The Moon That Embraces The Sun
Enjoy:)
[This drama is set during the Joseon Era under the rule of a fictitious king.]
[All characters and events are fictitious and have no historic basis.]
Episode 19
Ahh.
But...
Yes?
I gave you myself.
Is there anything coming to me in return?
Well, it's just that I do not have anything to give.
Is there perhaps something in particular you want?
Th-that...
I kind of want to do that.
I'm not sure I know what you are referring to...
What I mean is...
you know, that.
What you were doing at the sick ward with Hyungnim...
with sticks about this long.
If we are successful in overthrowing the King,
you will hold both in your hands.
But, I find something unconvincing.
What is it?
It's not so difficult for me to give up my role as a libertine.
But, your role as King's father-in-law cannot possibly be easy for you to release.
I have no intention of giving up that position.
It is my understanding that you have only one daughter.
If necessary,
at any time, another can appear.
For the first time, I feel sorry for the Queen.
You are willing to cast aside your own flesh and blood, yet you won't betray me?
How are you going to assure me of that?
Are you testing me?
You tested me first, so I'm left with no choice but to test you as well.
No agreement is without stakes and interests.
I've shown you my hand, now it is your turn to show me yours.
Obviously, there's the Banjeong Gongshin* title. (*Awarded to leader in justified overthrow of an unfit King)
So, what else is there?
The revival of Weonsangje.
Weonsangje, you say?
[Weonsangje - system where King jointly holds power and authority with ministers]
That is quite an effective strategy to keep the King in check.
Let me consider it.
However,
the Heo Yeon Woo matter isn't acceptable.
If a dethroned King's woman is made Queen,
there will be backlash from the Confucianists.
Treasured objects can be hidden away and enjoyed...
wouldn't that be better?
If one wants special privileges from the King,
one would agree to certain conditions.
Fine.
I shall align myself with you, Chief Councilor.
You'd like to live in the palace?
Then, would you like to take a look around?
Father.
Are you truly intending to cast aside His Majesty and me?
No. No!
Your Highness.
Where are you going at this late hour?
His Majesty is in danger.
I have to tell him he's in danger.
Your Highness!
- What does that say? - That's what I want to know!
This side says His Majesty kept a shaman at his side.
And that side says
the Yoo clan quietly eliminated the Crown Princess long ago.
So, which side is the truth?
For some reason, I like this side.
But, the story's going around that the Crown Princess that died
has returned, well and alive, eight years later.
Shut up, you fool!
Even stories have their limits.
How can a dead person come back to life?!
Still, I'd like it if that were true.
That maternal clan is an annoying mess with their all or nothing dealings.
If that dead Crown Princess came back to life
and flipped over this dog's life of ours like she were flipping over a game board,
how great would that be?!
So, the story is...
that shaman isn't really a shaman,
but the dead Crown Princess.
Then what?!
Then the current Queen has been sitting in someone else's place
and acting as Queen for all these years?!
Why that...
What kind of travesty...
How could someone...
The person who posted the notice, obviously,
and also all those who recklessly chatter with treacherous tongues
should be captured and justifiably punished!
That is so.
The fact that Maiden Heo died of illness is self-evident.
The undercurrent of gossip conjecturing that she was assassinated
is the act of treacherous plotters
to besmirch the royal family and this country, undoubtedly.
The Chief Royal Secretary's words are 100 percent in the right.
The root sources must be immediately eradicated.
Show them how strict our laws are.
I have fully grasped your earnestness.
But, I notice
that none of you seem very concerned about the posted notices regarding me.
I feel a little disappointed.
It was written that the King was wrapped in the skirt of a strange shaman.
Slanderous rumors are running rampant, accusing me of neglecting state affairs.
Why is it that you all are watching this fire from the opposite bank of the river?
Are you, perhaps, saying that you agree with such accusations?
What an utterly unjust thing to say...
Or if not,
were you directly trying to manipulate public opinion?
Oh dear. Are you all right?
I just said that in jest.
I saw that child in the palace, Father.
Are you bringing that up again?
Did you call me in here to listen to your self-indulgent whining?
It's not self-indulgent whining.
And it wasn't a hallucination.
I am certain that child is in the palace.
Whether that child is alive or dead,
regardless of where she is,
it doesn't matter at all anymore.
What do you mean it doesn't matter at all anymore?
What on earth are you scheming, Father?
I'm sorry, but your subject has some urgent matters to attend to.
So, I shall leave now.
