Jang Ok Jung, Living in Love
There is no need for you to argue with her.
I hear your mother has an unfortunate rumor following her that she is a lowly slave.
Also, I hear you have a father somewhere.
Your Majesty!
You said you'd take care of my mother!
Look, I just...
A lowly court lady addresses a concubine with a proper status by saying, 'look'?
Is this the custom of the palace?
This wench... How dare you...
Hitting the court lady of the Queen Mother is the same as hitting Her Majesty!
Aren't you being rude?
Do we have to go over whether it's rude or not?
Court Lady Hong is just a court lady with a lower status than me...
And I'm a concubine who serves His Majesty.
And I can endure the humiliation on myself...
But I will never endure the humiliation of my mother.
Do you understand?
Mother, please calm down.
Mother, let's go to my room.
Ma'am, it'll be better for me to just go home.
No, please come to my room.
I have warm tea for you.
His Majesty has arrived!
Well... haven't we've met before?
On the royal hunting grounds...
Forgive me, I was a fool not to recognize Your Majesty back then.
My Ok Jung and you saved my life...
But I left without saying thank you.
Let's go to Jang Suk Won's quarter. I brew better tea than she does.
Pardon me, Your Majesty, but my mother is here visiting.
She has a title of mother-in-law of Your Majesty...
so please allow her to greet you.
Your Majesty, have you been well?
Yes, thanks... have a good time.
Let's get going. I'm curious to hear about Jang Suk Won's childhood.
Your Majesty, I'm too flattered...
Even if you were mad, how could you throw a rock at your brother?
I can't believe my calm Ok Jung was such a tomboy.
Your Majesty, please stop teasing me.
So that's how your childhood was.
I envy you since you know all about Ok Jung, even parts I don't know about.
Your grace is immeasurable.
Come by often and tell me more about Ok Jung.
I have to get going now, Uncle Dongpyung is coming by.
Enjoy your time here.
I don't know if it's a dream or real. My Lady Suk Won is so loved by His Majesty.
It's like a dream to me.
It's not a dream, Mother. It's real.
Yes, of course.
But...
What's wrong?
My heart dropped earlier.
Why don't you go to the elders and apologize...
No. I just have to go with it now.
Unless I'm born again, they'll never change...
In order to survive in this palace, I don't have a choice.
Lady Suk Won...
Mother...
What on earth happened to my son?
I will never understand it.
To treat his mother-in-law so badly by taking that lowly wench's mother's side.
I can't even face your mother.
Please make sure to comfort her.
Yes, I will. Don't be too concerned.
Bullseye!
The bow is made with the water buffalo horns that came in this time.
Yes, I'm going to give one to everyone in the special force.
From what I heard, China is very sensitive...
about strengthening our military power.
That's why Jang Hyun is taking care of it.
Jang Hyun is?
I trusted him for his connections in China...
But I also promised him a prize of doubling his trading rights of ginseng.
Jang Hyun is importing water buffalo horn to double his trading rights of ginseng?
Jang Hyun will just end up drinking a big gulp of water.
End up drinking water?
Because China will never approve this trade.
For what reason?
First, China doesn't like Joseon strengthening its military power.
Second, because my father probably took care of this in the court already.
Then I'll take the water buffalo horn that Jang Hyun is supposed to receive.
If that's what really happens, you'll be the one...
getting the trade rights to ginseng.
I'll give that trading right to you as a gift to commemorate our first trade.
All the merchants from Joseon are crazy about getting those rights...
But you'd give it to me as a gift?
I have a request in return.
Well, it would be strange if you didn't.
What is it that you want?
Please introduce me to the king of Joseon.
You don't need the trading rights for ginseng...
but you want to be introduced to the king?
Is this at all related to taking Jang Hyun's life?
We just need to agree on a good deal for each other...
But we don't need to know every detail of each other's business.
Pay for an offering and enjoy the rice cake...
The more I get to know you, the less I know about you.
But the deal is complete when I see the water buffalo horns.
Let's talk again then.
The garden peony flowers are so beautiful...
