Secret of Three Kingdoms Episode 14 Recap
> Secret of Three Kingdoms Recap
Yang Xiu, fearing his plans in Xudu would be ruined, was reluctant to go to Guandu. He asked his subordinate, Xu Fu, for help to stay, but Xu Fu stated he was powerless to assist, noting that Supreme Commander Yang had advised Yang Xiu to be cautious and not act rashly. Yang Xiu, however, believed that if he continued to be cautious, Guo Jia would overturn their entire game.
Soon after, Tang Ying arrived urgently, informing Yang Xiu that Sima Yi had been intercepted by Guo Jia while attempting to leave the city and was forced to draw a portrait of Yang Ping. Concerned, Yang Xiu asked if the Emperor's identity had been exposed, but Tang Ying reassured him that Sima Yi had drawn a fake portrait and was currently safe.
She added that Sima Yi had anticipated Guo Jia's move and that she had arrived just in time to ensure Yang Jun drew a similar fake portrait for Man Chong. Tang Ying stressed that this was merely a temporary solution, warning that Guo Jia could send people to Wenxian to have locals draw Yang Ping's portrait.
She urged Yang Xiu to cooperate with Sima Yi, who would try to delay Guo Jia's men while Yang Xiu managed the fallout, even presenting a letter from Sima Yi. Yang Xiu grew suspicious, questioning why Sima Yi would send the letter through her. After Tang Ying left, Yang Xiu revealed his true intentions, believing that such minor deceptions would never truly fool Guo Jia. His real plan was to eliminate Guo Jia completely to prevent future trouble.
Meanwhile, Liu Ping was informed by Leng Shouguang about Sima Yi's sudden departure and Guo Jia's dispatch of Deng Zhan to Wenxian. Alarmed by the danger to Sima Yi and his family, Liu Ping immediately wanted to leave the palace himself to intervene. However, Empress Fu Shou vehemently opposed his reckless decision, reminding him that his personal safety was paramount as the Emperor.
She confessed that she had wanted Sima Yi to leave because their close relationship would inevitably draw Guo Jia's suspicion, but was hurt that Sima Yi left without saying goodbye. Liu Ping felt constrained, asking if he was merely a puppet, to which Fu Shou responded that being the Emperor meant there were certain things he could not do, emphasizing that her intent was to teach him how to behave as a monarch.
Their differing views led to a heated exchange, with Liu Ping defiantly stating that without Liu Ping, there would be no emperor, prompting Fu Shou to warn him of the dangers of such words. Hurt and frustrated by Liu Ping's perceived lack of understanding, Fu Shou left in tears. At Guo Jia's residence, he was engrossed in strategizing with a sand table as Ren Hongchang approached, and they shared an intimate moment.
Their private time was interrupted by the arrival of Jia Xu, who jokingly chided Guo Jia for not visiting him first. Jia Xu, like Mrs. Cao, complimented Ren Hongchang's beauty before congratulating Guo Jia on his good fortune in easily seizing Wancheng from Zhang Xiu. Guo Jia then steered the conversation to Princess Consort Tang Ying, recounting her various narrow escapes from Dong Zhuo and Li Jue, stating that he did not believe she was a simple woman.
He directly asked Jia Xu if Tang Ying had any connection to Yuan Shao, who had once been Crown Prince's bodyguard. Jia Xu feigned ignorance about Tang Ying's ties to Yuan Shao, though he did recall how numerous skilled fighters had risked their lives to help Yuan Shao escape Dong Zhuo's assassination attempt in Chang'an. Jia Xu vaguely suggested that Yuan Shao's indifference during the Emperor's past struggles implied no deep connection between them.
However, Guo Jia dismissed this, suggesting that "the Emperor" was far from simple-minded. Before leaving, Jia Xu handed Zhang Xiu over to Guo Jia, playfully advising him not to bully the honest old man too much. He also declined to go to Guandu, citing his old age and exhaustion, though Guo Jia suspected he was more concerned about matters in Xudu.
When Ren Hongchang admitted to Jia Xu that she didn't understand their conversation, he replied that was precisely why Guo Jia had brought her back. After he departed, Ren Hongchang commented on his cunning nature. Back at the palace, Liu Ping, concerned about Sima Yi's safety, secretly inquired with Leng Shouguang about how Eunuch Zhang used to leave the palace unnoticed at night to carry out decrees. Meanwhile, Sima Yi had sought shelter in a ruined temple for the night.
Just as he was about to rest, he heard a sound outside. Drawing his sword, he cautiously stepped out, only to find Liu Ping. Liu Ping immediately informed Sima Yi about Guo Jia's actions and the dispatch of Deng Zhan to Wenxian. Sima Yi clarified that Deng Zhan was actually coming for him, explaining that Guo Jia had stopped him at the city gates and demanded a portrait of Yang Ping.
