Cruel Palace
Episode 13
What is it?
What are you waiting for?
I'm asking you if it's a son or a daughter!
You've had a princess.
Congratulations My Lady.
She was just born but her features are so defined.
Would you like to hold her once?
Throw it away.
Just try holding her once.
She takes after you so her eyes are so big!
And her eyelashes!
Did I not just tell you to throw it away?
I don't want to look at it!
Looks just like you honey!
Absolutely identical!
Look at you! Your cries are so loud!
It's a girl. Looks like we won't be getting any money.
We can have a son next time and give him away.
Give her to me.
Looks just like you I say!
- I think she looks more like you. - Yeah right!
Lady So Won has given birth.
Did she have a son?
Daughter.
Oh no!
How many families are left?
There's just one more left...
Hurry. You must find a son tonight.
Why... we can't make it happen just because we want...
Look here! Why do you need to kill them?
Who are you guys?
My goodness... she's so mild-mannered.
She doesn't cry once.
What are you doing? You must hurry.
Yam Jun
Just have a son.
Then I... will make your son... a king.
No need to get rid of the baby Lady So Won...
I could say I found the child and raise her...
Lady So Won...
Can a royal concubine's daughter...
and common concubine's daughter be the same?
Well... well... that...
You only live once anyways.
How meaningful would living an extra day be?
So cruel...
She's still her child...
Quite a cry you have there!
You didn't cry earlier in case someone heard you
and you feel more comfortable now that we've left the house?
I know! You're a good daughter!
Yes, you're a good daughter!
Go ahead and cry! Okay, go ahead!
Goodness! Goodness!
I think I'm going to die!
Did she give birth?
She's been trying all day but the baby won't budge.
Look at you! You're in no rush!
Where are you going?
At least give her a shot to induce labor!
The baby will come out in due time so leave her alone.
We should at least stay with her and help her!
What is there to help her with?
She's given birth alone since our first child.
Looks like the baby is coming!
Hurry and go on in!
If she doesn't have the baby tonight we are in big trouble!
Go on in I tell you!
So you just came back?
They had so many people standing guard.
I couldn't even get close to the front doors.
So that means there is something they're hiding!
It does seem so but...
Go back and stand watch.
Tell me if Kim So Won gives birth!
And if she did tell me whether it was a girl or boy!
Why are you not responding?
Yes Lady Sook Won!
All our other kids were so easy to push out.
Why is it so difficult this time?
Let's get this baby out, get our money, and go home.
Now, push hard honey.
Okay.
That's it! That's it! Good job! You're doing well!
I don't think... the baby... is coming today...
I need to sleep and try pushing again or something...
We don't have time I tell you!
Why are you doing this?
What do you want me to do?
Cut her open.
Cut her stomach and take the baby out.
This is going a bit too far...
Shall I split open your stomach?
Don't do this...
I know we're desperate but...
How can we take an innocent life...
Why is the child giving us such a hard time...
Take your time...
The child will come out in due time.
Who are you?
Are you deaf or something--
You should have some seaweed soup so the swelling will go down a bit...
Yam Jun
what do you think about bringing that child back?
Seeing as how we haven't heard from Hyung Ik yet
it must be because...
Did you say... she looked like me?
Yes! There was no doubting--
There's no way Lord Kim would kill that child.
I'm sure he'll take good care of her.
Why the heck isn't this man coming back?
The sun is about to come up any second!
[Kim Ja Jeom]
This shot will make you feel much better.
You were bound to die anyways!
So we must at least save this child!
Hurry!
Should I do it?
No it's okay!
Forgive me.
What should I do Lord Kim?
Raise her yourself and don't let anyone know.
Have you had a change of heart?
She's not your usual girl.
So we must keep the child alive
so we can keep her in her place.
A child raised by an old gisaeng...
What would come of her when she's grown up?
She'll most likely become a gisaeng.
Don't cry! Don't cry!
Why are you crying when you're going to live such a grand life?
Take those kids far away
- and sell them off as servants! - Yes!
Give him to me.
You said he's definitely a boy?
Don't worry. I touched it so many times
his penis is going to become clay.
I still need to take a look myself.
What a relief! Definitely a son!
No one saw you?
What if someone heard the baby crying?
