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[The King's Woman]

[Episode 27]

This letter isn't written in the characters of Chu State!

These are obviously the characters of Han State.

These are Han characters!

Did I ever say the letter was written in Chu characters?

You were misled by your own guilty conscience.

It's obvious you never read it.

When you accused and framed Mister Han Fei of treason

you were quite certain of it, were you not?

I only used your guilty conscience to have you confess your sins.

Li Si! What else have you got to say?

I'm innocent!

I'm innocent, Your Grace!

Your Grace!

I really am innocent!

Li Si conspired with Madam Chu.

He framed Mister Han Fei into imprisonment.

Considering your contributions to Great Qin

I'll sentence you to be caned 50 times.

What you owe Great Qin must be repaid with a lifetime of dedication!

I thank Your Grace for sparing my life!

You wench!

You framed me by sending the poison with the glass beads to Mister Han Fei!

You had me demoted to a fourth-rank Virtuous Lady!

I had to move out of Zhaode Palace, and into this place

where I can't even stretch my legs out!

Tell me! Who bribed you?

What did you get out of it?

Was it Consort Li?

Your Ladyship, I really didn't betray you.

This has nothing to do with Madam Li.

How bold you are!

You dare speak up for that witch in front of me?

Answer me.

What have I got to do with Lady Jing's death?

Why was I blamed for her death?

You must be behind all of this!

You conspired with Consort Li to frame me!

I'm going to teach you a lesson today!

Hold it!

What now?

Have you already ganged up to mock me today?

Consort Li, your evil scheme has succeeded.

You must be gloating.

Lady Chu, calm down.

Calm down?

I'm going to teach this wench a lesson today!

What are you doing?

- Qing. - Present.

Escort Palace Woman Han back to her room.

- Yes. - I dare you!

I dare you to leave!

Lady Chu, you must know that I have trained in martial arts.

If I choose to use my strength, I'm afraid you won't be able to take it.

Stop making such a fuss.

It won't do you any good.

Madam, please have some tea.

Does it still hurt?

I'll be fine after a while.

Thank you for your concern, Madam.

If Lady Chu makes you go to her quarters again

you should inform me.

Madam, please don't worry about me.

I deserved it.

Actually...

I still have the glass beads that Lady Chu gave me.

Yes... I did frame Mister Han Fei into imprisonment

with that fake letter, as Lady Chu instructed.

But... But I really thought that

His Grace would only lock him up for a few days.

Who knew...

Who knew it would end up like this?

Now that Mister Han Fei is dead

even if I have anything to say for myself, no one will listen.

What fills me with the most regret is that Mister Han Fei was a lovely person.

If it weren't for me...

He wouldn't have died so wrongfully in Qin State.

You aren't solely responsible for Mister Han Fei's death.

Don't be too harsh on yourself.

Madam, what is the matter?

Palace Woman Han, do you have the habit of burning incense in your room?

Burning incense?

Incense is expensive.

Only highly ranked Madams can have such refined habits.

A palace woman?

How is that possible?

Junior Li.

Before I left the palace, Crown Prince Dan lent this to me

so I could ask Mister Tian Guang for help.

Senior Han, leave this jade token to me.

I'll return it to His Highness for you.

The case has finally been solved.

That Lady Chu annoyed me for so long.

This time, His Grace just demoted her, and spared her life.

He has been very merciful.

Junior Li, what else is troubling you?

I just think the recent incidents in the palace are very bizarre.

How so?

Mister Han Fei killed himself in the prison by taking poison.

Someone must have deliberately given the poison to him.

The one who saw Mister Han Fei as a thorn in his side

should be Junior Court Officer Li Si, who framed him into imprisonment.

That's why he conspired with Lady Chu on this matter.

But judging by the final outcome

neither Lady Chu nor Junior Court Officer benefited from it.

Lady Chu was even demoted because of it.

But if there's anyone that would benefit from it

it would be Lord Changping.

Yet he doesn't seem to have planned this.

You mean...

I suspect Madam Chu was used to kill Mister Han Fei.

But I still can't figure out who would hate Lady Jing more than Lady Chu.

So much that they would want her dead?

But... Weren't Mister Han Fei and Lady Jing killed with the same poison?

Indeed.

But could this prove that Lady Chu is behind it all?

