The King's Woman Episode 13 Recap

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> The King's Woman Recap

Following Prince Tianming's disappearance, which occurred despite the palace's strict security, Ying Zheng was deeply worried, as was Gongsun Li, who was distraught. Li Zhong suspected the incident was related to the assassin who had appeared in Ying Zheng's chambers the previous night. Gongsun Li, in turn, suspected the assassin might be Han Shen. Ying Zheng ordered Zhao Gao to accompany Gongsun Li in the search for the prince. Meanwhile, Madame Chu, delighting in Gongsun Li's misfortune, leisurely read.

Upon hearing that Gongsun Li was frantically searching for her son, Madame Chu smiled in satisfaction. Prince Tianming had, in fact, been abducted by Zhao Gao and Madame Chu in a joint scheme. As the search continued, Zhao Gao complained of foot pain and questioned if Tianming was even still in the palace. Gongsun Li, noticing his unwillingness, told him to rest, promising not to tell the King.

As she walked away with her people, Zhao Gao scoffed, confident that Tianming, hidden in his secure location, would not be found. Elsewhere in the palace, Han Shen was secretly recuperating in a guards' resting station. As other guards returned from their patrols, discussing their exhausting night spent searching for the assassin, Han Shen quickly concealed a blood-soaked cloth. Li Zhong arrived to inspect the station, ordering all guards to perform push-ups.

When Li Zhong noticed him, he tested Han Shen by pressing his sword onto his injured shoulder. Despite the pain and sweating, Han Shen remained silent, biting his lip, and declared his unwavering loyalty. Li Zhong, seemingly without suspicion and even some admiration, left with his men. Once alone, Han Shen discreetly wiped away the bloodstains on the floor. As night fell, Gongsun Li remained deeply distressed and unable to eat, worried about Tianming.

She sensed Han Shen's presence and subtly dismissed her attendant to rest. Han Shen, knowing his junior sister was anxious about the lost child, came specifically to see her and pledged to help her find Tianming. Despite her anxiety and panic, Gongsun Li retained a shred of rationality; she felt Zhao Gao's behavior during their search that day was highly suspicious, as if he was very certain they wouldn't find Tianming.

The next morning, just as Gongsun Li prepared to resume her search for Tianming, Madame Chu arrived at her chamber. Madame Chu, relying on Prince Fusu, whom she now cared for, specifically came to mock Gongsun Li for her beloved son's loss. Gongsun Li's emotions remained unruffled, and she did not take Madame Chu's provocations seriously. Gongsun Li advised Madame Chu that since she was raising Fusu, she should not try to bear her own child.

Gongsun Li explained that if Madame Chu, as a Chu princess, were to have her own child, she would inevitably try to have him instated as Crown Prince. However, the royal family has historically guarded against foreign relatives interfering in politics. If Madame Chu's child were truly made Crown Prince, she herself would be the first to suffer. Gongsun Li's reasoning was sound, and Madame Chu's face turned pale upon hearing it, losing all her initial arrogance.

As she left, Gongsun Li kindly reminded her that if she treated Fusu well, she might one day become Queen Dowager; otherwise, her fate might be grim. Gongsun Li added that she had no ambition to compete for the Queen's position and Madame Chu could rest assured she wouldn't constantly trouble her. After Madame Chu departed, Gongsun Li quietly stood in her chambers.

She felt Madame Chu's visit was a display of satisfaction, like a villain observing the results of her wicked deed. Madame Chu specifically mentioning Fusu indicated her strong desire for her own child, and in such a state, there was no telling what crazy things she might do. However, these were Gongsun Li's speculations, without evidence. Later, Gongsun Li sought a private audience with Ying Zheng, dismissing everyone else.

Gongsun Li voiced her suspicion, believing that the one who most wanted Tianming gone was not Madame Chu, but Ying Zheng. Ying Zheng was disappointed to hear this, vehemently denying that he would use such vile means, even if he disliked Tianming. Gongsun Li quickly regretted her words, admitting she had spoken carelessly. She expressed her hope for Tianming to grow up safely, lamenting that he faced such hardship so young.

Ying Zheng acknowledged that being born in the palace, Tianming was destined to face struggles for power and plots. A few days later, while resting in the guards' station, Han Shen suddenly overheard several guards discussing a baby's cries frequently heard from the Southern Palace recently. Realizing Tianming was the only infant in the palace, Han Shen immediately ran to intercept Ying Zheng's path and reported the matter.

He reported the rumor of a baby crying in the Southern Palace, which his fellow guard Liao Zhou had heard. He urged Ying Zheng to search the Southern Palace to remove all doubt. Despite initial skepticism from Ying Zheng’s attendants, Han Shen insisted it was his duty to protect the palace and that he would rather be wrong than miss an opportunity, offering to accept any punishment if his report was baseless.

Ying Zheng and Gongsun Li, with a large retinue, proceeded to the Southern Palace. As they approached, Gongsun Li immediately recognized a baby's cry from within. Inside, they found Queen Dowager Zhao Ji, Ying Zheng's mentally disoriented birth mother, holding Tianming and gently trying to soothe him. This Southern Palace was precisely where Ying Zheng had imprisoned his birth mother, Zhao Ji.

Ying Zheng declared that since the child had appeared there, he would investigate thoroughly to find out why and punish all those responsible. In another part of the palace, Grand Queen Dowager Huayang was still intent on using Tianming's disappearance to have Madame Chu quickly bear a royal heir, thereby consolidating the Chu people's position in the palace.

Meanwhile, Jing Ke, having fully recovered from his injuries and having stayed at Elder Tian Guang's home for some time, planned to take his leave and wander the world. Gai Lan, who had developed feelings for him during their many days together and could not bear for him to be alone and sad, offered to accompany him after speaking with her father. However, Jing Ke gently refused her kind offer.

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