I heard you were arranging flowers, so I came to do it with you.
You always just have tree peony.
My favorite is the tree peony, the king of flowers.
Now that I'm looking at them, tree peony and garden peony look very similar.
That's not the case. Garden peony falls in rank behind tree peony in flowers.
Flowers have a status?
If you were to speak of the status of flowers...
Tree peony is the king of flowers...
Garden peony is the minister of flowers, meaning that they serve the tree peony.
Isn't it truly amazing?
Even our taste in flowers... take after our status.
By the way...
Why would the status of flowers, determined by humans, be important?
Even if it looks beautiful...
The true status of a flower is determined by the butterflies and bees.
Wouldn't it be no use to decide the status of flowers?
Of course, I'd say...
the same thing about people.
What?
Lady Suk Won, you're being rude. Please watch what you say...
You're the one to watch what you say!
How dare you cut in the middle of our conversation!
The talk of status went in its own direction, please don't misunderstand.
Why would you block my way?
Why would I?
I block your way a few times, and you say, 'why would you block my way'?
I almost lost my life because of you.
I have no idea what you're talking about.
Both who ordered and who received that order are shameless...
I'll tell you.
The crime of kidnapping and trying to kill the woman of His Majesty...
After I tell the truth to His Majesty and you are tortured...
Will you finally lower yourself to me?
Please forgive me, Lady Suk Won!
I had no choice but to follow the order to survive!
It doesn't matter. To take other people's lives in order to save yours...
So, it won't matter if I take your life to save my own.
Should I do that?
Please save me.
Lady Suk Won, I wronged you. Please spare me this time!
Fine, I'll forgive you half-way.
With the condition of accepting any request of mine, when the time comes.
- Understood? - Pardon?
Yes, ma'am. Whatever it is, I will...
Whatever the request is, remember it will be cheaper than what you did to me.
You should never forget that you aimed for my life. Understand?
Yes. Yes, I understand, Lady Suk Won.
And no matter what I talk about with the Queen Majesty...
Don't ever jump in like that again.
It's beyond bothersome.
Yes, yes, ma'am. I will keep that in mind.
Well, even the mighty Jang Hyun can't make it happen.
That's disappointing.
I wanted the soldiers of the special force to own the best bows.
Your Majesty, forgive me for saying this...
China is a bit nervous about importing buffalo horns in large quantities.
So if you'll give me some time, I'll go to China and get to the bottom of it.
You mean, more time is all you need to make it happen?
Of course I can give you more time.
But if someone else completes the deal...
I'll have to give him the ginseng trading rights.
Your Majesty, did you command this to someone else, too?
It wasn't a command, he volunteered to, so I told him to go ahead.
As long as I'm fair, there is no loss for me.
Who would be the other person?
Your Majesty, Lord Min is here.
Let him in.
Your Majesty, I'm late... I was out completing the deal.
Completing the deal? You were successful...
importing the water buffalo horn?
I secured the amount you ordered.
Officer Jang, you look like a cat that ate a canary.
I successfully imported the buffalo horn...
that will make the strongest weapons in Joseon.
That couldn't be.
I'd be too embarrassed to dance with joy in front of His Majesty.
Your promise must be a sure thing.
Of course it is. It's our first trade, so I put my best effort.
Where are the horns?
This is the first shipment.
Officer Jang surely ended up drinking a big gulp of water this time.
Now you'll introduce me to the King?
Why would it be necessary for a merchant like you to see the king?
Sure, I'll take care of all your requests.
No, I don't need anything else.
Joseon is a country that follows strict customs.
How can a merchant like you be able to see the king?
What are you doing! Put it out!
It seems that only after you see something is beyond your control...
You'd take me to the King.
Please work on the introduction.
My my my!
Master Jin...
Find out everything about Master Jin, even about the parasites that live off him.
Uncle... he can handle the court of China, would he even have parasites?
It sounds like this horn deal was very clean, too.
I hear he made a home base out of the courtesan house Man Wol. I'll check it out.
Master Jin... from the first time I heard the name, it ruined my mood.
