Secret of Three Kingdoms Episode 35 Recap
> Secret of Three Kingdoms Recap
Liu Ping, addressing Cao Cao, proposed a deal: if Cao Cao wished to pacify the Central Plains, he must immediately release the Sima family. Cao Cao questioned what he would gain from such an agreement. Liu Ping offered to accompany Cao Cao on his northern expedition in disguise, providing assistance and preventing chaos in Xudu. Cao Cao expressed skepticism, wondering how he could trust Liu Ping's intentions after his previous actions at Guandu.
Liu Ping then added another condition, insisting that Empress Fu Shou must accompany them on the expedition, stating that he and the Empress would go through thick and thin together and never separate. Cao Cao, after some deliberation, agreed to Liu Ping's terms. He revealed that he had come to court today, after three years of refusing imperial summons, specifically to observe the current Emperor.
He remarked on Liu Ping's transformation, noting his newfound cherishment for his subjects and deep love for his wife. Meanwhile, Man Chong and his men surrounded the Sima residence. Guo Jia informed Cao Cao that he had already forged a pardon decree in Cao Cao's name and sent Cao Pi to Wenxian to rescue the Sima family. Cao Cao, reflecting on the situation, felt that Guo Jia believed him to be "too cruel."
Back in the palace, Fu Shou worried that Cao Cao would not spare the Sima family, asking Liu Ping if his request for her to accompany him on the expedition was due to concern for her safety after Sima Yi's potential demise. Liu Ping reassured her, promising to protect both her and Sima Yi, and vowing that no harm would befall them.
As dawn approached, Sima Yi and Tang Ying, who had spent the night watching the stars, expressed their fears, believing a pardon would not arrive and bracing themselves for death. Man Chong, losing patience, ordered Yang Xiu to proceed with the execution. Yang Xiu eagerly commanded his men to kill everyone. As his men entered the Sima residence, Sima Yi stepped forward, offering himself first. Tang Ying, however, intervened.
Yang Xiu, knowing her identity as Princess Consort Hongnong, ordered his men to kill both her and Sima Yi. At that critical moment, Cao Pi arrived, proclaiming Grand Minister Cao's decree to pardon the Sima family.
The decree specifically mentioned pardoning the entire Sima clan due to Sima Yi's discerning justice and his actions in saving the Emperor at Guandu, and furthermore, conscripted Sima Yi as a literary officer in the Office of the Grand Minister of Works, ordering him to accept immediately. Sima Yi and Tang Ying were taken aback, but Sima Yi accepted the conscription. Cao Pi then offered to escort Princess Consort Tang Ying back to the palace.
Man Chong clarified with Cao Pi that the pardon was limited solely to the Sima family, which Cao Pi confirmed. Man Chong seized the opportunity to arrest Xu Fu for taking an official hostage and attempting assassination. Yang Xiu, frustrated by Sima Yi's escape and his own miscalculation, confronted Sima Yi, warning him about future encounters.
Sima Yi, in turn, provoked Yang Xiu, claiming his own life was improving while Yang Xiu was losing the support of loved ones and friends, even his own father. Enraged, Yang Xiu lunged and stabbed Sima Yi, who then feigned a severe injury and collapsed. Tang Ying nursed Sima Yi, who had "lost sensation" in his legs.
She observed that the sword wound to his chest did not appear life-threatening or spinal, leading her to suspect he was feigning paralysis to avoid conscription. She admonished him for risking his life, pointing out how close he came to death. Sima Yi, still playing unconscious, gently held her sleeve, apologizing for being unable to fulfill his promise of a wedding.
Tang Ying reassured him that her only concern was his survival, affirming their bond and conviction that they would be together. Soon after, an attendant announced the arrival of the Princess Consort's carriage. As Tang Ying prepared to leave, she exchanged a knowing look with Sima Yi.
Before Sima Yi was taken away, his father, Sima Fang, urged him to be cautious, not to be willful, and not to disobey Grand Minister Cao so that he could be at ease, to which Sima Yi agreed. Sima Yi was then placed in a wheelchair and, under the escort of Man Chong's men, was taken away.
Cao Pi, attempting to win Sima Yi over, offered him water and pressed him to become his strategist, recalling Sima Yi's promise at Guandu to assist him. Sima Yi responded that while he would assist Cao Pi, he refused to be conscripted by Grand Minister Cao in such a manner, insisting that he could not be restricted by anyone. Cao Pi countered that Sima Yi had already committed to someone else but refused to admit it.
Man Chong then arranged for a physician, a family physician of Yang Xiu, to examine Sima Yi's legs. The physician expressed bewilderment, as a chest wound typically would not cause leg paralysis. Yang Xiu, suspecting Sima Yi's deception, intervened and instructed the physician to apply needles around the wound area. Guo Jia also engaged Sima Yi in conversation, subtly probing his intentions and questioning his willingness to sacrifice marriage and family.
Sima Yi, maintaining his facade, feigned helplessness and mocked Guo Jia's suggestion that he was merely pretending. Guo Jia then directly implied Sima Yi's actions were linked to Liu Ping, suggesting that Sima Yi disabled himself for the Emperor, just as the Emperor became Cao Cao's hostage for Sima Yi. Guo Jia even jokingly questioned if Sima Yi was the Emperor's "lover."
