Subtitles by DramaFever
What on earth are you doing here?
This is my workplace. You shouldn't be here.
Are you telling me to leave because it's your workplace?
Is that why when I take a step forward...
You take a step backward?
Your Majesty...
I can't let Ok Jung stay in the palace anymore.
His Majesty seems to have a lot on his mind. Please calm down.
Still, how could he run away while I was talking?
So am I still only a king to you?
Yes.
If I'm still not a man to you...
I'm the sky that you can't get close to or touch...
Watch this.
Take a close look.
That sky will fall on you.
I will... excuse myself.
Ok Jung!
Prince Dongpyung!
Pardon me.
I have a lot to do...
Excuse me, but I have to go.
What brings you all the way here?
Does it bother you that an old hag in the backroom left her room?
You haven't even been crowned, little less selected yet.
What brings you here so much?
Forgive me. I'll be careful in the future.
The mother-in-law is quiet about it...
so why does an elder say anything at all?
Goodness, mother-in-law already?
Is a royal marriage done all by herself?
The most important thing is your son, His Majesty's decision.
My son is devoted, he'll follow my decision in the end.
The Queen Dowager should worry about herself...
and not bother with unnecessary business.
Just worry about myself?
Because of the treason of Prince Boksun and Heo Gyun...
The seeds of the Southern Party have been dried up.
I'm concerned the Queen Dowager might get involved in an unfortunate incident...
And be forced out of the palace.
If that happens, seeds of the Southern Party will completely dry up.
Watch what you say!
I'm still the eldest in the palace.
Who'd dare to force me out when the decorum is clearly laid out?
What's the big deal about leaving the palace?
With the excuse of a concern for the Queen Dowager's health...
His Majesty can fulfill his duties by....
sending you to a palace in the countryside...
Well, that doesn't sound too bad.
Do you understand?
Once you leave the palace, it's hard to come back.
So please stay quiet.
Well, then. Let's go, Lady Min.
How rude...
How dare she threaten to force me out of the palace?
Your Majesty, please calm down.
Tell Lord Jo Sa Seok and Prince Dongpyung to come over right now!
Do I have to be humiliated by that young Queen Mother?
What are you doing sitting back?
The aftermath of Heo Jeok's treason is still strong...
I couldn't do much.
The Western Party will accuse any move as treason.
Ok Jung... what on earth is Ok Jung doing?
She's the only one we can put forth in front of the king!
Is that why... you brought her in?
What are your thoughts? You've known her for a long time.
Yes. But is there any other way besides her?
For now...
Approaching the king as a Southern Party member is completely blocked off.
And you can't hold a government position because you're a royal family member.
The only answer we have is her.
We have to find the right time and bring her back to him.
We have no other hope for us in the Southern Party.
I thought you were the Chief of the Royal Guard...
And came to the palace only knowing your name...
But he turned out to be the Most Precious Majesty.
Where you are is higher than the sky and deeper than the earth.
I'll be going outside the palace, so get ready.
Yes, Your Majesty.
Doesn't it hurt to share your wealth with me after working so hard to earn it?
Your Majesty, sometimes a merchant will give one to earn two.
What's important to a merchant is to have the money circulated.
If it's stored away and goes bad, it'll only get thrown out.
I see... you'd rather fill up my pocket than throw it out.
So you want me to earn favor from my retainers with your wealth...
Sure, the loyalty from the retainers comes from the bowls given by the king.
And they bite, claw and fight to get more...
Your Majesty, you should solidify your royal power while they're fighting.
I need a lot of things to solidify the royal power.
Funds to rule the court, strong guards... and to cut off their source of funding.
Speaking of which, did you check the one I asked you about?
Of course I have.
Your Majesty, the answer was...
The answer was right in this drink.
The source of funding for the Western Party.
- The answer was... in the drink? - Yes.
The biggest source of income was alcohol distribution...
in Seoul and the eight provinces.
Dominating alcohol distribution to build political funds...
They have their hands on everything.
Your Majesty, what would you like to do?
What will I do? I'll get a good drink on while I'm at it.
That'll help me get a good answer.
Taxing in fabric? That doesn't make sense, Your Majesty.
How is that impossible? I just mean to collect some tax from the noble class, too.
