The King's Woman Episode 27 Recap
> The King's Woman Recap
Madame Chu, newly demoted to a fourth-ranked consort, seethed with resentment over her diminished status and loss of luxuries. Believing Han Zhangshi was manipulated by Gongsun Li, she slapped her violently. Han Zhangshi protested her innocence, but this only infuriated Madame Chu further. Before Madame Chu could strike again, Gongsun Li arrived and firmly gripped her wrist, warning her that her martial arts training meant Madame Chu would not be able to withstand her force.
Madame Chu, recognizing Gongsun Li's prowess, had no choice but to back down. Gongsun Li brought Han Zhangshi to her chambers to speak privately. Han Zhangshi cautiously produced the glass beads, revealing they had been with her all along. Weeping, she confessed that Madame Chu had instructed her to use a fake letter to frame Han Fei for imprisonment.
She expressed deep regret, explaining she had only thought he would be imprisoned for a few days, never that he would die. Gongsun Li consoled her, telling her not to blame herself too much. Suddenly, Gongsun Li noticed a distinct scent and asked Han Zhangshi if she burned scented incense in her room. Han Zhangshi scoffed, saying scents were expensive and only high-ranking madams could afford such extravagances, not a mere palace attendant.
Gongsun Li said nothing more, but a flicker of suspicion crossed her eyes. As night deepened, Han Shen presented Gongsun Li with a jade pendant Crown Prince Dan had given him before leaving the palace, asking him to deliver it to Sir Tian Guang. Gongsun Li took the pendant, saying she would return it to the Crown Prince herself. Han Shen remarked that with Madame Chu punished, the matter of Han Fei's death was finally resolved.
However, he noticed Gongsun Li's troubled expression. Gongsun Li confessed her lingering doubts. She felt that recent events in the palace were too peculiar, suspecting that someone had used Madame Chu's actions to orchestrate Han Fei's death. She also pondered who could have hated Jing Liangren more than Madame Chu to wish her dead, especially since both Han Fei and Jing Liangren had died from the same poison.
Gongsun Li cautioned Han Shen that they needed to be extra careful, as an enemy seemed to be secretly hiding close by. Indeed, Gongsun Li's intuition was accurate. Unbeknownst to them, the mastermind was the outwardly serene Madame Min. She was the one who had orchestrated the poison swap. Madame Min met with Han Zhangshi, her composed demeanor replaced by a calculating one. She commended Han Zhangshi for her foresight in ensuring their plan's success.
Madame Min reminded Han Zhangshi that their relationship was one of mutual use, and she would fulfill her promise to provide Han Zhangshi with a house for her and her family and three thousand taels of gold. However, she advised Han Zhangshi not to leave the palace immediately after Han Fei's death and Madame Chu's demotion, as it would raise suspicion.
Instead, she suggested Han Zhangshi write to her family and promised to arrange for their reunion in Zhao State once the matter had settled. In 233 B. C. , Qin General Fan Wuji led an army to attack Zhao State, but they were severely defeated by Zhao General Li Mu. The Qin army suffered enormous casualties, with 200,000 men defeated and only 100,000 retreating. Back in Zhao, Li Mu's triumph earned him the title of Lord Wu'an.
Yet, during this solemn court ceremony, King of Zhao seemed more interested in playing with his female companions. Li Mu, accepting the decree, exchanged a grim look with Prince Jia. After the court session, Prince Jia privately thanked a mysterious figure for guiding the Zhao army to victory. This person was none other than Lv Buwei, who had faked his death to avoid exile and had been living under Prince Jia's protection.
Lv Buwei explained that defeating Qin was just the first step in helping Prince Jia claim the Zhao throne. Meanwhile, Qin General Meng Wu reported the devastating defeat to Ying Zheng. Ying Zheng, already displeased, flew into a rage upon learning that Fan Wuji was missing, concluding that he had deserted out of fear of punishment. He immediately ordered a nationwide hunt for Fan Wuji, with orders to kill him on sight and bring his head back.
