Subtitles by DramaFever
[The King's Woman]
[Episode 3]
Senior...
What is this?
My mother gave this to me.
Junior, be careful!
- Senior! - Pull me up quickly!
Try harder!
Li...
Is it you?
Li, is it really you?
Senior...
Is it really you?
Senior, where are you?
Don't worry.
I'm here.
I'll always be here.
Rest up, and heal yourself.
Leave it to me.
Yes.
Chancellor.
[Minister Ma]
You're still thinking about Lao Ai's rebellion?
Back then, in order to please Empress Dowager
I recommended her "kept man" replace me.
Hence, I had him gifted to Empress Dowager.
Come here.
Could you dance for me up here?
I thought that Lao Ai was no more than a vulgar philistine.
He faked his castration and moved up the ranks in the palace.
He should be wary of his position
and yet instead, he became arrogant and acted wantonly.
He was too domineering, and knew no restraints.
I was too occupied with political affairs and indulged Empress Dowager.
From that, she ended up getting involved in this rebellion.
Empress Dowager and Lao Ai have long resided in Yong City.
It was difficult for me to monitor their every move.
That dumb woman, Consort Zhao
should be content with having a kept man to satisfy her lust
but now she has made me lose the power and authority
I've built up for years in Qin State.
Chancellor, what should we do next?
Warrior Lu.
You've woken up?
Thank you for treating my injuries.
I feel much better after having a day's rest.
I'm deeply grateful.
That's good to hear!
I remember that Mister Gongsun has a granddaughter.
I wonder, is she doing well?
My junior and I traveled west in order to look for you, Warrior Lu.
However, for some unknown reason, we were hunted by those villains.
They seemed to be after Li.
In order to protect Li, I lured them out of the city.
My junior should still be waiting for me in Luoyang City.
Are you aware it was Red Crown Sect that sent those men after you?
Red Crown Sect?
Are you referring to that notorious fighting sect of Xia Hou Yang
that raided many scholars and hangers-on of various states?
That's the one.
But I've never heard from my mentor that he offended Red Crown Sect in any way.
Why are they going after Li?
The fighting world must be aware by now
that Warrior Gongsun died defending his nation.
Xia Hou Yan must be after the legendary manual of Swan Swordsmanship.
That was why he sent his disciples to come after Li.
The manual of Swan Swordsmanship?
Could it be that silk scroll Mentor handed to me?
I have already sent out an army of 50,000 soldiers to suppress
the coalition rebellion army of Shangdang Commandery and Zhao State.
In addition, I have also sent Lord Chang'an over
with reinforcements of another 50,000 men.
[Grand Empress Dowager Hua Yang]
Chancellor.
Should Cheng Jiao take over the army and defy the imperial court
wouldn't this be as good as giving weapons to our enemies?
Therefore, we must draw in our enemies with an empty camp.
Only then can we know if Lord Chang'an is truly loyal.
This is a chance to determine whether those who are close to the king
are friend or foe.
This will be greatly beneficial to securing an absolute monarchy.
[10 years ago] I, the royal one, appoints Cheng Jiao...
Chancellor, prepare the official documents quickly
and write up the decree.
Zheng is the legal heir and your first born.
It's only right that he succeeds the throne.
Empress Dowager Hua Yang already discussed with me
appointing Zheng as the crown prince.
You...
Lu Bu Wei...
You...
If it weren't for me, how could you, the once down-trodden hostage in Handan
even make it to the throne of Great Qin?
I intend to summon Lord Chang'an back first.
If he remains by the king's side, this strategy won't work.
I understand.
Are you all right?
Do you feel better?
Miss Sun.
I already feel much better.
- Young Master Zhao-- - You--
Young Master Zhao, go ahead.
If you hadn't taken that stab for me
I'd have been badly wounded.
I've practiced martial arts with my grandfather since I was a child.
My grandfather said that if we can't help others with our skills
we are nothing but boorish fighters.
Was Young Master Zhao very surprised to learn that I'm a woman?
I'd like to ask you about a matter.
Is your surname originally Sun?
No.
My surname is Gongsun and my given name is Li.
My surname is Gongsun, and I'm called Li.
