Episode 18
What brings you here so late at night?
Is it about Chun-dong?
Yoon So-hwa, future Lady Yoon Please clear his name.
I want to as well.
King Sungjong But all I can do now is trust my mother.
Your Majesty.
I'm sorry. Blame my lack of power.
Announce me.
Your Majesty, Queen Insoo is here.
Queen Insoo
How dare a concubine come in here and confuse the king.
Do you want to get kicked out?
Mother.
She's here because I called for her.
Your Majesty!
Don't take her side when I'm teaching her a lesson.
How will you become a sage king...
if you let her control you already?
I told you nothing good comes from a concubine siding with a eunuch.
Yet you want the king to pardon a eunuch who committed a grave crime?
I asked you a question.
Why are you here, asking the king to pardon him?
Your Highness.
I'm putting in a request...
as a member of the royal family.
What?
I believe we can promote authority...
by clearing the name of innocent people.
It's not always about punishing them.
So I put in a request.
Why are you so sure of his innocence?
How could a mere trainee steal amid all those watchful eyes?
Mr. Kim has always...
been a faithful servant.
He even pound his head on the ground...
to make the king listen.
He's a loyal subject willing to die for the king.
Why would he do such a thing?
I'm sure there's a legitimate reason he's involved.
Please look into this without prejudice.
I too think he's innocent.
OK.
I'll make sure no one is punished for what they didn't do.
But what if Lord Jo and Mr. Kim are proven guilty?
Will you give up your title and leave?
Mother. Why are you being so cruel?
Do you accept? What do you say?
I will...
do as you wish.
Queen Insoo confined Royal Lady Yoon?
Yes.
She can't leave her chambers until the investigation is over.
Queen Gonghye
Here's some hot water.
It will help calm you down.
I'm fine.
You're not.
Just overhearing your conversation made my heart pound.
Court Lady Oh
I was impressed at how you stood up for yourself.
Chun-dong saved my life. And he helped me marry the king.
I believe in him.
Kim Chuh-sun
Don't worry about me.
If you suffer because of me, that would hurt me more than anything.
Jo Chi-gyum, Head of Eunuchs
Sir.
Doh Geum-pyo Master Park was tortured,
but he didn't mention your name.
He might be a merchant, but he's a loyal man.
How is Chuh-sun?
He's strong. I'm sure he'll be fine.
I'm here to keep my promise.
You have the memo?
The memo you wrote...
Jung Han-soo for Lord Jo.
Han Myung-hwe
Where's the other half? How dare you try to fool me.
I'll keep the other half as proof of our deal.
What?
To be on the safe side.
What's wrong with that?
You really do have what it takes to take Lord Jo's place.
OK.
I'll help you as long as you don't come after me.
Why did you call for me?
Keep this.
It's proof that Lord Jo and Minister Han...
did away with the late king.
Just so they could stay in power. How terrible is that?
We have nothing to fear as long as we have that.
Why are you giving it to me?
It's proof that I trust you with my life.
Sulyoung Why is that?
What if I burn this?
My life is in your hands. You can do as you wish.
Guard the repository more carefully.
If anything is missing, I'll punish the one who recorded it.
Yes, sir.
How can he be so relaxed?
Everyone's upset about what happened. He doesn't seem to care.
Park Geun-soo He trusts Queen Junghee.
Um Kyung-hwan Everyone else is against him.
She can't help him out now.
Jang Soon-moo What will happen to us?
There comes the drunk.
Yang Sung-yoon Badmouthing me, were you?
Of course not, sir.
Everyone is worried Lord Jo will lose his title.
We just envy your carefree attitude.
You fool.
So what, if he gets fired?
All you have to do is brown-nose the person who replaces him.
Am I wrong?
Life is but a dream
Your Majesty.
Lord Jo sold the king's possessions so he could gain a huge profit.
Now the people are suffering.
You must strip him of his title and make him pay.
Strip him of his title.
Not when there is no proof.
