Secret of Three Kingdoms Episode 8 Recap
> Secret of Three Kingdoms Recap
Amidst a bloodbath within the Residence of the Grand Minister of Works, Cao Pi and his guards fought fiercely. Inside, Cao's wife, along with other female attendants, trembled in fear. However, Cao's wife remained composed, declaring that the attackers were merely trivial traitors and there was nothing to fear. Cao Jie, her daughter, also armed herself, ready to face the enemy, assuring her mother of her presence.
Meanwhile, Liu Ping and Fu Shou sheltered in their chambers, Liu Ping growing increasingly anxious about the situation outside. Drawing his sword, he promised Fu Shou that he would protect her and urged her not to be afraid. Fu Shou was startled by his words. She recalled a time years ago, when she and the Former Emperor fled Chang'an. Stranded in Anyi, the Former Emperor had asked her what she would do if an assassin appeared.
When she replied she would use her life to protect him, he nodded, revealing he too would use her life to protect himself. Liu Ping, touched, asked how she felt then. Fu Shou noted that only someone like him, unlike the Former Emperor, would care for an empress’s feelings. She acknowledged her emperor brother was an extraordinary man, burdened by the Han Dynasty, with no time for such sentiments.
She held no grudge against him, understanding his actions, and vowed to fulfill his wishes by protecting the Han Dynasty and its people. Liu Ping gently wiped away her tears and shielded her with his sword. Outside, Xudu City was steeped in blood, filled with clashing weapons and armored soldiers. Yang Biao observed Wang Fu fighting, remarking that he was truly worthy of being the brother of the nation's finest swordsman.
Dong Cheng and Wang Fu arrived at a city gate, sensing something was amiss. Man Chong and Yang Xiu appeared on the city wall. Man Chong confronted Dong Cheng with a forged imperial edict, accusing him of rebellion, while Dong Cheng countered that he too possessed an edict to eliminate traitors. Just then, a soldier announced the Xiliang Army had entered the city, confirming Dong Cheng's suspicions of betrayal.
Dong Cheng realized Yang Xiu's treachery, stating Yang Xiu had known the outcome when helping him scheme. Yang Xiu, unapologetic, admitted his enjoyment of an exciting game and mocked Dong Cheng for his foolish belief in victory. Resigned, Dong Cheng instructed Wang Fu to leave and save Shaojun. Yang Xiu departed, leaving orders for his subordinate, Xu Fu, to assassinate Sima Yi near the Residence of the Grand Minister of Works.
He reasoned that Sima Yi knew the Emperor's true identity and therefore had to die. Xu Fu questioned the endless cycle of killing but ultimately complied with Yang Xiu's command. Liu Ping expressed his worries to Fu Shou, questioning their next move if they succeeded, given Cao Cao's control of the surrounding regions. He asked which powerful lord they should ally with, wondering if he was destined for another "puppet master."
Fu Shou asked if he blamed her for making decisions. Liu Ping humbly admitted his own lack of capability, trusting in his "emperor brother's" strategy. He then inquired about Cao Cao's character. Fu Shou, originally from Xuzhou, recounted Cao Cao's massacre of the city in A. D. 193, before she entered the palace. She described a scene of utter devastation, with countless bodies and rivers of blood, turning the city into a living hell.
Liu Ping understood the deep hatred she and the Former Emperor harbored for Cao Cao. Fu Shou added that Cao Cao had also ordered the drowning of Xiapi. She reiterated her oath with the Former Emperor to restore the Han Dynasty and promised to help Liu Ping become a true monarch by eradicating the "cancers" of the Han Dynasty and bringing peace to the world.
Unaware of the unfolding chaos, Dong Fei received a visit from Zhao Yan, who brought her favorite hawthorn cakes. Dong Fei, sensing unease from those around her, asked Zhao Yan to investigate the strange occurrences. She noted that since the great fire, His Majesty seemed like a different person, and Fu Shou always interrupted her attempts to inquire. Zhao Yan promised to look into it.
Suddenly, a bloodied Wang Fu arrived on horseback, informing Dong Fei that her father had been defeated and captured by Man Chong, urging her to escape with him immediately as soldiers were closing in. Zhao Yan entrusted Dong Fei to Wang Fu, who vowed to protect her.
