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~ 2009 Hometown of Legends ~ ~ Myojeong's Pearl ~
Episode 9
Your Highness.
May you hasten!
Are you so eager to be reprimanded?
I'm done. Let us go.
You wench.
Your Highness...
May I ask you why?
Look.
Your negligence is to blame,
forcing Sowon to parade about in such nefarious semblances.
Is that how a consort of the king should look like?
Negligence and ineptitude have beclouded your judgment,
so you shall be held responsible for your malfeasance.
No... It is all my fault.
My lowly countenance is to blame, and not the jewels and garments adorning me.
Lady Lee has no responsibility, Your Highness.
Sowon.
No matter how much power your clan has lost,
did you not hold considerable influence in the court at one time?
And that is what allowed you to become a consort.
But what is all this?
Seeing this can only disgust me.
Your Highness.
Are you all right?
Let us go.
Your Majesty.
How have you been faring?
Same as always.
Do not say that.
You look much more invigorated than our last meeting.
I am relieved to hear that.
But, meseems you're becoming more and more beautiful.
I am sure it is retribution for her many good deeds in her past life.
That is why she is blessed with such beauty.
Then, did Sowon commit some indescribable cruelty?
What are you doing?
How could you belittle her with such shallow jests?
My apologies.
I merely was doing this for a laugh, but it looks like I went too far.
By the way...
Nothing to announce today, either?
I am talking of pregnancy.
From what I hear, you have completely won His Majesty's graces,
but why are there no propitious news yet?
Your Majesty.
Even providence* is a woman, so she must be jealous of her beauty.
[*Sanshin Eomi: one of the three gods governing childbirth, in old folklore]
That is why she is not parturient yet, despite all our fervent wishes.
I think not.
It might be because some people pretend to wish for that,
but in truth hope for the contrary.
And who would that be?
Who knows...
How could I say so myself?
Are you trying to suggest...
Your Majesty!
Are you all right?
I'm just fine.
It was merely a sudden cough.
Your Majesty.
Lady So passed away.
Did you say it was suicide?
Y... Yes.... If I may speculate as such.
No matter how hard I try, I still can't understand.
What?
I mean, why would Lady So perish there in the middle of the night?
I guess the pearl of affection made its mark.
Pearl of affection?!
And what's that?
Don't tell me you don't know?
With that pearl in your hands, even the ugliest wench will ooze beauty,
and will earn His Majesty's graces, that's what it is.
Ehh... That's impossible.
How could there be such a pearl?
Hey... Even Myojeong became a special court lady because of that.
Really?
You wenches.
If you want to live long and croak in peace,
don't even mention that pearl.
Right!
Why don't you find it and give it to Lady Sowon?
I've heard she's still a virgin?
I hear that she's so ugly, His Majesty just left on their first night.
Who yapped that nonsense?
Milady!
Why are you stealing my food?
You wench!
You'll eat your share in the otherworld, when you croak.
Just sit down.
Why don't you start yourself?
Keep it up, will you?!
Always me...
I don't feel too well tonight.
So... Have a peaceful night.
Pearl of affection?!
With that pearl in your hands, even the ugliest wench will ooze beauty,
and will earn His Majesty's graces, that's what it is.
Your Highness.
I've been looking all over.
What are you doing here?
That...
Who is there?
Didn't I ask you something?
I'm Sowon, Sire.
Look at me.
Sowon went to Gangnyeong Hall*?
[*The king's quarters in Gyeongbok Palace]
Yes. That is what I've heard.
Methinks Lady Hong will be quite disheartened to hear that.
Say what?
Who is spending the night at Gangnyeong Hall?!
La.... Lady Sowon.
His Majesty is completely out of his mind.
He can't be belittling me this way.
Why are you staring at me that way?
That trinket does not belong to Your Highness.
So you must return it where it belongs.
No. I found it, so it is mine now.
Your Highness!
Shut your gob.
If that is what you're here to say, leave at once.
And what is this?
A charm repelling evil presences.
I.... I don't need any.
Gangnyeong Hall is His Majesty's chamber.
The Hall's energy alone might repel those evil spirits.
However...
This place is different.
This charm might not completely repel them,
but it will at least protect you for a while.
So you must always take it with you.
So His Majesty summoned you to Gangnyeong Hall, last night?
Yes, Your Majesty.
Is that so? I am glad to hear that.
Are you not as well, Lady Hong?
But you look more beautiful than the usual, Lady Sowon.
It is all thanks to His Majesty.
Did they not say women who are cherished will be blessed with beauty?
Sowon. Will you show me that trinket?
I don't want to.
Show it to me.
