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

What is the matter?

You've seemed so absent-minded all day.

Are you still worried about the 10-day pact?

Once Zhong Da gets my message, he'll know what to do.

Tell me right now.

What exactly is the condition that Guo Jia proposed?

He wants you to marry Cao Cao's daughter.

Am I right?

He doesn't.

Don't take any wild guesses.

Cao Pi already told me everything.

That's Cao Cao's wishful thinking.

I didn't consent to it.

Today...

I saw Miss Cao going around with you to treat the soldiers.

The two of you...

You seem well-suited for each other.

This can be a solution.

I can give up my position.

Stop imagining things.

I've already told Guo Jia that it's impossible.

You have to trust me as well as Zhong Da.

You're the only one I want as my empress.

But I want to save you.

I can't...

I can't lose you because of that!

Don't worry.

You won't lose me.

Nor will I lose you.

We'll always be together.

If anyone could even get this close to unveiling this secret

it would have to be you, Guo Feng Xiao.

I knew that one day

Feng Xiao would get a glimpse into this huge secret.

The current emperor is the biological son of Emperor Ling

and the twin of the late emperor.

Our nation is in peril.

Things remain as ever, yet he is here no more.

The nation is hanging on to the last heir of the imperial lineage.

Rectify the turbulent times with a pure mind.

He could be a puppet.

He could be a benevolent ruler.

You have the talent to bend the events of the world.

You should also aspire to be compassionate to others.

You should make your own choice.

You were pretending to sleep again!

I wasn't.

Think about it.

What else can I do but sleep when I sit in a wheelchair all day?

You were peeking at me for quite a while.

What were you thinking?

Nothing much.

I think I should tell your father that you've put on weight

sitting in a wheelchair.

My father?

Your father has sent me some yam from Wen County.

He asked me to steam some for you.

Yam?

My father is quite amusing.

These are for me, but he actually sent them to you.

Your father must be worried that Cao Cao has you under close surveillance

so it might've been inconvenient.

You're still calling him my father?

My father has made it very clear.

He's already regarded you as his daughter-in-law.

He asked you to bring yam to me.

It's obvious that he wants me to build up my... stamina.

While Cao Cao is away

I should get my father and Lang to come here.

We'll hold the wedding here.

When Yi He returns, we'll make up for the wedding banquet.

Stop fooling around!

How is this fooling around?

Young Master, there's a messenger dove.

I knew it.

Whenever he acts alone, he always gets into trouble.

Is His Majesty in trouble?

We ask to seek audience with His Majesty!

We ask to seek audience with His Majesty!

How insolent!

You've gathered before the palace gates and made such a commotion!

It's as good as a rebellion! Guards!

Arrest all of those who are leading this crowd!

You've confined the emperor and kept him from his subjects!

That's treason!

If we can't see His Majesty, we'd rather die here!

We want to see His Majesty!

- Prefect Xun. - Prefect Xun.

Prefect Xun.

Lord Man, have your men step back.

Step back.

Gentlemen, heed my advice.

His Majesty is unwell and is in need of recuperation.

Please leave immediately so as not to alarm His Majesty.

Your actions go against the principles of a subject.

His Majesty is unwell.

The officials should all the more be allowed to visit

so as to abide by the etiquette of a subject.

Prefect Xun, why would you and Lord Man deliberately keep us out?

Could it be... as it is rumored?

That His Majesty has been held hostage by Minister Cao in the army

and hence, he's unable to attend the imperial court?

If the emperor really is in the army

isn't Minister Cao holding the emperor hostage?

You were all born and raised of gentry.

You're well learned and aware of the rites.

Even if you object to matters regarding the imperial court

you should submit reports to appeal for it

and seek His Majesty's judgment.

If everyone comes and makes a commotion

outside the palace for every single matter

what do you take the laws for?

What do you take His Majesty for?

We've learned much from Prefect Xun's invaluable advice.

However, we're worried about His Majesty.

We can neither eat nor sleep well.

Please make an exception to allow us into the palace to visit His Majesty.

Then the rumors will die down and the people will be appeased.

I'll convey your concern to His Majesty when I visit the palace.

Gentlemen... do you not trust me?

Prefect Xun--

If so, please visit His Majesty on our behalf.

May Your Majesty recover soon!

- May Your Majesty recover soon! - May Your Majesty recover soon!

You are dismissed.

Minister Steward Kong.

Minister Steward Kong.

Minister Steward Kong.

Prefect Xun, are you visiting the palace?

I'll come along with you.

Minister Steward Kong, His Majesty is unwell.

It's best not for him not to have too many visitors.

If there's anything to report, I'll do so on your behalf.

He's unwell?

The last time you said he was unwell

was when Cao Cao forced him to go all the way to Guandu.

Now that he's unwell again

where has His Majesty gone?

Minister Steward Kong, please don't make such assumptions.

You received your wages from the Cao family.

However, I'm an official of the imperial family!

We don't share a common ground.

I don't believe a word you say.

It's a pity that an outstanding man of talent like you

can't escape the fate of being recorded as a disloyal subject in history.

What?

Cao Cao has held His Majesty hostage

in an attempt to harm him?

Exactly.

We must spread the word immediately.

We have to make as big of a fuss as possible.

Then everyone will believe

that Cao Cao forced His Majesty to join the army.

Then Cao Cao will be left with only one choice.

What is it?

He has to protect His Majesty.

His Majesty has been unwell.

He's already been absent from the imperial court for 10 days.

Exactly. What is this about?

For the past 10 days

we all thought that His Majesty's absence was due to his ill health.

Who could have known that we'd all been deceived by Cao Cao?

What does this mean?

I only found out today

that 10 days ago, that treacherous Cao Cao forced His Majesty

to join his army in heading up north!

He's obviously trying to kill His Majesty to usurp the throne!

This...

Under such circumstances

we can only join in a common effort to travel up north

to bring His Majesty back to the Imperial Palace.

Even if we can't manage to do so

we must submit a joint report to prevent Cao Cao from taking action!

Now that His Majesty's life in in the clutches of Cao Cao

should there be any mistakes on our behalf

400 years of the Han Empire will be destroyed in an instant!

Late Emperor Gao Zu!

Late Emperor Shi Zu!

The ancestors of the imperial family!

How innocent your descendant is to be in such peril!

Prefect Xun, Master of Writing Cui is here to see you.

Yes.

I've come today to ask just one question.

Please answer me honestly.

Master of Writing Cui.

You've come here because of His Majesty, haven't you?

Exactly.

Has His Majesty really been held hostage by Minister Cao

and is going on the expedition to the north as they said?

His Majesty suggested it himself!

Now that it has come to such, who would believe that?

A subject intimidates his ruler and puts the nation in danger.

Prefect Xun, how can you not talk him out of such frenzied actions

but, instead, cover it up for them?

How have I not tried hard to dissuade them from it?

Minister Cao insisted on doing so.

It has already come to such.

His Majesty has already traveled up north.

If I don't cover this up for them

the imperial court is bound to descend into chaos immediately.