How could you ask that from the noble class...
when it's only reserved for the commoners?
That is completely absurd!
Checking from the historical records...
There was a discussion of collecting fabric from...
the noble class during the period of Hyo Jong.
Taxes paid in fabric is only done by the commoners.
If you ask that from the noble class...
how would the commoners and the noble class be different?
It will destroy the order of class hierarchy.
Please reconsider!
What do you think, Lord Kim?
I share the same opinion.
Asking the same from the noble class will shake up the foundation of Joseon.
Besides, some of the noble class are too poor to pay taxes in fabric.
Even my father-in-law whom I trusted says that...
It's very disappointing.
Please reconsider.
If the noble class pays military taxes...
It would expand the military power...
and help greatly with our military defense...
Even when the noble class enjoys the privilege of military duty exemption...
You still push the military taxes on the commoners.
I'm very disappointed.
Still, what's wrong is wrong.
Please take back your command.
Your Majesty, please don't be so upset.
It's also for your sake.
You opposed taxing of the nobles for me?
How funny. Everyone's got excuses.
Do you know the reason why Yeon San and Gwang Hae were overthrown?
The official justification was immoral conduct...
But the reality is because they reached out at the pocket of the ruling class.
So if I try the tax reform... will you try to dethrone me?
What dethrone...
That is impossible.
The matter of the nation now is not collecting more taxes...
It's for you to have a new bride and continue the line of succession.
Then I will see you at the morning meeting tomorrow.
Yang Goon, ask Uncle Dongpyung to come in.
If I don't drink now... I'll go insane from fury.
Yes, Your Majesty.
Maid Seo Ja Kyung.
You're still in the palace?
I thought you got kicked out a long time ago.
I didn't get to thank you back then.
What?
Thanks to you, I got to wear the Wonsam dress...
of the lady who might become the next queen.
When would I ever get a chance to wear a Wonsam dress for royalty?
Why are you thanking me for it?
You were the one who told me to.
Since there is no big mirror for Lady Min to see herself wearing it...
She'd like to see it on the person who made the dress.
That's what you told me.
What's the use of recalling it now?
Regardless, you are just a disrespectful maid... who wore the dress of the master.
Do you think anyone would believe you now?
Still, the truth needs to come out...
That you lied to me so I wore it without knowing.
Do you have proof?
Did anyone see me telling you to wear that dress?
You don't, do you? How will you prove that I lied to you?
Here it is, the person who will prove it.
So that's the whole story.
Court Lady Cheon.
Ma'am, please forgive me. Please, just don't kick me out.
When the heart of the dressmaker is poisonous...
It's the same as making other people wear your poison!
What a fool...
I'm sorry, ma'am. Please, please forgive me just this time.
From this moment, you're on probation.
I'll determine your punishment after I speak with the disciplinary court lady.
I can't stand to see you, get out!
Now things have been cleared, you can go back to your duty.
Thank you, ma'am.
But... I'll say this again.
If you have some other intention... besides making clothes...
It'll be better for you to leave the palace.
If you understand me, you may leave.
Yes, ma'am.
The reason I want to become a strong king is...
So that I can care for my people all I want.
I want my people to have one more spoonful of rice...
And have them taste this meat they grew in their ancestors' land...
But they take away the spoons... steal the bowls and smash the table.
Even this fabric tax is to collect fabric from the noble class...
And strengthen the military power and reduce the burden of the people.
But just because it doesn't profit them, they are against it.
As long as you hold on to that goal, you'll make it happen.
Well, well, please have a glass.
It's So Gok Ju from Seo Cheon, it's just wonderful.
Let's stop with talk of the politics.
It's got us all down... why don't we talk about something fun?
- Right, Yang Goon. - Yes, Your Majesty.
No matter how late I go to sleep tonight...
you have to wake me up on time tomorrow.
I'd hate to be late for the morning meeting...
and give them an excuse to talk about me.
Yes, Your Majesty.
- You may leave now. - Yes, Your Majesty.
Uncle.
Should we play a game of twenty questions?
- Twenty questions? - Yes, twenty questions.
I'll start.
Alright. I have one.
Is it something I've seen?
Not sure.
You might not have seen it.
