Secret of Three Kingdoms Episode 20 Recap
> Secret of Three Kingdoms Recap
Ren Hongchang expressed her concern for Guo Jia's health, asking if the medicine he had been taking for several days was helping. She playfully chided him for overworking, asserting that his daily worries prevented any remedy from being effective. Guo Jia affectionately called her his "elixir from Heaven." Their tender moment was interrupted when a subordinate delivered an urgent military report: all rations being transported to Guandu had been burned. Startled, Guo Jia muttered, "Even Guo Jia sometimes makes mistakes?
Interesting. Your holiday. . . is over. Do you not find Guandu suddenly more interesting now?" Later, Guo Jia visited Liu Ping, offering him a specially concocted herbal wine to dispel cold and nourish health. He observed Liu Ping's recent troubled and less energetic state, suggesting that a stroll was what he truly needed. Guo Jia urged Liu Ping to sneak out with him to "have a good time," claiming Liu Ping was "trapped in the palace."
Liu Ping found the suggestion inappropriate, but Guo Jia dismissed his concerns, proposing they would simply be "two petty officers who slacked off on their jobs" for a day and promised to pick him up the next morning. Fu Shou immediately suspected Guo Jia's intentions, believing he was using Liu Ping as "bait to lure Sister Tang out."
Liu Ping acknowledged it was likely a trap but insisted on taking the chance, viewing it as their only opportunity to meet with Tang Ying. Fu Shou then decided to accompany him, offering to "cover for him" if necessary. Liu Ping was pleased, planning to act like a "useless emperor who cares only about lust" to mislead Guo Jia, and expressed his anticipation of seeing Fu Shou in casual clothes.
The three, disguised as commoners, embarked on an outing to the countryside. Fu Shou complimented Guo Jia's archery skills but teased Liu Ping about his rusty equestrian abilities after five years confined to the palace. Liu Ping, relishing his newfound freedom, declared he preferred to stroll slowly, fearing the brief good times would end.
Guo Jia had shot some wild rabbits for their meal, but Liu Ping, after examining them, deduced that the long winter had left their flesh too lean to be tasty. Guo Jia, surprised by Liu Ping's unexpected expertise, confirmed his assessment. Fu Shou, fearing exposure, quickly explained that Liu Ping had acquired such knowledge during their perilous journey from Chang'an to Luoyang. As they continued, Liu Ping’s horse suddenly became spooked and galloped away.
Fu Shou, terrified for his safety, frantically urged Guo Jia to pursue him, reminding him that Liu Ping did not know how to ride. Guo Jia hesitated, citing concern for Fu Shou's safety if left alone, but she insisted, prioritizing Liu Ping. Guo Jia then reassured her they would track him by following the horse's footprints. After Liu Ping was separated from the others, Tang Ying and Pan Yang appeared.
Pan Yang introduced himself as an envoy "ordered by Lord Yuan to see you." Liu Ping remarked on the previous abduction of Princess Consort Hongnong. Tang Ying revealed Pan Yang as her senior brother and confessed her own identity as a member of the Xiyuan Guards, organized by Yuan Shao. Liu Ping, realizing Tang Ying had been monitoring him for years, curtly dismissed her, suggesting she go to Hebei to claim her reward now that her identity was compromised.
Pan Yang clarified their orders were to escort Liu Ping to Guandu to pacify Cao Cao's forces. Liu Ping then produced a decree for Yuan Shao, ordering him to intercept the transport of Guozhang Dong (Dong Cheng) to Guandu and rescue him. To secure Yuan Shao's cooperation, Liu Ping divulged that he had hidden his belt decree with Dong Cheng, which Yuan Shao needed to legitimize his campaign against Cao Cao with an imperial mandate.
Before parting ways, Liu Ping told Tang Ying, "Although you lied to me, you are still my sister-in-law. On this trip, you must take good care of yourself," struggling to reconcile her deception with her loyalty. Liu Ping, found by Guo Jia with a sprained ankle, was taken to a nearby farmstead to rest. Upon their arrival, a group of children swarmed Guo Jia, calling him "Brother." Fu Shou noticed the absence of adults, finding it peculiar.
Ren Hongchang, initially annoyed with Guo Jia for bringing guests, emerged. Guo Jia introduced Liu Ping and Fu Shou as his friends and playfully asked Ren Hongchang to cook for them. She retorted that he could cook himself. Guo Jia then offered for himself and Liu Ping to teach the children in exchange for a meal.
