Episode 51
I thought you had eloped with her.
Is this her poison?
Yes.|
I'll brew it.
Chuh-sun.
What are you carrying?
I'm about to leave on an errand.
Perfect timing.
Give this letter to my mother.
Didn't I say you can't send any more letters?
You must endure it, even if you miss her.
That way when you see her again, she'll be proud of you.
I guess you're right. I'll endure it.
If you see her, tell her I'm well.
I will.
They say a magpie's call means we'll hear good news.
I hope it's about your reinstatement.
Mother.|
I never got to repay you for raising me.
You even had to see me get deposed.
I'll never be able to apologize enough.
Please forgive me.
Don't say that.
Whatever they say,
you're my darling daughter.
You never caused any trouble.
You were always righteous and honest.
Even when I was widowed,
I was able to manage because you were there.
If we're ever born again,
I want you to be my daughter.
I'll make it up to you...
by bringing you up.
Why are you saying all this?
Mrs. Yoon, receive the king's orders!
Mother, you must be calm.
Is she Mrs. Yoon?
Why won't you answer?
That... is her.
Receive the king's order.
Mrs. Yoon...
deceived and pressured me out of jealousy.
She was deposed and thrown out, but instead of...
showing remorse, she wrote letters to her son which she shouldn't have,
and attempted to harm the queen.
For the sake of our nation,
I demand that she take her own life.
What? This can't be. The king wouldn't give such an order.
No... No... Don't do it.
This can't be.
No, this can't be, So-hwa!
Don't drink it!
Give her the poison.
Carry it out.
Don't cry, Chuh-sun.
I know the king's intentions.
He had to do it in order to protect Yoong.
What mother wouldn't die for her own son?
The king must be in great agony.
He had to decide to take my life...
the life of the love of his life.
You must comfort him...
in my stead.
Take care of Yoong... like you took care of me.
Can you promise me that?
I promise.
Alright.
Now I can die in peace.
What are your final words?
Bury me on the roadside...
where I can see Yoong when he goes to commemorate his ancestors.
Drink the poison.
Take her inside to die in peace.
Yes, sir.
Step aside.
I will take her.
I will carry you.
Your back is as warm as it used to be.
I can see you, even with my eyes closed
Wherever you may be
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
Is she dead?
She stayed calm the whole time.
Yes, I'm sure.|
Mr. Kim took care of her body.
Alright. You may go.
I will.
I will never cry again.
Please watch over Mrs. Yoon.
Please let her soul be liberated.
Merciful Buddha...
We must watch the prince even more closely.
We will.
Your Highness, Prince Yoong is here.
Let him in.
I'm afraid of the thunder and lightning, mother.
Mother!
Don't worry. I will protect you.
Now that we got rid of her, appoint Yoong as crown prince.
And make sure he never hears what happened.
Mother, I'm the king of this nation.
I'll take care of politics, so you focus on governing the ladies.
Are you rebuking me right now?
You're not my regent. I am the king.
I'm sure you know what I mean.
You did very well.
What do you want?
I want to become a lord.
Become a lord? You want to replace Lord Jo?
But the old must give way to the new some day, right?
You do impress me, but don't underestimate Lord Jo's experience.
Get too impatient and it'll be your downfall.
I have a plan. Just give me your backing when I ask for it.
Sure, I will. This is quite exciting.
Why didn't you...
stop him from doing that?
Why did she have to die like that?
Nothing I can say will comfort you.
It's all my fault. Blame me for everything.
She was still so young...
Where is Chuh-sun?
He disappeared after the funeral.
Find him and make sure he doesn't do anything foolish.
Yes, sir.
- Ma'am... - Oh gosh.
If I hadn't...
fallen into Han-soo's trap, she'd still be alive now.
Stop crying, Beodeul.
What good will it do?
He's right.
Crying won't bring her back.
I'm just so upset, alright?!
I have no way of returning to the palace now!
Take me with you!
I wonder why he had her killed.
A man should protect his love till the day she dies.
Jeez.
I'm sure he had a reason.
There's no reason for this!
I'd give up any throne for you.
Be quiet.
Why should I?! Am I wrong?!
Chun-dong.
Are you alright?
Mother.
I don't know... I have no reason to live now.
Mother.
Tell me when you think I should appoint Yoong as crown prince.
He is still young.
Why don't you wait until he is older, Your Majesty?
I did as you wanted.
Mrs. Yoon is dead, and her family exiled.
But now you say the prince is too young?
What is it you want?
Why do you think we want something?
We're just afraid the prince will find out,
and take revenge, causing havoc in the nation.
If any of you mention Mrs. Yoon's death,
I will punish that person for high treason.
And if you keep delaying the crown prince appointment,
I have no choice but to think you have ulterior motives.
If you refuse to concede his appointment,
then I will carry on with it alone.
Your Highness, please get well soon.
