Cruel Palace
Episode 38
Are you okay?
It's okay. Don't cry.
Your Highness, you must find out who poisoned Prince So Hyun.
Resolve the mystery surrounding his wrongful death.
What do you mean by poison?
Your Highness, please question Lee Hyung Ik yourself.
That way you can also prove your innocence.
What do I have to do with his death?
That is exactly why I am telling you to do the questioning yourself.
What would you like to do, Your Highness?
Are you trying to lock me up in here and threaten me?
It was Jo Gui In's orders.
You also know that very well.
What do you mean by Jo Gui In's orders?
She is the one on the forefront trying to convince me to crown Prince Suk Chul.
What do you mean Jo Gui In poisoned Prince So Hyun?
Then are you saying it was Kim Ja Jeom?
I'm telling you that I do not know!
I will try questioning Lee Hyung Ik myself.
Please leave it to me Your Highness.
That is okay. Is it not, Councilor?
You were a big part of making that possible.
Tighten security at the palace.
So much that not even a single ant cannot come and go as he pleases.
Got it?
I am telling you to never let Jo Gui In take away His Highness ever again.
Yes, Councilor.
- Court Lady Kim. - Yes, Your Highness.
I will be staying here for the time being.
I am telling you that I will stay here and look after His Highness.
Do you understand?
Yes, Your Highness.
I will be going for now.
That? Why that?
What do we do?
It's only a matter of time before everything is revealed!
Do not worry, My Lady. They did not find anything.
Is that so?
Make sure to hide it well.
If they find even the smallest bit of the medicine Lady Gui In will be killed immediately.
My Lord, we have no time for this.
We must go to Lord Kim.
You reap what you sow!
What? How can you say such a thing?
This has nothing to do with me, so keep me out of it!
And do you think you'll be safe?
Remember who Lady Gui In's father is!
You win.
An uncouth concubine's daughter acted out of line, so I got what I deserved.
However.
I worked very hard to save your children.
So please save my children as well.
Please do me a favor.
As of today, you will never be able to see your children again.
Please just let them live.
And I have one more thing to ask you.
I am carrying the King's child in my womb.
You may want to kill me immediately.
But what has the child done wrong?
He should at least be able to see the light of day.
So please let me live at least until the child is born.
And if you kill me, then I will at the very least not resent you.
Do you understand?
I beg you.
Father.
Lee Hyung Ik and Jo Gui In must be thoroughly
questioned so as not to leave any rocks unturned.
If they so much as whisper frightening words incriminating you...
Those planning a revolt will use that against you.
What do you mean they will use it against me?
Dare I ask you.
Did you call on Lee Hyung Ik and ask him to poison So Hyun to death?
What? Why, you!
If not, have you every discussed the matter with Jo Gui In?
Why you fool I --
You do not need to answer me.
If you have never said such a thing to neither Lee Hyung Ik nor Jo Gui In...
Then there is no one that can blame you.
Please give the official order
for me to thoroughly investigate the Prince's death without a trace of doubt.
So as to unveil every single detail related to his death.
Even if the skies come crashing down, there is always a way out.
You worry too much, Mother.
Hyung Ik was taken in!
Do you think he'd open his mouth if he wants to survive?
Listen carefully.
Whether we say we poisoned the Prince or not
we will die either way.
So we must keep our mouths shut and buy ourselves time.
Then Jo Gui In will come to save us.
I would rather confess everything and die!
You must not give up your life so readily.
If it becomes unbearable, then do this.
Say that you received orders from the King.
- What? - It's the only way to live!
You must attack the King.
Do you understand?
Why do I need to get involved in someone else's business?
I'll just watch and then take what I can at the end.
Do you think the Princess will let you live?
If not, Prince Bong Rim will save me.
If he is crowned.
Then that will be largely due to my efforts.
That is why I stood by Prince Bong Rim.
Anyway, you are the one with a problem.
Your wife hanged herself.
Are you saying His Highness is connected to that incident?
Then did you think His Highness didn't know about it?
He wouldn't have. There's no way His Highness could have!
