Episode 50
Are you sure it's Mrs. Yoon's writing?
Yes, it is. She wrote it and gave it to Royal Lady Um.
I heard you're the best.
I can copy the handwriting of all the famous calligraphers.
No one can tell the difference. It'll make a nice screen.
I don't want anyone famous.
I want a copy of this writing.
Isn't this a woman's handwriting?
Can you do it?
I'll do it.
It's natural for the king's eldest son to be appointed crown prince.
I need your help.
Your sister doesn't have much support.
The ministers deposed her.
They're afraid she'll take revenge.
What did you just say?
If you'll push for the crown prince appointment,
I'll make it up to you, as the crown prince's uncle.
Mrs. Yoon's brother is going around asking for the ministers' support.
He has no influence whatsoever.
What does he think he can do?
He might even kill off his own sister.
You must get rid of her.
Don't mess up like last time.
Trust me.
How've you been?
Have a drink.
If he's made crown prince, then my sister's name will be cleared.
Then the fools who deposed her will have to pay.
They should.
You're all influential scholars. I need your help.
I'll get the prince to reward you well.
Don't worry.
We'll sign a petition...
requesting that he be appointed.
Thanks. You are truly my best friends.
Here, let's drink some more.
I had a great time.
You go ahead.
- See you. - Goodbye.
Here, take this.
What is it?
It's a check.
A check?
I heard my father took part in deposing your sister.
Please get the prince to forgive him.
What are friends for? I'll do that.
Thanks. Have a safe trip home.
- See you around. - Sure.
Are you Mr. Yoon?
Yes.
Who are you?
Prince Yoong asked for you.
Why would he ask for me?
I'm just here to escort you.
Hey.
Where are we? Where does the prince live?
Hey.
Hey!
Why is an outsider here at this hour?
I'm the prince's uncle.
He called for me. Take me to see him.
You lost your title the day your sister got deposed.
Wh... what?
Arrest him.
Yes, sir!
Let go of me. Let go.
Let go!
He had this on him.
Mrs. Yoon's brother trespassed into the palace?
We found him sneaking toward the prince's chambers.
He had this on him.
It's a letter from Mrs. Yoon.
What?
Yoong.
Life has been like hell ever since I got thrown out.
The only reason I'm tolerating this...
is because I'm positive that you'll avenge me.
Words aren't enough to explain how badly Queen Insoo...
and Royal Ladies Um and Jung treated me.
If Queen Junghyun has a son, it will threaten your future.
I will get rid of anyone that may get in your way.
You are the rightful crown prince.
If you succeed your father,
please don't be as narrow-minded as he is.
Kill all those who deposed me and avenge your poor mother.
How dare she... !
What is this?
A letter that Mrs. Yoon sent to the prince.
It's more like a hit list.
What?
What do you mean, hit list?
Mrs. Yoon told Yoong to get rid of me, Queen Junghyun...
and the concubines, and ministers who deposed her.
That can't be. Something must be wrong.
If that's for real, it's very shocking.
A mother planting the seed of revenge.
This is unforgivable.
We don't know if she really wrote this.
Your Majesty.
Her brother got caught delivering it.
And I'm sure it's her handwriting.
Why are you still defending her?
I hate to think what would've happened if the prince had read it.
The contents are shocking. Let's check if it is her handwriting.
Please go ahead.
But if it is her handwriting,
then we must do something about her.
Keep this between us until we have it investigated.
Mrs. Yoon wrote to the prince.
If she really did, then this is a big problem.
Well done, Mr. Jung.
But they won't kill her over a letter.
Don't worry.
She's fallen into my trap and there's no way out.
That's how it should be.
I won't let you down this time.
It's poisoned.
You must not take this medicine.
What?
What's in her medicine?
It's arsenic.
What, arsenic?
If the queen had taken this,
the baby would've died, as well as the queen herself.
How dare someone put arsenic in her medicine.
Lord Jo, arrest those who brewed her medicine.
I'll get to the bottom of this.
Arsenic was in her medicine?
Luckily, she didn't drink it, so she's fine.
But...
I think someone put it in...
to frame someone else.
What do you mean?
If someone wanted to harm the queen,
they'd have added an untraceable poison.
I have a feeling something bad is going to happen.
I thought things were calming down. Another attempt on the king's child...
I feel terrible.
The guards are interrogating those who brewed her medicine.
They'll soon find out who did it.
I'm glad the queen and her baby are fine.
