The King's Woman Episode 32 Recap

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> The King's Woman Recap

Madame Min subtly suggests to Li Si that Gongsun Li has hindered many, and if he wishes to regain His Majesty’s trust, she can assist him, provided he aligns with her. When Li Si inquires about the method, Zhao Gao suggests the upcoming spring hunt as the opportune moment. The next morning, Gongsun Li discovers her dagger is missing, much to Qing'er's surprise, who thought Gongsun Li always carried it.

Despite the disappearance, they proceed to the spring hunt, as Qing'er promises to search for it upon their return. The weather is perfect for hunting as the royal entourage moves through the mountains, with Ying Zheng riding majestically at the forefront. Inside a carriage, Gongsun Li confronts Madame Min, holding up a string of nine-eyes glass beads.

Gongsun Li asserts that these beads, given to Madame Min by Madame Chu, were found on the poison bottle used to kill Han Fei, suggesting Madame Min framed Madame Chu and then employed Han Zhangshi. Gongsun Li further reveals she smelled white sandalwood, a scent Madame Min commonly uses, on Han Zhangshi, implying Han Zhangshi was secretly working for Madame Min. Madame Min dismisses these claims as mere assumptions.

Gongsun Li counters that her true evidence lies in Madame Min’s heart, accusing her of deep involvement in state affairs despite her outwardly detached demeanor. She then exposes Madame Min's true motive for entering Qin: to help Prince Jia seize the Zhao throne and to avenge King Qian of Zhao for abandoning her, a fact confirmed by the Queen Dowager.

Enraged, Madame Min concedes that Gongsun Li is too intelligent and has meddled excessively, forcing her to "eliminate the root of the problem." Madame Min then reveals she was the one who stole Gongsun Li’s dagger. Moments later, Madame Min dramatically screams for help, claiming Gongsun Li is trying to kill her. Ying Zheng, alerted by the commotion, rushes to the carriage and finds Madame Min bleeding from a minor wound, while Gongsun Li stands stunned, holding the dagger.

It is evident that Madame Min had self-inflicted the wound. Despite Gongsun Li’s bewildered denials, Madame Min insists on her guilt. The royal physician confirms Madame Min's injury is superficial. Ying Zheng demands to know why Gongsun Li's dagger was in the carriage. Qing’er explains it was stolen that morning. Madame Min feigns innocence, claiming she could not possibly have wounded herself. With the spring hunt abandoned, the group returns to the palace. Gongsun Li kneels before Ying Zheng.

Madame Min, her arm bandaged, informs Ying Zheng that Gongsun Li attempted to silence her to cover up a secret. Gongsun Li again insists on Madame Min’s guilt in the aforementioned murders, detailing how Madame Min used black false hellebore for slow poisoning and bribed Jing Liangren’s servant to implicate Madame Chu. Ying Zheng presses Madame Min on the crime Gongsun Li is supposedly trying to conceal.

Madame Min then dramatically reveals that Gongsun Li aided Crown Prince Dan's escape from Qin, to Gongsun Li's great shock. Madame Min’s maid, Xiao Li, testifies, confirming she monitored Gongsun Li and overheard her involvement in Yan Dan's escape, even claiming that Gongsun Li's senior brother was the assassin who trespassed on the manor that day. Madame Min vouches for Xiao Li’s testimony. Li Si is then summoned.

From Xiahou Yang, Li Si learned that it was Gongsun Li's second senior brother, Jing Ke, who rescued her and was also the mastermind behind Yan Dan's escape. Li Si confesses that his initial "ignorance" led to Gongsun Li's abduction, claiming he was "confused by the words of Chu Liangren." However, he further claims he suspected Gongsun Li of harboring "evil intentions" against Qin due to her family’s demise at Qin’s hands.

He further states that Gongsun Li’s second senior brother not only rescued her but also led Yan Dan’s escape, suggesting that their reunion in the wilderness might have rekindled their past romance. Gongsun Li protests these insinuations. Ying Zheng, his heart already in turmoil, sternly dismisses everyone except Gongsun Li. He confronts her, demanding the truth and threatening to execute all Yan people in Crown Prince Dan's manor if she remains silent.

