Secret of Three Kingdoms Episode 17 Recap
> Secret of Three Kingdoms Recap
Sima Yi revealed to Tang Ying that he investigated the Xiyuan Guards, a place that trained assassins, and expressed sorrow that a prestigious family like hers would send their daughter to such a place, where even her marriage was a mission dictated by others. He told Tang Ying that it was a mistake of her father and that era, not hers.
He urged her to stop dwelling on the past, asserting that she is now free and no longer has to live the life she once did. He encouraged her to start a new life, beginning with smiling more. Sima Lang then brought the unconscious Zhao Yan to Sima Yi.
Sima Yi acknowledged that Zhao Yan, a court adviser and Kong Rong's esteemed student, was a difficult person to handle, much more so than Deng Zhan, and his disappearance or death in their manor would bring dire consequences. Sima Yi then employed a ruse, injuring himself and getting locked in a shed with Zhao Yan. He pretended that his eldest brother broke his leg and imprisoned him for investigating the Emperor and his brother, Yang Ping.
Zhao Yan, recognizing Sima Yi, was surprised. Sima Yi claimed to have known about the Emperor's secret since meeting him in the capital and asked if anyone else knew Zhao Yan was in Wen County. Zhao Yan revealed that no one, not even his mentor Kong Rong, knew he came to Wen County. Believing he had fulfilled his duty to Consort Dong by discovering the secret, Zhao Yan declared he could die without regret.
Sima Yi rebuked him as a coward, insisting that the truth about the real Emperor had yet to be uncovered. He offered to help Zhao Yan escape if he swore to return to the capital and uncover the full truth, pointing out a weak spot in the wall. Zhao Yan insisted on carrying Sima Yi to escape together, but Sima Yi declined, claiming his injuries would only slow Zhao Yan down and that he had nowhere to go.
Sima Yi urged Zhao Yan to escape alone, telling him that his own life was not at risk if caught, but Zhao Yan's was, and the secret would be lost forever. He reminded Zhao Yan that his "Shaojun" (Consort Dong) may have died due to similar hesitations. Sima Yi then handed Zhao Yan an arrowhead, instructing him to follow its guidance to uncover the full truth. Sima Lang then staged a dramatic pursuit, intentionally allowing Zhao Yan to escape.
Meanwhile, Man Chong personally prepared and brought Guo Jia a lung-nourishing soup, showing his concern. Guo Jia, in turn, shared good news from his spy: Yuan Shao's General Chunyu Qiong abducted Deng Zhan, who was confirmed to be alive. Guo Jia pondered whether Deng Zhan's abduction was a coincidence or a deliberate act, leaning towards the latter, suggesting knowledge of Deng Zhan's route and mission. He found it illogical that the portraits were left behind.
He speculated that Yang Ping might be with Yuan Shao, or that the Emperor was conspiring with Yuan Shao, using Yang Ping as a go-between, with the Sima family's involvement. Despite these theories, he felt "everything was wrong" and that the extensive effort wouldn't be for such an obvious outcome. Man Chong observed that the Emperor's behavior had been erratic, appearing both extremely clever and naive, and didn't seem to be faking it.
Guo Jia concluded that Consort Dong must have uncovered the Emperor's true plans and entrusted Zhao Yan with this information, so he hoped Zhao Yan would soon provide the answers. Tang Ying found Sima Yi in the grass, still loudly feigning injury. She initially doubted his pain, but he insisted it was necessary to deceive Zhao Yan. As she tended to him, he teased her about her fast-beating heart, which quickly exposed his faking.
Realizing his deception, Tang Ying physically punished him. Sima Yi admitted only one leg injury was faked, while the other was real, humorously noting his injuries seemed to multiply since meeting her. He assured her, however, that his words to her were always sincere.
He then shared an important task: she must protect Zhao Yan and escort him to Liu Ping in Xudu, ensuring he did not die in Wen County, which would give Guo Jia a pretext against their family. Tang Ying appeared visibly disappointed by this seemingly impersonal request. Sima Yi then asked if she thought he was going to confess his feelings, which elicited another physical reaction from her.
Despite this, he then genuinely expressed his affection, suggesting that even a princess consort could find happiness in the beautiful mountains and clear waters of Wen County. Though Tang Ying felt compelled to return to the capital, Sima Yi declared that the mountains and rivers of Wen County would always be waiting for her, then openly shouted his feelings for her. Man Chong reported to Guo Jia that Zhao Yan had returned to Xudu.