He was sleeping so peacefully the entire way here.
I gave him a spoonful of alcohol.
You fed a newborn alcohol?
What else was I supposed to do?
If I covered his mouth he would have suffocated to death!
That doesn't mean you feed alcohol!
You beast!
Shall we take a look out into the world?
You almost left this wonderful world without so much as a peek at it.
See! Take a look!
What? Kim So Won had a son?
Yes, Your Highness.
Kim So Won had a son?
You said she had a son?
So she had a son?
Let me see him again!
He's so handsome!
Let's see who he looks like!
Oh my! You look just like His Highness!
He looks more like Kim So Won to me.
Is that so?
Now that you say it... you do look like your mother!
He must be hungry. Please give him back to me.
Congratulations!
Bring him to me.
Are you going to breast feed him?
What else would I do with the breast milk? I'd throw it out anyways.
What are you waiting for?
Okay...
The palace rules state that aside from the nanny--
I heard that the Crown Princess breast fed the prince.
That was because she was being taken away from him!
A child must be breast fed to strengthen
the bond between a mother and child, don't you think?
I plan to have this child grow on breast milk.
I am his mother.
Take a good look at me! I am your mother!
Did you say you heard a baby crying?
I didn't hear the baby crying but...
But?
But it definitely looked like he carried a baby into the home.
See what I mean My Lady!
She definitely switched the babies!
Lady Sook Won, you must go to the King's palace
immediately and tell him what she's done!
I got it so you can leave now.
Why are you hesitating?
I definitely heard a rumor Kim So Won
would switch the child with a boy if she gave birth to a girl!
There is no way to prove it!
She saw a baby being taken into the home!
Would His Highness believe the words of a nurse or Kim So Won?
If she did switch the infants
then that means her daughter is out there somewhere.
So we must find that child.
We must find the child to put an end to Kim So Won.
Understood My Lady. I will do whatever it takes to find that child.
Welcome My Lord!
Congratulations! So I hear Yam Jun has given birth to a boy?
Yes My Lord!
Thanks to the heavens looks like her future is set!
Even more so because I'll benefit from it as well!
Lady So Won! Your father is here!
Go on in.
What do you mean father?
Do you mean Lord Kim has come to visit?
What do you mean Lord Kim?
It's your biological father Lord Jo--
I don't have such a father!
So you can send him home!
Lady So Won, why don't you just--
Lady So Won!
When your wife was beating my mother
and your young daughter went to you begging for her mom's life
you said that a concubine's daughter is no daughter of yours
but now you want to come here and call yourself my father?
Even animals don't do such despicable things!
Yam Jun!
Do you still have something to say?
Must I show you the bruises and scars in my heart
for you to shut your mouth?
Great job My Lady!
Thanks to you I feel so alive!
From now on he won't even be able to look at you!
There's still a long way to go mother.
Until he is kneeling at my feet begging me to spare him his life
I must repay him for all he's done for us.
You've done enough.
Forget about it now.
It's not like he did it because he wanted to.
It's just how the world is.
Then that world must be changed!
What? What do you mean change the world?
If a concubine's daughter becomes queen...
does that not go against all rules of society?
The young Queen is still alive... will that even be possible?
Who's to say it's not possible?
I can make it happen!
I even gave away my own child...
Nothing can possibly be worse than that.
It would be great if that does happen but...
Mother... listen to me.
Her Highness must stay at Kyung Duk Palace
and we must make sure the Crown Prince in Shimyang does not ever return!
If we can just make that happen...
Then this child will become king.
What do you mean king?
If you become king
the world will go up in chaos once again.
The child of a peasant farmer...
Becomes a king...
Your Highness!
What brings you here My Lord?
We are here to urgently meet with His Highness.
Is he here?
Let them in!
Let's go in.
Why is he back?
They say China has imprisoned Prince So Hyun!
Because In Kyung Up has
allied with the Myung!
Oh dear...
Isn't that good for us?
Rumors say that a message was sent to His Highness
that unless His Highness goes and apologizes in person
they will not release the prince.
What a wicked man!
He wants me to go to Shimyang and apologize?
Your Highness--
And what if I don't want to?
Is he going to kill the Prince or something?
Your Highness.
You should not have a single thing to say!
