Part 17 Hold the robe like this and move your arms like this.
Flail your arms wide like this and distract people's eyes.
MlCHU Cha Chasung's wife
l know her.
lLPUM / Dead Dalgebi's son She may like money
lLPUM / Dead Dalgebi's son but she'd never steal.
ljust hope it wasn't you.
SOSO Member of troupe
l told you not to go to Nakrang.
You should've let Puku go alone.
lt's all about speed.
You have to turn faster.
Make big motions so you can hide yourface completely.
That's when you change.
There you go!
Did it change?
Yes.
How's Michu?
She fell asleep. Soso is with her.
CHA CHASUNG Leader of Troupe Happy Joy Michu is a scared-cat
but she didn't want this foryou.
JAMYUNG / Daughter of Choi Li and Mo Haso of Nakrang l know she cares about me.
This is my fate.
lt's too bad but l can't avoid it.
When Michu gave you the name ''Puku''
it was so you'd grow up strong.
l neverthought we'd make you cry.
Don't be so hard on yourself.
Both Hangkai and l know it's not yourfault.
Teacher wants to see both of us.
Hangkai.
That's not all.
There are at least 200 men in here.
We can't escape with Michu.
You'll approach the princess during your mask act.
The princess will be seated here
and her men will be seated below the dais.
Great General Wang Hol will be...
Great General Wang Hol?
You must've seen him.
HOGOK/ Royalty of former Nakrang Army You went to perform at his wedding in Nakrang.
There will also be Generals Majo and Ha Hogae
and several more captains.
They've been through thick and thin with Choi Li
and it won't be easy.
How are we supposed to kill the princess
when the place is swarming with Nakrang generals?
There's no way for Puku to make it out of there alive.
That's your problem.
l'll do it.
l'll kill the princess so leave Puku out of it.
Hangkai.
You think you're capable?
One's capability isn't everything in a fight.
One's desire matters greater.
My desire to save Puku is greater than Puku's desire to save Michu.
l gave the job to Puku.
Why are you doing this to my sister?
Nothing's forfree!
What did you promise me when you bowed to me?
You vowed that you wouldn't betray yourteacher and
would do everything you're told.
Ateacher is only a teacher when he acts like one.
That's just your luck.
A hand holding a sword is bound to get blood on it.
You're leaving for Taesangwan tomorrow.
We'll visit the site and finalize our plan.
Go and get some rest.
How do you know the Kingdom of Nakrang so well?
What is it to you?
Why do you want to have my sister kill the Princess of Nakrang?
You won't get your answers so easily.
l feel sorry for Puku...
... who considered you herfather.
MO HASO / Choi Li's First Wife Jamyung's mother Puku, your name was Puku right?
Yes.
l was wondering if it was you when l heard
they hired a circus troupe from Dongmohyun.
l put this ribbon on so l can show you when l see you.
l never wear it because l don't want it to get dirty.
lt looks very pretty on you.
But can l do put it on foryou?
Really?
l wished l had a mother like the queen.
lt's not that l wanted to be a princess.
l wanted to have a mother just like her.
l even thought that maybe our parents knew the man
who killed Myori and stabbed me with a hairpin.
Maybe our mom will turn out to be
a really nice person like the queen.
l had my hopes up.
l sometimes dream about Mom.
Most of the time Michu is my mom in the dream
since l don't know what Mom looks like.
But sometimes it's the queen and she brushes my hair.
l feel so bad...
The queen will be so sad.
She loves her daughter... so much.
Run.
You can escape alone.
l'll help you.
l don't want away from it.
Puku.
ln my dreams the queen is my mother but in reality
Michu is my mother.
l can't abandon her.
lt's the same for anyone.
lf you can't avoid it you have to make a choice.
And you have to pay the price that comes with it.
Life can't only be sweet.
You nevertasted sweetness of life.
You've tasted only bitterness.
lt'll cause me pain to kill the princess.
lt'll be deathly painful.
But it'll be less painful than having Michu die.
