Secret of Three Kingdoms Episode 27 Recap
> Secret of Three Kingdoms Recap
Cao Pi questioned Xu You about the truth behind the Wancheng mutiny. Xu You initially claimed to have been in Nanpi at the time. However, when Cao Pi revealed that Hu Che'er had told him only Xu You knew the truth, Xu You recounted the events. He explained that Zhang Xiu and Jia Xu were not the masterminds, but rather a mysterious outsider. Xu You pressed Cao Pi to consider who ultimately benefited from the incident.
As Cao Pi tried to press for more details, Shen Rong and his men apprehended him. Shen Rong then brought Cao Pi before Liu Ping, intending to humiliate him. He accused Cao Pi, referred to as Liu Ping’s attendant, of fabricating documents, trespassing, and plotting assassination. Liu Ping, feigning anger, struck Cao Pi. During their physical contact, Cao Pi managed to discreetly pass a document to Liu Ping.
Shen Rong warned Liu Ping that a servant's crime implicates the master and that he would deal with him later. Shen Rong handed Cao Pi over to Sima Yi, praising him for catching the “spy” and mentioning that Xu You had been sent to Guandu, signaling the war's critical stage. He urged Sima Yi to interrogate Cao Pi and make him implicate Liu Ping.
Meanwhile, Liu Ping observed Xu You leaving with a secret box, realizing it contained the critical contact list. He lamented the turn of events, feeling that all their efforts might be in vain at the last minute. Inside the prison, Sima Yi interrogated Cao Pi. Cao Pi revealed that he had followed Sima Yi's instructions to move Empress Fu Shou and the others and had given the imperial seal document to Liu Ping.
He then questioned if his own arrest was part of Sima Yi's plan and how Sima Yi knew he would seek out Xu You. Sima Yi redirected the interrogation, demanding to know Cao Pi's purpose in Yecheng and his reason for looking for Xu You. Cao Pi confessed he was seeking revenge for his elder brother, who had sacrificed his life for him during the Wancheng mutiny. Sima Yi remained skeptical, questioning Xu You's connection to the mutiny.
Cao Pi insisted someone had told him Xu You knew the truth, offering his life if Sima Yi did not believe him. Sima Yi declared he would neither kill nor release Cao Pi, leaving his fate to destiny. Outside the Yecheng Guards office, scholars gathered, protesting Liu Ping's attendant's arrest and demanding justice. An officer informed Sima Yi of the growing disturbance.
Sima Yi, acknowledging it as part of his plan, addressed the scholars, warning them of dire consequences if they did not disperse. He ordered their arrest. As Liu Ping aimed an arrow from a distance, Sima Yi covertly signaled to his chest. Liu Ping, understanding the cue, shot Sima Yi in the indicated spot.
Sima Yi, feigning a serious injury, dramatically commanded his men to capture the "rebels" but instructed them not to kill the scholars, fearing a revolt from their aristocratic families. The mass arrest of scholars, as Sima Yi had predicted, diverted the Yecheng Guard's forces, leaving the prison understaffed. Inside the prison, Tang Ying found Sima Yi wounded. He playfully complained about Liu Ping's accurate yet painful shot.
After Tang Ying tended to his wound, Sima Yi expressed his affection and promised her a free life together once their mission was complete. They proceeded to rescue Fu Shou and Ren Hongchang. Fu Shou and Tang Ying embraced in a warm reunion. Ren Hongchang praised Sima Yi's intricate plan, which involved deceiving Shen Rong, feigning injury, and inciting the scholars.
Sima Yi clarified that his true motive was not merely to save two people, but to gain the scholars' willing support for Liu Ping. As they discussed their next moves, the name "General Pan Yang" was heard. Tang Ying, realizing the gravity of the situation, decided to sacrifice herself to distract Pan Yang. She locked Sima Yi in the cell, despite his protests, and then deliberately revealed herself to Pan Yang, initiating a fight.