Of course, this is just my speculation.

I can't help but think that there's still something we missed.

Anyway, Senior Han, you must be very cautious in the palace.

It's too complicated in the palace, with so many surrounding us.

I think there may still be people right next to us

who are working against us.

You have done quite well.

Next to that brainless Lady Chu...

I believe no one will suspect us.

Madam, you're too kind.

Madam, you're the one who predicted it all so well.

You laid out the plan so well that it worked quite smoothly.

I'm truly impressed.

Palace Woman Han.

We're just using each other for our personal gains.

There's no need to flatter me.

I'll certainly give you what I promised.

As long as you keep your mouth shut

I won't treat you poorly.

Yes, certainly.

Madam, please rest assured.

That foolish Lady Chu would never have guessed that

we had the poison swapped.

She and Junior Court Officer must still be wondering

exactly where their plan went wrong.

Why would the poison meant for Lord Changping end up

in Mister Han Fei's prison cell?

Since... we succeeded, I...

I've already told you.

I will give you what I promised.

The accommodation for you and your family, and 3,000 gold taels.

Right, I find Han State unsafe.

It's best that you reunite with your family in Zhao State.

I have already made the arrangements.

Have you? Then I'll go pack now.

No!

It's not the right time yet.

What?

I still can't leave the palace?

Mister Han Fei just passed away.

Lady Chu has just been demoted.

Wouldn't you draw suspicion to yourself by leaving the palace in such a hurry?

Then... What should I do?

Just stay put in the palace for now.

Once the matter settles down and His Grace is no longer investigating

then you can leave the palace.

As for now, you should write a letter to your family.

Just tell them that you're safe.

Yes.

[General of Zhao State, Li Mu]

233 BC, Fan Wu Ji led the army of Qin State

across Mount Taiping from Shangdang Commandery

to attach Chili and Yian of Zhao State.

The great general of Zhao State, Li Mu, led the army in counterattack

and defeated the army of Qin in a sweeping victory.

General, Zhao State's army has brought us down with full force.

We've suffered great casualties. What should we do?

Retreat!

Retreat!

[Zhao State]

Here.

My beauty...

Greetings, Your Grace!

Li Mu, receive the decree!

Here, Your Grace.

Great General of the Northern Border, Li Mu

is valiant and skilled in combat.

He has rendered merits again and again.

He has contributed to defending our state.

He is to be anointed Lord Wu An.

By the king himself.

Let me have a look?

Thank you, Your Grace!

Here, Your Grace. Have another one.

Lu Bu Wei faked his death so he wouldn't be banished to the Shu area.

He came to me for protection.

Now, with his guidance, Zhao has defeated Qin's army.

The Heavens are on my side.

Master Lu!

Because of your advice, the army of Qin has suffered a great defeat.

Their commander has fled.

Ying Zheng must be furious now.

He won't dare attack Zhao again.

It's only the first step in using Li Mu to defeat Qin State.

If I am to assist Your Highness in seizing the throne

there's still much to be done.

I will surely follow your advice, Master Lu.

Your Grace, since General Li Mu of Zhao State was summoned

back from the northern border

he formed an encirclement with the army of Handan City.

I was too incompetent to have anticipated such an action so...

We were defeated at every turn.

200,000 soldiers of Great Qin were defeated in such a way?

Some 100,000 defeated soldiers escaped.

This is a great humiliation to Great Qin!

Where's Fan Wu Ji?

Tell him to come to me!

Fan Wu Ji, he...

If he's alive, bring him in. If he's dead, bring his corpse.

Where is he?

Your Grace, Fan Wu Ji's whereabouts are still unknown.

He'd dare not return to Qin State for fear of punishment for his defeat.

But that is just my speculation.

I wouldn't dare to assume.

What?

I've already sent my men to look for Fan Wu Ji.

If we find him, I'll be sure to report back to Your Grace immediately.

This Fan Wu Ji... He's so cocky in victory, but he flees in defeat.

So much for trusting him.

Meng Wu!

Present!

Convey my orders.

Send 5,000 men of Tiger Valor Army to go after him.

If there's any news of him, they need not ask for my permission.

Execute him on the spot.

Report back to me with his head.

Your Grace!