Sima Yi vehemently denied allegiance to anyone, stating his nature was to be free from restraints and control, whether from Grand Minister Cao or the Emperor. Yang Xiu, still eager to expose Sima Yi, suggested further drastic measures, but Guo Jia, seemingly in agreement that Sima Yi's legs were beyond recovery, declared that they might as well saw off his legs to prevent further necrosis. Just as Guo Jia contemplated sawing off Sima Yi's legs, Liu Ping arrived.
Seeing Sima Yi's injuries, Liu Ping asked about the medical treatment, quickly dismissing Yang Xiu's physician and instructing the removal of the needles, bringing his own attendant, Leng Shouguang, to treat Sima Yi. Guo Jia subtly remarked that Liu Ping knew very well the reason for Sima Yi's injuries. Once they were alone, Liu Ping expressed deep regret, apologizing to Sima Yi and blaming himself for implicating the Sima family.
Sima Yi, however, angrily confronted Liu Ping for carelessly squandering the forces he had painstakingly built. Liu Ping, acknowledging his mistakes, stated his intention to bear his burdens alone and his genuine willingness to help Cao Cao win the upcoming battle. Sima Yi, concerned for Liu Ping's safety on the expedition, urged him to return alive, dramatically stating that Liu Ping was now responsible for him since his legs were "disabled" because of him.
Liu Ping playfully asked about Tang Ying's role in Sima Yi's care, to which Sima Yi dismissively remarked that she knew nothing about looking after anyone. Guo Jia inquired with Leng Shouguang about Sima Yi's leg condition, feigning concern. He then reported to Sima Yi that Princess Consort Tang Ying had been moved to a new royal manor, implying that this was a benevolent gesture from Cao Cao.
Sima Yi, however, saw through it, accusing Guo Jia of hypocrisy and attempting to blackmail him by keeping Tang Ying under house arrest. Guo Jia denied this, stating his admiration for Tang Ying and his hope for her happiness, asserting that two harmonious hearts need not care about constant presence.
Later, Tang Ying arrived at the newly rebuilt Prince Hongnong Manor, where Cao Pi welcomed her and suggested she relay his father's "good intentions" to Sima Yi, before the manor gates were closed, effectively placing her under house arrest. Guo Jia then reported to Cao Cao that Sima Yi was indeed paralyzed, with multiple doctors confirming his incurable condition, suggesting that Cao Cao could perhaps let Sima Yi go.
Cao Cao remained suspicious, believing Sima Yi was merely biding his time. He then questioned Liu Ping's true motives for accompanying him on the expedition, fearing an ulterior motive rather than genuine cooperation. Cao Cao asserted that if Liu Ping truly wanted to work with him, he needed to show more sincerity. His idea of "sincerity" was for Liu Ping to depose Empress Fu Shou and marry his daughter, Cao Jie.
Guo Jia expressed reservations, noting the Emperor and Empress's deep affection for each other, deeming the plan inappropriate. Meanwhile, a servant informed Cao Cao that Cao Pi had been kneeling in his room for two hours, but Cao Cao refused to see him, instructing the servant to tell Cao Pi to leave if he couldn't endure it. Guo Jia found Cao Cao's harshness towards his son excessive.
Eventually, Cao Pi, on the verge of collapsing, was met by Cao Cao, and immediately begged for his father's punishment for promulgating a military decree in his name without permission. Cao Cao questioned Cao Pi's intense desire for Sima Yi, suspecting he harbored ulterior motives.
Cao Pi earnestly explained that he simply valued talent and wished to recruit Sima Yi to assist him in helping his father pacify the world, acknowledging his guilt for not being able to lessen his father's burdens. Cao Cao, however, asserted that he was not unwilling to give Sima Yi to Cao Pi, but believed that Cao Pi currently lacked the ability to control such a talent. Meanwhile, Yang Biao arranged for Xu Fu's departure from Xudu.
He advised Xu Fu to abandon his identity as a swordsman and return to his former life as a scholar, and Xu Fu, adopting his former name Xu Shu, agreed. Xu Shu then asked Yang Biao about his own future plans. Yang Biao declared his unwavering commitment to restoring the Han Dynasty and upholding justice, stating that his family had served the Han Dynasty for generations and he would not pledge allegiance to anyone else.
Deeply impressed by Yang Biao's resolve, Xu Shu pledged his lifelong loyalty to him. Upon learning that Guo Jia had indirectly allowed Yang Xiu to persecute Sima Yi, Ren Hongchang playfully chastised him, accusing him of favoring outsiders over her. Guo Jia, feigning pain, promised not to repeat his actions. Ren Hongchang noted his cough and chest pain, but Guo Jia dismissed her concerns, asking her to massage his chest instead.
Discussing Sima Yi's situation, Guo Jia admitted his fondness for the younger generation but stated he could not let them overstep their bounds, fearing a confrontation with Cao Cao. Ren Hongchang, however, voiced her belief that the world would eventually belong to these young people, a sentiment Guo Jia deemed premature. Later, Cao Pi visited Sima Yi at his new residence, showing him around.
Cao Pi urged Sima Yi to reconsider his stance, offering him a final chance to abandon his feigned paralysis and leave with him, promising to facilitate his reunion with Tang Ying. Sima Yi responded sarcastically, questioning if Cao Pi possessed Hua Tuo's magical ability to make a paralyzed man walk. Cao Pi suggested that Sima Yi believed only the Emperor could make him stand.
While acknowledging Liu Ping's life-saving actions, Cao Pi tried to persuade Sima Yi not to waste his talents on a declining dynasty, highlighting that they both owed their lives to each other and should look to the future. Sima Yi, however, remained resolute, stating that he saw no imperial dynasty, only his unwavering persistence.
