Episode 20
Yoon Sook-hyun should become queen?
Anonymous notices?!
Royal Lady Yoon.
Did you write these because you want to be queen?
Yoon So-hwa
Pardon?
Queen Insoo You think you can get away with this?
Royal Lady Um.
Did you do this so you could become queen?
Royal Lady Um
Royal Lady Jung.
Did you do this to cause trouble?
Royal Lady Jung
Was it you?!
Yoon Sook-hyun
Who was it?
Who would do such a wicked thing?
I warned you not to fight over the king or cause any trouble.
How dare the four of you stoop this low and resort to posting anonymous notices.
Your Highness, we know nothing of it.
We really don't. Believe us.
Your Highness, please clear our name.
It's all our fault.
The fact that such notices were posted is an offence in itself.
If you wish to punish us, I won't object.
But I believe you should get to the bottom of this first.
OK.
I'll find out who's behind this.
I'll see who did it to incriminate whom.
But until I do,
I'll deem all of you guilty, so don't make things any worse.
I can't believe the post mentioned my name.
I'm so sorry.
Don't be.
I'm sure someone is framing you.
It might be her doing.
What?
Exactly.
She might have plotted this to make us all look bad.
How dare you say that.
We don't know who did it.
Making assumptions and gossiping won't help us now.
Watch what you say.
Sure, we will.
Don't worry. I believe you're innocent.
Jo Chi-gyum It must've been a eunuch or a maid.
Question everyone and see what you can find out.
We will, sir.
They did it without getting caught. It means they know their way around.
Right.
Moon So-woon, Hong Gwi-nam And there were many people.
You think it's a conspiracy?
Song Gae-nam, Choi ja-chi Was it Ha... Han-soo's gang?
They can work people up,
but they don't have the guts to do this.
Chuh-sun, why are you so quiet?
Kim Chuh-sun
It's the paste.
What d... do you mean?
They'll have made the paste. I'm sure we can find some left.
You're right. They'll have made a lot.
Where should we start looking?
They use it to starch clean washing.
Why would someone do such a thing?
I'm sure it has something to do with the queen's death.
Queen Junghee What do you mean?
Bring it over.
What on earth is this?
It's proof that...
someone cursed the late queen.
I'm sure...
it's the same person behind the posts.
The king is supposed to take over soon.
I'll get the eunuchs to investigate.
They might be involved in this.
What?
If you'll let me, I'll investigate...
and make sure the person pays.
What are you doing here?
I need some paste to put up some wallpaper.
We don't have any right now.
OK, ma'am.
Make some more paste. Yesterday it was the embroidery dept.
Why do they all want some?
Wash the buckets and burn the brushes.
Chuh-sun.
Why are you in such a hurry?
It's none of your business.
Jung Han-soo Off to tell Lord Jo...
who posted the notices?
Whatever you know,
I'd rather you keep it to yourself.
Or your beloved Royal Lady might be blamed for it.
Mr. Jung. What are you implying?
You saved me last time, so let me help you.
The embroidery department?
Yes. I saw buckets of paste there.
Paste?
Their wallpaper isn't new. I'm sure they posted the notices.
Bring in the court ladies and maids.
- Get them all. - Yes, sir.
Search thoroughly.
What?
They arrested the people responsible for the notices?
Yes. Lord Jo is torturing them.
Lord Jo.
Why are you torturing these maids?
They admitted to posting the notices.
Who gave the order?
We did what Lady Bang told us to do.
That's impossible.
How could a mere court lady carry out such a terrible deed?
Perhaps you just made a false statement.
Do you have proof?
We found this in Lady Bang's room.
We'll get to the bottom of this by questioning her.
Lord Jo.
Have you found her?
Park Geun-soo We searched everywhere...
but we can't find her.
What?
I think she's already on the run.
Mr. Jung. How come you're... ?
I was told to get you across the river.
Did Sulyoung send you?
Yes.
Hurry. You have to cross before dawn.
Where is the boat?
Right here.
Mr. Jung. What are you doing?
Don't hate me for this.
Sulyoung You made sure she wouldn't tell anyone?
She won't say a word. Don't worry.
Why are you so upset?
I have blood on my hands.
I killed someone irrelevant.
You just nipped it in the bud.
What?
Didn't you say you want to become Head of Eunuchs?