Lady Jung.
What shameful conduct is that?
Let that go.
Why would she refuse to even show it?
Is this perchance the pearl of affection?
I said stop!
Ohh Ohh... Lady Jung!
What are you doing?
Your Highness!
Lady Hong...
What.... What did you just do?
How do you explain this?
Explain what?
Did you not say that pearl vanished?
You didn't hide it from me, did you?
Are you not more than capable of such feats?
Is that so?
Did you not ask for this?
It suits you.
What now?
What are you referring to?
It's been three months already.
Since His Majesty has last visited my quarters.
Tell me.
How can I make sure he visits me again?
Your Highness...
Bring them to Eunuch Kim.
Tell him to bring him to me.
Make sure His Majesty heads here.
Your Highness...
With all the jewels you gave him...
Even if you must stake your life to do so, bring me His Majesty.
Even if your limbs will be torn apart for it,
bring His Majesty here.
Yes, Your Highness.
Who are you?
Your Highness!
Are you all right?
My... My trinket...
What did Eunuch Kim come here for?
Did you just say Eunuch Kim?
Those wenches...
What is so special about this trinket, to fight each other over it?
Let's see...
How much will Lady Hong give me for this?
Wh... Who are you?
Do you know what this place is?
Leave! Leave at once!
I came to get back what was stolen from me.
My trinket... My trinket!
Get a hold of yourself!
If people see you here, you might be accused of murder.
Aigoo... Your Highness!
Your Highness...
Get a hold of yourself.
Let's go.
So, did you find out?
Yes.
According to the physician, he was stabbed to death by a sharp object.
The State Tribunal suggests Eunuch Kim might...
have been embroiled in corrupt endeavors.
What is your dream?
Is it that of becoming a consort of mine?
It's not that.
Then, what is it?
My dream...
is to live in freedom, like that bird flying in the sky.
Sire.
What is that?
It belonged to a woman who shared the same dreams with me.
I saw a woman perish.
A woman?
A woman wearing that trinket...
dying in nefarious ways.
What on earth is that pearl of affection?
Just talebearing which spread amongst consorts and court ladies.
Even you are looking down on me, just because I lost that trinket?
Your Highness.
How could you say that?
While I held that trinket, I was engulfed by harrowing nightmares.
And, the moment he took that trinket away from me, Eunuch Kim met his demise.
But you say it's just talebearing?
Tell me what you know.
That place where Your Highness first found the pearl, Sohwa Hall,
is where court ladies gaining His Majesty's graces would lodge at.
Also, trumpet vine symbolized the grief of all court ladies...
who quickly were forgotten by the king, spending their days in lonesome misery.
At first, that trinket was a sign proving you gained His Majesty's favors.
But although a few lucky ones managed to become consorts and give birth,
most cases ended in tragedy after only one fateful meeting with him.
Your Highness...
They wanted to, but could never meet His Majesty again.
They would have liked to, but could never even call his name,
leading to a lonely and disheartening demise for them all.
The pearl of affection is filled with the bitter tears...
of all those women, abandoned to their destiny.
Hence, just like tears eventually dry out,
that pearl has become something nobody can possess.
Then.... Me?
What will happen to me?
Will I continue to suffer everyone's contempt,
and end up forgotten like those women?
Is that the destiny and demise which await me?
Your Highness...
Leave.
I wish to remain alone.
Your Highness.
This is not the trinket I wanted!
Eunuch Kim...
You vile snake...
Your Highness. May you calm down.
Why are you obsessing over a trifling trinket?
Trifling trinket?!
- That is none other than... - Your Highness!
What is the matter?
Your Highness.
Eunuch Kim perished.
What?
Eunuch Kim refuses to unclasp his hand despite being dead?
Yes, Your Highness. They tried everything, to no avail.
Stubborn old fool....
He refuses to abandon that greed of his even in demise.
Your Highness.
Why were you trying to do something so despicable?
He must be holding the pearl of affection in his hands.
Get it for me.
Your Highness.
That is no longer the pearl of affection.
Silence.
I'm already aware of your skills,
so unclasp those hands of his.
Your Highness!
Even if that pearl is indeed in his hands,
that is not something which belongs to human beings.
Say what?
Take a look.
Do you think this was the result of a human being's doing?
Then, was a ghost responsible for this?
Your Highness.
All this pearl represents now is the vengeful grief that a woman...
could not even quell through her demise.
Your desire to gain possession of it is like invoking the ire of vengeful spirits.
All the better.
If His Majesty continues to ignore me, a life of solitude is all I could face,
so I'll rather spend those long nights in a vengeful spirit's company.
So...
