Queen Seon Deok
Episode 42
Last night, I joined Lady Boryang in conjugal ties,
and we spent our bridal night together.
Should Chunchu have done this all to create dissension...
and build his own sphere of influence...
And if I was the one using Mishil?
The second possibility...
is that Mishil might have been used by Lord Chunchu.
Chunchu is not just a child.
How could she so disdainfully exploit...
someone so young and unversed in politics?
No.
Chunchu's politics have started already.
Say what?
So, what did Lord Chunchu do?
He is with Lady Boryang, meeting His Majesty at the council hall.
He confessed that they already completed the nuptial ceremony.
Nuptial?!
~ Episode 42 ~
Do you understand, then?
Mishil was used by me.
Yes, however...
And why was she exploited with such ease?
Because, even knowing, she could do nothing to stop it.
Because you already subjected them to utmost anxiety and suspicion,
feelings which force people to move on?
Yes.
Such was my plan from the very beginning.
Unlike Mishil's tentative to mobilize Hwarang and other troops,
or your astronomic calculations and mendacious omens,
I do not engage in such involute artifices.
This tongue of mine is my only subject and ally.
All which remains for you is witnessing...
how this uniform parade of ants is derailed by a single utterance of mine.
Right, things did indeed follow your plans.
But are you really confident that you considered all possibilities?
I certainly am.
- But, should you fail? - There will be...
no failure.
Still, should it end in failure,
I shall extend you my hands,
so take them.
Will you promise?
Yes, I do.
If I fail, that is.
Boryang!
Father.
What on earth happened?
Father-in-law.
Allow me to pay my respects.
Our juvenile fervor... well, caused all this.
I trust you will leniently accord us your understanding.
What?
"We" abducted Boryang?!
Why don't you say we forced this marriage upon her as well?
It was a misunderstanding, Lord Hajong, Your Excellency.
We really knew nothing about this.
I am well aware of your covenant with Her Highness.
I even tried to avoid any meeting between the two, and sent him back...
It was Lord Chunchu who abducted her, and concocted all this.
We are just as befuddled as you are.
You must trust us.
If we don't trust each other, we will only fall for Lord Chunchu's subterfuges.
Were you in my shoes,
would you be able to trust those words?
- Ehh... - Uncle, what is all this?
What on earth is happening?
Where is Her Highness?
Will you abate that frenzy of yours?
I am looking for her myself!
Would you be able to remain calm?
We are already facing calamity,
and my mother is nowhere to be seen.
I know myself that you decided not to let Lord Chunchu marry Boryang.
But what can you do?
When someone is as heedless as Lord Chunchu is.
And you believe that? Seolwon, that knave is behind all this!
Think Lord Seolwon would concoct such subterfuges?
He sure would not... yes!
So, don't let this enrage you, and calm down.
I shall meet with Lord Chunchu myself.
We are wandering in darkness, from now on.
I will have to summon Hwarang and trainees,
and keep track of Lord Seolwon's movements.
And I also must meet Piltan Rang.
What?
Does it make any sense?
Her Highness left on an excursion?
Yes.
She only took Lord Chilsuk and a few other men, and just departed.
With Lord Sejong and Hajong Hyungnim feeling so anxious...
It's serious.
Gather all trainees and find her.
It is of utmost urgency that you do.
Yes.
Wait.
No.
Seokpum, Deokchung and Bakeui, you remain here and await my orders.
- Yes. - Yes.
You take the trainees and find Her Highness.
Yes! It shall be done.
Did you find my sister's whereabouts?
Not yet.
I did placate Sejong Hyungnim and Hajong...
How could she leave on an excursion at this juncture?
Why could it be?
She must have been sweltered by doubt,
enough to reminisce on her past.
I am deeply concerned about this all.
Chunchu has done it again.
How can we explain all this?
I am sure this was not a case of Mishil exploiting Lord Chunchu.
On the contrary, Lord Chunchu used Lady Mishil.
Lord Chunchu?!
Yes.
Did you not witness it yourselves?
This marriage was the perfect opportunity...
to create dissension between Lord Sejong and Lord Seolwon.
But, there is no way Her Highness would be so easily deceived.
Yes.
