Empress Ki Episode 11 Recap

The episode begins with Danashiri declaring that Eo Jin got knocked up so Seung Nyang should give her this powder they’ve hidden in a secret compartment. Seung Nyang is shocked. Danashiri asks if she’s scared. Seung Nyang fears it will put Danashiri in a bad position. Danashiri assures her that the laurel extract will be fatal for the baby only. Danashiri promises that she’ll get Seung Nyang out of the palace if she’s successful, but Seung Nyang will leave as a corpse if she fails. Leaving, Seung Nyang concludes that she’s Ki Se’s sister all right.

Yeon Hwa spots Seung Nyang leaving and wonders if she’s working for the Empress.

Ta Hwan’s thinking, wondering whether Seung Nyang is *a girl.* He sighs and shakes his head, telling himself that she can’t be because she’s a better archer, a better rider. He lost to a girl? But still… dress Seung Nyang up as a girl... Very nice. He laughs at the thought of it, Seung Nyang as a girl smiling at him. Gol Ta interrupts his thoughts so Ta Hwan slaps him and tells him to go away. And the poor guy was just doing his job. Gol Ta tries to ignore what Ta Hwan has said but Ta Hwan chastises him and walks off.

Seung Nyang is standing on a bridge, thinking about her dream conversation with Wang Yoo. She declares that she is dying on the inside. And Ta Hwan spots her on the bridge. Just as he declared to himself that he can think about Seung Nyang all he wants now. He watches her look at the sky. It’s snowing now. He decides to approach her and is about to touch her when she whispers that she misses Wang Yoo and wonders where he is. Hurt he pulls away his hand and asks who she’s missing. He demands to know who has her pining away like this? She squirms and doesn’t answer. He wants to know if it’s some guy or other. She declares it’s not. Gol Ta arrives and Seung Nyang excuses herself. Gol Ta asks if Ta Hwan came to see her. Ta Hwan responds by asking how the search for Seung Nyang is going in Koryeo. Gol Ta replies that it’s just been a few days… Ta Hwan sighs.

The next morning, Ta Hwan’s preoccupied during his tea with Empress Dowager. She notices but he just blames it on not sleeping well. Eo Jin arrives with Seung Nyang in tow. Seung Nyang can only look at Seung Nyang, so he excuses himself. Empress Dowager wants him to instead take a walk with Eo Jin. It would be good for the baby. He looks back at Seung Nyang and agrees.

Out on the walk, Eo Jin tells Ta Hwan that he doesn’t have time to do this. He glances back at Seung Nyang and then tells Eo Jin that he would have had nothing to say if she complained that he was being unfeeling. She gets a little nauseous. Morning sickness. Ta Hwan’s concerned by Gol Ta assures him that it’s perfectly normal. Eo Jin gags again and Ta Hwan and Seung Nyang both reach to steady her, meaning that their fingers touch. Seung Nyang pulls her hand away, wounding Ta Hwan even though he doesn’t know why, and so he ends up patting Eo Jin to comfort her. In the distance, Danashiri observes Ta Hwan giving Eo Jin his attention and glowers. Seung Nyang looks their way. Danashiri wants to make sure that Eo Jin is taking the powder! She almost feels bad but then thinks that Ta Hwan made her like this.

Danashiri summons Eo Jin. Danashiri declares that once the baby is born, it will call *her*, rather than Eo Jin, 'Mother.’ So she better take good care of the baby. And they should be friends, with Eo Jin should come visit with her daily, to chat over some sweets. Eo Jin declares that she could hardly refuse. Danashiri declares that Eo Jin’s own staff should make the food. Maid whispers to Seung Nyang that *she* should make the food.

After they’ve left, Eo Jin wonders if Danashiri suspects. Seung Nyang doubts it, since she’s making Seung Nyang prepare the food. Eo Jin is relieved. Seung Nyang isn’t, since this is Danashiri making sure Eo Jin eats the laurel powder. Eo Jin wants to tell Empress Dowager, but Seung Nyang says that they have no evidence. She assures Eo Jin that she’ll figure something out. Eo Jin is grateful. Seung Nyang coldly replies that it makes them even. Eo Jin smiles as Seung Nyang walks away, because she knows that Seung Nyang isn’t that cold.

Seung Nyang and Hong Dan making the rice cakes. Maid is watching. Seung Nyang nods at her. Hong Dan goes to get the oil and Seung Nyang mixes in the laurel powder. Maid is satisfied and leaves. Seung Nyang makes some extra cakes *without* the laurel powder. Hong Dan unknowingly makes the bad sweets. Seung Nyang decorates the safe ones with walnuts rather than pine nuts. Danashiri is pleased.

