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[The King's Woman]

[Episode 43]

If the envoy of Yan State comes to seek audience with you

can Your Grace refrain from attacking Yan State?

I don't want any more battles.

Nor do I wish to see more people hurt.

It seems that only my Consort Li remains the same.

Don't worry, I promise you.

If Yan State truly surrenders to me

I'll make sure that peace reigns over their land.

Thank you, Your Grace.

I should be the one to thank you.

You looked after me when I was in such a deep sleep.

If it weren't for you...

I might have died in Handan.

Your Ladyship! Your Ladyship!

Wake up. Don't fall asleep here.

You'll catch a cold.

Come closer. I have something to tell you.

Take a guess. Who do you think just appeared in my dream?

I dreamt of Grand Empress Dowager.

Grand Empress Dowager told me...

She wanted to have some Yunmeng oranges.

I went to find some for her.

I looked everywhere, but there were none.

So I went looking in the palace of Chu State.

It turned out...

When I returned to Chu State...

I found that it was already destroyed.

Chu State was already gone...

Where could I find Yunmeng oranges?

Then Grand Empress Dowager blamed me.

She said, "How could Chu State be destroyed when you're around?"

I was about to explain to her...

But she disappeared in tears.

Shang Yi, come with me

when I go see Grand Empress Dowager's mausoleum later.

We'll bring lots of Yunmeng oranges to her.

I'll tell her that I'm doing well.

Chu State is also doing well.

As long as I'm alive, Chu State will be fine.

She won't have to worry.

Yes.

I've been muddling along in this Virtuous Lady's quarters.

I might as well be imprisoned in the Lateral Courts.

What's the point in living? I might as well be dead.

Your Ladyship, you mustn't say that!

I mean it... Days drag on like years.

Madam Chu! Madam Chu!

Don't yell out such nonsense.

Madam Chu?

I'm just a Virtuous Lady now.

No, I'm right to address you so.

I just heard from Madam Li's maids that His Grace has pardoned you

and he's reinstating your title as Madam!

You can return to Zhaode Palace soon!

Really?

Brother Jing, do you really have to do it?

Qin State is not an ordinary place.

If you go on this mission, you may just narrowly escape death.

However skilled you may be in martial arts or wish to escape

it will still be extremely difficult.

Lan...

This was my mentor's last wish.

It's also the long-awaited wish of all the warriors in the world.

Rescue the people from tyranny.

I must do it.

Have you ever considered that your mentor's last wish

is actually for you to lead a happy life with Sister Li?

Use your skills in martial arts to protect your family.

It isn't for you to become a warrior.

You shouldn't sacrifice your life so easily!

This is what Li wished for!

She kept me in the dark for so many years.

She made me hate her so much.

It's because she'd want me to do this.

I have to think that way.

That is all I can do.

I know... I know...

If you can't give up being yourself for Sister Li's sake...

Could you protect yourself for my sake?

Back then, if you hadn't accompanied me to Zhao State...

Perhaps...

I might have died then?

Your Grace, when did you know that I was the one who saved you?

When I first met you as Young Master Zhao...

You stepped in to help me fend off the rebels.

Yet you ended up being severely injured.

You protected me from being stabbed.

When you were a child, you risked your life to save me.

Perhaps, in your mind...

It was no more than a gesture of kindness in the fighting world.

But for the once young and ignorant me...

You're my savior for life.

Since that moment, I've kept your name and appearance in my mind.

And your moon jade pendant.

I swore to myself that I'd find you, whether or not I became king.

Do you know that when I met you again...

How happy I was?

I left no stone unturned to bring you into the palace

so that you'd stay by my side forever.

All these years, so much has happened.

From when I first married into the palace...

When I misunderstood you...

Why didn't you ever tell me about it?

It's because...

I didn't want you to pity me.

Only when you truly wished to be with me...

could you know why I had to have you.

I only managed to tell you when we were in Handan...

because all that had happened reminded me

of the childhood memories that I'd rather forget.

I know that you have suffered greatly.

It doesn't matter if everyone in the world misunderstands me.

It's fine as long as you understand me.