And her leaving on an excursion at this juncture is suspicious.
Right.
I keep feeling this is not how Mishil would react.
Chunchu might be enjoying his triumph at the moment, but...
Yes, you're right.
There is no way Mishil would not have predicted his stratagem.
Yes.
No matter what, Mishil's foremost concern...
is always maintaining unity amongst her ranks.
But, at this juncture, she left on an excursion.
Anyhow,
should Mishil's forces be afflicted by dissension,
would it not prove to be advantageous for us?
All we need is a way to turn all this in our favor.
Do not let anxiety sway you.
No.
What is concerning me is exactly that.
Mishil.
Mishil was used?!
And Chunchu married someone he should never have.
And as a result, Lord Seolwon and His Excellency are in conflict.
Yes.
She would never allow it to happen.
That is what makes me anxious.
What could Mishil be feeling about this all?
If Mishil did indeed disappear without trace,
His Excellency the Sangdaedeung, Lord Seolwon...
and Lord Misaeng will be after her.
All we need is to trail their movements.
I shall take Yanggil and follow the Sangdaedeung.
Fine.
- Godo. - Yes?
You will follow Lord Misaeng. Goksaheun and Daepung,
you trail Lord Seolwon.
Yes.
Commence immediately, and report any development at once.
- Is that clear? - Yes.
Wait... wait.
Where is Jukbang Hyungnim?
Ohh... He heard of Lord Chunchu's marriage,
and just left in a frenzy.
Right... I have not seen him since.
Ehh... Whatever.
Give it your best.
What's this?
Did he go prancing about by himself?
Ahh... right, Lord Misaeng.
Let him in.
Daenangdu!
Come on in.
It is all thanks to you.
Were it not for you, how could I ever have schemed all this?
What?
What are you waiting for?
Serve some tea to the Daenangdu at once!
- Ahh... I... - Yes.
It's not that.
Lord Chunchu,
you cannot act like that.
Have a seat.
Sit down and let us talk.
Let me know what people are saying about my latest actions.
What?
This is not what brought me here today.
Do not importune Her Highness Princess Deokman,
- and... - You have...
quite a talent for discerning parlance.
It was what you told me which led me to that stratagem.
Wh...What?!
Aigoo... You really...
Are you trying to turn me into some kind of spy?
Since we're here, why don't you join my cause?
What?
Again with that tongue of mine.
Again...
Lord Chunchu sure is a peculiar fellow.
He even gets you to say what you really don't want to.
Look at this...
- Keep an eye on the premises. - Yes.
Lord Chunchu, are you there?
I must meet you immediately.
Why is Lord Misaeng going there?
Tell me about it.
You... You scared me to death, sh...
What are you doing here?
And how about you?
Everyone is out looking for Lady Mishil.
Mishil?
They're looking for Lady Mishil?
Yes.
So, that's why I'm trailing Lord Misaeng.
I'm in charge of that.
Yes...
Lord Chunchu, I certainly understand.
Your youthly fervor... Yes?!
You and Boryang... Uh?!
I can certainly understand how you wished for that,
but if you turn it into action,
you'll create quandaries for many people.
It is a rather complex matter so I cannot divulge anything more.
You are well aware of how our situation is progressing.
Uh?!
Hence, you must also know where this all will lead, I trust?
What?
My mother Princess Cheonmyeong was slain by Daenambo's hands.
But I accorded him benevolence, and I spared him.
Lo...Lord Chunchu!
Then... How are you going to requite for that?
I told you I'm in charge of trailing him.
Ahh... you dolt, listen.
Lord Misaeng and Daenambo,
Daenambo and the White Tigers Guild.
That is where things will lead anyway.
You know someone from that guild?
And then, what?
Ahh... I ought to...
All the Gaya descendants from Amnyangju chosen as trainees...
Uh?!
They are all part of the ten Hwarang guilds, you dolt.
Right!
- Hey. - Uh?
This Daenangdu of yours is taking care of it.
Don't worry,
and follow me, you dolt.
Where is Daenambo?
This is trouble.
- Let's go. - Yes.
So,
what did your father say about my message?
That, no matter what, he shall support Your Excellency.
Never you worry.