The magnolias in the garden are budding.
They will bloom soon. We should go for a walk.
Thank you, Queen Junghyun.
But I don't think I'll be around then.
Why are you saying such a thing?
Both my sons died before me. Even my grandson's wife too.
I've lived too long for my own good.
They say it was for the nation and her son,
but it doesn't make me feel any better.
What if Yoong finds out about his mother's death?
I don't even want to think about it.
The king ordered everyone to keep quiet, so he will never find out.
Good. He should never find out.
But I can't stop thinking he will.
Your Highness, Prince Yoong is here.
Let him in.
Come closer, Yoong.
I heard you were unwell.
Is it serious?
Don't worry, I'm just old, that's all.
Be well, until I can look after you.
He's such a good boy, isn't he?
You must get well, for his sake.
You're right. I will take good care of myself for you.
The king is very firm. I don't think we can stop him.
The prince is young...
and he loves Queen Junghyun.
If we all keep quiet and watch what we do,
I don't think we will have a problem.
But the prince is Mrs. Yoon's son.
We will never be safe.
Minister Han is right.
We must do all we can do to delay this until the queen has a son.
China will send an envoy to acknowledge Queen Junghyun soon.
We must get the envoy to help us.
The ministers will do all they can do to delay appointing the crown prince.
Geum-pyo.
Guard the prince's chambers well and watch him at all times.
And keep an eye on Mr. Jung too.
Yes, sir.
Chuh-sun still hasn't come to work yet?
He's been at the eunuch school since he resigned.
How long will you go on wasting your life away?
It's none of your business, father.
What?
I resigned. I'm no longer a eunuch.
Didn't you take a vow promising to do your duty?
You have no right to talk about our duty.
What did you say?
You conspired with the ministers...
to depose and kill an innocent woman.
Just to protect your department.
You sided with Mr. Jung and betrayed what little trust I had left in you.
I left because I have no pride in being a eunuch anymore.
You fool.
If you resent the world just because your love died,
you don't deserve to be a eunuch.
I will not betray anyone...
or be immoral or deceiving...
just to protect the department.
I was wrong about you.
I can't watch him suffer any longer.
Give him the letter that the old shaman left him.
Not yet.
Chun-dong must overcome this on his own.
He'll pull himself together when he's done grieving.
I believe in him.
I thought he'd understand, but we're drifting further apart.
I don't know what to do.
He saw a childhood friend die by drinking poison.
I'm sure he's not in his right mind.
I'm worried he'll never return and end things with me.
We can only wait for now.
He'll understand you in time, after his aching heart heals.
Are you sure you can get rid of Mrs. Oh?
Trust me.
And my husband won't get into trouble?
Why would I want to harm him?
Don't worry.
You have my trust.
It's a reward for helping us get rid of Mrs. Yoon.
Thank you.
We might have to poison the prince soon. Keep an eye on his chambers.
I can't...|
harm him also.
We're in the same boat.
If you try to get out of this, you and your family will have to pay.
Mark my words.
We're done for if Yoong becomes crown prince.
That's what I'm scared about.
But what can we do to make sure it doesn't happen?
Do you have a plan?
Why are you here so late?
Please save our lives.
What do you mean?
If Yoong becomes crown prince, you and your baby will be ruined.
Take the lead in preventing the appointment,
and we will support you as best we can.
Prevent the appointment? Have you lost your minds?
Think of your baby, Your Highness.
If Yoong becomes crown prince,
your future sons will lead an uneventful life.
Your son, the son of a queen, should succeed to the throne.
Shut it.
You should be praying that Queen Junghee recovers,
not get involved in politics and cause trouble.
Your Highness...
Prince Yoong is my son.
I will not forgive you if you get in his way.
You're excused.
Lord Jo.
What brings you here?
I'm here to see Chuh-sun.
How come I haven't been able to see him lately?
He can't come to work. He isn't well.
Is he very ill?
He'll get well when he hears that you asked about him.
You have something to say?
I heard the king favored you.
Why are you here drinking your life away?
It's none of your business. Go and play.
I learned that a eunuch should put loyalty before his own life.
Who would protect the king if you put your emotions first?
What? You're so rude.
How dare a little boy like you try to teach me about loyalty.
Get out of here.
I used to respect you. But not anymore.
Why are you getting upset at good counsel? How strange.
You didn't know I have a bad temper?
Go back to work now.
That's where you belong.
Lord Jo is worried about you. Actually, everyone is worried about you.
Why don't you see how much everyone cares about you?
Even Mrs. Yoon would want you to get back to work.
Will you stop trying to act like you're my mother?!
Leave me alone.
How dare you say that. Apologize to her immediately!
You're disobeying me too?!
Leave him alone. He'll feel terrible already.
I was so embarrassed. What's wrong with you?
I'm sick of seeing you like this.
Please get back to work.
I'll become a castrator.