Master Jin.
You really didn't see anything?
Tattoo... I saw a tattoo.
Mother!
Teacher!
Mother!
I already took over the fabric store.
No, my mother told me all it takes is skill and smarts in business.
Ok Jung, shouldn't you get going with me now?
Thank you, Chi Soo.
Ok Jung, so much time has passed while building my power to get you back.
I'm coming to you now, Ok Jung.
Your Majesty, it's a bit of surprise to me...
Why did I leave it to Min Yoo Joong?
Yes, the ginseng trading rights will go to him.
Power is meant to be given from competition.
Although Min Yoo Joong and I are enemies, in the grand scheme of things...
sometimes it's necessary to soothe him with petty bait.
You mean, you gave him a carrot this time instead of a stick?
He's not completely in my hands yet.
- Ok Jung. - Yes, Your Majesty.
Do you know what makes a great king?
Isn't it one who is respected and loved by the retainers?
Respect and love are only necessary from the people.
To be a great king is to make them completely dependent on me.
The position given by me, the money given by me, and the orders given by me!
When I can make them laugh and cry with my words...
That's what will make me a great king.
And there is something I must make them realize.
Make the retainers realize? What is it?
Fear.
Fear?
The retainers need to know how to fear the king and the king's choice.
That's what makes the best king in my mind.
I must have been too serious.
Right, when is your mother coming back to the palace?
I want to hear more about your childhood.
Do you still remember?
When you ran into bandits on your way to the temple.
When you heard I was Prince Dongpyung Lee Hang...
you were so obviously disappointed.
I thought my reputation of being a playboy had spread to the noble families.
I even stopped going to the courtesan houses for a while.
Now you finally sound like yourself.
But... why did you look so down earlier?
A person's mood can be sunny or cloudy like the weather.
Even for someone like you, do you have worries?
Is there anyone without worries in this world?
Would you... be able to tell me?
Worries...
The wall I cannot climb over and the flower I cannot take.
Pardon?
Yes, those are my worries.
The wall I cannot climb over and the flower I cannot take.
This honeyweed tea will warm your womb and help with getting pregnant.
Thank you, Mother, because of my foolishness...
I don't think I can last much longer...
So I'm going to wrap things up myself.
Mother...
Queen, you have to have a son. And it must be the first-born.
That's the only way to get His Majesty's favor back.
But if His Majesty doesn't open his heart to me...
Then we'll have to make him open his heart.
So I'd like to suggest a plan...
A plan...
First, leave that Jang Suk Won out of it...
And change the mood by going out to a palace in the countryside.
A palace in the countryside?
Leave it to me.
Let's go see the king together.
Hasn't it been a while since you saw His Majesty's face?
Thank you, Queen Majesty.
You want to visit a royal tomb?
I should have introduced the Queen to the late King...
But it's been delayed because of my health.
I also considered the visit myself...
Will you be okay in your condition?
This is the best time.
There has been no official event since the Queen came into the palace...
But it's time to show the happy royal family...
to the people through the visit to the royal tomb.
Happy royal family...
Then Jang Suk Won should come with us.
That's how we can truly show the happy royal family.
Yes, if that's how you feel, please do.
- Queen, that's... - It's fine.
I'll get ready.
It must hurt you a lot to think about your mother.
Yes. It hurts a lot.
Do you remember about what I'm really looking forward to?
That I want to have my child with you.
Your Majesty, I have a question for you.
What is it?
Would you want a princess with me?
A daughter...
But it could it also be... a son?
Yes, it could.
It could be a son. No, I really hope it's a son.
Jang Ok Jung, I want to have my first-born son with you.
Your Majesty...
Let's have a nice time in the countryside.
The view around the pond is amazing.
Did His Majesty really say that?
You can have a son, and the first-born son at that.
Then isn't it a done deal?
My heart fluttered to hear it, Uncle Hee Jae.
No, there is still the task of claiming the flag.
Who will give birth to the first son?
I'll definitely be the one. Of course. I have to.
Then this trip could determine that.