What kind of answer is that? Then, what's the special feature?
Usually, it looks at you with those bright eyes without saying anything.
But when it gets upset, their eyes get big and they talk back in such an angry tone.
Sometimes I even get scared.
If it dares to scare you and talk back at you...
There is no one in Joseon like that.
Is it that Meow you had when you were little?
Meow?
You were tricked many times by him when you were the Crowned Prince.
- False. You're wrong. - Give me more clues.
- I'm afraid. - What?
At first, I was afraid it was approaching me.
Then at some point, I became afraid that it might stop coming towards me.
Then I started to miss it when I didn't see...
At the end, I started hovering over it before I knew what I was doing.
- Then... - Then?
Is it a woman?
- The one you said you'd tell me about... - Of course you got it.
You got Meow wrong... but you went straight for the answer.
Are you sincere about her... enough to be scared to lose her?
It's the first time...
Without calculating if she's from a family that will be a political gain to me...
I've come to fall for.
She's the first one.
I'll show her to you soon.
Now you're starting to drink?
Take it slow. We might have to drink 'til dawn.
Slowly, slowly...
This, too, will pass!
Even if your heart aches, it, too, will pass!
- Even if you're sick, - it will pass, too!
Everything will just pass by.
- But what do I do... - What's wrong?
I need to pee...
I'll bring the Mae Woo frame, Your Majesty.
Mae of cherry blossom, Woo of rain... Rain on the cherry blossom!
It's the same pee but when I go, it's just pee.
When His Majesty goes... it's raining on the cherry blossom!
That's right...
Let's go!
- No, Your Majesty, I'll bring the Mae Woo frame. - Shush!
- Please take the belt off like this. - Like this?
Your Majesty, here is the Mae Woo frame.
I've seen this place before.
Of course you have, it's your palace.
It's there where I ran into the answer from the twenty questions game.
Oh, right.
Yang Goon, I was called by the Queen Dowager before and almost had tea here.
Bring the maid from that time over here now.
- I need to drink that tea. - Yes, Your Majesty.
Ask someone at the Queen Dowager's quarter and bring her here.
Wait, I'll go myself.
- Prince Dongpyung. - What is it?
Soon it will be curfew.
After that, no men are allowed to stay in the palace except for His Majesty...
That's right.
That's right, I need to leave.
What are you doing? Hurry in.
Is this a dream?
Your Majesty...
Your Majesty!
Your Majesty, there is no time! It's almost time for the morning meeting!
Why are you telling me now?
The morning meeting will be over at this speed.
You hate to be the talk of the noble class...
Please don't blame me for not waking you up on time. Please, Your Majesty.
Sure, I'll go.
Your Majesty!
His Majesty has arrived!
Sorry about that. I had too much to drink last night.
Your Majesty, it's not good to drink too much.
Yes, I understand.
Your Majesty, please take care of yourself. Please remember that.
Remember?
Of course, I should remember that.
Speaking of which, I want to quit drinking alcohol... it's not good.
To do that, I need a reason for myself to stick to it...
How about each of you tell me a reason?
If you show us this loose side of you from too much drinking like today...
It might cause the court to lose its discipline.
That's right. In addition, a lot of rice is wasted making wine...
It deepens the famine of the people who don't...
even have enough to eat. Please consider that.
That's right! That's what alcohol does.
How would I allow rice to be taken away from the people and be made into wine?
Yes... so I will quit drinking for a while.
- How is that? - Your consideration is endless.
But if it's only me, how would that help with the famine?
All of you should join, too. And let's set a prohibition law.
- But, the prohibition law is... - Yes, the prohibition law...
Taxing in fabric will shake up the foundation...
of Joseon and add a burden to the noble class...
Quitting drinking is just for you and me to endure a little.
It won't take away rice from the people and it'll help feed them.
Isn't this a great idea? Don't you agree?
But, Your Majesty...
This is to relieve the famine of the people.
I said even I will endure it.
Why do you, who value the people the most, keep objecting to this...
When all it takes is a bit of your patience and none of your money?
Then, on this rare occasion of unanimity...
I'll consider the prohibition law passed.
I'll proclaim the prohibition within the boundary of Seoul...
Secretary, prepare the necessary steps.
I'm very glad I over drank last night.