He is my senior, Jing Ke.
I'm sorry.
I disguised myself as a man in order to travel with ease.
I have deceived Young Master Zhao.
Young Master Zhao.
I heard that the young lady's fever had died down.
I'm delighted to hear that.
Commoner Gongsun Li greets King of Wey!
Greetings to Your Grace!
Don't, I...
I'm from Puyang City's Gongsun family.
My grandfather, Gongsun Yu is the Commander-in-Chief of Puyang City.
We're grateful for Your Grace's assistance in the past.
I wonder if Your Grace still remembers your past acquaintances?
Mister Gongsun Yu?
Young lady, you're actually Mister Gongsun Yu's granddaughter?
Indeed.
- Young Master Zhao, do rise. - Thank you, Your Grace.
Miss Gongsun, please do rise.
Thank you, Your Grace.
I believe that Miss Gongsun has already met this Qin--
Zhao, Young Master Zhao.
I came here from Xianyang to do business.
Do you already know His Grace?
Yes, we... we know each other.
Miss Gongsun just mentioned Mister Gongsun Yu.
May I ask how he is doing?
Your Grace.
The army of Qin State invaded Puyang City a while ago.
My grandfather defended the city and evacuated our people safely.
He fought against the four best warriors of Qin State to the very end.
He died defending our nation.
What?
Puyang City is really annihilated?
Yes.
Your Grace knows nothing of it?
Ever since the King of Wey was relocated to Yewang Fief
his every action is restrained by Qin State.
No strangers are to approach him, and he's shut away from the world.
Since he's shut away from the world
how did you manage to bring me to the king's manor for treatment?
- I actually-- - Qin State's army is cruel.
Their means are ruthless.
It matters not for me
but I'm worried about implicating Your Grace and Young Master Zhao.
The army of Qin State is already invading all other states.
War is breaking out everywhere, and people are suffering.
Now that I have lost my nation and family
I no longer have a home to return to.
But I, Gongsun Li have practiced martial arts
and swordsmanship since I was a child.
I will spend my entire life going against Qin State's tyranny.
Please rest assured, Your Grace.
As people of Wey State, my senior and I will die for Wey.
Let's not talk about such matters here.
I finally got to meet Your Grace, so I was a bit too emotional.
I have been rude.
Do forgive me, Your Grace.
Young Master.
I have an urgent matter to report.
Miss Gongsun, do get some rest.
Thank you, Your Grace.
Your Grace, the chancellor has given orders to send Lord Chang'an
to suppress the rebellion army of Shangdang Commandery
that had joined forces with Zhao State.
Grand Empress Dowager Hua Yang has given her consent.
Lu Bu Wei deliberately stirred up trouble while I am away.
Cheng Jiao.
Don't go.
Grand Empress Dowager has never been fond of me.
Should I defy her decree
I'm afraid that I would only displease her all the more.
The chancellor sure is a devious man.
I humiliated him with Lao Ai's case
and now he has devised such a strategy so abruptly.
I wonder what he is really plotting.
Whatever his motive might be
I don't wish to put you in a difficult position.
Moreover, the chancellor has assigned General Yang Duan He to assist me.
Your Grace need not worry.
Your Grace, shouldn't you and Lord Chang'an rush back
to Xianyang immediately so as to avoid any trouble?
When I was a child, I had a mishap in Zhao State.
I fled on my own that night.
I was nearly killed by the army of Zhao State.
The person who rescued me that night...
It was Miss Gongsun.
We've reunited across such great distances.
Miss Gongsun has saved me once again.
I couldn't bear to leave her here alone out of my personal consideration.
Zheng, why don't I accept the military command first
and you can stay to look after Miss Gongsun for a few more days?
I will surely return safe and sound.
Your Grace, please rest assured.
I feel much better after Young Master has attended to me for days.
It is also because of you that even as a mere commoner
I could have the chance to meet the king of my nation.
This is all due to Young Master Zhao's blessings.
Miss Gongsun, you're too kind.
I'm embarrassed to accept such deep gratitude.
After spending these few days with her
I don't think it's likely that she is married.
If it weren't for her great animosity toward Qin State
I would have confessed my years of affection to her immediately.
