Secrets of Three Kingdoms (三国机密 / San Guo Ji Mi)

If I'd known, I'd have had you put this on sooner.

You would've looked gorgeous.

Zhong Da.

Zhong Da!

You've won.

Zi Jian barged into the palace and rode on the imperial pathway.

It is a severe crime.

Although Father didn't have the heart to depose him

he's already announced his crime to the nation.

Now, he's no longer qualified to vie against me.

No.

You're the one who has won.

Has Duke Cao left you in charge of investigating Fu Wan's revolt?

My father said that Yang Xiu deserves credit for reporting the case.

He is to join me in the investigation.

That's good.

Young Master, you should assist him in investigating it well.

Investigate carefully and thoroughly.

But we were a step behind him.

He took the credit for such a huge merit.

Will he assist Zi Jian to get back in the game?

No, he'll only find out when he is going to die.

Make me a promise.

Don't allow them to desecrate my father's body.

I'm still the emperor.

I'll surely protect your family.

I'll protect you.

As the empress, the last thing I can do to uphold my dignity

is not be a burden to you.

Cao Cao won't spare me from such a crime.

Your Majesty...

You mustn't betray the imperial family because of me.

If you do, I'll never rest in peace.

You mustn't say so.

There must be some other way.

There must be.

Your Majesty...

This time...

I have let you down.

Empress!

Empress...

Don't cry.

Stop crying.

Stop crying...

Master.

Fu Wan is dead.

This should come to an end.

If you keep investigating

it will only put you at a great disadvantage!

You've finally come to such peaceful terms with the imperial family.

Once you convict the empress...

it'll be hard for you as a subject to deny mistreating the monarch!

Master, you and the imperial family will truly be irreconcilable.

Master, do you really wish to see the capital turn into a battlefield?

All of the efforts that you and His Majesty made will be in vain!

Prefect Xun, you're only standing up for the emperor!

But did you see what they have done?

On the one hand, they tricked me into a peace negotiation.

On the other hand, they are plotting to assassinate me in the capital.

Assassination!

Rebellion!

They are after my life!

The veteran officials plotted all that! It had nothing to do with His Majesty!

Master, you are well aware of the truth.

However, you'd let all of your efforts go to waste for one or two people.

Master, I truly feel bad for you!

The veteran officials?

Why have I forgotten?

Prefect Xun, you're also a veteran official.

If Fu Wan had succeeded in killing me

what would you have done?

Would you have chanted three cheers for the emperor outside Hanzhang Hall

to celebrate the revival of the imperial family's glory?

I've exhausted my thoughts and efforts for your ambition.

Since you're now doubtful of me

I have nothing more to say.

I'll take my leave.

Greetings, Master.

Master of Writing Cui, are you also here because of the empress?

I'm here to report to you about the scholars' meeting

that I'm hosting with Minister Steward Kong.

We were hosting it in two days.

I wonder if we should still host it as scheduled.

Master of Writing Cui is a lot more open-minded.

The world is at peace now, so we should host such a good event.

Yes, Chancellor.

Kong Rong is very enthusiastic about gathering the scholars.

Yes.

This is the first scholars' meeting since we relocated the capital.

Although this is an academic event among the commoners

it's a distinguished event to promote Confucianism.

As Confucius's descendant and the leader of the academic circle

Minister Steward Kong is bound to work his heart out on this event.

That's good.

You'll work with Minister Steward Kong to host this event well.

Agree to any requests he has.

He's a sage, after all.

He should be noble and virtuous as a sage would.

He shouldn't be distracted by the other worldly affairs.

If Kong Rong won't make a scene about the empress's conviction

you should take credit for it!

Master.

I'd like to ask another question.

I wonder how you intend to deal with the empress?

How should rebels be dealt with?

I... understand.

Your Majesty had the advantage the previous time.

This time, I'm sorry, but I'll have to offend Your Majesty.

There's solid evidence to prove Fu Wan guilty of treason.

In terms of his crime, three generations of his clan are to be executed.

I beseech Your Majesty to part with your beloved.

Order the empress to take her own life.

Treason?

How strange.

How is an empress supposed to rebel against her subject?

Many empresses and consorts were killed by the imperial family.

What if I refuse to do so?

What do you intend to do?

March your army in here to force me?

I was first a chancellor and then a feudal lord.

I have the duty to correct Your Majesty's wrongdoings.

Should Your Majesty remain so obstinate and bend the law to suit your interests

an official can also clear the emperor of corrupt influences.

So much for clearing the emperor of corrupt influences.

There are also many treacherous subjects who ruined their reputations

rebelling in the name of clearing the emperor of corrupt influences.

Your Majesty, are you going to meet me on the battlefield?

Duke Cao, you forced me into it.

For the future that Your Majesty promised me

I've been putting up with you for a long time.

Your Majesty's birthright is questionable!

I've put up with that.

Tang Ying attempted to assassinate me!

I've also put up with that.

I've made compromises, one after another.

In return, all I had was Fu Wan and the others at my heels.

This time, I refuse to put up with it.

Duke Cao, have you wondered how this all started?

If it weren't that for years

you overshadowed your monarch with your military power

why would you have ended up with such enmity from the imperial family?

Do you still consider yourself a subject of the Han Empire?

I finally understand how this all started.

It was the empress!

Perhaps, Your Majesty is truly sincere about collaborating with me.

You have aspirations for a peaceful world.

However, those treacherous subjects who look up to the empress don't!

In the beginning, they wanted to cover up the late emperor's death

so they brought you here to take his place!

Isn't this so that they can tackle me?

If you want me to leave the capital, you have to get rid of this cause!

How atrocious!

You are the subject.

The empress is your monarch.

I can announce to the nation to suppress the subject who offends his monarch!

Sure.

Your Majesty can make another belt edict.

Who will you summon to your aid this time?

Liu Bei?

Sun Quan?

Whose puppet would you like to be?

If you would make blood drench the lands...

of the Central Plain for a woman

I will take you on until the end!

Long live the emperor!

It seems that Duke Cao isn't worried about Your Majesty at all now.

He's allowed you to leave the palace at will.

Is Your Majesty here to rid yourself of treacherous subjects?

I'm here to see who the Zhong Da I once knew really is.

Young Master, it's time for your meal.

Put the food down.

However serious, I'll discuss it after I've had my meal.

Yes.

Our cook from back home made the pastries.

Aren't you having any?

Have some snacks.

Try this first. It's very good.

Is it good?

Zhong Da...

I know why you've come to see me.

I still don't believe it.

What's not to believe?

We're just after different things in life.

I came here to tell you...

I don't even have anyone to talk to.

If I choose to abdicate my throne now

will Cao Cao spare my empress?

Abdicate?

Go home?

Is this how you decide to settle this?

I can't wage war upon Cao Cao.

But I can't allow him to hurt my empress.

Can you feel the pain in losing one's wife now?

If you hate me, you can kill me.

But it has nothing to do with the empress.

Kill you?

If I kill you, I'll be convicted of murdering the emperor.

Wouldn't that be getting myself killed?

You wish to pursue your life and take your own path.

That's fine.