Time to eat. Danashiri thinks about how Maid assured her that it will only make her want to urinate and was otherwise perfectly safe. Eo Jin eats the safe ones and Danashiri smiles happily.

Dawn and Wang Yoo’s spies have come back. Bool Hwa hopes that Shin Woo and Jeom Bak are okay. And they are, stuffing themselves with food. When Batolu arrives, Shin Woo pretends not to eat. Her lieutenant declares that the girl *is* Batolu. Jeom Bak can’t believe it and pretends to be insulted. Shin Woo gets to slap him and command him to be silent. Then he declares that he actually *knew* that she was Batolu and was just waiting for her to reveal herself. She tells him that they need to earn her trust or die.

Shin Woo compliments her on her strategy, making the soldiers tired. She orders her lieutenant to kill them, but Shin Woo chimes up that the soldiers aren’t just the tired ones. She’s surprised and he just laughs. Playing his role to the hilt.

Lots of breath-seeing today. Baek Ahn has decided on a frontal attack in two days time, with Wang Yoo and his men serving as the decoys as Baek Ahn and Tal Tal take the camp. Wang Yoo doesn’t think taking the camp’s going to be that easy, but Baek Ahn declares that he has a plan. And not one that he’s going to share with Wang Yoo. Afterward, Wang Yoo tells Myung Soo that it’s happening in two days, so he needs to get word to Shin Woo. Byung Soo overhears and wonders whet they’re up to. He tells Cham to keep an eye on Wang Yoo. And it strikes me as strange that Cham’s now following Byung Soo’s orders. Byung Soo reports to Baek Ahn what he overheard and how he doesn’t think Jeom Bak is dead.

That night, the Turks arrive to make noise. Shin Woo and Jeom Bak are with them, disguised in uniform. Byung Soo points out to Baek Ahn how Myung Soo isn’t with them, proving his suspicion right. Baek Ahn goes over to confront Wang Yoo… when Myung Soo arrives, bringing a cart of torches. Byung Soo looks stupid. Good job, Myung Soo! And Baek Ahn and Ja Hae are quick to call Byung Soo a moron.

Myung Soo’s prepared 12 torches, the signal of a frontal attack. Then they douse two of them – two days and then 3 more, telling the time of the attack.

Daidu. Ta Hwan’s in his bath, thinking about Seung Nyang, asking her if she has a brother. He wonders why she didn’t declare herself, if it really was Seung Nyang. Is she still mad about that king of hers? Gol Ta tries to make sure Ta Hwan is comfortable and he asks if there’s news of male Seung Nyang. Of course not. He decides to ask Seung Nyang personally.

Seung Nyang’s pouring him tea. He sits watching her. Never once does she glance at him. He thinks of their times together. What about the scar on her arm, dude! You know Seung Nyang has it. It would be quite something if *she* had one, wouldn’t it? He asks her why she won’t look at him. She replies that it’s not her place to do so. Still studying her face, he asks if that’s the only reason. He makes her look at him. Looking in her face overwhelms him and he looks away. He can’t understand why his heart is fluttering. She excuses herself and leaves. Ta Hwan clutches his chest. Gol Ta asks why he didn’t ask her. Ta Hwan declares that it’s not that easy. Gol Ta declares that she’s just a maid. Ta Hwan tells Gol Ta to watch his mouth. He thinks that he can’t be sure.

Walking away, Seung Nyang doesn’t like how Ta Hwan was been looking at her, since it will only make things worse if he recognizes her. Do Han and Yeon Hwa find her, with Do Han telling her that Yeon Hwa is looking for her. Seung Nyang goes where she’s beckoned. Danashiri is giddy over the success of her plan. Seung Nyang asks about those papers Danashiri promised, but Danashiri isn’t going to fork them over until the baby dies. And part of their plan is to feed Eo Jin licorice tonic, which will *double* the effect of the laurel extract.

Ki Se sees Seung Nyang leaving Danashiri’s room and wonders what’s going on. He goes to ask his sister if she’s the one helping them. He doesn’t let on that he suspects that Seung Nyang might *not* be helping them. He checks with Danashiri about Eo Jin eating the powder and Danashiri is confident, since she saw the girl eat it with her own eyes. Knowing that Seung Nyang would *never* help them, he approaches Yeon Hwa and bribes her with the promise of being a lady in waiting if she helps with the plan. She’s eager and declares that she’ll do anything! He gives Yeon Hwa the powder and Yeon Hwa knows what he’s asking her to do. But she’s going to do it anyway, because she *deserves* to move up in the world. She sneaks the powder in some dumplings for Eo Jin.