Although Fan Wu Ji has absconded, he has also contributed to Great Qin.

He is also a great commander!

Do I need your consent to kill someone?

I have spoken out of turn.

I... I'll have it done right away.

- Yan Dan? - Your Grace.

What brings you here?

I've brought you Xun Kuang's “Debate on The Principles of Warfare.”

I've already read it.

Bring it here.

My army has been defeated by Zhao State's army.

Fan Wu Ji has betrayed Qin and fled.

I overheard that from outside the hall.

Fan Wu Ji undermined our enemy and acted recklessly.

Some 100,000 soldiers of Great Qin were killed.

Tell me. Should I just wipe out Fan Wu Ji's entire family?

In battle, there is always a winner and a loser.

General Fan has gone to battle many times and has rarely lost.

There might be a reason for his sudden defeat.

After all, you can always retreat if the battle can't be won.

If he retreats, it can still end in a draw.

General Fan surely knows this.

Although General Fan is guilty of absconding

he was once a commander with great merit.

He has quite a good reputation within the army.

If a single defeat gets his entire clan wiped out

I'm worried that the morale of the army may be affected.

Moreover, no one can say for sure if General Fan is dead or alive.

Perhaps he did not abscond.

He might be too gravely wounded to return to Qin State.

Should Your Grace decree that his clan be executed

there will be no going back.

Yan Dan, you've been held hostage in Qin State for years

and not once have you meddled in our military or political affairs.

I was just asking.

Why would you speak up for Fan Wu Ji?

Could you be personally acquainted with General Fan?

You're all dismissed!

We take our leave.

Recently...

Your father sent me a letter.

"Crown Prince Dan is ill."

"I've missed my son dearly."

"Since Yan State and Qin State are on friendly terms"

"with no conflict between us"

"I hope that Crown Prince Dan can return to Ji City."

Yan Dan, you had him do that?

How would I not know of your relationship with the Yan king?

If your father truly cared for you

why hasn't he checked on you in Qin State all these years?

Tell me.

When have I ever mistreated you?

If you wish to return to Yan State, why didn't you discuss it with me?

I regard you as a brother and friend.

Yet you had the Yan king, who cares least for you, send me a letter?

What would you have me think?

It's grievously upsetting for me that you still keep me hostage in Xianyang!

Ying Zheng!

You should understand that no matter how long we've known each other

or whether or not you see me as a brother and friend

you're still the king of Qin State

and I, I am the crown prince of Yan.

However great Xianyang may be, it's still not Ji City!

I don't wish to remain hostage in a foreign state!

I want to return to Yan State!

That is my home!

So...

So all these years, you thought that I took you for a hostage prince?

I had you play chess with me.

Go horseback riding...

Discuss political issues...

We share the good and the bad.

You thought I did all that because you're the crown prince of Yan?

All that I did...

Was it nothing more than a pretense to you?

You don't understand!

When the army of Qin State killed my people of Great Yan

trampled across the lands and villages of Yan State...

again and again... And yet there was nothing I could do!

I can't even express my joy or anger.

Even if I wish to cry, I had to cry like a wimp!

I could only cry under my blankets!

How did I pull through it all?

You regard me as a friend?

I only think of you as the enemy who killed my soldiers and people!

You see me as a brother?

But I wish I could stab you a thousand times over!

To avenge my Great Yan's people!

Good for you, Yan Dan...

Good for you, Yan Dan.

You actually...

This is what you've actually thought all along!

Ying Zheng!

You're not at fault!

Neither am I!

We can only blame the fact that we were both born royalty.

If you weren't King Zheng of Qin

Cheng Jiao wouldn't have been forced to rebel against you.

If I weren't Crown Prince Dan of Yan

I wouldn't be here, in the palace of Qin

and unable to return home.

If you and I, and Cheng Jiao...

If we were all just commoners

if we were just brothers who met and bonded as friends

there would be no need for us to hate and kill one another.

Just let me return home.

Yan Dan, listen up!

Until the day turtles grow gray hairs and horses grow horns

you can't leave!

[Hostage Prince of Yan's Manor] I've already written a letter.

I've expressed my current predicament.

Crown Prince can't stay in Xianyang any longer.

I'll have someone deliver the letter to Yan State today.

If the messenger rides throughout the night

he should get there in half a month.

