The King's Woman Episode 3 Recap
> The King's Woman Recap
Ying Zheng remembered seeing a familiar jade pendant on Gongsun Li when she was a small girl. She had told him it was left to her by her mother. He recalled a time when he was being chased, and little Gongsun Li, despite her young age, bravely stood in front of him to protect him. Recognizing her, Ying Zheng was overjoyed. He personally fed her medicine and gently wiped her sweat.
Gongsun Li slowly woke up and saw Ying Zheng dozing by her bedside. She gently covered him with a blanket. Ying Zheng stirred awake, and seeking confirmation, asked for her name. Unaware of his underlying thoughts, Gongsun Li revealed her true name as Gongsun Li, explaining that dressing as a man was a necessity for convenience. Just then, the King of Wey entered. Upon seeing her former king, Gongsun Li immediately rose and knelt to greet him.
Ying Zheng, seeing her gesture, also knelt, introducing himself as "Zhao." The King of Wey, understanding Ying Zheng's desire to keep his identity hidden, quickly bade them both to rise. Gongsun Li informed the King of Wey that she was the granddaughter of Gongsun Yu, the commander-in-chief of Puyang. The King of Wey remembered Gongsun Yu and specifically inquired about his well-being.
Gongsun Li sadly relayed that her grandfather had died for their state when the Qin army broke through Puyang. She expressed her deep hatred for the tyrannical Qin army, vowing to dedicate her life to resisting them. She also declared that she and her senior brother, Jing Ke, as people of Wey, would die for their state. In the Chancellor's Manor, Lü Buwei reflected on his past misjudgment.
He had offered Lao Ai to the Queen Dowager as a male companion, initially expecting him to be a humble, crude man. However, to his surprise, Lao Ai became audacious and reckless, daring to lead a rebellion. Later that night, Lü Buwei met with Grand Queen Dowager Huayang.
Regarding the collusion of the Shangdang rebel army and the Zhao army against Qin, he proposed dispatching an army of 50,000 to suppress them, with Lord of Chang'an, Chengjiao, leading another 50,000 as reinforcement. Grand Queen Dowager Huayang expressed concern that Chengjiao might become too powerful if granted such military authority, viewing the move as risky.
Lü Buwei reminded her of the past, mentioning how King Zhuang had intended to make Chengjiao his heir, but they had jointly ensured Ying Zheng ascended the throne. He explained that this current strategy was a necessary test to gauge Chengjiao's true loyalty and to identify any potential enemies around the king, which would stabilize Ying Zheng's rule.
He then suggested recalling Chengjiao from Ying Zheng's side beforehand, as the plan would not be effective if Chengjiao remained with the king. Grand Queen Dowager Huayang agreed. Chengjiao soon received the command from Xianyang to lead an army against the Shangdang rebels and the Zhao forces. He immediately suspected it was a scheme concocted by Lü Buwei, though he was unsure of the Chancellor's exact intentions.
Despite the order, Chengjiao did not wish to cause displeasure to Grand Queen Dowager Huayang by resisting, especially since she had never favored him. He was also assured by the fact that General Yang Duan would assist him. Ying Zheng, however, was reluctant to return to Xianyang immediately. He had a strong desire to spend more days with Gongsun Li, remembering how she had saved his life twice—once when he was young and in peril in Zhao, and again recently.
He admitted to a selfish desire to remain with her, but her deep-seated hatred for Qin made him hesitate to reveal his true identity. Understanding Ying Zheng's feelings, Chengjiao encouraged him to stay and care for Gongsun Li for a few more days, assuring his brother that he would return safely from the campaign. A few days later, Ying Zheng had to return to Xianyang.
Before his departure, he instructed the King of Wey to ensure Gongsun Li was well cared for. The King of Wey then presented Ying Zheng with a portrait of Gongsun Li in her male attire, urging him to treasure it. Ying Zheng, understanding the implied threat—that if he did not value her, her life would be forfeit—sternly reiterated his command to the King of Wey to care for Gongsun Li meticulously, allowing no mishaps.
Though he had to part with Gongsun Li, Ying Zheng held a firm belief that they would reunite in the future. In a quiet, secluded wooden house in the forest, Jing Ke was recovering under the care of the martial arts master Lu Goujian. Jing Ke thanked Lu Goujian for treating his wounds, feeling much better after a day of rest.