Okay, what's next on the agenda?
It worked great. An attack out of nowhere!
Sound from the east... attack from the west.
That's right. Let them go wild over taxing with fabric...
But Your Majesty proclaimed the prohibition law...
And cut off the funding source of the Western Party.
Good tactic to find the source of the Western Party's funding.
And to relieve famine by taking rice normally used for wine and use it for food.
Killing two birds with one stone. I'm also twice as happy.
Thank you, Your Majesty.
By the way, when will you show me that flower you are growing?
Timing tends to be the most important factor for something to happen...
I believe it's the same with beauty.
Waiting for the right time...
But the beauty tactic won't work if it's not to my liking...
I have high standards. Are you confident about it?
Of course I am.
Your Majesty, I'm sure, definitely, that you will find her to your liking.
Prohibition law?
Does this mean we have to set provisions and clauses to execute the law?
He threw taxing with fabric at us and made us fight all over it...
But in reality, he cut off our source of funding!
We fell for it like fools.
He brought it up as if it's nothing important...
And made us say how alcohol was good for nothing...
Then he pushed for it. I feel like my nose got cut off with my eyes open.
How could he get us like this?
Besides, he put the reason as the famine, so we have no choice.
We have to at least pretend to abide by the law for a while.
Is this a dream?
Was it really a dream?
Yang Goon, are you outside?
- Brother! - My Myungan came.
Pardon me, Your Majesty, she jumped in all of a sudden...
- It's fine. You may leave. - Yes, Your Majesty.
- Aren't you sick of looking at the book everyday? - Sick of it?
You just don't understand... in this book...
There is a house as big as a whale hidden in the book.
There is a house as big as a whale in the book.
I don't need a house as big as a whale.
- What do I get for a gift? - A gift?
The day after tomorrow is your birthday!
If you forget again, Brother, no, Your Majesty...
I wasn't going to see you anymore.
You have a gift in mind?
What is it?
Well... wouldn't that be dangerous?
When I get married soon, how would I get that kind of gift?
That's what I really want.
Mother won't like it.
Alright, let's go with that. I'll get a good one for you.
Thank you, Brother. You're the best, Your Majesty!
Even if I'm a king... after that many coincidences...
You can accept it as fate by now.
Is that all there is? The reason you decided to become a court maid?
I'd like to keep the other reason buried in my heart.
I'm that Chief of the Royal Guards Lee Soon...
And that Lee Soon is only a king.
Take a close look!
That sky will fall on you.
Already a white dew on the stone steps of the palace...
Chill in the silk socks in the late night.
Lower the amethyst screen in the room...
And watch the moonlight of the autumn.
Li Ba’s poem.
It's a poem about a court maid who is longing for someone...
Not realizing her feet are getting wet from the cold dew under the moonlight.
Yes, that's what I heard.
What is your name?
Come to think of it, I never got to ask your name.
It's Jang Ok Jung.
Jang Ok Jung.
That's your name.
By the way...
Could I be the one...
That you are longing for?
I'll excuse myself.
Don't turn your back to me anymore...
Or walk away from me.
Please.
Your Majesty.
I'll shorten the distance.
Step by step, not too fast or too slow.
I'll come to you slowly.
Not as the Chief of the Royal Guards, but as a man.
As Lee Soon of this palace.
Then can you promise me that you will never let go of this hand you're holding now?
I promise.
Not as the Chief of the Royal Guards...
But as Lee Soon the king.
Your Majesty, I will never let go of this hand.
She saw him doing this from the back.
Really? His Majesty did?
Does that mean there is finally a maid who's received His grace?
What? The king has a court maid in mind?
Yes, there is a rumor spreading in the palace...
Which chamber does she belong? And which party?
But strangely...
There is no maid who came out wearing her skirt flipped as the sign of His grace.
As long as she's not from the Southern Party.
Concubines can be helpful with succession, so it's not all bad.
Where is the king right now?
Before the polo match this afternoon...
His Majesty is going to take care of the gift he'll give to Princess Myungan.
Is he? What's the gift?
Did he pick the right horses from Jeju Island?
No one has better eyes for horses in Joseon.
But it'll cost quite a bit to supply horses to His Majesty's troops.