The stolen goods are proof.
Strip him of his title and riches, and sell his family as servants.
Queen Junghee I decide what happens.
How dare you try to influence me.
I will see what Lord Jo says.
Wait until the three days are up.
Your Highness.
The ministers investigated him, and we found the stolen goods.
You can't protect him any longer.
If you do, the ministers will complain and that might make things worse.
Lord Jo still has one more day. Let's wait.
Minister Han wants you out.
Did you really steal those goods?
I'll come clean tomorrow.
Yoon Ho
Even if you do, the ministers will blame you for something else.
Be strong. Even the moon waxes and wanes.
Minister Han won't be around for a long time.
Give birth to a son. Then everything will be fine.
I don't like how you are putting pressure on Lord Jo.
I'm just trying to get rid of those who won't do you any good.
Focus on having a healthy baby worthy of becoming a great king.
Were you waiting for me?
You have something to say?
I trusted you.
I believed you were loyal to the king.
How could you put Chun-dong in prison, for your own gain?
Was I wrong about you?
Was I really?
I'm disappointed in you.
Make sure no one sees the prisoners.
Yes, sir.
Park Jin-sung Lord Jo. What brings you here?
Let me in to see my son.
I can't.
Your son is a criminal.
I can't let you in in case you try to cover it up.
Watch what you say. He hasn't been proven guilty yet.
Could a trainee have done this alone?
I can't let anyone inside until the investigation is over.
I'm here as a father who wants to see his son.
You're a father too. Let me see my son.
I said no!
Minister Park!
I report directly to the king.
Blocking my way is like blocking the king's way.
How dare you stand up against me.
Chuh-sun.
Father.
Are you in pain?
It's bearable.
Chuh-sun. Do you hate me for this?
I still believe that you'd never go against the king.
If you did steal from the king, I'm sure you did it for a reason.
Thanks for trusting me.
Don't lose your convictions.
I trust you, even if it means I must die.
I have a son willing to die for me.
So I didn't live my life in vain.
I won't ever let you down.
I heard you've been grounded. I came by to comfort you.
Don't let it get to you.
I'm sorry for causing trouble.
Queen Insoo is still angry with you.
Try not to upset them too much.
I wanted to clear the name of an innocent subject.
But you went too far.
Queen Insoo is very honest and straightforward.
I'm sure she'll understand and forgive you in time.
Thanks for saying that. I hope so too.
Yoon Sook-hyun, future Queen Junghyun
Your Highness.
Why didn't you teach her a lesson?
She shouldn't have visited the king or talked back to Queen Insoo.
I'm jealous of the integrity and courage that enabled her to do that.
What's wrong?
Over there...
Your Highness. Are you OK?
Your Highness.
I'm OK.
Your Highness. Your Highness.
- Your Highness. - Assist her.
Your Highness.
The baby is fine.
The queen needs more energy. I'll brew her some medicine.
I'm so relieved.
Thank you, Buddha.
I'm sorry about this.
Your baby will be the future of our monarchy.
Try to be more careful.
I will.
I suggest you get married on the 6th.
Any date you set is good for us.
You're that happy to get married again?
Tanshil, Mr. Choi Can't wait until our wedding night.
Wedding night? I'm pregnant already.
It's just a figure of speech.
Old shaman
Buy some furniture.
Furniture? Thank you, ma'am.
Thank you, ma'am. Are you going out?
Look after the school while I visit Queen Junghee.
OK. Have a safe trip.
You look like a fairy.
Gaedochi You noticed that too?
Yes. She's prettier than any concubine.
Wolhwa Don't be silly.
Your clothes are worn. Aren't you cold?
Not even in winter.
Let's go, Wolhwa.
See you, Dong-nam.
Have a safe trip, ma'am.
I'd love to visit the palace. I should've become a shaman too.
Don't worry.
You'll be the king's mother-in-law once Beodeul sleeps with him.
Don't be absurd.
There are hundreds of court maids. What chance does she have?
