Episode 14
The Ministry of Astronomy chose the day the king should sleep with one of them.
The 5th... That's in three days.
Um Kyung-hwan They both have the fate to become queen.
Either one or the other will conceive a son that day.
Who do you think the king should sleep with?
Jo Chi-gyum, Head of Eunuchs
The king will lie with So-hwa in three days?
Such an auspicious day comes around every 1 2 years.
I've been told she'll conceive a son that day.
Queen Junghee Good. She should.
Queen Insoo How about Yoon Ho's daughter, Sook-hyun?
The Ministry of Astronomy will pick a good day for her soon.
You'll sleep with the king on the 5th.
After that,
Lady Oh you'll be appointed as a concubine.
Beodeul
Yoon So-hwa, future Lady Yoon
Why do you look so upset?
Oh, it's nothing.
Don't worry. The court ladies will prepare everything for you.
All you have to do is wait.
Beodeul. Serve her well until then.
Yes, ma'am.
Chun-dong.
I finally get to see the king.
But why do I feel so afraid?
I wish you were here to comfort me.
Kim Chuh-sun
I named him Chuh-sun.
Old shaman Chuh-sun.
Kim Chuh-sun.
A name worthy of going down in history.
Who will the king sleep with on the 5th?
He'll sleep with Miss Yoon So-hwa.
Chi-gyum. Have you forgotten what I said about her?
You said we'd end up killing each other if she becomes queen.
Yet you still want her to be a concubine?
Didn't you say Chuh-sun would prevent any chaos?
Gaedochi.
I'll take good care of him. Don't get too upset.
Gaedochi I don't trust people...
who steal people from others to gain power.
Mr. Noh, Jo's foster father Give that to your son and heir.
He has to know the names and achievements of his ancestors.
Make him proud to be family.
He'll make our family prosper greatly.
He should.
How are things with the concubine issue?
The king will lie with So-hwa in three days.
Won't Minister Han mind the fact you brought her in?
Don't worry. I'll take care of that.
Don't take him lightly.
Be careful not to get involved in his fight for power.
I will.
Sulyoung
Geum-pyo. What do you think of Sulyoung?
What do you mean?
I've known her for years, but I just don't get her.
She can't hear, but she can read lips.
Doh Geum-pyo, bodyguard And that stare of hers...
It makes me feel uneasy.
You look so happy today.
King Sungjong I'm going to sleep with So-hwa.
Choi Ja-chi
Congratulations, Your Majesty.
So no more banquets for the time being?
Be quiet.
Don't say that when I'm finally reunited with my love.
Your Majesty, Yoon Ho is here.
Let him in.
I heard your daughter will become my concubine.
You didn't give in to Minister Han's pressure.
Thank you for being loyal to me.
Yoon Ho, court official I just did what I thought is right.
I will govern the nation on my own very soon.
Please support and assist me well.
I will serve you with my life.
Queen Gonghye is here.
I heard he will lie with you soon.
He will.
Queen Gonghye
Use that when you're with him.
He likes the smell of musk.
This is from China. Keep it on you.
Thank you for being so kind to me.
The king is a very warm-hearted person.
Serve him well.
I'd give anything to have a successor through you.
Mr. Yoon. I was wrong about you.
What do you mean?
I thought you were a man worthy of becoming Minister of War.
Han Myung-hwe Yet you sell your daughter...
to side with a eunuch.
Watch what you say. I did it to serve my king and country.
Let's see what happens to a man who thinks a eunuch can help.
How is life in the palace?
I'm fine, don't worry.
I feel bad for sending you into this power-crazed place.
There's always a way out.
I know why you want me to be a concubine.
I will serve the king the best I can.
OK. I trust you will.
Yoon Sook-hyun, future Queen Junghyun
What are you doing?!
Hand that over.
This is our job.
I don't mind.
You'll lie with the king in three days.
You must look after yourself.
- Come on, take it away. - Yes, miss.
Thank you.
Miss.
It's an honor to be able to spend the night with the king.
But that doesn't guarantee anything.
I bet the king slept with dozens of court ladies and maids.
But most of them were just one-night stands.
So don't get your hopes up.
Is that true?
The king hates politics. He just wants to fool around with women.
I'm warning you.
It's the amulet Queen Junghee asked for.
Put it in the pillow they'll use.
I'll give it to Queen Junghee.
What do you think of Miss Yoon?
She's beautiful, bright, and honest. She'll make a great concubine.
I'm sure she will.
I should get going.
Is there really nothing we can do to change someone's destiny?
All hell will break loose. What can we do?
Ma'am.
Has the king slept with Beodeul yet?
Pardon?
Mr. Choi You don't think the king likes her?
She's doing just fine as a court maid.
OK...
How strange. The vixen's thing should work...
Oh, it's nothing.
How strange...
Ma'am.
Do you know Chun-dong's in the palace?
What do you mean, he's in the palace?
He got castrated and adopted by Lord Jo.
If you ever see him, take good care of him.
It must be hard work sweeping this huge palace.
It's a ve... very important job.
