Subtitles by DramaFever
[The King's Woman]
[Episode 33]
Since it's not going well with conquering Zhao State
I think that it would be good to take Han and Wei first.
Both states are weak and poor.
They can easily be conquered by Qin.
It's not hard to defeat them.
A victorious battle would surely boost the morale of the army.
Once the soldiers have recuperated
it won't be too late to attack the north then.
If I were to withdraw my troops from Zhao State...
you'd be very happy about it, wouldn't you, Madam?
Although I'm from Zhao State
I married into the palace of Qin.
I'm only considering the interests of Great Qin.
Apart from that...
I think of nothing else.
I'm relieved you think that way.
Your Ladyship!
I have good news.
What good news could there be?
Madam Li actually assisted Crown Prince Dan of Yan escape from Great Qin.
Madam Min exposed the matter.
She has both a witness and evidence.
Last night, Madam Li was imprisoned in the Lateral Courts.
Something like that actually happened?
That witch really is bold.
Didn't His Highness take them along for the Spring Hunt?
I heard that on the way to the hunting grounds
when Madam Li and Madame Min were in the same carriage
they got into an altercation.
Madam Li pulled out her short sword to silence her.
She stabbed Madam Min.
His Grace made an exception to return that sword to her.
She's so ungrateful.
She dares to do something so treacherous.
The witch even dares to act so presumptuously under the king's nose.
She shows no regard for His Grace.
Now, Madam Li is just a prisoner.
I also heard that His Grace even allowed Junior Court Officer
and the wardens to torture her during the interrogation.
The physical torment is unbearable.
If Madam Li is lashed even more
who would dare speak up for her?
So this is the good news you were talking about.
Your Ladyship had to put up with so much frustration because of Madam Li.
Now that Junior Court Officer is in charge of the investigation
I believe he wouldn't stop Your Ladyship from visiting Madam Li.
Exactly.
The weather is so nice today.
It's about time to go for a walk.
I should stretch too.
Let's go.
Yes.
Qing...
- Madam. - Qing.
Are your hands all right?
How could my injuries compare to Madam's?
Madam! Madam!
- Don't move! - What are you doing?
- Let go of Madam! - Don't move!
- You better behave! - What do you want?
What else would we want?
We're here to make you pay for making Lady Chu suffer, of course.
You can't treat Madam this way!
Don't hurt Qing!
Lady Chu!
Madam! Madam!
You wench.
You won't behave unless I teach you a lesson today.
Anyone?
Shave off their hair!
Yes!
Hold it!
Who allowed you to do as you wish here?
Madam Li is an important criminal here in the Lateral Courts.
You two are in no place to torture her in private.
Aren't afraid you'll be punished too if you stir up unnecessary trouble?
Regular Palace Attendant.
You aren't in charge of the Lateral Courts, are you?
You could just pretend you didn't witness this today.
Indeed. The Lateral Courts don't fall under my charge.
But I'm here today to visit the prisoner on behalf of Madam Min.
Would a mere fourth-rank Virtuous Lady dare defy a first-rank Madam?
- You-- - Forget it.
Fine.
Since Madam Min has a message for this witch
I won't get in the way.
Sister Li, we have all the time in the world.
I'll come have a nice chat with you another time.
Let's hope you won't have your nose cut off by then.
You'd look so ugly without a nose.
Madam Li...
It seems like His Grace really has given up on you.
His Grace used to dote on you so much.
But now, he'll allow anyone to bully and insult you at will.
Get straight to the point, Regular Palace Attendant.
I'm not in the mood to listen to your sarcasm.
Madam Min is really worried about you.
She just doesn't wish for anyone to get in Great Zhao's way.
But she'd never stoop to despicable and lowly means to torture Madam.
Isn't she despicable enough for killing Mister Han Fei?
After she killed Mister Han Fei, she set me up.
Is that not lowly enough of her?
I don't like lies.
But I can still tell a human from an animal.
Madam Li!
You're already imprisoned.
You should know better.
