Cruel Palace
My son! I'm here! Your father! I'm here my son!
Your Highness!
This is such an unexpected tragedy!
He was barely 30 years old.
How can he pass away so soon, Your Highness?
So Hyun...
My boy, open your eyes.
Open your eyes and look at me.
Your Highness!
Prince So Hyun!
So Hyun...
So Hyun. My boy.
Wipe your tears.
A child passing before their parents is one of the worst things that could happen to a parent.
My boy.
Open your eyes!
Open your eyes and look at me!
You were dragged away to the barbarian's nation because of me.
You endured all of that.
And now you leave me as soon as you returned.
How am I supposed to let you go?
So Hyun! So Hyun!
How can you leave your father?
Open your eyes So Hyun!
So Hyun!
My boy, open your eyes I say.
I don't know whether I should comfort your broken heart or not..
But I do not know what to say.
The sadness is blinding Your Highness.
So Hyun! My boy!
So Hyun.
Open. Open your eyes.
Please stop crying, Your Highness.
No. No.
Turning this world into an ocean with my tears is not enough.
Who do I have left now?
Whom can I pass the throne to and die in peace?
Your Highness!
Where is the Princess?
Hurry and bring her in!
The Princess should send him off herself.
Was it that upsetting?
Just because I scolded you for becoming too Westernized?
Was that so upsetting?
Do you think I said those things because I don't like you?
I thought you'd forgotten what the barbarians put me through.
So I was only pretending for a little bit.
That is always going to bother me.
That you may have died resenting me.
Your Highness.
In! Come here and take a look!
I can't believe he's dead! Come here and call out his name!
You liked him so much! Come and talk to him!
Your Highness. The Princess.
Is she here?
Where? Where is she? Where?
Father.
My child.
Come here and give him a hug.
He's still warm as though he's still alive.
My child, come here.
Come here and give the Prince a hug.
Now.
Yes. Yes.
I know I'm a bad person.
If I knew this was going to happen, I would have been nicer to him.
He was so weak-hearted.
He must have been so heartbroken!
Do me a favor.
Yes Your Highness.
I...
Since I was not able to watch him go because I was not at the palace...
Give me a just a moment. Just a moment to be alone with him.
Yes, Your Highness.
Fine.
How can the loss of a husband possibly compare to the loss of a child?
I'm sorry, Father.
I was not comparing my sadness to yours.
It's just...
I thought maybe because of the three sons he is leaving behind.
He may not... just maybe.
He may not be able to leave completely and his spirit might be wandering.
Forgive me, my prince.
Just today.
I will only cry today.
My Prince.
Where have you been all this time?
As soon as I heard Prince So Hyun passed away...
I left to strengthen security at Doh Sung.
I also re-inspected the men standing guard in front of the palace.
If the army is spread out, the people cannot mourn freely.
While it is tragic that Prince So Hyun died, being overly upset is rude to His Highness.
I'm sure His Highness is more upset than anyone else.
Your Highness, the palace is most vulnerable during a time of mourning.
We must be more cautious and be careful of what is said by those within the palace.
I am unable to take care of many things, because I just lost an important child.
You can talk things over with the Prime Minister and oversee the funeral arrangements.
Yes, Your Highness.
Let's go.
I told you not to cry!
Until our father is buried in the ground, you must hold back your tears.
How can he possibly prevent the tears from flowing?
It does not go against customs to cry before a funeral service.
I am not concerned about customs.
In a situation where we do not fully understand how our father passed away...
I do not believe it is right to mourn his death so soon.
You are quite mature and thoughtful for your age.
Kim Ja Jeom, I'd like you to take care of the investigation.
Don't leave a single question unanswered and make it very clear how the Prince died.
Let's go.
Who gave you permission to come in here?
Go wait outside.
It is my fault Mother.
I failed to protect Father like you told me to.
I deserve whichever punishment you choose.
Go wait outside.
I'd like to be alone with your father.
Adviser Kim has already done a thorough inspection so tell everyone to leave for the night.
- Do you hear me? - Yes, Your Highness.
Select a burial site as soon as possible.
That way you can proceed with the funeral ceremony.
That's obviously--
Something for the Prince's son to oversee.
Your words seem to be hinting at something.
What could I possibly be hinting at?
I'm just suggesting we do the obvious in an obvious manner.
What I'm saying is let's make the crowning of the prince sooner rather than later.
It's the only way to bring peace to the nation.
