Episode 60
Your Majesty.
How can you use your mother...
as an excuse to kill people you hate?
This isn't what she died for.
I'm doing it to become a strong king.
Why are you upsetting me?
You've done enough.
Now even your own people fear you.
I know that.
I'll make sure no one challenges me.
Don't you know that...
a truly powerful king is he who fears his people?
What?
Some eunuchs are terrorizing them because you don't take them seriously.
If you distance yourself from the loyal men,
the sweet-talkers will ruin your reign.
Change your ways and start caring for your people again.
Or you won't get another chance.
Be quiet, Lord Kim.
I know you mean well, but I've had enough.
Leave.
I said leave!
Your Majesty.
Please burn your mother's clothes.
What?
- What did you say?! - Your mother...
took the poison so you'd be revered and loved by the people.
But if she knew how you are using her to threaten and kill people,
she would turn in her grave.
Lord Kim, how dare you...
Why can't you see you yourself are tarnishing her name?!
Shut it!
Lord Kim.
How dare you insult me!
You used to be so good.
Is anyone outside?!
You called for me?
Take him away and torture him!
You heard me! You're disobeying me too?!
I said take him away!
Yes, Your Majesty.
Hear your suffering people cry.
Your Majesty!
Hear your suffering people cry!
- Continue. - Yes, sir.
- Stop. - Stop it.
Yes, sir.
I'll forgive you right now if you apologize for insulting my mother.
Your Majesty...
Stop this bloodshed.
Torture him until he shows remorse!
- Continue. - Yes, sir.
Your Majesty, he has fainted.
Kick him out of the palace.
He was tortured...
and thrown out for giving advice?
I think the king went too far by torturing Mr. Kim.
He's killing ministers left and right.
What's so terrible about killing a eunuch?
But Mr. Kim...
used to be the king's favorite subject.
Chuh-sun touched the wrong scale.
A dragon...
has only one scale that's facing the other way.
Touch that and the dragon lashes out.
I'm guessing Chuh-sun mentioned Mrs. Yoon.
Geum-pyo.
We must move sooner than I thought.
Hurry up and gather your men.
Yes, sir.
I thought Mr. Kim would understand me.
Now that he's betrayed me, I have no one to trust.
He did it out of loyalty.
Please show him some mercy.
Why are you defending a man I'm punishing?
You want to get thrown out too?
A man who doesn't speak up for fear of death is no longer loyal.
I'd rather have you throw me out and forgive Mr. Kim.
You sure are a good man.
But I won't forgive him, so that's that.
What did he do to deserve such a beating?
He wouldn't do anything bad.
He tried to give the king some advice.
The king has gone insane.
Why else would he do this?
Be quiet.
You might get everyone killed.
I'm just so exasperated.
Will he be alright?
Give him some water when he wakes up.
He just needs food and some rest.
Your Majesty.
Why did you torture and throw him out?
He insulted me.
What?
That's nonsense.
Don't you know he's been loyal to you ever since you were young?
I know how loyal he is to me.
But if all loyal men can get away with being rude, my authority will diminish.
You'll be alone if the eunuchs turn against you like the officials did.
So pardon Mr. Kim and bring him back in.
I made up my mind.
Do as I say, Your Majesty.
I'm too old to get involved in politics, but I'm worried about the monarchy.
I worry more about politics than you ever will.
So stay out of it.
What?
Please excuse me.
This nation isn't yours alone.
Many men, royals and ministers alike, died to preserve the monarchy.
Why are you trying to take over?
Then do YOU want to reign instead?
What? How could you say that?
I guess I've lived way too long.
Just talking to Queen Insoo makes me want to scream.
Shall I prepare a banquet?
No, I'm sick of drinking in the palace.
Is there anything I can do for you?
Let's visit Prince Jeahn. I'd like to hear him play music.
He doesn't consult us anymore. What's the point of working?
There's no one to tell the king that some eunuchs are terrorizing the people.
Why don't you try?
I'm his father-in-law,
but even I have to wear this.
Give him some time.
He'll calm down now that he's in control.
I heard you have a beautiful slave. The rumors were true.
Not really.
What is your name?
I am Jang Noksoo.
Noksoo?
Now I know why you seldom leave your house.
Summon her to the palace.
She's intelligent, so she'll help cheer you up.
Would you like to move into the palace?
Why, you don't want to?
I heard you kill men left and right. Is that really true?
What?
How dare you say such a thing.
Apologize immediately.
So what if it's true?
You must beat a dog if you want to train it.
You should be stricter with them and show them who is in charge.
You really are as bright as you are beautiful.
Alright.