If you're willing to assist Great Zhao
I could ask Madam Min to plead with His Grace on your behalf
to spare your life.
If by assisting Zhao State, Madam Min means
to have me ignore virtue and morals
to kill good people like Mister Han Fei without a care for justice
then I won't be of any help to her.
Madam Li, you have committed felony.
Even if you make it out of here alive
you may still be sentenced to a life of exile and hard labor.
I'd advise you not to persist until the day death stares you in the face.
Don't blame me for not telling you then.
I was too focused on our conversation.
- Guards? - Present!
Put them down.
Yes!
Your Ladyship, are you all right?
Madam...
Qing, did she hurt you?
Madam...
I feel so sorry for you, Madam...
Qing, this is all my fault.
You've had to suffer so much.
How are you to blame?
This is all because of Madam Min.
This is all because... I failed to see their evil scheme in time.
Madam, you ended up having to suffer for it.
[Inn in Handan City] General Fan.
Think about it carefully again.
What did the kidnappers say?
Han Shen!
Stop pretending!
Since you got here, Crown Prince was kidnapped
Mister Tian Guang is lying in bed unconscious.
All of this clearly happened because of you!
General Fan, do allow me to interrupt you.
Judging by Mister Tian Guang's injuries
and what I gathered from tackling those assassins
I suspect that they are from Red Crown Sect.
Red Crown Sect?
Junior Jing, you suspect that Xia Hou Yang did this?
When I went to rescue Junior Li
Xia Hou Yang tried to lock my acupoint as well.
I took precautions back then so he couldn't hurt me.
Senior Han, although there are no visible injuries on Mister Tian Guang
he has yet to regain consciousness.
That means his attacker is no mediocre fighter.
Young Warrior Jing, since you've already figured out
that Red Crown Sect is behind it
let's go straight to them and rescue Crown Prince!
General Fan!
Don't panic.
Even though I figured out that Red Crown Sect is behind this
we don't know where they are now.
We can't just sit here and panic!
Young Warrior Jing, you have to think of a plan.
Anyway, we'll have to find out where they have taken His Highness
before Xia Hou Yang brings him back to Qin State.
Junior Jing, do you remember the Little Qin that Mentor told us about?
That person...
I remember a bit.
I remember that he's always been very well-informed.
If we offer him some money, he might find Xia Hou Yang for us.
But...
Where would we find him?
The man is fond of gambling.
It shouldn't be too hard to find him.
Sir! Sir!
What is it?
Sir, I have to meet Commander of Guards.
Please pass a message to him.
That's not possible.
Junior Court Officer has ordered that Madam is not to see anyone.
Then who let Lady Chu in that day to make such a huge fuss?
You accepted bribes from Lady Chu.
Yet you dare to lie in my face?
If I were to inform Junior Court Officer of this matter
you'd all be punished.
We'll see which one of you goes scot-free.
Wench!
Sir!
Judging by your accent, you're not from Qin State.
You're right.
I'm from Wei State. So?
We're all from foreign states.
We have no choice but to remain in Qin State.
I'm not asking for this favor for my sake.
It's for the sake of the people from Crown Prince of Yan's manor.
Sir, think about it.
If your family was imprisoned
surely you'd want someone to step up and save them?
Whatever you say, it's impossible to bring anyone here for you.
How about this?
If you have a letter for the Commander of Guards
I'll try to bring it to him for you.
Sure. Thank you, sir!
Thank you!
Madam, why do you want to send a message to Commander of Guards?
The servants in Crown Prince's manor knew nothing of my plan
to rescue His Highness.
So I must convince His Grace to send them back to Ji City.
Madam, you're already in such a predicament!
You're still thinking of others?
You really are too kind.
If only His Grace could see you right now.
Why doesn't His Grace know anything about this?
His Grace thinks only of unifying the world.
He overlooks trivial matters.
He wishes to unify the six states, to govern, and get ready for war.
He has far too much on his mind.
For the sake of Great Qin's interests
he has to take some brutal action to make progress.
I understand why His Grace hates me.