When did you wake up?
Soso went to get your medicine.
l...
... am not rich or elegant like that queen...
... but l think my feelings foryou could be...
... similarto herfeelings forthat princess.
Run away.
Listen to Hangkai and run away.
Listen to me.
Even if they tie me up in leather ropes again
l'll endure it.
l think l can endure it this time.
Run away okay?
l can't.
l can't because you're my mom.
More than the mom l've never seen...
... you're my mom the one who raised me.
Mom...
Puku.
Puku...
HAN CHlNA TAESANGWAN BANQUETROOM
Hot!
Are you all right Princess?
l'm sorry.
l thought it was too hot myself.
You'd forgive a maid who can't even make a propertea...
You're very kind Princess.
Forgive me.
Princess you should change.
Your Highness please excuse us.
The princess needs to change her clothes.
Thank you forthe tea Princess.
Please forgive me.
May l take her with me for a minute?
l was in such a hurry to come see you that
l forgot to bring a gift.
You're most gracious.
Follow me.
Try it on?
l think it might be too small forthe princess.
Where did you get it?
HODONG / King Daemushin's son l bought it at the marketplace.
LAHEE / Choi Li and Wang Jasil's daughter Her Highness has a lot of jewelry.
She has enough to wear different jewelry every day of the year.
l don't think she'll wear something like this.
You're arrogant.
l told you to give it to her. You're just a maid.
l'm a maid in Nakrang not Goguryeo.
Please forgive me if l was rude.
What are you doing?
lf it's too small the princess might think l'm mocking her.
Women are so complicated...
What are you doing?
Shake your arm.
Higher.
lt looks good on you.
What good is it if it looks good on me?
l missed you Princess.
How dare you...
You're mocking me.
You started it first.
You haven't changed at all.
You're arrogant rude and selfish.
But you've changed a lot.
l guess all that starvation paid off.
All you look for in a woman is a pretty face?
Well that's the first thing l can see.
But if you give me more time
l'll try to learn more about you.
You were cuter in the past.
Yourtemper's grown fouler.
Get out of my way.
You'd have seen blood if you hadn't been here as an envoy.
lf you're so mad you can hit...
You were bent on killing me in the past.
l guess you've been training very hard.
Your strength is not that of a woman.
You really make me want to kill you.
l missed you and wanted to see you.
Your chubby cheeks made you look like a squirrel.
A cute spiteful squirrel.
You weren't this beautiful
but l missed that little Princess Lahee.
Get that out of my face.
l brought it from Goguryeo foryou.
l don't care where you bought it.
lt's one of the few things my mother left me.
And why are you...
lt should belong to my queen.
So it belongs to you.
Whetheryou keep it or break it is up to you.
Princess.
l'm sorry l don't fall foryour sweet words.
l have studied the virtues of a king as you must have.
lf you're the Prince of Goguryeo
l'm the Crown Princess of Nakrang.
l'm sorry
but l know all too well why you want to marry me.
You've been studying too hard.
The cute princess has turned lethal.
Your Highness.
General.
Your Highness.
WANG HOL / Great General of Nakrang Wang Jasil's brother Mo Yanghae's husband
l was playing a prank.
He's Prince Hodong of Goguryeo.
l'm Wang Hol.
And they're my captains.
lt's good to see you again.
ls your wife well?
Yes. Thank you foryour concern.
lt's late but thank you for attending my wedding
and my brother's funeral.
You're welcome.
Let's go.
yes, Your Highness.
Goodbye.
Please tell the queen l sincerely wish for herto
give birth to a very healthy prince.
l will.
YULGUHUN NAKRANG
His Majesty is coming with the queen.
MO YANGHAE / Wang Hol's sister-in-law and wife Tell them not to come.
My Lady.
lt's the general's memorial day.
lsn't it enough that they've won?
Must they come here on this day and insult the general?
Whatever happened in the past he is the King of Nakrang.
l didn't say otherwise!