I have important matters to handle.
I have to get going.
Miss Gongsun, please recuperate here with ease.
Now that the world is in great chaos
should one day, you run into the army of Qin State
use this badge to keep you safe.
This is too precious.
I can't accept it.
You risked your life to save mine.
How could such a trivial gift mean more than my life?
All right then.
Since Young Master Zhao insists, I will accept this badge.
I'm indebted to Miss Gongsun.
Please take good care of her.
Rest assured, Your Grace.
It is a blessing to me
I could meet a friend from my motherland in this foreign land.
I shall treat Miss Gongsun with my utmost respect.
Your Grace, Miss Gongsun was too blatant and offensive
in criticizing Great Qin the other day.
Your Grace, however, was not enraged.
Nor did you hold her responsible for her criticisms afterwards.
I therefore assume that Miss Gongsun is no common friend of Your Grace.
I happened to see an artist selling this painting on my way to Luoyang.
I bought it and brought it with me.
I believe that Miss Gongsun's outstanding appearance
must have struck the artist even in her disguise as a man
and inspired him to come up with this painting.
Miss Gongsun is impassioned and righteous.
She is also the heir to a respectable family.
I hereby give this painting to Your Grace as a gift.
I hope that Your Grace will cherish it.
Are you trying to feel me out?
Should I not cherish this painting...
You would then have her killed, right?
I wouldn't dare do so!
It's all down to her...
Whether she chooses to live or die.
Gongsun Li...
I will find you again.
Sir.
My junior and I stayed in the inn a few days ago.
He's a young warrior who isn't as tall as I am.
He's slightly slimmer.
Have you seen him here?
I do remember you, but...
I haven't seen your junior around here.
Sir, could you think a bit harder?
Are you certain he hasn't been here?
He hasn't.
I have a good memory.
I remember all the guests that stay here.
All right then.
Thank you, sir.
Could it be that in Luoyang, when Li didn't see me return
she had already gone to Yewang Fief to meet our king?
Mount Tai in the east, and Mount Hua in the west;
Trembles the skies with a roar.
Mount Heng in the south, and Mount Heng in the north;
Keeps the world in peace.
What is this?
Mentor didn't make it clear to me.
But I think that must be hinting at the location of the sword manual.
Sword manual?
Before Mentor handed me this silk scroll
he said that he had visited his mentor.
If my grandfather did visit his mentor and his mentor gave him this...
Doesn't that mean we are able to avenge my grandfather?
I hope so.
We can then avenge Mentor.
Please come in.
Commoner Gongsun Li greets Your Grace.
Be at ease.
Miss Gongsun has yet to retire for the night at such a late hour?
Are you thinking about someone?
Are you thinking of your senior?
It's just that I've been apart from my senior for days.
I wonder where he could be now, and if he is safe.
Young Warrior Jing, do come in.
- Li! - Senior!
How did you get here?
Today, Young Warrior Jing came to my manor
to ask about your whereabouts.
I told Young Warrior Jing that you happen to be in my manor.
You have been apart for some time.
Young Warrior Jing is also travel-worn.
I'll get my servants to prepare some food and wine.
We can all sit together and chat.
- Thank you, Your Grace. - Thank you, Your Grace.
I haven't seen you for some time
and His Grace already treats you as his distinguished guest?
This is all because of Young Master Zhao
that His Grace holds me in such high regard.
Young Master Zhao?
Senior, had you been waiting for me in Luoyang?
I'm so sorry to have made you worried.
It's all right.
It's good to see that you're fine now.
King of Wey told me that you were injured.
What happened?
I'm all right now.
I'll recover fully in a few days.
That's good to know.
Fortunately, I managed to find you.
It's good to see you safe and sound.
Should any mishap really befall you
I really won't be able to go on living.
You're so silly. What is it that you're saying?
I could die a hundred times over and still be revived
as long as I get to see you.
Your Grace.
Your Grace, it's already very late.
It would not be good for you to stay up all night reading.
Fret not.
I'll go to bed after I finish reading this scroll.
Yes.
[Zhao Gao of Qin State]
I'm still concerned about yet another matter.
I wonder if Your Grace would be willing to listen to it?
Speak.