He's flirting with Prince Jeahn's slave?
The king visits the prince often to spend time with Noksoo.
He wouldn't do that. It must be a rumor.
It's not a rumor.
Jang Noksoo is a married woman too.
Lady Jang.
Make sure none of the women spread word.
I will.
You're not well enough to be out here.
It's stuffy inside. I wanted some fresh air.
The wind is still cold.
You must go inside.
You're brewing my medicine?
Wolhwa asked me to before going to the temple.
I'm sorry about this.
You saved my life once too.
You don't resent me now?
I can walk alone.
Is she the lady you saved?
What brings you here?
How are you?
I'm fine.
I bet what the king did hurt you a lot.
I don't resent him one bit.
Wounds heal and the pain will subside.
But the memory will remain forever.
I know the king is suffering because he misses his mother.
I should've done a better job serving King Sungjong.
But kings are different from us.
Everything they do affects the people.
The king is threatening his ministers and sweet-talkers are taking over,
but no one is doing anything.
The king will ruin everything King Sungjong achieved.
The king's own life is in danger now.
I warned you already.
If you're scheming something, I will have to kill you myself.
You can kill me out of loyalty, but what about the suffering people?
If you really want to serve the king, return to office.
Give him honest advice, even if he tortures you until your bones break.
Only that will stop me from scheming something.
Welcome.
I called you over to discuss your concubines.
I'm listening.
Out of the candidates,
I chose Minister Hong's daughter and Minister Yoon's daughter.
How about summoning them first before choosing any more?
What's wrong?
I don't want to marry a minister's daughter.
Is it about Ministers Hong and Yoon?
If I marry a minister's daughter,
the government will be filled with in-laws.
But you need concubines anyway.
I found a woman I want to marry.
Queen Insoo is against everything I do.
I need you to persuade her.
I will, if that's what you wish.
Who is this court maid you've fallen for?
How do you feel?
I'm risking my life to get what I want.
So the king fell for your looks and courage.
He thinks very highly of you, Mr. Kim.
I'll be needing your help.
You'll marry Prince Jeahn's slave?
How can you marry someone of such lowly birth?
I've made up my mind. Please grant your permission.
I can't do that.
Your Highness.
I already said no and that is that!
If you like her that much, by all means sleep with her.
But you can't appoint a married woman to become your concubine.
That's nonsense. It's not worth discussing.
Your Majesty, you should do as she says.
You didn't want my mother to marry my father because she had no influence.
What?
What is it you're trying to say?
I will marry Jang Noksoo, whatever you say.
What's wrong with you?
You're ruining all your father worked for.
Now you're breaking our laws too?
The woman that my father loved most was Ulwoodong, a royal's wife.
That's not true, Your Majesty.
I already read all the records.
Why can't I do what my father once did?
How dare you insult your own father.
His affair with Ulwoodong was no rumor.
I will not abandon the woman I love for political reasons.
Fine, do whatever you want.
I don't care if you ruin our nation or marry a married slave.
I won't bother you any longer.
Thank you for granting your permission.
Leave. I don't want to see your face.
Please excuse me.
No, you can't just leave like this.
I have to do as my grandmother says.
He'll ruin the nation that his father barely managed to put on track.
He's ruining everything...
Please calm down. The king is just upset.
It's in his blood.
His mother shouldn't have been queen.
I mean it.
Noksoo, I'll make you a royal lady.
I can't believe this is happening.
A slave girl like you, suddenly promoted to Level 4.
I bet you're excited.
I'm happier that I get to serve you like this.
But I need you to promise me something.
I'm listening.
I married you, so I'll never abandon you.
But Queen Shin is my one and only wife.
I won't forgive you if you try to take her place.
I will forgive no one.
Do you understand?
Yes, I do.
Good, you gave me your word.
Pour me a drink.
He resents Queen Insoo more every day.
It's my fault for not teaching him his manners.
Don't say that. We all know you loved him more than your own son.
She's right.
The king is too unruly.
How can you say that when he's so good to you two?
Didn't you see him make a married slave his concubine?
How could he do that?
I used to be proud to be a king's concubine.
But it's so embarrassing that a slave is a concubine.
Geum-pyo.
Why do you think he married a slave instead of a minister's daughter?
I don't know.
He is bright and thoughtful.
In other circumstances, he'd have made a great king.
He was just born in the wrong time.
You have summoned me, Your Majesty?
I'll reinstate you as Head of Eunuchs.
That's too much work for a retired old man like me.
There's no one I can trust.
Reinstate Mr. Kim.
Don't you know he's been loyal to you your whole life?
But he insulted me.
I did him a favor by letting him live.