I'd rather look for a needle in a haystack.
Don't you trust me? My Beodeul can do it.
All I wish for now is for the queen to give birth to a son.
Lady Choi, is it a boy or a girl?
It's a boy.
Is it?
That's great news.
What do you see?
I'm afraid I... I couldn't tell the baby's fate.
Why not when you're known for your powers?
I'm sorry.
It's not her fault, Your Highness. She can't force the gods to answer.
Pray for the queen until she gives birth.
I will do so.
I don't understand.
I couldn't see the baby's lifeline, let alone its gender.
I'm losing my powers.
You are right.
What do you mean?
Then... ?
There's no fate for the dead.
Then why did you lie to Queen Junghee?
We're talking about an heir here. Make a mistake and we lose our life.
So many innocent people will die. What can we do?
Chun-dong.
- Chun-dong. - Chun-dong.
How are you?
How did you get in here?
Choi Ja-chi, Song Gae-nam We paid the guard. Are you OK?
Chun-dong.
I'm fine. Don't cry, So-woon.
Hong Gwi-nam, Moon So-woon Did you really do it?
No way. He wouldn't do such a thing.
I'm sorry about this.
Don't worry. We'll always be here for you.
Yeah. I know you're in... innocent.
Here, have some. You need to eat.
Thank you.
Royal Lady Yoon upset Queen Insoo by pleading your case to the king.
She's been grounded ever since.
Mr. Kim.
Here.
What's that?
A maid told me to give it to you.
A criminal in jail gets snacks from maids.
Guess it's worth being a eunuch.
Geum-pyo.
It's time for the final round.
What brings you here again?
Why are you giving me such a hard time?
If a eunuch gains too much power,
the whole nation will crumble.
If you cut me down...
I won't go out alone.
Then what's your plan?
I'll give the memo you signed...
to Queen Junghee.
I have no surviving relatives.
I'm a eunuch who no one will remember.
But if you're named a traitor,
your name will be tarnished,
and people will avoid you.
Is that what you want?
You mean this letter?
This is all you had against me.
But now I have it.
It's your turn to fall.
Welcome home.
Didn't you say you'd be visiting the governors?
I had to come back.
What are you doing in my room?
I came to change your duvet cover, but I guess it can wait.
I'll get you some snacks.
Is something wrong?
Who did you give the letter to?
Mrs. Jung I don't know what you're talking about.
Tell me right now!
I did it for you and our family.
What?
I couldn't let you lose your title.
Han-soo said he could get Minister Han to help you.
Did it go wrong?
Why are you doing this? Wait.
What did I do to deserve this?
Geum-pyo. Throw this witch out.
Pardon?
Throw me out?! Don't you know I did it for you?
You can't throw me out!
What did you do with all the money? Pray the gods would make you a man?!
Throw her out!
Yes, sir.
Let me go, you fools!
My lord, you can't throw out your only wife!
Let me go right now! My lord! Let go!
Let me go!
Let go of me! My lord! My lord.
You can't do this to me. My lord!
Open the door!
I'm the lawful wife of the Head of Eunuchs!
Don't do this. My lord...
I was sold to him when I was 1 6.
I put up with everything all these years and now he throws me out.
Your Highness, Lord Jo is here.
It's been three days.
Explain how your foster son Kim Chuh-sun...
got involved in such corrupt dealings.
Speak up, Lord Jo.
Your Majesty, Your Highnesses.
I am the one behind everything.
I stole from the repository to lend money at a high interest rate.
And got some merchants to sell goods at a high profit margin.
But I did it all alone.
No other eunuchs, not even my son, knew about this.
Please forgive them.
Lord Jo.
I trusted you with my life.
How could you do such a thing?
I deserve to die, Your Majesty. Punish me as you think fit.
Punishing you won't be enough.
The ministers have been looking into...
your corrupt dealings with the merchants.
What did you do with the money you earned?
A loyal subject goes down in history.