Guo Jia expressed surprise that the Sima family did not kill Zhao Yan, concluding they chose not to implicate themselves and acknowledging their formidable ability to remain "invincible" in chaotic times. Man Chong, observing Zhao Yan's demeanor, believed he had uncovered significant information. Guo Jia then instructed Man Chong to "draw the net in," indicating that his men had already been dispatched.
Zhao Yan was pursued by Xudu Guards in the street but was saved by the timely intervention of Kong Rong. Zhao Yan refused to reveal the full truth to Kong Rong, citing his teacher's safety and stating the matter concerned heavenly justice, the Han Imperial Family, and a solemn promise. He did, however, ask Kong Rong to offer employment and protection to Sima Yi, whom he described as a loyal and righteous man ostracized by his own family.
Zhao Yan then asked Kong Rong to leave him at the residence of the Grand Minister of Works and await him later, despite Kong Rong's pleas not to act alone. Zhao Yan then confronted Tang Ying, brandishing Consort Dong's memorial tablet, revealing he knew her secret and that the Emperor was an impostor, which had led to Consort Dong's tragic death.
He challenged Tang Ying to kill him, confident that his death would only serve to expose the "big lie" covering the Han Imperial Family to the entire world. Tang Ying, acquiescing, took him to Liu Ping. Inside, Zhao Yan asked Liu Ping if he remembered Consort Dong. Liu Ping confirmed she was his imperial consort. Zhao Yan then solemnly asked, for Consort Dong's soul, where the real emperor was. Liu Ping maintained he was the Emperor.
Zhao Yan countered that Liu Ping had deceived Xun Yu and Guo Jia but could not deceive him, asserting that Liu Ping was actually Yang Ping, Yang Jun's son, and that the real emperor had been replaced. Fu Shou attempted to defend Liu Ping, accusing Zhao Yan of being an "immoral witch" responsible for Consort Dong's death. Liu Ping calmly asked for evidence, prompting Zhao Yan to produce the arrowhead given by Sima Yi.
Liu Ping recognized the arrowhead and was reminded of Sima Yi's earlier counsel about "killing for benevolence" being necessary at times. Zhao Yan explained that Sima Yi sent the arrowhead as a warning that if Zhao Yan died, Sima Yi would expose the secret to the world. Confronted with this, Liu Ping admitted he was not the real emperor and promised to tell Zhao Yan the entire truth.
Meanwhile, Guo Jia and Man Chong, accompanied by soldiers, guarded the exterior of the Grand Minister of Works' residence. Guo Jia remarked with anticipation about what "surprise" the Emperor might have in store this time, dismissively calling murder or arson "too boring." He noted he had already made arrangements. Separately, Sima Yi told Sima Lang that he had sent Zhao Yan back to Liu Ping, trusting Liu Ping to handle the situation.
Sima Lang expressed concern that if Guo Jia discovered the truth, it could lead to the massacre of their clan. Sima Yi, however, declared that if such a disaster were to unfold, he would personally retrieve Liu Ping and ensure he serves him permanently, rather than allowing him to be manipulated by others. Liu Ping then presented Emperor Xian's last will, explaining that his ascension to the throne, though done in haste, was legitimate and not illegal.
He stated he had now revealed the full truth and asked Zhao Yan what his next course of action would be. Overwhelmed, Zhao Yan lamented that his arduous search for truth had culminated in a "big joke." Liu Ping encouraged him, stating that while seeking death is easy, choosing to live is harder, and reminded him that the Han Dynasty's glory and Consort Dong's vengeance were yet to be achieved.
He assured Zhao Yan that he did not kill innocent people and would even attempt to rescue him if he were captured by the Xudu Guards, expressing trust in a loyal subject of Han. In a desperate act to protect the secret, Zhao Yan, holding Consort Dong's memorial tablet, sliced off his own tongue before leaving the palace. Outside, Man Chong's men quickly apprehended the now mute Zhao Yan.
As Kong Rong arrived and publicly challenged Man Chong, accusing the Xudu Guards of torture and lawlessness, Zhao Yan seized an opportunity. He deliberately lunged onto Man Chong's sword, ending his own life. Man Chong attempted to claim it was an accident. Guo Jia instructed Man Chong to ensure Zhao Yan received a proper burial. Later, a guilt-ridden Liu Ping was consoled by Fu Shou, who asserted that Zhao Yan's fate was sealed from the moment he returned to Xudu.
She emphasized that the restoration of the Han Dynasty demanded bloodshed and sacrifice, echoing Sima Yi's earlier counsel. Liu Ping then resolved to save the chaotic world, finding solace in the sound of Fu Shou's zither.