You say so, but I know you feel bad.
The Dept. of Eunuchs is under scrutiny now.
Only Mr. Kim can change things.
What do you mean, ''under scrutiny''?
Some eunuchs are abusing your authority to threaten commoners.
I heard about that.
What's wrong with punishing them for attacking my messenger?
We eunuchs protect you. We never harm your people.
Abusing your authority to threaten your people...
is something only lowly fools would do.
I guess you're right.
Ja-won, remember what he just said.
I will.
Reinstate Mr. Kim and reconcile with Queen Insoo.
Queen Insoo helped depose and kill my poor mother.
I want to reconcile with her, but she treats me like a criminal too.
She's the one who made you crown prince when all the ministers were against it.
Don't forget about that.
Your Highness, please reconcile with the king.
Mr. Jo.
He threatened his ministers and now he's breaking the law.
You're upset about Royal Lady Jang?
Marrying a slave who has a husband.
What good would it do for our authority?
He doesn't want the queen to end up like his mother.
What do you mean?
If he married a noble's daughter,
there's a chance she'd use her influence to replace the queen.
Why would he think such a thing?
He still remembers how his mother got deposed.
Anyway you must comfort the king when you can.
Even if that is true, he's lost all authority.
I will not reconcile with him unless he begs for forgiveness.
It's been a while.
How are you, Your Highness?
Good, thanks to the king.
Look after yourself in these troubled times.
Thanks. I'll do just that.
Prince Jinsung has grown.
If the king is deposed, he will succeed to the throne.
Mr. Jo.
I was on my way to look for you.
The ministers are worried about the king's tyranny.
Why is that?
Someone's plotting treason. Have you heard?
That's nonsense. Who would plot treason?
You really have no idea?
That will never happen. Not ever.
It shouldn't.
Hello, Dr. Yang.
Hello, Gaedochi.
How is Chuh-sun?
He's moving around alright.
That's good. He's a healthy man.
She's pretty. Who is she?
Don't even think about it. She'll marry Chuh-sun.
What?
Oh dear...
I thought I could make her mine. It's a pity I'm a bit too late.
It's medicine from the king.
He wants you back as soon as possible.
What will you do?
He'll let you return or quit, whatever you want.
I don't know what to do.
He tortures you, then treats you.
You know how much your mother worries. Don't go back.
Take care of Yoong... like you took care of me.
Can you promise me that?
I promise.
Alright.
Now I can die in peace.
Have you made up your mind?
I'm sorry, mother.
I have to keep the promise I made with Mrs. Yoon.
If you go back...
you'll be treading on thin ice.
And that will be torture for me.
You said I was born with 3 virtues and 3 flaws.
Until now, I thought I'd made myself a eunuch.
But if I was born to be a eunuch, there must be a reason.
Alright.
If that's what you wish, so be it.
She's the one who made you crown prince when all the ministers were against it.
Don't forget about that.
Ja-won, I'm going to see Queen Insoo.
I've been feeling so unhappy lately.
But it's so good to see you, Princes Jinsung, Anyang, and Bongan.
Thank you.
All illnesses come from the heart.
Calm down and try to recover first.
You're as kind as your father was.
You remind me of him.
Thank you.
If only the king were half as kind as you.
How could you say such a thing?
Prince Jinsung is the one who should take after the king.
Of course, you would think so.
Prince Jinsung.
Princes Anyang and Bongan.
Come and visit me more often.
Have some snacks.
Shall I announce you?
It's good to see you all chatting and having fun together.
Why are you here without notice?
I'm unwelcome whether I send notice or not.
What?
Prince Jinsung, I missed you. Why don't you visit me at all?
I was going to today.
What's the point when you don't want to?
Don't get him wrong.
He didn't want to disturb you at work.
I see. I was just too foolish. I didn't think you even cared.
Your Majesty.
How dare you say that. And in front of your brothers.
My mother's a criminal, remember. I can't compare to these royal princes.
What's wrong with you?
Prince Jinsung had a mother to love him.
But I had to work, to be careful not to get on anyone's nerves.
You never loved me, grandmother.
How can you expect me to be like them?
If you want to be loved, you should show remorse and change your ways.
You oppressed the ministers and court officials,
and even made a common slave into a concubine.
And you're blaming me?
Why did you make me crown prince when you hate me so much?
Why didn't you depose me just like you did my mother?
Is that all you can say to me?!
Rebuke me all you want, but I'm still the king.
I will not visit you again.
What is his problem?
Why is he so twisted?
Calm down, Your Highness.
I fear for the future of our nation.
I will not try to reconcile with her.