Ren Hongchang, declaring Guo Jia a bad influence, refused his teaching but invited Liu Ping to teach the children to write, which he readily accepted. Fu Shou, watching Ren Hongchang and the many children, questioned if they were all hers, surprised by her youth. Guo Jia clarified that they were war orphans Ren Hongchang had taken in and cared for, adding that she possessed martial arts skills.
As Liu Ping taught the children, Fu Shou observed him fondly, envisioning a simple life: "The man farms, the woman sews, and the child studies. The smoke from cooking lightly rises. The dogs bark while the chickens crow. That is what human life is." She asked Liu Ping if such a life was possible for them, and he affirmed, "We will surely have this kind of life."
Later, during dinner, Ren Hongchang offered Liu Ping wine but playfully refused Guo Jia, accusing him of being "full of evil ideas." The children asked what to call Fu Shou, and Liu Ping explained "Teacher's Wife." Heartened by Liu Ping's vision for their future, Fu Shou happily drank a considerable amount of wine. As evening descended, Guo Jia's men arrived to escort them back.
Guo Jia, perceiving Liu Ping's yearning for freedom, suggested that while an imperial expedition was not feasible, "Brother Liu going to Guandu" might be permissible to Lord Cao. He implied he would assist Liu Ping if he sought freedom. Fu Shou, still affected by the wine, strongly objected, deeming Guandu too perilous and Guo Jia's motives suspicious. However, Liu Ping accepted, stating he "will not become the puppet of anyone," and they agreed to meet in Guandu.
Liu Ping tenderly carried the drunken Fu Shou back to the palace, with the escort party ensuring their safe return. Back in their chambers, a tipsy Fu Shou whispered her fears, warning Liu Ping that Guo Jia's plan was a trap. Liu Ping acknowledged this but saw it as his "only chance" to act for the Han Dynasty and exert control, likening himself to a Jiao Dragon entering the ocean, capable of creating tides and rising.
He aimed to save Dong Cheng and uncover Yuan Shao's allies. Fu Shou voiced her fear of Cao Cao's faction and the risk to Liu Ping's true identity, but also confessed her desire for a "true emperor," not "an obedient prisoner." Liu Ping reassured her, stating that only with her by his side did he feel exceptionally brave and confident, and asked her to join him.
The next morning, Fu Shou awoke, anxious about her drunken words and chided Liu Ping for not stopping her. Liu Ping playfully recounted her confessions, including her enjoyment of their carefree outing and her declaration of trust in him. Fu Shou denied these claims, insisting that anything said while drunk did not count. Liu Ping countered that an Empress could not retract her words.
Despite her continued concerns about the trap, Fu Shou, swayed by Liu Ping's conviction and heartfelt confession, ultimately agreed to his journey to Guandu. Director Xun later attempted to dissuade Liu Ping, but Liu Ping asserted that the journey was Guo Jia's and Cao Cao's idea, and Xun reluctantly complied. In his residence, Sima Yi was joyfully decorating a room, eagerly awaiting Tang Ying's arrival.
His brother, Sima Lang, entered, commenting on Sima Yi's preparations for a woman, possibly the "princess consort who is on the run." However, Sima Lang then delivered news from a shop manager: Tang Ying had "ran off. . . with a man," identified as her senior. Sima Yi's face clouded with jealousy and annoyance, convinced Tang Ying had left because of her senior.
Sima Lang further informed him of Yuan Shao's "gathering of scholars" in Ye City, which was merely a pretense to hold them hostage. Sima Yi, recognizing an opportunity, declared he would go to Yecheng "to save the hostages." Meanwhile, Pan Yang conveyed Yuan Shao's orders to Tang Ying: she was to be taken to the Ye City Guards for interrogation.
Tang Ying was dismayed, knowing the brutality of the Guards' Office, but still held onto the belief that Yuan Shao was the only one brave enough to oppose Cao Cao and provide them with revenge. Pan Yang accused her of "just lying to herself." As Pan Yang led her away, he issued a warning, "Aren't you afraid of the Jiao Dragon entering the sea and the Flying Dragon soaring the sky?" to which Tang Ying calmly replied, "You seem to be looking forward to it."
