The King's Woman Episode 45 Recap
> The King's Woman Recap
Gongsun Li confronted Ying Zheng regarding Madame Chu's execution, stating that she could neither read nor eat from distress. She questioned if Madame Chu had truly betrayed Qin and pressed him, asking if he would execute her even if he knew she was innocent. Ying Zheng explained that the importance lay not in who betrayed Qin, but who bore the crime.
He asserted that even if Madame Chu were innocent, her execution was necessary due to the political instability in Chu, where King You had recently died and the throne changed hands twice in less than two months. He emphasized that showing leniency to traitors or enemies would hinder Great Qin's ambition to unite the world.
Gongsun Li, recalling Madame Chu's warning not to fully trust the King, directly asked if she too would eventually be sacrificed for the sake of unification. Ying Zheng, dismissing the conversation by claiming official matters, told her they could speak next time. Gongsun Li, with no intention of further discussion, simply stated she wished to rest and left. Meanwhile, in a Xianyang guest house, Zhao Gao was heavily intoxicated. Han Shen approached him, surprising Zhao Gao.
Han Shen requested Zhao Gao's assistance to enter the palace to see Gongsun Li. Zhao Gao questioned why he should help, pointing out that while Gongsun Li was currently highly favored, Han Shen had once "tortured her a lot." Han Shen proposed that if Zhao Gao helped, Gongsun Li could put in a good word for him with Ying Zheng. Zhao Gao agreed to the deal.
The next day, Zhao Gao intercepted Gongsun Li, informing her that Han Shen had a message for her, arranging their meeting at the secluded Southern Palace. Gongsun Li was overjoyed to see her eldest senior brother, Han Shen, after such a long time, asking about his travels and reminiscing about their childhood. However, she sensed he had something difficult to say. Han Shen revealed that the envoy sent by Yan to surrender was their junior brother, Jing Ke.
He clarified that Jing Ke's true purpose was to assassinate Ying Zheng. Han Shen explained that if Jing Ke succeeded, Qin would fall into chaos, leaving Gongsun Li and Tianming unprotected and forcing them to flee. If Jing Ke failed, Ying Zheng would surely seek revenge on Yan, and knowing that Tianming was Jing Ke's son, he would not spare him. Gongsun Li was shocked to learn that Han Shen had already informed Jing Ke of Tianming's paternity.
Han Shen urged Gongsun Li to leave with him and Tianming for their safety, emphasizing that Ying Zheng's "peace" was built on countless lives and would turn the world into a vast cemetery. He reminded her of an old woman's words that she was too good a lady to be with a tyrant and urged her to leave him. Gongsun Li was left deeply conflicted.
Upon hearing that Jing Ke had set out, Ying Zheng immediately ordered his soldiers to prepare for an attack on Yan. The following day, in court, Ying Zheng declared Tianming as the Crown Prince, stating Tianming was the most suitable successor due to his blend of Fusu's gentle temperament and Ziying's decisiveness, possessing the demeanor of a king.
Lord Changping vehemently opposed, arguing that Prince Fusu, as the eldest legitimate son, was the rightful heir and making Tianming Crown Prince would be unacceptable to the people. Ying Zheng coldly retorted that he needed no one's opinion in naming his crown prince. Li Si, the Tingwei Officer, accused Lord Changping of ulterior motives, noting that as a Chu citizen and Left Prime Minister, and Fusu's tutor, he intended to use Fusu's future kingship to benefit Chu, effectively betraying Qin.
Lord Changping denied the accusations, but his words lacked conviction. Ying Zheng, growing furious, asserted that Tianming's appointment as Crown Prince was final and not open for discussion, ordering preparations for the crowning ceremony. He warned Lord Changping that his patience had limits, leaving the minister trembling in fear. After the court session, Ying Zheng's anger persisted, and he still wished to execute Lord Changping despite Madame Chu having taken the blame for him previously.
