Cruel Palace
Episode 31
Why is nobody saying anything?
Answer me!
I'm asking you to speak up!
I will take the silence as a form of agreement and will get going now.
You must not Your Highness!
Looking back on history, if there was no Emperor in China
there is a law that the former Emperor's son inherits the throne.
The Crown Prince experienced a sudden death
so while the seat may be vacant
his son is alive and in perfect health
so you do not have any reasons to be concerned about it remaining empty.
More so, you are also still in good health
so there is no reason to rush to appoint a new Crown Prince.
I have been suffering from a fatal disease for a long time!
I do not know when I will die
so we must appoint an heir in advance
or I will not be able to rest in peace!
But Suk Chul is still young
so I am trying to crown Prince Bong Rim!
Your Highness!
Aside from Prince So Hyun proposing an unreasonable future for our nation
he has done everything according to your wishes.
He already has an heir
so if you crown Prince Bong Rim
This is different!
Even when Crown Prince Eui Sung died
despite him leaving a son behind, the King elected to crown his brother.
After Prince Hae Yang who became King died
the crown went back to Prince Eui Sung's lineage
but not to the oldest son. It went to the second son Prince Ja Eul.
So the palace rules
are not ones we must always follow.
His Highness may blame Prince Suk Chul's young age
but we have also had a king who rose to the throne at the age of 13.
Since Prince Suk Chul just turned 9 years old
to use his age as an excuse--
Are you saying I am being unreasonable?
Your Highness!
Suk Chul is my grandson!
Your Highness
After giving it much thought
the health of our nation is in grave danger.
So what?
Myung completely failed as a nation.
We are the only nation discriminating based on class.
We do not have enough time if China decides to attack us.
You will be too overwhelmed and busy.
So making sure you have a strong heir is also an urgent matter.
If you think of the Crown Prince who's spirit is floating around restlessly
my heart feels as though it is being ripped to pieces
but when I think of the next 100 years of our nation
it is probably best that you choose Prince Bong Rim to take the throne next...
What happened?
It does not look as though a decision will be made anytime soon.
Try pushing the Prime Minister.
You trusted him and took a step back so maybe he will keep his promise.
Kim Yun is on the King's side.
If Kim Ja Jeom is like the King's tongue
then Kim Yun is a strong voice of reason inside the King's brain.
The majority is on Prince Suk Chul's side.
As long as that doesn't change
we are bound to win one day.
We must make sure that happens.
Even if it means fighting against the King, we must make it happen.
Even if I die...
Yes...
I will make it happen.
Not a single day goes by that I am not sick!
I have boils that have spread all over my body
and I cannot sleep at night.
If I were to die today or tomorrow
who would think that odd?
Please do not be so upset Your Highness.
Both Prince Suk Chul and Prince Bong Rim are your blood.
So what does it matter whom you choose to be your heir?
How can choosing a King be a simple task?
Your Highness
Prince Suk Chul being crowned is written in Joseon's laws.
If you abide by the nation's laws
the nation will stand by you even in the most difficult situations
but if you do not you will lose the people's trust and respect.
What are your thoughts Prime Minister?
Tell me what you think.
Do what is right Your Highness.
What do you mean?
I'm saying we should do what's right.
And what exactly would that be?
That of course...
If you choose to crown Prince Bong Rim then that means
that you will be dethroning Prince Suk Chul.
And if that happens Prince So Hyun will shed tears of blood once again.
You ignorant men!
Just exactly what have you been doing!
You should have prevented Choi Myung Kil from opening his mouth!
Don't even come inside.
I don't want to see your face!
I wanted to see how nice it felt to sit here.
Please sit in front of me for a moment.
What?
My...
Sure.
There was a nation where a foreigner took over
the throne and lead the nation to prosperity.
He killed countless people to protect himself
and even killed his own child.
I wondered how a person could do such a thing
but sitting here, it's as though I've actually become king...
And taking a look at the councilmen sitting before me...
I thought to myself what's to stop me from killing my own parents?
Do you understand now?
Why I couldn't trust So Hyun
and disliked my daughter-in-law?
You were too hasty.
It hasn't been that long since the Prince has been put in a coffin.
How can you try to kick out his son so quickly?
That is why the men are going against you saying they feel bad for the Prince.
Your Highness
lay your head in my lap here.
Close your eyes.
What do you see?
Yam Jun...