The opposite goes for a corrupt one.
What did you do with the money?
Why won't you answer me?
Blame everything on me and behead me.
But don't ask about the profit.
We all know how corrupt you are now.
How dare you insult us even further.
Tell us what you did.
It won't do you any good.
What? Are you threatening us?
No. I'm just telling the truth.
Why you...
Wait a moment.
What do you mean? Why won't it do us any good?
Answer that, Lord Jo.
What's this?
A record of how I spent the profit...
of the high-interest loans and the goods I hoarded.
I'm sure it will correspond with the report the ministers handed in.
What did you spend this all on?
I have managed all expenses for the past five years.
King Sejo awarded many subjects with land, servants, and farms.
It depleted our finances.
The situation got worse when the governors didn't pay taxes on time.
As royals, you must keep up appearances.
But we don't have enough money...
to repair buildings and support the royals.
I couldn't demand the people to pay even more taxes,
not right before the king begins to govern in person.
The only thing I could do was use the king's assets to earn a profit.
What about the people who suffer for what you did?
I hoarded expensive silk, fur used to make brushes,
and horse hair used to make noblemen's hats.
Commoners don't need such products.
Why didn't you tell us about this?
My foremost duty is to safeguard your well-being.
Informing you of the situation would only upset you.
And if the public or the ministers found out what I was doing,
it would only harm your reputation.
I apologize for not being as careful as I should've been.
I can't believe I doubted you, our most trustworthy and loyal subject.
All those banquets we couldn't afford... I'm sorry.
Please don't be.
I think that explains it all. We should put this behind us.
I can't do that.
You're still not satisfied?
We might be able to forgive Lord Jo, but the ministers won't accept this.
They will demand we strip Lord Jo of his title.
Our forgiving him...
will be like admitting we don't mind what he did.
Queen Insoo is right.
All you have to do is punish me.
Strip me of my title and behead me.
You should, for our sake and the people's.
You mustn't.
You can't punish someone for doing his duty.
What should I do?
Lord Jo, is there a way out of this?
This is all my fault.
If you can all forgive me,
I'll end this without harming your authority.
What do you say?
Say yes, mother.
If there is a way, then do what you can.
But if you fail, you must pay with your life.
Yes, Your Highness.
I trust you.
I'm lucky to have a subject like you.
Thank you.
I'm sorry I put you through so much.
I should have been more careful in the first place.
Don't worry. Let's go.
What do you mean, he's been released?
Queen Junghee forgave Lord Jo and released his son.
Shim Gi-soo, Park Man-soo You said Lord Jo would leave.
- What happens now? - Say something.
Don't worry.
Minister Han will push for Lord Jo's resignation.
Your Highness.
We have proof of Lord Jo's dealings. Why did you let him off?
Let me do what I think is right.
We ministers won't stand this.
I can't accept your decision.
Please excuse me.
I hope Lord Jo knows what he's doing.
Minister Han really isn't happy.
Why do you think more of Lord Jo than Minister Han?
''Gwon bool shib nyun. ''
Ministers are only around for a few decades.
But the dept. of eunuchs will stay around forever.
I'm proud of you for not giving into the torture.
I believed in your innocence.
You were a great son, but you were a terrible eunuch.
Pardon?
You should've reported me, for the king's sake.
That's where a eunuch's loyalty lies.
Why didn't you prove your innocence?
A eunuch must be willing to die on a false charge.
We must accept that, even if no one hears about it.
That's the greatest a eunuch can do.
I wonder what Chi-gyum will do about Minister Han.
If Lord Jo loses his title, we'll all be ruined.
Adopt a new son who can prevent that.
Mr. Noh, Jo's foster father What did you just say?
Adopt someone who can do you some good.
You mean Jung Han-soo?
Here.
He wants you to have that.
Forgive me for doubting your innocence.
It's all in the past.
I heard the ministers want to get rid of you.
I'm thinking of moving to a farm in the countryside.
Would you like to come with me?
