Episode 21
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?
The dreaded king will be born tonight.
We're doomed...
Why isn't there any news yet?
Congratulations, Your Majesty. It's a boy.
What, a boy?
She really gave birth to a boy?
Both mother and child are well.
Congratulations, Your Majesty.
I'm a father. I have a son.
He looks just like his father.
1 4 7 6, 7 th year of Sungjong's reign
You're quite a handsome boy.
His bright eyes and cute nose look exactly like yours.
Right, Queen Insoo?
Queen Insoo He reminds me of King Sejo.
Yes.
Queen Junghee He's handsome.
He'll become a great king.
Do you have enough breast milk?
Yes, Your Highness.
He's the king's first son. Take good care of him.
I will.
King Sungjong You peed on my robe.
I should punish you severely.
I'll take him.
Lady Oh, bring a new blanket.
Sure.
Jo Chi-gyum, Chuh-sun's foster father
Chuh-sun.
All I can think about is the prince. Even when I try to read.
What if people make fun of me?
Kim Chuh-sun I hope they call you a doting father.
What?
Care for your people like you do your son.
Then I'm sure you'll be remembered as a great and sage king.
Yes. I'll be the people's father.
Thank you.
Congratulations. At least one of us has a child.
You should all give birth too.
We all want to.
The king hasn't visited us since you got pregnant.
What chance do we have?
The king is too busy learning the duties of a sovereign.
Anyway congratulations on getting one step closer to becoming queen.
Royal Ladies Yoon, Um, Jung When you do, don't forget about us.
You should congratulate her, not upset her with thorny comments.
You're still trying to brown-nose her. I can't stand this.
- What? - That's enough.
Yoon So-hwa Queen Junghee decides who'll be queen.
Don't make assumptions or rude remarks.
Are you going to sit and watch her become queen?
Of course not.
That's not why I became a concubine.
Do you have a plan to get rid of her?
Minister Han made us concubines for a reason, so let's wait.
I won't go down without a fight.
Royal Lady Yoon had a son. Aren't you worried at all?
Han Myung-hwe She won't become queen.
Trust me.
Park Jin-sung
You're going home?
Yes.
I hope you're not too tired.
How can I be when I'm serving the king?
Work harder than everyone else and make people think you deserve to be here.
I will.
Father.
Everyone is celebrating. Why do you look so worried?
He was born of a concubine who won't become queen.
That spells trouble.
- Pardon? - Chuh-sun.
Think before you act when you do your duty.
Welcome home.
Mrs. Jung Your brother is waiting for you.
How have you been?
Where've you been for the past month?
Jung Han-soo Father gave me a job.
I went to check our land and farms.
What about work?
I'm back for good. I'll do whatever job you give me.
Oh, I heard Royal Lady Yoon had a son.
What use is that anyway?
She can't become queen.
Am I wrong?
What?
People will condemn her and her son if they hear she was Chuh-sun's lover.
Shut up!
Don't you dare say such nonsense again.
I came by to say hello. I should go now.
You're leaving already? Why don't you stay for a while?
I'd love to, but Chi-gyum looks tired.
Then come by again soon.
I will.
Do you know what I envy most about my brother?
Doh Geum-pyo
You.
I wish I had such a faithful dog too.
Royal Lady Yoon, I'm proud of you.
I know you had a son,
but you can't be queen.
Don't get me wrong.
It's for the king's good. It's not because you don't deserve it.
I know what you mean.
A woman with no family to support the king shouldn't become queen.
I understand and I accept your decision.
Good. But I'll promise you this.
If the next queen has no son, your son will succeed his father.
What if you have to grow up without me?
Court Lady Oh Why are you saying such a thing?
It's nothing.
The worst you can do to a child is separate it from its mother.
That's even worse than hell itself.
Watch what you say. It might become reality.
Your Highness, Mr. Kim is here.
Let him in.
The king got his physician to make you this medicine.
I just can't thank him enough.
I'll take the baby.
Your mother needs to take her medicine.
May I hold your son?
Yes, of course.
His people will prosper under his reign.
You can read faces?
My mother's a well-known shaman.
What reign, he's a concubine's son.
I just wish he grows up safe and sound.
Don't worry, Your Highness. I will protect him.
OK. I'll put my trust in you.
The governors offered you more land.
This is a list of people who want to become officials.
OK. Good job.
Mr. Noh What do you think of our land?
The paddyfields were rich and the horses were very impressive.
I saw just how rich we are.
It made me feel so proud.
I'll do all I can to preserve what my ancestors accumulated.
Good. That's why I adopted you.
Give this... and these to Minister Han.
I will.
We need Minister Han's help to overthrow Lord Jo.
But he'll become powerless...
if either of the Royal Lady Yoons becomes the next queen.
Sulyoung So Royal Lady Um has to become queen.
