Episode 58
Did you betray and kill my father?
Why won't you answer?
Did you betray my father,
insult Mrs. Oh, my mother, and go as far as to deceive me too?
How dare you question him!
It's none of your business, Mr. Doh!
What?!
Geum-pyo, step back.
Why do you want to hear that now?
I want to know the truth. Tell me.
If that's what you wish, follow me.
Did you betray my father?
Yes.
I informed on the revolt that your father led.
How...
How could this be?
I had no choice but to forsake my friendship for the sake of the monarchy.
The guilt...
towards Ja-myung has been with me for over 50 years.
Why did you take care of Mrs. Oh?
Did you think that would change anything?
I didn't take care of her out of guilt.
I did it because I too loved her.
Mr. Jo!
That's enough. I've heard enough.
The gods made me pay by making you my son.
This is our record of all that happened that year.
The truth you want is in here.
Chuh-sun.
I didn't want you to go through what I did.
Please understand that much.
You have no right to say that.
I can't believe I honored my parents' murderer.
Dear heavens, why are you doing this to me? Why?
King Sejo restored the monarchy and strengthened our nation.
Compile the achievements of the three kings since King Sejo.
We will.
That's all for today.
Your Majesty.
Don't you think it's time you released the court officials?
What?
Release the fools who disobeyed me?!
Your Majesty.
We can't run state affairs without them.
What?
If you release them, I'm sure they'll be very grateful.
Let this be an example...
and use it to your advantage.
Very well.
I'll do as you say.
But if any of them go against me again,
then I'll hold you responsible too.
Your Highness, you must get well soon.
The king disobeyed me.
What's the point in recovering at all?
Please bury the hatchet.
Everyone's afraid because you're not getting along with him.
Reinstating Mrs. Yoon has degraded our authority.
What should we do now?
Your Highness, the king is here.
Let him in.
How are you, grandmother?
My heart aches, not my body.
Dr. Yang, why isn't she recovering?
Are you sure you're treating her?
If she doesn't get well soon,
I'll hold you responsible for it.
Yes, Your Majesty.
You're the one who made me ill.
Why do you want to punish Dr. Yang?
My mother has already been reinstated.
Please accept it.
But court officials are still against it.
What will you do about that?
We can't let servants have a say in every single decision we make.
I punished them because they deserve it.
Your father hired them to set moral standards.
Don't you see what you're doing is insulting your own father?
I'm not like my father.
What?
I am the king now.
Why do you keep comparing me with him?
I just want you to learn from his benevolence.
My father had you, a mother from a noble family.
But my mother had no background, she couldn't even remain queen for long.
I wouldn't even compare myself to my father.
Why do you insist on getting me wrong?
You went too far. Apologize to her immediately.
Don't you see I reinstated my mother so that no one can belittle me?
Your Majesty!
I'm sure you'll understand in time.
Your Highness, are you alright?
He is just so twisted.
This is terrible... Terrible...
Why do you look so upset?
My grandmother keeps comparing me to my father.
It's suffocating me.
She just wants you to do well.
My father reigned in peace.
But if King Sejo hadn't taken over back then,
our nation would've become a total mess.
My father...
accomplished much, but a king is nothing if he lets his ministers take over.
I will become strong, like King Sejo.
I'll become greater than my father.
I'll become so great, no one will dare challenge me.
Chuh-sun.
Would you choose life or death?
Would you live and have regrets, or die with no regrets?
A friend of mine chose death.
We fought for the same cause, but I chose to live.
I want you to survive too.
What do you mean, you'll resign?
I can no longer serve you as Head of Eunuchs.
Please accept my resignation.
Tell me your reason.
I'm the son of a traitor.
What?
You were a shaman's only son...
until Mr. Jo adopted you.
You weren't born of a traitor.
I have no right to serve you. Please accept my resignation.
You have to cut all family ties to become a eunuch.
Even if you were born of a traitor,
I'd forgive you just for all you did for me ever since I was a baby.
Your Majesty...
I was born of a criminal too. How could I punish you?
I'll give you a few days off.
Get some rest.
I expect you to come back as loyal as ever before.
You look like you're about to cry.
Dr. Yang.
Did you know about my real father?
How did you find out?
I read our records for that year. How could this happen?
Don't blame your fate.
I'm sure Chi-gyum didn't know who you were at first.
I don't know if I'm allowed to serve the king now.
Chuh-sun.
The winner gets to write history, so that's what the records will say.
But you can see the truth between the lines.
I don't understand.
My head is so jumbled up.
Those who read the records will think Mrs. Yoon harmed others out of jealousy.
