Episode 22
Give the baby to Lady Hong.
Pardon? Why should I?
You don't deserve to look after him.
How could you say such a thing?
- 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.
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.
Court Lady Oh Royal Lady Yoon is innocent.
You have to believe her.
Darling...
It's over now.
Yoon So-hwa
Your Highness.
Why are you so cruel to me? Why?
She'll see the truth one day.
What?
Kim Chuh-sun What did you say?
She took the baby prince?
She thinks the rumors are true.
Moon So-woon She's upset.
What should we do?
Yang Sung-yoon The worst is over.
Queens Junghee & Insoo Good. How fortunate.
What caused the fever and convulsions?
I'm sorry to say the prince was poisoned.
What? Poisoned? How could that be?!
The red spots on his body and sores in his mouth are proof.
No way. Who would do such a thing?
Someone did it to harm him.
Do you have an idea who that may be?
It must be someone close to him.
What?
Then...
Your Highness, the king is here.
Let him in.
What do you mean, my son is ill?
The worst is over. Don't worry.
Why isn't he with his mother?
I brought him here to save him and your bloodline.
Pardon?
We burned the doll...
and told everyone to keep it a secret.
I wonder how Queen Insoo found out.
How is Royal Lady Yoon?
She misses her son, of course.
I thought things would change now that she has a son.
I wonder how she'll survive all this.
Chun-dong.
Why did you get castrated?
You said you'd become a castrator.
Why did you become a eunuch?
It was to keep a promise I made with Lord Jo.
I see.
I thought it was for me...
Never mind.
But now I'm worried for you even more.
Mother.
You're keeping a mother and her child apart over a rumor?
Your Majesty.
Your son nearly lost his life.
King Sungjong I don't think So-hwa would harm him.
Some people do much worse when overwhelmed by greed.
But she has no reason to do so.
She wants to become queen.
She did produce an heir,
but we still think she's responsible for the late queen's death and the notices.
I'm positive she harmed her son to become the next queen.
That's nonsense.
I believe her innocence.
So return her son right now.
She's doing all these things because you won't stop her.
- You're being rude. - Your Majesty!
If you want to put love before all else, then I suggest you give up the throne.
But if you want to be a sage king, you must throw Lady So-hwa out.
I won't do that.
It's for your son's sake.
You can have many more concubines, but having an heir is beyond control.
I trust Lady So-hwa, whatever you say.
Your Majesty!
Queen Insoo.
He insists, so let's give it some time.
Punish Royal Lady Yoon after you find proof against her.
Today is the day...
Jo Chi-gyum I teach you a lesson.
It won't be easy. Jung Han-soo
You can kill me if you want.
No one will punish you for it.
You stole my letter and gave it to Minister Han.
But I let you live because your life was always in my hands.
Even after you killed the court lady you had bought,
I made you a captain, not because of my father,
but because you had talents.
But instead of repenting, you spread rumors to harm the royals.
This is your last chance.
If you go against the rules and tarnish our reputation again,
I'll cut out your tongue and cut off your heels.
Remember that.
Doh Geum-pyo
Sir.
You must hurry back.
Are you sure he was poisoned?
Yes. The symptoms were clear.
I treated him, so he'll be fine.
How could someone poison a newborn?
That's why Queen Insoo suspects Royal Lady Yoon.
Do you think she did it?
I think someone poisoned the pine nut porridge.
That poison could have flowed through Royal Lady Yoon's body...
and tainted her breast milk.
What gave her a stomachache could be fatal to her baby.
The king will prove your innocence. Yoon Sook-hyun
He'll have to go out of his way to do so.
I'd rather leave the palace than cause him distress.
But I can't bring myself to leave my son.
Your Highness.
Beodeul The king is on his way here.
Mr. Gang.
Let's turn back.
The king will turn back.
Yes, sir.
Your Majesty. Why didn't you visit Royal Lady Yoon?
You are the king of this nation.
Proclaim her innocence and let her look after her son.
Chuh-sun. I'm afraid.
I'm afraid I'll be criticized for being weak.
I'm afraid of everyone's expectations.
I'm afraid of the ministers watching over me.
I'm afraid what my people will think of me.
I'm afraid of all the pressure I have to bear.
So you'll just watch while she gets thrown out?
I think he has turned back.
It's cold. You must go inside.
Your Highness.
Han Myung-hwe Will you make Royal Lady Um queen?
I haven't been able to think, due to the prince's condition.
If you don't appoint a queen, things might get worse.
You must throw Yoon So-hwa out and appoint a new queen as soon as possible.
Yes, I should.
I know where you stand, so please give me some time.
Why hasn't Queen Junghee made up her mind yet?
Don't fret. She will go with the flow.
You'll soon become our next queen.
So watch and wait.
Royal Lady Um You have my trust.
Where does Queen Junghee stand?
