Jang Ok Jung, Living in Love
Episode 21
Move aside.
Your Majesty!
Court maids, move aside right now!
Queen... are you this kind of person? When I'm not looking...
Your Majesty, it's not that...
You wouldn't treat horses and cows that way...
How could you whip a person so cruelly?
Your Majesty, it's not that... If you could please listen to me...
Your Majesty!
Please take my life.
I made the Queen Majesty uncomfortable...
So I got punished.
Everyone, leave us.
I said, everyone leave!
Queen...
How on earth did she make you feel so uncomfortable
that you had to beat her while everyone stood around?
Your Majesty, how can you just take her side without listening to my reasons?
I didn't beat her like a horse or a cow...
I was giving her a warning for her rude behavior...
She was given the warning because she received my grace.
That means it wasn't about the order of the internal court...
It was jealousy.
Your Majesty, it's a matter of the internal court.
I was restoring the order of the internal court...
So please leave it to me.
If restoring the order of the internal court means beating a maid with my grace
then I have no choice but to give her an official appointment to protect her.
Your Majesty.
An appointment?
I want you to appoint her to Level 4 Suk Won.
At one point, you were even willing to be my political partner...
You could at least show that much generosity.
Your Majesty, how could you do this to me?
You promised me that you'd never let go of my hand.
How could you just drop my hand like this?
Did you just say I let go of your hand?
I'm trying so hard not to let go of your hand!
Your Majesty, I came to the palace with a myriad of walls only to find you.
But the person I came to look for was the King.
And I went through hardships because of it.
But I've never considered it a hardship.
I just thought of it as the price I had to pay as a lowly person to love the King.
That's why I wanted to take the seat of the Queen.
I wanted the seat where I could love you all I wanted without anyone saying anything.
But what's the use of having you? If you let go of my hand?
I've never let go of your hand.
I just want you to act the title since you're the Queen now.
- Your Majesty. - As the mother of the country...
and as the partner who would go with me to the end
I hope you think seriously about how you should act from now on.
And regarding the incident with the maid...
wrap it up nicely by giving her a royal concubine appointment.
This is the seat of the Queen.
It's not like you, why are you laughing so hard?
Forgive me, but I feel like my indigestion of 10 years has been cured, Your Majesty.
I'm glad that at least you're happy.
Aren't you, Queen Majesty?
Just imagining that Jang's cat face after His Majesty's favor is taken away...
But isn't it really something?
Other than being lively, I don't see anything special...
But she destroyed the ironclad Jang's grip of His Majesty's favor.
No, the iron fortress is much more solid than we think.
It won't fall apart so easily.
Queen Majesty, what do you mean by that...?
I'm more scared of His Majesty.
April 26th in the year of Geui...
Court maid Choi is appointed to Level 4 Suk Won...
Show your bow of gratitude.
Congratulations, Lady Suk Won.
Demoted Min, me, and you.
What an incredible fate.
Isn't it? I said I'd become like you, I mean, Queen Majesty back then...
It's my honor.
There are many special court ladies who don't do anything for the rest of their lives
after receiving the grace of His Majesty just once...
You're very lucky compared to that.
- Yes. - But that's the end of it.
The seat that you can climb up, that is.
Wouldn't I get His Majesty's grace twice when I already received it once?
Along the way, I'll get pregnant
and I'll also become Bin...
Then maybe along the way...
'Maybe' doesn't happen to anyone.
Just like the King is appointed by heaven...
it goes the same with the Queen.
Your Majesty, is His favor not like before like the rumor says?
How did you get a Suk Won appointment taken away by a low court maid?
It wasn't taken away, I gave it to her!
Besides, that's not important now.
What's important is not about a low court maid becoming a Suk Won...
How could a lowly servant who used to run errands in the house of the demoted Min
enter the internal court of the palace?
There must be someone behind her.
Your Majesty, are you referring to the demoted Min as someone behind her?
Yes, that's what I think.
I'm sure the conspiracy of restoring the demoted Min is in progress.
Restoring the dethroned Queen means the control of the Western Party
and it'll lead to the fall of the Southern Party.
And it might be directly related to my fate.
So, find the right time and bring it up in the court
that the conspiracy of restoring the dethroned Queen is in progress.