Li, I'm willing to spend a lifetime to prove that my love for you is real.

Because I know you're the one I've been looking for all my life.

- Greetings, Your Grace! - Greetings, Your Grace!

You may rise.

- Thank you, Your Grace! - Thank you, Your Grace!

Your Grace, you've just recovered from severe illness.

You're now in great health and as strong as you were.

This is a blessing to Great Qin.

I feel most fortunate.

My illness troubled all my officials with state affairs.

Li Si!

Present!

Has there been any news from other states since Zhao State was conquered?

Your Grace, after vanquishing Zhao State

General Wang Jian has stationed the troops at the border of Yan State

near Mount Zhong.

Apart from Yan State giving us the Instrument of Surrender

Wei, Chu, and the others have made no moves.

In my humble opinion, after the subjugation of Zhao State

other states like Yan, Wei, and Chu will surely be anxious and fearful.

Seeing as none of them have made a move, they must be observing the situation.

To take precaution, I've sent out secret agents

to gather information from Yan and Chu.

If they dare to make a move, Great Qin will surely be ahead of them.

Very good.

I'll entrust the affairs concerning the other states to Li Si.

My dear subjects, do you have anything else to say?

Your Grace, the people of Great Qin feel secure and live in abundance.

The Black Army is high-spirited and our power grows stronger by the day.

It's just that there is now some underlying apprehension.

Do tell.

Some time ago, when Your Grace was ill and confined to your bed

the palace was shrouded in great bleakness.

Apart from being concerned for Your Grace's health

I believe that such uneasiness stemmed from Your Grace's unique approach

in not conferring a queen or anointing an heir apparent

despite having come of age almost 10 years ago.

The conferring of a queen is a matter of the harem

so I'm in no place to comment.

However, the anointing of an heir apparent will affect

Great Qin's current political situation.

When Your Grace is unwell, the officials and people can't feel at ease.

Therefore, I beseech Your Grace to carefully consider anointing an heir.

In regards to anointing an heir apparent, I really haven't thought about it yet.

But Lord Changping does have a point.

I succeeded the throne at the age of 13.

A few princes have already reached that age.

In order of age, Your Grace's sons would be

Eldest Prince Fu Su, Second Prince Zi Ying

and Third Prince Tian Ming.

I am Prince Fu Su's royal tutor.

In my opinion, the eldest prince is clever and studious.

He's hardworking.

Moreover, he is also Your Grace's first born son.

If the eldest prince is anointed as the heir apparent

he will surely grow into a wise ruler who accepts advice and public opinion.

That old man, Lord Changping, highly recommends Fu Su.

Isn't it all because Fu Su carries the bloodline of Chu State?

But Lord Changping is a bit too hasty in making such a move.

Judging by His Grace's suspicious nature

how could he not figure out what Lord Changping is plotting?

Fine.

I heard you.

But the anointing of an heir apparent is a significant matter.

I will consider it carefully.

Yes, I understand.

You mean... His Grace hasn't even declared Fu Su the crown prince?

Indeed.

It would seem that... it's because His Grace favors Prince Tian Ming.

But even if His Grace favors Tian Ming

the change in the course of events may not allow His Grace to do so.

Do you think...

His Grace has always wanted to anoint Consort Li as queen.

But the imperial officials are against it

and Madam Li herself is unwilling.

However His Grace may wish to do so

attempting to anoint her as his queen would be fruitless.

As they say, one's mind is the hardest thing to predict.

When I first married into the palace, I was too naive.

I thought that by relying on my motherland

and being the only favorite of Grand Empress Dowager Hua Yang

I would surely become Queen of Great Qin.

In the end, I was framed and demoted to a lower rank.

I even nearly lost my life.

It's said that one can never predict the mind of another.

We can never be too careful.

That's how it is.

It seems that since you were reinstated to your position, Madam

you've become a different person.

You know very well how to survive in the harem.

I made every effort to destroy Madam Li.

Little did I expect that it would be Min Dai who would cause me great harm

and Consort Li who would help me to be reinstated.

Therefore...

I don't wish to vie with her for power.