Minister Han will be trying to strike a deal with her.
Either your daughter or Royal Lady Um will become queen.
Yoon Ho What about Lady So-hwa?
Did she really plot to become queen?
Whether she did or was framed, she has to prove her innocence.
The prince's mother might lose her title...
Han Chi-geun
Mr. Han. How dare you pee on the wall.
Why are you... ?
Let's go.
Are you sure it's him?
Choi Ja-chi, Hong Gwi-nam We traced the rumors, like you said.
It led to him.
They do tend to cause trouble, but I didn't think they'd do this.
They're just pure evil.
Mr. Han. Why did you spread such terrible rumors?
What are you talking about? I know nothing about any rumor.
You wouldn't have done it alone. Who put you up to it?
Don't be ridiculous! Everyone knows Lady So-hwa...
did it to become queen.
Why are you blaming me?!
What?
How dare you say that.
Wretches like him need a beating.
Right. That'll convince him to talk.
Song Gae-nam Yeah. Beat some sense into him.
Stop it.
Lady So-hwa is the prince's mother.
Framing her is like threatening the prince's life.
And that's high treason.
The king is so worried, he can't focus on important business.
If word gets out that the concubines aren't getting along,
the king's authority will diminish.
Is that what you want?
Why are you untying him when he hasn't told us who's behind it?
I believe he still remembers the oath he took the day he became a eunuch.
It was Han-soo.
He told me to spread the rumors.
Is that true?
Don't tell him I told you.
I don't want to get on the bad side of Mr. Noh's son.
What is it, Chuh-sun? You want to talk to your uncle?
Mr. Jung.
Why are you doing this to Royal Lady Yoon?
What?
How dare you interrogate your uncle.
I'll get to the point.
Clear up your own mess.
Tell Queen Insoo that Lady So-hwa is innocent.
You're going out of your way...
to save the woman you love.
But whatever you do won't make a difference.
Stop insulting the royal family.
She is the king's wife now.
Take your anger out on me.
Don't get her involved.
Stop deceiving yourself.
You think I don't know you still love her?
If you refuse to come clean, I'll tell Lord Jo what I know.
It's useless. He can't punish me.
I did it for my family.
Mr. Noh...
wants Royal Lady Um to be queen.
Those against us will be eliminated.
You must accept this, as part of the family.
If you let your emotions...
get in the way of our plans, I will eliminate you in person.
Remember that.
Your Highness.
You haven't eaten all day. Have some porridge.
I'm going to see Queen Insoo.
Get ready.
Pardon?
He looks just like his father.
Your Highness, Lady So-hwa is here.
What?
Do you want me to send her away?
- No, let her in. - Let her in.
- Take the baby away. - OK.
- Take him away. - OK.
Royal Lady Yoon.
Didn't I tell you to stay in your chambers?
I'm here to confess my wrongdoings.
What? Confess your wrongdoings?
I don't care if you strip me of my title.
I don't care if you beat me.
Just let me stay in the palace.
Please...
let me stay close to my son.
How dare you.
You tried to harm the prince.
Yet you try to talk your way out?
What mother would harm her child...
for the sake of luxury and riches?
You should know that.
Be quiet!
Prove your innocence.
Or I'll throw you out.
Your Highness.
Why don't you believe me?
We're done. You may leave.
Your Highness...
I said go!
I was so distraught when she had her son.
I feel so much better now that she's about to leave.
We're not in the clear yet.
She produced an heir.
Royal Lady Jung Even if she does get thrown out,
she has no one to fight for her, so don't worry.
You're right.
I'd do anything to hold my child again.
He's so near, yet so far.
It's just like hell.
It's not too late, Your Highness.
Show Queen Insoo your ring.
The late queen gave it to me.
I can't go against my word.
So you'll part with your son forever?
I don't want to be separated from him.
I feel the urge to show this to Queen Insoo many times a day.
Why don't you?
As long as we're both alive, I'll be able to tell my son what happened.
But I can't tell the late queen why I disobeyed her.
How strange...
What are you staring at?
It's so strange.
What's wrong with you?
Mr. Choi Why won't it come out?
What do you mean?
Royal Lady Yoon had a son already.
But you're not showing any signs of giving birth.
Tanshil
Are you OK?
Water, water...
Here.
You and your nonsense.
I've heard of kids born premature, but never after being...
in the womb for a year.
It'll be born when it's ready.
I can't wait, that's all.
I'm going to ask the old shaman to recommend you as a wet nurse.
If you nurse the prince, we'll be guaranteed a title.
What an imagination.
It's not like just anyone can nurse a prince.
He looks a bit slow, but I guess he's not.
At last.
I'm so glad it's not stifling hot. That would've been torture.
Gosh.
Gaedochi
Oh no...
Where'd you drop the baby?
You didn't see a thing, OK?
