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[The King's Woman]

[Episode 31]

Your Ladyship, this is treason!

I'll lose my head for it!

I wouldn't dare do so!

Your Ladyship, please spare me this time!

I know it's treason.

I also know you'll get killed for it.

But Imperial Physician Li, you had better not forget

that we're partners in crime.

You confirmed my pregnancy in the first place.

If other physicians find out that I was never pregnant

then you still can't get away with it.

You will still be killed for it.

So there's only one solution for you.

If you don't tell, and neither do I...

No one would know.

In time, this will all be over.

Perhaps I'll actually conceive the king's child someday.

His Grace will be overjoyed.

What do you think?

I really wouldn't dare!

Your Ladyship, please spare me!

Please spare me!

All right then.

Since you say that, Imperial Physician Lu

it seems there is no other way.

Shang Yi.

Present.

Come along while I go confess to His Grace.

Should we also confess to His Grace that Imperial Physician Lu accepted our gold?

Of course, we have to tell His Grace how much gold

Imperial Physician took from us.

You also mustn't forget about Lady Jing's miscarriage.

Yes.

This... This is...

Imperial Physician Lu, you should head back to arrange your funeral.

But Your Ladyship, this crime is enough to get his entire clan wiped out.

That's right, I would've forgotten that if you hadn't reminded me.

This will get your entire clan executed.

It doesn't matter if you make your funeral arrangements anymore.

Your Ladyship! I was wrong!

Please spare me!

I'll definitely follow your orders!

I'll definitely follow your orders!

All right.

It's good you realize your mistake.

Shang Yi.

Go and report to His Grace that I've had a miscarriage.

Yes.

Don't cry...

Don't cry.

Empress Dowager is...

Her Highness hasn't been eating well.

She often eats just one meal a day.

One moment, she's lucid, the next, she seems out of her mind.

She's been holding her pillow and murmuring to herself these days.

Her pillow?

Yes.

Her Highness treats the pillow like it's her two deceased children.

She holds it in her arms to talk to them.

She's even been fussing about getting a wet nurse to feed them.

- Good boy. - You're dismissed.

- Yes. - Good boy...

Empress Dowager.

His Grace is here to visit you.

His Grace? His Grace will kill my children!

I'm scared.

Empress Dowager, don't be scared.

Take a good look at him. It's Zheng.

Zheng?

Who are you then?

I'm Li. I'm Zheng's wife.

Li?

You're the Li who often brings me dates?

I like you the most.

I remember it now.

I remember you now, Li.

There's also Min Dai.

Min Dai is also Zheng's wife.

Yes.

Min Dai...

Both Min Dai and I are from Zhao State.

But I don't like Min Dai.

I like you.

Did you bear my Zheng a baby?

She bore me a prince.

He's called Tian Ming.

Mother, you've met him.

Have I?

He must be good-looking.

He looks just as lovely as my Chang, right?

Good boy...

Good boy...

You must have a few more children.

As long as they are your children, I'll be sure to dote on them.

Yes, I understand.

We won't be lonely if she has more children.

All right... be good.

Has Empress Dowager been like this lately?

At times, she's clear-headed.

I can talk to her for quite a while.

Greetings, Your Grace and Madam Li.

I have an important matter to report.

Speak!

Lady Chu slipped and fell down outside her quarters.

When she returned to her room, her stomach hurt badly.

We just summoned the imperial physician and he said...

The child is lost.

Imperial Physician, how is Lady Chu?

Your Grace, although Her Ladyship had a miscarriage

her health wasn't affected.

I'll head back to the bureau to prescribe a few decoctions

so that Her Ladyship can recuperate.

Her Ladyship is still young.

I believe she will soon conceive Your Grace's child again.

Thank you, Imperial Physician.

You're dismissed.

Yes, I take my leave.

Your Grace... I failed to look after my health.

That's why I miscarried Your Grace's child.

This is all my fault.

Please punish me, Your Grace.

Forget it.

It's not as if you wanted to miscarry.

What would be the point of punishing you?

Your Grace, I suggest having the feng shui in the harem fixed.

First, Lady Jing miscarried.

