The King's Woman Episode 18 Recap
> The King's Woman Recap
The episode opens with Zhao Gao expressing strong suspicions about Gongsun Li and Han Shen's relationship. He questions why Gongsun Li did not clear her name after Han Shen was captured for her supposed abduction, pointing out the impropriety of a man and woman spending days together, suggesting a hidden connection. Li Zhong concurs, noting Gongsun Li's unusually calm reaction and Han Shen's readiness to take all blame, reinforcing the belief that a secret exists between them.
An inner palace guard then reports that Gongsun Li, disguised as a palace maid, has secretly entered the prison. Ying Zheng, his eyes sharp, immediately heads there. In the prison, Gongsun Li finds Han Shen badly beaten. She weeps, blaming herself for his suffering. She tells him that Ying Zheng would at most scold or confine her.
Han Shen, however, insists she was foolish to come, highlighting the dangers of the harem where concubines and others, like Zhao Gao, are eager to harm her. He states that Ying Zheng throwing her into prison is like feeding meat to a tiger, implying Ying Zheng's true intention might be her demise. Gongsun Li responds that even if Ying Zheng wanted her dead, Han Shen shouldn't have fabricated the abduction story.
Han Shen expresses his profound fear for her safety and his unwavering determination to protect her, even vowing to do so until his death. As he attempts to confess his true feelings, stating he might not have another chance, Ying Zheng unexpectedly arrives, demanding to know what they are discussing. Seeing Gongsun Li and Han Shen conversing, Ying Zheng is enraged. He accuses them of deceit and orders Han Shen's immediate execution for seducing and abducting his concubine.
Gongsun Li quickly intervenes, declaring that Han Shen is her Eldest Senior Brother. She explains they grew up together as disciples of her grandfather, Gongsun Yu, training in martial arts and swordsmanship. She admits she willingly left the palace with Han Shen to visit her sworn sister, Gai Lan, the daughter of Warrior Ge Nie.
Zhao Gao questions why she did not seek permission, pointing out that imperial consorts are not allowed to leave the palace, and her secret departure caused chaos. Gongsun Li counters that Han Shen only claimed to abduct her to shield her from blame, and as for seeking permission, no consort, including Madame Chu or Madame Min, had ever been granted such a privilege. Zhao Gao then mocks Han Shen's dedication in finding Tianming if he was merely a senior brother.
Li Zhong expresses skepticism about Gongsun Li's claim without proof. Ying Zheng agrees, declaring her words are unconvincing without testimony. Gongsun Li confidently states that she and Han Shen both trained in the Gongsun Sword Technique since childhood, and any skilled martial artist could recognize their shared fighting style.
Ying Zheng then proposes a solution: General Meng Wu, Great Qin's top warrior who has previously fought Gongsun Li, will spar with Han Shen tomorrow to confirm if their sword techniques originated from the same master. Gongsun Li expresses concern for Han Shen's weakened state after his imprisonment, but Ying Zheng dismisses it, stating the purpose is only to verify their relationship, not to win.
He warns her that if Han Shen is not her senior brother, his life is forfeit. Ying Zheng urgently pulls Gongsun Li back to the inner palace, roughly pushing her to the ground. He demands to know which of her earlier statements were true. Gongsun Li admits that half of what she said was true, and half was false. She confirms Han Shen is indeed her Eldest Senior Brother and she left the palace willingly, not kidnapped.
However, she confesses she did not go to meet Gai Lan. Ying Zheng quickly deduces that she went to see Jing Ke, and asks why she still returned after seeing him. Gongsun Li explains she had to return for Tianming, wishing him a carefree life unburdened by conflict. She further reveals that she told Jing Ke that Tianming was their child—hers and Ying Zheng's—to break his hopes and prevent him from being entangled.
Ying Zheng's expression visibly softens upon hearing this, though he then sternly warns her that he could not eat or sleep during her absence and would not forgive her if she ever fooled him again. The following morning, Han Shen is brought to the martial arts arena. Ying Zheng, Gongsun Li, and others are already assembled on the high platform, with General Meng Wu prepared for the match.
Zhao Gao continues to needle Gongsun Li, accusing her and Han Shen of conspiring and feigning their relationship. Gongsun Li firmly asserts that they had committed no indecencies and the truth of their shared discipleship would soon be revealed. The contest begins, but Han Shen, having been tortured and disheartened, quickly loses ground.