Lu Goujian informed him that the attackers were from the Danding Sect, led by the infamous Xiahou Yang, known for abducting retainers from various states. He explained that they were likely pursuing Jing Ke and Gongsun Li for the legendary Huluo Sword Technique Guide, especially after news of Gongsun Yu's martyrdom spread. Jing Ke realized that a silk scroll his master had given him must be the long-sought-after guide, and hoped it would help them avenge his master.
Jing Ke returned to Luoyang in search of Gongsun Li, but she was not at their previous inn. He surmised that she, unable to wait for him, might have gone to Yewang to meet the King of Wey. Jing Ke tracked her down at the King of Wey's manor. Upon seeing her, he instinctively took her hand, expressing his relief and joy at finding her safe. Gongsun Li smiled brightly, overjoyed to see her senior brother.
The King of Wey, overhearing their emotional reunion from outside, sighed, recognizing the complexities of their future given Ying Zheng's interest in Gongsun Li. Upon returning to Xianyang, Ying Zheng diligently applied himself to state affairs, often reading late into the night. His close attendant, Zhao Gao, entered the hall to remind him to rest, subtly raising concerns about Chengjiao. Zhao Gao suggested that Chengjiao was growing increasingly arrogant and that his intentions were becoming clear.
Ying Zheng angrily silenced Zhao Gao, affirming his deep, shared bond with Chengjiao, asserting that his brother would never betray him regardless of Lü Buwei's machinations. He expressed his hope that Chengjiao would return safely and victoriously from his campaign. As he finished speaking, a gust of wind suddenly extinguished the candle on his table, as if foreshadowing events to come.
Meanwhile, in Chengjiao's military camp at Chunliu, a secret envoy from Crown Prince Jia of Zhao State sought an audience late at night. The envoy presented Chengjiao with a blood-written silk scroll, bearing the late King Zhuang's handwriting. It stated that Chengjiao was to be the Crown Prince, and that Ying Zheng was not the former king's true son. Chengjiao was furious upon recognizing his father's script.
The envoy then revealed himself to be Crown Prince Jia, who further disclosed that his mother, Madame Ziyu’s, death was not an accident. Overcome with shock, Chengjiao’s fury intensified. In Xianyang City, Lü Buwei sat with narrowed eyes in his manor. He had made an agreement with Crown Prince Jia: in exchange for Crown Prince Jia delivering the late king's blood letter to Chengjiao and inciting his rebellion, Lü Buwei would guarantee Zhao State's safety for three years.
Zhao Gao, standing nearby, marveled at the Chancellor's ingenious plan. The following day in the imperial hall, Li Zhong received a denunciation letter from Lord of Chang'an, Chengjiao. Ying Zheng ordered him to read it aloud. Despite his reluctance, Li Zhong had no choice but to obey.
The denunciation letter proclaimed Chengjiao as the rightful heir, denouncing Lü Buwei as a scheming merchant who had conspired to place Ying Zheng (his own son with Zhao Ji) on the throne, asserting that Ying Zheng was not the late king's true blood. Upon hearing this, Lü Buwei immediately knelt, denying the accusations and pledging his unwavering loyalty to Qin. Ying Zheng, citing his strong brotherly bond with Chengjiao, decided to personally lead the army to confront his brother.
He refused to believe that Chengjiao would treat him in such a way. Ying Zheng and Chengjiao's forces eventually met on an open field in Chunliu. Ying Zheng, hoping for reconciliation, expressed his desire to mend their relationship. Chengjiao, however, was consumed by grief and anger after seeing the late king's blood letter and learning the truth behind his mother's death.
When Ying Zheng mentioned their brotherly bond, Chengjiao angrily retorted, demanding that Ying Zheng surrender the throne if he truly valued their relationship. Ying Zheng gazed intently at Chengjiao, then declared with firm resolve his long-held ambition to become the undisputed king of all under heaven. He stated that for this dream, he would never relinquish the Great Qin throne to anyone. Ying Zheng's powerful words, coupled with the biting wind, intensified the already tense atmosphere between the two brothers, signaling their inevitable conflict.
