Secret of Three Kingdoms Episode 24 Recap
> Secret of Three Kingdoms Recap
Shen Rong, displeased by Liu Ping's sudden prominence among scholars, confronted him aggressively. Shen Rong accused Liu Ping's revered figures, Fu Wan and Kong Rong, of being mere pedants who couldn't compare to Lord Yuan's prestigious family. Liu Ping, with a hint of sarcasm, agreed that the ancestor of Fu Wan (Fu Sheng) and the descendant of Confucius (Kong Rong) were indeed inferior to the Yuan clan's four generations of nobility and high officials.
Shen Rong mistook this as an admission of defeat, but the surrounding scholars mocked him, realizing Liu Ping's sarcasm. Liu Ping then asserted that gathering scholars was the Emperor's prerogative, not Lord Yuan's, which infuriated Shen Rong. As scholars defended Liu Ping against Shen Rong's threats, Shen Rong, unable to control the situation, left, warning Liu Ping of future consequences.
After the confrontation, Liu Ping recalled Guo Jia's insights into Yuan Shao's leadership style, noting his tendency to doubt those he employed while only appointing those close to him. Meanwhile, Sima Yi met with Shen Rong, who complained about Liu Ping winning over scholars and disrespecting Yuan Shao. Sima Yi advised against arresting Liu Ping, suggesting it would only increase his fame, but promised to ensure Liu Ping "tasted some discipline." That evening, Fu Shou sat gazing at the moon.
Liu Ping, observing her, remarked on her beauty, quickly clarifying that he meant the moon when Fu Shou turned. He shared that his bold display in the debate was an effort to draw Yuan Shao's attention. Fu Shou commented on his newfound eloquence, prompting Liu Ping to explain that these thoughts had long been in his heart, though he regretted not being able to share them with his Royal Brother, the Former Emperor.
Fu Shou reminded him of his promise to Zhang Yu to reveal the Former Emperor's true identity to the world and questioned what their own relationship would become then. Liu Ping hesitated, and Fu Shou, seemingly unwilling to dwell on an uncertain future, did not press further. Later, Liu Ping, Fu Shou, and Cao Pi found themselves without money and struggled to find an inn in Ye City. A kind subject, overhearing their plight, pledged to find them lodging.
Soon after, an envoy arrived, inviting Liu Ping to meet their master. The master, Cui Yan, a respected Cavalry Commandant under Yuan Shao and the finest scholar in Hebei, met Liu Ping alone. Cui Yan revealed he had discerned Liu Ping's true purpose from his speech. Liu Ping then admitted he was an Embroidered Armor Agent sent by the Emperor to seek loyal subjects and warriors.
When Cui Yan noted that he was, after all, a subject of Lord Yuan, Liu Ping cleverly countered by asking if Lord Yuan himself was not a subject of the Emperor. Moved by Liu Ping's conviction, Cui Yan decided to host them. Liu Ping returned to Fu Shou and Cao Pi, sharing the news and delighting Fu Shou, who congratulated him on gaining a powerful ally. The next morning, Cao Pi searched Liu Ping's empty room but found nothing.
Liu Ping and Fu Shou had gone to the market, a new and exciting experience for Fu Shou. She was delighted by the various vegetables, eager to buy everything. When they haggled with a vendor over the price of a radish, Liu Ping impressively cited market prices to negotiate a better deal, with Fu Shou's enthusiastic help. Afterwards, Fu Shou marveled at Liu Ping's bargaining skills.
He playfully joked about his "ailment" of greed for money and how it might reflect on their future child, to which Fu Shou promised to be strict. Liu Ping explained that his uncle had taught him to understand commoners' lives and commodity prices. As they walked, they encountered a woman pleading for help. Despite Fu Shou's reservations, Liu Ping, out of compassion, insisted on taking her to their residence. However, this was a trap.
Soon, Shen Rong and his men arrived at Cui Yan's residence, accusing Liu Ping of harboring a criminal. Liu Ping calmly questioned their authority and the lack of a warrant, also pointing out their trespass on Cui Yan's property. Shen Rong ordered his men to arrest everyone. To prevent further escalation, Liu Ping agreed to go with them. Fu Shou quickly instructed Cao Pi to find Cui Yan for help. Liu Ping was taken to the Ye City Guard jail.