Then, Palace Woman Han, and now Lady Chu also miscarried.

Perhaps there are evil spirits picking on Your Grace's concubines--

Zhao Gao!

It will be time for the Spring Hunt soon.

Lady Chu, rest well and don't brood over this.

Yes.

Take care, Your Grace.

Take care, Your Grace!

His Grace has left.

I'm finally done with this charade.

What is with that Palace Woman Han?

She was resting quite well in the palace, why would she leave?

Madam, don't you find Madam Li more suspicious than Madam Min?

How so?

I heard that last time, after you reprimanded Palace Woman Han

Madam Li took her away and they spoke in private.

Palace Woman Han was carrying Mister Han Fei's child.

She even asked Madam Li to plead with His Grace on her behalf.

What's so strange about that?

That Consort Li has always been such a busybody.

But Madam Li spoke with such certainty to His Grace

about how Your Ladyship framed Han Fei, and got you demoted.

But since you are no longer a threat to her

she pretended to be kind to us and told us to be cautious of Madam Min.

But she and Madam Min are like sisters.

Isn't that contradictory?

When I went to report to His Grace in South Palace just now

I saw that Madam Li and Empress Dowager are very close.

I heard that since Madam Li came to the palace

she often visits South Palace.

She also likes to please Empress Dowager with Madam Min's dates.

Exactly which side would you say she's on?

That Consort Li is so mean.

She's manipulative and scheming through and through.

Your Ladyship, you should know that

Empress Dowager Zhao and Grand Empress Dowager never got along.

So she naturally doesn't like anyone from Chu State.

I'm just concerned that since Madam Li is in His Grace's favor now

she's also using Empress Dowager Zhao

and Madam Min's influences to beat us down.

Then Your Ladyship's standing in the palace would only keep slipping.

It must be so.

Consort Li must have had Min Dai stir up all this trouble.

She instructed Min Dai on what to do and then framed me for it.

It's all because of Consort Li that I'm in this predicament.

When I make my comeback

I'll be sure to make her pay two-fold.

Li...

I'm quite disturbed.

All my closest kin have strayed further away from me.

Mother seemed so mentally fragile today.

My child was also miscarried.

Cheng Jiao and Yan Dan have both turned against me.

You are all I have left now.

Today, I recalled what Yan Dan once said to me.

Yan Dan said that I'm overly suspicious of others.

I doubted Fan Wu Ji.

I doubted Yan Dan.

As for Cheng Jiao...

I doubted him as well.

Is Cheng Jiao the Lord Chang'an I met in Luoyang?

I remember back then, Your Grace and Lord Chang'an were on amicable terms.

But after I married into the palace

I heard someone say that

Lord Chang'an was banished to a foreign state for betraying Qin State.

I was quite confused by it.

He didn't betray me.

I was the one...

I betrayed him.

Cheng Jiao has always been very mild-tempered.

Although we don't share the same mother, and there was a disturbance

when I was made heir apparent...

He always respected me and held me in high regard.

He regarded me as his most beloved older brother.

Yet I...

I was fooled by traitors.

I believed that he wanted to rebel.

When he was having the most difficult time...

I failed to protect him.

My mother was too kind.

Lu Bu Wei beguiled my mother into thinking that if Father doted on me

instead of making Ying Zheng his heir apparent

it would place Father in a difficult position

and make him mocked by his subjects.

Zheng, didn't you say so yourself?

Father clearly doted on me, yet he made you his heir apparent.

You felt uneasy about that.

It's common for imperial family members to kill one another for the throne.

But you have treated me so kindly all these years.

Are you really worried that I'd rebel against you?

It isn't so!

Then give me the throne of Great Qin!

Cheng Jiao never really wanted my throne.

He was just too kind and young.

He didn't know what to do in face of such a brutal truth.

Those years...

He treated me with such kindness...

Yet I...

How did I treat him in return?

From this day forth...

Lord Chang'an, Cheng Jiao, is no longer related to Great Qin!

All ties are severed.

Never are we to meet again.

I let Cheng Jiao down.

My younger brother...

I failed you.

Guard Han, have you recovered fully from your injuries?

Thank you for your concern, Your Grace.