Why won't you accept the fact that you must kill to make it possible?
Lord Jo, Minister Han, even the king will say they're different.
But they killed thousands to get there too.
You just took your first step.
The more you crave power,
the more blood you'll spill.
The thread around the doll's neck came from her room.
It must be Lady Bang's doing.
She slipped out just in time.
It means an insider helped her.
We must find out who that was.
This is... !
What's wrong?
This belonged to Queen Gonghye.
What? Are you sure?
Yes. I'm positive.
She gave us each a jade ring.
To serve the king and be like sisters.
After I die,
please help Sook-hyun become queen.
I know it hurts...
to give up the man you love.
But you know he loves you.
Your Highness, this is Lady Oh.
Come in.
Queen Insoo asked for you.
OK.
Court Lady Oh Bring the ring Queen Gonghye gave you.
Show me the ring the queen gave you.
What's wrong? Are you feeling ill?
I didn't bring the ring with me.
Why not? I told you to.
To be honest... I lost it.
What?
How dare you treat such a precious gift so carelessly.
Please forgive me.
Show me yours then.
Go on, let me see it.
I lost my ring too.
What? What did you say?
I'm sorry.
I should've taken better care of it.
I'll accept any punishment.
You wretches.
Do you consider yourselves worthy of being concubines?
I'm sorry.
You have three days to find them.
If you can't find them until then, I'll throw you both out.
Your Highness.
Why did you say you'd lost it?
If I'd shown my ring, Royal Lady Yoon would've gotten in trouble.
And I wouldn't be able to keep my promise.
Lady Hong.
Search every woman's chamber, regardless of rank.
You must find out who cursed the queen and plotted against the royals.
I will do so.
You contributed a great deal in this investigation.
I'm proud of you.
But we still haven't found Lady Bang.
We will in due time.
Father.
Yes, speak up.
Please make sure the royal ladies don't get into trouble.
They'll be fine as long as they're innocent.
Don't worry, just do your duty.
I will.
Hurry!
Hey.
How are you?
Hello, sir.
Their lives are over before it even started.
Yang Sung-yoon They'll be crippled.
No man will want them.
Cheer up. Life is but a dream anyway.
Life is but a dream
Wolhwa
This wasn't used to curse anyone.
What do you mean by that?
It's an elaborate imitation of a voodoo curse.
But there's no blood on it, and the doll doesn't look human enough.
Then what was that doing at the entrance to the queen's chambers?
I think it was placed there on purpose.
To cause turmoil and upset.
Hong Bi How are you, miss?
Good job. Here's your reward.
Thank you.
Take care of this too.
Trust me.
How are things with Lord Jo's son?
I'm doing as you said.
Eunuchs are men too.
Act like you care and he'll fall for you.
I will.
Good. You have my trust.
You're not supposed to carry heavy things.
Tanshil I can't afford to sit and do nothing.
Mr. Choi If I don't do any work,
I'll get kicked out immediately.
No, that's too heavy.
You sit down and rest. I'll take it from here.
Can I really do that?
Trust me.
Really?
It pays to have a husband.
My Mr. Choi.
Darling. You're all I need.
How embarrassing...
Jeez...
You're beating the stains in. Beat as hard as you can.
OK. As hard as I can.
How are you?
It's been a while.
Gosh, I'm so embarrassed.
You make a great couple.
The headmistress is out.
To hold a memorial service.
Where is Dong-nam? Why is it so quiet?
Uh... Dong-nam is...
What is it?
You haven't heard?
Dong-nam... didn't survive the castration.
The poor thing...
Stop drinking. It won't bring him back.
Leave me alone.
Just leave me alone.
Gaedochi Blame me. I killed him.
Take it out on me.
I killed him.
I castrated a poor ten-year-old boy.
The blood didn't stop.
I could've saved him.
It's all my fault.
I can still see his look of fear.
It's killing me.
You're a good man.
I'm sure he knows... you did your best.
Cry all you want.
I heard my mother is giving you a hard time.
It's all due to my shortcomings.
I'm so busy learning about politics, I haven't been spending time with you.
Don't worry about me. Please focus on your studies.
King Sungjong Thanks. I'll sleep with you tonight.
Let me comfort you.
I'm sorry, but I don't feel well today.
Are you ill?
You don't need to worry.