Your Majesty, don't you see who did this?
Mrs. Yoon wrote a letter that would've upset the prince,
and the queen was nearly poisoned.
But we have no proof that it was Mrs. Yoon.
What if it turns out to be her?
If it is her behind all this, then she must be killed.
Mother.
Can you promise me that?
Mr. Gang, summon Mr. Kim.
I will.
I'm going on a secret outing.
Chuh-sun, it's late.
Why are you here?
Your Majesty.
How have you been?
I'm doing fine.
I came by to see how you were doing.
Don't rebuke me about this outing.
Would I ever rebuke you?
It's cold. Let's go inside.
The human mind is funny.
What do you mean?
I used to get worried whenever you went on an outing.
But tonight, I'm so happy to see you.
I guess you learned a lesson.
Congratulations on the queen's pregnancy.
But if she has a son, you'll never be reinstated.
I gave up all hope on that the day I left the palace.
I heard you're happy and Yoong respects Queen Junghyun.
I wouldn't dare think of getting reinstated.
I will pray that Queen Junghyun...
bears you a son and that you prosper greatly.
Do you still resent me?
I chose to be deposed. Why would I resent you?
I'm just worried for Yoong's future.
As long as he's well and succeeds you,
then I don't care what I eat, wear, or where I stay.
Don't worry, I'll protect Yoong.
You have my trust.
I'll visit you again.
This one visit is more than enough.
If the ministers...
hear you came by, Yoong might get into trouble.
I'll get Chuh-sun to check on you.
Take care.
Are you in touch with the prince?
I wouldn't want to remind him of me.
I won't ever contact him in the future either. Don't worry.
Alright. Good night, then.
Chuh-sun took the king to see Mrs. Yoon?
If Queen Insoo or the ministers find out, things will get worse.
And Mr. Kim will get in trouble.
You must do something.
Mr. Yoon was arrested?
I heard he was carrying...
a letter that Mrs. Yoon wrote to the prince.
What?
Something's wrong.
Arsenic was found in the queen's poison, and Mr. Yoon got arrested.
I don't see why...
the king's heir can't be crown prince.
This is worse than...
walking on thin ice.
- Hey... - Stop...
- What's this? - What is this?
- What's going on? - Step back.
Mr. Jung.
What's going on? Let go of me!
I'm arresting you on Lord Jo's order.
What?
- Take him. - Yes, sir.
- Chuh-sun. - Chuh-sun.
- Chuh-sun!
Why did you arrest me?
Stay here until Mrs. Yoon's fate is sealed.
I can't do that.
The queen was nearly poisoned and Mr. Yoon's been arrested.
Someone is trying to frame Mrs. Yoon.
I can't stay here.
Nothing you can do will save her now.
So...
do as I say.
You know full well that she's innocent!
That verdict...
is for the king to make.
Is this what you call loyalty?!
Deposing an innocent queen...
and threatening her...
is not loyalty at all!
Father!
Let me out!
Father!!
Are you in touch with the prince?
I wouldn't want to remind him of me.
I won't ever contact him in the future either. Don't worry.
Your Majesty, you may question Mr. Yoon now.
I don't know why I'm here. Please prove my innocence.
Did your sister make you deliver this letter?
What letter?
That's a check a friend gave me to spend as I saw fit.
Did you say it's a check?
Yes.
Minister Park's son gave it to me.
His testimony should help clear my name.
Did you give this letter to Mr. Yoon?
No, I did not.
Duk-hoo.
You gave it to me so that I'd put in a good word for your father!
What nonsense!
He went around saying his sister would get reinstated.
And when she did, that he'd kill everyone who deposed her.
He threatened us...
to pay up or die, so I paid him.
You jerk!
How dare you lie!
He's telling a lie!
Is that the truth?
I swear on my family.
Your son helped us greatly tonight.
I'll do anything if it'll help his career.
He helped get rid of a big threat. I'll make it up to him.
Thank you, minister.
Tell us what you think of the writing.
The letter was written...
by the person who wrote the book.
Do you swear your life on that?
We checked every single stroke.
The same person wrote both.
Couldn't it be an elaborate copy?
Everyone's handwriting is different, just like fingerprints.
This is too similar to be called a copy, Your Majesty.
The truth is out. Make up your mind, Your Majesty.
Did you poison the queen's medicine and fake Mrs. Yoon's letter?
You should know the answer to that.
What?
If you want Mrs. Yoon to live, you won't believe my denial.