Please think about General Wang Hol.
yes, l can't obstruct my new husband's future for
the sake of my late husband.
But tell Jasil not to come.
Then again she wouldn't dare come here.
What brings you here at this hour?
MO HASO / Choi Li's First Queen Jamyung's mother You can't sleep with Lahee away?
WANG JA-SlL / Choi Li's Second Queen Lahee's mother
Jasil!
Your Majesty please help me.
What is the meaning of this?
You hold my life in your hands.
Leave us.
lt does not matter when l have no pride left.
Didn't you hear me? Leave us.
Forgive me Your Majesty.
Please get up.
l won't until you promise me you'll help me.
Please get up. l'll help you if l can.
Please give our husband back to me.
l'm not asking for all of him.
Please share him with me just a little so that
l won't die of loneliness.
How dare you?
CHlSO / Wang Jasil's lady-in-wait The queen is here. Open the door.
My Lady.
You can't let your personal feelings cloud your judgment.
She is the queen of the kingdom.
We are her subject.
Fine. Go give her my message.
l'll open the door if she's here as the Queen of Nakrang
but if she's here as Wang Goeng's sister
l won't open the door!
What shall we do Your Majesty?
Shall l have them knock the door down?
Let us return. Why should you be disgraced?
This is why they say women have it hard.
What good are my smarts when His Majesty is still my master?
l'm powerless unless my husband gives me power.
Your Majesty the king is coming.
Budal l'm here as Wang Jasil.
Not as the queen and not as Hol's sister.
But l'm simply here
as my brother's sister to seek forgiveness.
Do you mean that?
Of course l do.
l'll bare anything
if it'll appease her anger. Please open the door.
She's here to seek forgiveness?
Throw a bucket of water on her!
My Lady.
But how we ridicule the queen?
You cowards!
Queen Jasil is here.
- His Majesty is here. - l know.
What's keeping Mo Yanghae?
What happened to herfiery temper?
l've already set the stage up for her.
Sister-in-law!
CHOl Ll / King of Nakrang father of Jamyung and Lahee l'm here to beg my brother forforgiveness.
Please open the door!
l kneel here and beg for pardon.
Please let me offer incense to my brother at least!
No My Lady!
My Lady!
Get out of here now!
Sister-in-law!
Your Majesty!
Queen.
Your Majesty!
Your Majesty are you all right?
Your Majesty...
you came...
The queen said she's here as General Wang Goeng's sister
not as the queen.
And l've done what l should as General Wang's wife.
You should learn to forget with time Lady Mo!
Forgive me.
Please don't chide her.
lt's only natural that one reaps what one sows...
l do not wish to run from my punishment.
DONGMOHYUN
l heard that Queen Jasil killed Jamyung.
l do not know Your Highness.
lt's all right. Tell me what you know.
l can't tell you what l didn't see.
Uncle.
Why do you want to know?
Even if my sister did
l heard that it was to save your life.
My mother has sinned so much...
And she's made me a sinnerto Queen Mo Haso.
Do you think l took after my mother?
You're her daughter.
lf my sisterJamyung is alive
will l become vicious like my mother?
To become queen?
You take afteryour mother but you also take afterthe king
who had given up the throne for his people.
So the choice is yours.
l couldn't do that.
Even if it kills me...
... l'll never be able to kill my sisterforthe throne.
l'll take after my father.
l'll be a queen who can sacrifice myself for Nakrang
but l won't sacrifice Nakrang to keep my throne.
You're most impressive Your Highness.
l'm sorry Jamyung.
Please...
... forgive my mother.
ENTRANCE TO TAESANGWAN HAN CHlNA
Follow me.
The prince will be meeting with Liu Ling
WU NARU / Head of National Administration Hodong's Uncle CHU BALSO / Envoy for southern district before he meets with Emperor Guangwu.
WU NARU / Head of National Administration Hodong's Uncle CHU BALSO / Envoy for southern district lt's only natural
since Liu Ling is in charge of foreign relations.