Then, go back to your father once more.
I must confer with him on something.
So, are you going to leave now?
Yes. But...
Something serious might happen in Seorabeol.
- You were here? - Ohh... It's you.
If you'll excuse me, I have things to tend to.
Go ahead.
Chunchu was behind this all.
He used us all!
Used?!
This... How could this...
How could this escape me?
If my sister does not hasten back, we will be in serious trouble.
But, she quietly left with Chilsuk Rang and a few servants.
Where on earth is she?
How can we find her?
According to one of her servants,
her deportment has been quite peculiar for some time.
Peculiar?!
She did not seem indisposed, but kept sleeping.
She must have been sweltered by doubt,
enough to reminisce on her past.
Right... It's there!
What?
*King Jinheung's mother
Even when Queen Mother Jiso* sent her away from the palace,
it was there that she made her decision to return.
And when King Jinji was dethroned,
she was there as well.
Indeed. It's there!
Let's go meet Her Highness right now.
Your Highness.
What is making you so anxious?
I had faith in Mishil.
What?
That is because she was the foe I could trust the most.
When I inveigled her with the eclipse,
the reason my stratagem could come into fruition...
was because I could fully trust Mishil would react that way.
Yes, you knew she would see through all that.
But now, I have lost all my confidence in her.
Seeing her so heedlessly neglect the situation,
or not being able to control Chunchu,
it did not feel like the Mishil I knew.
And neither is it possible.
Something must have changed her.
This is the place.
Is it not wonderful?
I always came here when I felt afflicted by concern.
Afflicted by concern...
After what happened in Seorabeol, how could it be otherwise?
Your Highness!
Your Highness.
Daenangdu Jukbang has learned Lady Mishil's whereabouts.
Where is she?
In Hanun Valley, Mount Oji,
at the Gaonjeong.
We must depart immediately.
Did my master really weep because training was too arduous?
And is that all?!
One day, to spite his martial arts tutor Lord Geochilbu,
he even set a snake free.
Is that true?
My master?!
For His Majesty cherished me,
Lord Geochilbu could never treat me with disdain,
and as for Lord Seolwon, whenever he could spare a moment,
he would take his Hwarang and go on excursions.
He was even given a moniker, as the "man above the clouds."
And my master?
Hogukseon...
the righteous man protecting our country.
And how about you?
He said that the three of us would conquer creation,
and accorded us leniency no matter what,
His Majesty King Jinheung.
What about yours?
What was your moniker?
*Gyeong (Downfall), Guk (Country)
Gyeonguk*...
*Ji (Creating/Causing) Saek (Beauty)
Jisaek*.
If it's Gyeonguk Jisaek,
does it not mean a beauty so wondrous, it can lead a country to its downfall?
Whenever Hwarang wanted to scorn at me,
they said my beauty would one day cause this country's downfall,
and it was an admonition directed at His Majesty.
You did not like it?
I did not like it?!
Was it from there on in?
The moment...
when a wretched dream called "Queen" started populating my thoughts.
Wretched... dream?!
When Piltan Rang came out of Lord Sejong's abode,
he said trouble was awaiting Seorabeol.
And then he left to meet his father?
Yes.
If he went to meet his father, Lord Jujin,
then that would be the battalion in Sangju,
the closest to the capital.
Yes, he commands over five thousand elite troops.
Is Lord Sejong really preparing for an internal conflict here in Seorabeol?
Is there no way to solve this misunderstanding?
How could he react that way?
Considering the situation,
should we not push for Lord Chunchu's candidacy,
and worry about our clan's own benefits?!
And if not that, should we not at least begin the hostilities?
*Changwon **Miryang, both South Gyeongsang
Let us at least mobilize troops from Hwesan* and Chuhwa County**.
It is too late already.
Is the battalion in Sangju not the closest to the capital?
It would be all over before they would get here.
Then, using troops from the Board of Military Affairs?
That is out of the question.
Doing that would turn me into the ringleader of an uprising.
Then, what can we do?
Her Highness must come back and solve this.
Until she makes her return, all we can is plan our way to salvation.
And that would be...
Father!
We cannot spare a moment!
Summon Deokchung, Bakeui and all trainees under their command.