He's lost his mind.
You did well in slandering Yoon So-hwa.
I'll see to it that the men you recommended receive titles.
Thank you so much.
Royal Lady Um must become queen.
Mr. Noh It wasn't hard to frame Lady So-hwa.
But what'll you do about Yoon Ho's daughter?
I'll get the ministers' support and you get the eunuchs'.
Shouldn't that be more than enough?
It should be.
I don't want Lord Jo to ruin it for us now.
Don't worry about him.
I'll give him a beating if I must.
You have my trust.
Who is this?
That's my grandson.
Say hello to Minister Han.
My name is Kim Chuh-sun.
You're Lord Jo's son.
I heard the king thinks highly of you. Do all you can to serve him well.
I will, sir.
Get up.
Goodbye.
What brings you here?
- I have something to ask you. - Go on.
What's with the hesitation?
Did you spread the rumors about Royal Lady Yoon?
Was it really you?
Yes.
Minister Han and I will make Royal Lady Um the next queen.
Our family could produce Head of Eunuchs...
throughout generations because we knew whom to side with,
and how to appease the royals.
As my eldest grandson, I hope you'll do what's right for our family.
Grandfather.
How can you, as a eunuch, become a minister's puppet?
What? What did you say?
I was told a eunuch must be able to die for his king.
Why are you going against that for the sake of luxury and riches?
How dare a fledgling eunuch talk back to me!
Where are your manners?!
I won't take part in your deceiving the king.
You fool!
I should've talked Chi-gyum out of adopting you.
You'll ruin us all...
for the sake of self-righteousness.
- Grandfather. - Get out of my face!
I don't want to see you again!
Mr. Kim.
Sulyoung If you dare try to ruin our plans,
Lady So-hwa and her son will pay for it.
What?
How are you feeling?
I recovered completely, thanks to the medicine you sent.
That's good to hear.
I called you in to read the face of a new concubine.
Old shaman
What do you think?
She will get along well with the king.
Is she queen material?
My powers have weakened, so I can't tell that much.
But the king will love her more than any of his wives.
What do you mean, your powers have weakened?
I think my time is up.
I'll leave the capital soon.
Leave? What a pity.
Where will you go?
I'll go to a temple and pray for you.
Wolhwa is a good shaman. She will take my place.
I see.
Wolhwa
I'll do all I can.
You'll really leave?
I revealed too many secrets and upset the gods.
I'll go to a temple and pray for forgiveness.
Are you Hong Bi?
Do you know what you must do?
Yes.
I'll serve Royal Lady Um and do whatever she tells me to.
Right.
But don't forget you work for me and Sulyoung.
Spy on Royal Ladies Um and Jung for us.
Trust me.
I'm Hong Bi.
You look just as bright as they said you do.
Thank you.
You'll get to serve a queen soon.
It's a great honor, Your Highness.
She'll run all your errands for you.
I'll get you transferred to my chambers, so pack your belongings.
I will.
What brings you all the way here?
Please prove Royal Lady Yoon's innocence.
Pardon?
I know what it feels like to part with a child.
I don't want her to go through it too.
I know how you feel.
But Queen Insoo can't be swayed unless there is proof.
This will prove her innocence.
The ring you found does not belong to her.
Why are you leaving this with me?
Queen Insoo might get the wrong idea if any one of us showed her the ring.
Only you can prove her innocence.
If I show Queen Insoo the ring, her name will be cleared.
But then Yoon Sook-hyun won't be able to become queen.
Yes.
Minister Han and I will make Royal Lady Um the next queen.
You said you'd become a castrator.
Why did you become a eunuch?
Chuh-sun.
Why are you so deep in thought?
How is Royal Lady Yoon?
Don't worry. It'll be over soon.
I gave Lord Jo proof of her innocence.
Proof? What do you mean?
It was my only option, so I went against her will.
Has she gone to bed?
She's reading a book.
Shall I announce you?
No. I'll come again later.
Father, it's me, Chuh-sun.
Come in.
I came here to ask you something.
Go on.
Should a eunuch do his duty or do what his family wishes?
Should pleasing his family come first?
What are you talking about?
Why didn't you show Queen Insoo the ring?
What?
Are you worried Royal Lady Um won't become queen?
Are you afraid word will get out that you sided with Minister Han?
Shut it!
You told me...
to do my duty as a eunuch and protect the king and the royals.
Why are you going against all that and disappointing me?
I'm sorry.
I forgot my place. I'm a mere eunuch.
I'll leave you.
Chuh-sun.
Take it. This will prove her innocence.
Get rid of it for the sake of our family, or use it to do your duty.
Father...
I may be disowned, but I don't want to disappoint you.
Hundreds of years may pass us by
But my love will never end
I just can't stop crying
If my love is getting in your way
What can I do to stop it all?
Do you know?
