The Moon That Embraces the Sun
Episode 3
[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.]
If she gets too close to the sun,
the demise of her family will be brought upon her.
But the child will be born, destined to be at the sun's side, protecting the sun.
Please make sure that the child is safe.
Please protect her.
Two moons.
Miss, what are you doing at the palace?
Could it be that you are also to be a companion to the princess?
Then, you too?
High Shaman.
The Queen Mother is waiting for you.
Let's go.
I, High Shaman of Seongsucheong,
have returned from the blessing ceremony and come to see you, Your Highness.
Fine.
Were you able to carry out everything as you had hoped in Songak?
There was confusion and disorder amidst the movements of the heavens' divine secrets.
therefore we offered up fervent prayer for a few more days
and I returned to the palace later than expected.
I ask for your understanding.
Would I be so narrow-minded?
Aside from that...
As you have received the message, you must already know
that I would like you to do a physiognomy assessment*
*character judgment through appearance
of the Princess's companions who are entering the palace.
What do you want to determine through this assessment?
The countenance of a Queen.
After traveling through mountains and streams, purifying your mind and spirit,
you must have more clarity in your eyes than ever.
Between the two children,
determine if there is the countenance
of a future Queen.
Until the Queen calls for you,
please wait here for a while.
Excuse me.
Your name is Bo Kyung, right?
Although our first meeting was not so pleasant,
couldn't we just forget the past and try to get along well from now onwards?
In the palace,
you must not make anyone into your enemy.
Even if it is your enemy,
on the outside, you must bite your tongue.
You must never show your true feelings
or allow anyone to discover them.
That is politics.
All right. Let's get on well.
Thank goodness. I thought that you might still be very angry at me.
No.
I was really sorry for what happened that day as well.
Since you put it that way,
I do feel really relieved.
From now on, let's truly try to get along well, shall we?
All right.
No matter how I look at this, it doesn't seem like a flower at all.
What can this be?
That's right.
I can see her and ask her directly.
Your Highness.
I have confirmation that the companions have already entered the palace.
Oh, right.
And did you manage to find out whose daughters they are?
They are the Personnel Minister's daughter, Yoon Bo Kyung
and the Chief Scholar's daughter, Heo Yeon Woo.
She has entered the palace as I had guessed.
Yeon Woo.
Yeon Woo, is it?
It's a very pretty name.
Could it be...
that you have a maiden in your heart?
Hyung Sun.
I can only depend on you.
Your Highness.
Why?
Why are you acting like this?
Your Highness.
I can't do that, Your Highness!
Why can't you do it?
For a crown prince and a maiden from a respectable home to meet alone...
And more even inside the palace. And in secret on top of that...
That is something that absolutely cannot and must not happen!
Furthermore...
To penetrate the heavy security and move about secretly
is in a word,
impossible!
That's why I am asking you to help me, isn't it?
Have you forgotten about the recent wall climbing incident?
The wounds on my exposed backside from the brutal punishment
have not even yet healed.
And is that all?
Today's schedule is no child's play.
In place of the His Majesty, the King, busy with all matters of the state,
you must attend the soccer match of the new appointees of the Seonjeongwan*.
*Royal Messenger's Office
And also...
Sa Do Mok (palace attendant evaluation).
Sa Do Mok - Evaluation of palace attendants
carried out by the Royal Secretariat 4 times a year.
When you did not pass the Sa Do Mok evaluation and were in utter despair,
the person who earnestly comforted you,
the person who helped you...
Who was it?
It... it...
It was you, Your Highness.
The person who provided you with focused tutoring
on the subject to be tested, The Doctrine of the Mean (Confucian treatise)...
Ah... who was it?
It was you, Your Highness.
And thus,
you were not dismissed, but rather, your rank was promoted.
Who was that due to?
It... it...
It was you, Your Highness.
Upon hearing the news that you were entering the palace,
I was unable to sleep.
I will send someone shortly,
so let's meet again then.
Lee Hwon.
Ay, always...
That same story...
That's absolutely...
possible.
It must be hard on you, entering the palace.
Through the Queen Mother's decree,
I am to be responsible for the education of the Princess's companions.
And I have heard that you have already completed
your studies of elementary Chinese characters
and the Four Books for Women at home.