I'm all right.

What's the matter with you today?

You haven't played your best.

I've been waiting for you to make your move.

Your Grace, I have a favor to ask of you.

Sure.

If speaking your mind about it can make you focus on the game

I'm willing to listen.

I ask to leave the palace for a month.

I have important errands to run.

When it is done, I will return right away.

What is it about?

Madam Li has entrusted some tasks to me.

If it has to do with Madam Li, why hasn't she told me about it?

Your Grace, to be honest, I asked Madam Li the same question.

Madam thinks that since the matter still needs to be investigated

by me outside the palace

she'd be speaking out of turn as a concubine if she told you.

I am, after all, Your Grace's palace guard.

Moreover, Your Grace trusts me not just because of Madam Li.

Is that not true?

Is it something I can't know about?

I can only say that it does no harm to Your Grace and Great Qin.

Your Grace, do rest assured.

If that is so, why can't you just tell me what it is about?

Madam thinks that should Your Grace learn of it in advance

it'd only make you worry if the investigation doesn't end well.

Madam is thoughtful of Your Grace.

Your Grace, please be understanding.

You speak up for Madam Li.

You say that she's thinks of me.

As her eldest senior, you do protect your junior in very way.

You can choose to protect your junior so much that you remain single for life.

Are you content to simply stay by her side?

Yes.

I'm content as long as she is safe and happy.

All right.

Stay true to your word.

Your Grace, do rest assured.

I am a man of my word.

[Prince Jia's manor, Handan City, Zhao State]

Now that we have General Li Mu

Great Zhao might not have to worry about Qin State's invasion

but it won't hold for long.

Zhao State is on a decline.

If we don't make an effort to make an changes soon...

We can only manage to keep Handan safe.

Ying Zheng won't give up so easily.

The more he is defeated, the more he wishes to win.

Prince Jia, since Madam Min is assisting us from within Qin State

and I'm devising strategies for you

we just have to fend off the attacks from Qin State.

It won't be long before we can kick the foolish King Zhao Qian off his throne.

Your Grace, General Meng Wu seeks audience.

Summon him in.

Summon Meng Wu into the hall!

Thank you for seeing me, Your Grace.

Speak. What do you wish to discuss with me?

Your Grace, I received a book on military strategies

that I found very well written.

I'd like to present it to Your Grace.

I hope Your Grace will read it.

Who wrote it?

I think that if Your Grace could read the book

before asking for its author...

If Your Grace doesn't like it, you can punish me for it.

If it's a book that you highly recommend, present it to me.

Thank you, Your Grace.

Commoner, Wei Liao greets Your Grace.

How dare you!

As a commoner, how dare you not bow before His Grace?

Your Grace, Old Mister Wei has long resided in the countryside.

He's not familiar with the etiquette of the imperial court.

Please don't mind him, Your Grace.

Old Mister Wei.

I have already read your book on military strategies.

But there is one thing I don't understand.

[Liao Wei of Wei State]

Since you're from Wei State...

Why didn't you offer your strategies to the king of Wei?

Why would you seek a position all the way out here, in Great Qin?

You...

You're such an unruly and arrogant peasant!

How dare you behave so presumptuously in the imperial court?

Are you mocking His Grace?

I'm not mocking His Grace.

I'm laughing at all the other people who presented their books.

They must have been here to seek fame and official posts.

Hence Your Grace makes such a remark.

If you're not here for an official post, what is it that you seek?

I only ask that the world may be at peace and that there be no more war.

I've studied military strategies from a very young age.

Since then, I've traveled across the states to offer what I have learned.

I thought that as long as a state is powerful in its military force

it's enough to ensure a long period of stability and peace.

But in the past ten years

my sons and brothers were all killed during the war.

Now, I've lost my family.

I'm the only one left.

What is the point of having an official post now?

There's only one way to end the people's suffering and bring peace.

That is to unify all the states as one!

What brings you to Great Qin then?

I have chosen Great Qin.

In the present world, only Great Qin can unify the states!

But I didn't choose Qin State entirely because of Your Grace.

I hope that Your Grace won't think too highly of yourself.