Father, Father!
Father.
Deokchung and Bakeui's men are gathered at Lord Seolwon's abode!
Say what?
If they learned about Piltan Rang meeting his father,
then they might strike first!
When is Lord Jujin expected?
Even if he hastens, it will at least take a day.
We must at least protect our abode,
so let us deploy all our men.
At least until Piltan Rang brings Lord Jujin's men.
But, Father.
Are not Lord Seolwon's troops from the Board of Military Affairs even stronger?
He will not be able to mobilize those men as he pleases.
His mobilizing those troops would signify a coup d'etat.
How can you be sure he will not?
This won't do it.
I will summon all our men.
What happened with Chunchu?
We are still looking for him,
but we have no idea where he might be.
I will order them to hasten and find him.
Can we really do so?
How can we...
Is he not the Sangdaedeung?!
Did you not say you would entrust your lives to our clan?
However, our lives are at stake here.
I will do it.
Seokpum Rang...
My gratitude.
I will do it as well.
Fine.
Let us do it together.
I am in.
We will immediately head for our abode, and protect it.
- Is that understood? - Yes.
Lord Hajong.
Lord Hajong!
Lord Hajong, this is serious.
You knaves!
It is not to harm Your Excellency.
But it's because you could not trust us that we are here.
All we ask from you is to remain with us for a moment.
And you believe you will survive this affront?
Escort him out.
Then, are you telling me they captured my father?
Yes, likely so.
We must immediately rescue His Excellency.
We first need reinforcements.
Bojong... Seokpum, Deokchung, Bakeui.
Seonyeol.
Was Lord Seolwon there as well?
No, I did not see him.
Is that so?
So Lord Seolwon is all by himself now.
Bojong Rang!
Bojong Rang.
Lord Seolwon...
Lord Seolwon!
My father?!
What happened to him?
I sure knew you would one day do this,
but how dare you... uh?!
Really... This is so preposterous...
Did this not happen because Lord Sejong could not believe us?
With Her Highness's absence, we should exercise the utmost prudence.
Prudence?!
The same prudence which led you to capture my father?
It was the only way to defend ourselves.
Had we not done so, were you not mobilizing troops to strike us?
So this is like the dirty slandering the unclean...
Uh?!
Lord Hajong!
We were all used by Chunchu!
You really must be past your prime?!
If you want to concoct such absurd drivel,
at least make it a little more believable.
That moppet did it? Uh?!
That moppet...
I know all too well that you were behind this!
Can't you see how Her Highness changed?
My mother?
Changed what?
Why, do you believe she is the kind of specimen...
who would deal with quandaries in this way?
It is indeed going as you planned, but...
But what?
The two mobilized their troops and everyone is in tumult out there.
But, what is with that expression of yours?
Did it not go as we wished for?
Yes...
Still... Not even budging... Aigoo...
You mean Mishil?
Yes.
There is no movement at all.
Not reacting to this only suggests that she's giving Lord Seolwon support.
There is no alternative.
Yes... I suppose so.
After Her Highness Princess Deokman clamored for the throne,
any alternative besides you vanished.
They all overestimated Mishil.
Or you might be underestimating her.
A fair estimate is all it will take.
As a power figure only trying to reap personal benefits.
But, where is Bidam?
He misses all this amusement?!
Wretched... dream.
In retrospect, it was indeed so.
This woman had nowhere to go.
What is a queen?
What is a queen...
If not one man's consort.
What is so special about it?
Swimming against the current of time,
abandoning one's flesh and blood.
I did, without hesitation, all for the sake of becoming Queen.
I admire you.
Is that so?
So that was your dream, back then?
It was.
Wretched as it may be.
Wretched or wondrous,
that is what dreams are made of.
They seduce you into abandoning everything on their path.
I am grateful for your understanding.
But, why do you keep aiding Deokman's cause?
It does not suit you.
I am like a duck.
Duck?!
After escaping the egg, ducks follow the first one they see at all cost.
Lord Chilsuk.
Her Highness said you must wait.
It is urgent.
Back in Seorabeol, Lord Sejong and Lord Seolwon...
When Her Highness acts that way,
there is nothing anyone can do.
