Mother and Son is the 185th chapter of the Kingdom manga, written and illustrated by Yasuhisa Hara.
Summary
Shou Bun Kun explains to the other officials about the situation between Ei Sei and his mother. Up until the age of nine Ei Sei spent the entirety of his life together with the Queen Mother in the city of Kantan, the capital of Zhao. The king then as a prince was immensely hated, due to the Chouhei incident. This applies to his mother as well. With her husband, the king Sou Jou, having already fled back to Qin and with not a single friendly face to turn to, she began to well up with hatred for every single person around her.
Even her own son as she tried to kill him. Heki along with the other officials are horrified. Shi Shi is amazed with such a history he turned out as he did. Shou Bun Kun states that was thanks to the late merchant, Shi Ka who give her life to rescue Ei Sei. Shou Bun Kun is afraid what can happen if the two of them were to meet face to face in years.
The Queen Mother is teasing her son and asks if he is scared. Ei Sei comes closer and states that he is not scared at all. She compliments him for turning out to be such a fine man. Ei Sei compliments her on her beauty. She says that she is surprised that he would come along. She states that Chou Kou predicted that this would happen.
She then asks her son what he wants as he responds to stop with this innocent act. He asks for the copy of the royal seal. He states if this comes to light that this could be considered a crime and a betrayal to the state. She however acts as she does not care at all.
The queen talks about their time in Zhao as they had nothing, no money and had to sully themselves in order to get food. But look at them know. He is being the king and she is being the Queen Mother. On paper, the two highest positions in a kingdom. She tells she remembers a certain scholar who claimed that a man's life was dictated by the heavens. She says that the reason they do not talk to each other is in order to not get reminded of the past. Ei Sei asks for the seal once again as she then finally gives him the seal.
He asks her what is behind all of this. She states that it is nothing. If that is the case Ei Sei takes his leave. She asks him if there was not something else, he wished to ask, but he states that he changed his mind.
She however states that it is been eight years it is possible that I changed. Ei Sei turns back and tells her that despite being the king, power and authority lies with the chancellor Ryo Fui due to his incompetence. He bows down and asks her for assistance. She tells she understands and tells him to leave and wait for her response.
A few days later a messenger of the Royal Harem arrives at one of Ei Sei estates. The answer was given yes. The heads of the three great families of Han, Kai and Ryou had personally shown up was better proof than anything else. However, Ei Sei believes she has a hidden agenda.
At the Harem, Kou is putting away some scrolls. Suddenly she sees the Queen Mother with someone else. He is being revealed to be Ryo Fui.
Characters
Qin
- Royal Palace
- Sou Jou (mentioned)
- Ei Sei Faction
- Ei Sei (flashback and main story)
- Shou Bun Kun
- Shi Shi
- Heki
- Unnamed officials
- Ryo Fui Faction
- Royal Harem
- Queen Mother (flashback and main story)
- Chou Kou
- Kou
- Three Great Families of Qin
- Han
- Kai
- Ryou
- Unnamed eunuchs
Zhao
- Zhao Black Market
- Shi Ka (shown)
- Kantan
- Unnamed citizens (flashback)
Highlights
- The Queen once tried to kill her son, Ei Sei during his childhood.
- Sei talks to his mother for the first time in years.
- Sei asks for the copy of the royal seal from his mother.
- Sei asks his mother for assistance against Ryo Fui.
- The Queen Mother lets her son believe that she will work together with him and his faction.
- Ryo Fui is seen with the Queen Mother.
Trivia
- Chou Kou is identified by his name for the first time.