If His Majesty
and my father both intend to cast me aside,
I have no choice but to protect this position myself.
Court Lady Jo.
Yes, Your Highness.
Immediately go...
and bring me shaman Kwon
who was once temporary High Shaman of Seongsucheong.
Excuse me?
Why do you want to see her?
If I tell you to bring her, you bring her. Why do you talk so much?
I shall carry out your command.
I had no choice but to follow the Grand Queen Dowager's order at the time.
And I also
could not ignore my friend's dying wish to protect you.
These days,
you are rather unreserved, are you not?
I see that you are now just openly inspecting my face.
Your Majesty.
What is it?
Forgive me,
but dare I make an entreaty?
Did you say an entreaty?
Speak, I shall comply with whatever you ask.
My Mistress,
I'd like to see her.
She is the person who drove you to the brink of death.
Why do you ask to see a criminal?
However,
she is also the person who saved my life.
How grateful you must be.
So then, are you saying you shall consider her your savior?
Every time I look upon your face,
I feel grateful...
that I'm alive.
The reason I can sit here and look upon your face,
in any case,
is because Mistress saved my life, is it not?
She will not be able to avoid being convicted for her crimes,
but before then,
I'd need to see her at least once
and reconcile my feelings and attachments developed over 8 years.
Please grant me permission.
Why have you called for your lowly subject?
Have you ever seen Shaman Jang's spirit daughter?
Yes, I have seen her.
Then,
with your divine powers,
can you perform black sorcery on that girl?
Answer me.
Can you perform black sorcery?
That...
isn't completely impossible...
but there are a number of conditions.
Conditions?
We must be certain of the girl's location,
and it cannot be too far away.
And if she were in the palace, would it be possible?
It is impossible to get rid of her immediately,
but we can curse her with pain as was done to His Majesty before.
Then you were responsible for that incident?
I've committed a sin worthy of death.
But, I was only following the orders of the Chief Councilor!
Father...
Never mind.
That is in the past, and I shall not reproach you for it further.
However, if it is impossible to kill her,
you will need to give her the most unendurable pain possible.
I shall put all of my power into it.
However...
However?
A curse that creates such deathly pain
requires a powerful offering.
If a pure virgin with an intense desire is provided as an offering,
it can even bring about death shortly afterwards.
If an offering is made,
it can even bring about death, you say.
It's blood.
Are you Jang Noh Kyung?
Yes, I am.
Are you going somewhere?
While I'm gone,
don't even think of stepping out into the northern town.
Are Seol and Jan Shil...
well?
Yes, they are doing well.
And you, Mistress,
have you been well?
How can...
you address this lowly subject as Mistress?
You told me in the prison
that you had a very close friend long ago.
And that her final request was that you should look after me.
That is so.
Who was she to me?
All I know is...
that before you were even born,
she formed a connection with your mother due to your mother's act of kindness.
Did you say my mother's...
act of kindness?
Yes, that is so.
Ultimately, the person who saved your life
was not I,
nor my friend,
but your mother.
I believe that...
you were trying to protect me.
I have not completely forgiven you yet,
but I do understand.
Because after I knew, even I remained silent.
I just...
before any more time passes,
there is one thing that I just really wanted to say to you.
Thank you.
For saving my life,
thank you.
For taking me in,
for raising me,
for protecting me,
thank you.
For being a mother to me...
for the last 8 years,
thank you.
Have you prepared an offering as I described?
Where did you put her?
I, myself,
shall be the offering.
This evening, a curse will be directed at the King's quarters.
It's not a curse directed at His Majesty, is it?
No, it is not.
That curse will be directed at you, Miss.
If there is any chance that His Majesty will be endangered because of me...
I will block it.
I will stake my life and block it.
Evil energy,
back to the owner of the talisman, you shall return!
I suppose you think you've done nothing wrong.
I suppose you think you are just a victim.
But you are wrong.
The crime of remaining silent even when you knew the truth.
The crime of abetting a death.
The crime of coveting a position that isn't yours!
Deceiving the King,
and the crime of casting aside the final chance of repentance like this!
Those are precisely
your crimes.
That's not so!
C- court lady Jo! Court lady Jo!
Get her out of here, quickly.
Quickly!
I suppose you think you've done nothing wrong.
I suppose you think you are just a victim.
- But you are wrong. - Are you going to kill Yeon Woo?
The crime of remaining silent even when you knew the truth.
The crime of abetting a death.
The crime of coveting a position that isn't yours!
Deceiving the King,
and the crime of casting aside the final chance of repentance like this!