Liu Ping arrived to meet Sima Yi and saw Tang Ying being chased by Pan Yang. Sima Yi, fearing capture, suggested leaving Cao Pi as a scapegoat. However, Liu Ping refused, insisting he must safely bring back Cao Pi, whom he had brought out. Despite Sima Yi's criticisms of his "woman-like benevolence," Liu Ping stood firm, saying he could not abandon a companion. Fu Shou sided with Liu Ping, urging Sima Yi to hand over the key.
Sima Yi reluctantly complied, remarking that Liu Ping's "goodness" would eventually be his downfall. Liu Ping then rescued Cao Pi, who expressed his gratitude for being saved despite his betrayal. Ren Hongchang, accompanied by Lü Ji, bid farewell to Fu Shou and the others, stating she had her own path to follow. Meanwhile, Tang Ying continued her struggle with Pan Yang.
She taunted him, asserting her status as a Princess Consort and reminding him that Yuan Shao would not dare to kill her. She further challenged his principles as a former Xiyuan Guard, daring him to kill her. Simultaneously, Zhen Mi appeared, confronting Cao Pi for his earlier deception, believing he intended to flee alone. Sima Yi, impatient and worried about Tang Ying, roughly urged them to hurry, fearing Yuan Xi's approaching forces.
At the city gates, Liu Ping presented a document bearing Yuan Shao's seal to a guard, claiming to be on a mission to pacify rebels. The guard noticed the absence of Shen Rong's countersignature, but Liu Ping bluffed his way through, warning against disobeying a military order. The guard, intimidated, allowed Liu Ping and his accompanying crowd to pass. Once outside, Fu Shou lamented that they had escaped but had not yet obtained the minister list.
Liu Ping, however, was deeply concerned about the scholars they had left behind. He decided to return alone to rescue them. Sima Yi tried to dissuade him, arguing that the scholars' suffering would ultimately garner more support from aristocratic families. But Liu Ping, asserting his duty as Emperor to protect his citizens, insisted on returning. Fu Shou, declaring she would not let him face danger alone, followed him back into Yecheng just before the gates closed.
Sima Yi departed with Cao Pi and Zhen Mi. Liu Ping had instructed Sima Yi to take Cao Pi to Cao Cao's camp to gain Cao Cao's trust. Liu Ping, in turn, planned to rescue the scholars and lead them to Yuan Shao, aiming to collaborate from within and without to defeat Cao Cao and rescue Tang Ying. He also entrusted Sima Yi with the task of sending his wife back. Liu Ping and Fu Shou sought out Cui Yan.
Cui Yan questioned Liu Ping's audacity in returning, but Liu Ping explained his intention to save the innocent scholars, arguing that the unrest in Yecheng was inevitable. Fu Shou emphasized the potential destruction of the Hebei aristocratic families' power if they did nothing. Convinced by their sincerity and the Emperor's resolve, Cui Yan agreed to help. Cui Yan then confronted Shen Rong, who was escorting the captured scholars.
Cui Yan falsely claimed that Lord Yuan was furious and had ordered him to take the scholars to Yuan Manor for questioning. When Shen Rong expressed suspicion, Cui Yan revealed that Princess Consort Hongnong (Tang Ying) had escaped from the Yecheng Guards office, causing significant casualties among the wardens. Alarmed, Shen Rong immediately rushed back to the Yecheng Guards, abandoning the scholars to Cui Yan.
Cui Yan delivered the scholars to Liu Ping and Fu Shou and handed Liu Ping a badge. Cui Yan explained that as a subject of Lord Yuan, he could only offer this much assistance before bidding them farewell. Liu Ping then addressed the scholars, reminding them that staying in Yecheng would lead to their demise at the hands of Shen Pei.
He urged them to follow him out of the southern gates to preserve their family lines and scholar's honor, even if it meant sacrificing for the nation. Inspired by his words, the scholars vowed to follow him, ready to act according to his orders. Liu Ping and Fu Shou then prepared to lead them out of the city.
