Secret of Three Kingdoms Episode 26 Recap
> Secret of Three Kingdoms Recap
Sima Yi and Fu Shou discussed Tang Ying on the street, with Fu Shou remarking on Sima Yi's deep devotion in following Tang Ying to Ye City, believing Tang Ying to be very fortunate. Sima Yi countered by mentioning Liu Ping, noting that his brother was far more sincere in matters of the heart than he was. Fu Shou added that Sima Yi knew himself well.
Sima Yi then outlined their strategy: once they acquired the document with Yuan Shao's Imperial Seal, they could defeat Cao Cao, gain the support of Hebei's scholars and officials, and rescue Lady Lu for Ren Hongchang. Fu Shou corrected him, stating it would achieve five objectives, not four, because she intended to use the opportunity to eliminate Cao Pi, whom she believed would become a significant threat to Liu Ping in the future.
Sima Yi explained that he had initially released Cao Pi from the Ye City Guard's Office so that they could leverage Cao Pi's relationship with Zhen Mi to obtain the document. Sima Yi reaffirmed his commitment to kill Cao Pi for Liu Ping's sake once their plan was complete. Fu Shou then advised Sima Yi to stop referring to Liu Ping as his brother, as Liu Ping was steadily growing into the role of an emperor.
At Liu Ping's residence, Ren Hongchang, Cao Pi, and others discussed their plans. Cao Pi presented a handkerchief given to him by Zhen Mi, which Ren Hongchang intended to use as a token to infiltrate the Yuan manor and secure the document with Yuan Shao's Imperial Seal. Cao Pi questioned why Liu Ping needed Yuan Shao's seal. Sima Yi clarified that Yuan Shao had gathered scholars in Ye City as hostages to control aristocratic families for the impending great battle.
Liu Ping intended to liberate these scholars, and the document with the Imperial Seal was necessary to allow such a large group to leave Ye City. Fu Shou reassured Cao Pi that she and Ren Hongchang would be with him during their performance for Yuan Shao, so they could look out for one another. Cao Pi outwardly agreed to help but secretly asked Ren Hongchang if Guo Jia would send anyone to assist them.
Ren Hongchang revealed that Guo Jia was unaware of her presence in Ye City, and therefore, Cao Pi would be on his own. Later, Sima Yi remarked to Liu Ping that Cao Pi did not entirely believe their narrative. Liu Ping asked if Sima Yi still intended to kill Cao Pi after their plan's completion, expressing gratitude for Cao Pi's care during their journey and urging Sima Yi not to harm him. Sima Yi promised to heed Liu Ping's request.
As Sima Yi was leaving the inn, Cao Pi approached him, expressing his profound admiration. Cao Pi stated that Sima Yi's strategic intelligence was truly shocking, a quality he had only witnessed in Libationer Guo. Back in the room, Liu Ping presented Fu Shou with a piece of jewelry. Fu Shou, knowing Liu Ping's usual indifference to such adornments, questioned his real motive.
Liu Ping admitted that Ren Hongchang, observing Fu Shou's unhappiness and assuming they had argued, had advised him to buy it to appease her. Fu Shou, still displeased, asked if Liu Ping was merely trying to appease her. Liu Ping embraced her, confessing his enduring love and desire to be a true couple with her.
He explained his guilt towards his deceased brother, promising that once they defeated Cao Cao, he would reveal the truth about his brother's sacrifices for the Han Dynasty and give him a proper posthumous name and memorial hall. At that time, Liu Ping vowed to declare Fu Shou his empress, acknowledging the criticism they might face for marrying his brother's wife but expressing confidence that their love and righteous cause would overcome all obstacles.
Fu Shou, deeply moved by Liu Ping's sincerity, accepted his words, and they finally reconciled. On Yuan Madam's birthday, a "Flying Swallow Dance" was performed. Yuan Xi eagerly tried to persuade Zhen Mi to watch, but she expressed her disinterest and disdain for what she called a "rotten dance." Annoyed by her stubbornness, Yuan Xi left her to watch the performance alone. Zhen Mi's maid, Lady Lu, suggested they use this opportunity to escape.