Why would the Queen Mother insist on taking a trip and leaving the palace?
It's to lay out a silk linen for the Queen, leaving our Lady Suk Won.
But His Majesty wouldn't leave me like that.
It's not as bad as before, but they won't give up easily.
Of course not. You cannot let His Majesty be stolen from you on this trip.
Lady Suk Won, I'm saying this out of concern from my old age...
Even if you get pregnant, you shouldn't tell anyone about it.
Pardon?
Especially to the Queen or the Queen Mother. Do you understand?
Is there anything brighter?
Bright like the forsythia that just bloomed.
Your Majesty's so beautiful, even the flowers would be embarrassed.
His Majesty surely won't abandon you...
Let's start over.
Why would you do that?
If the mother of the country is seen in fancy clothing...
It might cause animosity in the tired people.
Maybe the one thing I should hold on to...
even as I get mistreated by His Majesty...
should be the hearts of the people.
Start over. Change everything...
to make me look humble but dignified.
It's made with ramie fabric from Hansan. Isn't it beautiful?
You look good in fancy dresses, but this white dress looks so good on you.
Will you be wearing this on your trip today?
No, I'll be wearing something loud. Just like everyone expects me.
Still, maybe this time, something calm like this one...
Why? Worried that I'd be blamed for being...
a femme fatale that seduced His Majesty?
I hear that's the rumor that has already spread among the people.
I can't avoid the blame, regardless of what I wear...
So I might as well enjoy it.
Let's go.
Lady Suk Won, are you not feeling well?
I've been feeling dizzy for a few days now...
How could you go on a trip? Should I call for the doctor?
I probably should.
- Queen Mother. - Lord Min, you've come.
Two palanquins, does it mean His Majesty is leaving later?
No, he'll be leaving with us.
The palanquins are for the Queen and me...
Jang Suk Won will be riding a horse because of her low status.
My son will also be riding a horse.
You mean, Jang Suk Won's going?
It just... happened that way. But please don't worry.
Following the palace custom, the palanquins...
are for the Queen and as low as Level 2 Suk Eui.
But the concubines below that status are to ride a horse.
After being covered in dust all day, how could she look pretty to the king?
A horse...
If that's the custom of the palace, it must be followed.
I can't leave her in the palace...
But I'm going with them, so please don't worry about a thing.
We'll hear good news.
What's wrong? Is it serious?
I found a heartbeat...
A heartbeat...
It's fast like rolling beads.
Fast... you mean...
Congratulations, Lady Suk Won. It looks like you're pregnant.
- I'll report to the lead doctor... - Hold on.
Please keep it quiet for now.
Your pregnancy is a happy occasion for the country, so why...
I'd like to tell His Majesty before anyone else.
I don't want anyone else to know yet.
Pardon? Oh, I see. If that's what you want to do.
I'll be on the palanquin, so it won't be too bad.
Until I tell His Majesty, I'll keep it a secret.
Aren't you a doctor?
Looks like you came out of Chwi Seon Dang...
What is it? Did Jang Suk Won get sick?
No, that's not the case. Lady Suk Won...
There's going to be big personnel changes in the medical chamber soon.
What's your status?
Well, that's...
Actually...
The signal of conflict on the border came up!
How many signals? Does it mean war?
It's not as bad as a war, it seems to be an isolated incident.
Call in the Minister of Military and Minister of Protocol...
But it may not be a big deal, so don't exaggerate and stir up distress.
Yes, Your Majesty.
Your Majesty, what about the trip...
Tell them to go without me, I'll join them when things are settled.
Yes, Your Majesty.
Lord Min, everyone's summoned to the hall.
I have to leave soon, so what brings you here now?
It seems that Jang Suk Won is pregnant.
No way...
How did you find out? Are you sure?
A doctor was in Chwi Seon Dang just now.
What about the King?
Does he know about this?
His Majesty is taking care of a small dispute in the border area.
I should be heading there too, but this is also urgent...
What should we do about it?
Please make a decision.
What decision?