I'm asking you to close your eyes and tell me what you see.
Do you see Prince So Hyun?
If not then imagine him laying in the coffin.
He lived a sad life.
Is it unbearable?
Think of the first time you held him in your arms after he was born.
Now think of the times you were happy
as well as the times you were sad--
I cherished him so much...
If you walk away from Prince Suk Chul
you will be punished.
Go to Prince So Hyun's visitation.
The young boy is in mourning attire and crying out for his father.
If you see that and you're still not moved then you can't call yourself human!
I'm an animal!
I'm not human so I am no different than an animal!
Are you saying the Prime Minister is taking Prince Suk Chul's side?
It's not just him.
Aside from Kim Sang Hun, Kim Ja Jeom and a few others
everyone--
They're probably afraid of Princess Min Hwe.
Well the King has already spoken his mind
so he will not be able to take it back so easily.
Mother, I--
You should think of the nation above all.
It's a well-known secret that the King will not live much longer.
Your Highness
Yes, His Highness will not be able to live much longer.
He will die before Prince Suk Chul is fully grown.
How many times must I tell you for you to listen to me?
If Prince Suk Chul rises to the thrown Princess
Min Hwe will be able to act on his behalf.
How can a nation prosper when orders and decisions are made by a woman?
So no matter what Prince Bong Rim must be crowned.
Is anyone outside?
I will be going to the King's palace right now.
The Queen is using her position
to push for Prince Suk Chul to not be crowned!
How can you tell His Highness to crown Prince Suk Chul?
That goes for you too! Do you think China will reward you for what you did?
That's enough!
This leaves me with no other choice.
I will wipe everyone out!
If Prince Bong Rim is crowned
do you think China will just stand by and watch?
And if they don't?
If you are so confident then go to Beijing and come back with their approval.
Is that what you're afraid of?
They will not give their approval.
Rather, they will question the Prince's sudden death.
Why must we make decisions in fear of China?
Are you suggesting we endure yet more suffering?
Where did he go?
I asked you where His Highness went.
He went to Mun Goong Jun.
Are you saying he went to see Prince So Hyun?
Yes, Your Highness.
Your Highness you should go inside now.
Even if it is my own son's grave
how can I go inside without my funeral outfit?
Yes... I will come back another time...
You came a long way.
You should at least light an incense for him.
If Prince Suk Chul is crowned
then isn't that the same as giving the Princess wings?
It is.
Having wings does not always mean you'll be able to fly.
What do you mean?
Just as there are birds that cannot fly
Princess Min Hwe will never be able to spread her wings and soar through the sky.
Once Prince Suk Chul is crowned
it is not something that can be reversed.
Prince Suk Chul will not be able to inherit the throne.
However China will take his side so Prince Bong Rim
will also be unable to be crowned the next heir.
Didn't the King go to see Prince So Hyun
because he felt bad for what happened?
You've looked after the King for 23 years and you still do not understand him?
Court Lady Kim
You watch and see.
All of Princess Min Hwe's children are young.
If His Highness lives just 10 more years
then I will be able to eliminate all those children.
But Prince Bong Rim is a different story.
If Prince Bong Rim is crowned
he will join hands with the Queen and try to kill me first.
He is not safe as long as I'm alive.
I'd do the same if I were him.
In the end His Highness and the Princess cannot make amends.
Even if he does want to do so
the Princess does not have the personality to do such a thing.
She's a warrior, our dear Princess.
Foolish child...
Leaving his old man behind...
Inconsiderate boy...
Who is inside?
His Highness...
Has His Highness come to see his son?
Your Highness
I'll make this short.
Depending on what you do, I will decide whether or not I will crown Suk Chul.
I have never defied you Your Highness.
It was not me that broke our promise but you.
What promise?
I can take whatever you decide to do. However--
Your attempt to sidestep Prince Suk Chul--
If you want that title... then you should first keep your eyes to the ground.
So do you want to use your power against me?
Would you like me to tell you exactly how I feel?
Why don't you try.
Go ahead!
Then I will ask you one question.
I said to say whatever is on your mind.
Why did you dislike Prince So Hyun so much?
I told you it was because of you!
Because you're so bold and overconfident!
Were you always such a childish person?
What?
Were you that childish a person to dislike your own son because of his wife?
I am giving you a chance to apologize to me even if you do not mean it!
I am about to suffocate to death.