But even if he refuses to forgive me
there are still things I must do.
When Yan Dan was held hostage in Qin, he was like a brother to Your Grace.
In such a warring period, friends are hard to come by.
Your Grace holds a grudge against me and punishes me.
But don't vent your frustration on the people of Yan State.
His royal tutor, servants, and the women in the Crown Prince's manor
are all innocent people who aren't involved in politics.
Li Zhong...
Do you know why I reproached Madam Li?
Forgive me for being slow-witted. Do elaborate, Your Grace.
I'm not angry with her for setting Crown Prince Dan free.
What enrages me is that she wasn't one to play mind games.
Yet she deceived me for her senior's sake.
One is the friend that I trusted most.
The other is the woman I love most.
Tell me.
How could I not be angry?
Is Madam Li's senior the one she was always seen with
before she married into the palace?
Your Grace, would you mind if I say a few more words?
Go ahead.
Madam Li was born into a warrior's family.
Her ambition was to offer her assistance to the world and uphold justice.
Even after she became Your Grace's concubine
she remained the same.
If Madam Li was a cold and disloyal person
neither her senior nor Crown Prince Dan
could have landed her in this predicament.
Your Grace, forgive me for speaking out of turn.
I noticed her change in attitude the day Crown Prince's manor was raided.
That's why I persisted in asking her those questions.
Who knew that I was right?
But doesn't her loyalty to friends make her stand out from
all the other ladies in the palace?
Didn't Your Grace also favor her most because of it?
Isn't that so?
If Your Grace really means to bring Crown Prince Dan back
then Madam Li did commit a felony.
But if Your Grace is actually relieved to hear that he left
then what Your Grace has in mind is obvious.
Can Your Grace still not forgive Madam Li?
It isn't that I can't forgive her.
It's...
I don't know how I can trust her again.
According to what Li Si said
her senior also saved her when she was abducted previously.
I even thought that it was Han Shen who saved her.
Madam Li didn't answer to that either.
She'd rather keep it from me than tell me the truth.
Madam Li's second senior is Prince Tian Ming's biological father?
No wonder Your Grace is so disheartened.
I returned her sword to her.
I brought Tian Ming back to the palace.
I even allowed Han Shen to remain in the palace.
In order to make her happy, I've compromised in every way.
But she didn't trust me one bit.
Yes... She is suffering right now.
But am I not suffering as well?
Your Grace, look.
- Seven! - Six!
Brother Gao?
Gao Jian Li, I'm one step away from defeating you.
Your advantage is long gone.
Just admit defeat.
Little Qin, it's best to only say that after you've won.
Sure, keep going.
Go on.
- Five! - Seven!
After you.
- Two! - Four!
- Two!
Watch carefully.
You must have cheated!
How did you get to move your pawn to this exact spot?
Qin Wu Yang, do you think I can't guess what you're thinking?
Be a good loser. Don't get cheeky.
Why can't I defeat you?
I lose to you in martial arts.
I lose to you in knowledge.
I even lose to you in gambling!
Go away! All of you!
This doesn't count.
Let's start over!
Qin Wu Yang!
Losing to others in gambling is fine, but losing your demeanor is shameful.
Han Shen?
- It's been a long time. - Jing Ke?
Brother Gao, it's been a while.
It's been a long time.
What are you doing here?
I say, you should at least go easy on Qin Wu Yang.
You keep defeating him.
He might pester you for life.
Brother Gao, this is my senior, Han Shen.
Senior Han, this is the renowned Soaring Sword of Yan.
Nice to meet you, Brother Gao.
It's a pleasure to meet you.
It's lovely running into old friends in a foreign place.
I must treat you to a good meal.
We can catch up later.
This time, Senior and I need to ask you and Brother Qin for your help.
As friends, do we need to stand on such ceremony?
Madam, here. Have some water.
Madam!
Madam, someone is coming!
Are they... Are they here to beat us up again?
- Madam! - Qing, don't be scared.
Commander of Guards!
Madam.
This is Crown Prince's royal tutor, Ju Wu.