Royal Lady Yoon is worried about her ring.
She needs comforting more than I do.
If that's what you wish...
Time's nearly up.
I doubt I'll find the missing ring.
I looked everywhere. I just don't know what to do now.
What should I do?
The king is here.
You look terrible. Are you that worried?
Queen Insoo is very adamant.
We all make mistakes every day.
But...
I'll talk my mother into letting you off.
Is the king with Royal Lady Yoon?
Yes. They just turned out the light.
How ill is she?
Why did she send the king away?
I don't think she's ill. I don't know what she's thinking.
She keeps upsetting Queen Insoo, so I'm worried.
Goodness.
Beodeul What were you doing in there?
Why won't you answer me?
Were you spying?!
Don't be silly. I meant to visit Royal Lady Jung.
Those two will be in big trouble if they can't find the rings.
Then you'll become queen.
What about you?
I'm fine as long as I can serve you.
Your Highness, Lord Jo's wife is here to see you.
Why are you here to see me?
We're here to pay our respects to the future queen.
Don't you dare say that!
Mrs. Jung Don't be so modest. We'll help you.
We will help you.
What if I don't make it?
I'm sure you'll become queen.
You'll have to become queen, for their sake at least.
Don't be so rude.
We brought you some gifts.
We'll all pray you become queen soon.
Thank you. I'll make it up to you.
Jang Soon-moo's wife What if someone else becomes queen?
Everyone knows Minister Han will support Royal Lady Um.
Don't worry. Trust me.
Royal Lady Yoon, how are you?
What are you doing here?
We paid a visit to the new concubines.
This isn't a good time to pay visits.
How dare you come into the palace.
Leave before people start to complain.
We have official titles too, you know.
You can't stop us from coming here.
Are you upset because we didn't visit you this time?
What?
Mrs. Jung, please watch your manners.
Stay out of it! How dare a court lady interrupt!
Fine.
I'm on my way to see Lord Jo.
I'll ask what he thinks about your frequenting the palace.
If I was being intrusive, I'll apologize.
But if not, I'll punish you all myself.
I didn't mean to...
Hey.
What are you doing here?!
You promised to be careful. How dare you make me look bad again!
It's to help your career...
Be quiet!
Go home.
I will.
I apologize for her insolence.
I'd like to have a word with you. Are you free?
The king has four concubines but no queen.
No nation should be without a queen.
I'd like you to persuade Queen Junghee to appoint someone.
Can you do that?
You want to become queen too?
We'll have a queen in due time.
If that's all, please excuse me.
Sir, is something bothering you?
Chuh-sun's a bad judge of character.
Lord Jo might have misunderstood you.
How?
He could've taken it as a request for help to make you queen.
I see. I guess he could have.
- Search thoroughly. - Yes, ma'am.
Why are you searching my chambers?
Queen Insoo ordered me to search every room.
It won't take long.
Please excuse us.
- Let's go. - Yes, ma'am.
Where did you find these?
They were buried behind Royal Lady Yoon's chambers.
I'm off to see Queen Junghee.
So-hwa cursed the queen and paid Lady Bang to post the notices.
I can't believe that.
I called her in. You can question her yourself.
Your Highness, Royal Lady Yoon is here.
Let her in.
Your Highness, did you call for me?
Royal Lady Yoon. Do you know what these are?
I have no idea.
Really?
When we found them in your back yard?
How dare you use such things to curse the late queen...
and pay a court lady to frame your fellow concubines.
Your Highness.
I don't know who told you that, but I really know nothing.
I found your ring among Lady Bang's belongings.
You must torture her until she confesses.
Would I dare curse someone who cared for me like a sister?
I wouldn't do such a thing to frame Royal Lady Yoon.
Don't let false proof cloud your judgment.
Why you...
Lady Hong, take her away.
Your Highness! I'm innocent, Your Highness!
Your Highness!
Your Highness, I'm inno... !
Stop.
Your Highness, why... ?
Let go of her.
She's pregnant.
Are you sure?
Both mother and baby are fine.
And to think we nearly tortured you.
Royal Lady Yoon is pregnant?
Yes, I'm sure of it.
How strange.
She's three months pregnant. She must've known...
Why didn't she tell anyone?
Are you sure she knew of it?
I'm sure she did.
We should cover this up.
But we have proof against her.