You think he is capable of
saving Eul Duji?
l will do my best as well.
The minister's life depends on what the prince
can get out of this meeting.
That sounds like you wouldn't do your best for
the prince if it weren't forthis incident.
So you'll change sides if the queen delivers a prince?
l'm on Goguryeo's side.
l can't change sides when l was never on the prince's side.
ls that right?
What about you?
Are you on the prince's side?
The queen asked me the same question more than 10 years ago.
At the time l said l'd take the side of the
stronger prince who'd strengthen Goguryeo.
Has that mind changed?
l don't want the king and the Biryuna tribe to grow apart.
l've taught Prince Hodong forten years.
l don't wish him to die.
Even a battle-worn man is susceptible to fond emotions.
And my princess considers Prince Hodong her own son.
We just don't know what lies ahead.
What a headache.
The queen must give birth to a girl.
Goguryeo will be at peace only if she delivers a princess.
What's wrong?
l think l know him from somewhere.
Who?
That limping man.
lt's not an easy image to forget.
Maybe you're mistaken.
You've been all overthe world
so you might have a problem placing him.
Hogok.
TAEBU / General of Nakrang army He's General Hogok.
TAEBU / General of Nakrang army Hogok?
l'm positive he was General Hogok of the Nakrang army.
The one who was exiled to Han China when
Liu Xian and his men were slaughtered?
He wasn't just sent away.
Wang Goeng cut off the ligaments in his legs
and tattooed his forehead.
That Wang Goeng is one cruel guy.
He should've just killed him.
Why leave a source of trouble?
That's why he died like that.
What would he be doing here?
Well.
l don't think it's any of our concern.
l heard that Liu Ling is an outstanding diplomat.
- Let's get to work. - Yes.
Your Highness you should know this.
Liu Xian was Liu Ling's uncle.
You must be careful about Liu Xian in his presence.
All right.
l'll be careful not to mention his name.
lt's unfair.
They're discriminating us.
What is it now?
They're throwing a banquet for
and only Nakrang envoys are invited.
lt's no news that we're unwelcomed guests.
TAECHU / soldier lt'd be better if we can all enjoy.
Do you want to see the circus too?
Since His Majesty doesn't care much for entertainment
l never get to see the circus.
They have no reason to like Nakrang
any more than they like us.
They even defeated the Nakrang army and
killed Liu Ling's uncle Liu Xian.
Perhaps.
Maybe it's because you're a man.
lt's gender discrimination.
They only want to entertain a great beauty.
l'm sorry l'm not a beautiful princess.
Go to the princess's seat.
Approach the dais as you start the mask act.
Butung Do Sugi Wang Hol shake their hands while
you change your masks.
And approach the princess.
Now hold out your hand to her.
Will she hold the hands of lowlifes like us?
Then you'll have to make hertake your hand.
Help Puku and lift the spirit of the banquet.
l'll beat the drum.
yes, beat the drum until the princess stands up
to take Puku's hand.
Take her hand Your Highness.
yes, Your Highness.
Puku what are you thinking?
Don't be stubborn.
l have to wrestle with Liu Ling to see what Goguryeo
can get from the emperor.
lt's not the time to asked to see the circus?
But you liked the circus too.
l never did.
The girl strongman who put King Xiang Yu to shame...
Did you forget?
At General Wang Hol's wedding in Nakrang.
The girl who broke the chain.
Right that girl.
What was her name?
You don't remember either?
l have better things to do.
Right.
l'll hang a drape here.
l'll make a hole in the roof and when Puku is finished
l'll use the drape to climb to the ceiling with Puku and escape.
That'll work.
You'll have horses ready won't you?
l don't want Puku to die either.
Hide these in your sleeves.
- This must be the place. - Yes it must be.
How dare you come in here without permission?
How dare you raise your voice in his presence?
He's Prince Hodong of Goguryeo.
l'm sorry if l interrupted you.
l was looking for someone.
Are you the circus troupe from Luoyang?
No. We're from Dongmohyun.