Song Gae-nam People think it's a base job,
but if you neglect it,
Kim Chuh-sun the whole p... palace would be a mess.
I have this great sense of duty and lo... love for this job.
You've really grown up.
Just d... do your job well, whatever other p... people say.
Han Chi-geun What's your first and foremost duty?
Shim Gi-soo It's caring for your superiors.
This dog will be your superior.
Take good care of him.
OK?
I will.
There's something wrong with his feces.
Smell and taste it and see what's wrong.
Go on, I said taste it.
How dare you disobey my order.
Don't do this.
You can't ma... make him eat a dog's feces.
Stay out of this.
Hey, let me go.
I'll...
do as you say.
Are you OK?
Are you?
What does it taste like? Sweet as honey? Bitter as tree bark?
Have you no pride? You're even worse than a dog.
Lord Jo adopted one great son.
He's tall and macho-looking, but actually a total loser.
What's going on here?!
You're just on time. We were teaching him a lesson.
Stop it.
But he stole your right to be Lord Jo's son.
Jung Han-soo
Follow me.
You broke your promise and became Lord Jo's foster son.
It could sound like an excuse. But I had no choice.
It's spilt milk. What's been done can't be undone.
I got over it a long time ago.
So...
How do you know Miss Yoon So-hwa?
You talked about her with the king. Is she why you became a eunuch?
No way.
Come to me if you need any help. I'll tell the others not to bother you.
It's the dress for tonight's ritual.
Thank you.
Tonight's ritual will make you part of the family.
Forget all about your past and focus on producing an heir.
I will.
The king already has a queen.
However much he loves you, don't forget she's your superior.
The prince you bear...
will be adopted by her.
Yes, Your Highness.
How pretty.
This dress means she accepts you as her daughter-in-law.
But why is there no top to go with it?
It's to ward off evil.
To ward off evil?
You'll see tonight.
It's OK, sit down.
I said sit down.
You want a drink?
No, sir.
Yang Sung-yoon
You still have some stray hairs.
Don't worry, they'll disappear soon.
So, why did you castrate yourself?
Was it by Lord Jo's order?
No, sir.
I don't know why you did it.
But you went to hell and back. Be careful for some time.
If the wound gets infected, you'll really be in trouble.
Chun-dong.
So-woon.
- Hard work, huh? - No, I'm fine.
Miss So-hwa will lie with the king tonight.
She'll finally become his concubine.
Moon So-woon I'm so glad.
She must be so excited.
What, is something wrong?
No. Let's go.
How long has it been?
You can't.
Step aside. I must see her now.
You can't.
Mr. Jang.
You wanted to see me?
Take this.
What's this?
I have a favor to ask.
King's assistant
A favor?
Do you know who'll carry Miss Yoon tonight?
Yes. But why do you ask?
I never knew this room existed.
This room is used to teach the king how to consummate his marriage.
Teach me?
I'm a married man who spent many nights with court maids.
What can you teach me?
Your first night with a concubine has to follow certain regulations.
Bear with me.
OK. I'll do as you say.
Acupuncture and moxa cautery to improve stamina.
What kind of wine is this?
It's made with doe blood and...
deer testicles, Your Majesty.
It's good for improving stamina and performance.
It's full of nude pictures.
It's one of our well-kept secrets.
But it's too embarrassing.
Intercourse with your concubine isn't about pleasure.
It's about producing an heir, improving your countenance,
and maintaining good health.
Mr. Jang will lecture...
and an entertainer will demonstrate.
Jang Soon-moo I shall begin the lecture.
Have you had intercourse before?
That's impossible.
An experienced man cannot become a eunuch.
How can a man with no experience lecture me?
It's...
He has no experience, but he knows of the yin and yang.
There's nothing to worry about.
OK.
Begin.
I will start with the positions.
First is the Flying Dragon.
This position is in the shape of a mighty dragon flying in the east.
Dear gods.
Please bless the king with a successor.
Merciful Buddha. The king will lie with his concubine tonight.
Please make sure everything happens without a hitch.
And bless the royal family with an heir.
Miss So-hwa will lie with the king tonight.
I've been looking forward to this day. But why do I feel so empty?
Why?
What are you doing here? Follow us.
What for?
Just follow us!
You are not allowed to touch the ground.
And you must keep your eyes closed until you get inside.
Tell the king's assistant she's ready.
Yes, ma'am.
She's ready.
OK.
Shall I get her?
Wait. Another eunuch will escort her.
He's here.
You'll carry Miss Yoon. Come with me.
Pardon?
We're here.
Hurry up and turn around.
The day I die and the wind takes me
Perhaps then we 'll be together
Dear God, let us start again
Please stay with me
My love is still alive within me
What can I do?
Make me blind, tie me up
But I still can't stop
I fear we 'll drift apart
If my love is getting in your way
What can I do to stop it all?
That won't do
Chun-dong. I guess this will be the last piggyback ride you give me.
Please stay with me
The day I die and the wind takes me
Perhaps then we 'll be together
Dear God, let us start again
Please stay with me
What's wrong with you? Hurry.