Sima Yi admitted he had drawn a fake one, but Guo Jia's quick move to send Deng Zhan to Wenxian meant he could only send a message via pigeon to his elder brother, hoping he could prepare in time to deceive Deng Zhan. Liu Ping suggested that Sima Yi arrange for someone to delay Deng Zhan, assuring Sima Yi that he would devise a solution for the aftermath.
Sima Yi chided Liu Ping for being naive and too benevolent, especially after Liu Ping admitted to sneaking out of the palace without Fu Shou's knowledge. Sima Yi emphasized the harsh realities of power, revealing how he had orchestrated Sun Yi's death to save Tang Ying, to illustrate that achieving great things sometimes required ruthlessness.
Liu Ping, however, remained steadfast, refusing to harm innocent people or become a tyrant, reiterating that his purpose in returning was to uphold the true way of a king. Sima Yi warned Liu Ping that if he didn't learn to adapt, they might not meet again. Fu Shou, still worried about Liu Ping, had a maid deliver dinner to him.
However, Leng Shouguang cleverly impersonated Liu Ping from inside the room, reassuring the maid that His Majesty was already asleep and would visit the Empress tomorrow. Fu Shou grew suspicious when the maid reported that Leng Shouguang had blocked her from entering. Testing her suspicions, Fu Shou went to Liu Ping's chamber herself and called out to him. Leng Shouguang, again pretending to be Liu Ping, responded from inside.
Fu Shou then saw a maid with Liu Ping's clothes, confirming her suspicions that he had snuck out. Furious, she confronted the maid who helped him and then had Leng Shouguang punished, ordering him to retrieve Liu Ping before dawn. Upon Liu Ping's return, Fu Shou confronted him, angrily tugging his ear and chastising him for his irresponsibility.
She revealed that Tang Ying had informed her about Guo Jia demanding Liu Ping's portrait, which made his sneaking out even more dangerous. Liu Ping admitted his mistake but explained that meeting Sima Yi was precisely to handle Guo Jia's suspicions, reassuring her that he and Sima Yi had a plan. Meanwhile, Ren Hongchang watched Guo Jia sleep. A subordinate reported that an old friend was waiting outside. Ren Hongchang was surprised to see Leng Shouguang, whom she recognized.
Remarking on how pitiful the Emperor was, she went to wake Guo Jia. Guo Jia, upon seeing Leng Shouguang, acknowledged him as his junior disciple, and the two reconnected over their shared past. Later, back in the palace, Fu Shou and Liu Ping confronted Leng Shouguang, who had been bound and brought before them. Fu Shou questioned Leng Shouguang's mysterious visit to Guo Jia. Leng Shouguang candidly admitted that he and Guo Jia were fellow disciples of Hua Tuo.
Fu Shou, suspicious, asked what he had revealed to Guo Jia. Leng Shouguang then confessed that he had known Liu Ping was a fake emperor since the fire incident, but he had not told Guo Jia. He explained that his current disability was caused by Guo Jia. Fu Shou was shocked, recalling that Leng Shouguang had previously claimed it was another senior disciple who had angered Hua Tuo, leading to their castration.
Leng Shouguang corrected her, revealing that it was Guo Jia who had raped Hua Tuo's niece, Hua Dan, and then fled, causing Hua Tuo to castrate all his remaining disciples in a fit of rage. Despite Guo Jia's villainy, Leng Shouguang told them he had visited Guo Jia to deliver medicine, as Guo Jia was gravely ill and only Leng Shouguang's remedies could help.
Fu Shou remained unconvinced, but Leng Shouguang swore his loyalty, offering to die if they still doubted him. Liu Ping then intervened, explaining to Fu Shou that he trusted Leng Shouguang not just for his words, but because he saw a careful, unrestrained affection for Fu Shou in Leng Shouguang's eyes, assuring him that Leng Shouguang would never harm her. Liu Ping then asked Leng Shouguang to summon Yang Xiu, stating he needed him to save someone.
In Wenxian, Deng Zhan arrived and, instead of directly going to the Sima family, he approached a local bun seller who knew Yang Ping. He asked the seller to draw Yang Ping's portrait, but the resulting drawing was unrecognizable. Deng Zhan then found a scholar who had taught Yang Ping when he was young.
Using a fabricated story about investigating Yang Ping's death and a special paper used by the Xudu Guards for official drawings to prevent tampering, Deng Zhan convinced the scholar to draw Yang Ping's portrait. The completed drawing shocked Deng Zhan, as it was remarkably accurate.