Sima Yi appeared, feigning anger and hitting Liu Ping. He accused Liu Ping of being a busybody, but soon dropped the pretense, revealing he had orchestrated the trap with Shen Rong to create an opportunity. He chastised Liu Ping for being reckless but acknowledged his presence was fortuitous. Sima Yi, an official (Chongshi) within the Ye City Guards, then revealed that Tang Ying was also imprisoned there.
Liu Ping was distraught, but Sima Yi explained that Tang Ying was in a highly secure location with special locks, making immediate rescue impossible. Sima Yi then outlined his three objectives in Ye City: first, to locate Tang Ying; second, to win over the scholars, using Shen Rong's animosity to position Liu Ping as their champion; and third, to uncover the list of high officials who had secretly defected to Yuan Shao.
He instructed Liu Ping to feign pain from the beating to make the scheme more convincing. Just then, a guard reported that Cui Yan and a group of scholars were demanding Liu Ping's release. Sima Yi, having achieved his goal, instructed the guard to release Liu Ping. Outside, Cui Yan and numerous scholars, including Lu Yu, vehemently protested Liu Ping's unjust arrest.
Sima Yi mockingly disparaged Liu Ping as "useless" as he was released, while Liu Ping defiantly promised to seek justice. Cui Yan apologized to Liu Ping, and the scholars expressed their indignation. Afterward, Liu Ping discussed Sima Yi's intricate plan with Fu Shou. He was thrilled by their reunion and the clear path Sima Yi had laid out. Fu Shou reminded him of Cao Pi's presence and Sima Yi's own limitations under Shen Rong.
Liu Ping decided to send Cao Pi away the next day to secretly meet with Sima Yi. Later that night, Fu Shou reminded Liu Ping of his promise to cook for her. Liu Ping shared a fanciful wish to grow old with both Fu Shou and Sima Yi by his side, to which Fu Shou playfully retorted he should "go age with your Zhongda."
The next morning, Liu Ping asked Cao Pi to purchase gifts for Cui Yan and other scholars. Cao Pi, though agreeing, warned Liu Ping to be careful of Sima Yi, noting his exceptional intellect. Later, Sima Yi met with Liu Ping and Fu Shou, where Fu Shou jokingly remarked on Sima Yi's ability to always find Liu Ping.
Sima Yi reassured Fu Shou about Tang Ying, promising her rescue after they secured the list of defected officials and rallied the scholars. When Fu Shou asked about Cao Pi, Sima Yi said he had "sent him away," prompting Fu Shou to humorously ask if he had killed him. Meanwhile, Cao Pi had gone to find Xu You, hoping to uncover the truth behind his brother's death, recalling Hu Che'er's dying words. However, guards prevented him from seeing Xu You.
As he was being apprehended, Cao Pi saw a beautiful woman being chased and intervened. The woman, Zhen Fu, who turned out to be Yuan Shao's daughter-in-law, revealed her feigned fear was a test of his willingness to help. Cao Pi was instantly captivated by her.
Zhen Fu gently wiped blood from Cao Pi's mouth before Yuan Shao's soldiers arrived and arrested Cao Pi for approaching their "Young Madam," whom they identified as Yuan Xi's new wife and the "number one beauty in Hebei." Cao Pi was taken to the Ye City Guard jail. Sima Yi visited Tang Ying in her cell, bringing her food. He informed her of Liu Ping and Fu Shou's presence in Ye City.
He gave Tang Ying a small thread tool to unlock her shackles, promising to return for her once he and Liu Ping had found the list of defected officials. Tang Ying, concerned her escape would cause trouble, suggested she stay, but Sima Yi insisted she only needed to endure a few more days. He jokingly asked if her contentment in prison was "because of me," then proceeded to feed her.
During their interaction, a guard reported Cao Pi's arrest after he trespassed into Xu You's manor and offended Zhen Fu, Yuan Xi's new wife. Sima Yi acknowledged the report, now aware of Cao Pi's imprisonment within his jurisdiction.
