Secret of Three Kingdoms Episode 18 Recap
> Secret of Three Kingdoms Recap
Upon learning of Court Adviser Zhao Yan's death, Liu Ping was consumed by guilt for failing to save him. Empress Fu Shou, however, asserted that Zhao Yan had chosen his own fate the moment he returned to Xudu and that no one could have saved him. She then questioned Liu Ping's apparent lack of emotion over the loss of loyal subjects, before reflecting on her own hands.
Once innocent and capable of playing the zither, arranging flowers, and helping her parents, they were now stained and forced to carry a sword for the Han Dynasty. She emphasized that this chaotic world demanded blood and sacrifice, aligning with Sima Yi's viewpoint. Liu Ping rejected this grim reality, pleading with Fu Shou to trust him to pacify the world so that her hands might once again play the zither in peace.
Meanwhile, Guo Jia visited General Dong Cheng in the Xudu Guards' prison. Dong Cheng, filled with resentment, accused Guo Jia of killing his men and his daughter, Dong Fei, refusing to cooperate. Guo Jia, in turn, dismissed Dong Cheng as a mere pawn, hinting that Zhao Yan's death was connected to his investigation into a peculiar palace fire.
He pointed out the suspicious pattern of everyone close to the truth—including Zhao Yan, whose tongue was cut out after leaving the Emperor's chamber, Eunuch Zhang Yu, and Sun Yi—ending up dead. Guo Jia subtly questioned Dong Cheng's ultimate sacrifice, especially given that Yang Xiu, who had betrayed him, still held favor with the Emperor. Liu Ping confronted Guo Jia, demanding an explanation for Zhao Yan's death to satisfy Superintendent Kong Rong.
Guo Jia, however, deflected, expressing his own curiosity about Zhao Yan's tongue being severed after leaving Liu Ping's chamber. After some verbal sparring, Guo Jia feigned defeat, offering to reinstate Young Master Yang Xiu as the chamber guard leader. Yet, he immediately undermined this by claiming Dong Cheng had confessed that Yang Xiu was responsible for deceiving the Emperor, cautioning Liu Ping about Yang Xiu's untrustworthy nature.
Liu Ping, suspecting torture, questioned the confession's validity, prompting Guo Jia to invite him to personally visit Dong Cheng. Liu Ping visited General Dong Cheng in prison, offering him comfort and promising to secure his release. Dong Cheng, deeply moved, expressed his gratitude and remorse for his failed rebellion. Simultaneously, Guo Jia summoned Yang Xiu to the Xudu Guards' interrogation room. Yang Xiu, arrogant and defiant, mocked Guo Jia, claiming Zhao Yan's death signaled Guo Jia's strategic failure.
Unfazed, Guo Jia had a blade held to Yang Xiu's neck and brought in a witness who implicated Yang Xiu in colluding with Yuan Shao to abduct Deng Zhan. Liu Ping, observing the scene, intervened, demanding a formal court trial for such serious charges and reminding Guo Jia that Supreme Commander Yang had only one son, urging caution. After Liu Ping departed, Man Chong questioned Guo Jia about how he found the witness.
Guo Jia revealed that he had secretly instructed Deng Zhan, after being captured by Yuan Shao's army, to covertly gather intelligence through bribery. Guo Jia instructed Man Chong to keep Yang Xiu imprisoned without torture, stressing the importance of not agitating the Emperor. Man Chong then revealed he had overheard Liu Ping promising Dong Cheng his freedom, which greatly perplexed Guo Jia, as he had previously believed Liu Ping had betrayed Dong Cheng.
Guo Jia pondered whether Liu Ping's promise was genuine or a calculated act. Liu Ping expressed his fear of Guo Jia and deep concern for Sir Yang Xiu's safety, lamenting how easily Guo Jia had dismantled their plans. Empress Fu Shou, calmly playing her zither, dismissed his worries, explaining that Yang Xiu's inherent arrogance would prevent him from confessing, and Guo Jia's actions were merely a grand display.
She then cheerfully noted her zither skills were a bit rusty, recalling Liu Ping's earlier wish for her to play. Later, Liu Ping consulted Director Xun Yu regarding the impending battle between Lord Cao Cao and Yuan Shao. Xun Yu, echoing Guo Jia's assessment, confidently predicted Cao Cao's victory, citing his "great justice and the hearts of people" as superior to Yuan Shao's larger army.
Liu Ping then proposed personally joining the battle, ostensibly to bolster Cao Cao's cause, but Xun Yu vehemently opposed this, deeming it too dangerous for the Emperor. Liu Ping despondently remarked on his powerlessness, feeling like a prisoner in the palace while others wielded true influence. He quoted from Qu Yuan's "Li Sao," expressing his unwavering dedication despite feeling discarded.
After Xun Yu left, Liu Ping confided in Fu Shou that he believed Xun Yu, a man of "lofty character," had been genuinely moved by his words and could potentially be won over. Ren Hongchang brought breakfast to Guo Jia, who, upon receiving an urgent report, noted that the "gentle and weak little emperor" was finally making his move, referring to Liu Ping's intention to personally lead the army.
Meanwhile, Director Xun Yu discussed the Emperor's plan with General Cao Ren, who controversially suggested using Liu Ping as a human shield against Yuan Shao. Guo Jia joined them, asserting that Yuan Shao, not they, should be most anxious about the Emperor's plan. Jia Xu then voiced his suspicion that Liu Ping's move was merely a political gesture to regain Cao Cao's trust after Yang Xiu's arrest, not a genuine desire to go to Guandu.
Guo Jia, however, dismissed Jia Xu's interpretation. Another urgent message from Guandu arrived, indicating more work for Guo Jia. Fu Shou confronted Liu Ping about his plan to "personally lead the battle." Liu Ping clarified that it was a strategic ruse designed to provoke Yuan Shao into contacting the Han Imperial Family, thereby leveraging Yuan Shao's strength to rescue Dong Cheng and Yang Xiu.
Fu Shou, furious, warned him that Guo Jia had been systematically isolating him precisely to expose any such collaboration, branding his "clever strategy" as a perilous trap. Liu Ping then announced his intention to go to the Internal Affairs Storage Room to personally write his decree for leading the battle. Upon arriving at the neglected and dusty storage room, he dismissed the staff.
He proceeded to the section containing documents of past emperors, then specifically requested the files of the imperial harem from the western storage room. Again dismissing the staff, he searched alone. He eventually located the records of Emperor Xiaoling's imperial harem, finding "Empress Linghuai, Lady Wang."
As he read, he recalled Yang Biao's earlier revelation of his true identity: Liu Ping, the twin son of Emperor Ling and Lady Wang, who was saved from Empress He's murderous jealousy by Empress Dowager Dong.