You are the one that recommended we surrender to the barbarians!
[Kim In- Royal eunuch]
Of course you must go.
It's obvious whoever goes will die.
So who would volunteer to go in lieu of His Highness?
While I am not afraid to die--
Then should we tell His Highness to go?
The problem will not be resolved just because I go!
Then we have no other choice.
Than for His Highness to go in person.
If we drag this out, there's no predicting what will happen to the Crown Prince.
Then do you mean for me to go
when I can barely even walk?
So not one man is willing to go in my place?
Those assholes...
What do you mean?
They've asked His Highness to come to Shimyang?
What do you mean it was the Crown Princess's idea?
Just so I can live...
I cannot ask His Highness to endure something so humiliating once again.
How can father come to Shimyang
and apologize to the barbarians?
That is the only way to save you.
Tell the Princess...
If she does something so thoughtless ever again...
I will bite my own tongue and kill myself in this prison.
I'm sorry sister-in-law.
He seems to have caught on
and was asking so many questions...
I ended up telling him everything.
It's okay.
You do not need to feel bad.
If His Highness someday finds out the truth...
This is all because of His Highness.
Do you think In Kyung Up allied with
Myung without permission from His Highness?
There is no way His Highness did not know about it.
If In Kyung Up allies with Myung
the obstacles the Crown Prince would have to overcome...
His Highness wouldn't have
thought that far.
His Highness...
Has no intention of saving the Crown Prince.
How in the world could this happen Your Highness?
That conniving girl
entered the palace in a royal palanquin!
How can a concubine ride into the palace
in a palanquin for the Queen?
Do not let it bother you father.
Kim So Won gave birth to a son
so she deserves such treatment.
Your Highness!
Please wait...
Time is on my side father.
Peek a boo! Peek a boo!
[Lee Jing]
Let's see who you look like...
Your eyes...
Yes...you have your mother's eyes...
And everything else... undoubtedly are my features!
Isn't that so, In?
Yes, Your Highness.
Good job. Well done!
Thanks to having a child at an old age
I feel so much younger!
Here here here. That's it! That's it! That's it!
My my my!
Father of Yam Jun...
No no no...
You're not my in-law
but my father-in-law now!
Seeing Your Highness so happy
brings tears to my eyes.
Is that so?
After watching the Crown Prince and Prince Bong Rim being taken away
you must have been so lonely!
In the midst of all that, Kim So Won gave you a newborn son
and seeing you so genuinely happy...
Yes... I do feel as though I have a stronger support.
If something does happen to Prince So Hyun
I have someone to rely on.
That is too big a compliment Your Highness.
Are you also trying to abide by the palace traditions?
You've become much more mature since having a son.
- In - Yes, Your Highness.
Raise Kim So Won's concubine title to So Yong
and find her a place close to the King's palace to live.
That way she can take care of me.
Yes, Your Highness.
If you're going to raise my title
you might as well raise me to the Gui In level.
You ask for too much!
It's because that means I would still have
to answer to Jang Gui In and Park Sook Eui.
Your Highness
Or you can just make me a Bin.
Don't make it so cumbersome and raise it a wee bit at a time!
Has that ever happened?
Then? How many more sons must I give birth to
to gain the Gui In or Bin title?
So Yong is enough.
I... must also reward you.
If you must...
Then you should give me the Minister of Defense position.
Okay...
Would you like that position so much?
Here it is! Take it!
[Appointment of the Minister of Defense]
Your Highness!
Thank you tremendously!
Do you know that position is one that is fated to death?
I am asking you if you think His Highness
gave you that position of his own free will.
What are you talking about?
China has imprisoned Prince So Hyun.
So?
Truth is...
They are blaming His Highness
for In Kyung Up's betrayal.
So he wants me to take that blame instead?
If you'd like to know what this all about
then you should ask Lady Kim So Yong about it.
You're telling me to ask my daughter?
Are you happy now?
I've pretty much given you everything you've asked for.
If you just have one more son
I will make you a Bin.
Now that your father has become the Minister of Defense
I can appoint him the Chief State Councilor position when he returns.
I'm just going to be a Bin, Your Highness?
I can't go any higher than that?
For as long as the Queen lives
that is not an option for you.