Once that is revealed to be the truth
His Highness may be impeached.
Are you saying she brought up the King's child she is carrying?
So she means that if she dies, it's the same as killing the King's child.
So what can we possibly do to her?
That bold bitch!
She still does not seem to feel bad for what she's done.
What do you think about stopping all this now?
What do you mean?
If we continue to unveil Jo Gui In's schemes one by one, eventually...
The King's misdeeds will also be revealed.
That is a possibility.
And if that happens...
His Highness will have to take responsibility for it.
We must weed out everything down to the roots.
Every single part of it. And to do so
we must make sure Jo Gui In receives the death sentence.
Do you feel bad for Jo Gui In?
She killed Prince So Hyun.
Though I'm sure behind her stands His Highness.
Now that His Highness has returned to the main palace
Jo Gui In will no longer be able to do whatever she wants.
So if we can let her live until she gives birth--
Absolutely not.
If we let her live, we cannot say what she will do next.
So she must die.
Such a weak-hearted person!
I have misjudged the Princess.
I thought she was as firm and strong as steel.
You fool!
In, you fool!
Bring me my medicine I say!
My chest.
I cannot stand this anymore.
I must take that medicine to feel much better, you fool!
Your Highness!
Jo Gui In. Bring me Jo Gui In immediately.
I have to take the medicine Jo Gui In gives me for my chest pains to go away!
Your Highness! You must hold it in!
I do not know what Jo Gui In gave you but--
Do you want to see me die?
Go bring me my medicine I say!
In...
Save me.
- Your Highness! - Bring me my medicine I say...
Do you want to see me die?
Hurry. Go and bring me medicine I say!
Go get Jo Gui In!
Your Highness!
Don't you feel sorry for me?
I'm suffocating...I can't breathe...I think I'm going to die.
Jo Gui In. Jo Gui In.
Go and bring me Jo Gui In!
- Or take me back to her! - You must let this pass Your Highness!
The medicine Jo Gui In gave you is no different than poison!
I said I want to die! Why are you stopping me?
You fool...fool...In you fool...
Go...go and bring me my medicine I say.
Please kill me instead.
Your Highness! Your Highness!
Let go! Let go of me!
Your Highness.
Your Highness! Your Highness! Your Highness! Your Highness!
Wake up Your Highness!
Your Highness!
Your Highness! Your Highness!
What do you mean, Princess?
Her Highness the Queen is a far more frightening person?
The Queen is trying to get Prince Bong Rim crowned.
I, of course, had a feeling...
Do you think that makes sense Your Highness?
How can the Queen try to make Prince Bong Rim the next Crown Prince?
There is nowhere to go.
Your Highness
I thought I had just barely escaped Jo Gui In's scheming
but now the Queen is standing in my way.
They will not say a single word.
Stop.
I am innocent!
Bring these men writing tools.
What do you mean by writing tools?
Write down in detail what you've done.
If you write the truth, I will spare you your lives.
And if you fail to do so, you and your immediate family members will all
be killed together. Do you understand?
Yes, Prince Bong Rim.
Uhn Yuhn.
Yes Lady Gui In.
Do whatever you can and get Court Lady Kim here.
Court Lady Kim?
Yes! We must somehow get the King back here.
That way I can live!
Sir.
What am I supposed to write?
If you want to live, write accordingly.
What?
What are you whispering?
Write now!
- Separate those two! - Yes, sir!
- Who are you? - I am a Court Lady from the main palace.
We have orders to not let anyone inside.
Please go back.
His Highness asked that I bring a medical team to check on Jo Gui In.
Are you not aware that Jo Gui In is currently pregnant?
Who will be to blame if something happens to that child?
Come on in.
How is His Highness doing?
He is not well.
Of course not.
Add this to the King's tea.
What kind of medicine is this?
His Highness cannot survive a day without this.
Then are the rumors true?
That His Highness has been taking opium?
It is because the King's boils have spread all over his body, so he cannot sleep comfortably.
You've done an impressive job keeping this hidden.
The room was searched thoroughly and they were unable to find it.
But you had it with you the entire time?
They wouldn't search my body.
