The King's Woman Episode 9 Recap
> The King's Woman Recap
Although Gongsun Li had not yet accepted him, Ying Zheng did not wish to force her. He stayed in her palace longer, creating the illusion of her having served him. For several consecutive nights, Ying Zheng continued to visit Gongsun Li's palace, though he would leave before midnight. During these visits, Gongsun Li largely ignored him, prompting Ying Zheng to use the child to threaten her before pulling her onto the bed.
Unbeknownst to them, Madame Chu's maid, Shang Yi, had dispatched someone to covertly listen outside the door. This spy was caught by Guard Li Zhong and fled in panic. Meanwhile, Jing Ke, after being severely tortured, was sent to Lishan for forced labor. He became furious upon overhearing jailers speak ill of Gongsun Li. Gongsun Li recalled her encounter with "Young Sir Zhao" in Luoyang, lamenting that he turned out to be a liar.
Ying Zheng clarified that as the King, he never slept with others; it was only when he was "Young Sir Zhao" that he had spent the night with her without any pretense. Ying Zheng, who was not typically one to linger in the harem, had recently summoned Jing Liangren and Li Liangren to serve him. Zhao Gao, observing the growing imbalance among the consorts, advised Ying Zheng to treat everyone fairly to prevent unrest.
Ying Zheng accepted this counsel and ordered Zhao Gao to inform Madame Chu that he would visit her palace that very night. That night, Ying Zheng visited Madame Chu's palace. The next day, feeling secure in her high rank and believing no one threatened her position, Madame Chu, now even more arrogant, summoned Jing Liangren and another consort to her palace for idle chat.
Jing Liangren, though visibly unhappy, suppressed her resentment due to Madame Chu's superior status, her expression noticeably displeased. Zhongchang Attendant Zhao Gao, now a trusted confidant of the Qin King, was receiving a massage from his subordinates who praised his favored status. Zhao Gao, however, complained about his tiring duties and voiced his disapproval of Gongsun Li, whom he considered a woman from a defeated state with no distinguished background.
Being of low birth himself, he often looked down upon those without noble origins and especially disdained Gongsun Li. Unbeknownst to them, Han Shen, disguised as a guard at a nearby table, overheard their conversation. He had long suspected that the new favored consort, Li Ji, was his junior sister Gongsun Li, and Zhao Gao's words solidified his conviction. He silently resolved to take action.
In Grand Queen Dowager's palace, she raised the matter of establishing a Queen, intending for Ying Zheng to establish her niece, Madame Chu, to secure their family's position. Ying Zheng, however, asserted it was not the time. When she pressed him, her face darkening, he explained that traditionally in Qin, the first legitimate son was born to the Queen, and since Gongsun Li was already pregnant, it was not the opportune moment to establish a Queen.
Ying Zheng used this historical custom as an excuse, and Grand Queen Dowager, for the time being, gave up. Resolved not to allow anyone to bear a child before Madame Chu, Grand Queen Dowager subtly hinted at the ease with which a consort's child could be removed in the harem. Following this, Madame Chu returned to her palace and immediately summoned Jing Liangren.
Madame Chu, having identified Jing Liangren as a jealous and somewhat naive individual suitable for a scapegoat, presented her with croton and motherwort, medicines known to induce miscarriage. Madame Chu instructed Jing Liangren to find an opportunity to mix them into Gongsun Li's food. Jing Liangren initially expressed fear and hesitation, but considering Gongsun Li's existence as a significant threat to her own position, and with Madame Chu's persistent instigation, she ultimately agreed to the scheme.
That evening, Gongsun Li, despite her poor appetite, forced herself to consume more food for her unborn child's well-being. Suddenly, she was struck by a sharp abdominal pain, causing her great alarm for her unborn child. Her palace maids immediately summoned the imperial physician. Upon hearing that Gongsun Li had been poisoned, Ying Zheng rushed to her side, visibly distraught. The imperial physician reported that the incident was likely intentional.
Enraged, Ying Zheng demanded to know who dared to harm Gongsun Li and ordered Li Zhong and Zhongchang Attendant Zhao Gao to conduct a thorough investigation. He threatened to execute all those involved in preparing Gongsun Li's meals if the culprit was not found. Faced with his fury, they reluctantly accepted the daunting task. Once everyone had departed, leaving only Ying Zheng and Gongsun Li, she immediately accused him of orchestrating the poisoning, given her poor impression of him.
Ying Zheng was disappointed by her mistrust, feeling that he had treated her with sincerity, yet she ignored his concern. He then asserted that as his consort, any attempt to harm her was an affront to him, and he would not forgive such actions. Gongsun Li scoffed, stating that his actions were ultimately for his own benefit. Learning that Gongsun Li's child had been saved, Madame Chu's animosity intensified.
Jing Liangren, in her anxiety, worried that the ongoing investigation would ultimately expose her. Madame Chu calmly reassured her, explaining that she had already 'handled' Zhongchang Attendant Zhao Gao, who was leading the investigation. Jing Liangren then commented that Gongsun Li's child surviving was a sign of great fortune, expressing concern that if the child was born, Gongsun Li would receive even greater favor from His Majesty.
Madame Chu, her extreme jealousy flaring, was very displeased by Jing Liangren's words, sharply pinching her and sternly warning her to be careful with her words. Following the near-miscarriage, Gongsun Li remained confined to bed for recuperation. Ying Zheng, attempting to amuse her, sent numerous rare treasures, but Gongsun Li disdained to even look at them. Soon after, Madame Min, who had previously shown kindness during Gongsun Li's martial arts competition, came to visit.
Madame Min gave off a gentle and kind impression, stating that she and Ying Zheng had grown up together in the State of Zhao, sharing only a sibling bond, not romantic love. Therefore, she had no intention of scheming for favor. She also revealed that from their first meeting, she could tell Gongsun Li did not truly wish to enter the palace, and thus Madame Min would not cause trouble for favor either.
She suggested that, given their mutual lack of ulterior motives, they could maintain a close relationship and visit each other often. Despite Madame Min's overtures of friendship, Gongsun Li remained suspicious, confiding in her maid Qing'er that she found it difficult to trust such sudden kindness in the deceptive and rivalrous environment of the palace, believing it best to remain cautious.
Qing'er acknowledged Gongsun Li's apprehension, explaining that in the harem, a consort's standing was often dictated by the power of her home state. Consorts like Madame Chu and Madame Min, originating from powerful states, naturally commanded respect and alliances. Qing'er advised Gongsun Li that since her home state of Wey had been vanquished, her most secure path in the harem was to gain the King's favor. Gongsun Li, while understanding these principles, found them difficult to implement.
Having confirmed that Li Liangren was indeed Gongsun Li, Han Shen continuously sought an opportunity to meet her. However, the inner palace's stringent defenses proved a significant obstacle, making it very difficult for him to enter.
