Secret of Three Kingdoms Episode 5 Recap
> Secret of Three Kingdoms Recap
Unaware of the full circumstances, Imperial Consort Dong arrived in her carriage at the city outskirts to bid farewell to Eunuch Zhang, expressing her indignation at his forced retirement, which she attributed to the Empress's influence. Her childhood companion, Zhao Yan, who was present, appeared happy to see her. Eunuch Zhang, resigned to his fate, cautioned the Consort against being impetuous or quarreling with the Empress, stating that His Majesty was "alone and helpless."
He expressed sorrow that he would not live to see the birth of her prince and asked her to convey to His Majesty to "be at ease." Man Chong's men then forcibly escorted Eunuch Zhang away.
Shortly after, Man Chong met with Liu Ping and Fu Shou, informing them that he had taken "former Regular Palace Eunuch Zhang Yu" to the Xudu Guards Office for interrogation regarding the palace fire and planned to move Yang Jun there for recuperation, citing these actions as Director Xun's orders. Liu Ping, visibly distressed, questioned why Yang Jun could not remain at the Courier Inn, but Fu Shou subtly pressed his trembling hand and advised him to comply.
Liu Ping reluctantly granted permission. Later, Imperial Consort Dong chatted with Zhao Yan, expressing her concern that His Majesty had recently changed, now seeming like a "puppet of Fu Shou" who refused intimacy and acted strangely. Zhao Yan attempted to comfort her and later made a grass cricket, fondly recalling their childhood. Meanwhile, in the palace, Fu Shou severely reprimanded Liu Ping for his reaction to the news, explaining that Man Chong had merely come to observe his reaction.
By showing such obvious concern, Liu Ping had inadvertently confirmed Yang Jun's affiliation. Fu Shou warned that if either Zhang Yu or Yang Jun confessed under torture at the "hell-like" Xudu Guards Office, they would all be doomed. She criticized Liu Ping's benevolence, stating it was ineffective against an enemy who knew no such kindness.
Liu Ping acknowledged his error and promised to follow all of Fu Shou's future directives but desperately pleaded with her to save Yang Jun, explaining that although not his biological father, Yang Jun had treated him well, and if he failed to protect him, the Han Dynasty would lose its emperor. Fu Shou, moved by his plea, reluctantly agreed. Elsewhere, Dong Cheng commended Yang Xiu's shrewdness in taking command of the Palace Chamber Guards.
They discussed their strategic advantage, noting that with Liu Bei diverting Cao Cao's forces, Xudu was vulnerable. Their plan was to control Man Chong and seize the city, thereby reviving the Han Dynasty. Sima Yi's elder brother, perceiving the escalating chaos in Xudu and an impending curfew, urged Sima Yi to return home.
However, Sima Yi refused, insisting he would find "Yihe" (Liu Ping) and arrange his escape, convinced that Liu Ping would never willingly join the war against Cao Cao. He even threatened his brother not to reveal that he had forged their father's command, or he would proceed alone and never return home without Liu Ping. Meanwhile, Liu Ping and Fu Shou met with Yang Xiu, the new commander of the Chamber Guards.
Fu Shou sternly admonished Yang Xiu for his disrespectful attitude toward Liu Ping's imperial status. Liu Ping then informed Yang Xiu of Zhang Yu's arrest and Man Chong's plan to move Yang Jun to the Xudu Guards Office. Yang Xiu, deducing Liu Ping's earlier dismissal of Zhang Yu was a failed attempt to protect him after Zhang Yu discovered Liu Ping's true identity, expressed little hope for Zhang Yu's survival, criticizing Liu Ping's soft-heartedness.
Yang Xiu suggested that Supreme Commander Yang should intervene to protect Yang Jun, but otherwise showed little enthusiasm, believing Liu Ping did not grasp the gravity of their "battle." As he departed, Liu Ping discreetly handed Yang Xiu a note intended for Sima Yi ("Zhongda"), entrusting him with the task of saving Yang Jun. Yang Xiu read the note—which simply contained a message from Liu Ping ("Yihe") telling Sima Yi to "be at ease"—and then promptly burned it.
Later, at the Hongnong Memorial Hall, Sima Yi confronted Yang Xiu, revealing his detailed knowledge of Yang Xiu's intricate plot, from Liu Bei's movements to the palace fire and the control of key positions. Sima Yi accused Yang Xiu of using "Yang Ping" (Liu Ping) as a pawn and saw through his scheme to instigate a conflict between the Sima family and Cao Cao using Yang Jun's predicament.