Be it the title of the queen or the crown prince

it's fine as long as we can get along peacefully.

However...

Madam, this is a good time to stage your comeback.

Both you and I are close to Fu Su.

You're Prince Fu Su's foster mother.

I am his royal tutor.

If we were to assist him to the throne

we could then enjoy wealth and luxury to our hearts' content.

Your Grace, how did you feel on your first day back in the imperial court?

I think that I've almost fully recovered.

It's all because you looked after me so attentively.

Right, Lord Changping suggested to me in imperial court today

that I should anoint my heir apparent soon.

Heir apparent?

Your Grace has always been fit and healthy.

The officials must have panicked when you fell ill.

It's not a surprise that he made such a suggestion.

Today, when the topic was brought up

I thought it imperative to anoint an heir apparent.

Does Your Grace mean that you have already made up your mind?

Actually...

I wish to anoint Tian Ming as the crown prince.

Tian Ming?

But Prince Fu Su is the legal first born son.

Moreover, Prince Fu Si is clever, thoughtful, kind, and generous.

How is it reasonable to not anoint Prince Fu Su as Crown Prince?

Kindness and generosity aren't traits of a king.

Fu Su is too mild and gentle.

He's not as decisive and forthright as Tian Ming.

For a king, Tian Ming is a more suitable choice than Fu Su.

Besides...

I've also considered some other aspects.

What does that mean?

Fu Su's biological mother passed away at a young age.

He also carries Chu State's bloodline.

He's been cared for by Grand Empress Dowager since he was little.

He's also very close to Madam Chu.

As the Left Prime Minister of Great Qin

Lord Changping is also Fu Su's royal tutor.

Should Fu Su be anointed as the crown prince

I'm worried that Lord Changping will become the next Lu Bu Wei.

Your Grace has every reason to think so.

It's just that I don't think Tian Ming cares for the throne.

Tian Ming is only nine years old.

Why would you think that?

Tian Ming likes to be carefree.

He hates being restrained.

He's bad at studying Confucian classics, history, philosophy and literature.

But it's not as simple as having him catch a few rabbits in the wild.

Moreover, Tian Ming is apathetic

and doesn't like vying with anyone.

If he were to succeed the throne one day

how is he to survive in such a complicated regime?

I don't think it is so.

Judging by his personality

once he decides on a goal, he'll go all out to attain it.

When he succeeds the throne one day

he'll surely overcome any obstacles and lead Qin to the peak of excellence.

But I truly don't wish for Tian Ming to be dragged into

the turmoil of political tactics and power struggle.

It really is too cruel.

Come here.

In regards to royal authority...

It isn't something you want, but something you must have.

Only by taking the throne can you protect yourself.

And protect those around you.

Li...

I might not be able to protect you for life

but if Tian Ming is the crown prince

he can protect you with just cause.

If Tian Ming is only made Crown Prince to protect his mother...

I must oppose it.

I'm actually worried about Tian Ming.

Moreover, Tian Ming doesn't carry the bloodline of the Ying clan.

The more I think about it, the more I find it inappropriate.

Don't you worry about that.

Have you forgotten?

I don't carry the bloodline of the Ying clan either.

As long as you wield great authority

even if they know you don't carry the bloodline of the royal Ying family

no one would dare say a word.

It isn't who you are that matters.

What matters is whether or not you're in that position.

Li, I know you never cared for the throne.

But a lot of matters are fated to be.

Just like how I looked forward to reuniting with you.

It seemed impossible, but it came true in the end.

If Tian Ming is destined to be Crown Prince of Great Qin

he will definitely find his way to the throne.

Left Prime Minister...

You know that I once wanted to kill you.

What is it now?

Have you come today to persuade me to assist Fu Su along with you?

That was then. This is now.

Past enemies can become friends for their own benefits.

I'll be honest with you, Madam.

Recently, the situation in all the other states has changed drastically.

Great Qin's dominance can no longer be wavered.

It's conquering all the states and can't be stopped.

For the sake of Great Chu's survival

I have no choice but to start plotting.

Left Prime Minister.