And find the evidence of it.
You must.
It's about time there some balance is restored in the court.
For now, I'll start by inserting a few members of the Western Party in the court
to keep the balance.
Give them to the Secretary. It's the personnel change.
What is it?
I may be out of my place, but the Queen Majesty seems very hurt.
I didn't appoint a concubine because I fell for the Western Party's trick.
I just made it appear that way out of necessity.
And it's also a warning to the Southern Party not to be lazy with the support of the Queen.
Jang Hyun...
I can't just sit and watch it anymore.
A message from the palace came.
Your Majesty, what's the occasion?
Is it about the gunpowder Your Majesty wanted me to get last time...
are you still disappointed in me?
I'm not such a petty man, so don't worry. I already forgot a long time ago.
But some other information intrigues me today.
Other information?
Comb through the entire house and find it!
Yes, sir!
- Take care of him now! - Yes, sir!
By the way, are you that disappointed about not getting the title of the father-in-law?
Forgive me, but I am.
I've come this far only for the title of the father-in-law.
If you'd give me the title that's with the dead person now...
I would dance around and jump into fire if I had to.
No need to jump into fire.
But I can't do that.
If I give you the title of the father-in-law
you'd officially be an in-law of my late Mother.
The resentment of my Mother's death in the evil hands of her in-law would only grow deeper!
Your Majesty, 'closed her eyes in the evil hands of her in-law'?
And resentment? What do you mean by that?
It's true that Mother was gravely ill at the time.
But it's also true that you made the end of her life come sooner.
You ordered the royal doctor, who you consider your servant
and used aconite!
Your Majesty, that's not it. It's a misunderstanding.
Misunderstanding?
Could it be a misunderstanding?
Bring him in.
Say what you said to me before.
Your Majesty, please spare my life.
Confess right now what you said to me!
I fell for Officer Jang's trick at the time.
I added aconite to the Queen Mother's prescription.
Please take my life, Your Majesty!
How dare you try to slander me!
Did you say 'slander'?
Your Majesty, if you'd give me a chance to explain, I will tell you the truth.
Okay then. What's the explanation?
As Your Majesty knows, the Queen Mother caused much pain for the Queen Majesty.
She almost drank the infertility medicine and she even had a miscarriage.
She was very upset and sad, so I did it to unload a bit of her anger.
So you did such a horrible thing?
Since Your Majesty cared so much about the Queen Majesty
I just meant to protect the Queen Majesty
and wished her happiness with Your Majesty for a hundred years to come.
Shut up before I pull out that tongue of yours.
You did it for your own gain
and you're trying to avoid the blame by getting the Queen involved?
I can't stand to hear anymore.
Your Majesty, even if it's true...
If I become the one who broke the parent-child tie
it will taint the status of the Queen Majesty
and leave a critical mark on the Crowned Prince who needs a perfect succession.
You are a very shrewd merchant.
Getting the Queen and the Crowned Prince involved...
while trying to save your own life.
So I have prepared
a way to get rid of you while protecting the safety of my Crowned Prince.
- Hyun Moo. - Yes, Your Majesty.
All the retainers are in here.
Bribing the members of the Western Party on multiple occasions...
It's your account book that you've recorded for over a decade!
I've done so much for you up to this point...
You can't get rid of me like this!
Then you shouldn't have bitten the heel of your master!
Your Majesty!
If you committed a crime, you should pay for it.
Your Majesty...
What would you do if the Queen Majesty committed the same crime as I did?
The same crime?
What same crime did the Queen commit?
You already know very well...
That's why you covered up such a horrible incident
and are trying to trap me only with the account book.
Now that you're cornered, you must be going crazy.
- Hyun Moo. - Yes, Your Majesty.
Arrest him right now and take him away.
For the crime of bribing the corrupt officials...
I will ask for a thorough explanation.
- Yes, Your Majesty. Take him away. - Yes, sir.
Your Majesty, you can't do this to me. I'm the uncle of the Crowned Prince!
Your Majesty! Your Majesty! It's a misunderstanding!
Your Majesty, I'm the uncle of the Crowned Prince! Your Majesty!
Putting me in jail like this?
Your Majesty, I must have the father-in-law title before I die.
And I'll relieve the resentment of my dead Hong Joo.
