The King's Woman Episode 38 Recap
> The King's Woman Recap
Qin Wuyang busily introduced Jing Ke to various people at Jing Ke's manor, claiming he was helping Jing Ke gain fame and friends, lest Crown Prince Dan forget him. Gai Lan, however, insisted that Jing Ke was always indifferent to fame and wealth, but Qin Wuyang dismissed her opinion, believing no swordsman truly disregarded such things, and continued his way of attracting clients with Jing Ke. He continued to showcase the manor and gifts provided by the Crown Prince.
Meanwhile, in Ji City, Crown Prince Dan was openly recruiting warriors from all over the world, treating them courteously, and also invited Jing Ke and others. Tian Guang mentioned that the Crown Prince's manor had even dispatched a golden bell carriage to invite a renowned Wei state warrior named Wu Xiang. Soon after, Wu Xiang arrived, volunteering to be a death warrior for Yan State and offering a public duel to prove his sword skills.
Qin Wuyang found Wu Xiang's skills mediocre compared to Jing Ke's. Tian Guang, too, observed Jing Ke, believing him to be the best candidate for the mission to assassinate the King of Qin. That night, Wu Xiang retired to his room in the Crown Prince's manor, only to be assassinated by an unseen figure who vanished without a trace, leaving only a silhouette.
The next day, Jing Ke and Fan Wuji visited Crown Prince Dan, who was troubled by the assassination, suspecting it was Qin King Ying Zheng's warning to deter anyone from aligning with him. After deliberation, Jing Ke volunteered to assassinate the King of Qin. Tian Guang later asked Jing Ke how he knew of the assassination plot.
Jing Ke explained that by accepting Fan Wuji, Crown Prince Dan had openly defied Qin, leaving Yan with only two options: surrender or assassinate the King of Qin. Tian Guang acknowledged Jing Ke's reasoning, admitting he had considered Jing Ke earlier but worried that Gongsun Li might cause him to be swayed by personal feelings.
Jing Ke assured him that he had accepted the truth of his situation, was acting to save the world from disaster, and fulfilling his master's wish. Tian Guang expressed deep gratitude for Jing Ke's devotion to Yan. In the Han State, which was weakened and had ceded Nanyang without a fight, Ying Zheng erected a tombstone for Han Fei, personally pouring wine as an offering.
Back in the Qin court, Li Si reported Fan Wuji's defection and collusion with Crown Prince Dan, advocating for an attack on Yan to uphold Qin's might. Ying Zheng consulted Meng Wu, who, despite his past camaraderie with Fan Wuji, agreed that Fan Wuji posed a significant threat due to his deep knowledge of Qin's military strategies. Meng Wu pledged to attack Yan to protect Qin.
Ying Zheng smiled, revealing that he had placed spies to monitor Crown Prince Dan ever since the latter returned to Yan. He declared that conquering Yan was inevitable and that no one could sway his resolve. After court was dismissed, Ying Zheng commanded that the discussions not be relayed to the harem, stating that Gongsun Li did not need to know the details of the bloody path to unification, only to await the ultimate peace by his side.
Inside the towering walls of the Qin palace, Han Shen returned Tianming to Gongsun Li. Tianming playfully demonstrated new moves he had learned, delighting Gongsun Li with his innocent demeanor. Recognizing that Gongsun Li and Ying Zheng had fallen in love, Han Shen felt he had no reason to remain in the palace. He bid a brief farewell and turned to leave. Gongsun Li called out to him, thanking him for his constant kindness.
Han Shen understood he could never truly enter her heart, yet he reaffirmed that she would always be his top priority, now and in the future. As he walked away alone, Gongsun Li's eyes welled with tears, realizing that her love for one person meant she had to let others down. Gongsun Li's status in the palace was now more esteemed than ever, especially after saving Ying Zheng.
Madame Min's maid, Xiao Li, panicked, fearing Gongsun Li might pursue past grievances. When Gongsun Li came to visit Madame Min, Madame Min, aware her misdeeds had been exposed, was surprised that Ying Zheng had not punished her. Gongsun Li calmly explained that Zhao Qian's incompetence would inevitably lead to Zhao's downfall, rendering punishment unnecessary.
Madame Min's expression shifted drastically as she desperately pleaded for Zhao Jia to be instated as king, promising that Zhao would then be grateful to Qin. Gongsun Li simply urged Madame Min to return to Zhao, but Madame Min refused. Before Gongsun Li could say more, she suddenly experienced morning sickness. Madame Min, shrewd and observant, immediately realized Gongsun Li was pregnant. After Gongsun Li departed, a murderous glint appeared in Madame Min's eyes.
On a beautiful day, Gongsun Li reclined on her bed, smiling at the thought of her unborn child. A palace maid delivered a nourishing soup, claiming it was prepared by the Royal Physician Bureau under Ying Zheng's orders. After delivering the soup, the maid quickly fled the palace. Gongsun Li, without suspicion, drank all the soup. Soon after, she was wracked with unbearable abdominal pain. A physician was summoned, but it was too late; the fetus could not be saved.
The physician stated that the Royal Physician Bureau had never prepared such a soup. Ying Zheng realized someone had deliberately harmed Gongsun Li and ordered a thorough investigation. Grief-stricken by the loss of his child, a chilling sorrow settled deep in his eyes. Gongsun Li was equally devastated, feeling as if her heart was pierced by a thousand arrows. Gongsun Li instantly suspected Madame Min was involved. Overwhelmed by pain, she seized a sword and went to confront Madame Min.
Madame Min sat composed, fearless, and coldly asserted that Gongsun Li had been fooled by Ying Zheng into believing in his grand ambition of unification. Ying Zheng arrived just as Madame Min confessed to arranging the miscarriage. Enraged, Ying Zheng slapped her.
Madame Min then pointed at Gongsun Li, accusingly questioning the paternity of the child, stating that Gongsun Li had been absent from the palace for several days and no one knew if the child she carried was truly of royal blood. Gongsun Li, with a clear conscience, swore by heaven, earth, sun, and moon that she was not such a person. Madame Min then challenged her to swear that Tianming was Ying Zheng's son, a question that left both Gongsun Li and Ying Zheng speechless.