But don't you know that she wasn't like that?
Your father and foster father...
ended up taking two very different paths.
But I'm sure they both did what they did for their nation.
That's why I still think of Chi-gyum as a friend.
Go on inside.
Mr. Jo's waiting for you.
Do you really want to cut our ties?
This isn't about a father whom I never saw even once.
It's about...
what you did to me and to Mrs. Oh.
I understand.
I guess I was being too greedy.
This is the cord symbolizing our relationship.
This was once my father's.
I will cut our ties with his knife.
I won't be seeing you again.
I'm paying for taking away your son.
Don't be too sad. I know...
how much you loved him.
I'm sure he'll understand you one day.
Thanks. See you around.
They were family...
for decades. This is too cruel to them both.
Ja-won.
Do you know why my innocent mother was deposed and then killed?
It was because she was framed.
Yes, the ministers wouldn't have wanted...
me to succeed my father.
And the concubines fought over my father.
That's why she was deposed and killed.
But...
my father was the one who ordered it.
If he'd been more powerful,
he could've protected her, the love of his life.
But he was weak,
and so my mother died.
Wait and see. I won't be weak, like him.
I'll make sure the ministers can't control me.
I'll make those who killed her tremble in fear.
This banquet is for ministers and officials alike.
Where are the officials?
They refuse to come to work until you revoke your mother's title.
What?
How dare they? So they're disobeying me?
You must punish them accordingly.
They should provide proof against my mother then.
If there isn't any, I'll get rid of you and them.
Is that what you want?
Your Majesty.
We will persuade them. Please let it go for now.
Why don't you let us each pour you a glass of wine?
I'll let this go for your sake.
But if the officials don't give in, I will show them who's in charge.
Thank you.
May I pour you a drink, Your Majesty?
Didn't my father favor you, Minister Lee?
Your father was very good to me.
I'm sure he was. He trusted you so much...
he sent you to kill my mother.
I bet you remember how she suffered while the poison...
melted her guts.
Your Majesty...
Why are you trembling?
How dare a subject spill wine on the king's robe!
I'm sorry. Please forgive me.
Change into another robe.
Minister Lee spilled wine on my clothes.
You think so highly of law and order, so why can't I punish him?!
Don't you think he insulted me enough?!
Your Majesty.
He was just drunk. Please forgive him, Your Majesty.
You're insulting me too?!
Of course not.
Why would I do that?
If you won't do your duty, then I'll make you.
Please forgive us.
Withdraw!
The king...
seems to be upset.
He might avenge his mother.
He's too intelligent for that.
He won't kill everyone off just to avenge his mother.
I'm more afraid he'll use her as an excuse to gain control.
Then no one will be able to stop him.
The king has summoned you.
Court officials are petitioning me, refusing to come to work.
The ministers won't do anything, so state affairs are at a standstill now.
But the officials have a right to speak their mind.
You're right.
I am king, but if I punish them for no legitimate reason,
my people will turn against me for good.
But I...
can't just sit and wait for the officials' return.
I want your men to take over from them.
But I'm just a retired eunuch.
I know that.
But Lord Kim is on leave, so you're all I have.
Get your men to fill in for the court officials for now.
Fill in for them?
It's just until the court officials decide to come to work.
We must ask Lord Kim first.
The king gave an order.
The king... ?
And I know Lord Kim is against us taking part in politics.
But this is do or die. It's up to you to make the decision.
What should we do?
How are you, sir?
What is it?
I'd like to ask you if you know where Mr. Jung is.
Why are you asking me about him?
You two go a long way back. I just thought you'd know.
What's this about?
I know you let him see the king.
I don't know why you did it,
but if you upset the king any further, you'll pay the price with your life.
You're wrong to think his death will cover everything up.
Forget Mr. Jung. The department is mine for as long as I have these.
What is the king up to?
The officials opposed the king and now they're not showing up.
No wonder the king's upset.
But everyone will hate us if we get involved in politics.
And the king will get into even worse trouble.
Then what should we do?
Disobey the king?
Lord Kim would plead with the king to take it back.
It's our duty to tell the king to take the right way out.
Are you all with me?
I'm with you, Mr. Choi.
Yes, I'll do anything for the king and our department.
If you're all in, so am I.
Is all this really true?!
Mr. Jung wrote it when he was Captain of Investigations.
Your Majesty, the eunuch captains are here.
Let them in.
What brings you all here?
We cannot fill in for the officials. Please take back your order.
What?
We're mere servants who make sure daily operations work like clockwork.
