Secret of Three Kingdoms Episode 13 Recap
> Secret of Three Kingdoms Recap
Liu Ping was informed that Guo Jia had arrived in Xudu and first paid a visit to Lady Bian's manor. At Lady Bian's manor, Guo Jia engaged in conversation. Lady Bian praised Fourth Young Master Cao Zhi, saying his temperament was much like Lord Cao's. She then inquired about the woman accompanying Guo Jia. Ren Hongchang introduced herself, and Guo Jia explained that he met Miss Ren on his journey and brought the homeless woman back to Xudu.
Lady Bian teased Guo Jia about his good taste in women. Soon after, Man Chong arrived. Lady Bian apologized for her previous overreaction, stating that Guo Jia had provided a clear explanation, and she acknowledged that she shouldn't meddle in the Xudu Magistrate's affairs. She formally reinstated Man Chong, noting that with Guo Jia's return, everyone should now know their place and avoid causing Lord Cao more trouble.
Guo Jia then informed Man Chong that both Second Young Master Cao Pi and the Emperor were displeased with him. He planned to visit them and intercede on Man Chong's behalf, advising him to return to the Xudu Guards for now. Man Chong expressed his gratitude, admitting to neglecting his duty. Guo Jia, however, calmly stated that he found no difficulty in the situation, adding, "I love this kind of Xudu," implying he relished the city's complex political landscape.
Guo Jia then visited Cao Pi, examining his injuries and noting he would recover in a few days. When Guo Jia mentioned that the Emperor had saved him, Cao Pi expressed suspicion. He found it strange that the supposedly sickly Emperor possessed medical and martial skills.
Cao Pi elaborated on his concern that the Emperor was hiding his true power and might have secretly sided with Yuan Shao, suggesting that Dong Cheng's failed rebellion could have been a self-inflicted ruse to dispel their suspicions. Guo Jia assured Cao Pi that he would be careful and intended to discern the Emperor's true intentions during their upcoming audience.
Cao Pi then asked Guo Jia to convey his worries to Lord Cao and expressed a desire to join the army after recovering. Guo Jia declined, stating that Lord Cao wished for him to remain in Xudu to keep his mother company and focus on his studies, emphasizing that the battlefield was not a place for him. Finally, Cao Pi urged Guo Jia to unravel the many perplexing mysteries within Xudu.
Ren Hongchang observed that Guo Jia, a Libationer of the Ministry of Works, had kept the Emperor waiting for half a day, remarking that the Emperor must feel he was about to meet a formidable adversary. Guo Jia clarified his intention was for the Emperor to calm his emotions first. Ren Hongchang then pointed out the visibly uneasy Yang Xiu.
Guo Jia approached Yang Xiu, complimenting his talents and suggesting that his position as Commander of the Chamber Guards was beneath his abilities. Yang Xiu, however, asserted that no task was more important than protecting the Emperor. Guo Jia then casually brought up Xu Fu, who had saved Cao Pi. Yang Xiu, impressed by Guo Jia's swift understanding of his household, joked about how quickly Guo Jia had ascertained his affairs.
Guo Jia pressed, suggesting that since Lady Bian wanted to reward Xu Fu for saving Cao Pi, he should be made a government officer in the Xudu Guards. Yang Xiu resisted, claiming Xu Fu was eccentric and unsuitable for government work. Guo Jia slyly remarked on Yang Xiu's shared dislike for Man Chong with Lady Bian. Ren Hongchang, growing impatient, directly stated Guo Jia's intention.
She told Yang Xiu that since his subordinate had caused trouble for Guo Jia's subordinate, it would only be fair for Xu Fu to temporarily work for them, implying that Man Chong would cause further issues if he refused. Yang Xiu, acknowledging Ren Hongchang's astute understanding, remarked on how difficult it was for someone to truly see through Guo Jia. Liu Ping awaited Guo Jia in his private chambers. Upon Guo Jia's entry, Liu Ping, feeling apprehensive, greeted him.
Guo Jia commended the Emperor on his recovery from illness. Liu Ping humbly attributed his improved health to the imperial physicians, Lady Bian's generous provisions, and health-preserving methods he learned from a eunuch. Guo Jia then subtly questioned Yang Xiu's suitability as a guard, citing his scholarly nature and suggesting a more martially capable officer should assume the role.
Liu Ping initially defended Yang Xiu, but after a concerned reaction from Fu Shou, he quickly changed his stance, agreeing with Guo Jia and requesting him to find a replacement. Guo Jia keenly observed the Emperor. Liu Ping then pivoted the conversation, inquiring about the origins of the libationer position and its teaching duties. He then directly asked Guo Jia and Director Xun to serve as his imperial teachers, wishing to resume his studies.