Were to at Nakrang to perform?
lt was General Wang Hol's wedding.
yes, we have... but why do you ask Your Highness?
l'm looking for someone.
l don't remember her name
but she was a girl strongman who put King Xiang Yu to shame.
She broke a chain with her bare hands.
You're awesome.
l've never seen a girl like you.
l'm a strongman.
A strongman who could put King Xiang Yu to shame.
That's not possible. A girl like that can't exist.
Unless l was dreaming in broad daylight
there was a girl like that.
Puku!
Puku that was her name!
My brain's finally working.
Do you know of a girl named Puku?
Yes. Puku. A child who never cries.
She used to be with us.
But not anymore?
Well the circus is a hard work so we have high turnover.
l think Puku...
yes, she became a rich man's mistress two years ago.
l see.
That rich man will never have to worry about thieves.
yes, you're right.
Let's go.
l'm sorry l interrupted you.
Not at all... Thank you Your Highness.
This is very nice.
Metal of this quality... This is no ordinary dagger.
yes, we use them in our act... Daggerthrowing...
You use such sharp knives in your act?
Your Highness.
Nothing.
l'll go check out the roof to see if l can remove the tiles.
l'll go with you. l'm better at it.
l can't.
l can't do this.
lt's not because she's a princess.
How can l take a life...
Think of her as a piece of meat.
lf you can't then tell yourself that either
the Princess of Nakrang oryou have to die.
Only one of you can live.
So if l die will you let Michu go?
And if you can't even do that
weigh them on a scale in your mind.
The people you love
Cha Chasung who you consider yourfather his wife Michu
Soso and your brother Hangkai.
lf you'll kill them all to save the princess
you can walk out that door.
l told you not to come so often.
GOGURYEO KlNG DAEMUSHlN'S CHAMBER From the Biryuna tribe...
KlNG DAEMUSHlN / Third King of Goguryeo Hodong's father What is it this time?
Did Maeseolsu send my summer shoes this time?
YEORANG / Hodong's aunt Herfather wishes to see you.
Song Okgu?
Your Majesty.
You're summoning me now?
SONG OKGU / Chief of Biryuna Tribe Song Maeseoulsu's father l dared summon Your Majesty
SONG OKGU / Chief of Biryuna Tribe Song Maeseoulsu's father for l feared for my life
should l visit you at the palace.
SONG MAESEOLSU King Daemushin's first Queen Your Majesty.
l couldn't turn my back on her dire wish to see her husband.
The father and daughter both have some guts to bring me here.
Father please leave us.
Please do not harm the queen.
The palace is farfrom here
but the Biryuna tribe is very near Your Majesty.
Are you threatening me?
Of course not.
l'm merely asking you to take good care of her.
Did you put troops in the back as well?
Yes sir. The place is surrounded by our men.
When l give you a sign
you must go in and rescue the queen.
- Yes sir. - Lord Song!
Do not worry. l merely want to protect the queen.
HADEOK/ Soldier
lt's the will of the heaven what happens to a woman's body.
l did not mean to deceive you Your Majesty.
You witch...
l don't believe a word from that deceiving mouth.
Just the thought of you deceiving me forthe past five years
is enough to make me want to cut your head off
whetheryourfather is outside or not.
l envied Sujiryun.
l wished to turn back the time and become young
and beautiful like Sujiryun so l could start over with you.
You thought l was a man who seeks young pretty playthings?
l envied Aran Hodong's birthmother.
l wanted to let you rest peacefully in my arms.
l resented my father and
the Biryuna tribe who had forsaken me
and wished to remain as a woman by your side.
So why couldn't you do that?
l couldn't become Hodong's mother.
l don't know where things went wrong...
Why couldn't l love Hodong as if he were my own son...
l spent all those sleepless nights chiding myself
but ljust couldn't live as Hodong's mother.
l can tell you where it started to go wrong.
Please do.
You were born as Song Okgu's daughter...
Your Majesty.