Never in my dreams. Dare I even think of such a title?
The Queen Mother on the other hand...
Now that you've given birth to a son
it is for you of course.
You said... you would put my son there.
I did?
When are you saying I said that?
Your Highness
The only people you can trust right now are my father and myself.
The nation has left you long ago
and China wants to put the Crown Prince where you are right now.
What do you know?
And what about your councilmen, Your Highness?
Aside from my father
do you think there is one other person who is willing to die for you?
You should gather your council together immediately
and ask if anyone is willing to go to China for you this instant.
You take care of yourself!
From now on, any girl that sleeps with High Highness
will have to answer to me.
Understood?
Have I given away my deepest feelings
to a common girl?
The only people I can trust are Kim Ja Jeom and her?
My goodness...
Are you the reason
I became the Minister of Defense?
You recommended me to His Highness fully aware it is one destined for death?
Father
will the Crown Prince not return one day?
If he returns
your dreams as well as my dreams
will all become fantasies.
- So? - So before that happens
we must separate the Crown Prince and His Highness.
Suspicion leads to more suspicion
and that suspicion is bound to give birth to more suspicion.
His Highness is nervous
the China will try to bring the Crown Prince to the throne.
It may be nothing short of a small flame right now
but we must give wind to that flame to blaze
so my son... will become king.
Is that not what you want father?
Make my son king
so you can control this nation.
If you go to China and are able to survive
you must do it.
Light a strong flame of suspicion deep inside Crown Prince and Princess.
You must make them believe that
for as long as His Highness lives they will not be able to return to Joseon.
That way... father and son will draw their swords on each other.
So you... want to control me?
You cannot go My Lord!
Do you think I do not have ears?
In return for you going to China
His Highness appointed you Minister of Defense.
I survived on a deserted island completely alone.
No matter what, I will come back alive
so do not worry wife.
My Lord!
My Lady! My Lady!
His Highness has said that you can
pay your respects when you return and to just leave.
You tell His Highness.
I, Kim Ja Jeom, will return at the least as a ghost
and will make sure to pay respects to His Highness.
Let's go!
If anything he'll return as a ghost?
Fine. If you come back alive once again
you are not human.
You are a ghost.
Isn't that so, In?
Otherwise...
I am a ghost...
Welcome Minister of Defense.
I will lead the way for you from here on out.
As soon as I lay foot on barbaric land
you're planning on dragging me to prison?
Kim!
Keep a close eye on that child.
That child is my lifeline.
Yes, Lord Kim.
Let's go!
Your Highness! His Highness is on his way back!
Your Highness!
Where is His Highness?
Your Highness!
I thought I'd never see you again.
Your Highness...
We cannot accept the man from Joseon they sent in place of the King.
No matter what, the Joseon King must come here in person and apologize.
Having the Joseon King come here has more cons that pros.
If Joseon is willing to lose their lives and attacks us
Our plans to cross the Great Wall later this year will become dust.
That is all the more reason for us to take out Joseon.
Your Highness, we must come to a final decision now.
Joseon sent a man in lieu of the King
which means they have no intention of waging war on us.
Did you not say His Majesty's one wish
is to step foot inside the Forbidden City?
What if we bring the Joseon King to Shimyang and lock him up
then place a man like Choi Myung Kil as Joseon's King?
That is preposterous!
It makes more sense to have the Crown Prince rise to the throne!
China's dilemma with their upcoming final battle with Myung
was Joseon.
Unless they had complete possession of Joseon
they could not climb over the Great Wall in peace.
The unfortunate split between
Injo and Prince So Hyun all started there.
The amount of servants we've taken out of the slave trade
with the money made from this land is over hundreds of thousands.
With over tens of thousands who have returned to Joseon.
Despite that His Highness
rather than acknowledging what you've done
is doubting and distancing himself from you.
- Wife! - This land--
was originally our land!
We were foolish and gave up this land to the Manchu Dynasty
and then we were dragged away.
Now we are being forced to live as one of them.
Your Highness
You must build a new kingdom.
You must build a young and prosperous land
where the people of the nation will no longer suffer.
The reason father wasn't able to help me--
Forget about your father.
From now on, only think of the kingdom you will build.
That is the only way you will save the people of the nation.
