The King's Woman Episode 4 Recap
> The King's Woman Recap
The tension between Ying Zheng and Chengjiao escalated on the battlefield as both sides drew their swords. Ying Zheng commanded his own troops to hold, knowing Chengjiao could not defeat him and not wishing to fight his brother. He reflected on their past vows: his promise to share the world with Chengjiao if he unified the six states, and Chengjiao's oath of eternal loyalty. Despite their history, they now faced each other as enemies.
Ying Zheng began to sing a song extolling brotherhood, filling the air with their shared past. Chengjiao's sword clattered to the ground, his face contorted in agony. As the song ended, Ying Zheng declared that Qin citizens would not kill Qin citizens, and from that moment on, Lord of Chang'an Chengjiao would have no further ties with Great Qin; they would be completely severed and never see each other again.
Watching Ying Zheng ride away, Chengjiao, with all his remaining strength, cried out, "Brother!" Later, back in the palace, Ying Zheng struggled with the difficult decision he had made, drinking to drown his sorrows. Crown Prince Dan of Yan accompanied him, observing that those born into royalty are destined to be burdened by their status.
He suggested that Chengjiao, known for his good nature, must have been manipulated into rebellion, prompting Ying Zheng to consider who would gain the most from Chengjiao's removal. As Ying Zheng walked heavily towards his sleeping quarters, Lv Buwei appeared, trying to reaffirm his loyalty by claiming to be the only one truly dedicated to the King and capable of helping him unify the six states.
Ying Zheng sharply cut him off, accusing Lv Buwei, his mother, and the Grand Queen Dowager of using him for their own ambitions. He asserted that Chengjiao was his only genuine kin, having known Ying Zheng's true parentage all along yet accepting him unconditionally. Enraged that Lv Buwei had forced away the only truly sincere person in his life, Ying Zheng grabbed Lv Buwei by the throat, warning him not to cause any more trouble.
In the Grand Queen Dowager's palace, she held her beloved grandson, Fusu, as she addressed Madame Min and Madame Chu. She emphasized Qin's growing strength and the need for more princes beyond Fusu to secure the future of the state. She also mentioned having ordered the royal physicians to prepare nourishing medicine for the consorts.
The two madames revealed their difficulty in fulfilling her wishes, explaining that Ying Zheng rarely visited the harem, and even when he did, he insisted on sleeping in separate beds. The Grand Queen Dowager expressed surprise at this revelation. Later, she cautiously brought up the matter of selecting a queen, attempting to gauge Ying Zheng's intentions.
Ying Zheng stated that the matter was not urgent, as he sought a remarkable woman, like King Wu Ding of Shang's queen, Fu Hao, who possessed both intelligence and martial prowess, capable of fighting alongside him to conquer the world. Such a unique and capable queen was rare, he said, and if he could not find someone of that caliber, he would rather not name a queen at all.
Hearing his firm resolve, the Grand Queen Dowager reluctantly set the matter aside for the time being. Meanwhile, in Luoyang, Gongsun Li had largely recovered from her injuries. She and Jing Ke bid farewell to the King of Wey and set out to find the revered warrior, Lu Goujian. During a rest stop in a forest, Jing Ke diligently practiced his swordplay nearby while Gongsun Li sketched.
Jing Ke expressed frustration, feeling he had not yet fully grasped his martial arts and couldn't adequately protect Gongsun Li from future threats. Gongsun Li, however, urged him not to rush, confessing her true desire for a peaceful, secluded life, free from Jianghu conflicts, where they could freely visit the ocean or ride horses across vast plains. Jing Ke acknowledged her beautiful dreams but reminded her that his ambitions meant he could not yet retire.
In the marketplace, they witnessed thugs robbing an elderly vendor. A young woman, Gai Lan, intervened without hesitation, the money bag instantly appearing in her hand. Jing Ke, also passing by, joined her, and together they drove the villains away. When Gongsun Li, who had briefly stepped away, returned, Jing Ke quickly explained what had happened. Gongsun Li was immediately drawn to Gai Lan's sweet demeanor and sense of justice.
Gai Lan shared that she and her father were from the Qin State but had left due to her father's disapproval of Qin's oppressive rule and were currently being pursued. To Gongsun Li and Jing Ke's delight, Gai Lan revealed her father was none other than the renowned Great Warrior Ge Nie.
Gai Lan led them to her father, where they found Ge Nie engaged in a fierce battle with the notorious Wind, Forest, Fire, and Mountain assassins—the very group responsible for Gongsun Yu's death. Seeing them, Gongsun Li immediately drew her sword, seeking revenge. Despite Wind, Forest, Fire, and Mountain's formidable reputation, which even Ge Nie struggled to contain, they chose not to prolong the fight, recognizing the unfavorable timing, and swiftly departed.
Ge Nie, understanding Gongsun Li's urgency for vengeance, advised her to diligently practice her martial arts, emphasizing that only with improved skills could she hope for revenge without sacrificing her life needlessly. Jing Ke then humbly requested to become Ge Nie's disciple, but Ge Nie, out of respect for Gongsun Yu's esteemed martial arts, declined to take on any disciples, though he offered to provide guidance. Afterward, the four of them proceeded to Lu Goujian's residence.
Lu Goujian provided Jing Ke with some clothes, but they were not a good fit. Gongsun Li offered to alter them, and Gai Lan eagerly volunteered to assist. The two young women, similar in character despite their different upbringings, quickly bonded. Gongsun Li proposed that they become sworn sisters, a suggestion Gai Lan happily accepted. Together, they pledged to be eternal sisters, promising to always support and protect each other.
Meanwhile, back in Xianyang, Ying Zheng issued an order for the arrest of a woman depicted in a detailed painting—a painting that clearly showed Gongsun Li. Unaware of this, Gongsun Li, Jing Ke, and Gai Lan were shopping when they noticed a large number of soldiers hurrying past. Stepping outside, they discovered wanted posters plastered everywhere. Gongsun Li was astonished to see the drawing on the poster: it was her own likeness.