Is that right?
- Yes, that is so. - Yes, that is so.
And so, I don't think I will give you additional lessons on them.
Please just keep our Princess Min Hwa company and enjoy yourselves.
Your Highness, have you been well?
Between the two of you,
which of you is Scholar Heo's sister?
Princess.
Is it you?
Which of you is Scholar Heo's sister?
It is I.
So it is.
I just knew it was you.
You resemble Scholar Heo,
so you are pretty as well.
Oh, right.
This is for you.
Inside it,
there's a trinket.
I am deeply grateful.
I am the daughter of Chief Scholar Heo Young Jae
from the Office of Special Advisors,
Heo Yeon Woo.
I am the daughter of Personnel Minister Yoon Dae Hyung,
Yoon Bo Kyung.
Queen, Royal Consort.
Yes, Majesty.
They are lovely children, are they not?
It is as though flower petals have floated into the palace.
I hope that the both of them will become good companions of the Princess.
We shall heed your word.
Two moons risen up in the Joseon sky.
All you need to do is attend and watch.
There is no need for you to take part in the match personally.
What if Your Highness were to be injured?
If I'm dead, I'm dead, but I cannot tolerate boredom.
The day His Majesty, the King, finds out about this, I'll be put to death.
Really.
You talk too much.
Have you been well, Your Highness?
Oh, Hyungnim!
Of course, I've been well.
Were you making your way to the East Palace (Palace of the Crown Prince)?
Yes, I was going to see you.
And perhaps see Scholar Heo in the lecture hall.
Is Scholar Heo someone that you know?
He is a friend I made after I left the palace.
Oh, I see.
I didn't know as Scholar Heo didn't mention it.
Let's find another place to talk instead of just standing here.
Please excuse me, Your Highness.
You must stay with your schedule.
It appears you are busy.
I will go and talk with Scholar Heo,
so please go on with your schedule.
That works out well!
Hyungnim, you should compete too.
Excuse me?
Guards, listen.
Guards, you and the Seonjeongwan members are to split into two teams,
and we will play a soccer match.
Your Highness.
With the East Palace's name at stake, we absolutely must win.
Do you understand?
Certain victory!
Do you know each other?
He is a friend who studied with me under the Chief Scholar.
He is Kim Jae Woon, the top military scholar of the recent exams.
Didn't I tell you already? I'm not a thief.
I am here to watch my brother be awarded the top military scholar.
Why is it you just blame everyone else
and tell lies when you open your mouth?
The person who was awarded top military scholar is my brother's good friend.
Well, if it isn't the person who nearly became my brother?
This is another interesting connection of fate.
Upon hearing the news that you were entering the palace,
I was unable to sleep.
I will send someone shortly,
so let's meet again then.
What's that?
What?
It's nothing at all.
I can't do, it's too boring.
Let's go out and play, Yeon Woo.
Excuse me?
Hurry.
Quickly.
Now.
Princess, Princess.
Princess.
Lee Hwon?
Let's go there, over there.
Come over quickly, quickly.
Start!
- Over here - Miss, here.
- Here, here - Over here.
- Over here - Miss, here.
I am from the East Palace.
I will send someone shortly,
so let's meet again then.
You are Scholar Heo's sister, correct?
I... it's not I.
- Over here - Miss, here.
- Here, here - Over here.
How can that be? She looks really like Scholar Heo.
- Over here - Miss, here.
Hyung Sun.
What...
are you doing here?
Oh, yes.
I was just passing by. Now then...
Is there anything that you may like to ask?
Is Scholar Heo in Crown Prince's study?
Scholar Heo and the Crown Prince are at the soccer fields...
Scholar Heo...
playing soccer?
Princess.
Where are you?
Can you please clap your hands at least?
Here, over here.
Scholar Heo is over there, over there.
Where?
So then,
was there the countenance of a Queen?
Why are you not answering me?
There wasn't?
Congratulations.
Everything will go according to your wishes.
So then...
The Personnel Minister's daughter...
She will one day be master of the Queen's quarters.
What sort of joke of destiny is this?
Though one has the countenance of a Queen,
she is fated never to be master of the Queen's quarters.
