Gods of heaven and earth.
The Gwimun leader who tried to save the people all his life
was born on earth and now returns to the heavens.
Please accept his soul.
Bohui, let Bihyeong go.
I still can't believe that he is dead.
He won't be able to rest in peace if you say that.
Let him go.
Forget about all your sorrows and grudges.
Forget about your cause to save servants.
Leave everything behind and
go in comfort.
What will the two of you do?
Master said to help you and Chunchu unify the Three Kingdoms.
I will leave Seorabeol and gather the Gwimun soldiers who dispersed.
I'm going to remember Bihyeong's intentions and unify the Three Kingdoms.
His death will not go to waste.
Please take good care of Sino and Yeonhwa.
I will protect them.
Goodbye.
Bihyeong's intention of saving the people put the country in a crisis.
How will I face His Majesty and the princess?
How is Chunchu?
He isn't eating or leaving his room.
I'm sure there is a reason the princess put him on probation.
I will see him and discuss what to do.
Yusin!
We're in trouble.
An order has been given to arrest the pungwolju.
What?
Why are you arresting Chunchu?
You can't do that.
You will also be arrested if you side with a traitor.
A traitor? How dare you?
I am his wife and I share his cause.
I must be a traitor, too.
Arrest me first!
Pungwolju!
Don't use women and children as your shield.
Come on out.
If you are innocent, prove it.
Search the place.
No!
Move!
Mother!
Find him.
It looks like he fled.
He fled to save his life?
My father would not run like a coward.
Do you know where your father went?
Do you have to be tortured before you tell the truth?
What are you doing?
How dare you barge into my house and act so recklessly?
The princess gave an order to arrest all the traitors.
I'm here to arrest the pungwolju since he colluded with Bihyeong.
I will not let you insult the Hwarangdo leader.
You would have given the same order.
What?
His act of fleeing is an admission of guilt.
I'm going to give an order to kill him as soon as he is arrested.
If he wants to live, he will have to come and prove his innocence.
Are you alright?
Why is the princess trying to punish Chunchu?
There must be some sort of misunderstanding.
Where is Chunchu?
I don't know.
I thought he was inside.
Father, how are you feeling?
Do you really want me to get better?
What do you mean?
I could take away your regency if I got better.
Do you really want me to recover?
I am only the regent in your place because you are ill.
I will step down when you recover.
Do you mean that?
Why don't you believe me?
If you could be healthy,
I would go to the temple to be a Buddhist nun
and pray for your health.
If you mean that, send Bidam back to Daeyaseong.
We still need his soldiers to settle everything.
You are refusing my order.
How can I trust you?
Father.
Father was so benevolent when he was on the throne.
It hurts that he sees me as challenging his authority because I am the regent.
Does power break up a father and daughter, too?
Princess.
I'm just complaining because I'm upset.
Did you come because of the order to arrest Chunchu?
If you have the slightest belief that Chunchu was traitorous,
execute me for treason, too.
I trust Chunchu's loyalty.
Then why did you order that he be arrested?
The queen was banished and the prince's funeral is over.
But there are still rumors that he isn't father's real son.
Rumors that divide public sentiment are more dangerous than swords.
If we can't wipe out that doubt,
the legitimacy of the royal family will constantly be questioned.
I have to go after Chunchu first,
so nobody will question my decisions and be submissive to royal authority.
Princess.
I told him to leave Seorabeol before I gave the order.
I will have him return when all this is settled.
Right now, protecting the legitimacy of the royal family is first priority.
Do you trust Bidam?
I know what you're worried about.
He has great ambitions.
If his ambition changes to treason, the royal family and court will fall.
I am using his ambition as a sword to protect the legitimacy of the royal family.
Don't worry too much.
Did you tell the princess it isn't fair?
Did she even blink an eye?
She saw how cold-hearted politics can be since a young age.
Power can turn a benevolent person into a demon.
I'm sure you know you can be removed at any time, too.
I hope you'll show some restraint.
Join forces with me to put the princess on the throne.
How about changing the court and setting this country straight?
Chunchu once said a sword couldn't beat the tongue.
Can you see what he meant?
Fancy speech can make an army of a million retreat, so he's not wrong.
No matter how fancy a speech, it's just a frivolous lie without a cause.
What is your great cause?
Why do you want to put the princess on the throne and change the court?
What is your cause to set this country straight?
I don't see your heart to be one that shares the pain of the people.
It is only full of ambition for power.
Could you give up your power and your life for the great cause?
You probably couldn't.
That is why we can't join forces.
Chunchu, wherever you are, come back alive.
I will overcome any ordeals to unify the Three Kingdoms with you as we swore to.
The Tang emperor is sending gifts to wish for your recovery.