And if you want her to die to save us and the prince,
you'll think it wasn't my doing.
Are you playing a game here?
My life is already in your hands. What you do is out of my control.
You insist on refusing to discuss this issue?
The queen was nearly poisoned,
and Mrs. Yoon wrote a letter that the prince nearly read.
Why won't you punish her?
Like we said,
we will not appoint a crown prince until you make Mrs. Yoon pay.
Persuade the ministers to help Mrs. Yoon.
She poisoned your medicine. It's an unforgivable crime.
But there's no proof that she did it.
You know what she's like.
Why are you defending her?
She helped me when Queen Insoo asked about a ring I'd lost.
She wouldn't harm me.
But things have changed. She'll do anything to save herself.
You must be careful.
Your Highness, Queen Insoo has summoned you.
This crown prince issue seems to be heating things up again.
Those who are hoping Mrs. Yoon will be reinstated must be warned.
I'm warning you all.
Whatever happens, Mrs. Yoon will never be reinstated.
And...
if something terrible happens to the queen or her baby,
or if the prince is harmed,
every single one of you will be thrown out of the palace.
We had nothing to do with this.
Why do you blame us when we helped depose Mrs. Yoon?
I'm not blaming you. I want you to protect the queen and Prince Yoong.
A concubine who can't do that has no reason to stay in the palace.
This is my final warning.
We understand.
Then you're excused.
I know she just wants to look out for me and the prince,
but I feel uncomfortable about her cornering Mrs. Yoon.
You must be strong.
They found arsenic in Mrs. Yoon's chambers.
You must stop defending her all the time.
Yoong, where are you going?
I'm going to study.
All that studying is tiring you out.
Why don't we play a game together?
Time is worth more than anything.
I must study whenever I can.
You have to be healthy to do that.
Moving around will help you ward off illnesses.
Alright then, I'll join you.
Alright.
Your Majesty, Lord Jo is here.
Let him in.
I called you to ask what you think I should do with Mrs. Yoon.
You can be honest.
You're the ruler of this nation and you're greatly reputable.
Why do you ask me when you'll have already made up your mind?
I'm afraid.
I'm not afraid of my mother.
Neither am I afraid of the ministers or what the people will say.
I'm afraid of So-hwa.
I'm afraid of what she'll think of me. Of the tears she'll shed.
Do you trust her?
I asked you if you trust her.
I do, even if the proof is against her.
Actually, I want to trust her, my only love.
If you trust her, then she'll accept your decision,
whatever you decide to do.
That's all I think I have to say.
The king has a warm heart. I'm sure he'll protect you.
I wish he'd at least give her a title.
What good is a title to a deposed and disgraced queen?
But you gave birth to the king's heir.
We must never get in the prince's way.
Why hasn't Gi-hyun been around?
He's upset.
I'm sure he's drinking again.
Is anyone in?
What brings you here?
The king has summoned Mrs. Yoon.
To give her a title?
She has to come with us.
We brought her a wig and clothes.
So-hwa, the king has summoned you.
You were here too?
Has the king forgiven her?
He hasn't bestowed a title, so I'm not sure yet.
I wish she could return and be with her son.
She doesn't miss the luxury, but she misses her son.
You missed again. Another penalty.
It went in.
Oh dear.
Another penalty, Your Highness.
You have to hold it behind the feathers.
Alright, mother.
It went in.
- Well done. - Mother, it went in.
Well done.
Thank you for helping me.
Your hands are so cold.
I'll be good to my baby sibling.
You're very kind. You'll be a good brother.
I'm so proud of you.
Come to my chambers and have some juice.
Alright, mother.
Yoong. You've grown so much.
I can't thank the king enough for letting me in.
He said you can see Prince Yoong.
If you wait, I'll bring him over.
It's alright.
I saw how well he's doing, so that's enough.
I should go.
I must get out of here. Let me out.
Your father arrested you for your sake.
He'll let you out when it's all over.
Mrs. Yoon will get into trouble if I don't help her.
What if the king wants her dead? You think you can save her?
Please, Dr. Yang. Let me out and I'll take care of it.
Let Chuh-sun out.
It's for his own good.
His trying to save Mrs. Yoon might just scar him forever.
If it does, it's up to him to bear it.
He'll manage. He's stronger than you are.
The king said he's afraid.
Not of the ministers or his people, but of Mrs. Yoon's tears.
I think I can understand him.
You never feared anything. Has something changed?
