The King's Woman Episode 46 Recap
> The King's Woman Recap
Gongsun Li reluctantly sent Tianming away with Han Shen. She told Han Shen that she could no longer leave with them, stating that everything started because of her and she could not abandon everything now. Han Shen protested, reminding her that Ying Zheng would never let her go, but Gongsun Li insisted she had already made her choice, urging Han Shen to take Tianming away quickly before they were caught.
She tearfully bid farewell to Tianming, telling him to listen to Uncle Han. After they left, Gongsun Li sat on the ground, overwhelmed with grief. Upon her return to the palace, Ying Zheng confronted Gongsun Li, demanding to know what happened to Tianming and why she prevented him from sending troops to find them.
Gongsun Li calmly admitted that she deliberately let Han Shen take Tianming away, and that the envoy from Yan State, who was coming to surrender to His Majesty, was her senior, Jing Ke. Ying Zheng reacted with fury, stating he was well aware of Jing Ke's intentions and the plans he and Yan Dan had concocted, and acknowledging Jing Ke as Tianming's biological father.
He accused Gongsun Li of not trusting him, despite their ten years together and his unwavering commitment to protect her and Tianming, even if the world ridiculed him. He reminded her that if she had been worried about Tianming's safety, he could have sent him out of the palace years ago, just as he had done before. Gongsun Li countered, telling Ying Zheng to stop lying, asserting that he only wanted to kill Jing Ke and Tianming.
Ying Zheng roared back that it was Jing Ke who wanted to kill him. Gongsun Li, with tears in her eyes, knelt and begged him not to kill Tianming or her senior brother, and not to attack Yan State. She promised to stay with him forever if he agreed. Ying Zheng gently touched her face, expressing his deep love for her and his willingness to share his world, but lamented that she did not understand.
His demeanor then turned cold as he pushed her away, declaring that since Jing Ke still held importance in her heart, he would personally kill Jing Ke in front of everyone to vent his anger. Gongsun Li pleaded with him again, offering to take any punishment herself. Ying Zheng silenced her, firmly stating that Tianming was his son and he would support him as Crown Prince.
He vowed to do everything to find Tianming and then left swiftly, his eyes filled with darkness. Gongsun Li’s desperate cries were futile. Ying Zheng immediately dispatched his four elite forces, Wind, Forest, Fire, and Mountain, ordering them to find Han Shen and bring Tianming back, killing anyone who dared to stop them. Jing Ke, Qin Wuyang, and their company arrived at Xianyang City.
Jing Ke reflected on his past return to the city, recalling the humiliations he once suffered there. Li Si, a Tingwei Officer, greeted them on behalf of the King of Qin, welcoming them as important guests and leading them to a tranquil inn prepared for their rest. Jing Ke expressed gratitude for the quiet setting, while Qin Wuyang commented that martial artists like them were accustomed to simpler living.
Jing Ke inquired about when they could meet the King, but Li Si suggested they first stroll around the city, offering to arrange a tour. Jing Ke replied that they were not in a hurry to meet His Majesty, but he was concerned about the head of Fan Wuji, which they had carried for months. Despite being kept in an anti-decomposing bronze container, he worried it might be unrecognizable by the time it was presented.
Li Si offered to deliver the head to the King himself, but Jing Ke politely declined, explaining that it was an important symbol of goodwill from Yan to Qin, and he wished to personally offer it to the King as a warning to anyone who might betray Qin. Li Si conceded, promising to schedule their audience as soon as possible.
Back at his residence, Li Si discussed the arrival of Yan's envoys with Xiahou Yang, identifying them as Qin Wuyang and Jing Ke.
Li Si dismissed them as mere 'stupid warriors' used by Crown Prince Dan, but Xiahou Yang was surprised to hear Jing Ke’s name, questioning why a noble warrior like him would agree to be an envoy of surrender for Yan, believing there must be a hidden motive since Jing Ke was not easily swayed by status or wealth. Li Si dismissed the reasons as irrelevant, stating that Yan State would soon be conquered by Qin.
