The King's Woman Episode 30 Recap
> The King's Woman Recap
Li Si conveyed a report to Ying Zheng concerning Crown Prince Dan of Yan's rebellion and escape from Qin, inquiring if troops should be dispatched in pursuit. Lord Changping intervened, arguing that Crown Prince Dan had been like a brother to Ying Zheng during his years as a hostage, and deploying an army to chase a former hostaged prince would only invite further public criticism, worsening the perception of Ying Zheng.
Ying Zheng concurred, expressing regret that he had invited Han Fei to Qin only for him to die unjustly, acknowledging that such injustices would indeed lead to accusations of ingratitude. Li Si, bowing apologetically, attributed his previous recklessness to his concern for Great Qin. Ying Zheng, however, cut him off, asserting that killing Li Si would not bring Han Fei back.
With Han Fei deceased and the campaign against Zhao faltering, Ying Zheng instructed Meng Wu to devise a new strategy. Later, at home, Li Si, still fuming over Ying Zheng's decision not to send troops, bitterly blamed Gongsun Li, convinced she had slandered him to the King. He chastised Xiahou Yang for failing to prevent Gongsun Li's return to the palace, which he believed led to his current state of idleness and disfavor.
Xiahou Yang defended himself, claiming Consort Li's martial arts were too formidable. Li Si scoffed, recounting that the senior brother who rescued Gongsun Li was merely a lowly palace guard named Han Shen, whom Xiahou Yang couldn't even defeat. Baoye, listening nearby and displeased, inadvertently mentioned that Jing Ke was also Gongsun Li's senior brother, and that their relationship was quite close.
Xiahou Yang then clarified that Han Shen was Gongsun Li's eldest senior brother, but the one who swiftly came to save her was her second senior brother and former lover, Jing Ke. He claimed to have witnessed their inseparable, overtly affectionate relationship in the Jianghu realm, far beyond that of ordinary fellow disciples. Meanwhile, Chu Liangren was delighting in her supposed pregnancy, ordering snacks and enjoying her increased appetite.
However, her joyful mood turned to panic when Ying Zheng unexpectedly arrived. She hastily hid under her covers, feigning a headache and apologizing for her lack of etiquette. Ying Zheng, expressing concern about the many palace affairs distracting him, acknowledged her condition and the child's well-being, even asking to feel the baby kick. Chu Liangren assured him the child was fine, though it wasn't kicking at that moment.
Ying Zheng then instructed his attendant to ensure Chu Liangren received proper care before departing, seemingly unaware of her deception. After he left, Chu Liangren, relieved, reflected on her successful performance. Separately, Madame Min paid a visit to Han Zhangshi, whose pregnancy was genuinely progressing. Han Zhangshi confessed her worries about her family in her home state and the precariousness of her situation in the palace, being pregnant with Han Fei's child.
She admitted she had asked Gongsun Li to intercede with Ying Zheng on her behalf a few days prior. Madame Min, seizing the opportunity, suggested it was the perfect time for Han Zhangshi to leave the palace that very night to reunite with her family in Zhao, promising to arrange her departure with Zhao Gao's assistance. Han Zhangshi was overjoyed, unaware of the sinister glint in Madame Min's eyes.
Later, Madame Min instructed Zhao Gao to ensure Han Zhangshi's complete silence after her departure, implying her elimination, along with her family. Madame Min justified this by stating that Han Zhangshi's act of asking Gongsun Li for mercy revealed a trust that made her disloyal to Madame Min, making her a liability. In the desolate Southern Palace, Gongsun Li visited the Queen Dowager, bringing red dates.
The Queen Dowager, though often appearing confused, keenly recognized the dates as originating from North Zhao. Gongsun Li mentioned Madame Min had given them to her, claiming they were exclusive to the royal palace. The Queen Dowager confirmed it was "the girl from the Min Clan," and, with surprising clarity, questioned why Madame Min married into Qin when she clearly harbored no affection for Ying Zheng.