Please get over it now.
The Queen, Princess and Prince Bong Rim have all joined hands.
So with your strength alone--
I have the King.
If I can just get the King back on my side...
I will be able to find a way to live even if the world crumbles.
Give this to the King.
That way he will have sweet dreams.
Write a confession?
Prince Bong Rim told Lee Hyung Ik to write a confession?
Yes, Your Highness.
Everyone knows that Lee Hyung Ik used a poisoned needle on Prince So Hyun!
Governor Jo is Jo Gui In's father.
Yes, Prince Bong Rim.
And you mean to leave the guards under his watch?
Suspend Governor Jo from all his duties for now and
tell the Left State Councilor to step in for him.
That is an order!
Look here.
Prince Bong Rim says to suspend Governor Jo and
bring the Left State Councilor to take his place.
What should I do?
How would I know?
What I'm asking is if these are the King's orders.
And how would I know?
You must decide for yourself!
Goodness.
Tell him to write another one.
Until he tells the truth.
He will have to write it hundreds and thousands of times.
What are you doing?
Hurry and pour it!
Yes yes. That's enough. Now bring it to me.
You're so slow!
It is hot, Your Highness.
Cool it off before drinking it!
Are you okay, Your Highness?
What did you put in the King's tea?
You think I used poison?
Tell me the truth.
His Highness has been addicted to opium for quite some time now.
Adviser Kim.
His Highness will not be able to live much longer.
So we must ensure that he is content to his dying day.
Think of how treacherous his life has been.
He was no different than a loner hanging around the palace.
And yet he rose to the throne all on his own.
He has lived every single day in fear that someone would do the same to him.
And what about the humiliation he endured in front of the Chinese?
People choked the King constantly by mocking him behind his back.
On top of that, His Highness killed his own child.
Close your mouth this instant.
The majority have already given in to Prince Bong Rim.
So isn't making sure he spends his last days in peace
the last way of showing loyalty to His Highness?
Loyalty?
I had a large part in His Highness rising to the throne.
I made the King who he is today.
Not you.
Tell them to write it again.
Sir, I have nothing else to write. Sir.
Write the truth!
He had them write a confession over and over again all night?
Yes, Your Highness.
What exactly did Lee Hyung Ik write?
I do not know the details of the confession.
I simply delivered what he wrote.
I got it. You may leave now.
Announce my arrival.
Lady Gui In, Prince Bong Rim is here.
Lady Gui In!
Do whatever you want!
Whether you kill me or not, I do not care!
Is a stepmother not a mother?
I gave birth to two of the King's children!
Yet you treat me as you would a servant!
Fine! The only thing I've done wrong is stand by the King!
Save me.
I am a poor girl who has not slept a single night in peace.
Who is worried sick about her children who were born illegitimately to the King.
Fine. So what do you plan to do with me?
Why don't you tell me.
If the Princess dies, Prince Suk Chul will avenge her death.
But if I die, who will avenge my death?
Go to Jung Up Won after you give birth.
What do you mean Jung Up Won?
Are you telling me to shave my head and become a monk?
If you promise to do so, I will no longer look to punish you.
You'll let me live?
You're blaming me for poisoning Prince So Hyun.
So why are you offering to let me live?
I cannot just kill a royal concubine who served the King.
Is that not also not being a good son?
So...
I should shut my mouth and stay put?
Why, thank you!
Your generosity compares to that of Buddha!
Do not let anyone enter or leave.
- Do you understand? - Yes Prince Bong Rim!
I slept so well for the first time in a long time.
My whole body feels so much lighter!
Is that so, Father?
Yes.
I'm glad to hear you slept comfortably last night.
I heard you did not get any sleep last night.
Why not?
I looked over the prisoners' confessions closely.
Is that so?
I was afraid that there may be an uproar outside the palace
so I suspended Governor Jo.
You suspended Jo Gui In's father from his job?
Jo Gui In was accused of multiple crimes and has been isolated.
So I had her father removed from the system.
Good job.
You were deep asleep and I didn't want to wake you so I--
I said you did a good job.