We wouldn't dare get involved in politics.
Please forgive us.
First the officials opposed me,
and now the eunuchs won't obey me?
We can't let you go down in history as a king who let the eunuchs take over.
Please accept our loyal advice.
Please accept our advice.
How dare you say you're loyal!
You all deserve a beating!
Mr. Kim!
Take them to be tortured!
Yes, Your Majesty.
Take them away!
But...
- Your Majesty. - Your Majesty.
- Accept our advice. - Your Majesty!
Please accept... our advice!
Your Majesty! Please accept...
our advice! Your Majesty!
How dare... How dare they... !
I'll supervise the torture myself!
Life is...
but a dream
Something bad has happened.
Is heaven falling down on us? What on earth could be so bad?
The captains are being tortured.
What?
- Stop. - Yes, sir.
You're disobeying me out of loyalty?
Yes.
Please accept our advice.
How dare you mock me.
You think I don't know just how corrupt you really are?
We've served your family for over 30 years, ever since we were boys.
Why are you doubting our loyalty?
Shut it!
Mr. Choi.
You dated a court maid after your manhood revived.
Is that what you call loyalty?
Mr. Moon.
You took advantage of lonely court ladies and maids.
You made them fall in love for your own entertainment.
Mr. Song.
You accumulated riches when you're illiterate, didn't you?!
Mr. Hong.
You let this all slide because they're your friends.
How dare you talk about loyalty!
I should have you hung and quartered for mocking me, pretending to be loyal.
Torture them until they confess their crimes!
Yes, sir.
Your Majesty!
Stop torturing them.
Step aside, Dr. Yang.
We eunuchs protect you from all the outside criticisms.
You can't threaten to kill them just because of a few mistakes.
Show them some mercy and forgive them.
My seniors appreciate your skills, but don't think you can push me around.
I've lived long enough. I don't mind dying right now.
I'd rather you punish me instead.
Don't just stand there!
Beat him so that he doesn't mock me again!
Yes, sir!
Your Majesty...
- Sir! - Sir.
Sir!
- Sir... - Your Majesty!
Sir!
- Sir! - Sir!
- Your Majesty!
What are you doing here?
I saw you come in...
but you didn't come out...
You were afraid I'd take my own life?
This is no place for a woman. Gaedochi would have a fit if he knew.
Don't ever come here again.
It takes a lot...
to take a life.
My father was a police official.
A young man proposed to me before getting a job in the capital.
He said he'd call for me, so I waited.
But two years went by and still no news.
So I came looking for him.
He was already married, and he pretended I was insane.
I couldn't return home in such disgrace.
I decided to kill myself. That was all I could do.
But you saved my life.
Why are you telling me this?
I don't know.
Perhaps I thought you'd understand me.
You must return to your office.
What is it?
Dr. Yang and the captains were tortured.
What?
How dare you stand in your superior's way.
If you're off to see the king, I'd rather you not stop him.
What?
How dare you be so rude. Step aside immediately!
This is no place for you.
You really want a beating?
I'm Captain of Investigations now.
How dare you challenge me!
Let him go.
I'll decide whether you deserve that title later.
If you insist on stopping the king...
I'll have to tell him about you and his mother.
What? What did you just say?
Do you want the king to find out about you two?
I'm sure I got my point across.
Your Majesty.
The captains asked you to take your order back...
only because it was their duty to, Your Majesty.
I would have done the same had you given me the order.
I believe your men are as loyal as the officials.
Anyone can be loyal as long as they're loyal to me.
We can barely read the easiest books there are.
We can't replace the learned court officials.
Please take back your order.
Dr. Yang and your captains mocked me.
What should I do about them?
If you feel insulted in any way, it's my fault for not correcting them.
Punish me instead.
I don't want to lose you over them.
I'll put an end to it by demoting them.
Thank you so much.
But I will forbid all my subjects from talking back to me.
Take down what I say.
Words cause trouble.
Talk can take a life.
Close your mouth and bite your tongue.
Then your life will be spared.
Lord Kim.
All eunuchs must wear a tag with that poem carved on it.
I will punish anyone who speaks freely in my presence.
Make sure they memorize that poem.
The king ordered them to wear wooden tags?
Yes. And he'll check for any revived genitals once a month.
If he can't trust us...
then our department has no reason to exist.
Wearing tags like dogs...
Our reputation is at stake.
I think someone told him about our past secrets.
We still have rice and fabric.
You brought even more?
It shows how much the king cares for you.
I found you a larger house. I'll help you move soon.
I just can't thank the king enough.
What is it?
Mr. Jo asked for you.