Unclasp those hands!
There is nothing I can do about that.
What?
Anything begrimed by grief and wicked intents...
will only grace the hands of those fomenting them.
So they must be the ones to unclasp those hands.
Get out of the way.
Quite a nice wig.
Its hair almost feels alive.
Sitting here alone in someone else's quarters is unbecoming of you.
Tell me about it.
Where have you been, at this belated hour?
I am fatigued.
Let us meet in the morrow.
But what are you holding in your hands?
Show it to me, will you?
I said I'm tired.
As if I asked you to give it to me...
All I ask is to look at it, why would you be so defensive?
Did we not share the same cause once, for that trinket's sake?
That is why I shall not fall alone.
May you leave my quarters.
Have you forgotten who helped you become consort?
Did I not pay back all my debts of gratitude, already?
Seeing how it made a scaredy and naive young lady like you so fearless,
that pearl of affection must truly be remarkable.
No... It is not.
You have taught me all of that.
No way...
This is not my face!
Your Highness.
Where are you going in such haste?
They still haven't taken that trinket away from Eunuch Kim's body, right?
Your Highness!
After all I've told you, are you still obsessing over that pearl?
Take a look at my face.
You could easily mistake me for a ghost!
It will be fruitless anyhow.
What is that supposed to mean?
Lady Jung has already taken it.
Then, I'll just have to steal it back!
Your Highness!
How could you keep acting this way?
You used to be such a warm and kind person.
And who ever acknowledged that?
Your Highness!
Who... Who are you?
I came to get back what is mine.
Let go...
Let me go!
Spare me... Spare me!
No....
I wasn't trying to harm you.
I wasn't...
I just did it to scare you.
I mean it.
Your Highness
What are you trying to do?
That girl... That girl is back.
That girl?!
Myo... Myojeong.
Shut that gob.
Leave us.
What?
I said leave us, didn't I?
Yes.
She's become a vengeful spirit trying to slay me.
What now?
What can I do now?
And why are you asking me that?
It was you... You killed her!
I only tried to intimidate her.
Let go.
It's not my fault!
How dare you lay your hands on me?
Your Highness?!
Haven't you seen Lady Jung?
She's in Lady Hong's quarters.
How foolish of you.
Why let a ghost you can't even see daunt you?
Then, what is it that daunts you?
You wretched wench...
How dare you come here?
And you try to intimidate me with that nefarious visage of yours?
Are you afraid of me now?
Afraid?!
Afraid of what?
Why don't you stop trembling, and beg me to forgive you?
Forgive?!
Forgive what?
What did I ever do wrong,
to be forced to beg a vengeful spirit for forgiveness?
You wench...
You wench!
Do you believe you can kill me with your own hands?
No way.
That is not going to happen.
If that is the fate which awaits me,
I shall rather take my own life.
Did that pearl bring you here as well?
Here...
Give me that pearl.
I need it at all cost.
Give it to me.
I beg you, give it to me!
Myojeong! Stop!
Myojeong.
You cannot commit murder any longer.
Get out of the way!
Or you'll breathe your very last breath.
I might just leave this time,
but next time will be fatal to those wenches.
Your Highness.
Escort Lady Jung to her quarters.
Your Highness.
I've been taking care of Myojeong from the moment she entered the palace.
She was so dedicated and meticulous, not to mention kind.
She always said that, when she'd be reborn,
it would be as a bird.
A bird?
Yes.
She kept saying she wanted to fly away from the palace, free like a bird.
So we cannot allow her to keep wandering the palace.
Even in death, I shall never,
ever forget what you people did to me.
I shall never forgive you!
Your Highness.
Lady Jung took her own life.
Your Highness!
My bath... Prepare my bath.
How is His Majesty reacting?
He's spending the entire day alone, at the council hall.
Is that so?
He must really feel disheartened.
First Lady So, and now even Lady Jung perished.
Lady Hong must be ecstatic.
Do you believe that pearl of affection truly exists?
Why, Your Highness doesn't?
How could there be such a thing?
I have a feeling...
His Majesty might come tonight.
Make all preparatives.
Your Highness!
You cannot go past the threshold.
Walk through the netherworld's gates,
and forever renege what is trapping you here.
Walk through the netherworld's gates,
and forever renege what is trapping you here.
Were you looking for me?
Your Highness!
Didn't I tell you what would happen?
Myojeong!
If this was all it would take,
I would not have been wandering the Hades!
Myo.... Myojeong.
Why...
Who did this to you?
Who is responsible? Tell me!
I shall reveal to His Majesty who did this to you,
and she will pay for her misdeeds, so tell me!