Crown Prince Dan of Yan, who had come to return The Debate on Principles of Warfare, overheard this news outside the main hall. Upon entering, Ying Zheng casually asked if he was being too harsh by considering the annihilation of Fan Wuji's clan. Yan Dan argued that Fan Wuji had significant military achievements and his defeat might have a valid explanation, especially since his fate was unknown.
He cautioned that executing Fan Wuji's entire family over a single defeat could destabilize military morale. Ying Zheng remained unswayed. Dismissing everyone else, he produced a letter from the King of Yan requesting Yan Dan's return to Yan. Ying Zheng knew Yan Dan's estranged relationship with his father, realizing the letter was orchestrated by Yan Dan himself.
Treating Yan Dan as a brother and friend, Ying Zheng sternly questioned why Yan Dan, despite being treated well, was so intent on leaving Qin. Shedding his usual timid demeanor, Yan Dan retorted that no matter how good Qin was, it was not Yan. He accused Qin soldiers of invading and trampling Yan's lands, declaring his sole desire was to avenge his people. Ying Zheng laughed in bitter anger, feeling his sincere affection had been met with betrayal.
Yan Dan acknowledged their shared misfortune of being born into royalty, stating their destinies were not their own, and pleaded for Ying Zheng to allow him to return to Yan. Ying Zheng refused, his face darkening, and roared that Yan Dan could only leave "on the day a crow's head is white and a horse is born with a horn," before abruptly ending their conversation. Yan Dan, determined to leave Qin, tried various methods.
However, Ying Zheng, under the pretext of protection, sent Huben soldiers to guard Yan Dan's manor, effectively putting him under house arrest. Left with no other option, Yan Dan sought Gongsun Li's help by arranging for a servant to return "The Book of Songs" to her. Gongsun Li, meticulous in her observations, sensed something was amiss.
The palace guards initially refused to let the book leave the manor, but the servant insisted it was for Madame Li, who had lent it to the Crown Prince. Upon receiving the book, Gongsun Li carefully examined the annotations within the ancient text. She discovered a hidden message, deciphering the words "Dan," "leave," and "Qin," indicating Yan Dan's desperate plea for help. Gongsun Li then found Ying Zheng, who was drinking alone, seemingly troubled. She gently inquired about his concerns.
Ying Zheng recalled his lonely childhood, when Lü Buwei held all the power and he felt like a puppet king. He remembered how Yan Dan, along with Chengjiao, would alleviate his loneliness by playing games and hunting after his studies.
He specifically recounted a time when he was scolded by his uncle and hid, only for Yan Dan to find him, console him, and convince him to go catch crickets, telling him it was not important who he was, but what great things he could achieve. Gongsun Li suggested that perhaps Ying Zheng should allow Crown Prince Dan to return to Yan, given their deep bond.
Ying Zheng disagreed, explaining that unlike his imbecile and tyrannical father, Yan Dan possessed a strong personality and extensive knowledge. If he were allowed to return to Yan, he could revive the state and potentially conspire with Zhao and Qi, posing a significant threat to Qin's unification of the world. Gongsun Li did not press further, understanding the complexities of the situation. Later, someone delivered a basket of "northern oranges" to Yan Dan's manor, supposedly from the palace.
Yan Dan immediately realized the significance, as Jizhou, his home region, did not produce oranges. He found his jade pendant and a note hidden among the fruit. He correctly deduced that Gongsun Li had sent them, meaning she had contacted Sir Tian Guang and was devising a plan for his escape. Yan Dan greatly admired her courage and strategic thinking. Around the same time, Jing Ke and Gai Lan were practicing their sword forms, demonstrating increasing synergy.
Upon their return, they found Sir Tian Guang in deep contemplation. Tian Guang revealed himself as a strategist for the Crown Prince of Yan and admitted he had a matter to ask of them. Jing Ke and Gai Lan readily agreed, pledging their unwavering support due to Tian Guang's past assistance and their respect for him as an elder. Tian Guang then explained that, given Jing Ke's mastery of the formidable Huluo Sword Technique, he needed their help in rescuing someone.