Xiahou Yang, who held a long-standing hatred for Jing Ke, resolved not to let him off easily. At the guesthouse, Qin Wuyang diligently practiced his sword skills, which Gai Lan teased him for, recalling his indulgence in drinking and gambling in Ji City. Qin Wuyang claimed he was merely warming up, asserting his bravery and recalling how he was known as "Brave Qin" in Yan.
He boasted that with Jing Ke by his side, they would fulfill their mission and be remembered for thousands of years. Just then, two women sent by Li Si arrived to offer a tour of Xianyang. Qin Wuyang eagerly accepted, but Gai Lan refused, reminding him of their mission. Jing Ke, however, allowed Qin Wuyang to go.
Gai Lan questioned Jing Ke’s choice of Qin Wuyang, but Jing Ke explained that despite his frivolous appearance, Qin Wuyang was a loyal friend who deeply hated King Zheng of Qin. Jing Ke revealed that Qin Wuyang had repeatedly found reasons to stay with him, implying his intent to join the assassination, though he never stated it directly. Jing Ke and Gai Lan then strolled through the streets of Xianyang.
Jing Ke observed the orderly industries and the strictness of Qin's laws, realizing why the six states were no match for Qin. Gai Lan asked if this would waver his determination to assassinate Qin, but he shook his head, stating that once the bow is drawn, there is no turning back. Gai Lan then asked Jing Ke if he planned to meet Gongsun Li.
Jing Ke expressed the difficulty of doing so, feeling that despite being separated by only a wall, they were worlds apart. Gai Lan offered to help, being familiar with Qin’s rules, but Jing Ke declined, worried about involving her further. Meanwhile, Gongsun Li, deep in the palace, quietly asked her maid Qing'er for help. She tasked Qing'er with delivering a letter to Jing Ke, specifically to his inn.
As Qing'er hurried out, she encountered Ying Zheng, who was on his way to see Gongsun Li. Qing'er calmly explained that Gongsun Li was unwell and she was on her way to the kitchen to prepare nourishing food for her. Ying Zheng, without suspicion, told Qing'er to take good care of Gongsun Li and decided to visit her later. Later, Jing Ke and Gai Lan returned to the guesthouse to find Qin Wuyang heavily drunk.
Gai Lan confronted him about his behavior, reminding him of their upcoming meeting with the King of Qin. Qin Wuyang, however, admitted he was making the most of his time, as he knew he was facing death. He confessed that while Jing Ke was fearless, he was just an ordinary person with normal desires, and his willingness to accompany Jing Ke was purely out of loyalty, as he could not bear to see his brother die alone.
Mutters of "stupid" escaped his lips as he stumbled back to his room. Jing Ke stood still, contemplating Qin Wuyang’s words. At that moment, Qing'er arrived, identifying herself as Madame Li’s personal maid, and delivered a letter to Jing Ke. The letter instructed him to meet Gongsun Li the following morning at an old temple in the forest outside the city.
The next morning, as Jing Ke and Gai Lan headed to the meeting, Jing Ke confessed his uncertainty about what to say to Gongsun Li, feeling he had wronged her and was now facing his own death. He only wished to inquire about Tianming’s well-being, feeling unworthy to even speak his name. Suddenly, Xiahou Yang appeared before them, sarcastically commenting on the lovers' romantic rendezvous before their impending deaths. He then aggressively demanded the Huluo Sword Technique from Jing Ke.
Forced to fight, Jing Ke engaged Xiahou Yang. Just as Jing Ke was about to deliver a decisive blow, Ge Nie arrived, stopping him. Ge Nie declared that Xiahou Yang’s life was his to take, as he had been seeking revenge for his wife’s murder for most of his life. He urged Jing Ke and Gai Lan to leave. Ge Nie and Xiahou Yang then engaged in a fierce duel, with Xiahou Yang ultimately proving no match for Ge Nie.
A powerful swing of Ge Nie’s sword caused a flock of birds to scatter from the trees. Meanwhile, Gongsun Li waited at the secluded and scenic meeting spot she had chosen, aware she needed to return to the palace before sunset. Jing Ke, running late, finally arrived. He pushed aside the curtain, saw her slender back, and softly called out "Li'er." Gongsun Li turned, and the two embraced, sharing a tender moment after their long separation.