At this moment, Gongsun Li arrived outside his chambers and waited silently. Li Zhong advised Ying Zheng against executing Lord Changping, explaining that as a Chu prince with extensive connections in both Qin and Chu, his death could prompt Chu to ally with Wei, leading to a dangerous pincer attack on Qin, whose main forces were currently elsewhere. Ying Zheng, recognizing the wisdom in this, calmed down, resolving to make Lord Changping repay him a hundredfold in the future.
Li Zhong then asked why Ying Zheng had insisted on making Tianming Crown Prince against the ministers' advice. Ying Zheng revealed his true intentions: by making Tianming Crown Prince, Tianming could never leave Qin, thus ensuring Gongsun Li would remain by his side forever, as Tianming was the only one who could truly tie her down. He further explained that this decision was also meant to stimulate Fusu, whose temperament was too gentle.
By introducing competition between the two princes, Fusu would be forced to remain vigilant and strive for improvement, eventually making him a better king. Ying Zheng admitted that he would eventually name Fusu as the Crown Prince, as Fusu was his eldest legitimate son, using Tianming merely to temper Fusu's character. He confessed his deep-seated resentment towards Jing Ke, acknowledging that Tianming was Jing Ke's son.
He felt a constant pain, like a needle in his heart, as long as Jing Ke lived, believing Jing Ke would forever hold a place in Gongsun Li's heart. He vowed to eliminate Jing Ke with his own hands to secure Gongsun Li's loyalty completely. Overhearing this, Gongsun Li stifled her sobs, devastated by the realization that after all these years, Ying Zheng had never truly trusted her, and Tianming was merely a pawn in his schemes.
Back in her palace, Gongsun Li was distraught. Ying Zheng later came to her, gently informing her of his decision to make Tianming Crown Prince, asserting it was for their protection. Gongsun Li outwardly accepted the news with gratitude but internally resolved that she would not allow Tianming to become Ying Zheng's pawn, her years of trust in him shattered.
She later asked Tianming if he had ever considered living outside the palace and if he would like to spend a few days outside with his Uncle Han Shen, reminding him of Han Shen's promise to teach him fishing and martial arts. Tianming, recalling a time he lived with Han Shen when his parents were quarreling, happily agreed.
That night, Ying Zheng visited Gongsun Li, who truthfully informed him of Han Shen's return to Xianyang and her desire to take Tianming out to reunite with him. Ying Zheng, suspicious of Han Shen's unexpected return and its potential connection to Jing Ke, eventually assented but insisted on sending the Huben Army for their protection. Gongsun Li smiled, assuring him they would be careful.
Near the Qin-Wei border, Gai Lan finally caught up with Jing Ke and Qin Wuyang, having followed them since they left. She inquired about Wei Zhuang, and Qin Wuyang informed her that Wei Zhuang's mission was completed at the Qin border, and he had already departed. Jing Ke tried to send Gai Lan back, concerned for her safety, but she defiantly refused, insisting she would not leave.
Unbeknownst to them, Wei Zhuang had reported to Ying Zheng in Xianyang that Jing Ke was already in Qin. Ying Zheng's eyes gleamed with killing intent, declaring that despite Jing Ke's exceptional sword skills, he would personally kill him, asserting that Jing Ke had taken away the woman he loved and it was time for him to pay. Meanwhile, Ge Nie arrived in Handan, Zhao State, searching for Xiahou Yang amidst the state's desolation and danger.
He encountered members of the Danding Sect bullying an old woman for money and intervened, easily overpowering them. Ge Nie demanded they lead him to Xiahou Yang. Gongsun Li brought Tianming to meet Han Shen. Before they could exchange many words, a group of Han Shen's men emerged from the nearby forest.
Gongsun Li quickly led Tianming deeper into the woods, instructing him to remember that his biological father was Jing Ke and that he would now live with Uncle Han Shen, hoping he would grow up to be a chivalrous and loyal person. Tianming cried, unwilling to leave his mother.
Han Shen arrived to take both of them, but Gongsun Li adamantly refused to go with them, insisting she must return alone as everything had begun because of her and she could not abandon her responsibilities. She embraced Tianming, then Han Shen, in a final farewell, urging Han Shen to take Tianming away quickly before they were caught. Despite Han Shen's protests, she remained resolute in her choice.