How can I make that happen? What ways...
Ways...
Queen Majesty.
Your Majesty, Jang Hyun has been arrested and put in jail.
What?
What's the reason?
Your Majesty, I came to ask something.
Is it about Jang Hyun?
Yes, Jang Hyun is my uncle and was even considered as the father-in-law...
I'd like to know why you removed him.
Because I had my reasons.
At times, Officer Jang acted in ways I didn't agree with
but he's my family and helped you in many ways.
- How could you all of a sudden... - It's not all of a sudden.
It's just time to pay the price for the crimes he's committed all along.
Pay the price?
I cannot possibly bring it up.
You should go ask him yourself
about the atrocities he's committed up to this point.
Uncle, what happened to you?
Queen Majesty, the crime was simple but I believe the investigation will be complicated.
What I did was add aconite to the late Queen Mother's prescription
but I was charged with bribery.
Uncle, how could you be so calm after committing such a horrible crime?
Even if everyone else says that, you can't say that to me.
Why can't I say that to you?
In a way, everything happened in order to make Jang Ok Jung the Queen Majesty.
You mean, everything happened because of me?
What else could it be?
Why else would I add aconite to the Queen Mother's prescription?
- You wouldn't deny that, would you? - That's not it!
You didn't do it for me, you did it for your own greed.
She's the mother of the person I consider the most precious in this world.
Even if I didn't like her, how would I harm the mother of the one who is most dear to me?
Uncle, please don't cause any more trouble for His Majesty.
Can you just leave?
I'll make a request to spare your life.
No no no... I will never just leave.
I've always gotten everything I wanted.
Same goes for the title of the father-in-law.
That's probably why stole my teacher's store and even her life.
If I had known earlier, I would have never partnered with you.
And I think it's still not too late.
I'm going to cut off all my ties with you from this moment on.
Blood relations that the whole world is aware of cannot be cut off.
Which card could I play with His Majesty
to spare my life and earn the title of the father-in-law?
I believe I can find the answer soon.
I'll let you know then.
She's the mother of the person I consider the most precious in this world.
Even if I don't like her, how would I harm the mother of the one who is most dear to me?
Your Majesty, may I tell you about the afternoon schedule?
- Go ahead. - Yes, Your Majesty.
You have a meeting with the governors of the eight provinces regarding taxation...
then a meeting with Prince Dongpyung who came back from China as a diplomat.
Uncle Dongpyung is back?
Prince Dongpyung! Why are you so late?
What does it mean, that His Majesty has a concubine?
And Officer Jang is arrested?
I don't know how to settle the matter of Officer Jang.
I don't know what to do since Ok Jung and I are related...
That can't be... His Majesty is...
How is Queen Majesty doing?
Your Majesty.
Forgive me for saying this...
The meeting with the governors of the eight provinces regarding taxation
- may need to be postponed. - Why?
They are still tired from a long trip
and they all have a stomachache perhaps from the change in the water.
Oh my. Then we'll have to reschedule.
Send the royal doctors and get them examined.
Yes, Your Majesty.
- I'll go rest for a while. - Yes, Your Majesty. I'll head to the bedroom.
- No, I'll go to the Queen's quarter. - Yes, Your Majesty.
What happened, Queen Majesty?
His Majesty has a new concubine? And on top of that, Officer Jang...
How could these big events happen while I was away in China?
I can't believe it either, but that's what happened.
There must be another reason.
From what I've seen, no matter what kind of cold-hearted decisions His Majesty has made
he has always cared for you.
Regardless of other reasons, it's still a fact that His Majesty has a new concubine.
Who is in the room?
It's...
It must be all for you, Queen Majesty...
What would Uncle Dongpyung do for my Queen?
Your Majesty, what brings you here without prior notice?
My... since when did I fall to the status that has to notify before arriving?
What do you mean, fall?
Women always want to look good to their husbands
so they need time to prepare, that's what I believe she means.
Let's sit down.
I'm disappointed, Uncle Dongpyung.
You should've come to me first if you were back from the trip.
Yes... forgive me, Your Majesty.
On my way into the palace, I ran into Jang Hee Jae...
He bragged so much about his promotion, so I came to congratulate the Queen Majesty.
Oh, that's right.