However, Zhen Mi, angered by Yuan Xi's indifference, decided she wanted to see the dancer who had captivated her husband. The dancer was none other than Ren Hongchang, whose performance captivated Yuan Madam. As a reward, Yuan Madam called for the accompanists to be brought forward, revealing Fu Shou and Cao Pi. Zhen Mi, upon seeing Cao Pi, was delighted, believing he had come for her.
She used the pretense of wanting to exchange dance skills to take Ren Hongchang, Fu Shou, and Cao Pi on a walk through the manor, hoping to find an opportunity to speak with Cao Pi privately. Zhen Mi walked ahead, frequently glancing back at Cao Pi, who seemed oblivious to her attention. She then used the excuse of retrieving his zither to get Cao Pi to accompany her, which played right into Ren Hongchang and Fu Shou's plan.
After Zhen Mi and Cao Pi left, Lady Lu confronted Ren Hongchang, playfully chiding her for taking so long to arrive, but her true joy at seeing Ren Hongchang was evident. Meanwhile, Cao Pi confessed to Zhen Mi that he was there to take her away and kissed her. However, Zhen Mi bit him, revealing she had seen through their plan to rescue Lady Lu.
Cao Pi, no longer able to conceal his true intentions, admitted his affection and need for Zhen Mi, but emphasized that he was not aligned with Ren Hongchang's group, claiming they had coerced him into assisting them. Ren Hongchang quickly removed Lady Lu's shackles. Just then, Zhen Mi appeared. Zhen Mi directly stated that Cao Pi had already obtained the document bearing Yuan Shao's Imperial Seal and had left with it.
Lady Lu, hearing this, dropped her shackles in dismay, realizing they couldn't escape without the vital document. Zhen Mi then accused Lady Lu of colluding with outsiders and had the guards arrest her along with Fu Shou and Ren Hongchang. After the guards escorted them away, Zhen Mi released the disguised Cao Pi.
Cao Pi swore an impassioned oath, expressing his unwavering love for Zhen Mi and promising to return for her, vowing that if he broke his promise, his ambitions would be ruined, and he would die young. Zhen Mi questioned the severity of his oath, but ultimately, she believed him, and they shared a kiss. Liu Ping was in a discussion with the scholars when one of them reported that his family members had been arrested by Yuan Manor staff.
The scholars, convinced that Liu Ping was being targeted, were incensed and pledged to help him seek justice. At the Ye City Guard's office, Ren Hongchang, Fu Shou, and Lady Lu were detained. After the guards left, Sima Yi appeared, and Ren Hongchang and Fu Shou exchanged knowing smiles, revealing that their capture was all part of his intricate plan.
Cao Pi's "betrayal" was intentional, designed to facilitate Lady Lu's transfer from the heavily guarded Yuan Manor to the Ye City Guard, which was under Sima Yi's influence. Fu Shou voiced her concern that Cao Pi might abscond with the document, leaving them stranded, but Sima Yi confidently assured her that he had anticipated such a possibility. Cao Pi, still in disguise, presented the document as an "urgent report from Guandu" and gained an audience with Xu You.
Declaring himself an Embroidered Armor Agent of the Han Dynasty, Cao Pi commanded Xu You to accept an imperial decree. Xu You merely laughed, effortlessly seeing through Cao Pi's disguise. He reminisced about carrying Cao Pi as a child, recognizing him instantly by his eyebrows. Xu You then cordially invited Cao Pi to sit and chat. Cao Pi, for his part, tried to persuade Xu You to defect to Cao Cao, criticizing Yuan Shao's indecisiveness and praising Cao Cao's strength.
He promised Xu You a significant role and high honors under Cao Cao. Xu You feigned being a mere prisoner, but Cao Pi countered, questioning how a prisoner could handle official documents. Both men understood the other's true intentions. Meanwhile, in her prison cell, Tang Ying managed to unlock her shackles and smiled as Sima Yi arrived before her.