I'm afraid His Highness may feel differently.
While Suk Chul may be the first-born son, he is not necessarily the heir to the throne.
What will you do about something everyone already thinks of as the truth?
That is a question for His Highness.
Not this time.
His Highness has no choice but to follow the council's decision this time.
The majority has voted to crown Prince Suk Chul.
You can let His Highness know that.
That old fox is digging himself a grave.
Are you saying that is what is going on with the council?
It's the only possibility.
Prince So Hyun was practically murdered, so it
only makes sense that there would be an uprising.
It seems the Princess is about to have her way with the nation.
Absolutely not.
What do you mean?
I'm saying it's only right that Prince Suk Chul
follows in his father's footsteps and is crowned.
And if that happens, do you think the Princess will be okay with you here?
She'll probably try to kill me.
That is exactly why you must do whatever you can to make sure Prince Bong Rim is crowned.
Father, His Highness will not be able to live a long life.
You could get in trouble for saying such a thing!
How do you know that?
Who would know him better than myself whom he holds as he falls asleep every night?
Do you know how torturous it is to sleep with the King?
The smell.
The rotting stench of his pus from the boils all over his body is horrendous!
So think about it.
If something happens to the King after Prince Bong Rim is crowned...
Who will be able to stop Prince Bong Rim once he rises to the throne?
I'm not sure I understand what you're saying.
Suk Chul just turned nine years old this year.
There is a lot of time until he will be able to run the nation on his own.
So who is to say nothing will happen to him during that time?
His younger brother is six.
And the youngest is a two year old infant.
All three combined are no match for Prince Bong Rim.
The Princess's brothers make up a majority of the council.
How will you handle their opposition?
That's why before that happens the Queen must get
kicked out of the palace and I need to be in her spot.
That way if something happens to the King
I...
I can become the Queen Mother.
While the Princess is mother to Prince Suk Chul, she is not the Queen
So what power will she have?
Do you still not understand what I'm saying?
Are you thinking how can a concubine's daughter become Queen?
I don't know how you think you're going to become Queen--
That's not for you to worry about, Father.
If you just make my mother your wife, your work is done.
That's.
I believe I gave you a month the last time we spoke.
That is not an easy task.
Well, a month has passed.
Throwing out a wife who has done nothing wrong is--
One month! One month.
I will give you one more month.
Make my mother your wife.
Do you understand, Father?
What's there for me not to like?
He's going to make me his wife.
Why are you sighing if you're happy about it?
That's probably easier said than done.
There are laws.
We can make laws.
Regardless, I've never heard of a concubine becoming a wife.
We live in a world where parents kill their own children. Who is to say what is impossible?
Lady Gui In! Watch what you say!
Mother, you just sit back and watch.
You must become a wife for me to become Queen.
Anyways--
What did that mean?
That Prince Suk Chul must become the crowned prince?
Lady Gui In, don't even bother saying such things.
The rumors have already spread everywhere.
They say that the King wanted to pass on the throne to Prince Bong Rim.
That's why he did this and that.
That's exactly why Prince Suk Chul must become next in line for the throne.
That way Prince So Hyun's death won't be completely in vain.
Don't say such things to the King.
If you upset him with such things, you never know what will happen to you!
What were you thinking saying such things to that man?
What if Kim Ja Jeom hears about it?
He's probably on his way to Kim Ja Jeom as we speak.
That's why we call Father Kim Ja Jeom's lap dog.
What is there to discuss when we have Prince Suk Chul?
We must crown him immediately.
He needs to proceed with Prince So Hyun's funeral ceremony.
His Highness is still healthy and alive.
So why must we hurry to crown the Prince?
We have not even selected a burial site yet.
Are you suggesting we hold a funeral ceremony without anyone to lead?
He has three sons! Who says no one can lead the ceremony?
His oldest son must take after his father
so that Prince So Hyun may rest in peace.
He had so much built up as it is.
What do you mean he had so much built up?
What are you trying to say?
He was taken away to Shimyang on behalf of His Highness and suffered a great deal!
And then, as soon as he returned home, this happened to him.
What suffering?
The Emperor regarded him highly. He lived a good life there.
Watch what you say!
Do you not know why the Chinese men are on our land right now?
They are here to pressure the King to pass on the throne to Prince So Hyun!
Just what do you men think you're doing?
We have the law to figure this out.
Why do you have so much to say about it?
There's no way.
If Suk Chul is crowned then this nation will belong to the Princess.