Chancellor Lu has sent Lord Chang'an to reinforce the attack on Zhao State...
I find this matter somehow inappropriate.
Zhao Gao, why would you say so?
Your Grace.
Lord Chang'an has become more arrogant by the day.
His intentions are now fairly obvious.
Although Your Grace came down hard on Chancellor Lu for Lao Ai's rebellion
I'm afraid that Chancellor Lu will make use of Lord Chang'an to--
Shut up.
Lord Chang'an and I share a very strong brotherly bond.
We have gone through thick and thin together.
Whatever tricks Lu Bu Wei might have up his sleeves
Cheng Jiao would never betray me.
Yes.
I have made a nonsensical assumption.
Please forgive me, Your Grace.
May Cheng Jiao return safe and sound from this conquest.
May he return in victory.
[Tun Liu, Cheng Jiao's military camp]
Report.
Young Master.
A secret envoy asks to see you.
He claims to have been sent by Crown Prince Jia of Zhao.
He insists on seeing you.
- Send him in. - Yes.
Who are you?
Crown Prince Jia of Zhao told me to hand over a treasure to Lord Chang'an.
Please examine it personally.
Appoint Cheng Jiao as the crown prince.
Zheng is not my child.
[Crown Prince Jia, Zhao State ]
Crown Prince Jia?
Lord Chang'an, are you aware that when Madame Zi Yu passed away
she did not die of a mere accident?
My mother?
You mean to say that back then...
My mother didn't die in an accident?
Lord Chang'an has never once suspected foul play?
Back then, King Zhuangxiang of Qin doted only on Madame Zi Yu.
She also had Lord Chang'an as the king's offspring.
She was the apple of his eye then.
How could she drown in the river so easily?
[Chancellor's Manor]
Thank Crown Prince Jia on my behalf
for sending King Zhuangxiang's blood-written letter
to spur Cheng Jiao into rebelling.
Yes.
Should this attempt be successful
Zhao State will be kept safe for as long as I'm in power.
Thank you, Chancellor.
Chancellor's strategy is truly crafty.
Zhao Gao is terribly impressed.
I'm grateful to Your Grace for your kindness during my days here.
My senior and I have now come to bid you farewell.
Your Grace, I'd like to ask you about a matter.
A few days ago when I came in hope of visiting Your Grace
your guards told me that the manor is under the surveillance of Great Qin
so none could enter or leave without the King of Qin's permission.
Since the manor is so heavily guarded
how did Young Master Zhao manage to bring my junior here for treatment?
Young Master Zhao and I were strangers.
We happened to meet by chance and assisted each other.
I'm just worried that it will bring Your Grace and Young Master Zhao trouble.
You need not worry about that.
Young Master Zhao and Qin State--
Nothing... It's nothing.
That's good to know.
My senior and I will now bid Your Grace farewell.
You're the woman that the King of Qin fancies...
Your fate is now sealed.
Report!
There's an official call to arms!
Read it out loud!
Yes!
Your Grace...
This official call to arms is written by Lord Chang'an.
What is wrong?
Why aren't you reading it out loud?
Your Grace...
I told you to read it out loud.
- Your Grace! - I dare you defy me!
Yes, Your Grace.
"Lord Chang'an, Cheng Jiao, hereby announces to our people"
"that the succession of the throne should be decided by its legitimacy."
"Evil has overshadowed my clan with schemes as such."
"Marquis Wenxin, Lu Bu Wei, once a merchant of Yangdi"
"was held in high regard and became a favored official."
"Yet he is ungrateful and sets his eyes on seizing Xianyang."
He should be killed for his sins.
"The reigning king, Zheng, is no offspring of the deceased king."
"He is the son of Lu Bu Wei."
"Lu used the impregnated Lady Zhao to seduce the deceased king."
"The child Lady Zhao delivered--"
"He's not of the king's flesh and blood."
That's enough!
Your Grace!
I have devoted whole-heartedly to Qin State throughout my life!
I'd never turn against you!
Who knew that Lord Chang'an would slander me so in my old age?
In order to vouch for Your Grace's legitimism
I voluntarily ask for punishment in shame without any regret!
This is nothing but nonsense.