Those are precisely your crimes.
Must you go, Mother?
I told you I want to go and pray for the Princess's pregnancy.
And while I stay at the temple for few days,
I think I shall pray also for Yeon Woo's easy passage into eternity.
Mother.
It's just that before a new life is born,
I want to peacefully send off those who have departed.
If I continue to hang onto our Yeon Woo's shadow,
I feel it will be a worry to the expecting Princess.
When I was pregnant with our Yeon Woo,
Your father was in Ming China as an ambassador.
Even though I knew he had no choice,
for some reason, I was still disappointed.
So, Yeom,
please stay beside the Princess and look after her well.
I shall.
Lord.
What is it?
Have you, by chance, heard that rumor?
What rumor are you speaking of?
That is...
about the late Miss Yeon Woo...
What about our Yeon Woo?
A strange rumor is going around these days.
It is that...
The rumor is that the lady's death eight years ago
was the deed of the late King's maternal clan.
What are you talking about?
That's not all.
There's another rumor
that the lady may be alive.
As it was,
there was something from eight years ago that was bothering me.
What do you mean bothering you?
I already told that other lord who was asking questions,
but the day after the lady's funeral, I had gone to the grave,
and there were signs that it had been dug up.
What?
And so that maiden Madam saw may truly be Miss Yeon Woo...
Lord, are you all right?
Isn't this a letter?
Who on earth would...
Prince Consort.
Are you aware that your sister's death was not due to illness?
Are you aware...
that eight years ago, Princess Minhwa, who wanted to have you,
participated in the black sorcery that killed your sister?
Furthermore,
are you aware...
that the person who covered up her death was the late King?
But,
do you have a wife?
I am still unmarried.
Wow!
Then, what about a betrothed?
Do you have a betrothed?
Forgive me, Husband.
Forgive you for what?
Everything.
All of it.
Husband.
The peace you've enjoyed over the years...
now that you know it was sandcastle built on top of your sister's corpse
what do you plan to do, Lord?
Husband,
why don't you come and sit? Why do you stand there like that?
Ah,
I was making a jacket for the baby.
It is so small. Isn't it cute in its miniature form?
I shall truly...
raise this child well.
Just like you,
a clever and handsome boy.
Did you
want to have me?
Excuse me?
What part of me...
did you want to have?
And so now,
what part of me do you have?
What part of me...
did you want to have so badly?
If it's not true,
insist to the very end that it's not true,
that I'm wrong.
That I'm foolish and have misunderstood.
Forgive me.
Husband.
Please forgive me!
How?
How?!
All those years,
you deceived me, you deceived my mother...
My sister!
I was going to tell you.
I was going to tell you,
after I saw how happy you were about the news of the baby,
I couldn’t... I just couldn't form the words.
The moment I said anything,
I feared your child
would also then become a criminal.
It would be
the child of the Princess that killed my sister.
But,
I am but a criminal myself.
Because of me, you killed my sister.
So, I am a criminal as well.
And not knowing that,
I loved you...
I am a criminal as well.
In reward for killing my sister, I've been living in comfort.
I am a bigger criminal!
No!
I'm the criminal!
You and the baby have committed no crime.
You can reproach me,
badmouth me,
but please don't blame yourself.
Please don't...
turn your back on your child.
Please!
By about this time, the Prince Consort probably knows everything, right?
When you think about it,
you can never know what's going on inside a female.
The princess, who seemed so innocent, doing something so immensely evil...
Who could have even imagined?
Now that he knows the truth,
with his character, he won't just sit and let it be.
He might just take his own life to make up for his sins.
How nice it would be if he would do that for us,
but if he were to appeal to the King, he may eke out a living.
If that's the case,
we have no choice but to eliminate him.
Who is out there?
Seol.
I will take care of this, so Young Master, you should go inside.
I cannot do that.
How could I let a girl...
Seol. Seol!
Wake up.
Seol! Seol!
Seol. Seol.
Seol.
Wake up, will you?
Seol!
Miss Yeon Woo...
is alive.
While you were gone,
you asked me...
to protect her, didn't you?
I'm sorry.
I wanted to...
protect her to the end,
but since I leave like this,
I'm sorry, Young Master.
Stop saying such things.
Seol, to think...
that you were always by our Yeon Woo's side,
how grateful I am for that.
I placed too great a burden
on such a small frame.
Please don't say you're sorry.
When I first came to your home,
instead of "you wench",
I was given the name Seol.