- But... - Ohh Ohh!
So was Princess Deokman the very first person you saw?
Without even knowing her identity,
you wanted to help her.
You were sincere.
I could not do it,
but Princess Deokman...
brought compassion out of you.
You must be in love with her.
Is that what it means?
But...
it has very little charm.
Men clinging onto women out of mere devotion, that is.
It makes me want to trample upon their lifeless bodies.
Then, should it not just be devotion,
but the chance of fulfilling my own dreams as well?
To achieve the unification of the Three Kingdoms,
my master devoted his entire life...
to the completion of a book about their geography.
It seems you have no interest in such matters,
whereas Her Highness is deeply intrigued.
Her Highness will gain me, and achieve such grandiose aspirations,
while I will gain her, and long lasting fame.
Ahh!
My master told me that anyone responsible for such feats...
will be consigned to millennia of long-lasting fame.
If it's this much,
would you not define it as a wondrous dream?
If a man foments such aspirations,
then would not any woman be charmed by that?
So, how about you abandon those wretched dreams of yours?
Why?
Because I was the one.
I think I will not.
Why is that?
Because I am the one.
Did you not acknowledge yourself it is but a wretched vagary?
I did.
But acknowledging them as such does not imply...
I will abandon my aspirations.
I made a new start.
That is what I, Mishil, am all about.
Their movements are perplexing.
Perplexing?!
Both Lord Sejong and Lord Seolwon's forces are frantically on the move.
What else did you say?
Piltan Rang suddenly visited his father.
If it's Piltan...
Does that not mean the son of Lord Jujin, the commander from Sangju?
Yes, Sire.
What on earth is happening?
And where is Deokman?
Saying she had something to verify at all cost,
she went to meet Lady Mishil.
What? Did you not say Mishil is not here?
Should anything happen to her, what...
- Sire. - Sire!
Sire, are you all right?
Summon the physician at once.
Yes.
No!
No...
There is no need.
Sire!
Don't we all know what malady this is?
Just let it be.
It is not the time to divulge something like this.
Did I not tell you to wait?
How long have I been away, to be subjected to such commotion?
It's not that...
Her Highness is here.
Your Highness.
What brings you here?
How do you explain this?
If suspicion is what is behind that question, I shan't answer.
Then, let us call it curiosity.
What happened?
I came to let Her Highness know that she was used by Lord Chunchu...
And she suddenly wanted you to join her excursion?
I had no reason not to follow her.
But, what are you doing here?
Even escorting Her Highness.
Her Highness is feeling anxious.
About?
About Mishil's unusual behavior.
So a mere excursion was all she needed to understand that?
Then, are you telling me that something changed just as she suspected?
Seems so.
Seems so?!
Your Highness.
Do not act in this manner.
What?
After concocting a subterfuge only you could devise,
how could you defy everyone's expectations this way?
What are you talking about?
Do you even realize how much effort...
I put in trying to think like you, and act in accordance?
And?!
You are the foe I can trust more than anyone I know.
But... Why do you suddenly display such ambiguous behavior?
You tried to think and behave like me?!
Yes.
Then, you must be well aware of why I am behaving this way.
That is what...
is making me anxious.
Does not my anxiety seem sincere to you?
Did Lord Sejong join Her Highness's cause...
for he could not compete with her prestige and riches?
That is obviously not the case.
Would it not be because he had full confidence...
in her abilities and keen discernment?
And would such specimen let Chunchu exploit her?
Could my gab ever manage to sway her?
Her Highness is experiencing a change of heart as we speak.
A new resolution might be dominating her thoughts.
She can't be...
You have blessed me with many a fascinating question.
I shall accept them once again.
Are you considering yourself debased?
Yes...
Enough to no longer cope with it anymore?
Yes.
Hence,
is this what lies behind this new resolve of yours?
Yes.
Are you really...
going to do that?
I might be on the losing end, and witness your triumph.
However...
Do not ask me to hand you victory on a silver platter.
That would be much too presumptuous.
If my manifold assets and troops are what you wanted from me,
I suppose I might give that to you.
But...
what I possess that you don't is the legacy of our time.
If gaining that legacy is what you wish for,
how could you avoid any confrontation with me first?