King of Yan must come up with a way to get Your Highness out of Qin State.

Royal Tutor, thank you.

Report!

Crown Prince, Commander of Guards is acting upon the king's orders

to come here with Tiger Valor Army.

They have already arrived.

Tiger Valor Army?

Yes.

This way, please.

Commander of Guards, Li Zhong, greets Crown Prince.

You suddenly led your men into my manor.

What is this about?

Crown Prince, His Grace has given orders.

There have often been disturbances in the city.

Your Highness is of royal birth.

His Grace has sent a troop from Tiger Valor Army to guard your manor.

Going forward, they will inspect anyone entering or leaving the manor.

Ruan Qing.

Come and greet His Highness.

Captain of Tiger Valor Army, Ruan Qing, greets Crown Prince.

Your Highness, from now on, Captain Ruan will be in charge

of security at your manor.

If you need anything, just let him know.

Does His Grace mean to have me under house arrest?

Your Highness, I'm just carrying out the orders.

If you have no other questions, I'll take my leave now.

I'm afraid the letter to the king of Yan can't be delivered.

Sir, could you do me a favor?

I'd like to return this book to Madam Li in the palace.

Commander Li has ordered that all items from the Crown Prince's manor

must be inspected.

Unless there's an exception, none shall leave the manor.

Sir, this is a book that Crown Prince borrowed from Madam Li.

It's been over a month now.

I'm worried Madam Li may blames us for not returning it--

What book is it?

Captain, it's the Book of Odes.

Since this belongs to Madam Li, I'll return it to the palace for you.

Thank you, Captain.

Report!

What is the matter?

Ruan Qing of Tiger Valor Army asks to meet Madam.

What is Tiger Valor Army doing here?

Send him in.

- Send him in. - Yes.

Captain of Tiger Valor Army, Ruan Qing, greets Madam Li.

Do rise.

What is the matter, Captain?

Madam, this is the book that

Crown Prince Dan of Yan asked me to return to you.

Crown Prince Dan?

The books that Madam lent out are all--

I almost forgot about it.

His Highness borrowed a book from me and forgot to return it.

Thank you for bringing it back to me.

I'll return the book to Madam then.

May I ask which book Madam lent to Crown Prince?

I have so many books here.

Crown Prince borrowed some of Xun Kuang's and then handed them to His Grace.

Then Crown Prince borrowed some books from the philosopher, Mozi

so even I have it all mixed up.

It seems that Crown Prince is very fond of

the Book of Odes he borrowed from Madam.

He couldn't help making some notes and markings.

Madam, I hope you won't mind.

These books should be marked while reading.

I don't mind.

I'll take my leave then.

Thank you, Captain.

Madam, what is going on?

Didn't he already return the book to His Grace?

Qing, give orders to dismiss the others and let no one in.

Yes.

You can all step out now.

- Yes. - Yes.

Crown Prince Dan of Yan gave me this.

What does he want me to do?

Why is it the Book of Odes?

"Your load will be overturned."

"And you will be crying, 'Oh sir, help me!' "

"Help..."

"Dan..."

"Leave..."

"Qin."

Crown Prince, Great Yan and Madam Li aren't related in anyway.

Why does Your Highness believe that Madam Li would help us?

I am not entirely confident of it either.

It's just that Madam Li had the chance to slander me in front of Ying Zheng

and yet she never did.

She's skilled in combat and extremely intelligent.

She is indeed a rare and amazing woman.

I somehow felt that she is the only one in Xianyang

who could relate to my misery.

Is that so?

Madam Li has arrived!

What brings you here?

Greetings, Your Grace.

Have a seat.

Your Grace seems to be deeply troubled these days.

Your Grace, are you really not going to reconcile with Crown Prince Dan of Yan?

Everyone in the palace knows

that you and Crown Prince Dan are as close as brothers.

Your Grace must be very upset after this argument.

Back then...

I succeeded the throne at the age of 13.

Lu Bu Wei was in power.

None of the officials took me seriously.

I was just a king who was played like a puppet.

Only when I got off from court sessions to study

or hunt with Cheng Jiao and Yan Dan...

would my loneliness subside.

I remember one time, when I was reprimanded by my Second Father...

I hid myself in a corner.

Ying Zheng!