You're not to talk tactlessly about such serious matters.

You should know that if His Grace or anyone else learn of this

it is a capital crime to conspire with our motherland.

I decided to discuss this matter with Madam

only after observing you for years.

Since you married into Great Qin

you've been concerned about our motherland.

In fact, you and Grand Empress Dowager schemed so ardently for you

to be conferred as Queen

just to gain more bargaining chips for Great Chu when the time comes.

Therefore, as long as it concerns our motherland

I firmly believe that Madam would never betray me.

You're absolutely right.

It's just a pity that I couldn't do well enough.

I underestimated the affairs of the harem.

When Grand Empress Dowager Hua Yang was still alive

she worried about me.

As a matter of fact, Left Prime Minister is also a prince of Chu State.

It's just that you were raised here in Qin State.

I never expected you to have such feelings for our motherland.

Madam...

Now, you and Madam Li are the most authoritative figures in the harem.

Madam Li never gets involved in any factional struggles.

I believe she won't care much about the anointing of an heir apparent.

As for you, you're the foster mother who raised Prince Fu Su.

Both you and Fu Su carry the bloodline of Chu State.

If we work together to assist Fu Su in becoming Crown Prince

Madam's position will then be more secure.

This will greatly benefit Great Chu in the future.

In your opinion, is there anyone else vying for the position of Crown Prince?

As the legal first born son, Fu Su does have an advantage.

The officials have also expressed their support for him.

His Grace said that he will consider it.

During such times, we mustn't act recklessly.

Otherwise, we could be at a disadvantage

even though we may have the upper hand now.

Officials who support us may suspect us of having ulterior motives.

If they do, all our efforts will have been in vain.

All right.

Left Prime Minister...

In regards to the anointing of the heir apparent

I'll surely support you the best I can.

Allow me to thank Madam in advance.

Young Warrior Jing, you're heading as far as Qin State this time.

It's a long journey.

Although you're going there in the name of Great Yan's envoy

news of our surrender may not be so well-received by other states.

After much deliberation, Young Warrior Qin

will be going to Qin State with you.

He mustn't.

It's impossible to survive after assassinating King of Qin.

I refuse to have another man sacrifice his life.

Jing Ke, who said I'm going to assassinate King of Qin with you?

I'm just traveling with you to Qin State.

Once you enter Xianyang City, I'll find an excuse to sneak back here.

Don't worry.

Qin Wu Yang, this is one dangerous mission.

It's not some game.

What do you take me for?

I have the reputation of a know-it-all in the fighting world.

If I come along with you, I can ensure you a smooth journey.

Besides, Jing Ke, you still owe me a stance from your swordsmanship.

If you can't make it back from this mission

wouldn't I suffer a great loss?

Of course I have to pester you till you teach me that stance.

All right.

You'll come with me.

But you have to promise me that whatever happens

keeping yourself alive is the most important matter.

Don't worry.

I'm bad at everything, but I'm the best at staying alive.

Now that it's decided, I can finally set my mind at ease.

Young Warrior Jing, I won't be able to come along on this journey.

Just do the best that you can.

Whether or not you succeed, this will be recorded in history.

Crown Prince and I will forever be grateful to you for your commitment.

Mister Tian?

Jing Ke...

It's solely my doing that you ended up having to take on such a task.

So I must tell you this today.

I am sorry.

I must also tell you...

Thank you so much.

Mister Tian, you mustn't!

Mister Tian, please get up.

I still have matters to discuss with Crown Prince.

I take my leave.

Jing Ke!

Young Warrior Qin...

Take care.

What's the matter with Mister Tian Guang?

He's acting strange.

Why does he talk like we're heading to our deaths?

Right, this mission is indeed perilous.

Mister Tian Guang is like a mentor and friend to you.

It's only reasonable that he feels so sentimental.

[Crown Prince's East Palace, Ji City]

Mister Tian Guang, I can't allow you to do this.

Your Highness, we've discussed this many times.

This is the only solution.

But there must be some other way!

There isn't.

Unless I'm dead, King of Qin won't trust Jing Ke.

