Secret of Three Kingdoms Episode 47 Recap
> Secret of Three Kingdoms Recap
Yang Biao requested to resign from his position, citing his failing health, old age, and difficulty standing or bowing for prolonged periods. Liu Ping, sensing there was more to it, dismissed everyone to speak with Yang Biao privately. Yang Biao reiterated that his resignation was due to his age and inability to share the Emperor's burden, adding that he would hold a farewell banquet at his manor the following day, which Cao Cao would attend.
Liu Ping affirmed his understanding and announced his intention to personally attend the banquet. Yang Biao assured the Emperor he would not do anything to bring shame to him. After Yang Biao departed, Liu Ping instructed Fu Shou to issue an imperial edict for Tang Ying to enter the palace the next day and not allow her to leave, as he suspected Yang Biao's banquet was a setup for Tang Ying to assassinate Cao Cao.
Fu Shou immediately understood the danger, noting that Sima Yi was still imprisoned and they could not let Tang Ying take such a risk. Fu Shou vowed to keep Tang Ying in the palace and also planned to attend the Yang residence herself, unwilling to stand by while many lives were lost. Liu Ping then asked Fu Shou if she blamed him for his intention to abdicate the throne.
Fu Shou gently reassured him, expressing her full support for whatever he chose to do. She explained that even if everyone else were to scold him, his understanding alone would satisfy her. Meanwhile, Yang Xiu dispatched a page boy late at night to report to Cao Cao, stating that he was being held by his father and could not come in person.
The page boy delivered Yang Xiu's message, warning Cao Cao not to attend the banquet the next day and asking him to pardon Yang Biao in consideration of Yang Xiu's loyalty. Cao Cao, seeing this as incriminating evidence against Yang Biao, was amused, praising Yang Biao for raising such a good son. He confidently declared his intention to attend the "Hongmen Banquet," unwilling to disappoint his host and planning to use the opportunity to apprehend those secretly causing trouble.
Man Chong reminded Cao Cao that Tang Ying was skilled in martial arts, but Cao Cao dismissively stated that he feared only her not showing up, lamenting that he would soon have fewer old friends. Inside the palace, Fu Shou conversed with Tang Ying, trying to keep her away from Yang Biao’s banquet.
Fu Shou directly asked if Tang Ying would have been at the manor if she hadn't been summoned, and though Tang Ying denied receiving an invitation, Fu Shou pressed her, urging her not to take risks. When Tang Ying insisted on going, Liu Ping arrived and firmly forbade her from leaving the palace, commanding her to keep Fu Shou company for the day. Tang Ying acquiesced, agreeing to stay in the palace that night.
Her spirits were low, and she confided in Fu Shou about Sima Yi, recalling how he was the first person to openly confess his feelings for her. She spoke of her past, where as a member of the Xiyuan Army and as Princess Consort to Prince Hongnong, she believed love was not for her. Meeting Sima Yi changed her perspective, making her realize that love also brings fear of death.
Fu Shou empathized, sharing that she felt the same way about Liu Ping, understanding that love creates a powerful, albeit sometimes painful, bond. Tang Ying then questioned if Fu Shou would do nothing if her own lover were imprisoned. The Yang mansion was filled with song and dance, a prosperous scene that belied the calm before the storm.
Yang Biao recounted the hardships endured by loyal subjects, including himself, in escorting the Emperor through various perils, expressing relief that Liu Ping was now accompanied by virtuous subjects and capable generals. He stated that seeing Liu Ping's growth, he could set his mind at ease and then raised his wine cup, inviting everyone to drink. Liu Ping reciprocated, toasting Yang Biao and thanking him for upholding justice. However, Cao Pi, suspecting the wine might be poisoned, cleverly intervened.
He offered a top-quality red wine from the Western Regions, which his father had obtained after pacifying the Wuhuan Tribe, and instructed servants to replace all the wine on the table. With his impeccable manners, Cao Pi made it impossible for Yang Biao to refuse. Fu Wan seized the opportunity to propose a flowing cup game, where participants would sit by a stream, compose poems, and drink from cups floating by.
Cao Pi worried this might give them another chance to switch the wine, but Cao Cao readily agreed, eager for such elegant entertainment. Cao Pi, meanwhile, declared his crude nature and lack of poetic skill, opting to act as a guard, ensuring everyone's safety with his sword. As everyone gathered by the water, ready for the flowing cup game, Xun Yu suggested Yang Biao begin.