Did you just say "His Majesty"?
And who caused my death?!
Why are you not unclasping those hands?
Is that pearl so important to you?
Is it because you fear His Majesty will ignore you without it?
Do you believe he will let it slide, if His Majesty learns of this?
Who knows...
Has it not been several months since the last time he visited your quarters?
Do you know who helped His Majesty to the throne?
None other than my father.
Any of my father's requests will be fulfilled by His Majesty.
Even if it happens to involve one of the women in his court.
Do not lie to me.
Then, do you believe His Majesty will give up the throne and choose you?
So you were so foolish to believe he would do so, for a mere court lady?
Then, are you telling me His Majesty already knows everything?
How foolish you are...
You only realize it now?
There is no way His Majesty would!
If you really trust him that much, open those hands.
Aren't you afraid he will ignore you, without that pearl?
Give me that pearl.
Then, I will spare you.
That pearl's effects have long vanished.
Aren't you ashamed of yourself,
for using your clan's influence to gain His Majesty's favors?
How can you claim to serve His Majesty?
Move out of the way.
Slay that wench.
Even in death, I shall never,
ever forget what you people did to me.
I shall never forgive you!
Is that so?
Go ahead, then.
I shall be waiting.
What....
What is all this about?
Stubborn wench...
Let it go!
Now!
Your Highness!
Lady Lee!
Your Highness...
Your Highness!
How... How could this happen?
Lady Hong... Lady Hong is in danger.
May you hasten and help her.
Is she not pitiful herself, when you think about it?
Go...
Now...
Do it.
Where is that damned pearl?
Where?
Where is the pearl of affection?
Where?!
I...
I don't have it.
Don't lie to me!
Give me that pearl!
Are you not beautiful even without it?
But I am not.
I am nothing but a breathing cadaver!
So give it to me at once!
My pearl...
I found it!
At last I found it!
Your Highness.
Lady Hong.
Your Highness...
Your Highness!
Your Highness.
Sire...
Lady Hong!
Sire.
What is the matter?
Didn't you just hear Lady Hong calling me?
Let us go to Lady Hong's quarters tonight.
Why are you staring at me that way?
For I think it might be the first time you willingly suggest as such.
Lady Hong.
Finally!
We finally meet!
I tried all I could to hold onto that pearl, afraid of losing your favors.
But how could you forsake me so easily?
How could you ignore me like that?
Why?
Does this face scare you now?
Do you want to beg me for survival?
"King" is what they call a man who can possess everything,
but that is the same name a man who can never fully cherish one woman...
has to live with.
I have never forgotten you.
I haven't spent a single day without missing you.
But, Myojeong...
For being the man who could not protect you,
and could neither punish those who brought you harm,
I do not deserve your forgiveness.
But I beg you to at least forgive...
Forgive those women for my sake.
Never even once could I accord those women my affection.
Not even once could I fervently embrace those women.
Myojeong...
Sire, I feel ashamed.
I despise...
this foolishness of mine.
It is not your fault.
Sire...
Don't say that.
I'm not just "Sire" to you.
You truly are beautiful.
Seobangnim*...
[*archaic for partner, husband]
Right.
That is what I am to you.
Now I shall leave your heart alone.
Myojeong! Don't go!
It is an order!
Don't leave me!
Brought to you by WITH S2 Written In The Heavens Subbing Squad
This is a FREE fansub. NOT for SALE! Get it for FREE @ withs2.com
Subtitles by MisterX
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Now this pearl of affection, Myojeong's pearl must have vanished?!
Who knows.
Until women stop wishing to become more beautiful, or to be loved,
how could the pearl of affection vanish?
How do I look?
What do you think?
Like some lowly minion, I guess.
Is that not how I have always looked?!
But...
Why do you wish to renounce all this and leave the palace?
I wish to live as free as a bird.
Are you confident you will not regret it?
Thank you for everything, Lady Lee.
I shall flutter away, free like those birds,
so bring some solace to the pitiful women who will remain here.
Yes... Your Highness.
Wherever you go, I wish you good health and prosperity.
Yes.
This story, focusing on a court lady who first won the king's graces,
but then perished in solitude, is adapted from the trumpet vine legend,
which depicted the plight of court women,
forced by their destiny to only vie for the love and attention of a single man.
~ On The FINAL Episode Of ~ 2009 HOMETOWN OF LEGENDS
- What's your name? - Gaseop.
Where is Gaseop?
Don't!
Can you do anything about her?
Enjoy yourself, Gaseop!
Watch dramas legally at dramafever.com | crunchyroll.com
Until all your pent up grief vanishes!
~ The Mask ~