Just as His Highness gave up on the nation and his people
he gave up on you.
Hello.
Good day! I am Lee Hyung Ik!
Hello.
Royal Medical Treatment Quarter- Team designated to look after the king
Thank you!
[Lee Hyung Ik]
Are you new here?
I am Lee Hyung Ik.
Follow me.
He's as cold as a girl.
Where did you learn acupuncture?
When I was younger I went to Yeongkyung...
Yeongkyung?
My relative was an interpreter
and visited Myung often.
Dr. Yang!
So because of that I lived in Yeongkyung for two or three years
and during that time--
- You called? - Take him.
Follow me.
What are these?
You dumb man!
Do you not know what a chamber pot is?
What are you talking about?
What do you mean what am I talking bout?
They're telling me to watch His Highness's feces.
Our Lady So Yong must like you a great deal!
That's why she got you a job so soon!
You think I did all that just to stare at the King's poop?
Don't make such a big deal out of it.
What do you mean I'm making a big deal?
Just for Lady So Yong... to a perfectly healthy woman I--
I split her stomach open!
And for that I get to shove my nose into a bowl of poop?
If it infuriates you so much then go to the King's palace and ask.
Woman!
Why? You don't think I can?
Meanwhile, you can eat this honey.
That smell!
What? Does it smell sweet?
How dare you shove that in my face!
That smell!
You can't do it?
Working in the royal kitchen will at least smell good.
But the royal kitchen at Kyung Duk Palace...
is where I will be preparing food for Her Highness...
Hyung Ik
If you do a good job with this one too
I will make you the head of the royal medical team.
Forget it!
I'd rather look into those chamber pots twice a day...
Did you say you split open the stomach of an innocent person for me?
Goodness! Just the thought of it is unbearable!
Then this time... should I...
split open your stomach for you?
Lady So Yong! Why are you doing this?
Even if my wish is to become His Highness's primary doctor
I cannot...to the innocent Queen...
I am not asking you to kill her.
Hyung Ik
So just act like that's what I'm doing?
Is that what you're saying Lady So Yong?
That won't be that difficult.
Just act like it?
That's as easy as pie.
Hey you barbarians!
You're telling me to eat this?
Even dogs and pigs are fed better than this!
Why don't you guys just eat it you fools!
What if Lord Kim comes back alive?
If Lord Kim comes back wanting to fight to death--
So we must make it clear who is the owner
and who is the servant.
Do not forget what happened tonight.
When I play the harp
you must dance along to the beat.
Do you understand?
You... are my puppet.
When the string that connects us breaks...
you will die and so will I.
I have absolutely no interest in being Kim Ja Jeom's puppet.
Lady So Yong. But still!
They say that if desperate enough the mouse will bite the cat!
If that man opens his mouth, how can you possibly be safe?
Tell him to bite me if he so wishes.
My Lady!
I have nothing to lose.
Hyuk died right in front of my very own eyes.
In that moment I died as well.
What if someone hears you?
I am not human!
I live each day not considering myself to be human!
Do you think I can forget about him?
No matter what happens
I will live to see this world go up in chaos!
I will make sure to live to see
a father kill his son
and the son kill his father!
That way... he will be able to rest in peace.
Mother...
Her Highness is now 19 years old.
We can no longer leave Her Highness locked up inside Kyung Duk Palace.
We must somehow find a way.
We must make sure she does not take a single step outside Kyung Duk Palace.
[Queen Jo]
Kim Ja Jeom is not one to die easily.
But for him to return will take about two to three years.
During that time, we must make Her Highness an invalid.
And in her place... that is where I must be!
That way... I... I! Become the owner!
I must become the owner!
So I can use Kim Ja Jeom as I would my dog.
Subtitles by DramaFever
My opponent this time is the Queen.
It's not a weak concubine like Lee Sook Won.
Who would dare poison the meal of Your Highness?
What do you mean a conniving girl?
Do you want the palace to reek with the stench of the women's blood?
Do such things as secrets exist?
You are not that great of a person.
How dare you say that to the woman who--
The reason I am not tearing you away from where you are
is because of His Highness.
Did you just say the Queen is coming back to the royal palace?
I've done a wretched thing.
I swear.
I will protect you so no one can lay a finger on you.