Ki Se tries to spy on them but is caught by Dok Man, who declares that only the Emperor is allows at the Pavilion of Women. Eo Jin declares that she’s not hungry, but Yeon Hwa urges her to eat, for the baby’s sake! Eo Jin eats the laurel laced dumplings. Later, because Eo Jin has to go again, Seung Nyang realizes that somehow Eo Jin’s eaten the laurel extract, especially after Dok Man mentions Ki Se lurking about.

Baek Ahn is meditating, with his shirt off so that we can see this massive scar on his back. Tal Tal comes to get him. Baek Ahn makes an offering to the Great Tengri, asking him to aid their victory.

Shin Woo is explaining the Yuan’s plan to Batolu. The Lieut doesn’t want to trust them, but Shin Woo says that if he’s wrong, his life is forfeit. Jeom Bak can’t believe he added that part!

Attack time and the soldiers haven’t arrived. But just long enough to make everyone sweat. Fighting commences. Wang Yoo orders them to withdraw. The fake Batolu pursues. Baek Ahn arrives to storm the camp. And we discover the plan: for Baek Ahn to impersonate Batolu. And the soldiers at the gates fall for it. Lots of dead Turks. And how is this part of the plan.

Danashiri having tea with Eo Jin. Empress Dowager arrives to put a stop to the visits. Danashiri thinks the visits should continue since the child should know its mother’s voice. Eo Jin gags with her morning sickness and Danashiri thinks a tonic will help. Dok Man watches the pharmacist prepare the tonic.

Ki Se declares to Danashiri that after Eo Jin takes the tonic, they’ll spread a rumor that Eo Jin faked the pregnancy. Danashiri loves that idea, since it means treason! Ki Se declares that he’ll take it from there. He leaves and Danashiri declares that Empress Dowager won’t escape either!

Tonic preparation while Yeon Hwa and Seung Nyang watch. Yeon Hwa’s only too eager to deliver the tonic but Seung Nyang takes it. Eo Jin is really feeling ill. She quickly drinks the tonic. Seung Nyang notices Yeon Hwa’s smile and knows that Yeon Hwa’s Ki Se’s pawn.

Ta Hwan’s eating persimmons, thinking about Seung Nyang telling him that she’d rather work at the Pavilion for Women. He declares that if that *is* Seung Nyang, he hates being near him. He thinks of begging her to be Seung Nyang and her refusing. He sighs and decides it’s best that she really *isn’t* Seung Nyang. Gol Ta urgently arrives with news. Seung Nyang was brought in with the concubines and was a woman all along! Ta Hwan reels as Gol Ta explains how Seung Nyang saved Wang Yoo’s life on the trip to Yuan and somehow was revealed to be a woman.

Ta Hwan can’t hardly stand up with this news. Gol Ta declares that the Koryeo girls say that Wang Yoo adores Seung Nyang. Ta Hwan doesn’t want to hear any more. Gol Ta asks if Ta Hwan wants him to bring her but Ta Hwan declares that his interest in Seung Nyang is over. Gol Ta questions but Ta Hwan is ticked that she ignored him! He’s not going to be the first one to seek her out! But he quickly changes his mind and goes to find her.

He enters the room where Seung Nyang is working alone and he looks ticked and hurt all at the same time. She can tell something’s up but respectfully bows and averts her eyes. All he can do is say “You…” She looks at him, obviously worried. Does he know!

Thoughts

First, I’m confused how the battle for the Spice Road is going to play out, since it looks like Baek Ahn got the drop on Batolu. What was Wang Yoo’s plan and how is Batolu not going to be slaughtered because of it? And where is the real Batolu, since this is his daughter, which none of her men, save her Lieut, know.

Yeon Hwa is a terrible person, because, like Byung Soo, she has no real qualms about sacrificing someone’s life for the sake of her own ambition.

And Ta Hwan finally knows! What’s that going to mean? And how horrible is he feeling right now, knowing that Seung Nyang *refused* to admit she was his Seung Nyang and refused to be around him and refused to be *his* Seung Nyang. You did cause he father’s death with what you did. She has a right to be ticked. At least she’s stopped trying to kill you. I do feel bad for him, though… That kind of rejection from the woman you love has got to hurt. Even if you *did* just find out that she’s really a woman.