He warned that Liu Ping, being gentle and kind, would oppose Yang Xiu if he learned his family was being manipulated. Yang Xiu countered that Sima Yi's affection for Liu Ping made him easily exploitable. Sima Yi ultimately agreed to rescue Yang Jun but demanded to be included in their overall plan. Yang Xiu accepted, viewing it as a test of Sima Yi's capabilities. Before leaving, Sima Yi exchanged a lighthearted remark with Tang Ying, promising to return soon.
Sima Yi presented himself at the residence of Director Xun, identifying himself as the second young master of the Sima Family from Wenxian. Xun Yu, hoping to secure the Sima family's allegiance, warmly received him. However, Sima Yi stated his purpose was to address Yang Jun's situation, describing him as a close friend of his father who had suffered a tragic bandit attack that killed his son "Yang Ping" and left him disabled.
Sima Yi firmly declared that if justice was not served, the Sima family would seek it themselves, proclaiming, "the injustice of Uncle Yang is the injustice of the Sima family," and emphasized his personal bond with the deceased Yang Ping. Convinced by Sima Yi's determined plea, Xun Yu agreed to accompany him to Yang Jun.
At the Courier Inn, Man Chong's men were attempting to remove Yang Jun, but his students vehemently protested, questioning Man Chong's authority and Cao Cao's adherence to the law, chanting, "We all are willing to risk our lives for justice!" Xun Yu, observing the fervent public sentiment and Sima Yi's presence, chose a conciliatory approach.
He announced that Yang Jun would remain at the Courier Inn to recuperate, attributing the attempt to move him to a misunderstanding and promising two guards for his care. The students, satisfied, dispersed. Man Chong, perplexed, later questioned Xun Yu's decision. Xun Yu explained that forcibly removing Yang Jun would provoke the scholars of Xudu, and if the Sima family led them in rebellion, it would destabilize Cao Cao's rear.
He also recognized that Yang Jun would not yield to torture, thus "soft methods" were preferable. Man Chong acknowledged this strategy, agreeing to "put out a long line to catch the big fish." Sima Yi then privately assured Yang Jun he would inform his father of his safety. Man Chong interrogated Eunuch Zhang Yu, pressing him about the identity of the eunuch Tang Ying had brought into the palace on the night of the fire.
Zhang Yu maintained it was an "ordinary lowly eunuch" whose burial Man Chong had witnessed. Despite Man Chong's attempts to gain his cooperation, Zhang Yu, having accepted his fate, subtly tried to consume poison he had hidden in a wine cup, intending to die and bury the truth with him. However, Man Chong swiftly intercepted the poisoned cup.
As Zhang Yu was about to be led into the interrogation chamber, an unknown female assassin shot him with an arrow from the shadows, killing him instantly. Man Chong immediately ordered his men to capture the assassin. The pursuit was on, but Sima Yi intervened, helping the injured assassin escape, who turned out to be Tang Ying. He chastised her for acting without authorization but then urged her to tend to her poisoned wound for the sake of "Yang Ping."
Meanwhile, in the palace, Liu Ping anxiously paced, having received no news of Yang Jun, and feared Man Chong might have already tortured him to death. In a desperate attempt, he ordered his guards to summon Man Chong, intending to issue a direct decree for the release of Yang Jun and Zhang Yu. Fu Shou intervened, angrily sending the guards away.
She vehemently questioned Liu Ping's impulsive decision, reminding him that the Late Emperor's grand plan and the survival of the Han Dynasty, along with thousands of lives, would be jeopardized for one person's personal sentiments. She recounted the immense suffering and sacrifices endured by the Late Emperor, including witnessing the deaths of his brother and many officials, all while struggling to preserve the Han Dynasty.
She emphasized that Liu Ping's family was now the Han Dynasty, stating, "Without a country, how can you have a family?" Liu Ping, in tears, acknowledged Yang Jun's kindness to him. Fu Shou then revealed that the Late Emperor had envied Liu Ping for having experienced "peace and happiness" on his behalf.
Liu Ping, deeply moved, vowed to shoulder the heavy burden of the Han Dynasty but tearfully pleaded with Fu Shou to save Yang Jun, declaring it his absolute bottom line. Fu Shou, seeing his resolve, finally conceded. Elsewhere, Man Chong’s men continued their pursuit of the assassin, scouring the streets near Grand Minister Cao's residence. Man Chong was furious that his men had failed to identify the assassin as a woman during their engagement.
Just as they were about to corner her, a white-clad youth suddenly attacked Man Chong's men, effortlessly incapacitating them. Man Chong arrived, realizing his men had mistakenly engaged Cao Pi, Cao Cao's second son.