He asked to visit you before they leave.
You mean His Grace agreed to let them return to Yan State?
Madam, this is great!
Yes, this really is wonderful.
Great Yan is by no means related to Madam.
Yet you risked your life time and again to save us, Madam.
My entire household and I don't know how we can repay Madam's kindness!
We can only bow to you in gratitude!
- Thank you, Madam! - Thank you, Madam!
I thank Madam for saving Great Yan's Crown Prince!
Don't... Please get up, quickly!
Please get up, quickly.
Everyone, please get up quickly.
It's fine as long as you get to return to Yan State safely.
Thank you, Madam!
Your Grace...
It's her... She wants to kill me.
I never used this sword to hurt anyone.
After Madam Li's second senior rescued her
she only returned to the palace a day later.
A whole day...
A man and a woman were out in the wilderness alone.
It's hard to say if they rekindled their affections.
My feelings for you are real.
It really isn't what you think--
- Enough! - It really isn't!
Xia Hou Yang is actually working for the King of Qin.
From what I know, Xia Hou Yang might not be working for the King of Qin.
He's likely to be collaborating with Junior Court Officer, Li Si.
The man is engaged in the power struggle in the imperial court.
It's likely that Xia Hou Yang is working for him.
Li Si... That bastard.
Xia Hou Yang is a very scheming man.
He set a trap to capture Crown Prince Dan.
It was a careless mistake on my part.
Qin Wu Yang, you're known as Nosy Qin.
You must have heard something through the grapevine.
You're referring to the whereabouts of Xia Hou Yang?
- But... - If you do, say so.
Why would you keep us guessing?
Don't withhold information.
Even if I do, why should I tell you?
You better not forget that Mentor and I saved your life
when you committed a crime in Yan State at such a young age.
Han Shen, you always threaten me with that.
I've already helped you and your mentor many times over the years.
If you want information for free this time, sorry! I can't!
Buddy!
Let me explain the matter to you.
We're not saving some other state's crown prince today.
It's Yan State's Crown Prince.
Both you and Gao Jian Li are from Yan State.
If you assist in the matter
you'll surely be awarded handsomely by Yan State.
It's a good business deal, is it not?
If I were to rescue Crown Prince Dan... there would indeed be some advantages.
But on the contrary
I would offend the most powerful and influential King of Qin.
I'll have to weigh my pros and cons.
Qin Wu Yang!
You're so young, and yet you only speak of benefits and tactics.
How can you be like this?
It's only right that you save the crown prince of your nation!
You shouldn't hesitate to lay down your life for him!
A shameless fellow like you, who is only driven by greed
should be despised!
Great General Fan.
You can't even fend for yourself, and yet want to lecture me?
In such chaotic times, you still speak of righteousness and self-sacrifice.
I'm truly impressed.
What did you say?
You want to pick a fight?
I dare you to pick a fight!
- If you do, I won't tell you anything. - You--
Enough! Stop arguing!
General Fan, sit down.
Qin Wu Yang, name your price.
Young Warrior Jing knows the right way to make a deal.
Qin Wu Yang.
How about this?
Pick a contest.
I'll let you win this once.
Isn't that a good deal?
Gao Jian Li, don't think too highly of yourself.
If you let me win, it will only be because you yielded to me.
It wouldn't be a fair and square defeat.
What good is that kind of insincerity?
How about... How about this?
You're all skilled fighters.
If you teach me a stance or two that make me look good
I might be able to defeat Gao Jian Li honorably.
What do you say to that?
Qin Wu Yang.
Have you heard of Swan Swordsmanship?
Junior Jing.
Senior Han, don't worry.
This is a serious matter. I know where to draw the line.
Of course I've heard of it.
It's said to be the most powerful swordsmanship.
I've heard of it but never took it seriously.
What is it, Young Warrior Jing?
Are you trying to fool me with some fake sword manual?
You'll know whether it's real once you see it.
Jing Ke, you mastered the swordsmanship!
Congratulations!
I'm truly happy for you!