And if that happens, she will be the first to be killed off.
Maybe she knows something and is siding with the Princess?
His Highness may have the child in mind and not Prince Bong Rim.
There's no way.
His Highness wouldn't think of such a thing.
It's his fault Prince So Hyun died.
But seeing as how Yam Jun is siding with Princess Min Hwe.
The King held Prince So Hyun as he bawled in agony.
I'm saying that that may be the King's true feelings.
There's no telling what that man is thinking.
There are ten serpents living inside him.
It's amazing that he can sleep.
Even if he was a son he disliked.
Okay.
Were you here all night?
The Prince had a bloody nose.
That does happen sometimes--
I'm saying he had a bloody nose after he passed away.
His tears were still on his face when I got here.
He was so heartbroken about dying
Most likely he cried and cried.
Your Highness!
Is malaria that serious of an illness?
So much that he could not say goodbye?
Is the illness that serious and quick-moving?
Must you unveil the truth?
He shed blood because he wanted us to follow in his footsteps.
And until then he cannot be put to rest inside a coffin.
We must reveal the truth.
Yes.
We must.
What do you mean those are the rules of the court?
Suk Chul is barely nine years old!
What is so urgent that we want to crown a prince before we even hold the funeral?
Pardon me, Your Highness. But the rules were set in place by King Sejong the Great.
King Sejong was not the oldest son.
But because his brothers did not accept the throne--
They were also not the eldest.
Though there were obstacles...
The rule that the oldest son inherits the throne has always stood.
I was also not next in line for the throne.
Well, you were a special case.
You are belittling me with the law.
Then tell us.
Instead of yelling at us.
If you are against Prince Suk Chul, then that means you have someone else in mind.
Are you not trying to pass on the throne to Prince Bong Rim?
I'm not saying that's exactly what I'm trying to do.
You must not do that.
And why not?
I am telling you that you cannot have your way this time.
If you do try to crown Prince Bong Rim instead of Prince Suk Chul.
You will first have to answer to the people of our nation.
And just what is it they're going to do?
I'm sorry, Prime Minister.
It is past the time for His Highness to drink his medicine.
It didn't seem as though you gentlemen would be
finished anytime soon so I decided to intrude.
Let's drink this first, Your Highness.
My goodness.
Here you go.
My goodness.
You're taking this because of stress so you shouldn't stress yourself out over drinking it.
Here. Hurry and drink it.
Straight back. Don't leave a single drop and drink it all.
There you go.
- That's it! - It's so bitter!
You did well.
His Highness resists drinking his medicine like a young child...
So we're practically at war with each other over it everyday.
How is it? Don't you feel much better now?
You can go ahead and continue with your conversation.
I will just sit here.
How can you just walk out?
Are you asking me to bow down before that wretched girl?
You can't even take care of that simple job!
I did not even get the opportunity to bring up the topic of Prince Bong Rim.
Everyone was adamant that Prince Suk Chul be crowned.
Of course.
When the Chinese envoy arrive, the first question they'll ask is
What caused the Prince's sudden death.
- Well that's-- - And after that...
They will pass on the Emperor's order that they bring you back to China.
Whichever you choose to do I don't see a way for His Highness...
And then in the midst of all that you suggest
crowning Prince Bong Rim instead of Prince Suk Chul.
So of course the council is against it.
One mistake and there could be a massacre.
Are you saying those men are scared of China?
Your Highness, you are so naive!
Fine! So you're saying they're afraid of the Princess?
Because they might do something she disapproves of.
Your Highness, think of who stands behind the Princess.
She has the Prince's good friend Emperor Shunzhi supporting her.
What use is he when the Prince is dead already?
Your Highness, crown Prince Suk Chul.
That way you can spare your own life.
Are you telling me to beg my daughter-in-law to spare my life?
Your Highness, Prince Suk Chul is your grandson.
He is your blood. Your Highness, Prince Suk Chul is your grandson.
He is your blood.
So why are you so worried?
You can call him in here everyday and talk to him.
And if you do, he will listen to you more than his mother.
Don't you think so, Your Highness?
Your Highness, If you'll excuse me, I will leave now.
Sit down.
I told you to sit down.
How can a man overseeing the royal medical staff and army
be so soft during a time like this?
First move the Prince's corpse.
What?
The Princess sat by the Prince's body all night.
What are you talking about?
The Princess might be planning a revolt.
A revolt?