Uncle Dongpyung, Queen, and my brother-in-law...
You're like three siblings.
Your Majesty, it's an occasion for you to visit, so should I have the treats prepared?
No, that's not necessary.
I just stopped by to see you, and now I've seen you.
Also, you have a guest.
Then enjoy your time here, Uncle Dongpyung.
Your Majesty.
Well... it looks like I picked the wrong time for a visit.
It's okay, I'll follow him.
Please teach me, Your Majesty.
What brings you all the way here, Suk Won?
By chance, I was passing by and I heard Your Majesty was here, so...
By chance...
I haven't heard that in a while.
I commend you for coming all the way here 'by chance'.
It's out of your place to be in the archery ground as a concubine.
Next time...
Would you like to learn?
Your Majesty!
Here, this way...
Can you even catch a rabbit this way?
Your Majesty...
Your Majesty, what's next?
You may leave now.
- Your Majesty, let me at least shoot once. - I said, leave!
Your Majesty.
Your Majesty, I have something to tell you.
I loved her.
But she never saw me as anything more than a brother.
Then she disappeared...
and reappeared as the woman of Your Majesty.
It's true that it was painful for a while.
But she told me
that she wanted me to unload all the worries I had for her.
Maybe I was waiting for her to say that.
So that's how I got over my feelings for her.
That's my heart without a trace of dishonesty.
Uncle Dongpyung...
Please take charge of the clinic.
Your Majesty, a royal family member can't hold a position...
Even for a royal family, there are precedents for the clinic.
You mean, Your Majesty...
I'd like to grow the clinic into a hospital for the people.
But it seems that quite a bit of the medicinal ingredients are unavailable.
Plus, the Western Party is behind the clinic although they've been dismissed from the court.
So I'd like you to take charge of the clinic
and continue helping me by my side.
Your Majesty.
I receive your command.
Don't show me your back or run away from me anymore.
I will close the distance.
Can you promise me that you'll never let go of my hand that you're holding now?
As Lee Soon the King, I promise you.
The King needs to know how to fear the heart of the people.
When mistakes repeat themselves, it's no longer a mistake, it's a fault.
And the fault must have its price paid.
- What's going on? - There was a message from the Queen's quarter.
A message?
- Your Majesty. - Why did you want to see me?
Your Majesty, do you remember?
That you told me you'd never let go of my hand.
I've thought a lot after getting scolded for the incident with Choi Suk Won.
I still remember your words clearly from that night.
But why do I feel such a distance?
I've repeated many mistakes you've pointed out along the way.
But Your Majesty...
If it's still not too late
if you haven't let go of my hand yet
I'll do my best to become the wise Queen and kind mother of Yoon that you want so much.
You won't let go of my hand until the end, will you?
I've been trying so hard not to let go of this hand.
Every time I became scared that I might let go of it...
I tried and tried to hang on.
But I realized...
that I can never let go of your hand.
Unless you let go first...
I will never let go of this hand.
So, don't let go of my hand.
Your Majesty, I'll never let go of your hand.
Just one turn and lift the skirt just a bit.
What do you mean?
How dare you! Mind your manners!
Are you okay? Are you hurt anywhere?
Forgive me, Queen Majesty.
- What is this? - Please open it.
It's a novel that my brother Kim Man Joong wrote.
You can consider it a plan to gather the heart of the people.
Gathering the heart of the people?
It's the most popular novel among the women in the market.
The writing style of the story of Your Majesty and Jang is geared towards women in the market.
The story of Hee Bin and me?
- Are there any more copies of the book? - Wait, it's coming out soon.
Everyone, look at this book!
- How was it? - It's surprising.
How could he write in such a way?
And a Confucius scholar writing a novel for women at that.
My brother is quite talented at this.
I didn't like that he was writing novels before...
but it became very handy.
First, spread it among the people and have them read it
and I think it's a good idea to have His Majesty read it, too.
His Majesty?
Leave it to me to have His Majesty read it.
Hee Jae!
Mother, I'm a lord now.
What are we going to do?
I think the evil Gyo in this novel is referring to the Queen Majesty.
- Right? - Mother...
Why do you bother to read cheap novels like that?
Anyway, I guess you're a woman, too.
I don't think it's just that.
I think it's displayed everywhere on purpose.