She revealed that in Handan, Madame Min, the daughter of Marquis Min, was famously inseparable from Prince Qian, the current King of Zhao, a notorious womanizer. Gongsun Li recalled Madame Min's earlier claims of despising the King of Zhao and her feigned indifference to Qin's attack on Zhao, which now made her suspect Madame Min's true character.
News soon reached the palace that a farmer had discovered Han Zhangshi's corpse in a ravine outside the city, her abdomen brutally opened, signifying the death of both mother and child. Gongsun Li, upon hearing this from her attendant Qing'er while sharing tea with Madame Min, was deeply saddened.
Madame Min feigned shock, but then speculated that the murder was an attempt to silence Han Zhangshi, who was involved in Han Fei's poisoning, and subtly tried to shift the blame towards Chu Liangren and Li Si. Gongsun Li found Madame Min's behavior and accusations increasingly suspicious. Shangyi rushed to inform Chu Liangren of Han Zhangshi's death, emphasizing the loss of the child, causing Chu Liangren great alarm about her own fake pregnancy.
Shangyi further revealed that Madame Min had been seen frequently visiting Han Zhangshi's room, always acting mysteriously and accompanied only by her personal attendant, Xiao Li. Realizing Madame Min had likely framed her, Chu Liangren decided to confront her directly. Shangyi advised caution, urging her to gather evidence before approaching Ying Zheng.
Chu Liangren, brimming with rage, stormed into Madame Min's chambers, accusing her of being responsible for the deaths of both Jing Liangren and Han Zhangshi, and for framing her. Madame Min, however, merely sneered, challenging Chu Liangren to confess to Ying Zheng that her true target for poisoning was Lord Changping, the Left Prime Minister of Great Qin, a far graver crime than killing a mere guest subject like Han Fei.
The two women engaged in a furious argument, neither yielding. At that moment, Gongsun Li arrived, prompting Chu Liangren to back down. As Chu Liangren angrily retreated, Gongsun Li called out to her. Chu Liangren, asserting her innocence regarding Jing Liangren and Han Fei's deaths, questioned why no one suspected Madame Min, especially since Han Fei had been the one to suggest attacking Zhao. She also mentioned having given glass beads to Madame Min.
Understanding the underlying tensions, Gongsun Li advised Chu Liangren for her own safety to avoid further confrontation with Madame Min. That night, as Gongsun Li and Ying Zheng played Go, Ying Zheng expressed sorrow over Han Zhangshi's death and suspected Chu Liangren of silencing her.
He also expressed his perplexity upon learning that Han Zhangshi's entire family in her home state had died shortly after her departure from the palace, questioning why Han Zhangshi would have left the palace in the first place. Gongsun Li, however, argued that Chu Liangren, already demoted and now pregnant, had no reason to commit such a crime and advised Ying Zheng to be less harsh on her.
Ying Zheng found it strange that Gongsun Li defended someone who had repeatedly tried to harm her. Gongsun Li explained that as a woman, she understood Chu Liangren's desire for the Queen's position, a title Gongsun Li herself had no interest in. Ying Zheng lamented her repeated refusal to become Queen, believing it would prevent such palace intrigues. Gongsun Li stated her contentment with simply raising Tianming safely.
She then asked Ying Zheng to visit the Queen Dowager, noting her frail health. Ying Zheng, softened by Gongsun Li's words, promised to visit his mother with her the following day. Meanwhile, Crown Prince Dan and his group arrived in Zhao territory, approximately 300 miles from Qin. While discussing their next steps, Jing Ke sensed a presence nearby but feigned ignorance, allowing them to proceed.
Once inside the city, Jing Ke instructed the others to go ahead while he lingered behind to confront the person who had been following them. The tracker was revealed to be General Fan Yuqi. Separately, Chu Liangren was seen intimidating Royal Physician Lu, who had previously confirmed her fake pregnancy. She reminded him that they were accomplices and that if her deception were to be exposed, he too would face execution. She implied that there was only one path forward for them.