Trying to carry out a conversation with my intelligent daughter-in-law and all.
Fine. Then I will take a step back.
If I live for three more years
then I will crown Prince Suk Chul.
Until then I will discuss all matters with Prince Bong Rim.
Give it some thought.
If I suddenly die in the next few days
Suk Chul will not even be 10 years old.
I will not be able to die peacefully.
I promised you that I will not get involved in political affairs.
That makes no sense.
How will a nine year old boy play King?
You can appoint an advisor to help him until he is old enough.
Even I am barely able to stand up to my daughter-in-law!
Yet you speak of an advisor?
It's clear China will treat you like this nation's owner.
Is that not what So Hyun wanted?
To introduce the Chinese and Western cultures to create a new nation?
In the end, he's trying to say he wants to follow the barbarians' customs!
Once I die, you might start wearing the barbarian clothing.
The women of the royal palace will work in the fields
and the marketplaces will be filled with women on horseback.
That will be a sight to see!
Your father endured a great deal of humiliation
yet instead of seeking revenge you want to do this!
You want to live by the barbarians' laws?
Is that truly a new nation?
I asked you if that is truly a new nation!
Your Highness
Let's go.
Your Highness!
What did I tell you?
You can be trapped between heaven and hell but not those two
I listened to you and went to go see the Princess
only to be humiliated!
Is that so?
She didn't back down one bit!
She glared at me every chance she had!
All mothers protecting their child feel the same way.
Do you think she's doing it because she feels bad for her children?
She's doing it for selfish reasons!
Even with crowning a new prince!
He used to be a very loyal son.
He became a different person when he went to China.
The Princess made him that way!
What can you do? They say that parents will never win over their children.
Do not talk about the Princess and Suk Chul around me anymore!
Today cleared up everything for me!
Your Highness
You should give in as the King wishes.
Do you think that will really make the King change his mind?
He is not one to change his mind just because I ask him to.
- But-- - More so!
Do not try to fight for me anymore.
I do not have plans to beg the King anymore.
Your Highness
I will make sure to reveal the truth behind your death
so that you may rest in peace.
Please arrest Lee Hyung Ik and question him
until there is absolutely no doubt surrounding the Prince's death!
Please give your approval Your Highness!
The reason the Prince suddenly died was because he drank the wrong tonic.
I cured the Princes with acupuncture
but he didn't trust my skills and took a different medication
that ultimately lead to his death!
From now on, we will be adding more acupuncturists to our staff.
Are you going to stand back and let him wrongfully accuse you?
What did you say?
There are numerous requests asking that you be questioned further.
Those fools! They will be punished!
Reveal the truth behind the Prince's death?
Why--
Are you saying it is my fault the Prince died?
I'm sorry but--
Lock up every man who re-submitted their rejected plea!
Your Highness.
I will take care of this
so please do not be upset over it anymore.
This is the Princess's doing!
The Princess is instigating all of this!
Please give all pleas submitted to now to the Prime Minister.
The King should not be worrying about such petty matters!
Yes! Yes!
If So Hyun was even half the man hat Bong Rim is...
You make it look so good!
You must have been so hungry!
The Princess has been very pre-occupied.
So please take good care of them mother.
Here you go.
There you go.
Make sure you chew your food!
You'll get sick if you eat so quickly!
Did someone say Hyung Ik is outside?
Yes, Lady Gui In! It is an urgent matter!
Come on in.
Lady Gui In, I'm in trouble!
There are countless pleas being submitted for me to be arrested!
Uhn Yuhn, go bring more grilled meat.
It's as though there's a whale inside these two gentlemen.
What we have here will not be enough.
Yes Lady Gui In.
Take your time.
Please save me My Lady!
What do you have to worry about?
Excuse me?
Those please are directed towards the King, not you.
But in order to get the King, they must first arrest me!
Since you're here, why don't you give these gentlemen a shot.
Excuse me?
What do you mean?
I'm telling you to get some practice in.
That way things will go much smoother later on.
Oh my! Lady Gui In!
Please forgive me this once!
You have to end what you started.
What do I do?
I can be blamed for this whole thing!
- Princess Min Hwe-- - My husband loved you so much.
I am well aware.
If you do then do not say a word and leave!
Is it that important who inherits the throne?
I told you I have no intention of stealing the throne from my nephew!
Why don't you trust me?
Trust me.
I will step back when Suk Chul is grown up.