Gongsun Li, tearfully, admits that her senior brother, Jing Ke, was indeed the one who rescued Yan Dan. She explains she merely wanted to help Crown Prince Dan return to his state and that her abduction was solely to facilitate his escape, with others being uninvolved. Ying Zheng, feeling utterly betrayed, accuses her of showing false affections while conspiring with Jing Ke to deceive him. He says word by word, his heart like dead ashes, "You have never loved me."

He harshly questions if she still loves Jing Ke. Gongsun Li tearfully denies this, insisting her love for him is genuine, clinging tightly to Ying Zheng's arm, afraid he would leave. Enraged, Ying Zheng declares he no longer believes her, violently shoves her away, and orders Li Zhong to immediately imprison Gongsun Li in Yongxiang Prison and arrest all household members of Crown Prince Dan’s manor.

In the prison, Gongsun Li is cruelly whipped while tied to a cross, but she bites her lip, refusing to cry out, even as Qing’er begs for her torment to stop. Li Si interrogates Gongsun Li about her role in Crown Prince Dan’s escape. Gongsun Li insists her actions were voluntary and unrelated to anyone else.

She defiantly tells Li Si that if he possessed half of Han Fei's wisdom, he wouldn't be wasting his time torturing an insignificant consort like her, and that he can only rely on his power to bully others. Enraged by her insubordination, Li Si orders even more severe beatings. Ying Zheng arrives during the torture; Gongsun Li's eyes are full of him. Li Si reports that Gongsun Li is stubborn and refuses to confess.

Ying Zheng orders him to continue the torture. Ying Zheng watches briefly, a pained expression on his face, before turning away and eventually leaving, unable to bear the sight, knowing he would be the first to give in again. Meanwhile, in Handan, Han Shen and Jing Ke drink tea. Han Shen relays Gongsun Li’s happiness upon hearing that Jing Ke has mastered the sword technique. Jing Ke, however, scoffs, stating there is nothing joyful about becoming a ruthless assassin.

He reflects on their Master’s decision to seal the Huluo Sword Technique, acknowledging the sacrifices demanded by chaotic times. Han Shen assures Jing Ke that Gongsun Li remains unchanged, always ready to draw her sword for justice and help the weak, explaining her involvement in Crown Prince Dan's escape despite his own warnings. Han Shen adds that his own true purpose in Handan is confidential.

Jing Ke suddenly senses an intruder and disarms a masked man, Xiahou Yang's eldest disciple Bao Ye, with a teacup. More masked figures appear, and they flee, pursued by Han Shen and Jing Ke. Elsewhere, Crown Prince Dan, Tian Guang, and General Fan are in a room, discussing their situation. Tian Guang expresses concern about Han Shen's true motives, but General Fan defends him, recalling Han Shen's crucial assistance during their escape from Hangu Pass.

Suddenly, Xiahou Yang enters, claiming he is there to escort Crown Prince Dan back to Qin for a "prosperous life." When Tian Guang attempts to intervene, Xiahou Yang incapacitates him. He then subdues General Fan and abducts Crown Prince Dan. Han Shen and Jing Ke realize they were drawn into a diversion. They return to find Tian Guang and General Fan unconscious and Crown Prince Dan gone. Later, Ying Zheng visits Madame Min, who is recuperating from her injury.

Madame Min feigns concern for Gongsun Li’s well-being in Yongxiang Prison, noting the harsh torture methods. Ying Zheng expresses surprise that Madame Min still defends Gongsun Li despite being injured by her, attributing Gongsun Li’s actions to her chivalrous nature and her former senior’s involvement with Crown Prince Dan. Ying Zheng then asks Madame Min if he should allow Yan Dan to return to Ji City or pursue him.

Madame Min advises a cautious approach, arguing that the Yan State is weak and its king foolish, so Yan Dan would pose no real threat even if he returned. She suggests that pursuing him would cause unnecessary casualties and invite public condemnation, emphasizing the importance of winning the people's hearts for unification.

Madame Min then proposes, given Qin's current difficulties in attacking Zhao, that it would be more strategic to first conquer the weaker states of Han and Wei to boost morale before moving north. Ying Zheng replies, "If I withdraw troops from Zhao, you would be happy," causing Madame Min to realize she might have revealed too much, prompting her to wonder if it was a deliberate test.

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