Yang Biao recited an old poem, comparing his situation to Qu Yuan, expressing the deep-seated worry for the Han Dynasty's decline despite his soaring aspirations. Liu Ping responded, asserting that he would not be like King Huai, nor would he allow his loyal subjects to suffer a wrongful death like Minister Qu, garnering Cao Cao's respect for Yang Biao's loyalty. Later, as the wine cups floated, a cup containing the wine Yang Biao had prepared drifted towards Cao Cao.
Cao Pi was alarmed, and Cao Ren urged Cao Cao not to drink, believing the wine was poisoned. Yang Biao and Kong Rong, however, dared Cao Cao to drink, challenging his suspected paranoia. Xun Yu intervened, suggesting both sides back down. Cao Cao, not refusing to drink, requested Xun Yu to play "Short Song Ballad" on the zither for him.
Cao Cao then grandly recited his own poem, a "Short Song Ballad," reflecting on life's brevity and his aspirations to welcome sages and unify hearts. When he reached the line about all hearts returning, Kong Rong boldly asked if those hearts returned to the Emperor or to Cao Cao himself.
Cao Cao took the opportunity to elaborate on his journey from a humble commandery governor to his current position as Chancellor, justifying his power by stating that without him, the Han Dynasty would have long fallen, implying others would have usurped the throne. He then directly asked Liu Ping if he should drink the wine. Liu Ping, without hesitation, offered to drink it in Cao Cao’s place. Cao Cao then drank the wine himself, a gesture of unexpected resolve.
At this tense moment, Man Chong burst in with soldiers. Remaining calm, Cao Cao requested a private conversation with Liu Ping and Yang Biao, allowing Cao Pi to remain as well. In their private discussion, Cao Cao immediately questioned if Yang Biao's "shocking matter" was related to the "fake emperor."
Liu Ping calmly asserted his legitimacy, stating that he and the late Emperor were twin brothers, and that he had Empress Fu Shou as a witness, as well as the previous Emperor’s last edict. He then countered by asking Cao Cao if his relentless pressure meant he intended to rebel.
Yang Biao intervened, reminding Cao Cao that he had fostered one of the twin princes after their birth, and since one had died, the younger brother ascending the throne was a time-honored tradition. He urged Cao Cao not to press the issue. Cao Cao scoffed at Liu Ping’s claim of legitimacy, provocatively questioning who would follow an emperor who had "stolen his brother's wife and fooled the world."
He then challenged Liu Ping, asking if he had the courage to announce the truth to the world, threatening that he would not mind allowing the Sima family to sacrifice themselves for righteousness. Liu Ping remained composed, proposing a deal with Cao Cao, promising that the terms would be beyond his imagination. After the private meeting, Cao Cao and Cao Pi emerged.
Cao Ren immediately questioned the outcome, to which Cao Pi revealed that Liu Ping had offered to abdicate to protect everyone. However, Cao Cao remained unconvinced, believing Liu Ping was merely trying to hide something. Meanwhile, Yang Biao continued to strongly disapprove of Liu Ping's decision, earnestly pleading with him, but Liu Ping was resolute, believing it was the best way to protect Fu Shou and the Han Imperial Family.
Seeing the Emperor's unshakeable resolve, Yang Biao cryptically remarked that there was "no need for that" anymore. As Cao Cao left the manor, an assassin launched an attack. Cao Pi rushed to defend his father, initially assuming it was Tang Ying. During their struggle, Cao Pi realized something was amiss, but he was eventually knocked unconscious, and the assassin escaped.
Enraged by his son's injury, Cao Cao ordered Cao Ren to capture the assassin alive, expressing his determination to uncover the identity of the person who had repeatedly caused chaos in Xudu. A subordinate reported that the assassin had fled towards the palace. Cao Ren, expressing that this was as he expected, believed the assassin was Tang Ying.
He immediately led his troops to the Vermilion Bird Gates, intending to pursue her into the palace to secure evidence of her assassination attempt on Cao Cao. Despite the palace guards' protests, who stated no one had entered and cited palace laws forbidding entry without an imperial decree after gates were locked, Cao Ren ignored them, accusing them of being accomplices. He ordered his men to charge in and search the palace.
Fu Shou, alerted by the commotion, emerged and confronted Cao Ren. She questioned his presence with an army at such a late hour, particularly without personally witnessing the assassin's entry or possessing an imperial decree for a search. Fu Shou sternly asked if he was trying to force the Emperor to abdicate or if he was staging a rebellion.
