The King's Woman Episode 39 Recap
> The King's Woman Recap
Gongsun Li was speechless when Madame Min shockingly demanded she swear that Tianming was Ying Zheng's child. Madame Min pressed, accusing Gongsun Li of being pregnant after days outside the palace, implying her senior's involvement and questioning Tianming's paternity. Gongsun Li insisted the child was His Majesty's, but Madame Min dismissed it without evidence, repeatedly challenging her to swear. Ying Zheng seemed swayed by the accusations and ordered Gongsun Li to return first.
He then intervened, ordering Madame Min to be taken back to the palace. He told her that he would not kill her, but instead make her live to witness the Qin army invade Handan, believing seeing her homeland's destruction would be the ultimate punishment. Hearing this, Madame Min was profoundly shaken, her legs giving way as she truly experienced Ying Zheng's cruelty. That night, Gongsun Li grieved deeply over her miscarriage, feeling as though she had lost her mind.
Her sorrow was compounded by the flicker of distrust she perceived in Ying Zheng's eyes after Madame Min's accusations, a feeling her intuition confirmed despite his silence. Memories of their happy times in the farm cottage brought tears to her eyes. Meanwhile, Ying Zheng was also troubled. He asked Li Zhong if he believed Madame Min's words. Li Zhong affirmed Gongsun Li's virtuous character, stating that once she committed, she would remain loyal.
Ying Zheng admitted he believed her too, but found it difficult to accept that she had spent a night alone with her senior, a lingering resentment from their past. He confessed that he became anxious and prone to misunderstanding because of his deep love for her. The next day, Chu liangren visited Gongsun Li, surprisingly gentle and cheerful.
She brought a basket of Yunmeng oranges from her home state, expressing her admiration for Gongsun Li's simple and happy life and apologizing for past transgressions. Gongsun Li, however, saw through her facade, accurately surmising that Chu liangren wished for Gongsun Li to speak well of her to Ying Zheng, hoping to regain her status as a Madame. Chu liangren sheepishly admitted it, expressing her gratitude for Gongsun Li's help in clearing her name in the Han Fei incident.
Suddenly, a court attendant rushed in with devastating news: the Grand Queen Dowager had died. Chu liangren's eyes widened, and her legs gave out. Overwhelmed with grief, she lamented her unfilial behavior and the loss of her sole support in the Qin palace. She insisted on seeing the Grand Queen Dowager but collapsed from the emotional shock after only a step. In the desolate Southern Palace, the Queen Dowager lay frail and pale.
Gongsun Li, regretting her long absence, was saddened to see her in such a weakened state. Realizing her end was near, the Queen Dowager pleaded with Gongsun Li to take her back to Handan so she could die in her true home. Moved by her despair, Gongsun Li promised to fulfill her wish. She then sought Ying Zheng's permission to return the Queen Dowager to Zhao.
Ying Zheng guessed Gongsun Li was advocating for someone else, and upon hearing her request, he expressed concern. He revealed that Qin was about to attack Zhao, and traveling there at such a time would be extremely dangerous, especially if their identities were discovered. Gongsun Li appealed to his sense of guilt towards the Queen Dowager, emphasizing the Queen Dowager's grave condition and her longing to die in Handan.
Despite his reservations about the chaotic war, Ying Zheng eventually relented, agreeing to send a troop of Huben soldiers to protect them, with his main army following close behind. He tasked Li Zhong with their protection. In Handan, Zhao Jia worriedly discussed with Lv Buwei that Ying Zheng had appointed Wang Jian as general, leading 200,000 troops to attack Zhao again.
Lv Buwei, confident in General Li Mu's abilities, dismissed the threat, though he warned Zhao Jia about Guo Kai's increasing closeness with Dun Ruo. He noted Guo Kai's past grudge against Li Mu for opposing Zhao Qian's ascension to Crown Prince and stressed the need to prevent Guo Kai from slandering Li Mu before the King of Zhao.
Zhao Jia also informed Lv Buwei that Madame Min had been placed under house arrest in Qin, suggesting their plot had likely failed. They concluded that Zhao faced more than just one or two critical issues. Outside the Qin border, as snow fell, the Queen Dowager joyfully journeyed towards Handan in a grand carriage, excited to return to her homeland.
She playfully declined Gongsun Li's offer of a fox cape, claiming she wasn't cold, but eventually relented to humor Gongsun Li. Meanwhile, Madame Min appeared haggard and devoid of her former spirit. Before setting out for the war, Ying Zheng visited her, confronting her about her ill appearance. He commanded her to dress beautifully and accompany him to Zhao.
Madame Min bitterly questioned his motives, wondering if he sought to test her loyalty or simply revel in her sorrow as the Qin army trampled her home. Ying Zheng firmly declared it a royal order that she must obey, adding that King Qian of Zhao was surely looking forward to seeing her. Upon hearing that Ying Zheng's army was also nearing Handan, Lv Buwei knew his long-awaited moment had arrived.
He revealed to his attendant that his true ambition was to assist a worthy king in unifying the world, and only Ying Zheng possessed such capability; his time in Zhao was merely a tactical maneuver. He was determined to meet the Queen Dowager, seize this opportunity, and return to Ying Zheng's side to serve as his advisor. That night, in the camp, Gongsun Li discovered a man disguised as a palace maid in the Queen Dowager's tent.
The man, trembling, confessed he was there to deliver a letter. The Queen Dowager, recognizing Lv Buwei's handwriting, became ecstatic, insisting she must meet him at a secret location only they knew. Gongsun Li, wary, urged her to first consult Ying Zheng, but the Queen Dowager furiously refused, threatening to die if prevented from seeing him. Gongsun Li then sought out Ying Zheng herself, only to find he had left the camp to scout the route.
Realizing he would be gone for days, and unable to manage the Queen Dowager's desperate insistence, Gongsun Li decided to take the Queen Dowager to Handan ahead of the main army. As they prepared to depart, Madame Min appeared, confronting Gongsun Li with harsh words. Gongsun Li, though admitting she hated Madame Min for her lost child, stated she also pitied Ying Zheng and the cycle of hatred, then advised Madame Min to look out for herself before leaving.
At Guo Kai's lavish banquet, Zhao Jia arrived and noticed Dun Ruo among the guests. Guo Kai subtly informed Zhao Jia that he knew Dun Ruo was a Qin spy and his interaction with him was solely for monitoring purposes. He explained the banquet was a trap to confirm Dun Ruo's true allegiances, easing Zhao Jia's concerns.
Dun Ruo, meanwhile, feigned extreme drunkenness, allowing two young servants to discreetly steal a letter from him, hinting at a deeper deception as he contentedly stroked his beard after their departure. Gongsun Li escorted the Queen Dowager to the appointed meeting place with Lv Buwei. The Queen Dowager, peering from behind a curtain, smiled warmly upon seeing his back, softly calling out to him, "Minister Lü."