Don't be too hard on Jo Gui In.
She is pregnant, so if you're too hard on her
she could potentially have a miscarriage.
I did not imprison her because I was suspicious of her.
Are you not feeling well?
No...
Give me some tea.
My throat is scratchy...
Please have breakfast first, Your Highness.
I hear you stopped interrogating Lee Hyung Ik and had him write a confession.
Yes, Mother.
Do you honestly believe he will willingly give a proper confession?
Isn't that so, Your Highness?
I would have liked to continue to interrogate him.
But I was afraid he would say things that could never be taken back.
What do you mean by things that can never be taken back?
Lee Hyung Ik is capable of saying anything.
He will say any lie in order to live. So--
So you must reveal all facts.
Is that not why you volunteered to do the questioning?
Please leave it to me, Mother.
I have plans of my own.
Just how much do you intend on uncovering?
I am not saying to go so far as His Highness.
Jo Gui In must--
Do you think Jo Gui In will go down alone?
Please leave it to me, Mother.
Your Highness.
Prince Bong Rim is trying to release Lee Hyung Ik.
I'm sure it's only right.
If Lee Hyung Ik opens his mouth, Jo Gui In will be dragged out
and Jo Gui In will hang on to His Highness as much as she can.
Yes. It is no different than spitting on my own face.
If it is revealed that His Highness killed his own child
the palace will be shaken up to its core.
However.
Now that I've thought that far...
Suk Chul's future could not be any more bleak.
He still has a chance, Your Highness.
Not too far from now the King will choose to crown Prince Bong Rim.
Since Prince Bong Rim saved His Highness.
He will repay him for it.
Uncle.
When Sejo was in Jamjuh
he moved swiftly and stole the throne from his young nephew.
His nephew was taken away to a deserted island.
And later died of depression.
Your Highness!
Do you think Sejo was out to kill his own nephew?
It was most likely the act of Sejo's supporters who were threatened by him.
Then, what do you think will come of Suk Chul's future?
What can we do to save Suk Chul?
If Prince Bong Rim rises to the throne
who will protect Suk Chul?
What is this?
Father brought this back from China.
There are many more fascinating objects in China.
I would like to also spin it.
Go ahead.
Listen carefully to what I say.
This is called a globe.
It is a small representation of the world we live in.
Does the world look like a ball?
Father wished to build a large boat
and travel from here to here.
Who lives there?
We don't know. He wanted to travel there to find out.
Look carefully.
This is Joseon.
This is the West.
This large piece of land is China.
Sir! Sir!
- What is it? - Lee Hyung Ik has been released!
What did you just say?
Prince Bong RIm has released Lee Hyung Ik!
How is that possible?
You must not, Your Highness!
Your Highness! Your Highness!
Are you just going to sit back and watch?
You must arrest Lee Hyung Ik again and reveal the truth!
Do you think this is what Prince Bong Rim truly wanted?
It is the King that let Lee Hyung Ik free!
You must not back down, Your Highness!
Excuse me, Your Highness.
That's nothing to be thankful for.
Do you honestly think he let Lee Hyung Ik go because of me?
It was for the King.
Isn't that so?
How can he rise to the throne after doing such misdeeds?
According to Lee Hyung Ik's confession
Prince So Hyun's fever was so high that they attempted to bring it dow with medicine.
But since it was not effective they agreed to use a heated acupuncture method.
But fortunately there was a mistake.
At nightfall the fevers came back.
But it was so advanced and by that time...
There was nothing medicine could do for it.
Read it yourselves.
If the Prince died because of an incompetent doctor
it is only right that he is punished by the law.
It is not that I do not know that.
However, if I ask Lee Hyung Ik about his crimes
he will speak of all the recent rumors as though they're true.
I am saying not only will that affect Jo Gui In but His Highness as well.
Have you read it?
Yes...
Please understand me not having the heart to question Lee Hyung Ik.
Why are you laughing?
I... may have to leave the palace again.
I am aware, Mother.
How did you know?
I overheard the court officials talking.
Do not worry, Mother.
I am well aware of the dangerous path ahead of me.
