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

My daughter.

What's the matter?

Is the food not to your liking?

I don't have much of an appetite.

You're being picky with food again.

It will be difficult for us to share a meal like this again

after you're married.

When that time comes, you'll miss the taste of home.

Have a bit more to eat.

Mother...

It says in the "Book of Odes"

"Out of affection love begins, with courtesy it should be controlled."

What does that mean?

That means to tell us...

If two people share a mutual affection

that violates what is regulated in the rites

they should put an end to it.

They must not transgress what is right.

Why would you ask about that?

Then...

if someone falls in love with his sister-in-law...

can they be together?

Jie!

What story from the markets are you telling now?

You'd better be careful not to make Mother angry.

Where did a young girl like you hear this from?

What exactly is troubling you?

Such an immoral scandal must never happen in our family!

Mother, stop taking wild guesses.

Jie isn't talking about Zhi.

Mother.

What on earth are you talking about?

Forget it. I'm done eating.

This...

You... you're all--

What are all of you talking about?

You gave me such a fright.

Mother, shouldn't you at least know that Zhi wouldn't fancy Zhen Fu?

Pi!

Mother, you shouldn't be worried.

Jie has grown up and likes to listen to such romantic tales.

She's caught up in the story.

A grown daughter can't stay single for long.

Is it the emperor that she--

It's useless even if she likes him.

His Majesty has the empress.

It's too late.

Keep this safe.

Pi, are we right to do so?

You saw how Jie was.

Who knows what trouble she will get herself into if she keeps it on her?

When we were in Lulong

I'd already figured out that she was fond of His Majesty.

His Majesty's bearing back then was indeed very attractive to ladies.

If a woman falls in love with a man, she'll do anything to have him.

Since she now knows that His Majesty and the empress aren't husband and wife

she'll all the more have her hopes up.

If she makes a scene and Father finds out about this

nothing we do can redeem us.

We mustn't keep it.

I'll have it burnt.

You mustn't either.

If Jie finds the pouch missing, it'll still be a disaster.

I think it's best to let His Majesty know about this soon.

He should appease Jie himself.

Pi, you have a point.

I'll hand over the pouch to His Majesty.

Remember to do so in a quiet and less frequented place.

Pi, rest assured.

This won't do.

I mustn't keep the letter.

Where has it gone?

Why is it missing?

Young Mistress.

Madam and Fourth Young Madam are ready.

They are urging you along to visit the empress.

Fourth Young Master just got married

so I've prepared some humble gifts to add to their wedding gifts.

Thank you for your graciousness, Your Highness.

Jie, why have you lost your manners as you've gotten older?

Thank you, Your Highness.

It's all right.

Miss Cao need not stand on such ceremony at my place.

You should all get up.

Miss Cui is a newlywed.

Why are her accessories so plain?

Your Highness might not have known

but Duke Cao comes from a prestigious family

that is strict with family rules.

No ladies of the household are allowed to dress up.

A woman's prime lies in her year as a newlywed.

"A woman will doll herself up for he who loves her."

It's still better to dress up prettily during this period of time.

Bring me my jewelry box.

I'll choose a piece for her.

How pretty.

Thank you, Your Highness.

Your Highness is too kind to me.

It's getting late.

We won't impose on Your Highness.

We'll take our leave.

So soon?

Well... I won't keep Madam here.

Jie.

Mother and Fourth Sister-in-law can head home first.

I'd like to speak to Her Highness.

What would a child have to say?

Don't impose on Her Highness.

It doesn't matter.

Miss Cao and I pulled through some difficult times together.

It'd be nice to get reacquainted.

Yes.

You mustn't impose on Her Highness for too long.

See Lady Bian out of the palace.

- Yes. - Yes.

We'll take our leave.

You are dismissed as well.

Yes!

What's wrong?

Miss Cao, what is the matter?

I know that... Your Highness and His Majesty aren't husband and wife.

Miss Cao, you must be joking.

Before Libationer Guo passed away, he left me a pouch.

It contained the secret of His Majesty's identity.

His Majesty and the late emperor are actually twins.

Miss Cao, watch what you say!

I don't care about what your relationship should be.

I know that His Majesty loves only Your Highness.

What I wish to say is...

that pouch has gone missing.

Your Majesty.

There's rarely anyone in the Imperial Household Department.

Why would you choose to have a chat with me here?

I have half of the late Prefect of the Household Cai's last works

and I heard that the other half was kept here

so I couldn't wait until they verified it.

It's said that Fourth Young Master is remarkably talented in literature.

Now that I've seen you here today, it is indeed so.

I also have questions about some texts to ask you.

Your Majesty, Fourth Young Master, this way, please.

Palace stewards, please do wait out here.

I need to speak to His Majesty in private.

Yes.

Who else knows about this apart from you?

There's also my fourth brother.

Did he take it away?

And...

my second brother.

Cao Pi?

Is anyone there?

Your Highness, what can I do for you?

Where is His Majesty?

Fourth Young Master, what is the matter with you?

Young Master Yang.

It's actually true...

I don't quite understand what you're trying to say.

This was left by Libationer Guo in a pouch.

It revealed the identity of Your Majesty.

Your Majesty...

is this true?

Yes.

What do you intend to do next?

Are you going to tell Chancellor Cao?

Has Your Majesty considered that this substitution will be exposed someday?

What will Your Majesty do then?

In terms of kinship, I should fulfill my brother's last wish.

In terms of responsibility

I should protect the officials and people of the Han Empire.

Making such a choice would have been no different from what I did in Lulong.

You also have a father and brothers.

Putting yourself in my shoes, may I ask what you would do?

I...

I might not be as strong-willed as Your Majesty.

Back in Lulong

I already acknowledged you as the emperor of Great Han.

You're also my emperor.

You're indeed quite different from your father.

I came here today to tell Your Majesty...

that I'm ashamed.

After my sister found out about this secret

she became very agitated and found it hard to accept.

She'd just fallen in love for the first time.

She had a crush on Your Majesty and I'm worried that she...

might not be able to keep this a secret.

It'd be best for Your Majesty to calm her down.

Thank you for the reminder.

Miss Cao is very kind and pure-hearted.

I believe that she won't expose this secret.

Moreover...

I also know how you will handle this pouch.

Father!

Hand it over!

Father!

This isn't what you think it is!

Please allow me to explain!

Father!

Chancellor Cao.

You are in the palace.

Please conduct yourself with respect.

Do you think that you're entitled to speak to me in such a manner?