It was all made up!
Lord Chang'an must have been instigated by villains
to have rebelled against you!
Your Grace, you must investigate this!
The nation requires a true king.
He who took the surname Ying should be named Lu.
Lu who posed as the second father and a subject
but he shall one day overthrow the king.
The nation is in peril.
Gods and men alike are enraged as such.
Prepare all weapons and armor!
I will ride to the battlefield!
Your Grace, in my opinion
Lord Chang'an shows no insight and knowledge in military strategies.
If we are to suppress the rebels
the generals, Wang Jian and Meng Wu will be able to handle them.
Lord Chang'an and I share an intimate brotherhood.
There must be a reason behind his action.
I must confront Cheng Jiao personally.
Otherwise, I could not set my mind at ease.
It was clearly stated in the official call to arms.
Lord Chang'an no longer regards Your Grace as his brother.
Leading the army to war might cause harm to Your Grace!
Enough!
This is not up for discussion.
Guards!
Set out to war immediately!
Senior Official Tu An Gu falsely accused my ancestor, Zhao Dun.
The entire Zhao family was executed.
The only offspring that survived was the orphan, Zhao Wu.
Isn't this exactly the same predicament you are now in?
If Zhao Wu hadn't lived with the humiliation
and continued the bloodline of Zhao family
the division of Jin State would never have occurred.
Then Zhao State wouldn't have existed.
From now on...
Is Qin State to be ruled by Ying family or Lu family?
That is now all up to you.
Report!
My lord, His Grace has led the army personally to war.
He had sent his messenger to deliver a letter.
He asked that you read it personally.
My younger brother, Cheng Jiao, read this as if I were before you.
The ancient poem ode goes
"The elder of us played the ocarina, the younger played the bamboo flute."
All brothers are as of ones playing the ocarina and flute.
I have been so with you, my brother.
I'm baffled as to why you have waged war upon me.
If it were due to misunderstandings, it's not too late to clarify it.
I hope that you'll come and speak to me before my army.
Your humble brother shall await your arrival most fervently.
Most humbly, your brother, Ying Zheng.
Your Grace!
What is it?
You can no longer address me as your older brother?
If I have truly let you down in any way...
Tell me, by all means.
Don't do this to me.
I could compensate you with anything in this world.
Whoever it is you wish to kill, I shall present his head to you.
My brother, you have not done anything to let me down.
[Posthumous Edict: Appoint Cheng Jiao as Crown Prince]
[Zheng is not my child.]
This was Father's posthumous edict?
What do you think it is?
This is indeed Father's handwriting.
Would you believe in such lies?
Are you saying that Empress Zhao gave birth to you prematurely
or that my mother's death was never an accident?
What did you say?
Madame Zi Yu didn't pass away in an accident.
Back then, King Zhuangxiang of Qin doted only on Madame Zi Yu.
She also had Lord Chang'an as the king's offspring.
She was the apple of his eye.
How could she drown in the river so easily?
- Mother! - Cheng Jiao!
Mother!
- Cheng Jiao! - Mother!
Cheng Jiao!
Mother!
Cheng Jiao, don't cry.
We will all die one day.
You've lost your mother but you still have me.
Mother!
I'll look after you.
Do you know that I'll be worried about you if you behave so?
Mother!
Don't cry.
My mother was too kind.
Lu Bu Wei had lied to my mother.
He made her believe that if Father doted on me
and refused to appoint his first born, Ying Zheng as the crown prince
it would put Father in a tight spot, to be mocked by his people.
Didn't you say that Father loved me, but ended up making you his successor!
That made you uneasy.
Since ancient times
it's been known for siblings to kill each other for the throne.
However, you have treated me kindly all these years.
Could it be...
Is it out of the fear that I would rise in rebellion?
It isn't.
Hand over the throne of Great Qin!
I once had a dream.
I want all living creatures to succumb to me.
Not just the civilians.
But all that exists, from Heaven to Hell.
I!
I alone!
I am the emperor of all!
For the sake of this dream...
Whoever it is...
The throne of Great Qin...
I, the royal one, will yield the throne to no one.
Then we are destined to fight each other.
Only one of us shall survive.
Obey my command!
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