Tell him I'll visit him after I report to the king.
You can't do this to the Captain of Investigations.
You want me to drag you there?
How did you know about what happened in the past?
Well...
Tell him the truth!
I read the records that Mr. Jung had written.
What?
There was so much corruption, I had to show the king.
How could you report on your seniors just to get on the king's good side?
You want to take over, do you?
I just did it for the king.
I swear I have no ulterior motives.
You should be ashamed of yourself.
I'm sick of you. Go.
Mr. Jung left more than that.
What?
Queen Insoo had told him to investigate a few things in secret.
About Lord Kim and Mrs. Yoon.
And even how you and Minister Han replaced King Yejong.
You want to lose your head?
If I die, my men will take the report to the king.
Then you'll be punished for high treason.
But as long as you stay out of politics, the king won't hear about those reports.
The king tortured the eunuch captains and made them wear wooden tags.
I'm afraid he'll come after us next.
He can come after us any minute. I've never been so afraid.
We must not let him come after us, at any cost.
Mother.
I will become a king that the people praise endlessly.
I will not let your blood and tears go to waste.
Watch over me.
Court officials are going against me because I reinstated my own mother.
I feel bad that it's my fault that my mother was a criminal.
It is not, Your Majesty.
I want to see if my mother deserved such treatment.
I read all the records regarding her.
But they were all rumors with no proof to back them.
If any of you know of any proof, stand up and tell me.
If my mother really was killed for being jealous,
then I'll revoke her title and never mention her again.
Does your silence mean you agree she was innocent?
Your Majesty.
She has already been reinstated and you upgraded her tomb too.
I think you should let it go.
I agree, Your Majesty.
No. I can't do that.
If my mother was innocent, it means she died for nothing.
I will get to the bottom of this, both as her son and your king.
I will punish everyone who petitioned for...
or agreed to her killing.
Minister Lee Se-jwa delivered the poison knowing the deposed queen was innocent.
Bring him in and behead him!
Yes, Your Majesty.
Lee Se-jwa, accept your punishment!
The late king rewarded me greatly.
And now I must be killed for delivering the deposed queen's poison.
What, he took his own life?
Yes, Your Majesty.
How dare he mock me and disobey me.
Dig up his corpse and behead it!
Seize all his riches and sell his family as slaves!
Han Myung-hwe conspired against my mother.
Destroy his tomb, break his coffin and behead the corpse!
Then grind his bones and dump them in the river.
Arrest the officials who were against my mother's reinstatement.
- Arrest them! - Yes, sir!
This can't be...
I never thought he'd do this over her.
I should've stopped him.
Your Highness, focus on recovering first.
Your Highness, Royal Ladies Um and Jung are here.
Let them in.
Your Highness, please save us.
Only you can save our lives.
What are you talking about?
The king is punishing...
everyone who was involved in his mother's death.
He's even digging up dead ministers' corpses.
If he hears that we wanted...
Mrs. Yoon deposed, he'll kill us too.
The king is a filial son.
He wouldn't harm his father's concubines.
Queen Junghyun is right. I will protect you at all costs.
Thank you, Your Highness.
Why are you blocking my way?!
No king has ever killed his predecessor's loyal subjects.
Please stop this bloodshed!
What?!
If you kill everyone over your mother, you'll be recorded as a tyrant.
Shut it!
You never said a word while the ministers framed my mother.
What's all this petitioning about now?!
And you call yourselves my subjects?!
Your Majesty! Please accept our advice!
Accept our advice!
Accept your advice?!
And turn a blind eye to the suffering my mother went through?!
Is that what you call moral and legal?!
I can't believe you represent the people.
- Withdraw! - Your Majesty!
How dare you stay in my way!
Please do not shed any more blood!
Do not shed any more blood!
- Your Majesty! - Your Majesty!
- Do not shed any more blood!
Accept our advice!
Do not shed any more blood!
The king beat the officials?
How could he do such a thing?
Lady Han, did he beat them himself?
I saw it with my own eyes.
He's possessed by Mrs. Yoon's ghost.
I'm sure there was a reason.
You must find that out first.
If this goes on, it will ruin our monarchy.
What should we do?
He's so violent. I'm scared of him.
Father, please stop him.
I think it's all our fault for letting him down.
Mr. Jo asked to see you.
I said I wouldn't see him regarding personal business.
It's about the department's future.
We're in a dire crisis now.
If we don't stop the king,
we'll become his puppets.
People will blame us for everything.
Lord Kim.
You must decide whether to take the blame or replace the king.
The call is yours alone.