Pardon?
It's a joke. I'm not going anywhere.
You want to be my son?
Yes, sir.
Why do you want a foster father who might die any day?
Lord Jo won't be able to get out of this mess.
But I can protect your reputation.
With this?
Yes... sir.
Minister Han's memo will protect us all.
What are you doing?
This memo will do nothing.
Chi-gyum's way ahead of you.
You think a small box will help you keep your title?
I'm sure it will.
You might have convinced Queen Junghee, but you can't convince me.
Don't be so cocky.
You might be cunning, but you don't know everything.
You can't beat me.
Not when I have this.
I have a memo too.
But mine is whole.
What?
What the... ?
It's the very memo you wrote me.
How...
How could this... ?
Mr. Jung gave you an elaborate copy.
It was so real, it fooled even you.
It can't be. It can't be!
It can't be!
I brought you a few more copies.
Have a look.
What?
How could this be?
Where's the real one?!
I kept it well hidden.
If you keep pushing to have me removed,
I'll give it to Queen Junghee.
I'm sure you get my point.
Excuse me.
Sir.
Where is the real one?
I burned it the night he wrote it.
Is that true?
Keeping it would only give me nightmares.
If I don't keep it, I won't have to worry about losing it.
But...
Minister Han can't mistreat me as long as he thinks I have it.
I heard of your release.
It's good to see you're well.
Why did you plead my case and end up upsetting Queen Insoo?
You should've stayed out of it.
How could I, when I knew you're innocent?
You're the king's concubine now. You're a royal lady.
And I'm Kim Chuh-sun, Lord Jo's foster son and eunuch.
Forget about our past friendship.
I'll serve you and the king as a eunuch, not as a friend.
Hong Bi I knew you were innocent.
My name is Hong Bi.
Some ox bone soup. It's good for you.
Don't share it with anyone.
Thanks, but I don't want it.
You don't like me?
I'm the king's servant.
Eunuchs and court maids aren't allowed to date.
I'd heard you'd castrated yourself so I knew you'd be different.
I guess I was right.
Isn't she bold.
What a girl.
I'll teach her a lesson next time.
Why are you so upset?
People would think you're jealous.
Me, jealous? I'm not.
She's pretty, sprightly, and she looks like good fun.
It pays to have some pretty maid friends here.
I wish I knew some maids who work in the kitchen.
I'd always have something to eat.
We're talking about love and you're still thinking about food?
One must never be hungry.
The king is entering.
What brings you here, Your Majesty?
- The clear sky reminded me of you. - I feel honored.
Let's go for a walk.
I haven't seen you smile for so long.
It makes me happy.
I couldn't wish for anything more when I'm with you.
Is something bothering you?
You're the queen of this nation.
You must be well, for the people's sake.
You can talk to me.
I'm afraid, Your Highness.
I have nightmares. And I see her during the day too.
Who do you see?
She looks royal. She threatens to kill my baby.
What?
She even says...
she'll kill Suyang's offspring.
Read that Buddhist scripture. It will calm you down.
I will try.
Merciful Buddha, I repent and repent again.
King Sejo killed many to come to the throne.
Please let all those poor souls enter heaven.
Protect the king and his people.
Let him be remembered by all as a wise and great king.
I pray that his queen will give birth to a son,
who will succeed his father and become great.
If it would protect the king and his baby, I'd give up my own life.
The sky is clear and the sun is so warm.
Fresh air and slow walks will do you and the baby good.
We'll escort you every day.
I'm so glad the king has you two.
One can comfort his heart.
Another can assist him politically.
I feel comfortable about leaving now.
Do all you can to serve the king.
Don't say that.
You're carrying a baby.
You must be strong.
I should.
I should live, for my baby...
- Your Highness! - Your Highness!
- Your Highness. - Your Highness.
- Wake up. - Your Highness.
Your Highness.
Call the physician.
Your Highness.
I put... my trust in you both...
Your Highness.
Your Highness!