The King's Woman Episode 12 Recap
> The King's Woman Recap
Gongsun Li slowly regained consciousness, realizing she had slept an entire day. Ying Zheng sat quietly by her bedside, patiently watching over her. As she awoke, he gently asked how she felt and if she was still uncomfortable. Gongsun Li found it difficult to adapt to his closeness. Earlier, she had injured her hand while carving scriptures as a punishment from Grand Queen Dowager Huayang.
Ying Zheng now carefully applied medicine to her wound, moving with such gentleness, as if afraid to cause her any pain. He then decreed that no one was permitted to summon Gongsun Li without his explicit permission. Ying Zheng also granted her the title of First Rank Madame, showing continuous favor. This news enraged Madame Chu, who, overcome with jealousy, furiously smashed many items.
Once Gongsun Li's health improved, she found herself walking in the moonlit courtyard, her heart longing for Jing Ke. She danced with the silk scarf he had given her, lost in memories. Simultaneously, miles away, Jing Ke practiced his sword, his thoughts also fixed on her. Gai Lan, who had been a quiet companion to Jing Ke, watched him practice, her heart filled with tenderness and sorrow. Unbeknownst to Gongsun Li, Ying Zheng had approached and was standing behind her.
She quickly concealed the scarf in her sleeve. Seeing the woman he yearned for right before him, Ying Zheng felt an undeniable pull to draw closer. Yet, he stated he would not force her, waiting for the day she would willingly embrace him. He then decided to keep Tianming by his side, stating this was the only way to keep Gongsun Li's heart.
Zhao Gao, originally from Zhao State, had served in Qin for many years but still held deep loyalty to his homeland. Late one night, he secretly visited the residence of Crown Prince Dan of Yan. He informed Crown Prince Dan that Ying Zheng intended to ally with Zhao to conquer Yan, hoping to forge an alliance between Yan and Zhao against Qin. However, Crown Prince Dan was not interested in this proposal.
Zhao Gao, meanwhile, believed Qin's "alliance" with Zhao to attack Yan was merely a ploy, with Qin's true intention being the destruction of Zhao. Elsewhere, Qin officials from Danding Men secretly intercepted and killed a messenger Zhao Gao had dispatched to the King of Zhao. Due to this interception, the King of Zhao remained unaware of Qin's true intentions.
When Qin's army unexpectedly attacked Zhao under the guise of "saving Yan," catching Zhao off guard, the King of Zhao died of rage in the royal court. Upon receiving the news, Zhao Gao furiously swept items off his table. He had supported Prince Jia, but with Prince Qian now set to ascend the throne, Zhao Gao realized they would need to devise a new long-term strategy.
Madame Chu secretly summoned Zhao Gao, believing that only Chu State could now aid Prince Jia. Zhao Gao initially hesitated, but observing Madame Chu's detailed knowledge of the Zhao palace, he concluded that Chu State was well-prepared, making cooperation inevitable. However, Chu State's assistance came with a price. Madame Chu expressed her profound annoyance with Gongsun Li's child and asked Zhao Gao to help resolve this problem.
Meanwhile, Han Shen, leveraging his position within the palace guards, secretly visited Gongsun Li. He expressed his concern after hearing about her recent mistreatment by the Grand Queen Dowager Huayang. Gongsun Li confessed her helplessness against the Grand Queen Dowager's authority, even admitting to thoughts of killing Ying Zheng to end her suffering, but her love for Tianming prevented her. She revealed that Ying Zheng always slept alone. Hearing this, Han Shen's desire to kill Ying Zheng intensified.
Under the cover of darkness, Han Shen, clad in night clothes, silently entered Ying Zheng's chamber. Dagger in hand, he crept towards the sleeping king. Just as he was about to strike, Ying Zheng's eyes snapped open. Ying Zheng, armed with a long sword, thrust it into Han Shen's shoulder. Recognizing his failure, Han Shen swiftly retreated and escaped before Li Zhong, alerted by the commotion, arrived. The following morning, a palace maid discovered Tianming missing.
Gongsun Li, upon hearing the news, became distraught. Ying Zheng, equally anxious, questioned how such an incident could occur within the heavily guarded palace. Li Zhong suggested that the assassin who attacked Ying Zheng the previous night might be responsible. Gongsun Li's eyes widened in surprise, and a bold suspicion formed in her mind: she believed the assassin who targeted Ying Zheng was likely Han Shen.