Do you have a plan?
We have to kill the two Yoons.
You want to send assassins?
Sometimes rumors work better than a sword.
November 7 th, midnight
That's the prince's birthdate and time.
Beodeul, did you see anyone?
Beodeul No. The fog was too thick.
You must tell Queens Junghee and Insoo.
We must find out who did such a thing.
No. Burn it.
Why... ? Why do you want to burn the proof?
Queen Insoo still thinks...
I cursed Queen Gonghye to replace her.
Reporting this will just make things worse.
But...
Do as I say.
Beodeul, don't tell anyone about this, OK?
I won't, Your Highness.
Your Majesty. Congratulations on the birth of the prince.
Thank you.
To celebrate the occasion, I'll cut taxes and grant a pardon.
Calculate how much tax to cut and decide who should be pardoned.
We can't do that.
What?
What do you mean, you can't do that?
The prince's birth is a great event, but he is not a queen's son.
No one has ever cut taxes...
and granted pardons...
over a concubine's son.
This will weaken your authority.
Please take back your order.
Yoo Ja-gwang, Yoon Ho
Minister Han.
Why did you dampen the mood?
Have you forgotten that...
we make all the important decisions?
How dare you complain!
Get out of our way.
Let's go.
He can't do this.
He can't stop me from celebrating.
The ministers are treating me like a child who knows nothing.
King Sejo left a will saying the three ministers decide all affairs.
So I don't have a say even when I take over from you?
I really don't have a say?
It's all my fault.
What should I do?
What, curse?
Curse who?
I'm sorry to say...
the prince's birthday was written on it.
How dare... !
And when the king isn't on good terms with the ministers?
Choi Ja-chi
The ministers are waiting for you at the lecture pavilion.
Let them wait.
I'm just a puppet.
Why should I learn from them?
You must be strong. Stick to the rules and be calm.
Don't lecture me!
Your Majesty.
Your Majesty!
Where is the king? Shin Sook-joo
He says he is too ill to attend the lecture.
We'll wait here. Bring the king over.
But...
Come on.
How dare a eunuch disobey a minister.
If the king doesn't show up, they'll say he's not yet fit to reign.
Where the heck is he?
I'm a useless king who can't even celebrate my first child's birth.
I doubt I'll even be able to stay on the throne.
Do you know where Gyeongbok Palace got its name?
Why are you asking me that?
I heard about it recently.
King Taejo told Jung Doh-jeon to name the palace.
Jung Doh-jeon picked the letters ''gyeong'' and ''bok'' from a poem.
''Gi chwi e joo, gi po e duk. Goon ja man nyun, gae e gyeong bok. ''
''I have enough food and drink,
so good fortune will be with us all. ''
Like you just said, this palace is blessed with good fortune.
I wish you do enough good deeds to record on every roof tile there is.
So that all the future kings praise your virtues and achievements.
You're under regency and the ministers anger you now.
But I'm sure that one day, you will become a great king.
I'm sure you'll be respected by all.
Politics exist so you can care for your people.
It's not about quarreling with ministers.
Do you think I can be a good king?
Believe in yourself. I believe in you.
Thank you. You opened my eyes up today.
Your Majesty, the ministers are at the lecture pavilion.
Alright.
Let's go.
I don't think the king will come.
He's not ready to take over from Queen Junghee.
Why don't we all go home?
The king is entering.
I'd like to learn how a young king can survive amidst powerful ministers.
I will work hard to become a sage king.
But before that, I'll make you my queen.
I thank you for loving me so much.
But I really don't want to be queen.
Don't say that.
You said I can become a respected king.
I believe you can become a much-loved queen.
What brings you here?
These people want to become officials.
Do I look like the kind of person who sells official titles?
Of course not.
They just want to be in your favor.
Won't it pay to know who you can trust in the future?
Whose side are YOU on? Lord Jo's or mine?
You're Lord Jo's brother now.
Eunuchs are loyal to their fathers, not to their brothers.
I don't trust you.
Will you trust me if I make Royal Lady Um the queen?
Mr. Jung is the new Captain of Investigations.
Thank you for giving me such an important job.
I promise I won't let anyone down.
Why did he appoint Han-soo? Hong Gwi-nam
Choi Ja-chi, Moon So-woon Mr. Noh forced him to.
He'll be so proud. He'll be unbearable now.
Song Gae-nam Is he Chuh-sun's uncle now?
That's nonsense.
They're not related.
I came to tell you I'm now Captain of Investigations.
Can you manage under Lord Jo's watchful eye?
He was my superior back then.
But now I'm Mr. Noh's son, his brother.
And I know everything that goes on.
I'll be your eyes and ears from now on.
Have you heard what happened last night?
About the curse on the baby prince?
Do you know who did it?