Meanwhile, in his carriage, Sima Yi learned from his subordinate that the Xiliang Army, led by Zhang Xiu—who had once killed Cao Cao's eldest son, Cao Ang—had entered the city, and Dong Cheng's rebellion was crushed. Astonished by Cao Cao's unlikely alliance, Sima Yi concluded that Liu Ping was now trapped. He then encountered the fleeing Wang Fu and Dong Fei.
Realizing that Yang Xiu's assassins were also pursuing him, Sima Yi intervened to save them, and the three escaped together in his carriage. During their frantic flight, Dong Fei began to experience labor pains. They desperately sought refuge at Tang Ying's residence. As Tang Ying prepared to assist Dong Fei, the pursuers caught up. Recognizing their desperate situation, Wang Fu asked Sima Yi to feign a struggle to protect Tang Ying.
In a heartbreaking act, Wang Fu then deliberately fell onto Tang Ying's sword, collapsing with a look of contentment as he relived memories of their first meeting. The approaching soldiers then brutally cut him down. Dong Fei, in critical condition and experiencing intense labor pains, pleaded for help, but the soldiers deliberately ignored her, stating their orders were to prevent the Emperor's descendant from causing future problems.
Sima Yi pleaded with them, emphasizing she was pregnant with His Majesty's child, but it was too late. Dong Fei died. Sima Yi demanded the name of the leading soldier, Colonel Sun Yi of the Tiger-Leopard Cavalry, vowing to remember him for letting the Imperial Consort die. With the rebellion quelled, Cao Pi reported the news to Liu Ping and Fu Shou. Fu Shou responded with a simple acknowledgement.
As Cao Pi gazed at the dignified and beautiful empress, he found his emotions deeply stirred. Sima Yi confronted Tang Ying, pointing out that Colonel Sun Yi had witnessed her kill Wang Fu, meaning her martial arts skills were now exposed and would lead to an investigation. He accused her of knowing Wang Fu's love for her and the doomed nature of their plan, yet withholding the truth and making him a scapegoat.
He argued that their "grand justice" was mere cowardice, and that Liu Ping would eventually realize he was being sacrificed. Tang Ying retorted that death awaited them all, including Sima Yi if he remained in Xudu, and that anyone could be sacrificed, even herself. Sima Yi scorned her lack of fear towards death, deeming her a "natural born pawn."
He then furiously demanded to know the whereabouts of their true emperor and why Liu Ping had been used as a shield. Tang Ying insisted Liu Ping was willing, and it was his responsibility, his fate sealed from birth. Sima Yi then pieced together the puzzle, realizing Liu Ping must be the Former Emperor's twin brother for them to be identical.
He understood that the real emperor was dead, that this was the reason for the palace fire, why Yang Xiu's father had cut off his arm, and the true cause behind last night's revolt. Later, Dong Fei's body was carried into the Residence of the Grand Minister of Works, a sight that devastated Zhao Yan. Liu Ping and Fu Shou witnessed the grim procession.
While officially an accidental death, everyone knew the Residence of the Grand Minister of Works would not tolerate the Emperor's child. Liu Ping, consumed by extreme anger, suppressed his rage. He then confronted General Zhang Xiu, criticizing him for his fickle allegiance, having submitted to Cao, rebelled, and now served him again, especially after killing Cao Ang. Liu Ping then turned his fury on General Jia Xu, sarcastically asking about his "General Xuanyi" title.
Jia Xu reminded him that Liu Ping himself, as the Emperor, had conferred it years ago. Liu Ping meticulously recounted Jia Xu's history of assisting various rebels and traitors, noting that all his former masters perished while Jia Xu persisted. Jia Xu asserted that despite the many betrayers, the Han Dynasty still stood, and Liu Ping's own imperial seal was on his conferment decree. Xun Yu intervened, reporting that Generals Jia Xu and Zhang Xiu had pacified Dong Cheng's rebellion.
Liu Ping, ignoring Xun Yu, asked Jia Xu what new title he desired. Jia Xu humbly deflected, praising Zhang Xiu's merit. Liu Ping then furiously accused Jia Xu of constantly stirring chaos and demanded to know his true motive. Jia Xu, unashamed, claimed he did it "for you," prompting Liu Ping to spit on him in utter disgust.