Yes.
I'm afraid my foster son will lose all trust in me.
Why haven't you decided what to do with Mrs. Yoon yet?
She is my wife, your daughter-in-law, and the mother of my son.
How could I make up my mind just like that?
Your Majesty.
You're delaying Yoong's crown prince appointment.
What if the queen bears you a son?
The ministers will all...
want him to become crown prince instead.
Why do you favor Yoong when you hated his mother?
Why do you think so badly of me?
I didn't depose Mrs. Yoon or favor Yoong because I want to.
I just believe the king's eldest should succeed to the throne.
Ever since King Taejo founded our nation,
nine kings came to power including you.
Three were their fathers' eldest sons,
but none of them stayed in power for more than a year.
I want to change that by making Yoong succeed you.
Do you want to put Mrs. Yoon before a greater good for your nation?
You care more for her than your nation's future?
Make up your mind.
Chuh-sun.
Do you know why Lord Jo imprisoned you?
It was to protect me. But that's not what I wanted.
Then do you know why he's releasing you?
If you lose trust in him, he will lose trust in you too.
Remember that.
I will.
They poisoned the queen's medicine and forged the letter to frame her.
You mustn't let them sway you.
Believe me, Your Majesty.
She's your wife, and the mother of your son.
Don't give in to Queen Insoo or the ministers.
Disregard Lord Jo's advice if you must.
Chuh-sun... I've made up my mind.
Ever since I came to power,
I'd always let my elders, the ministers, even Lord Jo influence me.
But I thought long and hard and made this decision myself.
I hope you'll accept it.
As her love, I believe in her and her innocence, so I want to protect her.
Thank you, Your Majesty.
But as king, I must do it differently.
I'll strengthen my reign by demanding that she kill herself.
Your Majesty.
No way.
Chuh-sun.
It hurts me too.
But...
please obey your king.
I can't do that.
Chuh-sun, what brings you here?
We must talk now.
You want to elope with me?
Please just do as I say.
Chuh-sun...
Chuh-sun.
Did the king demand that I kill myself?
He's made up his mind. He'll give the order tomorrow.
No, that can't be.
He loved me so much. He wouldn't do that.
We have no time. We must leave tonight.
Even if I run away, how will I make a living?
I'll look after you.
I'll do anything to support you.
We must go.
No, I can't do that.
You'll be killed if you don't leave.
You think I don't want to live?
I'm afraid of dying, and I'm afraid I'll never...
see Yoong again.
But I won't run away and let him suffer for me.
The king did what's best for Yoong too.
I will accept the king's order.
Then how am I supposed to survive?
You'll do as your beloved king says,
but how am I supposed to live without you?
Chuh-sun, you... ?
Yes.
I...
love you.
I've always loved you from the minute I laid my eyes on you.
But I kept it inside. I never ever told anyone.
When you became a concubine,
I missed you so much, I castrated myself to become a eunuch.
Seeing you spend time with the king hurt me more than anything could.
But I could bear it because I could see you every day.
People ridiculed and insulted me,
but I didn't care because I could serve you.
Queen Insoo's torment...
was bearable if it was to protect you.
Don't you see how I feel?
I see.
So that's how you felt.
I'm sorry.
I never knew that.
I'm glad I found out now.
Now that you know, please leave with me.
I can't do that.
You castrated yourself for me.
I can't do something that'll kill you.
Here.
A token of my thanks for giving everything up for me.
Forgive me. But I promise, I will protect our son.
Our nation will prosper when he comes to the throne.
Your death won't be in vain.
The king signed the order demanding that she kill herself.
I know her crimes were great,
but still, she used to be our queen.
I don't like this idea.
You must be strong.
The king is putting the nation first.
Your Highness, Queen Junghyun is here.
Let her in.
Your Highness.
Please make the king take his order back.
Why are you doing this?
Think of Prince Yoong.
You can't kill his mother when a chance to see her is all he lives for.
I'd rather you reinstate Mrs. Yoon.
Please accept my request.
Don't you see the king is doing this for Yoong's sake?
Return to your chambers.
Your Highness...
Carry out my order.
But I don't know what Mrs. Yoon looks like.
Mr. Kim will accompany you.
Mr. Gang, summon Mr. Kim.
How can you be so cruel? I refuse, even if you kill me.
You're the only one I can entrust her life to.
I won't accept your order, no matter what you say.
Watch over her for me as she leaves.
As a friend. Please.
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