Zhao Gao gloats, pointing out the disparity in their skills and arguing that Han Shen could not possibly be Gongsun Li's senior, demanding a stop to prevent further injury and suggesting Han Shen's execution. Ying Zheng appears to doubt Gongsun Li again, but she insists she hasn't deceived him. In a desperate move, Gongsun Li snatches Ying Zheng's sword and leaps to Han Shen's side, urging him to regain his composure.
She recites a familiar martial arts chant, and Han Shen, recalling his master's training, springs back into action. Together, they confront Meng Wu, their swordplay a seamless, identical display of the Gongsun Sword Technique, demonstrating a synchronicity that Li Zhong remarks could only come from over a decade of shared training. After the display, General Meng Wu and Li Zhong both confirm that Gongsun Li and Han Shen are indeed martial arts siblings, having trained under the same master.
Though Zhao Gao is visibly displeased, he cannot refute the evidence. He then pivots, accusing Gongsun Li of a grave offense: drawing the King's personal sword without permission, which he claims is a threat to Ying Zheng. Ying Zheng sharply silences Zhao Gao, stating that Gongsun Li merely intended to prove her relationship with Han Shen, not to harm him. He presses Zhao Gao if he has anything further to say, to which Zhao Gao can only concede.
Ying Zheng then orders Li Zhong to take Han Shen to Guang'an Hall, stating he has questions for him. Seeing Gongsun Li's worried expression, Ying Zheng privately assures her that he will not harm Han Shen. In a private audience, Ying Zheng tells Han Shen that since their co-discipleship is verified, he cannot take his life, as killing Gongsun Li's senior brother would earn him her eternal hatred.
He acknowledges Han Shen's upbringing by Gongsun Yu and his close, sibling-like bond with Gongsun Li, then pointedly asks if their feelings extend beyond sibling affection. Han Shen, recalling his unrequited love for Gongsun Li, admits he is only her senior brother and not the man she deeply loves. Han Shen then boldly requests to remain in the Qin palace to protect Gongsun Li, explaining that his determination to return came from sincere, brotherly love.
Ying Zheng initially dismisses this as preposterous, asserting his own role as her consort's protector and questioning how Han Shen could succeed where a king might not. Han Shen eloquently argues that as King, Ying Zheng has broader responsibilities and cannot always risk everything for a single consort, whereas he, Han Shen, is fearless and willing to sacrifice his life.
Moved by Han Shen's unwavering dedication, and perhaps recognizing the need for additional protection for Gongsun Li, Ying Zheng agrees to his request on one critical condition: Han Shen must wholeheartedly serve him as king. While protecting Gongsun Li, Han Shen's ultimate loyalty must be to Ying Zheng.
He warns Han Shen that Gongsun Li's life is still in his hands and demands that all matters concerning her be reported to him without secrecy or disloyalty, or Han Shen will be expelled. For Gongsun Li's sake, Han Shen agrees to these terms. While events unfold in the palace, Jing Ke continues to drown his sorrows in wine.
Gai Lan watches him with concern, asking her father, Ge Nie, how he managed to cope after her mother's death, noting that Jing Ke now seems like a "living corpse" after losing Gongsun Li. Gai Lan expresses her desire to help Jing Ke recover, but Ge Nie advises her that Jing Ke's heart belongs to Gongsun Li and any efforts to shift his affection would be futile.
Gai Lan, however, insists on not giving up, recalling her father's own advice about human effort. The next morning, Gai Lan discovers Jing Ke has left their lodging, suspecting he's gone to drink again. She finds him heavily intoxicated at a tavern and, supporting him, guides him home. Along the way, Ge Nie intercepts them in a forest. To provoke Jing Ke into action, Ge Nie deliberately insults Gongsun Yu, prompting Jing Ke to draw his sword in anger.
As they spar, Ge Nie subtly guides Jing Ke, emphasizing the importance of focus and a clear mind in swordsmanship. He tells Jing Ke that Gongsun Li's departure might have been to allow him to reach his full potential, as his emotional burdens were hindering his progress. Jing Ke, recalling his master's teachings, begins to understand.
Ge Nie leaves Jing Ke to ponder his path, suggesting he must overcome his inner turmoil on his own, to decide what kind of swordsman he truly wants to become. Later, Gongsun Li approaches Ying Zheng, expressing her gratitude for allowing Han Shen to remain in the palace as a royal guard. Ying Zheng clarifies that he is not angry about her relationship with Han Shen. Instead, his frustration stems from her continued guardedness, wondering when she will finally open her heart to him after more than a year in the Qin palace.