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
Chun-dong. Why did you get castrated?
Yes. Minister Han and I will make Royal Lady Um the next queen.
I may be disowned, but I don't want to disappoint you.
Your Highness, Mr. Kim is here.
What brings you here?
I'm here to prove to you...
that Royal Lady Yoon is innocent.
What? What did you say?
I met you a few times when my mother visited you.
I took the king to the marketplace and we got into trouble one day.
You hit the king with a switch that day,
but you very graciously forgave my mother and me.
You're very fair and just. That's why I believe I can speak freely.
If anything I say is a lie, you can behead me if you wish.
OK. Let's hear the truth.
Royal Lady Yoon prayed for the health of her baby all through her pregnancy.
Why would she poison her son?
Lady So-hwa...
feared the king would desert his duties.
That's why she refused to lie with him.
Why would she...
even think of plotting against the king?
The late queen...
greatly favored Royal Lady Yoon.
I don't think Lady So-hwa...
would curse the queen or frame the other concubines.
Mr. Kim.
Stop mentioning her virtues...
and show me proof that she's innocent.
Are you trying to repay her...
for what she did for you last time?
Of course not.
This is proof of her innocence.
What's this?
The ring that the late queen gave her.
On realizing that Lady Sook-hyun had lost her ring,
she decided to lie to you to help her save face.
What?
She lied and said she'd lost her ring.
But she lied...
to keep a promise she had made.
What promise?
Before passing away,
the queen asked her...
to help make Lady Sook-hyun queen.
Your Highness.
She lied to you...
so she could keep her word.
Would she curse the queen,
frame others, and hurt her own son?
Your Highness.
I know you are honest and just.
Please clear her name.
You swear that is the truth?
I'm not here to return her favor.
If Lady So-hwa is thrown out because of this,
the plotting and scheming won't stop.
Then the king will be challenged,
and his authority questioned.
I plead as a loyal servant and eunuch.
Do what you deem is right for the king.
Fine.
I will think about what to do with her.
You may leave.
I trust you'll make the right decision.
Father.
You did exactly what a eunuch should've done.
I apologize if I misunderstood you.
No, it was foolish of me.
Let's go.
Your Majesty, may we start the lecture?
Minister Han.
Who runs our nation?
I am king, but you and the ministers control everything.
I feel so useless.
We apologize.
You run our nation. We're just your humble subjects.
As long as you reign with wisdom, everyone will respect you.
You fight and slander each other, and offer bribes for positions.
My people can't see how hard I try.
Today's lecture is over.
Why did you lie and say you'd lost your jade ring?
I'll always be guilty, whatever excuse I come up with.
I'll accept any punishment you give me.
Take it.
Pardon?
It was from the late queen. Take it.
I won't hold you responsible for cursing the queen or posting notes.
You're also clear of charges that you poisoned your son.
Your name is cleared,
but that doesn't mean that your son...
will be safe from harm.
I'll look after him...
until a queen is appointed.
You can see him...
while accompanied by the court ladies.
I will obey your orders.
I'll keep my eye on you.
Don't do anything to be misunderstood.
I'm so glad you're in the clear now.
I couldn't sleep well at night, for fear that you'd be sent out.
Neither could I.
The mother of the heir shouldn't be thrown out.
Thank you all.
The king is so cold-hearted.
He never visited you once while all this was happening.
Is that true?
Don't say that. We all know how much the king loves her.
I'm sure he had a reason.
This looks expensive.
A very well-known potter made it.
Thank you.
Visit Royal Lady Um when you can.
She'll become our next queen.
Mrs. Jung I will.
I'm worried to see that you're not getting along with Lord Jo.
Don't worry. All will be well if he just does as I say.
Hello, father.
We were just talking about you.
I'd like to talk to my father. You can go home first.
I'll leave you to it then.
I heard Chuh-sun came to see you.
Yes. The fool's trying to ruin all we've accomplished.
Kick him out before it gets out of hand!
He wouldn't have upset you if you hadn't plotted to get your way.
What?
What are you talking about?
If you insist on going behind my back, I have no choice but to go against you.
You fool!
You want me to disown you?!
I'm Head of Eunuchs and protector of the royal family.
I don't want to go against you.
I'm sure you know what I mean.
Chi-gyum!
If you think of me as your father, you must make Royal Lady Um queen.
I'm glad you're here. We were discussing who should be queen.
We're going to decide between Lady Sook-hyun and Royal Lady Um.
What do you say?
Tell her what you think.
I want Lady So-hwa to be queen.
What?
I will make her my queen.
I heard you told Queen Insoo I was innocent.
I did what any eunuch would do to prevent turmoil.
I know why you did that.
Queen Insoo might never treat me with affection.
But at least I get to stay with my son.
You will become queen.
What?
You will...
become the next queen.
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
My love sways and wanders