I looked into it, but I couldn't find anyone who would do such a thing.
You mean it was a ghost?
It couldn't have been.
I can hazard a guess...
Go on.
I think...
Royal Lady Yoon did it herself.
What? She cursed her own son?
Yes, Your Highness.
Why would she do that?
She did give birth to a son.
But you still think she's responsible...
for cursing the queen and the notices.
She's afraid she won't be made queen.
She's trying to frame the other concubines.
Mr. Jung.
Look into this and uncover the truth.
Is there something you have to say?
Han Chi-geun
Forgive us, for old times' sake.
Forgive us.
Such things happen.
So you'll forgive us?
I'll think about it if you do as I say.
Shim Gi-soo We won't ever turn against you again.
How is my daughter?
She's well. So is her son.
She bore the king a son. I'm so proud of her.
She must be so lonely in the palace.
Mrs. Shin I'm so poor...
There's nothing I can do for her.
She's a strong person. She'll be fine.
Don't worry.
Please look after my daughter.
I will.
Mother.
Gi-hyun. You've been drinking all day?
Yoon Gi-hyun I drank to celebrate.
My friends congratulated me on my nephew's birth.
I'll be the queen's brother soon.
What, queen? How dare you say that.
My sister gave birth to the heir. Of course she'll become queen.
My whole life is about to change.
I'll be made a court official and provide for you.
The baby prince cries so loudly,
Queens Junghee and Insoo say he reminds them of King Sejo.
Old shaman I bet.
He's destined to turn Josun upside down.
Pardon?
Oh, it's nothing.
Don't worry about the curses. It won't harm the prince.
I'm glad you said that.
Here, have some.
I'm not hungry. Tanshil
Mr. Choi You didn't have breakfast.
You have to eat, for the baby's sake.
I cooked this chicken with ginseng and jujube.
Have a bite, for me.
Here, say ''ah. ''
Not ''oh. '' ''Ah. '' Wider.
That's it.
Well?
The meat is so tender.
You have some too.
I'm OK as long as you eat.
Another bite.
Salt.
Father!
Goodness.
Are you serving a queen?!
She has hands to feed herself!
Don't shout, Beodeul.
You'll scare your mother. Are you OK?
My heart is pounding.
Calm down, baby.
My goodness. I can't bear it any longer!
Beodeul! Beodeul!
Wait here.
Beodeul.
I can't believe a girl who moved out wants to boss me around.
What a joke.
Beodeul. Beodeul.
Please look at me. Please?
No.
I don't want a father who doesn't care for his daughter.
You know how bad I'll feel if you just leave in this manner.
Smile for me.
Whatever!
I won't come back again unless you get rid of that woman.
What? How can you say such a thing?
Beodeul...
Let's go, Beodeul.
Yes, ma'am.
Mark my words. Gosh.
I can't side with either my wife or my daughter.
Why are you opposing everything the king wants?
I'm not. I'm just doing what King Sejo told me to.
I know that.
But the king will take over from me soon.
I need you to support him.
Then will you do me a favor?
What's that?
I want...
Royal Lady Um to become queen.
What?
If you appoint her as queen, I'll announce my allegiance to the king.
Your Highness, Mr. Jung is here.
Minister Han told me all about you.
He says you'll replace Lord Jo one day.
Now I see why he said so.
Thank you.
If I become queen, I'll make you Head of Eunuchs.
That's why I'm here to see you.
Of course.
Minister Han is backing me and Mr. Noh is backing you.
There's nothing we can't do.
I'd like you to meet someone.
You're Mr. Noh's foster daughter?
Yes. I'm Sulyoung.
She'll be our contact, to avoid suspicion.
I should throw you out.
Your Highness, why... ?
She's beautiful.
The minute the king sees you,
he'll fall for you and make you queen.
Don't worry. I know my place.
I feel like I have all the help I need.
I'll serve you the best I can.
What do you think? You think she'll become queen?
Who cares who becomes queen?
I just want a royal to stay close to.
I need to know my way around. I'll see you later.
Are you alright?
I'm fine.
I'm done. Don't let it fester.
I have a question for you.
Why are you so loyal to Lord Jo?
You think anyone will reward your loyalty?
He'll throw you out when he's done with you.
Even if he does, I'll stay with him till the end.
Goodbye.
Don't trust him too much.
He replaced a king once.
Don't insult him.
I won't forgive you, whatever Mr. Noh says.
Drops of water can break a stone.
We'll see how long you last.
Minister Han says he'll support the king if Royal Lady Um becomes queen.
What do you think?
Royal Lady Um is on his side.
Her family will do his bidding, so nothing will change.
What can I do? The king needs their support.
How frustrating.
Your Highness.
If the king doesn't make a stand now,
all will be lost and the ministers will overpower him for good.
The only way out is for him to protect his authority.