This swordsmanship is truly profound.
Good, I like it!
Teach me the swordsmanship and I'll tell you where Xia Hou Yang is.
I inherited this swordsmanship from my mentor.
It's not taught to anyone else.
I'll only teach you one stance.
If you haggle for more
I can't say for sure if I'll still be so polite.
All right, I'll tell you where Xia Hou Yang is.
But...
How do I know you won't go back on your word?
Fine, I'll tell you.
Red Crown Sect's headquarters isn't in Handan City.
It's actually in...
[Border of Qin State and Wei State]
Jing Ke would never have guessed
that we'd take the path into Qin State from Wei State.
Mentor, you're so wise to take the longer path instead.
That kid was never a match for me.
I only took such precautions to avoid further trouble.
Mentor, you're right.
We can just let a buffoon like Jing Ke destroy himself.
There's no need to deal with him ourselves.
All right, on that note, I told you to inform Master Li.
Have you received a reply?
Mentor, judging by the time, they should be here soon.
Your Grace, Junior Court Officer Li Si seeks an audience.
Send him in.
Summon Li Si into the hall!
Li Si greets Your Grace!
Junior Court Officer, what is it?
Your Grace, Madam Li and Crown Prince Dan of Yan conspired to betray Qin State.
Since Madam Li is now imprisoned in the Lateral Courts
should Great Qin send troops to hunt down Crown Prince Dan
to serve as a warning to the other six states?
Since half a month has passed since Yan Dan left Qin
let's just drop it.
Your Grace, the assassins I sent out in secret
have already captured Crown Prince Dan within Zhao State.
I've come to report it to Your Grace and await further instruction.
What did you say?
Crown Prince Dan and the rebels stayed in Handan City for days.
The secret informant I sent out tracked down their whereabouts
and took action when they least expected it!
Did I tell you to go after them?
When did I ever give you the command to go after them?
Without my authorization
you kept private assassins and acted on your own accord.
What should your punishment be?
Your Grace!
Your Grace, I'm at a loss.
I... I never meant to offend Your Grace.
I just thought that since Crown Prince Dan betrayed Qin State
he should be arrested and interrogated to set the record straight!
I saw that Your Grace was furious with Madam Li
for setting Crown Prince Dan free
so I took matters into my own hands.
Yan Dan is a hostage prince of Great Qin.
He's living proof of the friendship between Qin State and Yan State.
I decided whether or not he has betrayed Qin!
As for Madam Li, that is a matter of the harem.
You're in no place to interfere with it!
Yes, Your Grace is wise!
I acknowledge my mistake.
Since you got yourself into this mess
resolve it yourself.
Should anything happen to Yan Dan before he arrives in Ji City
I'll hold you responsible for it!
Calm down, Your Grace.
Spare my life, Your Grace.
I'll have them release Crown Prince Dan immediately!
Get lost!
Calm down, Your Grace--
Zhao Gao!
Present.
Go and ask around.
Who are the assassins that Junior Court Officer keeps?
Li Si is anxious to attain success and high esteem.
Keep a close eye on him for me.
Yes, Your Grace.
What's wrong?
Mentor, I just saw a shadow fly by.
There isn't a soul to be seen within 100 miles of here.
How could there be anyone here?
Don't panic!
Xia Hou Yang, you can only catch me once with your trap.
Use it a second time and I'll render it useless!
It's no more than a joke!
It must be that rascal, Jing Ke, here to the rescue.
Jing Ke! Where are you?
I dare you to show yourself!
Come and challenge me to a match!
Don't hide like some thief!
Swan Swordsmanship is the skill of assassination.
Didn't you say so yourself?
Why should I play the hero?
Jing Ke!
Stop hiding and acting like a coward!
Aren't you worried you'll make your mentor look bad?
Jing Ke!
If you still won't show yourself, don't blame me for being ruthless!
Senior Han, attack!
Crown Prince!
You're going to threaten us with Crown Prince Dan?
Do we look like kids to you?
He's your prized item for the Qin King.
I bet you won't kill him!