Although one does not have the countenance of a Queen,
she is fated to be master of the Queen's quarters.
Two moons.
Two Suns.
And...
the smell of death.
Your Highness!
- His Highness. - His Highness.
Your Highness!
Capture that man at once!
Yes.
Your Highness.
It's a misunderstanding, your Highness.
All of you, stop!
Let him go at once.
Your Highness, I deserve to die.
This is...
a serious, competitive match.
From this point on, if you intentionally allow me to steal the ball
or allow me to get by you
or leave the goal open for me,
All of you will be severely punished under military law!
Take heed.
- We shall obey your order! - We shall obey your order!
Princess.
Why are you being like this?
If the King finds out, there will be big trouble.
Don't worry.
The King always takes my side.
What are you all doing?
Take the Princess back at once.
It is fine if everyone becomes one of the Crown Prince's people.
Heo Yeon Woo,
as long as you are willing to be mine.
Your Majesty!
Oh, it's you, Princess.
Are you enjoying your time with your companions?
Yes.
I like this girl especially.
Whose daughter are you?
I am the daughter of the Chief Scholar of the Office of Special Advisors, Heo Yeon Woo.
Then you must be the Personnel Minister's daughter.
That is so.
You truly have outstanding daughters.
Your kindness is immeasurable, Your Majesty.
I hope that you will become good companions of the Princess.
We shall take it to heart.
But then, since you have already entered the palace.
You are not allow to talk of the greenhouse trees.
Do you understand the meaning of my words?
Personnel Minister's daughter, would you be willing to answer?
Please forgive me.
I have always been taught by my father
that literature and politics are the realms of men,
and that virtues and obedience are the realms of women.
And so, I...
have only studied elementary Chinese characters, the Four Books for Women,
and the Book of the Virtuous Woman.
It's enough for a girl to learn to that standard.
So, then...
Chief Scholar's daughter, would you like to offer an answer?
The phrase "not to talk of the greenhouse trees"
originates from the tale of
Kong Guang, a Han Prime Minister.
All right.
What is the tale?
Even when those closest to him asked
what trees grew in the greenhouse,
it is said that Kong Guang would never answer.
Would you also explain the meaning of the tale and phrase?
It means that matters regarding the palace and the court
must never be spread outside the palace walls.
You're doing very well, I see.
It is just as you said.
You must never speak of things you see,
hear or feel inside the palace outside the palace walls.
Will you take that to heart?
- Yes. - Yes.
Your Highness.
Prince Yang Myung is requesting an audience.
Let him in.
I suppose there will be another fit of scolding like a bolt out of the blue.
Your loyal subject, Yang Myung, is here to pay respects to Your Majesty.
What brings you here?
Please forgive me.
It's not that I have forgotten
Your Majesty's warning to be cautious of making personal visits to the palace, but...
I am asking why you have come to see me.
Your subject...
has a small request to make of Your Highness.
You have a...
request?
That is so.
Speak.
There is a girl I have in my heart.
Whenever it might be, at some point,
she is the woman I want to make my companion for life.
And if...
By any chance,
you have already made arrangements regarding my marriage...
It is my hope...
that you would also consider what is in my heart.
Your loyal subject
dares to entreat Your Highness
and make this, my first and final request.
Whose family's daughter is she?
Excuse me?
Did you not understand my words?
I am asking you whose family's daughter is she?
She is the daughter of the Chief Scholar from the Office of Special Advisors,
the maiden named Heo Yeon Woo.
I understand.
I will think about it.
What is it you just said?
I said that I'll think about it.
Your benevolence is immeasurable, Your Majesty.
Fool.
I just told you to show caution with your visits to the palace.
Did I ever tell you to stop coming completely?
So then...
What is your initial feeling of entering the palace
for the first time as a companion to the princess?
I liked it.
That couldn't possibly be all, could it?
Yes, it is.
What is that?
I've been curious and nervous about how you were doing in the palace.
So I have been waiting the whole day for you to come home.
And to hear you say only that
is not interesting at all.
Ah, I saw Brother in the palace.
How were you able to see me?
It's a secret.
What?
As I'm not to speak of the greenhouse trees,
please don't ask me anymore.
Yeom, it looks like you could learn a lesson from her.