- This old man, you-- - Keep talking!

I've visited Qin State several times to make secret inquiries.

The law of Qin State is strict.

Officials are loyal and virtuous.

Your people are humble and modest.

Judging by the people, one can know its ruler.

The past kings of Qin State made great efforts to build a strong state

and have established a solid foundation for the unification of states.

This is my reason for submitting my book on military strategies to Qin State

after traveling across all the states.

Old Mister Wei can tell how things will develop from such small clues.

I guessed that you must have come prepared for this visit.

Your Grace, do you know the strategy of sowing discord?

I certainly do.

The strategy of sowing discord is a despicable method.

If I am to unify the states, it must be done on the battlefield!

Forgive me for being blunt.

If battles are repeatedly lost, it'd be a waste of money and manpower.

That wouldn't help further the unification of the states.

What is the point of insisting on a fair fight?

I think that Great Qin's obstacle lies in the separation of the states.

If you're on amicable terms, the diplomatic relationship is close.

If you're on close terms, they will be easy to attack.

Your Grace should bribe the rich officials of every state.

Get them to muddle up strategies within their states.

You could surely take down the states with no more than 300,000 pieces of gold.

I think that as long as we sow discord in moderation

even Your Grace's biggest obstacle, Zhao State, can be taken apart gradually.

Then the ambition of a unified empire can be realized!

Well said!

No one dares to speak to me without inhibition like Old Mister Wei.

It's Great Qin's honor that you've come so far to offer me your strategies.

Although it is not an official post that you seek

I can't treat you without formality.

From now on, Old Mister Wei Liao shall be clothed and fed as I am.

I shall seek your advice at any time.

He is to be honored as Defender-in-Chief!

Thank you, Your Grace!

Sister Min, I heard that someone offered strategies to His Grace lately.

He suggested that Great Qin bribe officials

of other states to sow discord among them.

I wonder if you heard of such news?

Is that so?

Many strategists have been visiting Qin State lately.

They have suggested many strategies but His Grace doesn't accept all of them.

But this strategy targets Zhao State.

You should know that since Qin State was defeated by Zhao State

His Grace has been trying to find a way to defeat Zhao State.

Apart from the strategy that Mister Han Fei offered before his death

His Grace has also insisted on taking down Zhao State.

I believe it's more or less for personal reasons.

After all, as a child, His Grace did suffer quite a lot in Handan City.

You should know about it.

My nation was subjugated.

Although I worry that people will suffer due to the six states' battles

I am still, after all, an outsider.

But it's different for you.

You might not interfere with political issues

but it is after all your motherland that is under attack this time.

If you'd like to do something for the people of Zhao State

why don't you talk to His Grace?

His Grace wouldn't put a halt to his great ambitions for anyone.

But you also said once that His Grace isn't a foolish king

who doesn't listen to any advice.

Although he is committed to his ambition to unify the states

Great Qin isn't exactly at a great advantage now.

War isn't the only method either.

If you help mediate

there may still be room for negotiation between Qin and Zhao.

Why do you think that I can mediate in this situation?

How many times have I told you?

I never interfere in political issues.

What do you mean by saying this?

Sister Min, I believe you know very well

that I've never intended to harm you.

Over the years, we have grown to know and appreciate each other.

If you are distressed, you can confide in me.

I won't tell anyone.

I'm not in any sort of distress.

But why do you say that?

Right, you were going to investigate into Palace Woman Han's death.

I wonder how the investigation has been going these days?

Indeed.

I already know who killed Palace Woman Han.

Who is it?

- Greetings, Your Grace. - Greetings, Your Grace.

- Greetings, Your Grace. - Greetings, Your Grace.

What were you chatting about?

It's nothing much.

Come.

Can I ask what you asked Han Shen to do?

Don't worry, Your Grace.

Senior Han won't do anything that could harm Qin State.

You and your senior really think alike.

What is it that you're being so secretive?

I wish to put your mind at ease.

I don't wish for you to be sad.

Your Grace, just trust me on this?

All right, I trust you.

If I suffer any losses

I'll be sure to get it back from you in some other way.

[Inside the inn, Handan City, Zhao State]

Junior Jing!

