The King's Woman Episode 16 Recap
> The King's Woman Recap
Gongsun Li, Jing Ke, Gai Lan, and Han Shen enjoyed a rare, lighthearted time together in the forest. Gai Lan proposed a sparring match between Jing Ke and Gongsun Li, a suggestion Gongsun Li initially demurred, claiming she hadn't practiced in a year and was rusty. Jing Ke offered to remind her of their self-created swordplay.
Gai Lan then suggested Jing Ke cover his eyes, to which Gongsun Li replied that she would cover her eyes as well, so Gai Lan suggested she use a silk scarf. As they sparred with familiar movements, a wave of poignant memories washed over them. Jing Ke reflected on Gongsun Li’s past wish for them to live hidden from the chaotic world, while Gongsun Li silently hoped she wouldn't hinder his future.
Jing Ke's inner thoughts reaffirmed his devotion, declaring that fame and sword techniques were less important than her, yet Gongsun Li acknowledged they were no longer the carefree individuals they once were. Later, the four friends went to a restaurant where they overheard widespread rumors of Lv Buwei’s suicide. Han Shen mentioned that the King of Qin had secretly ordered Lv Buwei's transfer to the Shu state, suggesting the poisonous wine might have been a direct decree from Ying Zheng.
Jing Ke strongly condemned Ying Zheng, calling him cruel for easily eliminating someone who had served Qin devotedly for a lifetime. Gongsun Li, however, defended Ying Zheng, asserting that he wasn't such a heartless individual, still holding a familial bond with Lv Buwei despite their troubled relationship. Jing Ke countered by pointing out Ying Zheng had killed his own brothers.
Gongsun Li clarified that those were the illegitimate children of Consort Zhao and Eunuch Lao Ai, not Ying Zheng’s biological brothers, and that Ying Zheng had been controlled by Queen Dowager Zhao and Lv Buwei since childhood, never truly having someone sincere or trustworthy by his side. She added that Grand Queen Dowager Huayang was also a scheming person. Jing Ke noted her surprising understanding of Ying Zheng after spending a year with him.
Han Shen interjected, suggesting Gongsun Li was merely relaying her observations and that rumors were often exaggerated. Gongsun Li apologized for disrupting the mood, but her friends assured her it was fine. Meanwhile, back in the Qin palace, Zhao Gao was torturing Qing'er, Gongsun Li's maid, trying to extract information about Gongsun Li's whereabouts. Qing'er vehemently denied knowing anything.
Just as Zhao Gao intensified his methods, Madame Min arrived, questioning his rash actions and reminding him that the truth of Gongsun Li’s disappearance was still unknown. She warned that if Gongsun Li had been abducted or framed, Ying Zheng would punish Zhao Gao upon his return. Recognizing the validity of her words, Zhao Gao ceased the torture. Shortly after, Ying Zheng returned, furious at Gongsun Li's disappearance.
He immediately ordered the execution of the entire family of the chamber guard captain responsible for Gongsun Li's palace. He then summoned Zhao Gao, ordering him to take his own life. Zhao Gao pleaded for mercy, explaining his exhaustive efforts to find Gongsun Li, but Ying Zheng remained unyielding until Li Zhong intervened, arguing that Zhao Gao, as the head of internal palace affairs, was crucial to the investigation.
Ying Zheng relented, sparing Zhao Gao but warning him that if Gongsun Li was not found, Zhao Gao’s head would be forfeited. Ying Zheng expressed his conviction that Gongsun Li would not abandon Tianming, believing she must have been abducted or forced to leave due to an unforeseen accident, as she had endured humiliation and stayed in the palace day and night for Tianming. He instructed Li Zhong to tightly guard Tianming and his nursemaid.
Ying Zheng surmised that Gongsun Li could not have left the heavily guarded palace alone and suspected someone within the palace had helped her. Zhao Gao then ordered a detailed list of all palace personnel who had been absent recently, including those from the young mansion, harem, chamberlain troops, and royal guards, believing the helper would be among them. Back in the forest, Gongsun Li and Gai Lan walked together, Gai Lan having just returned with a rabbit she caught.
Gongsun Li initiated a private conversation, subtly probing Gai Lan about her feelings, remarking on her role as an older sister caring for a younger one. Gai Lan eventually admitted to liking someone, acknowledging it might be unrequited but finding contentment in simply being by his side and ensuring his happiness, as he was "fated to be with someone else."
