their deaths were his way of avenging Imperial Consort Dong. He then advised Tang Ying to cherish her life and be careful, playfully chiding her for her earlier apparent disregard for her own safety, reminded her that he had just saved her.
Tang Ying then retreated into her house. Shortly after, General Cao Ren arrived at the Hongnong King's Memorial Hall, finding all the soldiers dead and Sima Yi injured. Sima Yi told him that Wang Yue was responsible for the deaths and had escaped upon hearing their horses. He also claimed Princess Consort Tang Ying, frightened by the battle, had hidden inside the hall.
Cao Ren reported the incident to Liu Ping and Fu Shou, adding that General Sun Yi was among the dead. Liu Ping, hearing of Sima Yi's injuries, expressed concern and immediately ordered an imperial physician to attend to him. This display of solicitude from the Emperor raised Magistrate Man's suspicions. Fu Shou quickly intervened, explaining that Sima Yi, a mere scholar, had bravely risked his life to save the Princess Consort, and such a reward was fitting.
Cao Ren then commented on his surprise that Liu Ping had saved Cao Pi. Magistrate Man then revealed a small stone he had found, explaining that it had struck the back of Wang Yue's sword, reducing its force by 30% and thus preventing a fatal blow to Cao Pi. He suspected the technique of Xu Fu, a private guard from Yang Xiu's household, and vowed to investigate Yang Xiu's secret involvement.
Later, Liu Ping explained to Fu Shou that Sima Yi had deliberately exposed Tang Ying for three strategic reasons. Firstly, it was to distance himself from Tang Ying and, by extension, from the Emperor and Empress. Secondly, Sima Yi knew that Wang Yue, upon learning of Wang Fu's sincere love for Tang Ying, would ultimately spare her.
Thirdly, and most cunningly, Sima Yi used Wang Yue to "borrow a knife to kill" General Sun Yi, who had witnessed Wang Fu's death and was a potential threat, thereby eliminating a key witness for Magistrate Man's investigation into Tang Ying. Fu Shou was astonished by Sima Yi's "smart and sinister" maneuvering, though Liu Ping insisted it was all for Tang Ying's sake. Meanwhile, Magistrate Man interrogated Eunuch Leng Shouguang, who had taught Liu Ping the "Five Catch Act."
Leng Shouguang explained that he learned his medical knowledge from the Internal Affairs Storage Room's stashed books after entering the palace under Wang Bi, developing his life-preserving technique from them. Impressed but skeptical, Magistrate Man questioned why a learned man would have castrated himself to enter the palace. Leng Shouguang revealed his father was a scholar, but his entire family had died in the war, leaving him no choice but to enter the palace for survival.
Magistrate Man warned him that palace life was not as easy as it seemed. Ordered by the Empress, Yang Xiu visited Princess Consort Tang Ying. They discussed Wang Yue's attack, and Tang Ying expressed concern for Liu Ping's safety. Yang Xiu revealed he knew Wang Yue's whereabouts, stating that the swordsman was now serving Yuan Shao.
He then confessed to intentionally leaking the news of Wang Fu's death, framing it as a killing by Cao Cao's forces, to Wang Yue through Yuan Shao's men. His aim was to incite Wang Yue to create trouble, either by attacking the Cao family in Xudu or harassing Cao Cao at Guandu, benefiting their own faction. Tang Ying was angered, worried about the danger to the Emperor.
Yang Xiu countered that he hadn't anticipated Liu Ping saving Cao Pi or Sima Yi's cunning move to redirect Wang Yue towards her. He then sarcastically asked if Tang Ying had finally realized how "despicable and cunning" Sima Yi was, noting that it was "quite a rare feat to see you smile" and to see her, who usually disdained commoners, defend a man.
Tang Ying implicitly defended Sima Yi, understanding his deeper motives to eliminate Sun Yi and remove future troubles for her. Yang Xiu warned her to focus on protecting Liu Ping, adding that Sima Yi, having drawn the attention of both Magistrate Man and Guo Jia, who was in Guandu, might not be able to "play in this game" for much longer. Noticing Tang Ying's evident concern for Sima Yi, Yang Xiu departed, clearly displeased.