Ying Zheng, I finally found you.

What's wrong?

You're upset again?

Why don't I take you out to play?

I don't want to.

Let's go and catch crickets.

It's fun.

I really don't want to!

Let's go!

Come on.

Yan Dan once told me, "It doesn't matter who you are."

"What matters most is what you accomplish."

For the past few days, I've actually been thinking about it.

I can tell that Crown Prince Dan really is a loyal friend to you.

He is.

Yan Dan has always been a good friend to me.

But that day...

He told me that he had wished to kill me a thousand times over

to avenge his people.

It really sounded like it came from the bottom of his heart.

Your Grace...

Is there really no way you can send Crown Prince Dan back to Yan State?

It's just like a flight of stairs.

You need an excuse to back out of this predicament.

Crown Prince Dan also needs one to get out of it.

Your Grace.

Why don't you let Crown Prince--

Yan Dan is unlike his father.

King of Yan is foolish and immoral.

So the people of Yan suffer great misery.

But Yan Dan is nothing like him.

He's forthright and unyielding.

He's knowledgeable and wise.

If I let him return to Ji City so easily...

I can't be certain that he won't restore Yan State to glory

and form an alliance with Zhao State and Qi State.

I'm afraid I would then have to spend more years

in establishing the Great Qin Empire.

Li...

Although I saw him as a friend, I am, after all, the king of Great Qin.

[Crown Prince Dan's manor in Xianyang]

What are these?

These are Huaibei oranges sent from the palace.

- Bring them in. - Yes.

Your Highness.

Huaibei oranges were sent from the palace.

- Come in! - Yes.

Your Highness.

I was especially told to convey this message to you.

These are Huaibei oranges from Ji City.

They are already ripe, so Your Highness should have them while they are fresh.

I heard you.

- You're dismissed. - Yes.

Your Highness, all of Ji City's land is frozen in the winter

so no oranges can grow.

It must mean more than it seems.

That's what I thought as well.

This is my jade token.

[I wish to help Crown Prince leave the palace.]

This is...

Did Madam Li send these over?

Last time, when Madam Li was abducted from the palace

I told Guard Han to take this jade token to Mister Tian Guang for help.

Now that I'm in trouble

Madam Li has returned this jade token to indicate that

she has contacted Mister Tian Guang

to think of a way to get me out of Qin State.

For a woman, Madam Li has such courage and wit.

She's indeed the granddaughter of Puyang's Mister Gongsun.

However, getting Your Highness out of Qin State is nearly impossible.

Can we really hold her to her word?

Whether I stay or leave, I'll end up dead either way.

Why not take the risk?

Mister Tian Guang.

Mister Tian Guang, we're home.

Let's take a look.

Mister Tian Guang?

Mister Tian, what's wrong?

What happened?

Have a seat.

Since Young Warrior Han came to visit

I'm sure you've realized that I'm Crown Prince Yan Dan's strategist.

Therefore...

I think...

Mister Tian Guang, you've saved Lan and me so many times.

If it weren't for your support throughout these chaotic years

we might not have survived.

Besides, I see Mister Tian Guang as an elder like my mentor.

If you need my assistance for anything, please feel free to let me know.

Otherwise, I'd think that I've failed to become the man I ought to become

if you can't even trust me.

Exactly, Mister Tian Guang.

If you need our help, please be honest with us.

To be frank, it's an urgent situation.

I do have a favor to ask of you.

Mister Tian Guang, do tell.

Since you have already mastered the renowned Swan Swordsmanship

I'd like to have you rescue someone for me.

[Preview]

Since you have made up your mind, there's no turning back now.

It's just that I would be implicating you in this matter.

I feel bad about it.

What are you saying?

Who is it?

Tomorrow is the day.

If I can't return to Yan State successfully

I'll have to die in Qin State.

Protect Crown Prince!

- Charge! - Attack!

Attack!

Go!

Well done, Crown Prince Dan of Yan...

You directed and acted out this show.

You played me for a fool!

- Li Zhong! - Present!

Send out Tiger Valor Army and our elite soldiers.

Even if they have to turn over every inch of dirt

they must find him!

- Yes, Your Grace! - Yes, Your Grace!

You are to remove all your headscarves!

Whoever disobeys, dies!

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