The King's Woman Episode 31 Recap

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> The King's Woman Recap

The imperial physician, terrified, knelt before Chu Liangren, pleading for her to reconsider her plan. He protested that faking a miscarriage was a grave crime, punishable by death. Chu Liangren, however, reminded him that he was her accomplice, as he had previously confirmed her false pregnancy. She threatened that if she were exposed now as never having been pregnant, he would still be implicated and executed.

She proposed that their silence would ensure the secret remained safe, and perhaps she would eventually conceive a real child. When the physician hesitated, she further threatened to expose his acceptance of gold and his involvement in Jing Liangren's miscarriage. Facing such threats, the physician reluctantly agreed to follow her instructions. Chu Liangren then instructed Shang Yi to report her miscarriage to Ying Zheng.

Inside the chilling Southern Palace, Ying Zheng found his mother, the Queen Dowager, alone on her bed, clutching a pillow and talking to herself. A palace servant explained that the Queen Dowager had been seeing the pillow as her two deceased children, even demanding a wet nurse for it. Gongsun Li approached, and the Queen Dowager, though disoriented, recognized her as Li'er, Zheng'er’s wife, who brought her red dates.

She happily acknowledged that Gongsun Li had given birth to Prince Tianming, finding him as handsome as Ying Zheng. She also expressed her dislike for Madame Min, despite both being from Zhao. As Ying Zheng watched his mother’s confused state, Shang Yi rushed in to report that Chu Liangren had slipped and fallen, resulting in a miscarriage. Ying Zheng went to Chu Liangren's chambers, where she feigned sorrow, tearfully blaming herself for the loss.

A royal physician assured Ying Zheng that Chu Liangren's health was not severely affected and she could conceive again soon. Ying Zheng dismissed her guilt, urging her to rest. Shang Yi suggested that the repeated miscarriages in the harem, including Jing Liangren, Han Zhangshi, and now Chu Liangren, might be due to an evil spirit and proposed a change in fengshui. Ying Zheng, however, simply advised Chu Liangren to rest and not overthink.

After Ying Zheng departed, Chu Liangren sighed in relief, pleased that her elaborate deception was complete. Shang Yi then began to sow seeds of doubt about Gongsun Li, suggesting she was more suspicious than Madame Min. She pointed out Gongsun Li’s newfound closeness with Han Zhangshi and her frequent visits to the Southern Palace, implying that Gongsun Li was deeply cunning and possibly colluding with the Queen Dowager and Madame Min to undermine Chu Liangren.

Convinced, Chu Liangren grew resentful, believing Gongsun Li had orchestrated her troubles by manipulating Madame Min. That night, Gongsun Li and Ying Zheng sat together, bathed in the palace lights. Ying Zheng appeared troubled, lamenting that his loved ones, including his mother, his child, Chengjiao, and Yan Dan, were drifting away, leaving him feeling isolated. He confessed that Gongsun Li was now the only one truly by his side.

He recalled Yan Dan's past accusation of his suspicious nature and reflected on his treatment of Chengjiao. Gongsun Li asked if Chengjiao was the Lord of Chang'an she had met in Luoyang, recalling rumors of his exile for betraying Qin. Ying Zheng admitted that he had been deceived by a "crafty scoundrel" and wrongly believed Chengjiao had betrayed him. He regretted failing to protect his gentle younger brother, whom he had unjustly forsaken.

Gongsun Li comforted him by embracing him from behind. Later, as Ying Zheng played chess with Han Shen, he noticed Han Shen's distraction. Han Shen requested a month's leave from the palace to handle an important matter for Gongsun Li. He explained that Gongsun Li refrained from asking personally to avoid overstepping her boundaries and to prevent Ying Zheng from worrying should the matter fail. Han Shen assured the King that the endeavor would not harm Qin.

Ying Zheng, acknowledging Han Shen's unwavering loyalty to Gongsun Li, asked if he was content to remain unmarried and simply stay by her side forever. Han Shen affirmed his contentment as long as Gongsun Li was safe and happy. Ying Zheng then granted his leave, accepting his promise to protect Gongsun Li for life. That evening, as Ying Zheng studied military texts, Meng Wu sought an audience.

He presented a military treatise, urging Ying Zheng to read it first before inquiring about the author. Ying Zheng found the book insightful. The following day, Wei Liao, a commoner from Wei, presented himself to Ying Zheng, revealing himself as the author. Though initially rebuked for his lack of court etiquette, Wei Liao explained that he sought world peace, not fame. Having lost family in wars, he believed only a unified world could bring an end to suffering.

He recounted his travels to various states, concluding that only Qin possessed the strict laws, loyal officials, and honest citizens necessary for unification. He then proposed a strategy of "driving a wedge" between other states: by heavily bribing their high ministers, Qin could dismantle its enemies for less than 300,000 pieces of gold, making unification imminent. Ying Zheng was deeply impressed, praising Wei Liao's directness and insight.

He immediately appointed Wei Liao as "Guowei," granting him the same status and provisions as himself. Below the throne, Li Si closed his eyes in dismay, feeling his own influence wane after the departure of Han Fei and the arrival of Wei Liao. Gongsun Li and Madame Min walked in the palace gardens. Gongsun Li mentioned the new strategy to divide the states, noting its potential impact on Zhao.

She suggested that Madame Min, as someone from Zhao, might intervene with Ying Zheng to mediate relations between Qin and Zhao. Madame Min, however, stated that Ying Zheng’s ambition was unshakeable and she did not involve herself in court affairs. She then shifted the topic, inquiring about Gongsun Li's investigation into Han Zhangshi's death. Gongsun Li confirmed that she had indeed discovered who was responsible.

Just then, Ying Zheng approached and pulled Gongsun Li aside, asking about Han Shen's purpose for leaving the palace. Gongsun Li laughed lightly, assuring him that Han Shen would do nothing to harm Qin, and asked for his trust. Madame Min watched their close interaction with a hint of bitterness. Meanwhile, in Prince Zhao Jia's manor in Handan, Zhao Jia worried that without stronger reforms, Zhao might only manage to preserve Handan against Qin's aggression.

Lv Buwei, however, reassured him, confident that with Madame Min acting as an insider in Qin and his own strategies, the current King of Zhao would soon be deposed. He told Zhao Jia there would then be no need to fear the Qin army. In the bustling Qin streets, Han Shen rode swiftly towards an inn in Zhao, where Yan Dan resided.

At the inn, Fan Wuji initially mistook Han Shen for an assassin, but Tian Guang and Yan Dan trusted him, knowing he had assisted in Yan Dan's escape from Qin. Tian Guang vouched for Han Shen's character, asserting he was a man of integrity. Han Shen then requested a private conversation with Jing Ke. Late that night, Madame Min summoned Li Si.

He realized that Zhao Gao was Madame Min's subordinate and that they were responsible for Han Fei's death and framing him. Madame Min calmly confirmed her "mutual assistance" with Zhao Gao, explaining it was simply because they both were from Zhao and resided in Qin. She then asserted that Gongsun Li was the true obstacle to Li Si's regaining Ying Zheng's favor.

Madame Min detailed how Gongsun Li’s persistence in investigating Han Fei’s imprisonment had thwarted Li Si's and Zhao Gao's attempts to escape blame. She then offered to help Li Si regain Ying Zheng’s trust, but only if he allied with her, implying that Gongsun Li "had hindered the paths of too many people."

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