Are you planning to supply all of them?
Hee Jae, do you know the one person I'm scared of?
Isn't it His Majesty or Min Yoo Joong?
Wrong.
The scariest one in the world is the one who doesn't need anything.
In that regards, His Majesty and I get along well.
He has a lot that he needs...
And your sister Ok Jung needs to do her part to fulfill that role.
Oops! Guess you have to clean the laundry again.
What the heck are you doing? Why do you keep bothering Maid Jang?
If you keep protecting her, Ja Kyung won't leave you alone, either.
Goodness. Let's go wash up.
Maid Eom, why are you nice to me? I'm from the low class.
You're from the merchant class.
Is that a big deal? If you're not from the noble class, it's all the same.
I won't forget you.
What? You won't forget what?
Someday, when I become something else...
What? Become something else?
The leader of the opposing team is Uncle Dongpyung?
Yes. Since he's the best in horse riding, I picked him.
I'm not holding a polo match because I have nothing better to do.
When the military is reorganized, I'll bring everyone in.
- So keep that in mind for the game. - Yes, Your Majesty.
Go ahead with Uncle Dongpyung first.
I'm going to stop by somewhere.
His Majesty has arrived!
Continue with your work.
Your Majesty, is the garment making you uncomfortable in some way?
No, it's not...
I wanted to express my appreciation for the tailor's chamber...
For taking care of me with such great garments and linens.
Your grace is immeasurable.
The kitchen will cheer for Prince Dongpyung in the game this afternoon.
Will the tailor's chamber just sit back and watch?
With this look and talent...
So I want to give silk to my soldiers as a gift...
- Would you get that ready? - Of course we can!
Then continue with your work.
Lady Min, you came just in time.
What's the reason you looked for me?
Since it's Princess Myungan's birthday, quite a few retainers have gathered here.
So it's a good way to show up together on an occasion like this.
Your consideration is endless for thinking of me.
Let's go now.
Lord Min!
What? Who's the secret maid of the king?
It's Officer Jang's niece.
That Jang doesn't know his limits.
If we don't remove her soon, things could get ugly.
My goodness, Lord Min!
My Lord, you made quite a trip.
How can someone like you be in the palace?
It's Princess Myungan's birthday today.
So His Majesty asked me for a special gift...
I even sent someone to Jeju Island to bring a horse.
Why would His Majesty leave a gift for the princess to such a lowly man like you?
I believe he needs a lot of things.
To look for such a lowly merchant like me.
I don't want to hear or believe the words that come out of your mouth.
Remove yourself from my sight!
- Find out who his niece is right now. - I will.
How is it? Do you like it?
I like it so much! I'm going to ride it everyday!
It's not trained yet, so don't ride alone.
Mother!
Hi, my baby!
That was the gift. Jumping around everywhere...
No wonder you kept it a secret.
- Princess Myungan must be very outgoing. - Yes, she is.
I asked Lady Min to come.
She's not a royal family member yet, how could she already...
I have a polo match to attend.
I'll look after the princess. Hurry and follow him to the polo ground.
Fate by coincidence. You have to see him often to grow feelings for each other.
Hurry.
We keep running into each other in this huge palace.
It's not just an ordinary connection that we have.
Well, if I take the seat of the queen...
I might get help from you from the tailor's chamber.
It's definitely not a connection that just passes by.
True.
No, I wish it was just an ordinary connection with you.
The kind of connection that you pass by on the street.
I really don't wish to fight against you with His Majesty in the middle.
Go!
I said, go!
Ok Jung! Jang Ok Jung!
Your Majesty! Your Majesty!
Your Majesty!
Your Majesty...
My son!
Your Majesty!
What's everyone doing? Remove this wench and take care of the king!
Your Majesty!
- Remove this wench! - Your Majesty!
So you're Jang's niece.
- Your Majesty! - My son!
Ok Jung!
Your Majesty!
My son, my son! My son...
Brother, please wake up.
Why isn't he waking up?
His head hit the wall so badly... please forgive me.
Stop saying that and do acupuncture or anything to make him wake up!
Yes, Queen Mother.
My son... I can't live without you...
You have to come back!
My son!
The Queen Dowager brought her in through Jo Sa Seok?