The air is strange.
I have to let the Queen Majesty know now.
The evil Gyo is beyond vicious...
and Sa is an angel from heaven, a saint herself.
Now that the story is written in a book like this, I'm the worst evil there is.
It's spread everywhere. Not just the palace, but also in the market.
They're accusing me as the evil concubine
and trying to restore the dethroned Queen. It's the plan to gather the heart of the people.
They're really evil. How could they think such a thing...
His Majesty should never read this.
Court Lady Eom, search everywhere in the palace and burn every copy
and forbid it completely in the palace. Hurry!
What about the rumor that it has already been spread?
Is it Gam Go Dang where the demoted Min is staying?
Did you see a ghost? Why are you so surprised?
I believe the origin of this book is here.
Why do you think that?
It's spread everywhere in the market, so I took a look...
but I couldn't tell.
Is it the thief feeling guilty on his own?
Did you think it would help to gather the heart of the people for your restoration?
It's not enough that you were demoted, do you want to suffer more?
As you said... weeds only become stronger as they're stepped on.
How is my demotion any different from weeds?
What happened to all the pride and dignity before...?
How did you become this way?
You told me...
you were kicked out even after receiving the grace of His Majesty because of your class
and you went through the dangers of life.
But I was born to a reputable noble family
and I had just received a seat, which happened to be the seat of the Queen.
But 'think from the other's perspective.'
You even put your life on the line for a scheme...
So why would the scheme of this novel be a big deal to you?
I put my life on the line to earn this seat.
Even if you use a trick by sending a maid to gather the heart of the people with a novel
His Majesty's favor is not so light that it can crumble easily.
It's strong enough to prevent anyone from interfering.
Is it?
Then what was the grace that Choi Suk Won received?
From what I can tell, there is already a crack in His Majesty's favor.
And that's why you ran over here.
Because you're nervous.
That may be true.
But compared to you, I'm still sitting on a flower cushion.
Come if you want to.
I'm still maintaining a tight grip on the highest seat.
Do you understand?
Yoon!
My son...
Yoon, you have to become a great king like your father.
And make sure to protect me.
A call from the father-in-law of His Majesty...
It's an honor.
What's the use of a shell of the father-in-law from the old days
in front of the real power, the current brother-in-law of His Majesty.
You call your enemy here and praise me in such way...
Please tell me what's on your mind.
Don't you need this?
I see...
This is the truth of collecting silver coins for the restoration of the dethroned Queen.
I should go to the Office of the Royal Magistrate...
It's not about restoring the dethroned Queen.
It's to let her into the special quarter in the palace.
I really wondered...
But the Queen Majesty was right...
about the restoration of the dethroned Queen!
If you put it like that, I have nothing to say.
We just mean to bring her into the special quarter, not restore her as the Queen...
If you really think that way, we won't say anymore.
But there must be some ways we could help you instead.
That's enough.
Feint operation?
Firstly, move the heart of the people so that His Majesty develops fears through the novel...
But Jang has forbidden the Story of Sa in the palace.
We have a secret weapon, Choi Suk Won.
Secondly, we have to use the critical weakness of His Majesty
and agitate the family members of Jang Ok Jung to have them cause trouble.
Especially Jang Hee Jae.
If we can get Jang and the Crowned Prince involved, we can get rid of them at once.
So agitate Jang Hee Jae to cause trouble.
Move the heart of the people with the Story of Sa...
and pull Jang Ok Jung from the seat of the Queen with the trouble caused by Jang Hee Jae.
And after that?
My Lord, welcome.
Prince Dongpyung is releasing medicine for the poor patients?
Yes, he's very excited ever since he took charge of the clinic.
For goodness sake, the price of medicine has gone up so much
yet he's giving away so much of it with the excuse of helping the poor...
It hasn't even been that long.
Sure, I'll get it to you later.
After time passes, it all feels like good times.
Uncle Dongpyung was crying for help at the clinic due to a lack of labor.
How about it? Can you lend him a few maids from the internal court?
I'll lead the way.
- You'll do it yourself? - Yes, Your Majesty.
Rather than living in the palace with the same routine...
I think I'd be happy to hear what people say and to offer my help.
Good thinking.
Take this opportunity to show the kind and loving side of the mother of this country.