It looks that way.
I was worried over
having you enter the palace,
but it seems it was an unnecessary worry.
I feel that
compared to any maiden in this world,
my daughter is
the most kind-hearted and wise.
To me as well,
Father, you are the best!
This is really...
There's no room for anyone to get between father and daughter.
I'm so sad, how shall I keep on living?
Yeom.
As for your mother, I feel that compared to any scholar in the world,
my son is the wisest and most handsome.
Yes, Mother.
I think that my mother is the best as well.
Seol.
It's me.
I am so sorry, Miss.
I didn't realize...
Where did you get that wooden sword?
Oh, I just...
made it little by little whenever I was free.
But what brings you here, Miss?
Oh...
The truth is...
I have something to ask you about.
What is it?
There is someone
who received a letter from someone else.
But she doesn't quite understand what it means.
What was written in it?
Because of you, I was unable to sleep.
I'm sending someone over.
Let's meet then.
So, it's a threat letter, saying there will be a fight soon.
But, did the person they sent over
find who he was looking for?
Ah, he did go looking,
but the person said it was a mistake and avoided...
What a fool! He just made matters worse!
In a situation like that, one needs to face it head on!
Do you think there will be repercussions?
That goes without saying!
Avoiding a challenge like a coward and lying even?
That's the worst situation!
Sounds like there's going to be some major bloodshed soon.
Do you think I'm trying to scare you?
Aren't you?
Well...
What do you think?
If I were to answer that I don't think so,
will you send someone again?
If I do,
Will you come to meet me?
I do want to meet you at least once.
Will you...
send someone again?
Are you enjoying your time with your companions?
Yes.
I like this girl especially.
Father, it's Bo Kyung.
Come in.
You were looking for me?
In the palace today.
Did you do anything inappropriate?
I didn't.
There was absolutely nothing like that.
Then, why were you not able to get in favor with the Princess?
What are you crying for?!
It's because I am not Scholar Heo's sister.
What?
The Princess has an affection for Scholar Heo.
And so,
of course his sister, Yeon Woo, would win her favor.
And it's not only the Princess.
Someone in the royal "Lee" family
sent a letter to the girl as well.
There is no one in the palace on my side.
They are all on her side.
So how can I win anyone's favor?
Just now...
What did you say?
Excuse me?
Did you not just say that someone
in the royal family sent her a letter?
I am not sure about it...
But since the surname was "Lee"...
The name of that royal family member,
what was it?
Lee Hwon.
On the letter,
it clearly said "Lee Hwon."
A letter, you say?
Our Crown Prince is already is already at the age for love.
The Crown Prince spends all his days in the palace.
How did he even know that child to send her a letter?
Her brother is part
of the Sigangweon*, is he not? (*Office in charge in educating the Crown Prince)
That man, Heo Young Jae...
our relationship with him is ill-fated in so many ways.
From what I see,
she seems to be a very clever child.
There is no need to worry.
Even if the Crown Prince already has her in his heart,
what problem could it pose?
Can a royal wedding happen merely out of love?
I don't mention it merely because of the Crown Prince's feelings.
The way that His Majesty, the King, looked upon the child
was also special.
To summon both that man's son and daughter into the palace...
What do you think his intentions could be?
To restrain the maternal side of the family.
We must hasten a royal wedding.
Royal wedding, you say...
If we just wait and put our faith in the High Shaman's words,
we cannot know when we will see a new master of the Queen's quarters.
If the heavens have already determined what shall be,
it is up to the people now to make it so.
Do all we can and only then, leave the rest to the heavens.
That is a very good saying indeed.
You move the Ministers.
And I shall move the ranking women of the court.
I shall do as you say, Your Highness.
Nanny, please tidy up my hair.
You have already spent too much time on your appearance.
If you are any later, it will be awkward.
Don't worry.
My father said that he would explain it well.
It's done, Miss.
Come and meet me here when it's time to leave the palace.
Yes.
Let's go.
Father.
I...
want to live in the palace.
Please make it so I can live in the palace.
I am here from the East Palace.
The Crown Prince...
quietly...
wants to meet you.
For Your Highness
the gallant posture of your turned back is particularly attractive.