You said that Suk Won has to ride a horse and is not allowed on a palanquin.
That's right.
Please, just adhere to that custom.
I'll take care of the rest.
But, my son...
Fine. Of course. We must follow the custom.
Ma'am, hurry in and...
Just for a while I'd like to watch him like this.
Hold on.
Your Majesty!
Didn't you come to tell me something?
You came all the way here, so why did you just turn around?
It's nothing. I just came to see you.
I was worried that I'd be interrupting your work...
It looks like I won't be able to leave with you.
But go ahead first, I'll head there even if it's late.
Then would you be coming to the palace in the countryside?
Of course. I'll be at the place where my Ok Jung stays.
Are you not feeling well?
You have a bit of fever.
It's true that I don't feel well and I have a fever.
But that's because...
Your Majesty, to tell you the truth...
Your Majesty!
Got it.
I'll see you there. I won't be late.
Yes, Your Majesty. I'll tell you later.
- You have to come. - Got it, I definitely am.
Your Majesty...
Just for a while...
Let's just stay like this for a while.
Even now...
Sometimes I wonder if all this is a dream.
Be safe on the road. I'll see you later.
I can't possibly do that.
Jang Suk Won is already breathing down my neck...
Even if you don't do this, do you think that she will leave you alone?
As long as you're the court lady for the Queen, you have the same fate.
Then you should be ready to give up your life for the Queen Majesty.
Lord Min, if something goes wrong, will you take care of my family?
Then I'll do it.
Why is my father talking with Court Lady Joo?
Stay out of this.
It's better that you don't know.
Mother.
Your Majesty, how are you?
There are three of us, but this is all the palanquins?
Yes.
Jang Suk Won can't take a palanquin.
- Isn't that what you said? - Right.
Based on the precedent set by the Queen Sohun of King Sejong, that's how it is.
Your Majesty, I'm not used to riding a horse, and...
Why? Are you saying you can ignore customs...
since you receive His Majesty's favor?
If we don't leave soon, we won't get there before sundown.
Make up your mind if you'll ride or not.
Then I'd rather not go.
Then let's just go ourselves.
And take a walk with His Majesty to the view of the pond full of lotus flowers.
It's an amazing view.
What are you doing? Hurry up!
- Let's get on. - Yes, Mother.
What are you going to do?
You cannot let His Majesty be stolen from you there.
Go ahead first, and I'll head there even if it's late.
I'll ride the horse.
Lady Suk Won, why don't you just give up the trip?
His Majesty's going there, so if I don't go, we'll miss each other.
I want to tell him today.
- Hyun Moo, is everything ready? - Yes, everything's set for departure.
I just need a horse. If I take the short cut, I'll get there in no time.
I receive your order!
Clear the way! The Queen Mother and the Queen Majesty are coming!
What's wrong with the horse?
Stop, stop!
Your Majesty.
Did you find out? Why haven't they arrived yet?
Your Majesty...
Did something happen?
Lady Jang Suk Won fell off the horse and went unconscious...
Jang Suk Won fell off of a horse? How could that...
Did she get hurt?
She went right back to the palace.
Please take my life, ma'am.
No... that can't be.
Lady Suk Won...
Please tell me it's not true.
I didn't even get to welcome him...
This can't be happening.
Ma'am...
The baby is unfortunately...
- I'll report this to His Majesty. - Don't.
Don't say this to anyone.
But His Majesty should know...
No...
He's been looking forward to a baby...
It would hurt him so much.
I'll bury him in my heart by myself.
Ma'am...
So please don't say anything.
It's not my fault.
Riding a horse is the custom.
If she's pregnant, she should've taken care of herself.
Mother, did you say 'pregnant'? Who's pregnant?
Queen...
Was Jang Suk Won pregnant?
That's...
His Majesty has returned to the palace!
Welcome back.
What about Jang Suk Won?
She's resting in Chwi Seon Dang.
I heard she fell off of a horse. Did she get hurt?
I heard she's fine.
A doctor saw her, and she's fine except for a bit of a shock.