You gave me my name, Young Master.
Since that day, until this moment now,
even though I knew I shouldn't,
I held you, precious Young Master,
in my lowliest of lowly hearts.
I have always been sorry for doing so.
Forgive me.
What do you mean you are sorry?
What do you mean forgive you?
What am I to do?
What on earth am I anyway?!
That you would throw your life down like that?
Young Master,
it is due to you that I became a person,
that I became a woman,
and that I became Seol.
Though it has been a short life,
right now,
more than any other girl in the world,
I am happy.
So,
Young Master,
please, be happy too.
Seol. Seol!
Seol!
Seol.
Seol!
Mistress.
Seol unnie...
I think she must have died.
She keeps telling me to be well.
And she says to tell you thank you as well.
She says she is happy,
so that we should be happy and live well.
You wretched girl.
At long last,
you hold your flame against your heart as you go.
So, are you happy now?
Yes, I'm happy.
For a slave girl's fate,
it was a pretty good life, don't you think?
I've taken the Princess and the Prince Consort
to a safe place for the time being.
I see I was a step late.
Were there any innocent people that became sacrificed?
The girl named Seol was lost.
In order to protect the Prince Consort,
it appears she faced off against the killers alone.
Send someone to Onyang Palace.
The Grand Queen Dowager is in danger.
Yoon Dae Hyung, you bastard!
How dare you...
Your Majesty.
Did you come to get your grandmother?
Come now,
come and...
Your Majesty.
Your Majesty,
all of it
was for your sake...
How can you not recognize your grandmother's true intentions?
Your Majesty!
No!
No, you cannot...
No!
No, you cannot...
Truly, you cannot do this...
Eight years ago!
The crime of killing the Crown Princess through sorcery!
Also,
the crime of having your innocent granddaughter to participate in the sorcery!
Why do you think I've been silent for this long?!
I couldn't exonerate Prince Ui Seong even when I later found out the truth...
For whom do you think I kept quiet?!
I have fulfilled my filial duty in keeping silent for 13 years.
No.
Do not desire anything more.
Now that we've eliminated the old fox,
who could possibly stop us?
However, public sentiment is becoming a grave matter.
Because of the posted stories, the commotion among the people has been growing.
Even the Confucianists have started to become suspicious.
At this rate, even if the insurrection is successful,
we may lose public support.
Then, I suppose we must move up the insurrection.
When you say move up the insurrection,
do you have some alternative plan?
Before strange rumors start to cloud our moral justification,
I'm saying let's make the insurrection happen.
If public sentiment is against us,
then dethroning the King is nothing more than the bloodshed of power.
Thankfully, even a fellow like me has the capacity to move public sentiment...
When you say public sentiment...
Have you not heard of my reputation in connection with the sick ward?
The Confucianist healer who does not regard a patient's social ranking.
This is why people need to collect good deeds.
Who knew that situation would become so useful?
If we are successful in overthrowing the King,
it will probably be recorded in history like this...
Blinded by desire for a poor shaman, disregarding affairs of the state,
the shameless knave who tyrannized this country
was deposed by the appearance of a new King on the side of the people.
Tonight,
I shall expect a proper meeting.
It is all right to cry as much as you want.
I...
don't even have the right to cry.
That child constantly, invariably, protected me at my side.
But, I wasn't able to protect her.
Was she someone very dear to you?
She was a companion, my family,
no...
she was more than that.
I suppose she would have been.
To have given up her life for her master.
Why she had to die,
why my brother has be in danger,
I just cannot understand at all.
What on earth is power anyway?
What constitutes a justifiable greater cause?
Why do innocent people have to shed their blood?
Just as you have lost someone dear to you,
I have lost an innocent citizen.
Therefore,
I will not stop.
So that
an innocent life will never again be sacrificed,
I will stop this repeating cycle of vile treachery,
without fail, I will stop it.
There are quite a few familiar faces.
Why do you laugh?
I just find it amusing.
I, the infamous libertine...
who could have known that I could ever dare dream of coming into power?
What kind of unfounded remark is that?
All of us gathered here all believe the rightful ruler
is undoubtedly Prince Yang Myung.
Enough of that.
So, when is the insurrection?
In my opinion,
I am considering the upcoming gangmu.
Gangmu, you say?
[Gangmu – Military exercise and hunting competition in which King and officials take part]
That sounds good.
However,
the insurrection will not take place at the hunting grounds.
It will take place in the palace.
So the palace will become the hunting grounds?
Only, the prey
will be the King, I suppose.