No. If you become a castrator,
your birth mother might never forgive you.
I should've become a castrator in the first place.
Even if people called me names. I shouldn't have become a eunuch.
Then...
I wouldn't have had to take the poison to her,
or watch her drink it and die in such agony.
Why didn't you stop me? Why didn't you?!
You arrogant fool.
Why are you yelling at her?!
You made her cry by castrating yourself and now you're blaming her?!
Stop it.
What are you defending this fool for?!
He needs a proper beating!
Leave him alone!
He's in so much pain.
I wish I could suffer instead.
She isn't getting better?
She's getting weaker, but with no symptoms. It's psychological.
Mrs. Yoon's death crushed her.
Dr. Yang, do all you can to help her recover.
I will.
Yoong.
What are you doing out here in the cold?
I was praying for Queen Junghee and...
Finish what you were saying.
You can tell me.
I was praying for my mother's health.
Please forgive me.
There's nothing wrong about a son praying for his mother.
Come here.
I should be the one to apologize.
I'm sorry.
I don't resent you.
Father.
I heard Chuh-sun is too ill to work.
Please let me pay him a visit.
Why are you still so sad?
Your Highness.
Is that really you?
Chuh-sun.
Why are you still grieving? Stop crying.
I have no reason or will to live in a world without you.
Who else does Yoong have but you?
Chuh-sun.
If you really loved me,
care for Yoong like you cared for me.
Your Highness...
Your Highness.
Your Highness. Your Highness!
The prince left the palace during such troubled times?
To visit a mere eunuch?
I gave my permission.
I just don't understand.
I was worried that he'd get too upset.
I thought visiting the capital would do him some good.
Have you been well?
What brings you all the way here?
I came to see Chuh-sun.
I will get him. Please wait inside.
Aren't you Miss Choi?
Yes, I am.
Life here must be hard.
Compared to Mrs. Yoon...
You can come back with my mother later.
Thank you.
Your Highness, let's go inside.
That's who you'll be serving in the future.
Your Highness, why are you here?
I heard you were ill and got worried.
Drink that twice a day.
Are you very ill? Take care of yourself. I feel lonely without you.
I'm fine now.
I'm sorry.
I want you to come back.
I'm here to request that I be reinstated.
You said you'd never return. Why did you change your mind?
Please let me return.
Being a eunuch isn't a job you can give up or recommence whenever you want.
Get lost.
We don't need...
fools as fickle as you.
If you'll let me return,
I'm willing to start afresh as a trainee, sir.
What made you want to return?
I want to protect and serve Prince Yoong...
until the day he succeeds to the throne.
Will you permit my reinstatement?
If that's what you really want, serve the prince.
Protect him with your life as you promised.
I will do that.
Chuh-sun.
You're back for good?
I was worried you'd...
go and do something stupid.
He's fine. Why the tears?
Stop it.
Welcome back.
Everything feels normal now.
Yeah.
Forget about the past.
It's a fresh new start.
I didn't know you all cared so much. Sorry about not showing up.
Captain Jung wants to see you.
You killed Mrs. Yoon. Why do you want to serve her son?
What?
If you really loved her, you should've eloped with her.
You can say whatever you want.
But I know you framed her, got her deposed, and killed.
I'll find the proof and make sure you pay.
Then Lord Jo will have to pay too. I just did as I was told.
Dr. Yang.
How have you been?
Look who's here. Aren't you Mr. Kim?
You resigned. So, why are you back?
Sorry for the trouble.
No one can change his destiny. Once a eunuch, always a eunuch, OK?
I'm glad you're back.
It's busy in here. Is someone ill?
Queen Junghee's not doing well.
Are you feeling better?
Yes, thank you.
I'm sorry for putting you through it.
Thank you for coming back.
I'll serve you and the prince as best I can.
Care for Yoong in my stead.
My heart breaks whenever I see him.
Your Majesty, Queen Junghee is passing away.
What?
Grandmother.
Your Majesty.
I'm here. Please hang in there.
As a woman, I got to become queen,
and I reigned as regent twice.
I was rich and powerful.
What more could I want?
But now I think...
I shouldn't have told my husband...
to overthrow... his nephew.
It was for our nation's sake,
and he achieved what he wanted.
But too many people died.
Your Majesty.
I beg of you. No more blood... must be shed.
I'll remember that.
Whatever happens,
Yoong must not... hear about his mother.
He is your eldest.
Appoint him as crown prince.
And strengthen the monarchy.
Wipe the slate clean...
and start afresh.
Don't ever let the traitors...
threaten the monarchy again.
Can you...
promise me...
that... Your Majesty?
I will do as you wish.
I'm leaving you...
with a great...
burden...
Your Highness!
Your Highness...
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
My love, please don't forget about me
Dear heavens, let my love come true
My love, please don't forget about me
Dear heavens, let my love come true
Let my love come true