Please recover and show your strength before the envoy arrives.
I am going to get up and sit on the throne.
Who is this girl?
She is going to become a maid.
Come closer.
You look very smart.
Here.
Thank you, Your Majesty.
You're welcome.
I'm tired. Leave me to rest.
You poor thing, your fate was changed.
You must be so hurt.
Princess, my only mother is Sino.
Please spare my mother.
I don't care what happens to me if she can be saved.
Princess.
We're ready to transport the criminal.
You'll have to handle your own fate.
Princess.
Take her.
Princess. Princess.
Please save my mother.
Princess.
Beopmin, what brings you here?
I have something to ask you.
Go ahead.
Did father really commit treason and flee?
Your father had the ambition to unify the Three Kingdoms at your age.
He lived his life for our country and the people.
He would give his life for the cause.
I respect your father.
He left Seorabeol for a while because the princess ordered him to.
So why is Bidam slandering him?
You have to protect the family while your father is gone.
A man shouldn't waver over something like that.
Trust me.
I will.
Yusin.
I'd like to take care of Yeonhwa.
Can you ask the princess?
The princess made the decision.
That's why I'm asking you.
Please ask.
I'll treat her like my own sister.
I'll ask the princess.
Thank you.
I can't let personal feelings affect my decision.
She could cause problems for the royal family.
I'll take care of the matter.
I will abide by your decision.
Princess, I wasn't able to say goodbye.
Please let me see her for a minute.
I will not let you see her.
You must not know where she is.
You must not try to find out.
That is my decision.
The prince's real identity must be taken to your grave.
Of course.
Leave and never return to Seorabeol.
I won't.
Stop.
You need a pass to go through the gate.
Thank you.
Make sure nobody finds her body.
Yes, sir.
- Get her out. - Yes, sir.
I heard you were Bihyeong's mistress. Is that correct?
Don't insult Gwimun.
Bihyeong was my master.
Are you talking about loyalty when you were part of treason?
Take her.
I'll spare your life if you admit Bihyeong was a leader of traitors.
I might be of the low class, but I will not betray his honor.
Just kill me.
Honor among traitors?
- Bring her. - Yes, sir.
Yeonhwa.
Mother.
She didn't do anything wrong.
You can kill me a hundred times, but spare her.
You were the dethroned queen's servant. You must know everything.
Is she really the king's daughter?
If you admit to that, I will spare you.
Tell me.
Who is this girl?
Yeonhwa is my daughter.
She does not have royal blood.
I was going to be generous, but I guess you have a death wish.
Yeonhwa.
Mother...
If you said she was the king's daughter, I would have killed you both.
You should be executed for committing treason,
but the princess said to let you both live.
Leave Seorabeol and never return.
If I ever hear rumors of her birth,
I will seek you out and kill the both of you.
Remember that.
Mother...
Yeonhwa...
Are you alright?
I'm alright.
Yeonhwa.
The emperor sent gifts wishing a quick recovery for the king and
a peaceful regency for you.
As the regent, I send my regards and thanks in place of the king.
Sill will maintain loyalty to Tang.
I promise you a friendly relationship.
I never saw such a fancy embroidery.
The Tang emperor sent peony seeds, too.
We should be able to see pretty peonies when we plant them.
Father, the seeds won't grow.
What are you talking about?
The peonies in the screen are in full bloom, but there aren't any butterflies or bees.
They are flowers without any scent.
What?
The emperor is mocking me for being the regent without a husband.
He sent it because he looks down on the Silla royal family.
What?
How could he do such a thing?
Get rid of that folding screen right now!
The Tang emperor is mocking the princess's regency.
How do you think Goguryeo and Baekje are reacting?
If the princess takes the throne,
Goguryeo and Baekje will have reason to attack us.
Are you saying we should crown someone else as king?
I'm saying His Majesty should cancel the regency and
take care of national matters himself.
Even if he does that, the princess has to inherit the throne.
How frustrating.
I'm saying we should get rid of Bidam and Alcheon during that time.
We have to have control of the court before putting the princess on the throne.
- You are right. - You are right.
I am going to see His Majesty and ask him to do that.
Unite the Jingol leaders, so we all agree.
If the sangdaedeung asks His Majesty to take over national matters,
there will be no reform for our court.
The court will fall into the hands of disloyal subjects.
How about uniting our forces and asking for the princess to be enthroned?
That would be good.
If you do that, there will be hostility in court.
Do you have a better idea?
This is a perfect chance to wipe them out of court.
I'm not saying this just for my survival.
The princess should take the throne after His Majesty handles national affairs.
That is the way for all of us to survive.
You all agree, right?
Place your gold passes here if you agree.
Thank you for supporting the king's enthronement.
Thank you.