Gongsun Li called her foolish but expressed understanding, relating it to her own "foolish" decision to enter the Qin palace to protect Jing Ke. Elsewhere, Han Shen attempted to comfort Jing Ke, who was still upset by Gongsun Li's defense of Ying Zheng. Jing Ke felt Gongsun Li had changed, becoming less cheerful and seemingly hiding something, making him uneasy. Han Shen explained that her year in the palace had undoubtedly changed her.
Jing Ke, however, questioned if she had forgotten their shared grudge and their master's will by staying with Ying Zheng. Han Shen suggested Gongsun Li had her own difficulties and would explain when the time was right. As night fell, the four gathered around a crackling campfire, bathed in moonlight. Gai Lan expressed how wonderful it felt to be reunited. Gongsun Li looked at her younger sister, cherishing their bond and recalling their sisterhood pledge.
She mused that no matter where they were, looking at the same moon would connect them. Han Shen then revealed that Qin troops were already searching near the Qin-Wei border, meaning they had to leave soon. Gai Lan proposed they hide on Taihang Mountain, where her father had a training home, believing they could live off the land and avoid discovery. Jing Ke found the idea excellent.
Gongsun Li, after a moment of silence, suddenly stood up and declared she would not be going with them; she was returning to Xianyang. Jing Ke was stunned, demanding to know why she would go back after finally escaping. Gongsun Li then revealed the shocking truth: she had borne a child for Ying Zheng, a son named Tianming. Jing Ke was devastated, feeling betrayed and overwhelmed.
He wanted to kill Ying Zheng, but Gongsun Li stopped him, insisting that Ying Zheng was Tianming's father and a child could not be without one. Jing Ke accused her of becoming Ying Zheng's woman, constantly defending him and forgetting their bloody grudge and their master's will. Gongsun Li sorrowfully admitted she hadn't forgotten, but she believed she could not fulfill their grandfather’s will in this lifetime. Heartbroken, Jing Ke told her to leave.
Gai Lan tried to call out to him, while Gongsun Li bid them farewell. Gongsun Li rode off into the night, but Han Shen quickly caught up. He questioned her decision, especially her refusal to tell Jing Ke the truth about Tianming’s paternity.
Gongsun Li explained her reasoning: she couldn't subject Tianming to a life of constant hiding and persecution at the hands of Ying Zheng, and she didn't want Jing Ke to sacrifice his life or dreams trying to rescue a child from the heavily guarded Qin palace. She revealed that she had already decided to return the moment she left the palace, content with the brief reunion she had with them.
She believed that with Gai Lan’s outgoing nature, she could help Jing Ke focus on mastering his sword technique and fulfilling their grandfather’s wishes, free from the burden of Tianming's existence. She implored Han Shen to promise never to reveal the truth to Jing Ke, bearing the pain of the misunderstanding alone was better than everyone sharing it. Han Shen, though pained by her sacrifice, understood her reasoning.
Back at the campsite, Han Shen returned to Jing Ke, who was distraught. Jing Ke, having overheard part of the conversation, furiously punched Han Shen, accusing him of deceiving him. Han Shen tried to explain Gongsun Li's selfless actions, but Jing Ke, consumed by grief and anger, refused to believe that Gongsun Li trusted Ying Zheng more than him. He felt betrayed by both of them.
Meanwhile, back in the Qin palace, Zhao Gao, determined to find Gongsun Li and avoid Ying Zheng's wrath, ordered a thorough investigation into any palace staff, including chamberlain troops and royal guards, who had been absent recently, believing Gongsun Li had an inside accomplice. Elsewhere, in the Grand Queen Dowager Huayang’s palace, she discussed with Madame Chu the need to secure new allies in the Qin court following Lv Buwei's death, which had severed his vast network of connections.
Madame Chu suggested Lord Changping, a descendant of the Chu royal family, but Huayang dismissed him as having no loyalty to Chu, having been born and raised in Qin. They then turned their attention to Li Si, the newly appointed Tingwei Officer, who was originally from Chu and had gained Ying Zheng's trust after suggesting the expulsion of guest ministers. They decided to send someone to test his loyalty, hoping to bring him over to their side to preserve Chu’s influence in Qin.
