The King's Woman Episode 2

Episode 2: Disguises (are bad)

New Characters That Are Introduced:
King of Wey: A young man who may be related to the Emperor (not sure) he is fairly weak and something of a scholarly type

-Our episode opens up with a flashback to Emperor Zheng's childhood. It seems he met both Li'er and Jin Ke as a child. She saved his life, and she left such an impact that to this day he has kept the material she used to dress his wound ( a bit odd). Clearly our romance will be easier to establish as he already has lingering feelings for her.

-Zheng proceeds to his throne, and in the background a narrator reveals that the year is 238 B.C. and we learn that Zheng was initially born in Zhao, that he was captured and taken hostage as a child and this event clearly traumatized him, and that at 13 he was made the leader of Qin, only to see his name smeared by the activities of his mother and her lover's, including the Marquis. Personally, I think that this has all the hallmark makings of a man who is 1)paranoid and doesn't easily trust others and 2)may have a low opinion of women, especially those who are weak, like his mother

-The retainers to the Marquis are brought in, and these rebels beg for forgiveness. His ministers suggest that these retainers be left free and made commoners because they were merely following the orders of the Marquis. Zheng reasons that if he let's them go, it will establish a precedent and also send the wrong kind of message (remember, his position is not stable and his reputation is that of a weak person) thus he not only has them executed but tells his ministers that in the future, whoever defends traitors will be executed

-Meanwhile, Li'er is travelling through Wey looking for the Warrior Gaojian (the guy from episode 1?). She is travelling in disguise as a young boy, Sun. I did not know this until much later because she looks like a girl (like they made no effort at all to hide it). I will give them a bit of freedom and assume that maybe the time period had strict rules on clothing, so maybe others mistook her as an effeminate boy (a stretch)

-Li'er and Jin are at an inn, and discussing whether or not the newly crowned emperor, who always treated her family with respect and courtesy, will continue to do that. On the other side of the room, dressed entirely in white, is the emperor travelling in disguise. After Zheng rescues a young girl, Jin is moved by his noble act and they all drink together. Only Li'er manages to remain sober. She escorts Jin to his room, where he drunkenly reveals that he basically is in love with her. She goes to bed, and a drunk emperor goes into the wrong room--hers--and they are both surprised in the morning, she that he is in her bed, and him at her prudish behavior. He maintains it isn't a big deal because they are both men before going down for breakfast. Jin is surprised to see him leave her room but tells her that its fine since her identity was secret (so nice and trusting!)

-Over breakfast Li'er reveals that she hopes for peace and no more bloodshed in the future while Jin reveals who they are looking for and that maybe all the states will unite against the tyrannical Qin--after the meal, they reject his invitaiton to travel and part ways

-Meanwhile, Lu Buwei, the incredibly powerful Chancellor responsible for making Zheng the new king, is torturing the Marquis. He wants him to essentially kill himself, saving him from the horrible execution in store for him. The Marquis rejects this stating that he is afraid that he (Marquis) will reveal to Zheng that Lu Buwei made him seduce the Dowager in order to get her out of the way.

-Zheng walks in--having heard all of this--and LuBuwei recognizes that the jig is up. he tells the king that since he heard everything he submits himself to death--but the emperor stops him and tells him that if he demoted and/or killed 2 officials back to back it would send out the wrong message and make all the ministers/nobles afraid. He tells him that he will let him go, to stick to his job, but promises him that one day he will eventually have his revenge over everyone whoever humiliated him (I imagine this includes Lu)

-Zheng visits the King of Wey who we learn is weak and clearly terrified of him. He calms him down, tells him he isn't there to kill him but that he only wants to learn about the customs of Wey--and this seems to be motivated by his memory of Li'er (he has a flashback)

-Meanwhile, Lu (chancellor) learns that Gongsun is dead, that Pyang has fallen, and sends messengers out to bring back his only heir--his granddaughter (I have no idea why she is important)

-Afterwards, the Emperor is at an inn having lunch. Li'er comes in because she lost her precious hair pin given to her by her grandfather (convenient). Jin is off looking for it. She is about to sit down with Zheng, when men come in and attack him. She defends him (So I was wrong,she has some fighting ability) but gets stabbed. Zheng ignores his safety and takes her to the Wey mansion where he tells the King of Wey that if anyone finds out he is there, he will kill him (perhaps he is suspicious that he sent the assassins?).

-Zheng learns that 1) she is a woman and 2)it appears he knows she is Li'er because she talks in her sleep, calling out for Jin, and he seems to recognize that pendant she is wearing

Read More