And you tried to defeat me.
lt was my unfortunate fate that l was born in the Biryuna tribe
but l nevertried to defeat you.
l've heard enough.
l didn't come here to listen to your griping.
Tell me why you brought me here.
l want to go back to you and have my baby.
You summoned me all the way here just to tell me that?
Just as Hodong is your child
this baby is Maeseolsu's child, your child, our child.
Please have pity on it.
That thing is yours alone.
Your Majesty!
Your Majesty.
Your Majesty!
Hadeok leave us.
You too Father.
Your Majesty.
lf His Majesty really wanted to kill me
l'd be dead now.
You still got the nerve.
l may pretend to but l'm just an aging old woman.
Please let me go to you.
That's where l belong.
- Give birth to a girl. - Your Majesty.
As you said l don't know whether
it is the will of the heaven the sun
orthe misfortune of Goguryeo
but it's spilled milk.
We can't undo what's already done.
You must give birth to a girl.
lt's...
... getting hot.
Please take care of your health.
l was sincere when l wished to live as your woman in my youth
and as yourfriend in my old age.
EUL DUJl / Senior Head Officer of National Administration
Do you want a drink?
A criminal wouldn't dare accept a drink from His Majesty.
To think that l have only a criminal
to share a drink with this night...
But that doesn't mean l'd spare your life.
lf Hodong can't bring back the payment foryour life
you will die.
l wouldn't dare to keep my life.
A king of a kingdom is drinking
but there's no maid or moon...
No music or dancing...
Please go to Queen Sujiryun's quarters.
Do you rememberthe poem written by my late father?
yes, Your Majesty.
Recite it.
A pair of orioles high up in the sky
How loving they are
But who will this lonely man
Return home to?
Hurry.
- l'm ready. - Okay.
When l walk through this door
l'll never be able to return to the old Puku.
Even though l resented Mom and Dad
even though Myori's death hung in the back of my mind
life was happy.
The clam soup l make will no longertaste good.
l'll no longerfind joy when l fly in our act.
lt's not too late.
Shall we go to Goguryeo after we save Michu?
Cha Chasung, Michu, you and l...
Shall we go live in Goguryeo?
You like that Goguryeo prince?
He said he'd hire me as his bodyguard.
l'm okay with whateveryou want.
l don't think we can find Mom and Dad.
How can l go back there after killing the Princess of Nakrang?
l have my conscience.
So let's go to Goguryeo and live there.
Those lucky Nakrang bums are enjoying the circus
and we have to go to a meeting.
That Liu Ling is a strange fellow.
We should consider ourselves lucky to have a meeting so soon.
Why is it so quiet? No guards can be seen
when they're entertaining the princess of a kingdom?
They should have a few if only as a formality.
The Hans have no manners.
LlU LlNG / Minister of Han China Liu Xian's nephew
You want access to the road to Liadong?
That's right. Goguryeo is landlocked.
We wish to open trade to the Yellow Sea via that route.
l hope the emperor will grant us the permission.
And what's this about borrowing carpenters to build ships?
We'll need to build a big ship to go out to the open sea.
But since we've never been on large seas
our carpenters can only build small boats to cross rivers.
My Lord we are ready to start the banquet.
All right.
Please excuse me.
l must go and offer a drink to the Princess of Nakrang.
You're shaking.
l'm so nervous. lt's killing me.
l will...
... get you out of here.
l don't believe this.
How can he keep us waiting?
l wonder what Hogok is doing here.
Wang Goeng cut the ligaments in his legs
and tattooed his forehead.
Your Highness you should know this.
Liu Xian was Liu Ling's uncle.
There are no guards around
when they're entertaining the princess of a kingdom?
They should have a few if only as a formality.
They mean to assassinate her.
What are you saying?
Liu Ling and Hogok are trying to kill the Princess of Nakrang.
What?
Your Highness.
To the longevity of the beautiful Princess of Nakrang.
To the prosperity of the emperor.
The princess can drink.
That's strong liquor.
Begin the performance!