You mean, she belongs to the Southern Party?
Not only that, she's a relative of Officer Jang Hyun...
Who survived the treason of the Southern Party after providing his funds to them.
My goodness. That means the Southern Party... made a point of bringing her in?
Besides, her mother is a slave, so she's from the low class.
From the low class? How shameful!
How could such a vulgar wench be so close to the king?
Forgive me.
It's my fault for not preventing it from the beginning.
How did that vulgar cat sneak into the palace...
Kick her out right away.
Such a low, vulgar wench shouldn't be near the king for another second.
Kick her out right now.
Forgive me. I'll follow your order.
No, no...
I'll do it myself.
Court Lady Hong, are you there?
Ma'am, please let me see His Majesty just once.
I won't ask for anything else, just once...
Your Majesty, please allow me...
How dare you bring up the king with your vulgar mouth!
What are you doing? Kick out this vulgar wench now!
Your Majesty...
Queen Mother!
Please let me see him just once, please!
Please allow me to see His Majesty!
That's the end of that maid.
Who knows if a maid kicked out of the palace keeps her body clean or not?
The one who serves the king should be clean and pure without a trace of dirt.
Who knows what she does with her body outside of the palace?
How is the king?
He's still unconscious. Since he hurt his head, no one can say for sure...
Trouble... there is no one in line for succession to even carry on the duties.
But the throne cannot be left empty even for a minute.
How about this...
What about ruling by proxy?
You mean, the Queen Dowager, the eldest in the palace?
We can't have the Queen Dowager of the Southern Party to rule by proxy.
Of course it should be the Queen Mother, the mother of the king.
But then the Queen Dowager will be very much against it.
So what if an elder in the backroom is against it?
Instead of the proper format of ruling by proxy...
She can be the symbolic figure...
And our Western Party can take care of the court affairs.
Did you just tell me to be the proxy?
Yes, Queen Mother.
The throne cannot be left empty even for a second.
With no prince to carry on, the empty throne can cause treason.
What? Treason?
That can't happen.
So, until His Majesty wakes up, Queen Mother should...
Fine, I'll do it.
What's the most urgent matter now?
Of course, it's the royal marriage.
Queen Mother, now you take away...
the right of the proxy from the elder of the palace?
Queen Dowager, it's a matter of extreme urgency.
It's important to follow the rules especially in times of urgency.
Yes, so what if the Queen Dowager, the eldest...
in the palace, takes the right of ruling by proxy.
But if it causes all the retainers to refuse...
to come to work, how would you take care of that?
What? Refuse to come?
Who knows it wouldn't happen?
The Queen Dowager only has the justification...
of being the eldest in the palace.
But who from the court would support you?
But I'm the mother of the king...
And behind me is the ruling Western Party that the king chose.
What should we do?
Should I hand you the proxy right? Would you like to try?
Well then, I have to go.
I have to go calm down the retainers and protect the king.
The throne cannot be left empty.
So I sit here as a mere woman just for a while.
We receive your command!
In this seat of His Majesty, I have to notify you of something first.
I'm going to wrap up the matter of the royal marriage at this time.
I'd like to welcome Lord Min Yoo Joong's daughter to the seat of the queen.
How is it, Lord Min?
I'm asking for the relationship of in-laws as a proxy of the bed-ridden king.
Will you accept it?
I receive your command.
If I may suggest one more thing. There are many steps to the proper procedure.
But I'd like Lady Min to move to the palace and take care of the king.
How would that be with you?
Of course. I'll do my best.
Thank you, Lord Min.
Then I'll have Lady Min enter the palace...
with the utmost care from the royal family.
Your grace is immeasurable, Your Majesty.
Ok Jung! Jang Ok Jung!
Your Majesty... Your Majesty!
It's done.
It's done now.
- Father. - Congratulations, My Lady.
Congratulations, Queen Majesty.
- Congratulations, Queen Majesty! - Congratulations, Queen Majesty!
Clear the way! The new queen is arriving!
Subtitles by DramaFever
I have to go, he'll look for me.
No, he won't. The royal wedding has been announced.
How dare you forget your place and seduce the king!
Treating His Majesty's woman like this is the same as treason.
If anyone ever tries to harm her, I will never forgive them!