Senior Han?

What are you doing here?

In order to protect Crown Prince from assassins

I suggested that I take the biggest room

while His Highness stays in the side room.

That is indeed a clever arrangement.

Even I was fooled by it.

I'm not here to assassinate Crown Prince.

I was just checking to see if it was you on the bed.

Guard Han.

What brings you to Handan?

Speak! Did the king of Qin send you?

Young Warrior Jing, you shouldn't have spared him.

Now that he has seen His Highness

I'm afraid that His Highness will be in danger.

General Fan.

Crown Prince only managed to escape because of Miss Gongsun's plan.

Both Han Shen and Jing Ke collaborated on both sides

to safely rescue His Highness.

There's no need for you to doubt his sincerity.

Miss Gongsun is Madam Li.

She's also Young Warrior Jing's junior.

Is that so?

Guard Han, even if you're Young Warrior Jing's senior

you're still the guard prefect of Xianyang Palace.

You're the king's personal guard.

You couldn't have left the palace without a reason.

What exactly brings you to Zhao State?

Speak!

The king of Qin knows that I've left the palace

but he knows not of the reason.

Mister Tian Guang is also here today.

I shall regard you as one of us and tell you the truth.

General Fan, you need not worry too much about my identity.

Although Young Warrior Han is a palace guard in Qin State

he did his very best to rescue Crown Prince.

He truly is a man of affection and faith.

He'd never betray his old friends easily.

Since he has already said that he's not here for King of Qin

General Fan, you should just take his word for it.

I, too, believe in Guard Han's personality.

Mister Tian Guang, I wish to speak to you in private.

Sure.

Master Li, I'm not one to make pleasantries.

Since you were willing to meet, we'll get straight to the point.

So Regular Palace Attendant has served Madam Min all along?

It is just as I expected.

Regular Palace Attendant doesn't serve under me.

It's just that we are both from Zhao State.

We're also here in the palace of Qin.

It's just mutual assistance.

I truly don't understand what the two of us have to discuss.

If I'm not mistaken

didn't you set up Han Fei's death?

Then you framed me for it.

This trick of yours...

is remarkable indeed.

To Great Zhao, Han Fei is the enemy.

I naturally had to get rid of him.

Even so, why have him killed by my hand?

Junior Court Officer, you can only blame yourself for such bad luck.

If it Madam Li hadn't persisted in redressing Han Fei's case

and brought it up before His Grace and Lord Changping

you two could have gotten away with it.

Lady Chu wanted to poison Lord Changping

to give you the post of prime minister in exchange for Madam Li's death.

Unfortunately, your intricate plan was sabotaged.

But if you'd like someone to blame, it shouldn't be me.

It should be Madam Li.

Master Li, think about it.

If Mister Han Fei was still alive

he might have already become prime minister

since His Grace held him in such a high regard.

But Han Fei is already dead.

I'm still not favored by His Grace.

If only Madam Li had died outside the palace last time...

who would blame you for Han Fei's death?

Then His Grace wouldn't think so badly of Junior Court Official.

Madam Min... What do you mean by that?

What I mean is that Madam Li has hindered too many of us.

If you wish to win back His Grace's trust

there is a way.

I can offer you my assistance.

However...

Master Li, you'd have to... take our side first.

[Preview] Qing.

Have you seen my short sword?

Your short sword?

Don't you always carry it with you?

I left it next to my bed last night.

But it was gone when I woke up this morning.

Madam, maybe you dropped it when you got changed this morning?

Gongsun Li...

You've meddled around too much.

It's best I get rid of you once and for all.

Guards?

Your Grace! Abducting Madam Li was part of Crown Prince Dan's plan

to leave Qin State!

Sister Li, it's fine if you don't admit to what I said.

What matters is whether His Grace stills believes in you.

Throw Madam Li into the Lateral Courts to await further conviction!

Imprison all of Crown Prince Dan's household staff!

Yes!

How is the investigation going?

Your Grace, the traitor is despicable and stubborn.

She still refuses to admit that she assisted Crown Prince Dan

because of her dealings with the royal family of Yan State.

Keep interrogating her.

Yes!

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