If she contaminates the corpse and then
claims the Prince was poisoned, who will go against her claims?
So we must keep the Prince's corpse away from the Princess.
Stand back!
How dare you all stampede in here!
The quarters are unfit to keep the Prince's corpse
and so Lord Kim ordered that we move the Prince to Jang Kyung Palace.
There are still two days left for the memorial.
It won't be too late to move His Highness after all family members
are able to come and pay their respects.
What are you all doing? Carry out the orders!
How dare you men barge in here!
Your Highness!
The Princess was in her mourning outfit.
She stood at the top of the stairs holding the white-clothed Prince.
I was told the sight was as bright as the morning sunlight.
How are things going with the council?
What do you mean?
Are they pushing to crown Prince Suk Chul?
Of course.
As it should be.
Though it seems His Highness hopes the throne will go to Prince Bong Rim.
Father.
I am extremely angry at the fact that I was fooled by the Princess.
How were you fooled by the Princess?
The Princess did not organize the Chin Jam Rye for me.
She used me for her personal gain.
Your Highness, she pushed me aside to gain control of the councilman’s wives. She used me for her personal gain.
Your Highness, she pushed me aside to gain control of the councilman’s wives.
Do you think that was all by chance?
I heard she held the Prince's body and bawled her eyes out.
She most likely did not bawl.
She must have been so excited deep inside.
If something happens to His Highness
Prince Suk Chul, who is barely 10 years old, will rise to the throne
and if that happens she will always have one foot in palace matters
and try to expand her power.
Your Highness!
I just turned 22 years old.
Must I live the rest of my life in fear of the Princess?
I did not think of that.
I did not receive the love of His Highness nor did I give birth to his children.
Both are out of my control so there is nothing I can do.
It's like you said.
I must live accepting that as my fate.
However, power is not a birth right.
Did you say the sight of the Princess in her mourning attire was blinding?
Is that because of the Princess?
It's because of Prince Suk Chul!
The mother of the child who is to become the leader of this nation
is Princess Min Hwe and that is why it was so blinding.
That is why the clever Princess held the Prince's hand and stood in that exact spot.
How could I not know that Your Highness?
Don't worry.
I am the mother of this nation. Prince Bong Rim and Prince In Pyung are my sons.
Yes! I will choose from one of my sons and make sure they rise to the throne!
Did you see your brother's face?
It's barely been a day since he passed away and his face is already in terrible condition.
Princess Min Hwe.
We must reveal it!
Just as Prince So Hyun died.
Please, take the lead.
Without you there is no one else to speak about it.
Should I make it a public statement?
- That-- - Even if I do such a thing...
Who would stand up to this?
Is that possible?
This is not something you should question.
No matter what, we must wipe away the humiliation our father endured.
If not we have no choice but to strengthen our army and attack China.
I told you we cannot use physical strength.
I'm not asking you to tell me what is and is not possible.
I'm sorry, brother.
There is nothing we can do about a difference of opinions.
No matter what you're thinking.
No matter where you travel.
Do not forget we are brothers.
If something terrible happens to me, you must look after the Princess and my children.
And if something terrible happens to you
I too will look after your family.
What would make you say such a thing?
Promise me.
It would make me feel much better.
Don't you think you were a bit too harsh?
Prince Bong Rim probably feels bad enough as it is.
They are brothers.
Prince So Hyun and Prince Bong Rim are brothers. They share the same blood.
If the Prince was wrongfully killed, then he should have come running to us first.
He's in a difficult situation.
His Highness keeps mentioning his name when it comes to the crowning of a prince.
Prince Bong Rim talks about a conquest every time he opens his mouth.
He spent nine years in China with Prince So Hyun as they were held prisoners there.
He knows the situation in China better than anyone else!
Can such a person believe that we can defeat China using physical strength?
He wants to conquer the northern region?
He knows the King likes it. That's why he talks
about it, even though he knows it's impossible.
So have you given it some thought?
Why are you hesitating?
I'm asking you to become the Crowned Prince for me.
Bong Rim.
Look at me.
Now.
Before I die, I want to see you lead this palace
and cross the river into the North.
And until you do so, I will not be able to close my eyes.
Your Highness.
Yes, tell me.
There must not be any questions surrounding my brother's death.
Of course! I've already ordered Kim Ja Jeom to look into it.
Bring me Kim Ja Jeom!
Bring him in and tell him to gather all the doctors.
And interrogate each one of them.
Are you happy now?