Jing Ke, you really don't know me well enough!
I won't at all hesitate to kill Crown Prince Dan!
We can perish together, then no one wins!
Old scoundrel, stop it!
I knew that even after mastering Swan Swordsmanship
no matter how cruel and cold-blooded you become
you would still be soft-hearted.
Drop your sword.
Or else I'll have to cut off Crown Prince Dan's head!
Crown Prince, are you all right?
Jing Ke, do you think you can rescue Crown Prince Dan?
You think we'd let you off so easily?
That depends on who is more capable.
[A change of plan. Leave Dan, return swiftly.]
Master Li ordered us to retreat.
What?
Are you sure?
It's his handwriting, it can't be wrong.
Jing Ke, you're lucky this time.
I definitely won't let you off the next time!
Retreat!
What happened?
That old scum retreated so easily.
It seems like Qin State had a change of heart.
Whatever it was, at least His Highness is safe now.
General Fan, Young Warrior Jing, and Guard Han...
You've saved me again.
I really don't know how I can repay you.
Your Highness, you need not be so polite.
Since we were entrusted with this, we must do it in good faith.
I'm just repaying Mister Tian Guang for his kindness.
Don't put it that way.
Young Warrior Jing and Guard Han have rescued me time after time.
I'll always be grateful to you.
His Grace clearly said that
Crown Prince Yan Dan could only return home when pigs fly.
But when I sent my assassins to hunt down Yan Dan
His Grace reprimanded me for it.
Madam Min, hasn't that Consort Li already fallen?
Why hasn't His Grace changed his attitude toward Yan Dan?
I told that you're likely to win back His Grace's trust.
But I didn't know that you secretly sent your men
to go after Crown Prince Dan of Yan.
This has nothing to do with Madam Li.
His Grace is narrow-minded and highly suspicious of others.
Even if he may allow his officials to gang up for personal gain
or other personal interests and benefits
he'd never put up with officials acting out of his control.
He is the only king.
Everyone must obey him.
As for you, Master Li, you have already crossed His Grace's limits.
Of course he would be enraged.
That is to say...
His Grace punished Consort Li for the same reason?
Consort Li's problem lies in her overconfidence.
She thought that if she sent Crown Prince Dan out of Qin secretly
that no one would find out.
But is there any wall that wind doesn't seep through?
She wishes to protect Han Shen and Yan Dan.
She even wishes to protect her other senior outside the palace.
There are too many people that she wishes to protect.
That's why she can't be ruthless.
Well... Madam...
What should I do to be in His Grace's favor again?
I'll use Lord Changping as an example.
Allow me to explain it to you.
Lord Changping has long been the Left Prime Minister.
Many envy him, of course.
They want to rob him of his post of prime minister.
But whenever someone impeaches him
he neither flies into a fury nor panic.
He's never in a rush to explain to His Grace.
Sometimes, he even confesses to the allegations.
Then he asks to be removed from his post.
But the more he does that, the more His Grace wishes to keep him.
His Grace thinks of him as a truly loyal subject.
The more people dislike him, the more it seems like
he doesn't keep a group of underlings.
Lord Changping has been in the post for so many years now.
How could he possibly not have his own group of followers?
It's just that he knows very well how suspicious His Grace is of others.
He has to pretend to be neutral.
[Preview]
I did it out of chivalry.
I think of Crown Prince Dan as my friend.
He shouldn't have to live in such torment.
Even if you think I was silly to do so
I still don't regret what I did.
I don't think that Madam is silly.
Madam, all that you do is right.
I'm just upset that you're so badly injured.
This is just an external injury.
How could it be compare to the wound in His Grace's heart?
His Grace trusted me so much.
But I hurt him like this.
Deep in my mind...
The one I keep thinking of...
It's still her.
Father!
Tian Ming?
What brings you here?
I haven't seen Father and Mother for so many days.
Father, when will you take me hunting again?
When you've memorized the texts, I'll take you hunting anytime.
Father, you mustn't go back on your word.
Let's go.
Your Grace!
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