You could stand with your back to the door,
and then as you slowly turn around,
if you were to break out that deadly smile,
you could capture the heart of any girl.
I finally am able to meet you.
It is so.
You must know already but I am not an attendant.
But this nation, Joseon's Crown Prince.
Although I don't know the reason.
After that day,
I could not forget your face.
When I heard the news that you had entered the palace as a companion of the Princess,
I felt I had to meet you again,
even if it was like this.
You are really an unfeeling girl.
It was so difficult to meet
and yet, you won't even let me look upon your face.
Who are you?
Excuse me?
I am asking who are you and why you came here.
I am the Personnel Minister Yoon Dae Hyung's daughter,
Yoon Bo Kyung.
You sent an East Palace attendant,
so I just...
I am sorry.
Excuse me?
There's been a misunderstanding.
Your Highness.
What do you think?
The longevity bracelet that I made is prettier, right?
Yes.
The longevity bracelet that you made is much prettier.
Ask me who I am going to give this to.
Who are you going to give it to?
Scholar Heo.
Excuse me?
And, to whom are you going to give the one you made?
I, too, was making it for my brother.
You can't!
I will give mine to your brother.
You can give yours to my brother.
Then wouldn't that be fair?
The Cr...
The Crown Prince?
How could I dare?
I'll deliver it so give it to me.
I'm going to make it again.
This one is really too poorly made.
If you wish.
Hello.
Try wearing it.
When I heard the news that you had entered the palace as a companion of the Princess,
I felt I had to meet you again,
even if it was like this.
What?
The Crown Prince and the Personnel Minister's daughter?
Are you sure that it was the Personnel Minister's daughter?
And not the Chief Scholar's daughter?
I saw them coming out of the Eunweol Pavilion with my own eyes.
Really?
It doesn't look like they had just a common relationship.
Then, could it be that they knew each other before she entered the palace?
If she's the Personnel Minister's daughter,
then she's a relative of the Queen Mother.
The Queen Mother may have made a liaison between the two.
What did you say just now?
You had better truthfully tell me everything you know.
Do you call that an excuse?!
I really feel this is unfair.
When I asked her, she clearly stated with her own mouth
that she wasn't Scholar Heo's sister.
Why would that child be telling such a lie?
If you have to ask me such a question,
you put me in a difficult position.
There is no reason for that girl to be avoiding me.
If you insist on asking, then...
[Brain Chart]
What's that thing?
I drew a picture of the thoughts in Miss Yeon Woo's head.
The thoughts in her head?
Yes.
First, Miss Yeon Woo's brother, namely Scholar Heo.
He occupies at least 70% of her thoughts.
As much as 70%
Yes.
Miss Yeon Woo has grown up under the same roof
with a genius like Scholar Heo, a man with unsurpassed beauty.
Therefore, an average boy
will not garner any attention.
Furthermore, the classmates who studied with Scholar Heo,
Prince Yang Myung and Kim Jae Woon,
have significant appeal themselves.
The magnanimous and delightfully charming
Prince Yang Myung takes up 20%.
The cold palace man and picturesque figure, Kim Jae Woon takes up 10%.
Cold palace man?
It's the shortening "the stone cold man from within the palace".
This is the nickname given to him by the court ladies.
But then...
What's that small dot that's over there?
This is you, Your Highness.
What are you saying?! That my existence to Miss Yeon Woo
is as tiny as that eye crust sized dot?!
That... That...
There is a reason for that as well.
First, from a geographical standpoint,
you and she have been separated by a very long distance.
Then, she mistook you for a thief when you first met.
And you yourself told her you were an attendant.
And so, the lady's first impression of you is that
you're a thief and an attendant, an attendant and a thief,
nothing less, nothing more.
Shut up! Shut up! Shut your mouth up!
I can't stand looking at you.
So, stand with your face turned for the time being.
Your Highness, it is Sang Sun.
Come in.
Your Highness.
His Majesty, the King has requested your presence.
His Majesty?
What are you guards doing in the East Palace?
We are under the royal orders.
Your Highness!
Are the rumors true?
Is it true that you met the Personnel Minister's daughter privately?
It is true that we met,
but it was a mistake.
No, a misunderstanding...
Are you trying to make excuses?!