There are the maps of the Du and Kang regions

along with General Fan's head, how can he not believe Jing Ke?

Your Highness, you've known Ying Zheng for years.

You should understand how overly suspicious he is.

If I'm still alive, he'll figure out that we planned all of this together.

If I'm dead and the news of my death is made known

it could be said that I was killed for offending Your Highness.

So I can take the blame for betraying Great Qin alone.

Then... No one will doubt Jing Ke's visit to Qin State.

Even if his attempt fails, Crown Prince won't be implicated.

Nor will Yan State.

I understand, but this matter...

We'll discuss this later.

Mister Tian, get up quickly.

Mister Tian!

Mister Tian!

Mister Tian!

Your Highness, both Yan State and the world...

are now in your hands.

Tian Guang... I die with no regrets!

Mister Tian!

Jing Ke... I will have to leave first.

On the way to the netherworld...

I'll be waiting for you.

Mister Tian!

Mister Tian!

[Jing Ke's residence, Ji City]

How strange.

Where's that young girl, Lan?

She's always pestering you and following you around.

Why haven't I seen her these days?

She probably didn't sleep well last night so she hasn't woken up yet.

Jing Ke, don't keep treating me like some fool.

Even if I am a fool, I can tell how much Lan likes you.

I think that she's been avoiding you lately

because she doesn't want you to walk to your death.

You're so dense.

Under the circumstances, can't you be nicer to Lan?

Hug her and say something nice.

Even I can't stand seeing how you treat such a lovely girl.

Qin Wu Yang, you care quite a lot about Lan.

All girls have their pride.

You don't know.

I purposely say silly things and pester Lan all the time.

It's just to cheer her up.

Even if someone gossips about me, I don't take it to heart.

It seems that I was wrong about you.

You actually have some good qualities.

Forget it.

It's pointless to tell me that now.

After you die in Qin State, I'll surely come back to marry Lan.

I won't ever let her be upset again.

Sure.

More than anyone else, I want someone to take care of Lan.

Junior Court Officer has arrived!

Li Si greets Your Grace.

What can't you say during the court session

that you now seek audience late at night?

I don't mean to displease Your Grace but this matter is too serious.

As soon as I got the evidence, I hurried into the palace.

Your Grace, please forgive me.

What has made you so anxious?

As Your Grace instructed, I sent out several teams of agents

to investigate Chu State in secret.

As expected, there's much information.

Hand it over.

Your Grace, you can truly foretell like a prophet.

Someone has been informing Chu State of our military strategies.

These are all the clues we retrieved from the rebels we arrested.

After reading them carefully

I realized that the information came from the imperial court.

However, even after days of interrogating the rebels

I have yet to find the mastermind.

Perhaps the information was passed down through many others.

The scoundrels were very cautious.

I got it.

Your Grace, you--

Don't you wish to look into the matter further?

You just said that several rebels were caught.

That's to say we have already broken Chu State's network of informants.

I predict that the mastermind will soon come to light.

Your Grace, don't you wish to take action in advance?

Are you not worried that the traitor will escape?

It's even better if the traitor runs back to Chu State.

That would fulfill my wish.

If the traitor chooses to remain in Great Qin...

it all depends on whether or not I find the traitor useful.

Left Prime Minister.

Why have you come to see me in such a rush?

Madam, now that it has come to such, I won't beat around the bush.

In the past year

all the informants that Chu State's general, Xiang Yan, and I

took great pains to plant discreetly

seem to have been discovered by Qin.

Minister, what do you mean?

[Preview]

Heed my advice.

However His Grace dotes on you or favors you

you must always remember to leave yourself a way out.

Don't believe his every word.

That's because deep down, he has never truly believed in anyone.

Ruo...

No matter how hard you try to gain my favor...

In my mind...

I simply can't bring myself to trust you.

Now, compared to Lord Changping...

I really don't need you anymore.

Go and get ready.

Send Madam on her way.

Yes!

We...

We shall bid each other farewell.

Having been born in Chu State

even in death...

I shall remain a ghost of Chu State.

May Great Chu...

be blessed with prosperity.

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