[Yang Myung]
What is this?
Those who believe in me
and intend to go forward with me, inspect it closely.
Although right now, it is only a blank book,
one day in the future, when I am seated on the throne,
for the meritorious subjects who orchestrated with me the change in power,
this will become a record of their contribution.
[Yoon Dae Hyung]
Is the planning for tomorrow's gangmu going smoothly with no setbacks?
Yes, Your Majesty.
The Ministry of Military Affairs have marked the boundaries of the hunting ground.
And we have taken measures to prohibit shooting...
and wood cutting in the area.
Perhaps because it has been a long time since the last gangmu,
but I am greatly looking forward to it.
There will also be a jester to stimulate the entertainment.
so there will be no shortage of merriment.
Ah, but the purpose of a gangmu...
is not necessarily for just merriment, is it?
In addition to being a military tactics exercise,
this gangmu will particularly
serve to establish solidarity between the city and the outer villages.
Do not fail to note this.
We shall keep it in mind.
Furthermore,
who will become the hunter and who will become the hunted?
It will be a one-round showdown to determine the answer.
Ah, Minister of Military Affairs.
How many capital guards are participating in the gangmu?
As you have ordered a reduction in volume,
200 will participate.
How many capital guards will be mobilized that day?
His Majesty has order a reduction to 200.
I've added 100 to that, so 300 will head to the hunting ground.
Then, the palace and the capital garrison will be weakened.
On that day, His Majesty will head to Jongmyo
for the gangmu initiation ceremony.
As dictated by my status of royal family, I will follow behind.
That is the moment we must aim for.
The moment the palace gates open to let out the group headed for Jongmyo.
The Minister of Military Affairs will lead the soldiers to charge the palace.
So, the soldiers will be assembled at dawn,
and I will take them to the hunting grounds first.
Earlier, I was concerned that you might be on the verge of ill will,
but it seems the gangmu will be an enjoyable event after all.
All of you, please feel free to exhibit the hunting skills you have honed.
Particularly, I look forward to your performance, Chief Councilor.
Undoubtedly.
I will make certain you are not disappointed.
Please prepare yourself to go out.
Where am I going?
There will be a gangmu tomorrow.
I have heard.
It isn't very far away,
but I shall not be able to return immediately.
So, I think it would be good
if you temporarily stayed somewhere else where it was safe.
Must I?
What are you going to do alone in these chambers?
It bothers me to leave you here alone,
so please won't you do as I ask?
I shall.
Where ever you are,
as long as Your Majesty is safe and healthy,
there is nothing more I can desire.
Whatever it may be,
if you can fulfill your objective,
there is nothing more I can hope for.
I pray
that you will fulfill your objective.
I shall.
I pray
you return safely.
I shall,
absolutely.
See?
What did I say?
That moon.
Did I not say that it would follow me wherever I went?
Let me ask you one thing.
Have you come by royal order
or
have you come as a friend.
I've come as a friend.
A friend, you say.
The word friend is a very good word.
Let me ask you one thing.
You've already asked one thing.
Your attempts at humor are dismal.
Then, let me ask you one more thing.
Please go ahead and ask.
Do you
still consider me a friend.
I have considered you so up to now,
and I will continue to in the future.
Then,
whatever decision I may make,
whatever I may do,
will you remain my friend to the end?
Why do you ask that?
No,
I don't need you to answer.
Regardless of your answer,
my decision will not change.
Just...
how is it that we have ended up like this?
I find myself wondering.
The royal family and high officials are prepared and waiting.
It is now time to leave for Jongmyo.
All right. I understand.
Your Majesty,
it has been an honor
to have been able to serve you.
Why do you speak as if you were about to die?
I pray...
you stay safe and healthy.
Do not worry.
I have not lived enduring these long years for nothing.
Woon.
Are you prepared?
If my liege, Your Majesty, commands,
I am ever prepared.
His Majesty, the King, approaches!
Now, the time has come.
Soon, everything shall return to its rightful place.
When His Majesty comes out into the courtyard, it will serve as a signal,
and the palace gates will open.
As His Majesty leads the procession
and heads towards Jongmyo, at that very moment,
the insurrection begins.
Move out!
As dictated by my status of royal family, I will follow behind.
That is the moment we must aim for.
The moment the palace gates open to let out the group headed for Jongmyo.
Though the sun lives in the heavens,
the heavens have abandoned the sun!
So, I have come to inform you that the will of the heavens have shifted
and a revolution is in motion.