What should I do?
What happened?
It's a small cut. Don't worry.
A small leak can sink a great ship. Don't ever let your guard down.
I won't, sir.
You know what to do?
Hong Bi Yes, miss. Trust me.
- Gabi, are you there? - Yes.
You called for me?
Is the pine nut porridge ready?
I just heated it.
Hello.
I brought you some pine nut porridge.
You must eat well to recover from childbirth.
Thank you so much. Please join me.
I'm fine. Eat it before it gets cold.
It feels like my appetite has returned.
I'm glad you enjoyed the porridge.
What's wrong?
Are you alright?
I'm fi...
Yang Sung-yoon
It seems the food didn't agree with you.
You'll be fine after some rest.
Can I still breastfeed?
You can, since the food wasn't rotten.
Give her this twice a day on an empty stomach.
I will.
I shall leave you then.
It's all my fault. I'm so sorry.
It's not your fault. I'm just too weak.
I nearly panicked. All these bad things happening...
Lady Oh. Don't tell anyone about this.
I won't.
You too. Make sure your maids don't spread word.
I will.
What happened to her?
Stomachache caused by pine nut porridge.
Pine nut porridge?
She'll be fine, so don't worry.
Did someone try to poison her?
You fool.
Don't you know that not being able to trust anyone is the worst poison?
What, she did it herself?
How could she?
Hey, have you heard?
She did it herself.
To her own son.
Is it true?
Why would she?
What? Are you sure?
I am. That's all e... everyone's talking about.
Oh no... Where's Chuh-sun at a time like this?
How are you, mother?
Wolhwa
Ever since she had her son,
people have been plotting against her to cause trouble.
Every family needs a wife to keep things in order.
A royal family should be no different.
Please pray for Royal Lady Yoon and the prince.
Is it her request?
No. It's mine.
OK then. I'll pray with all my heart.
Thank you. I should get going now.
Chun-dong.
You've lost weight.
I know it's hard work, but don't skip your meals.
I won't.
Hello, Chun-dong.
What brings you here?
I came by for a drink. Gaedochi
I have to hurry back.
See you soon.
What's this?
You came by for a drink.
Right.
Get going then.
Here.
I bought them for you.
They're too pretty for a shaman.
Wear them when you go to the palace!
Bye.
What's going on?
Have you heard?
Heard what?
The rumor that...
Royal Lady Yoon cursed her son to become queen.
What?
They say the porridge stomachache was a sh... show to frame Yoon Sook-hyun.
No way.
We know it can't be true, but others might think it is.
Queen Insoo suspects she cursed the queen and put up those notices.
Someone must be trying to incriminate her.
Who would do s... such a thing?
All these rumors will harm her reputation.
We have to find out who spread the rumor and clear her name.
How, when everyone's ta... talking about it?
We just have to ask who they heard it from.
That's not a bad idea.
I need your help.
It's ultimately for the king. Of course we'll help.
He's right. We're on Royal Lady Yoon's side.
Thank you.
What's wrong, darling?
I'll take him.
Are you alright?
He has a fever. I'll call Dr. Yang.
Are you sure she did it?
Dr. Yang says nothing was wrong with the porridge she ate.
She even burned the doll to avoid suspicion.
How...
How could she do such a thing?
If you don't punish her now,
it might ruin the royal family's reputation.
Make up your mind.
Why are you looking at me... ?
What is this about?
I made you Captain of Investigations.
How dare you spread rumors to alienate the concubines!
What do you mean?
A good beating helps tame animals.
I guess that's what you need, bro.
Darling, what's wrong? Look at me. Darling...
He is burning up.
Where is Dr. Yang?
I'll send word again.
What's going on?
The baby has a fever. I have to call for Dr. Yang.
Give the baby to Lady Hong.
Pardon? Why should I?
You don't deserve to be a mother.
Hand the baby over.
What? What do you mean?
You don't deserve to look after him!
How could you say such a thing?
You used your son to plot to become queen.
I can't leave him with you.
There must be a misunderstanding.
- Lady Hong, take the baby. - Yes, Your Highness.
No, you can't do this! Don't do this!
You can't take my son from me.
He's just a baby.
Give him back. Please give him back to me.
You asked for it.
Your greed is what caused this. You should be repenting.
This is unfair.
I'll look after him until you're proven innocent.
And you're forbidden from leaving your chambers.
Royal Lady Yoon is innocent.
You have to believe her.
You let her cloud your judgement? Step aside right now.
Darling...
It's over now.
Your Highness.
Why are you so cruel to me? Why?
I guess I can't have anything at all
I bet all I had, yet I'm still alone
Perhaps I have to wait even longer
Or perhaps we just weren't meant to be
I fear life even more than death
I can't run away, I can't even hide
I pray at night, alone under the moon
I wish it could all end right now