Her baby must come first.
We can't have another miscarriage.
Chuh-sun.
Have you heard about Royal Lady Yoon's pregnancy?
What? She's pregnant?
Yes. But they say she kept it to herself.
I wonder why.
Park Jin-sung I can't believe she's pregnant.
I was hoping Royal Lady Um or Jung would become queen.
Han Myung-hwe Even if she has a son,
she won't become queen.
Pardon?
We can't accept a queen who has no father to back her.
Am I wrong?
You're right...
Now that she's pregnant,
Yoon Ho everyone will focus on her.
If she has a son, she'll become queen.
I became a concubine to support and help the king.
I still know my place.
Royal Lady Yoon is like a sister to me.
Don't worry.
OK, I won't.
Your Highness, Lord Jo is here.
I'm here to apologize for misunderstanding you.
There's nothing to apologize for.
I thought you brought it up because you wanted that position.
I only just realized you wanted to...
settle the issue before your pregnancy became known.
I don't want to become queen just because I'm pregnant.
A queen with no political powers won't do the king any good at all.
Then who do you want as queen?
I support Royal Lady Yoon Sook-hyun.
Doh Geum-pyo
What do you want?
Tie him up.
Yes, sir.
Why are you doing this?
- Arrest him. - Yes, sir.
Who told you to kill Lady Bang? Minister Han or Minister Park?
How can you be so sure it was me?
Her wound looked different.
Seemed it was made by a noble who trained as a bodyguard.
Only one could be so rough.
You, Han-soo.
Am I wrong?
No. I killed her.
What's wrong with that?
What?
You replaced a king.
What I did...
is nothing compared to what you did.
I cannot let you live.
I had my testes cut off. You can cut my head off too.
Just promise you'll look after my mother.
Kill me.
Stop!
What brings you here?
Let him live.
He committed a grave crime. He must be killed.
Chi-gyum!
So you'll kill your brother?
Brother? What do you mean?
Mr. Noh I'm going to adopt him.
You can't adopt Han-soo.
I made up my mind. Accept it.
He deceived the royals and even killed someone.
You replaced a king and killed dozens.
I did it to save the monarchy as well as our department.
Han-soo did it to save our family.
So it was you... who paid Lady Bang?
Yes. Han-soo just followed my orders.
Father, why? Why don't you trust me?
I used to trust you.
But you went against me and nearly ruined things for us.
I'm doing this to save us all.
Chi-gyum, you might be my eldest.
But I will decide who carries on the family name in the future.
Why didn't you tell anyone?
You almost got into serious trouble.
Do you trust me?
Of course. I will, even if everyone else goes against you.
Your Majesty...
Why didn't you return with the king?
I have a question to ask you.
You want to know why I kept it a secret?
Why did you?
Queen Insoo nearly threw you out.
Why do you want to give up on your love?
If the king can be loved by his people,
I don't care what happens to me or my life.
Your Highness...
Chuh-sun.
You must always be loyal.
That's a eunuch's duty.
But it is also my duty as a concubine.
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
The sky is so clear.
Just like that very day.
What day do you mean?
The day I first saw you.
I stayed up thinking about you for three straight nights.
I wish I could go back to those days.
You're the king of our nation.
Don't think of the past. Think of what you'll do in the future.
I will.
You must bear me an heir.
But look after yourself.
Don't forget you mean more to me than the baby.
So-hwa.
So-hwa! So-hwa.
What's wrong?
Your Majesty...
Are you OK?
Your Highness.
She's going into labor. She must go to the birthing room.
Take her to the birthing room.
I will.
Your Highness, you're nearly there.
Push.
Old shaman
The dreaded king will be born tonight.
We're doomed...
Why isn't there any news yet?
It's her first child, so it takes time.
This won't do. I have to be with her.
Not in this thunderstorm, Your Majesty.
But I'm going insane here.
I'll go, Your Majesty.
Yes, Chuh-sun. You go instead.
I will.
Your Highness. Hang in there. Your Highness!
Don't give up now.
Be strong, for the king and your baby.
Your Highness. Push one last time.
My love, please don't forget about me
Dear heavens, let my love come true
We swore we 'd be together for life
Though we first met so long ago
I still can't let go of you, my love
I can still hear you call me
I can't forget your touch, your breath
I yearn for you, but I'm helpless