I know well...
that there is no leeway for excuses.
But please let me clear up one misunderstanding.
What in the world are you referring to as a misunderstanding?
Please forgive me,
but there is already a girl I have in my heart.
What?
When I heard that she entered the palace as a companion to the Princess,
it is true that I wanted to meet with her in secret.
But it is not the Personnel Minister's daughter.
The girl that is in my heart
is the daughter of the Chief Scholar from the Office of Special Advisors.
There is a girl I have in my heart.
She is the daughter of the Chief Scholar from the Office of Special Advisors,
the maiden named Heo Yeon Woo.
Although I cannot explain the situation in detail,
my heart is already with...
I shall act like I didn't hear those words from you just now.
But, Your Majesty!
Have you forgotten that you are this nation's Crown Prince?!
Because of your reckless behavior,
that child could become a sacrifice in a political war.
How could that thought not occur to you?!
I will let it pass quietly this time.
Please don't disappoint me a second time.
Do you understand?
I'll bear it in mind.
The Ceremonial Committee will be set up shortly.
Ceremonial Committee oversees court ceremonies as Royal Wedding, throne ascension.
Know this and leave now.
Bo Kyung.
Will it be all right for you to ride in the palanquin?
I heard you had suffered severely due to motion sickness.
What does that have to do with you...
Ah, that...
Thank you for your concern,
but actually, I wasn't late because I had motion sickness.
Then why?
This is a secret.
At Eunweol Pavilion earlier,
I met with the Crown Prince.
He says that he has been watching me from afar.
He said he had to meet me at least once even if it was like that.
You have to keep this secret.
Recently, the Queen Mother has given earnest orders
to welcome a Crown Princess for the Crown Prince.
The Crown Prince is already fifteen years old this year.
So, naturally, we plan to hold a Crown Princess selection.
Please speak your opinion.
I feel that what your Highness makes a reasonable argument.
That is what this subject thinks as well.
We should hasten a royal wedding and ensure an heir to the throne.
Rites Minister, please listen.
From Hanyang to the rural districts,
all unmarried girls from the age of twelve to sixteen
are to be prohibited from marrying and must submit their names to the maiden roster.
I shall carry out as instructed.
And also, we will be having a Narye ceremony this evening,
Narye - a lunar new year ritual to chase away demons.
so Officers and Ministers, please attend and enjoy yourselves.
Yes, Your Highness.
Your Highness.
The banquet is starting soon.
You must hurry and get dressed.
Hyung Sun.
Yes, Your Highness.
What kind of a flower is this?
I will take a moment to look.
This is not a flower.
It's a lettuce.
Lettuce?
Yes.
Lettuce.
Why did she gave me a lettuce?
Now...
I will never be able to hear that answer.
Throw it away.
What?
Because of your reckless behavior,
that child could become a sacrifice in a political war.
How could that thought not occur to you?!
Shortly, we will be going to the palace for the ceremony.
Although we have the approval of the Queen Mother,
we still need to move cautiously so as not to attract attention.
So we have to be really careful.
Yes, High Shaman.
But whose spirit are we comforting in this ritual tonight?
It's for the mother of Prince Ui Seong.
Ever since a few years ago,
people say they hear a phantom crying in the room she used to sleep in.
And so, every lunar new year's eve,
by order of the Queen Mother,
we perform a dead spirit comforting ritual.
[Peace]
Please run away.
This is not a destiny you can handle.
Do not make the ties any stronger.
Right now is your only chance to avoid it.
Do not make the ties any stronger.
Right now is your only chance to avoid it.
While you can avoid it, as much as you can avoid it,
you must run away.
Do you...
recognize me?
Please say who it is
that I am.
This nation, Joseon's...
Crown Prince,
Lee Hwon.
Did you tell me to forget you?
Did you want me to forget you?
I'm sorry.
Although I tried to forget,
I could not forget you.
What do you mean I cannot be with the maiden Yeon Woo?
What sort of outrageous nonsense is that?
It is the selection of this country's future Queen.
Please allow the selection process to be just and legitimate.
Please pass override Queen Mother's action.
Do you share the Crown Prince's feelings?
Are you going somewhere?
Will you come with me?
That child, Heo Yeon Woo.
Kill her!