Medicine is being prepared to soothe her mind and body...
That's good to hear.
It must have been a shock to both of you, Queen and Mother.
Ma'am, should I turn on the light?
How could I face the light?
Ma'am...
I didn't even get to meet him.
I didn't even get to tell him that I'm his mother.
I couldn't get the palanquin because of my low status...
I got on the horse being pregnant because of my low status.
I was afraid to be blamed for special treatment...
just because I have the favor of His Majesty...
And it would affect His Majesty...
So I just rode the horse.
What should I do?
Just because I love His Majesty, if I should stay by his side...
His like is difficult because of me...
He lost the baby he was looking forward to have because of me.
It's not your fault. If the Queen Mother just let you be on the palanquin...
The horse wouldn't have jolted like that.
Tell me the truth.
What happened to Jang Suk Won?
Please take my life, Your Majesty.
About what? Why?
Lady Suk Won was pregnant, but she told me not to say anything.
Who else knows?
It's just... me...
There can't be any trace of lies.
Who else knows about Jang Suk Won's pregnancy?
The Queen Mother.
My Mother knew...
I didn't tell anyone else, Your Majesty.
Then what about the Queen?
What about the Queen!
I swear my life that the Queen Majesty didn't know.
So the only one who knew Jang Suk Won was pregnant was...
my Mother?
Yang Goon, are you outside?
Yes, Your Majesty.
Go to the transportation office and check out the horse Jang Suk Won rode.
If Jang Suk Won was pregnant and had a miscarriage because of the trip...
His Majesty must be very disappointed.
But this may be luck sent from heaven for you.
You could still get pregnant first. If Jang didn't have a miscarriage...
The succession could have been a mess.
Mother, please lie down.
His Majesty has arrived!
Your Majesty, what brings you here at this late hour?
What brings you?
Both of you must be very tired after today.
We can't complain of being tired.
Jang Suk Won fell off a horse, so I feel bad for her.
You're always very kind.
How are you, Mother?
Mother shares the same feelings. We were just talking about it.
Did Mother also talk about how she insisted...
on getting pregnant Jang Suk Won on the horse?
My son, how can you...
Don't even try to avoid it.
I came here knowing everything.
My son, please listen to what I have to say. Actually...
Your Majesty, Mother and I heard about the pregnancy just now.
But nothing would've changed even if we knew before.
There is nothing that can overcome the custom of the palace.
I just feel bad that she fell off of a horse.
Custom?
The wall that separates us is the difference in our thoughts.
Caring about customs before people...
Right... I came to ask you a favor, Queen.
As the leader of the internal court, appoint Jang Suk Won to Level 1 Bin.
- Your Majesty. - My son.
That vulgar one to Level 1 Bin?
Even if you favor her, but a status of Bin...
to a concubine who didn't even have a son...
This has never happened.
You've also done something that's never happened before.
What... did I do?
It would be the same as if Jang Suk Won gave birth to my son.
Do I really have to say anymore?
My son, how can you...
Do you know how much anger I'm holding in?
What terrible thing you did and what you need to do to pay for it...
My son, that's...
Mother!
I'm letting go of what you did not because I don't know about it.
If I blame you and stir up a dispute...
The blame might end up on Jang Suk Won again...
So I'm holding it in. Do you know that?
Yes, I understand. I will do that.
Call the doctor! Now!
Mother...
I have a question for you.
The child from me... could it be a son?
Your Majesty.
Were you looking for me, Your Majesty?
It's time to keep my promise.
Which promise are you referring to?
Regardless of what's been determined by the law...
The dress that cleanses even your status.
It's time to give you that dress.
Your Majesty... do you mean...
Give birth to a son.
Then I'll give you that dress I promised when we were young.
Hee Bin.
Did you say, Hee Bin?
From now on, Jang Ok Jung, you're Level 1, Bin.
You're Hee Bin.
Jang Hee Bin, that's your title.
Your Majesty!
And what I'm about to tell you is only possible if you have a son.
If you give birth to my first son...
I'll let that son succeed the throne.
Your Majesty!