After Guo Jia departed, Fu Shou asked Liu Ping why he had spoken as he did. Liu Ping explained that Guo Jia had already discerned that Yang Xiu was his loyal man. At that moment, Yang Xiu entered, confirming Guo Jia's formidable perception. He revealed that Guo Jia knew he had influenced Lady Bian to pressure Man Chong, and as a result, Man Chong was not only reinstated but had also taken their subordinate, Xu Fu.
Liu Ping clarified his strategy: he suspected Guo Jia already knew of their involvement in framing Dong Cheng and would surely become more suspicious of his hidden motives. By actively hiring Guo Jia as his teacher, Liu Ping hoped to deflect suspicion from his true identity, reasoning that Guo Jia would not remain in Xudu for long. Yang Xiu, however, remained concerned about his position. Just then, Tang Ying arrived.
Fu Shou urgently instructed Tang Ying to tell Sima Yi to leave Xudu immediately. She feared Guo Jia's rapid actions would soon lead him to suspect the Sima family and Sima Yi. Fu Shou asserted that they must make this difficult decision for the wavering Emperor. Fu Shou revealed that Liu Ping trusted Tang Ying implicitly, having disclosed that he led Wang Yue to her for her protection.
Despite Tang Ying's initial hesitation, Fu Shou insisted that she trusted only Tang Ying, compelling her to accept the task. Sima Yi was recuperating when his subordinate informed him that Guo Jia had entered the city. Recognizing the imminent danger, Sima Yi decided to leave Xudu immediately, stating that it was better not to cause trouble for Liu Ping by remaining.
Meanwhile, Yang Xiu complained to his father, Yang Biao, about Liu Ping's decision to make Guo Jia his teacher, calling the Emperor "crazy." Yang Biao reminded him that the Emperor was not a puppet and that sacrifices must be made. Yang Biao advised his son to go to Guandu, noting that Guo Jia might be deliberately provoking him. Separately, Liu Ping confided in Fu Shou that he intended to recruit Guo Jia.
He explained that he felt an intriguing connection to Guo Jia, recognizing his exceptional intellect but sensing no malicious threat like from Man Chong. He wished to understand Guo Jia's true ambitions to see if they aligned with his own. Fu Shou found his idea reckless, arguing that Guo Jia was Cao Cao's most trusted strategist.
She accused Liu Ping of being benevolent and naive, yet dangerously drawn to powerful and cunning individuals, likening his fascination with Guo Jia to his trust in Sima Yi. Tang Ying arrived at Sima Yi's residence, only to be told he had already left. Unbeknownst to her, Sima Yi had first gone to see Xun Yu to tender his resignation.
His family's butler explained that Sima Yi's father, concerned about the unrest and having already lost a foster son, had strictly ordered Sima Yi to return home. Xun Yu reluctantly accepted his resignation. As Sima Yi attempted to leave Xudu, he was intercepted by Guo Jia at the city gates. Guo Jia introduced himself and brought up the supposed death of Sima Yi's younger brother, Yang Ping.
Claiming to have captured some mountain bandits, Guo Jia requested Sima Yi draw a portrait of Yang Ping to help identify his killer. Sima Yi tried to demur, but Guo Jia insisted he draw it immediately. Sima Yi reluctantly drew a false portrait to deceive Guo Jia.
Later, Guo Jia explained his suspicions to Man Chong, highlighting the inconsistencies: the eunuch's unrecognizable corpse in the palace fire and Yang Ping's equally disfigured body after supposedly being killed on the same day. He articulated his "insight principles," explaining that all events are interconnected. Guo Jia deduced that the disfigured corpses were a ploy to either hide a death or facilitate an identity switch.
He concluded that the masterminds did not want Yang Ping's true face to be known, and that discovering his actual appearance was the key to unraveling the mystery. He revealed he had already sent Deng Zhan to Wenxian to investigate and assigned Man Chong another task. An old beggar, dispatched by Sima Yi, delivered a message to Tang Ying at the Hongnong King's Shrine.
Shortly after Tang Ying gave Sima Yi's note to Yang Jun, Man Chong arrived, seeking a portrait of Yang Ping for Guo Jia's investigation. Yang Jun feigned an injury to his right arm. While seemingly overcome with grief, he managed to discreetly copy the fake portrait from Sima Yi's note, drawing an identical image himself to ensure their deception remained consistent.