Go on, walk.
Your Majesty, Miss Yoon is here.
Let her in.
So-hwa, it's me.
I finally get to keep my promise and make you my wife.
So-hwa. Look at me.
So-hwa.
Your Majesty.
It's me.
Do you recognize me?
You stand guard tonight.
Stand guard?
Yes. Your punishment can wait.
You must've been disappointed in me.
But I've never forgotten about you.
I'm with the woman of my dreams. I could wish for nothing more.
So-hwa, say something.
Let's not waste time talking.
Take the table out.
What happened earlier?
Everything is ready. You can go to bed now.
OK.
It's customary for a court lady to observe us on our first night.
Don't be embarrassed.
What's wrong?
We're a legitimate couple consummating our marriage.
So-hwa, why... ?
You still blame me?
Do you?
So you're refusing me?
I mistreated my poor queen out of guilt for not keeping my word with you.
How could you still be angry with me?
Are you the person I've been missing all these years?
I'm very disappointed in you.
Your Majesty.
- Your Majesty. - Your Majesty.
What do you mean, she refused to lie with him?
The king returned to his chambers in anger.
How could this happen?
Why did she refuse to lie with the king?
Queen Junghee is questioning her now.
Why did you refuse to lie with him?
How dare you not answer.
You're showing contempt for us too now?
Stop, you'll scare her.
You must have a reason. Tell us what it is.
How rude you are. You need a beating, don't you?
Leave us. Queen Insoo and I will decide what to do with you.
How could such a thing happen?
Your Highness.
Throwing her out won't be enough.
She must be punished severely for insulting us.
Miss.
Why did you reject him? Why did you cause him so much pain?
Your Majesty, go to bed.
Go to bed? No way.
I need to take my mind off things. I'll spend the night with any maid.
Your Majesty.
No, call the musicians. I want to throw a banquet.
Your Majesty, Queen Gonghye is here.
What?
Let her in.
Welcome, my queen.
I was feeling downright terrible.
I see my wife is here to comfort her terrible husband.
Try to calm down, Your Majesty.
I abused you... thinking she was my only love.
I was a fool.
Such a fool.
Why did you reject him?
I want to be alone. If you're done, leave.
It's a once-in-a-lifetime chance.
I can't believe you refused to sleep with him.
Please tell me why you rejected him.
I said I want to be alone.
OK, I'll go. I'll leave you alone.
Forgive me, Your Majesty.
Forgive me.
Your Highness, Mr. Jung is here.
I heard you eunuchs know all about what goes on in the capital.
Do you know why Miss Yoon rejected the king?
I don't know much. I just heard a rumor.
What rumor is that?
I'm sorry to say this, but I heard...
she was betrothed to someone before.
What?
That's why Minister Park broke off the engagement.
She was engaged?
I don't understand. Why did she reject the king?
The king loves Miss Yoon very much.
And Miss Yoon loves him deeply too.
What happened could be a misunderstanding.
Try to understand the situation before deciding what to do with her.
I agree with you.
But I think Queen Insoo will make it an issue.
Try to earn me some time while I look into what happened.
I will.
Your Highness, Queen Insoo is here.
Let her in.
- Welcome. - Your Highness.
How could you deceive me?
Deceive you? What do you mean?
Why didn't you tell me...
So-hwa was engaged...
to Minister Park's son?
I didn't think it mattered.
The engagement had been broken off.
We were choosing a concubine.
Anything regarding her matters to us.
How could you say such a thing?
I'm sure Lord Jo knew about this too.
I did.
Then did you know they broke up...
over the rumor that So-hwa had a lover?
She had a lover?
What nonsense is that?
Your Highness.
Get to the bottom of this...
and throw her out.
And punish those who suggested...
she should enter the palace.
If word gets out,
and the people hear of this,
it will damage our authority.
And it will hurt the king.
He won't be able to focus on work.
This is an important matter.
Do the right thing.
Your Majesty, Minister Park is here.
Your Majesty, you summoned me?
Minister of Interrogations.
Answer my question truthfully.
I will.
Minister Park.
Why did you break off the engagement with Miss Yoon So-hwa?
Park Duk-hoo's father It was my bad luck.
Please don't ask me about it.
Minister Park!
Answer me truthfully.
I'm afraid it's because I heard a rumor about her bad behavior.
Bad behavior? What was the rumor about?
Minister Park. What was the rumor about?!
I was told she has another lover.
Really?
Minister Park.
Do you swear that's the truth?
Would I dare lie to you?
Minister Park. How did your meeting go?
I told the king what you told me to.
Han Myung-hwe Well done. I'll make it up to you.
I'd hate to get on Lord Jo's bad side because of this.
I know. I'll make sure you don't.
Don't worry. I'll keep my word.
You spent years missing and yearning for him.
You finally got to be with him.
Why did you reject him? Why?
Who is your lover?
What are you talking about?
I'm asking you who you love...
even more than me.
The day I die and the wind takes me
Perhaps then we 'll be together
Dear God, let us start again
Please stay with me