I'll also try to go there as soon as my work is done.
Then we'll be able to show the happy royal family.
It's catching two birds with one stone.
Hee Bin is planning to go to the clinic and help out?
Yes, in a way, it's a God-given chance.
God-given chance?
Our Western Party has held a strong foothold in the clinic.
It's easy to plan things.
This will be a great chance to show who the real mother of Joseon is.
Is that possible?
Of course it's possible.
But this time, you have to help, too.
Me?
Queen Majesty, please get on.
No, I think it's better to walk.
It's pretty far.
It gets loud with the march and people will look, too.
It might disturb the people.
We still have a lot of time, so let's walk.
Yes, Your Majesty.
Why are you not following them?
Well... I have something else to do.
What kind of book are you reading that's making you tear up?
Your Majesty, you've come.
What kind of book is it?
It really moved you?
It's the Story of Sa that's widespread outside of the palace.
It's very touching and moving.
It's very popular in the market these days, it's pretty interesting.
Would you like to take a look?
Let's see.
What kind of story is it?
There was a scholar called Yoo Hyun Soo in the country of Myoung...
You can't read, but since you're very bright, listen and memorize this.
The story goes... Yoo Hyun Soo married a kind lady named Sa...
But when she couldn't have a child, he got a concubine named Gyo.
But once the concubine Gyo had a son, she tried to kick out the legitimate wife
with all kinds of lies and schemes. In the end, she became the wife.
I see... so Gyo who lied and conspired all the time was killed in the end
and he called back Sa again and had a life of wealth and happiness.
Yes, that's the story.
But my Choi Suk Won, you learned to read in the middle of your hard life as a maid?
Then will you read it, Your Majesty?
Sure, I'll take a look when I get a chance.
Yoo Hyun Soo who dismissed his wife is me.
The kind Sa is the dethroned Min.
And the evil Sa is my Queen.
Kim Man Joong is such a storyteller.
The heart of the people naturally turn away from the concubine in the conflict.
Queen Majesty must be very concerned.
I'm also quite angry.
Yoo Hyun Soo who's supposed to be me... Since when was I under the wraps of women?
Your Majesty, will you be alright? The public sentiment is...
There is nothing like the conflict between the wife and concubines to draw attention.
I'm more concerned about my Queen's position.
That damn Western Party... I've been willing to accept them
but they keep pushing.
Is everything going well with the preparation for the event at the clinic?
Of course. I should head out now and check one last time.
Did you hear that my Queen also wanted to go help?
Yes. It'll be an honor if she can.
I'll also head out as soon as my work is done.
Queen Majesty is arriving.
Queen Majesty...
Queen Majesty is Sa from the Story of Sa?
Yes, she's wise and generous, but she was kicked out by the concubine Jang!
Queen Majesty!
Queen Majesty.
Why is she here?
Lord Kim Man Gi was in charge of the clinic a few years ago.
So he still has a strong influence in the clinic.
Welcome. By the way, what's the occasion?
I'm disappointed, Uncle.
I mean, Prince Dongpyung.
I heard you needed people, so I came to help.
And you're asking why I'm here...
Why would I need your help?
We have more than enough help here.
I don't feel so welcomed by you for coming.
That's not the case...
Queen Majesty is arriving!
Everyone, thank you for your hard work. I heard you needed help, so we are here.
Small particles make up a mountain, so please give us some work.
Calling us 'everyone'?
Yeah, the evil concubine in the Story of Sa is the current Queen.
What happens when this country has two mothers?
It's an omen that the country will fall apart.
How can you be here...
The current Queen is the evil Gyo in the Story of Sa!
- That's right! - She's Gyo!
- She's definitely Gyo! - She's the evil Gyo!
== Subtitles extracted by rispana2.blogspot.com ==
If you ever show up to the place of the Queen again
I'll punish you according to the custom.
Do you know what the limit of the Queen Jang Ok Jung is?
You only rely on the favor of His Majesty.
Choi Suk Won is pregnant?
Now the second phase of the plan. Time to start the real hunting.
Is the Queen's seat so easy to replace like a snack in the market?
- If there is a real sin committed... - Get out! I said, get out!
I wonder how long he can hold onto the hand of Jang...
I'll keep an eye on them.