No matter what anyone says the King will not give him the crown this instant.
So we must find a way around it!
Please trust me.
I will protect you and my nephews.
His Highness is arresting all the men pleading!
Do not worry.
I will release all of them.
What is so wrong about revealing the truth behind the Prince's death?
We're asking to question the medical staff that treated him!
I will also take care of that over time.
You must hurry so we can bury the Prince and--
That is enough.
Your Highness, it must be said.
I gave permission for the treatment so what use is it to question it now?
Did you see?
I am asking if you've taken a look at the Prince's corpse.
Your Highness
He was poisoned to death.
Just once... you should looked into
how your brother died...
That is the duty and bond between two brothers!
My love for the Prince is no different than any other's.
It will not compare to yours. However--
The love between a man and woman cannot run deeper than that between brothers.
Your words are--
Yes... of course you feel that way.
Since they say that blood is thicker than water.
But the blood that is flowing through Prince Suk Chul
belongs to Prince So Hyun and me!
You must not back down now!
You must get to the bottom of the truth!
I do not know what I'm supposed to do.
What am I supposed to do to protect Suk Chul...
Why are you letting that upset you?
My sister-in-law misunderstands my intentions..
Do you think she's acting on truth and logic?
If she told you everything that has built up
then this is no longer a matter between two people.
What do you mean it's not?
It is a power struggle.
This is beyond approaching it reasonably.
So do not be upset over her not recognizing your sincerity anymore.
Your Highness, the Prime Minister is here.
Bring him in.
Welcome, Prime Minister.
This old man came to get in trouble.
We will not need to say much more since you are already aware.
Have a seat.
Jo Gui In took them?
Let's go to her quarters.
- Your Highness I'm sorry but-- - I said let's go!
The King has already expressed his intentions of crowning Prince Bong Rim.
If you continue to oppose him you will make it much more difficult for everyone.
That is exactly why the King must follow the rules.
You must consider the position the Prince is in.
What if we do this?
Please tell me what it is.
If Prince Bong Rim adopts Prince Suk Chul and guarantees him to be his heir
the Princess will be satisfied because her son will one day rule the nation
while the King will be able to crown Prince Bong Rim
so he will also be satisfied.
Then what will happen to the Princess?
This King is worried that if he crowns the young prince
the Princess will want to act on his behalf until he is old enough to do so.
What do you think about my idea?
It will be good for all.
I do feel bad for the Princess
but she also brought it upon herself.
It was an odd compromise.
If Princes Bong Rim adopted Prince Suk Chul
the Princess basically lost her right to one day act on her son's behalf.
I told you to let her know I am here.
The princes have fallen asleep...
What's all the fuss?
Get up.
I was wondering who it was.
Wake up this instant!
Just let them sleep.
Everyone's been so busy with the Prince's
death no one had time to take care of them.
They must have not been eating too much because
they had a large bowl of rice and fell asleep immediately.
Who gave my boys meat?
Even the King has yet to put meat in his mouth!
I did it.
What do these young children know?
They looked so exhausted I fed them some meat to re-energize.
Do you eat meat during a time of mourning in your family?
Doesn't everyone do it when no one is looking?
How can you mourn if all you're eating is vegetables?
You poor thing.
Mother.
Sleep some more. Your mother is not angry.
The children are going to suffer more than anyone else in all this.
Regardless of what you think of me
your sons are no different than grandsons to me.
I'm sure it disgusts you.
The daughter of an elite scholar married into the royal family.
Much different than girls like me with shameful backgrounds.
Are you trying to play the role of my mother-in-law right now?
I was just speaking comfortably with you.
But that doesn't mean it is okay for you to mock me.
I already am aware that you have a shameful upbringing
it is nothing surprising.
If you dare touch my children with those dirty hands again...
If I touch them?
Are you going to break my wrist?
No matter how clear the water is
there is no way of stopping a single eel.
You'll be the one at a loss if you try to stand against me.
Would you like to continue this conversation?
Let's stop for today.
We have a long time until one of us disappears.
Isn't that so?
It may be easy to turn a white object into a black object
but it is difficult to make a black object white.
You should know what you're up against!
The Queen came up with that idea?
That is a great solution!
It's all the same.
Quite intelligent! Intelligent indeed!
When Prince Suk Chul rises to the throne in the future
the Princess will try to collect old debts at that time.
What? Are you afraid you will die in the hands of the Princess?