Do you not see that this was all part of Princess Min Hwe's plan?
Must you see me get dragged away to China? Do you not see that this was all part of Princess Min Hwe's plan?
They were beaten as soon as they were brought in!
They haven't laid a single finger on you?
Yes...
Kim Ja Jeom must have pulled a few strings!
Oh my my. Oh, my.
Are you the shot doctor?
Yes, sir.
Beat him until he tells the truth!
Yes!
Oh my! I will tell you everything!
I did administer shots to Prince So Hyun.
But the Prince's death was not because of my shots.
But because of the tonic that the head doctor prescribed.
Blasphemy! You fool!
I never laid a finger on Prince So Hyun!
That man is accusing me for no reason!
Fool!
The Prince died because you administered a shot incorrectly!
How dare you blame me!
You are quite shameless for a royal medical doctor!
I have heard of people dying from incorrectly prescribed tonics.
But never from a shot that was administered incorrectly!
How dare you!
Didn't you poison the needle you used to give the shot?
There is no reason for His Highness to have died so quickly.
That man has too much to say!
The Queen said that?
Yes, Lady Gui In.
That she is crying tears of blood because of the Princess?
And she said she will make Prince Bong Rim the next Crown Prince?
Yes, Lady Gui In.
See, Mother!
I was right!
I told you the Queen is different than she appears.
What are you talking about?
When have I referred to him as a Prince?
It is only right since he is to become the Crown Prince.
I have never said such a thing!
His Highness is saying he never said such a thing?
Now he's just acting childish!
You should take a step back from this.
Absolutely not!
First you must complete funeral arrangements for Prince So Hyun.
How can you say such a thing after seeing the poisoned
Prince bleeding from every pore on his body?
Until I find out who is responsible, I will not take a single step back.
What are you men doing!
What do you think you're doing?
Where are you moving Prince So Hyun to? Put him down immediately!
Your Highness.
- Your Highness! - Your Highness!
Your Highness! How can such a thing happen?
Your Highness! Will you stand by and watch this happen?
Your Highness! Your Highness!
You must be patient!
Your Highness!
Your Highness! Your Highness!
You must not, Your Highness!
If you just wait this out a bit.
If you go in there right now, you will make an irreversible mistake!
Prince Suk Chul must be crowned.
He needs to follow in Prince So Hyun's footsteps and rise to the throne.
That way Prince So Hyun may go in peace.
You must build the nation he dreamed of.
You've lived many years this way. What is a few more years?
Please turn around, Your Highness.
That really happened, Your Highness?
I thought Queen In Hyul chose Princess Min Hwe to be your daughter-in-law.
If only I'd listened to her at the time.
Nothing would have happened.
Forget about it.
You chose her yourself.
And it is also you that made her that way.
Are you saying it's all my fault?
Your Highness...
You should stop being so stubborn now.
Bring in the councilmen.
And make Suk Chul the Crown Prince.
Think about it, Your Highness.
If you crown one of your remaining sons, you may feel better immediately.
However if something happens to you
that will all have been in vain.
How so?
Whether it be Prince Bong Rim or Prince In Pyung.
Neither can inherit the throne.
For as long as Prince Suk Chul is alive.
Do you not understand what I'm saying Your Highness?
As long as China remains prosperous
they will not turn their backs on Prince So Hyun whom they were close to.
The Emperor will do whatever it takes to get Prince Suk Chul crowned.
So regardless of who is crowned, Prince Suk Chul will be the one rising to the throne.
If you continue to be stubborn about this
the Princess will only like you less and less.
You should willingly crown Prince Suk Chul.
Then Princess Min Hwe's frozen heart will also melt.
So that is how it will be for as long as Suk Chul is alive.
Isn't it obvious, Your Highness?
And it's not like the Princess and Prince Suk Chul would kill off your two remaining sons.
So I'm telling you to make up with Princess Min Hwe before it's too late.
Let's see who wins this fight!
You are so stubborn, Your Highness!
Why do you think the Princess sat guarding the Prince's corpse?
It is because she suspected that he did not die of malaria but was poisoned to death.
Yes! She suspects you!
She's suspects me?
Are you implying I killed my own child?
Then who else would she think it was?
You really do not understand what I'm saying.
Where are you going?
Do you think you can trust Kim Ja Jeom?
Now what are you saying?
How many people will remain loyal to you now that the era of the Princess is here?
Give it some thought, Your Highness.
What can you do to survive?