The court and people are divided between the king and the princess.
This is cause for internal dispute.
How can you say the national crisis has been solved?
What about all the blood that was shed to protect the royal family and this country?
My heart feels very heavy.
Everything will be solved if the king handles national matters.
I am going to see him tomorrow and ask him to do that.
Who takes the throne isn't important right now.
We can't let Tang, Goguryeo or Baekje look down on us anymore.
The court and people have to unite and establish the princess's legitimacy.
Why are you saying that?
I will unify the court after Bidam and Alcheon are driven out.
Don't worry and wait.
The princess's regency is causing all this trouble.
I'm worried what will happen when she takes the throne.
I can't guess what the princess's intentions are.
What do you mean?
When she saw the folding screen,
she knew the Tang emperor was mocking her.
Why would she reveal that and cause all this trouble?
Are you saying she predicted there would be dispute in court?
I'm just hoping I'm wrong.
Father.
Chunchu sent news.
What? Really?
He asked for this to be given to the princess.
Who's there?
Why are you blocking the path of a court official?
Move out of the way!
I came to kill a disloyal subject who keeps changing loyalty and
causing confusion in the royal family and court.
What?
Kill them!
Why are you doing this?
I only followed the sangdaedeung's order.
Stop!
Who's there?
Where are you going?
Why are they so late?
Do you know whose house this is? You can't barge in here like this.
Move!
How dare you?
I gathered all the opinions of the Jingol leaders supporting your request.
What?
The king will not be handling the national affairs.
Anyone who is against the princess taking the throne
will be executed for treason.
Remember what I said.
Father! Father...
Stop!
Bidam!
How dare you kill court officials and threaten the court leader?
Do you want more bloodshed?
This is what the princess wants.
What?
She mentioned the peonies to separate the gains from the chaff.
Why don't you know that?
How can you be a loyal servant when you can't even read the ruler's mind?
I'm disappointed with you.
Father, forgive me.
If you take over national matters,
the court will be divided again and there will be confusion.
It will ruin the legitimacy of the royal family.
Please understand my loyalty.
Princess, it's Kim Yusin.
What brings you here at this late hour?
Chunchu sent an address to the throne.
Chunchu?
After leaving Seorabeol thanks to your concern,
I have been exploring the future of our country by observing public sentiments.
After much thought, the only person to set this country straight is you.
That is why I am giving you this advice.
Right now, the legitimacy and authority of the royal family has to be established.
The people hold you in high esteem as the ruler, not His Majesty.
Please don't go against public sentiments.
I dare say you should maintain regency and not hesitate to take the throne.
You're the only person to unify the court and public sentiments.
You must maintain peace with Baekje and end the battles of the Three Kingdoms.
It is the people who suffer most from battle.
Use the royal wealth to help the people in poverty because of high-interest loans.
Please wipe away their tears.
The legitimacy of the royal family and the fate of this country
can only be established properly when the people are truly loyal.
I believe you will become a great ruler who will achieve prosperity for Silla and
unify the Three Kingdoms for peaceful times.
Chunchu, I know how loyal you are.
I will achieve peace for Silla.
Princess!
His Majesty is in critical condition.
Where is the princess?
Bring the princess.
Father, I'm right here.
I was afraid I would die without seeing you.
Why are you saying something so weak?
Recover soon and show everyone how strong you are.
I don't have the energy to go on.
Father...
I feel burdened that I ruined the rule that the former kings achieved.
Deokman, take the throne and carry out my intentions.
I promise.
Forgive me for leaving you with such a huge burden.
Father...
Your Majesty!
Leave all your agony and rest in comfort in heaven.
I will abide by your wish and protect the royal family and the people.
Father...
In 631, princess Deokman was crowned as the 27th sovereign of Silla.
She was the first queen in Korean history.
It was a shock for China and East Asia
since it had always been a patriarchal Confucian rule.
Deokman was said to be like a dragon and phoenix since she was young.
She also had the knowledge and insight of a ruler.
Without anyone else with Seonggol status, it was an unavoidable choice.
The Silla court gave her the title of Seongjohwanggung,
a woman of the sacred royal family, and justified the ascension to the throne.
Cheomseongdae was built to sanctify the authority of
a queen who offered rituals to the heavens.
Silla faced a new era ruled by a queen.
As the ruler of Silla, I order that you can do everything you can
for the unification of the Three Kingdoms.
I will protect the legitimacy of the Silla royal family and
fulfill my duties as a ruler for the peace of the Three Kingdoms.
The court will support the royal family and
care for the people so they do not starve or be discriminated against.
I will carry on the cause of the former kings and
achieve peace for the Three Kingdoms.
Hurray for Her Majesty!
Subtitles by KBS World