Power should be appointed with careful consideration
so that it does not backfire and does not cause a mess.
So frustrating.
You understand very well why I am against Prince Bong Rim.
I can get China's approval!
Why are you trying to take the difficult path when we have a solution?
You should try to finalize all this with His Highness.
She offended you that way and you didn't do anything?
How dare a worthless concubine offend the Princess like that...
Your Highness, Jo Gui In is on the same side as Kim Ja Jeom.
It would be best if you're careful.
She probably has other reasons for trying to irritate you.
That is why I held myself back.
The man Lee Hyung Ik that administered the shots to the Prince
is involved in an affair with Jo Gui In's mother.
If the Prince was poisoned by needle
then it was probably under Jo Gui In's orders.
We must do whatever we can to get Lee Hyung Ik arrested again.
That way we can put more pressure on His Highness.
No one would have done such a thing without the King's permission.
Be careful what you say.
What good is it to get the King involved in this so soon?
There's no reason for us not to!
Not the King.
This is so difficult because we cannot pin it on the King.
I have a favor to ask you Uncle.
Yes Your Highness.
Please speak to the Samsa
to get an order to arrest the royal medical team again.
I will do so.
Please send someone to China to seek help from Emperor Shunzhi.
I have already sent someone.
Send more men.
The Emperor must know about this in order for us to fight the King.
Yes Your Highness
Be on guard.
You must not take the King lightly.
He was a common civilian then one day he suddenly
overthrew King Gwang Hae and became King.
It was not the strength of the supporters.
It is a throne he conquered with his own power.
Do you understand?
Yes Your Highness!
Samsa was used as a checks and balances to the council members and King.
If Samsa made a unanimous plea
even the King could not say no to their request.
Do you think it will be successful?
There is no reason for the King to refuse it
and even the Princess is in a corner where she will not have any other option.
But...
Even if Prince Suk Chul is adopted by Prince Bong Rim
and later rises to the throne, he wouldn't deny the Princess as his mother.
Once Prince Bong Rim becomes King
I become the Queen Mother.
And if after that Prince Suk Chul becomes King
Prince Bong Rim's wife becomes the Queen Mother.
And you will rise even higher.
There will be no where for the Princess to go.
She will most likely live the rest of her life as a Crown Princess and die.
Yes... now that you mention it, there is no room for the Princess.
One more thing.
Once Prince Bong Rim is crowned
Jo Gui In will no longer be able to do anything.
You should read through this as well!
Is this something to plea to the Samsa about?
Just what has the royal medical team done for us to arrest them again?
They have already been brought in and questioned!
Do not get involved in this Your Highness.
They did this because we ignored the previous requests that were submitted!
You should say what's on your mind Prime Minister.
You came here because you have something to say.
His Highness has been so distressed he's been struggling to understand things.
So I have been helping him.
You've been distressed?
Your Highness!
The Prime Minister is asking you if you've been distressed.
Is that what's important right now?
We have to decide on the Crown Prince so I can die in peace!
Your Highness, the Prime Minister--
Tell the Prime Minister!
Whether or not I've been able to sleep these days!
Have you been that worried?
Yes! My entire body aches with worry that I cannot sleep at nights.
Then what about doing this?
I told you to tell him!
What do you think about Prince Bong Rim adopting Prince Suk Chul
and then having Prince Bong Rim take the crown?
- And if you do that-- - You cannot do that!
It's a trick.
What do you mean a trick?
There's a quote about trying to hide the obvious.
Just because Prince Bong Rim adopts Prince Suk Chul
does not guarantee that Prince Suk Chul will one day be King.
If you thought the Princess would be so easily fooled
then you are a very naive man.
Your Highness
you must make it fair and square.
If you try to trick the public as a King you will lose the people's trust.
Isn't that so Your Highness?
I'm sure...
Such an evil conniving girl!
You must do whatever you can to make the Princess give up.
I told you I got it.
Then you must crown Prince Bong Rim so there are no problems later on.
Listen to only me Your Highness.
You cannot leave all responsibilities to a young Prince.
If you do this you will never live it down!
You must protect your father.
The Princess is even lonelier than before.
She had it coming.
It is not too late.
Make up with His Highness.
Jo Gui In is trying to manipulate me.
Would the Princess really prepare the abalone for the King?
It's not like the abalone is poisoned.
There is no reason for her to be suspicious.