If she wants me to obey the law, then I'll show her what I can do.
Ja-won, organize a banquet.
I want music and dance all through the night.
I brought all the prettiest dancers to the capital.
You did well, sir.
Not really.
I did it for the king.
It's nothing.
I'm sure the king will appreciate it.
But how will you bring them in?
Let them walk through the gates.
Is it legal to let dancers into the palace?
Who would dare disobey the king's order?
You're right.
Alright then.
There will be a string of banquets.
And many dancers will vie for the king's attention.
It's for the king's sake.
I'll pick a girl for him.
You're so thoughtful.
Don't you mind having to share his love?
Running after a man just makes him want to run away.
You are so right.
Join me, Royal Lady Jang.
Come on.
The palace is full of dancers from all over the nation?
Yes.
You must return as soon as possible.
The palace is full of dancers and banquets go on all day?
The dancers are causing trouble...
and now even the court maids are fighting among themselves.
The king has gone too far.
I can't bear this any longer.
Lady Hong, where is the king now?
Your dancing makes me so happy. You're better than any subject.
Your Majesty, reward the dancers.
I was going to do just that.
Ja-won, bring the box.
These jewels are for you.
Finders keepers. Take what you want.
You heard him. You can keep what you get.
Your Majesty! What do you think you're doing?!
Hello, grandmother.
How dare you throw a banquet for dancers on palace grounds in broad daylight.
Stop this and send the dancers away!
What's wrong with enjoying oneself to relieve the stress of work?
What?
My dear father...
worked hard during the day and enjoyed his life at night.
I'm trying to take after the son you loved so much.
Why are you rebuking me?
Come to your senses!
What will our nation come to?
The ministers and officials aren't complaining.
So what are you doing here ruining my banquet?
Since you're here, why don't you have a drink?
How dare you mock me!
I'm not like my dear brother. And you expect me to obey all the laws?
Your Majesty!
Lady Hong, escort Queen Insoo to her chambers.
Lady Hong, do you want to die too?!
Your Highness, let's go back.
Fine, do as you please.
I won't talk to you again, even if the worst happens.
Are you alright, Your Highness?
Go on. Play some music.
The king has gone just too far. I doubt my ancestors will forgive me.
The ministers were right to say he shouldn't be made crown prince.
It's all my fault.
How could you say that?
The king will come around.
I'm afraid he'll take it out on Prince Jinsung.
He loves him very much. He wouldn't harm him.
You never know what he might do.
But don't worry. I will protect Prince Jinsung.
We fear the king is going too far.
Why don't you tell him to stop holding banquets?
Who would dare to bell the cat now?
The governors aren't doing their jobs because you aren't doing yours.
Thieves and gangsters are taking over.
That's too bad.
But are you sure no one's plotting treason?
Yes. No one ever will.
Do you think he noticed?
Shouldn't we hurry?
I haven't decided whether to replace the king or shake him up.
Wait a bit more.
Minister Yoo visited Mr. Jo?
He visits quite often.
Watch Mr. Jo closely.
Yes, sir.
I bet he's up to something.
Welcome back, Lord Kim.
I will return to office.
I'm glad you're back.
I was so afraid you'd just leave the capital.
How are you feeling?
I'm fine, thanks to the medicine you sent me.
You've served me since I can remember. I shouldn't have tortured you.
Will you forgive me?
Don't say that. I got what I deserved.
Thank you for saying that.
Get back to work and serve me as best you can.
Yes, Your Majesty.
I'm so glad you're back.
Ja-won is abusing his power...
to oppress everyone.
He must be stopped.
Right.
He's ruining it all for us.
He's the reason we're being criticized.
We have to get things back as they used to be.
I returned...
to get rid of the sweet-talkers and restore our reputation.
I hope you're all with me.
You have our support.
Sir. Just a penny, sir.
You call me for a drink out of the blue?
It's been over 50 years since we first met at school.
Now you're the only friend I have left.
We've served seven kings so far.
Some became traitors, some died, and some left.
I was afraid you'd turn against me over King Yejong's death.
I was so grateful for what you did.
I haven't forgiven you yet.
But I do understand why you did it.
As Head of Eunuchs, I enjoyed riches and power.
It's time to return the favor.
What do you mean?
Eunuchs fade into the background. We're never mentioned in any record.
Still, I can't just sit and let a fool of a king ruin our nation.
Chi-gyum, you're going to... ?
Whatever I do,
help Chuh-sun keep our department alive.
Do I have your word?
I'm going to replace the king.
If I don't, our monarchy, even our nation might fall.
I will serve you to my death.
I will protect the nation that King Taejo established.