You may lose everything that you gained so far.
I had nothing on me,
but is not Your Highness in a much different position?
Yes.
And that is why I came all the way here.
Because...
I needed to rediscover my true intents.
Both in body and mind,
I shall use all at my disposal to contend with you.
To gain all under heaven.
Did Lord Seolwon truly tell you that?
Yes, Your Excellency.
We are not merely asking for your trust.
My father wants to openly discuss Her Highness's change of heart.
And why did he not say it himself all this time?
Is it...
Is it not a monumental occurrence?
Did you find out?
Mishil is already convinced.
Does that mean she will take that path?
We must immediately return to Seorabeol.
Lord Chunchu joined Lady Boryang in conjugal ties.
~ Misaeng ~
Hasten and prepare the horses.
Yes.
I will head back to Seorabeol.
Yes.
During your absence,
a momentous conflict between Lord Seolwon and Lord Sejong occurred.
Momentous?!
They respectively summoned all the men in their factions,
and tensions are about to explode.
Chunchu?!
I sent some trainees to find him,
but we still don't know where he is.
Lady Boryang?
She is at her quarters, but Lord Chunchu is not there.
We looked everywhere for him,
but there are no traces.
Then, there is only one place left.
You know where?
Ahh... Milord, when I traveled to the dunes of Yeoheon (Egypt),
I wondered why people were so dark,
you could only see their teeth when they laughed.
Those teeth moving up and down was all I'd see...
I'd spend entire days laughing.
Aigoo...
Sometimes, I do reminisce...
Ohh Ohh!
Who is there?
This is the Yeomjong I mentioned,
who helped us during the crops crisis.
Is that true?
Aigoo... What is Your Highness doing in such squalid...
Seeing you in person is just...
Keep quiet.
Leave us alone.
I need to speak with Chunchu.
Did you come here to surrender?
Should you join forces with me,
I will give you the opportunity to aid me in the court.
I have the utmost esteem for your temperament and capabilities.
I am grateful.
First, I will have to extend my apologies.
Regarding my considering you too young for the task,
and not being suitable for the throne.
Also,
I certainly must acknowledge your remarkable skills.
Compared to my boorish and banal deportment,
you displayed penetrating insight on the human psyche.
May you accord us your trust.
If you refuse to trust me, accord your confidence to Her Highness.
You are well aware that she would never deal with matters this way.
Indeed...
Her Highness would have certainly slain me with her own hands.
Yes.
I might abound with ambitions myself,
but I am not so heedless to concoct all this without her consent.
So have faith in us.
For that to happen, did we not go too far already?
We abducted and pointed our blades at each other.
I shall be the first to accord you trust.
Bojong, drop your sword.
Drop it to the ground. Now!
Drop all your weapons, and await outside the premises.
Drop your weapons as well, and leave.
But, all your plans ended in failure.
Failure?!
You overlooked something.
I had full understanding of the situation,
and thought of every single possibility.
With you clamoring for succession,
there was no alternative to you,
except me, naturally.
There is one.
Mishil.
If what you told Bojong to convey is the truth...
It is.
Then... My mother could not possibly...
By herself?!
Your Highness!
That is unfeasible.
It makes no sense!
What you and I did was remarkable indeed.
My clamoring for the throne as a woman,
or your claims that the bone rank system is a barbaric facade.
What you and I did... was awakening Mishil.
The long dormant dragon...
has awakened.
So now you must join forces with me.
I shall take care of Mishil.
Yes...
I will do it firsthand.
~ On the Next Episode of ~ QUEEN ~*~ SEONDEOK
If you are acknowledging that, then let Mishil take over.
- What Mishil decided... - She is either out of her mind...
It will only encumber our nation's development.
Of course, we shan't allow such jubilant event to be celebrated this way.
Not to mention, you will become our successor!
The nobles would be confused.
To do what?
Are the preparatives going well?
Right... It's that.
They sure are of no use... all of them.
What is that supposed to mean?
The Council of Nobles did what?
Anything for Her Highness's sake will also benefit our country.
I cannot believe that.
Then...
Murder, and changing the final injunctions?!
How could Mishil crumble this way?
It makes no sense.