Suk Chul.
The court staff that run into me cannot look me in the eye
and sometimes turns their heads the other way.
Or sometimes shed tears.
Behind my back I hear people clicking their tongues.
And at times even hear people laughing at me.
Father told me that the world at times is like a winding road.
People thoughtlessly take any path
but he told me that a King must pave the way for others.
Your father said that?
Yes, Mother.
I did not know.
That your father had said such a thing.
He said that a leader must not take a path if it is not right.
I will live life as a good person as father told me to.
You've worked hard.
While I was ill and bed-ridden
you took care of all matters without a problem.
You, among all, are a true Prince!
You are too kind, Your Highness.
I simply did my job.
I will now be able to die in peace.
Isn't that so?
You mean--
I've been constantly worried about my heir.
And was very anxious about it.
But now I will be able to die in peace without any worries.
Is anyone outside?
Yes, Your Highness!
Tell him to enter!
Post an official announcement immediately!
Prince Bong Rim.
Will be the next Crown Prince!
Your Highness!
Do not turn it down. It's a job where each day has its own challenge.
Your Highness!
Please take back your orders!
Three months after Prince So Hyun's passing, Injo finally chose to crown Prince Bong Rim.
It the history books, it is written that
'I could not bear the pain and so turned down the title
but the thought of rebuilding the nation
and building an honest army of men
had me think that people and spirits would have a place to coexist.
I, Prince Bong Rim, am a bright and intelligent person
with a wide outlook on life.
My integrity and honesty were apparent early on in life
and generous ways grew while living abroad.
Please give the order for me to thoroughly
investigate the Prince's death without a trace of doubt.
That couldn't...
Possibly be Jo Gui In's doing.
Jo Gui In is carrying my child.
Please spare Jo Gui In's life.
I understand Your Highness!
The title of course, belonged to Prince Suk Chul.
However, it went to Prince Bong Rim.
[Crown Prince Lee Hyo]
I was fooled by Prince Bong Rim.
What do you mean?
Prince Bong Rim helped Jo Gui In live.
Prince Bong Rim is now the Crown Prince. What can Jo Gui In possibly do now?
That's because you do not know what kind of girl Jo Gui In is!
They can hear you outside!
Do you think Prince Bong Rim will be able to rise to the throne while Jo Gui In is alive?
He is mistaken.
Has the Princess left the palace with her children?
She went to the main palace to say goodbye.
The Queen and Prince Bong Rim have done me a favor.
If Prince Suk Chul is kicked out of the palace, he is as good as dead.
Lady Gui In, Advisor Kim is here to see you.
Let him in.
Did you come to see me because the guards surrounding the quarters was not enough?
We have gotten rid of all but the guards protecting the quarters.
Has His Highness released me?
Instead, we have stationed one guard with exceptional fighting skills out front.
Prince Bong Rim has been crowned.
You have no reason to keep me locked up here anymore.
Do not even think of taking a single step outside.
And who gave such an order?
Was it His Highness?
Or is it an order from Prince Bong Rim?
You will find out in due time.
Lady Gui In.
Have you told His Highness?
His Highness is not feeling well today so
he asks that you just leave.
I'm sorry Your Highness.
Just... leave?
Does His Highness not even want to say goodbye to Prince Suk Chul?
Pardon me but...
Say what it is.
His Highness has made it official that the Prince's title be taken away.
What do you mean?
Please leave the palace knowing that much.
Court Lady Kim!
What do you mean he's taking away the Prince's title?
Mother! Mother! Mother!
Where are you going Lady Gui In?
I must see His Highness.
And what about the guard standing watch outside?
Who will dare stand in my way?
I am carrying the King's child!
Lady Gui In!
I feel so dizzy I cannot stand any longer.
Wake up, Lady Gui In!
It seems Jo Gui In is showing signs of a miscarriage.
Shouldn't we tell His Highness?
You and I are not different than shadows of the palace.
Who had the palanquin brought here?
For a woman being kicked out of the palace?
Did you just say kicked out of the palace?
I will send a bowl of poison not too far from now so you can expect it.